Note: Spoilers for ZEXAL episode 114. I'm so sorry but this needed to be done. It would not leave me until I let it write itself.
front
Ryouga Kamishiro was once told that he needed to be strong.
He remembered when he was probably 4 years old, he had hurt himself, tripping and scraping his knee. He cried about it to his mother who treated his wound and dried his tears. Then his mother told him that when he was older, he needed to learn to be big and tough like all the other boys, and that meant no more crying. He had asked why, to which she smiled at him and kissed him on the cheek, then she told him that he needed to be strong so that he would be able to protect Rio. It was, of course, followed by a squawk and Ryouga wiping his cheek, and asking his mom something like, "But why does Rio need protecting, kaasan?" He was answered by just another smile. He was such a kid back then, filled with innocence.
About two years later, everything changed. It was after the trip. They were invited to a fancy party, by some aunt that he didn't know. Rio was dressed in her pretty maroon dress and he wore one of those itchy coats, and he really just wanted to go home and maybe duel against his dad and learn new tactics. Rio wanted him to teach her how to duel, and he bashfully replied that she might learn faster than he did and become better at it. Their mother and father were at the front, talking about them. It was supposed to be a fun, safe trip.
But then, the accident happened; a car crash that took away both their parents, and landed him and his sister in the hospital for a month. It was devastating for them both. Rio couldn't stop crying once she woke up, screaming for her tousan and kaasan. They never came.
Now he understood. As he and his sister were released from the hospital and were taken in by the same aunt and uncle that invited them to that party a month ago, Ryouga understood. Rio was clinging onto his arm, crying once more, asking if kaasan and tousan were ever coming back. Her tears were leaving a damp spot on his shoulders. He squeezed her hand as he looked up at his aunt and uncle. They both had grave looks on their faces. His aunt kneeled in front of them both and took little Rio into her arms, patting her back and softly hushing her. His uncle placed his hand on his shoulder and looked him in the eye.
He understood.
He had to be strong.
He had to be strong even if he was slowly falling apart inside.
If he was keeping up with this front, it would be better to bottle everything up inside.
Strong boys never cried after all.
End note: Please don't kill me.