Shishido was playing in the park when his mother called him.

"Ryou-chan, can you come here for a second?"

"Yes Mommy!" the little Shishido replied cheerfully while walking to his mother.

"Ryou, I want you to meet Sho-chan." His mother said while pointing to no one in particular.

"Uhmm…Mom…who exactly is Sho-chan?" Shishido asked confused while looking for the said girl. His mom looked at her side then smiled.

"Sho-chan…" Shishido tilted his head curiously as a chubby little girl in pigtails came out from hiding behind his mother's legs. The girl looked at him curiously but said nothing.

"Hello Sho-chan!" Shishido greeted the girl who was still sucking her thumb.

"H..hello…" she replied in a cute way making Shishido smile.

"Do you want to play?" Shishido asked the girl at least a year or two years younger than him. Sho just stood still but said nothing.

"Come on Sho, baby. I'm sure onii-chan here will take care of you, right?" Sho's mom asked Ryou who just smiled and nodded.

"Alright!" Sho smiled and became energized as if the assurance of his mom is what she needs to lighten up. Shishido then held Sho by her wrist and ran to the swings.

"Do you want me to push you?" Shishido asked making Sho's eyes lit up.

"Really? Okay!" she replied childishly.

"Hey look! That little girl is so ugly and fat!" a guy not far from them insulted. "Hey little kid! Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be in a zoo?" another mean guy added while laughing boisterously. Sho felt her tears cornering her eyes then ran away. "Aww…the little baby is going back to her mom…" a guy with a cap mocked her more.

"What do you want?!" Shishido asked anger present in his voice.

"Oh the little kid's boyfriend is on the rescue!" the biggest and the toughest looking guy in the gang mocked.

"Back off!" Shishido threatened his eyes full of fury. The guy got pissed and took Shishido by his collar lifting him off the ground. "What did you say?!"

"I said, Back off!" Shishido shouted making the guy flinch a little. "Whoa! That's a liitle harsh for you little fella." The guy said loosening his grip. "We'll let you go just this once, but don't think you've seen the last of us" the guy threatened as the group walked away. Shishido just disregarded them and went to look for Sho. Shishido found her under a tree and saw that she still has her head down and still crying.

"Don't worry it's okay now, they just don't have nothing better else to do." Shishido said as he approached Sho. She looked up to him, teary-eyed and asked, "Am I ugly?"

"No, you're actually cute…" Shishido said smiling.

"Onii-chan…" Sho murmured as a few more moments of sobbing passed. Shishido was silenced for a moment then smiled. He actually liked the idea of being an older brother.

"Can I call you onii-chan?" Sho asked sincerely as a genuine smile formed on her lips.

"Sure"

…oOo…

Briing…riiing…

Shishido went out of his classroom and was greeted by students rushing to go home or to go after school activities. Shishido found himself going to the club's office instead of the tennis courts.

Knock. Knock.

"Aah…Shishido-san, what brings you here?" their coach asked.

"Excuse me sensei but can I be excused from today's practice?" Shishido asked.

"Ask permission form Atobe. If he permits, you may go." Sakkako-sensei said.

"Arigato"

"Aah"

…oOo…

"Why?" Atobe asked authoritatively. Shishido went silent for a moment before he sighed. "I need to pay respects" he said sadly. Atobe, sensing his tone of voice allowed him. "You may go" Atobe said. Shishido waled out of sight quietly, his mind obviously occupied with something.

As he was on his way to the cemetery, he took out a picture from his pocket and stared at it intently, tears slowly stinging his eyes. Moments later he reached the grave and knelt down then solemnly prayed. He stared at the grave for a while before deciding to leave and left a letter on the place. A gust of wind made the letter visible, in it says, "Happy birthday Sho…and I'm really, really sorry…I hope you can forgive me…"