The door opened, a pair of shoes hit the floor, and then the door slammed shut. Anyone listening would know it was me. I took my shoes off not out of custom, but because I despised shoes. I came to the kitchen, ignoring the antics of my 'parents'. So what if Atsuko was my mother? I didn't know her. I had no loyalty to or that boy who had been with me in the office. Even though we looked so similar…
However, the experience had given me a couple things to think about. About the 'family' Kenji was making me be apart of. I had been happy when it was just me and him. I had just come to this country. Kenji, when he and Atsuko separated, took me, and immigrated to America. Maybe I wouldn't have my secret if he'd chosen England or Hong Kong. Or my American music collection. Still… it was a change coming here. Even though it was my nation of origin. I suppose I didn't appreciate exactly how easy I'd integrated. However, it was certain that I didn't really care. I pulled the fridge open and scrambled to grabbed a few goods out of the drawer, and then grabbed a Coke. My snack in hand, I kicked the fridge door shut as I started out of the kitchen. That seemed to snap the lovebirds out of their daze, but I was focused more on my thoughts
Yeah, America was different. But there were still those top thugs of the school. In America, even thugs were entrepreneurs, getting practice in running a business by exerting their strength to run the whole student body. Symphony Hills Junior High, of Seattle, Washington was one such example. And it had been run by a foreigner from the third week after the school year began. Yeah. Me.
So, I was used to walking through the halls and hearing my name whispered as people shied away. It didn't surprise me, or phase me any more. What surprised me was when all that happened today. My first day. From the first moment that my name was known. 'Urameshi.' Just that first name made people stare, and even cringe. The cringing might have been from my effective trouncing of the idiot earlier. However, I doubt that my little tussle could have had that profound of an effect quite that fast.
No, I would have to admit that the reputation that my half brother had created must be more substantial than I had given him credit for. Yes, I would have to take those stories of his prowess to be a little more than the rumors I'd branded them as. Apparently, his reputation preceded me. Darn. Now no idiots would take me as easy pickings, giving me an excuse to fight. Though, somehow, Yusuke managed to find people to fight. I'll just have to find the idiots who challenge him still…and antagonize them till they throw a punch. I heard my name but I ignored it. However, my father was insistent, and finally I sighed.
"Yes?"
"Sei, how was school?"
"Fine. I don't need bother to form my own reputation. I could control the school on Yusuke's. I think I'll do it anyway though. Not like I have anything better to do."
He didn't seem happy with the comment. "Did you start a fight Sei? You promised me you'd wait at least a day before you started a fight."
I shrug, popping the top on my can and taking a drink. "I didn't start anything…" I answer honestly. I would have made it out of the room, and into safety, without any suspicions on me if my half brother hadn't chosen that moment to stroll on in. He took one glance at me and seemed to be reminded of some grievance. He looked straight at Atsuko and Kenji and started running his mouth. Heaven's, that was going to get him in trouble one day. I continued nibbling on my cheese stick. Not my business what he was saying.
"I never want to be in the office with that kid again. I swear our principal was having a conniption trying to address us both by our last name. 'Urameshi, you're free to go. 'Urameshi, stay here.' We didn't know which one he was talking to. If I'd known, I wouldn't have answered the intercom call. After all, how was I supposed to know that there was another Urameshi, let alone that the other one was the one coming out of the tussle in front of me."
The idiot. Kenji looked at me, Atsuko looked at Yusuke, and Yusuke was looking at all three. I was looking at my cheese stick. I give another shrug, ignoring the tension so thick you could cut it with knife. Or with a well placed repeat. "I didn't start anything…" Exactly. That wannabe started it when he took my wallet. End of discussion. He started it when he touched my person. Of course, Kenji wouldn't see it that way. I was involved, therefore I must have started it. I skedaddled out of that room before anymore questions could be asked, taking my pop and the remains of my cheese stick with me.
There was something on my bed when I walked in. It was a book, thick, and sloped. It took me a moment to register what exactly it was. It was a photo album. I looked at the paper placed on top of it. It was almost as if he'd known this was how the afternoon would play out…He knew he wouldn't have a chance to give it to me because I'd storm off. So he left this here for when I did…Eeeeeeeeeeeriiiiiie. The paper read simply in my dad's handwriting…
Thought you might want to see these.
Love, Dad
I almost ignored them. Why should he know what I'd like to see, or not? Not his place. But, curiosity won out. I'd pinned it right. This was a photo album. The first picture looked to be a one year old boy looking curiously down at a new born. The boy had dark hair and chocolate eyes. The newborn's hair was light brown. In handwriting at the bottom, which I inferred to be Atsuko's (It didn't look like Kenji's) it read…
Yusuke (14 months) and baby Seiko (1 week)
I quickly flipped through the rest of the pages, confirming what I thought. Almost a dozen pages of pictures. Yusuke and I. I went back to the beginning, examining each picture carefully. Yusuke feeding me, both of us under a yellow and pink blanket napping. Both of us in the washing machine, peering out, barely over the edge. Him helping me up when I fell (the caption said after my first steps) A picture of a contest that seemed to be who's tongue was the longest. Not that I likely knew exactly what I was doing. As I got older (about 2), there were pictures of cake shoveling contests, me sneaking off with his toys while he was sleeping, and most triumphantly, a picture labeled Seiko's First Kick. Yusuke was holding his shin, while I was trying to get a look at it, panicked expression on my face. Of course, the next picture was me nursing a black eye, while Yusuke was trying to look innocent of wrong doing (Retribution)
As I approached my third birthday, I saw pictures of the two of us doodling (Scribbles), and then a crayon fight (Doodle Wars)and then I saw me giving him a hug (Love and Hug). And then the favor returned. There was a picture of us fighting over a toy, and arguing over what movie to watch(Cinematic Difficulties).There were pictures of us fighting over Atsuko's lap(Territory Issues). The next few looked like we'd gotten a hold of the camera. At this time, it was hard to tellt the two of us apart. My hair was a bit lighter, and my apparel was different. that was about it.Pictures of us being silly together. Faces in the camera, one at a time, with the other person's face partially in view, due to the tilting of the camera. Lots of pictures of us laughing. Then, a playground picture(Sneak Attack). Me facing off a taller kid, distracting him while Yusuke snuck up from behind, getting ready to punch. A second later another picture was taken(Triumph). Bully was dispatched. The two of us were high fiving. Then, a reverse situation(Sneak Attack 2). Of course, it didn't surprise me that as I snuck behind the bigger kid, that the bigger kid was getting ready to throw a punch at my brother's arrogant face. Again, success, and a whimpering bully.(Rulers of the Playground) I wondered if Atsuko or Kenji was taking these pictures. Still, they were pretty good at capturing complete stories. Then, there was a picture of the two of us just arguing. I couldn't see what Yusuke and I were arguing about (Debate). The next picture was all weird (Vicious!). Twisted. Like the person taking it had been knocked over. In one corner, I saw my little 3 year old self lunging across the space to hit what I assumed was Yusuke.
The next two pictures showed the result. The first of these (Pooped) showed the two of us sprawled out on the ground next to each other, eyes closed, exhausted, and scuffed up. In the next picture (Tough Love- First Brawl), we were standing, still scuffed up. My arms and face were covered with bruises, but Yusuke was peppered all over. My injuries were everywhere. His were focused on his legs. But I looked less sore than he did. My face definitely looked worse than his. However badly we'd gotten each other… Now we had our arms wrapped around each other. I was making a peace sign to the camera, he was giving me bunny ears. We were grinning ear from ear, clearly at peace again. This picture, I slid out of the book and set on the desk. I'd pin it up later. Why?
Because that picture alone summed up what I'd forgotten. I had dismissed Yusuke as just being someone I shared a few chromosomes with, as with Atsuko. Well, the picture didn't help my feelings toward Atsuko, but this picture was like watching a movie I hadn't seen in forever. I remembered things, but not until I saw them. I was reminded of a relationship, a close one, I never really knew I had. Maybe I'd give him a little bit more credit.
I folded up the book and lifted it to put it on my desk. As soon as it became vertical, several more photos slipped out, unplaced, as well as a piece of paper.. There were no captions. I didn't need them though. I still looked to be three. Yusuke was standing across from me. Both of us had the saddest faces. I could guess what was going on fairly accurately. This was out last few moments together before me and Kenji left. The next picture was the two of us hugging tight. The last was me turned away and walking, wiping my eyes. Yusuke was holding a piece of paper. My eyes rest on the one that fell out.
Carefully, I unfold the yellow sheet with the crinkling noise the only sound besides my own breathing. In blue crayon on the sheet…
S e I k O i'Ll mISs yOu. yOu R mY fAvoWitE pWa mATe.
There was a note in purple underneath.
yUsuKay I eL
mISs u t
u. U aR
My bEst
EsT bRudDeR!
I almost cried. I didn't, but it was hard. I would definitely be giving him more of a chance this time. Memories I'd forgotten swelled as I neatly folded the precious note, and put it next to the picture I intended to pin up later. I sighed a bit and let my head hit my pillow, staring at the ceiling, and processing my revived recollections and emotions.