The first time Hiro did something stupid to Tadashi was a few days after he was born. Though it may seem harsh, being a newborn and all, but the way Tadashi told the story had Hiro adding it to his ever expanding list. Tadashi loved to tell stories about Hiro when he was young, it was like looking through an old album. Sadly, their family albums had been stolen a few days after their parents died, so Tadashi's stories are the second best.
It was 14 years ago at a SanFransokyo hospital when Hiro was born. His mother and father were very proud of the new addition, and Tadashi was ecstatic to be a big brother. Hiro had been born small so he spent many days in the sterile watch room, waiting for doctors to clear him so he could go to his new home. Tadashi waited for about a week before he could see his new brother. When those bolted doors opened, Tadashi ran through the nursery straight to Hiro's crib, as though Tadashi was a fish caught on Hiro's hook.
As Tadashi recalled: 'The first time I saw you I swore my life got a lot better. You were so chubby and small. At first I thought you were bread dough with eyes and bushy hair. That may be a weird thing to compare you to but I swear it was what you looked like.'
Tadashi had watched, mesmerized by the little wiggly movements the small baby managed to do. He instantly reached for the baby. Even when the doctors told him to wait he still wrapped his hands around Hiro's small form and lifted him from the crib. Hiro cooed at the new face before him. 7 year old Tadashi felt proud when Hiro didn't cry in his hold. Every doctor, nurse, or other faculty member made the baby cry, except his big brother. Even their parents had some difficulty with Hiro.
The brother's parents watched in amusement as they approached the crib.
"So, how do you like your little brother?" asked his mother.
Tadashi's head snapped up, a huge smile taking up a good portion of it. The woman smiled at his silent yet intriguing response. He positioned Hiro so he was cradled in his arms. The small baby tugged at the ends of Tadashi's robot shirt, giggling when the image on the fabric moved under his ministrations.
"Oh! Do you like robots, Hiro? I love robots. I'm gonna make them when I grow up. Maybe you'll make some too."
Hiro gave Tadashi a no tooth grin, earning a muffled laughter from Mr. Hamada.
Sadly, Tadashi couldn't hold his brother all day, not with his parents wanting to see their new child. Despite most kids hating having a younger sibling, Tadashi wasn't scared of Hiro taking all his attention away; in fact, Tadashi was prepared to spend all of his time with Hiro. As he handed Hiro to his mother, he went over the small list of cool stuff he and Hiro would do once they were older.
Bike riding
Tag
Hide and seek
Building cool robots
Watching bot battles on TV (not live because that was illegal)
The new big brother was practically bouncing off the walls with anticipation. He would be the best big brother ever and nothing was going to stop him, not even god himself.
After another week of waiting, the doctors said he was healthy enough to leave the hospital. Tadashi was very excited. While he waited, he had made a toy for Hiro. It was a small, chrome colored robot that bowed when it was set on the ground. He had been so proud of his toy that he showed everyone that came over to help make up the babies room. His parents were proud, but they said he couldn't give it to Hiro yet. When Tadashi asked why they told him, 'If you give him something that small he'll choke and die.'
Tadashi had never thrown something away so fast in his life. His parents told him he didn't need to throw it away, but Tadashi refused to own anything that would or could ever harm Hiro. He could always rebuild it when he was older; it was no big deal, especially for a genius.
While his parents went to the hospital to get Hiro, Tadashi was left at home to sit and wait for his baby brother to arrive. He paced around the two story house, made a sandwich, created three sets of blueprints, and finished the last stage on a game before he heard keys rattling in the door. Tadashi had waited for half an hour, but to the 7 year old, it felt like ages.
Mr. and Mrs. Hamada walked in with little Hiro in a baby carrier. He was wearing a robot onesie, the one Tadashi had picked out, and a little hat from the hospital. Tadashi rushed up to the carrier and wigged his finger in front of the babies face. He didn't wake up. He softly pushed his soft cheek, earning him a small whine. When he did it again, Hiro's eyes snapped open, his face red and ready to cry. But when Hiro saw it was Tadashi in front of him, his face went back to its normal color.
Tadashi smiled and unhooked the baby from the carrier. While he did, Mrs. Hamada pulled out her camera to take pictures of her little men bonding. Tadashi held Hiro out in front of him, a smile still plastered to his face.
"You and I are going to be the best of friends."
That's when Hiro threw up all over Tadashi's shirt.
