9. To Another Side
"Let's go back!"
"No."
Osamu doesn't even have to look up to refuse his baby brother. It's probably better that way. If he looks he'll be swayed because little brother eyes do that and that's just… he can't handle that. Sorry Ken.
"But we can't find anything in this world!" Ken sounds better now. He sounds like nothing had happened at all. Except for the dark and ugly times when he's dreaming and he sounds like he's choking. Or the slowly moving moments where he won't look Osamu in the eye almost as much as Osamu won't look at him. "The Digital World has to know more. I'll be okay, Nii-san. Really!"
"No." Osamu looks up a little now. "I know it'd be good but if you don't come home and mom and dad see it I can't just explain it away. You're my responsibility, Ken. Let's just be patient first."
"I'll be okay!" Ken raises his voice like it will help. Osamu looks at him, at the look blazing on his face. The frown there is so thick and heavy it hurts. But Osamu is long used to this. He won't buckle.
He stands up and walks over. "I can't let you go into danger by yourself, Ken. I can't protect you there."
Ken struggles for words and for a moment, Osamu thinks he sees a red glimmer on the back of his brother's neck.
"You've never done that anyway!" his brother shouts, and it's a bit too deep for him, a bit too angry. The anger drains to coughing and coughing to tears.
Osamu can't comfort him, can't see if he's okay. Because those words are ringing in his head for a moment too long, enough time to confirm. Eventually, he pretends to gather himself. Eventually, he comes over and hugs his brother. Ken is shaking so hard he thinks the people below will feel it.
Osamu doesn't talk about this, however. Instead he says, "Let's ask Ryo, tomorrow, okay?"
Ken nods.
But it doesn't matter because the next morning, Osamu's computer is on and Ken is gone.
