"Nii-san?" Sho had fallen asleep on the couch, after pulling an all-night study session.
Ryo turned silently, his suitcase in hand. "Hello, Sho."
"You're leaving, already?"
"The orientation starts at ten."
"Oh… well, have a good time." He rubbed his eyes blearily, uncertain of what else to say. They were not so far apart in years, but were great distances from one another in maturity. Ryo had grown up years ago, while Sho had still to do so.
"Thank you." He turned again to the door.
"Wait," Sho called. He wasn't sure why, really. It's not as if he was accustomed to speaking at lengths with his brother. But… it seemed wrong to let him leave, for a full year, without a proper goodbye. "Dad's… going with you?" He already knew the answer, but at least it was something to say.
"Yes. Mom's waiting outside to say goodbye to me."
"Okay." Sho teetered forwards, embarrassed by his sleepy appearance. He couldn't help it; he always felt that he had to be his best, his most confident, in front of his brother.
"Well, goodbye."
"I'll see you at Christmas, right?" He surprised himself by saying it, he usually said as little as he could when Ryo was near. It was the one thing they had in common: their frequent lack of speech.
Ryo nodded. "Most likely."
"What… what dorm are you in?" Sho had had a peek at the brochure. It looked nice, if a bit of a challenging of an environment. Regardless, he still hoped that he would join Ryo in a few years.
The corners of Ryo's mouth moved a centimeter. "Dad made some calls, he got me into the highest dorm. Obelisk Blue."
Sho had seen those kids in the picture. They were all straight-faced and serious, just like his brother. "Con – congratulations." He smiled weakly.
"Thank you."
"Goodbye," Ryo repeated.
"Bye…" Sho glanced down at his feet, sadly. For some reason he felt upset. Even though this meant that he'd finally have all parents' attention, and that he wouldn't always have to feel self-conscious.
Ryo stared at him for a moment, and then took a brief step away form the door. "You'll join me in two years, you know." If you keep your grades up. Both of them knew that he was thinking it.
Sho nodded, trying to bite back his approaching self-doubt. Whenever he received compliments from Ryo, that was the inevitable.
He sighed, softly. They'd run out of polite chitchat. There was nothing else to do now, except for ending it. "I'll see you soon, Nii-san."
"Goodbye," Ryo said for the third time. This time it was more doubtful, with his brow furrowed.
Sho gave a glimpse of a wave, and traipsed back to the couch. It was not until he was fully turned away, that Ryo continued out of the door.
It was different for them, even if neither realized it. Usually, it was Ryo who pulled away first. If either brother had thought about it, they would have realized that perhaps it was because, for the first time, Ryo had more doubt than Sho. Maybe they were not so different, then. The only apparent true trait that set them apart was their shells. Ryo hid his nervousness with as much strength as he could, while Sho could not help but let it seep through his skin.
They were brothers after all. Even if they were not close, it was required that there be a certain likeness.