He collected his books, slung the bag over his shoulder and left the classroom. This was his daily routine now, go to school and then go home, nothing else. On his way back home, he couldn't help thinking about how everything had changed. Not long ago, he would be very excited to meet the Gaim members after school, to practice dancing together. Not anymore, not after what I have done. He smiled bitterly.
Half a year after the Helheim invasion, Zawame city had much been back to its normal. People had come back to their daily routines, studying, working, enjoying their lives. Everyone seemed happy, as if nothing had ever happened. Yggdrasill was still running though, repairing the remaining damage; besides, it had more function other than dealing with the Inves and Overlords. Everything seemed fine.
Mitsuzane opened the door and stepped inside, just as Takatora walking down the grand stairs. "I'm home, nii-san.", he said quietly, keeping his eyes low. He had been having difficulties looking his brother straight in the eyes, after he had almost killed him. Well, he would have actually killed Takatora, if it hadn't been for that miracle. Takatora nii-san sure had a lot of luck.
"Mitsuzane… How is school?", Takatora nodded, eyed his younger brother to find if there is something wrong.
"It's okay, nii-san… I… I'm going to my room now." Mitsuzane said as he headed toward his room after looking at his brother for approval.
"Um. Come down for dinner later, okay?"
Mitsuzane nodded.
As the door shut closed, Takatora couldn't help but think about how his little brother had changed. Mitsuzane had never been a talkative boy, but back then he was more… lively, there had been something in his eyes that showed Takatora that his brother was still there. And he bet that Mitsuzane had been active and full of vitality as a Beat Rider.
Now Mitsuzane barely talked, barely left his room except for meals and school. Takatora hardly saw him anymore. Sometimes he could hear his brother crying in his room, but when he asked if there was something wrong, Mitsuzane always denied it and said that he was fine. Fortunately, though, Takatora hadn't caught any sign of him doing something stupid to himself.
It had been more than half a year since the invasion, yet Mitsuzane didn't seem to get over it. He knew that Mitsuzane had made bad decisions, and that he was still feeling guilty of what he had done in the past, but he should get over it and truly live again. Takatora had forgiven him, actually he hadn't even blamed his brother in the first place, and he thought everyone else would too. He could see that Mitsuzane had been trying very hard to redeem himself; he was doing well at school and did everything Takatora told him to. He also heard from the hospital nurses Mitsuzane had come every day to take care of him when he had been in a coma, which made them so fond of his little brother. But the important thing was that Mitsuzane should forgive himself, learn from his mistakes and move on. He still had a long road ahead, and Takatora couldn't stand seeing his brother stay like this forever.