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My alarm went off at the crack of dawn, like always. Even if I didn't work out today, I considered it a taboo to sleep in. I went to my dresser and dug out a pair of black slacks and a black, button up shirt, and went to the bathroom. I took a quick ten minute shower and got dressed. I wiped the steam off the mirror with a calloused hand. I straightened my short silver hair and dug an errant eyelash out of one of my blue eyes.
Satisfied, I stomped into the kitchen and began to make breakfast for my family. I quickly laid out three plates, I wasn't hungry so I didn't set one out for myself, and quickly whipped up a batch of pancakes and set two on each plate. As soon as I started frying the bacon and the fumes wafted throughout the house, I heard movements coming from my parents and brothers room. Touma appeared first, dressed in the same outfit as me.
"Hideyuki, you're going to volunteer today, huh?" He asked, his eyes that were the same shade as mine avoiding mine. He proceeded to stuff a pancake in his mouth. I could tell he was nervous and scared for me.
I walked over and put two pieces of bacon on his plate with tongs. Smiling and ruffling his own silver hair, I said, "Don't you think your big brother can win?"
"Of course you can, Son." Dad answered for Touma, startling me since I didn't notice him or Mom enter.
I didn't want to deal with him this early, so I ignored him and went back to cooking the rest of the bacon. I never did get along with my parents. They were all about appearances and honor; I wouldn't have to volunteer if it wasn't for them. If I were an only child, I would have left the house already and live on my own, but I wasn't, and I had Touma to look after. If I didn't volunteer, they would force him to.
After breakfast, Dad ushered us all out of the house and down to the Justice Building just as everyone else was appearing. I hugged Touma bye so he could have time to find his friends and still make it to the fourteen year-old section in time. I didn't spare my parents even a glance as I took my place in the eighteen year-old boy section. After a couple minutes, the mayor began his mandatory speech. I tuned everything out. Having no friends, I glazed off into space. I only paid attention when I saw this escort appear.
"Please welcome District One's Capitol escort, Mr. Nighthawk." The mayor introduced him. Mr. Nighthawk reminded me of an ink spill.
"Hello District One!" He started, flashing painfully white teeth. "Let's start, shall we?" Ladies first." He walked over to the girl's ball and fished around for a piece of paper. "Fumikazu Sorachi." He announced.
A lithe, but strong looking, girl walked up. She had long white hair, with black streaks throughout it, tied up in a ponytail. She braided two strips of black hair and left them hanging right in front of her ears. She had three tiger stripes tattooed onto her face. She was wearing a red Chinese-style dress with an orange tiger on the front. I vaguely remembered her from school.
"Any volunteers?" Nighthawk asked. Seeing no one speak out, he turned to her. "A capitol inspired look, yes?" He asked, fluffing his ego no doubt. She gave him a smile that seemed slightly crazy to me. Hopefully she doesn't eat her kills. I found myself thinking. "Let's get our boy tribute." Nighthawk continued, seeing he was going to get no response. He dug around and pulled out a name. "Touma Kiku."
I managed to stay calm by reminding myself that I was already planning on volunteering; this just hardened my resolved. I saw my brother walk up there shakily.
"Is there any volunteers?"
"Here!" I yelled immediately. I wanted to run up there, but reminded myself to stay cool. Appearances were extremely important when dealing with the Games. I passed Touma halfway as he scurried back into the crowd and I flashed him a quick smile that I'm not sure he saw. It disappeared as I stepped onto the stage.
"What's your name?" Nighthawk asked.
"Hideyuki Kiku." I announced clearly so everyone could hear.
"Hideyuki, Fumikazu, shake hands please." He ordered us. My hand enveloped hers and I fell into a Game state of mind. As a show of power, I tried to crush her hand, to get even a smidgeon of hurt in those feral eyes, but she just smiled at me. "Everyone, please welcome your tributes, Fumikazu Sorachi and Hideyuki Kiku! May the odds be ever in your favor!" Nighthawk finished the ceremony. We were pushed into the Justice Building on a round of applause and shown to private rooms to say our goodbyes. My family came in minutes later.
"We're proud of you. Boy." Dad slapped my shoulder painfully. I said nothing.
Touma pushed past our father and stood in front of me, drawn to his full height. He was trying to be strong for me. "You better win, you hear?"
"Ya." I said, smiling at him. Then they left.
Having no friends, I waited there in silence, my mind blank. Finally, I was shown to the train with Fumikazu.