A/n: I'd like to thank those of you who've read this. Nobori and Kudari need more love, in all honesty. I took the challenge today, and it's somewhat surprising. They lose some, they win some, but even still, they always tell you to come back regardless if you win or lose. It makes me wonder, why? My belief is that they genuinely want the player character to come back- to see how they've improved. They may battle with thousands of people on a regular basis, but I believe that they see something special in the player. A piece of strength, something of individuality that makes them a head above the rest. Something that makes them memorable. That's what makes them memorable for me.
Everything is bothersome, tiring. They moved him onto a stretcher and are moving him to the return train now. Or something. He can't really tell anymore, nor does he care. Everything is echoing, blending into a blur of color, light and sound. All he hears is Kudari's frantic voice ringing in resonance, begging him to stay awake. He wants to let go… but his younger twin won't let him. Figures.
"Hold on, goddamn it!" He hears him call. In response, Nobori lets out a barely audible grunt. Kudari visibly relaxes, before pressing onwards. Pace is quickened, as the sound of footsteps clatter against pavement…
"Mister Kudari, what happened?"
"What's going on? Why did the challenge end so suddenly?"
"Ach, Touko, Touya! Not now! Zhis isn't zhe time!" Kudari stutters, gesturing for them to stand back.
Passerby gawk and stare at the whole event as faceless others haul him around. Everything is so noisy and jumbled, to the point where he can barely think. Nobori notes to himself that he should ban the usage of Explosion. Why didn't the damn trainer think twice before using it in an isolated space? Was he that desperate to win? People… they could be so irrational at times…
"So that's what that shaking was!"
"Oh man… you've gotta be kidding me…"
"Is he going to be okay?"
Chaotic and garbled voices reverberate, ringing in his ears. Pain hindrances him. He can barely tell what's happening, or who's talking. He coughs, gags, sputters- the pain intensifies. He winces, shortly shudders afterwards as he coughs violently. The taste of blood becomes more apparent, and the voices grow hysterical.
"Nobori! Stay with me!"
"M-Mister Nobori!"
He can't hear anymore. With a sharp intake of breath, he closes his eyes. Everything seems so calm and quiet…
For the longest time, he was always known as the more 'responsible' and 'mature' one of the two. The decisive one, who always behaved politely and focused on his studies. Kudari was his opposite; he was a crybaby, who often got picked on and teased by other kids while they were still in school.
Perhaps, it was because he was the older one that he felt compelled to stand up for his younger brother, to guide him. Twins or not, he was still older, even if it was just by a few minutes. And naturally, older siblings help their younger siblings, right?
Kudari was prone to panicking. Sometimes, he couldn't speak normally due to his bouts of nervousness, which gave him trouble when interacting with others. He couldn't hold a conversation, much less start one. He knew his crybaby younger brother, who was always plagued with uncertainty. And yet, he always smiled.
He always wished to see his brother smile. Whether that gave him rights to become such the stern and calculating person he was to day, he didn't know. However…
How would a crybaby like Kudari ever get on without him? Who would help him make sure the trains were on schedule? Who would wake him up in time? He was just so hopeless…
No, that wasn't the correct way of thinking. Nobori needed more faith in his younger brother…
His eyes flutter open, barely a crack. His breath is shallow, everything seems to be in slow motion. It's as hectic as ever from what he sees. The placid whiteness of the walls hurts his eyes. He's always preferred darker colors, since they've always been easier on the eyes.
He can't hear anything anymore.
However, he can see.
He sees his younger brother's frenetic face hovering over his, tearstained and creased with worry. For the first time in a long while, he sees that his lips are tugged into a distinctive frown. One that he's seen so many times throughout his life, but hasn't seen in so very long…
"…Dummkopf…"
Whether he said it aloud or not, he doesn't know. His consciousness is fading fast, heading towards the oblivion called 'sleep'. Or is it death in his case? He doesn't care anymore.
He only cares for his brother.
"Didn't I tell you before… " He mumbles faintly, almost an inaudible whiper. "…To always… smile… ?"
Everything seems to freeze at this point, and all he can hear is the beating of his own heart. Shock is clearly etched onto Kudari's face. Nobori can feel his body slacken, and relax. He can't remember the last time he felt something like this. Slowly, he closes his eyes and embraces oblivion willingly.
He lets go.