Chapter 10: It's An A+++ Photo

KAGEYAMA SHIGEO

I don't come from a well-to-do family. As far as my grades are concerned, I should be a competition, not an asset. I have pink hair…though that hasn't been a real problem so far.

Ritsu has always been well-liked and trusted by others. As for me, I couldn't like or trust anyone. It's only necessary to look gracious before the adults. I don't need to play pretend with others. I don't want to.

There is no reason to interact favorably with me. So why is this group still dragging me to hang out with them after school?

"I think I'll use this picture for my desk."

"Which one? Ahh. I was thinking the same!" This must be the picture Ritsu-kun took since Kageyama-kun is smiling.

"This is my fav! Hitomi-chan blinked, look!"

"What?"

All I had to do was hand over their copies of the group shots my dad took in the Opening Ceremony. I didn't know there would be a meeting to marvel at a bunch of pictures. It's unexpected, but for once, I can relate. With the sakura blossoming, its soft petals swirling along steady gusts, spring depicts the beauty of the passage of time. Students that walk under its opulent bundles grow a year older, taller, more refined, and mature. It's a fleeting moment that cannot be captured the same twice. So it's relevant that people can share how aesthetically pleasing my little brother is with the sakura.

Our pink hairs aren't of the same shade. Mine is darker and purplish, while Ritsu's is what you would typically imagine pink but soft and elegant. Whatever my powers did to him took artistic liberty that I can be proud of. Not that he would be less fantastic with a different shade of pink. But this lighter shade fits completely since Ritsu was also born in the year of the rabbit. He's the best poster child for spring!

It's an A+++ photo. They better appreciate it.

Miyaike, the only other guy in the group, has been absorbed doing just that. He breaks his silence. "It looks weird seeing us in uniforms. Ritsu is only a year younger than us, but the uniforms make us way older than we look. We look so different, and we've all - we're all growing up."

"When you compare it to our old pictures, yeah! I thought it might be fun to see, so I brought them." Takahara-san puts out a spread of photographs on the table, most from the sports festival. "Woah, look! Miyaike was still a real squirt!"

Takamagahara-san is confused by my absence in the pictures. She hadn't befriended the group until the fifth grade. By then, I wasn't speaking to them. "I don't see Kageyama-kun."

"He had only transferred then," supplies Mishima-san quickly and hesitates. "We…didn't know each other that well yet."

Takahara-san grins and takes out a photo hidden under the pile. "He's here! Ta-da!"

I lean to look along with the others. I don't remember taking a group picture with them, but it's undeniably what it is. Posing in front of a classroom is myself, Mishima-san, Takahara-san, and Miyaike. It must have been during the cultural festival. I ended up spending most of the day with them for some reason. I'm surprised I didn't ditch them to meet with Ritsu.

Mishima-san gasps with excitement. "I completely forgot! This was during the culture festival. We were checking out the cafes from the upper years."

"That sounds expensive," laughs Takamagahara-san.

Miyaike borrows the picture from Takahara-san's fingers. "Oh yeah, I remember this since Yuugi-sensei offered to take a picture. It's how we found out sensei transferred from the same school as Kageyama's."

Which Mishima-san already knew. I couldn't glean much from her thoughts other than her having met Yuugi-sensei before. I remember wondering why Mishima-san was acting like it was news to her.

But if it were a teacher who had the camera, that would explain why I entertained getting into the group picture. As for why I didn't leave immediately after, I must have gotten distracted by the cakes in the cafe. They would have been store-bought, but it was a rare opportunity for me to stuff my mouth with desserts while Mom wasn't looking.

Takahara-san takes the picture back. "Kageyama-kun looks like he had the biggest growth spurt. Which one of you is taller?" she asks us.

Miyaike shrugs. I wouldn't know either.

"Come on, let's see it! Just for a bit, Kageyama-kun."

I can't believe I have to move for this.

"It's a lot closer than I thought," notes Takahara-san, looking between Miyaike and I as we stand shoulder-to-shoulder. "It's obvious Kageyama-kun is taller. But geez, you two are so thin!"

"I think that's what happens to boys when they get their growth spurt," says Mishima-san.

"It's just the two of them, though. I'm still taller than most of the boys I know. Even Nozomi-chan is taller than Takenaka-kun."

Takamagahara-san shakes her head. "I'm not! Where did you get that idea?"

"I was shorter than you in the fifth grade."

"Ayumi-chan, you're the tallest girl in our year."

"You had your growth spurt as well," concurs Mishima-san.

Takahara-san hums in thought. "Maybe I'm taller than Kageyama-kun?"

I can't believe this. Takahara-san falls in line beside me, with the others looking on with interest.

"Well?"

"It's hard to tell," says Miyaike. "You're not cheating, are you? Keep your feet flat."

"I'm not!"

"It would be easier to tell if you were back-to-back with each other," says Takamagahara-san.

We move our feet facing outward.

"I think Kageyama-kun is taller."

"Yeah, it looks like it."

"I figure," says Takahara-san. "Hitomi-chan, you're next!"

"Huh? Why?"

Mishima-san stands beside me next. The height difference is clear with Mishima-san a few inches past my shoulder. Takamagahara-san follows because - I don't know. We could have compared our heights from last year's physical examinations or did this weird test at a better time and place that isn't in a fast-food restaurant. But no one is questioning the absurdity of what we are doing. What's the point? What are we trying to learn exactly?

I can sit down again, but there isn't a need to anymore. I handed them their pictures. I'm going home.

"Kageyama-kun and Miyaike-kun aren't the only ones with a growth spurt. Ritsu-kun is bigger each time I see him," says Mishima-san.

"He is Kageyama-kun's brother," points out Takahara-san like it answers everything.

Miyaike chuckles. "It could be. But you probably just don't see him often. It's a pretty normal growth spurt for a guy."

Miyaike is wrong and also not wrong. He's not wrong that Ritsu is growing at an average pace. But despite seeing him every day, it still feels like he's grown behind my back. I would have found it concerning were I not also getting taller. An older brother shouldn't be shorter than his younger brother. I'm prepared to lose all but my height advantage. Losing it would mean not being able to put my hand on his head anymore or help him out with carrying heavy items or reaching for the upper cabinets.

(He can reach those upper cabinets, too, but why should he go through that trouble when I can do it for him?)

Miyaike turns to me. "Is being tall advantageous in judo? How is it for you and Ritsu?"

I suppose I can stay for a bit more since they're so curious.

"Well," I start, considering how to explain it without being technical. "Ritsu is great, so it doesn't matter."

It's as simple as it can get, but Miyaike is still confused. "Is Ritsu considered tall in the club?"

"No. But since he started back in third grade, he had a lot of experience with taller opponents from facing off with the senpai."

"He must have a lot of experience sparring with you," says Takahara-san.

"No," I answer. "I don't want to hurt Ritsu."

Miyaike arcs a brow, smirking. "It's not supposed to hurt."

"Well." I blow a puff of air, somewhat annoyed. "Then I don't feel like it."

"I don't really get judo, but isn't sparring part of the fun?"

"Fun? Oh." Right. Sports are supposed to be fun at times. "We don't hate it."

The group evaluates me, collectively wondering what to say. I could have agreed and said it was fun with the most neutral face possible. But it is what it is. They're the ones who want to know, so it's not my fault my answer isn't what they expect.

Takahara-san asks, "Why did you take judo, Kageyama-kun? Ritsu-kun said you started before him."

"Mom wanted me to do a sport, and I randomly picked judo. Ritsu followed suit to avenge me. There hasn't been a reason to stop since - as I said - we don't hate it."

There's a pause. Silence again. Of course, not for me. Noise is a constant in my life. I hear them wondering if I am the type to crack jokes unexpectedly.

"It really was by random," I tell them. This makes Miyaike laugh.

"Not that. What the heck did you say about Ritsu? Revenge?"

My lips reflexively tug at the memory. "He was mad I lost in a children's tourney. I thought he was upset with me for losing. I didn't understand at first why he was angry. "

Miyaike scratches his cheek. He doesn't seem to get it either. "Huh? What was he mad about again?"

"I think he means Ritsu-kun didn't like that Kageyama-kun lost." Mishima-san eyes me for confirmation. I nod.

"Okay. Then how is joining the judo club related to revenge?"

Takahara-san speculates, "To beat the person Kageyama-kun lost to?"

A chorus of drawn "ohh" echoes on the table, laughter following.

Takamagahara-san smiles at me. "I didn't know Ritsu-kun looked up to you so much. That must make you feel happy."

Takahara-san nods in agreement. "If I had a cute younger brother like that, I'd be completely motivated all the time."

"True, since you can't break up with your brother," jests Miyaike. Takahara-san rolls her eyes.

"As I said, nothing happened. There was nothing at the very beginning. My determination for running isn't that shallow either that I'd need a boyfriend to keep on training."

The attitude perks Miyaike's interest. "Was it harassment then?"

She sighs, weary of the subject. "Hanazawa-kun is such a nice person. It's been an embarrassment dragging his name down with this gossip, so I don't want to talk about it." Which reminds me… She looks at me, smiling again. "Kageyama-kun, could you send me a digital copy of this pic? I want to print a copy for my wallet."

Mishima-san shows up her hand. "Could you make an extra for me? It would look nice on my planner."

"Oh, me too!" says Takamagahara-san, turning to Mishima-san. "My planner's plain and boring. Can I see what yours look like?"

Mishima-san laughs, rummaging through her bag. "I don't think I ever showed my planner to anyone. It's a little embarrassing…."

"How about you, Miyaike-kun?"

Miyaike folds his arms on the table. "I'll pass. I didn't even know people still do that. Is it a thing with girls? Like, say, if I don't have our picture on my wall, is that a message we're no longer friends?"

Takahara-san grins devilishly. "Oh, absolutely. We'd still look like we're tight as siblings on the outside. But in the next couple of years, I'll be spilling your weaknesses to your classmates, letting them know the most embarrassing moments that keep you awake to this day."

"I can't tell if you're joking or being serious…."

"It's a joke!" she laughs. "I don't doubt there are petty girls like that, though."

"Is it weird for boys to have pictures of their friends with them?" asks Mishima-san. "Take-kun doesn't keep pictures in his room."

"Hmm. I don't think so. Maybe we're a little more private. Right, Kageyama?"

I don't have friends. Don't ask me.

"Kageyama-kun is probably the wrong person to ask," says Takahara-san playfully. "I bet he has pictures of his favorite brother all over his desk."

Miyaike cringes. "That's creepy!"

Takahara-san blinks slowly. "But if I were an older sister, I'd do that."

"Maybe a picture or two. I don't know why you'd need more than that when you're living with the person."

"That means you have even more memories together. Which means more pictures!"

"But why?"

"Don't you like looking back on happier times when you're feeling down?" says Takahara-san. "When things are difficult, you want to be reminded of the positives in your life."

"I do, but even one picture is fine? Heck, I don't even need it framed. I have my phone for that."

"How's that different then? Your phone holds a lot of pictures in one place."

"I mean my wallpaper, Takahara-san."

What a swing from one topic to another. This isn't going to end because they're thinking about different things. Takahara-san imagined her what-if scenario with pictures taking her down the memory lane. This makes sense since the subject came from the talk about our group pictures. But when Takahara-san mentioned how I would have photos of Ritsu filling my desk, it changed the context of the scenario in Miyaike's imagination. Miyaike thinks Takahara-san is describing putting up as many out-of-context photos as possible, the same way a very passionate fan would build a shrine for their idol. The exaggeration hadn't helped, that's for sure.

"Let's ask Kageyama-kun then!" challenges Takahara-san, already sure of her victory. "We're both single children, after all."

"There's no need to ask anyone!" argues Miyaike, finding Takahara-san's attitude offending. "Brother or not, only crazy people would have so many pictures of a single person!"

Takahara-san ignores him. "So, Kageyama-kun, which is the normal thing to do when you're an older brother or sister?"

Normal, huh. Ritsu is my normal younger brother, but I'm not a very normal older brother. I hope they don't bother me with details. It would be a bit embarrassing.

"Ritsu mentioned you spent time with your friends today. How did it go?" asks Mom, making me pause.

I look from Mom to Ritsu. Ritsu looks back at me questioningly while chewing on his fish. I never realized how much you took after Mom.

Huh...Uh. It's so random I don't know what to say.

"They're not my friends," I tell Mom.

"But Ritsu said you've known them since transferring." Mom sounds disheartened. "And they even asked to take pictures with you."

I don't get it either. We spent one time together to celebrate Mishima-san's standing in the year. I hung around, barely interacting since Ritsu wanted to get to know them. What made them decide they wanted to talk to me again? They should be getting to know Ritsu instead.

"They're different from the ones Ritsu had," says Mom. I frown, not recognizing the images of students floating in Mom's mind.

"His friends?" I ask.

"Mom!"

"Hmm, no. Ritsu said he didn't know most of them. He wouldn't tell me who they were, though. They were all timid, but they were very eager to have a picture with him!"

I gasp, thrilled with this development. "It's his fan club! Why didn't you tell me?" I ask Ritsu, unable to stop my grin. Ritsu groans on his hand.

Ritsu has always had admirers, but no one's stepped out to confess to him. They seem content to cheer him on his endeavors. As Ritsu grows older, so do his admirers. It makes sense that they'll get bolder in time.

Mom bursts into a laugh. "Fan club? Oh, Shige! You two love to exaggerate."

Ritsu and I exchange a look.

"Ritsu has good manners. It's not strange for others to be drawn in and want to be friends with him. Right, Ritsu?"

"Yeah, sure… Besides," says Ritsu, smiling as he realizes he can seize the opportunity to turn this around. "I can't have a fan club first before Nii-san. It doesn't make sense."

My little brother can be so silly at times. "I don't need something so inane…."

"That's impossible," says Mom bluntly. "We're talking about Shige."

Ritsu gapes in disbelief. Slowly, he collects himself. "Yes, we are talking about Nii-san. An incredibly talented person."

"Yes, yes, that person," jests Mom. "I know you look up to your brother, but Shige's always been shy. You can't be popular if you're shy."

I can hear Ritsu coming up with five different arguments, but he settles for the sharpest jab. I don't know where Ritsu gets the courage to talk to our parents like this. "What would you know? Are you going to tell us you were the most popular girl in school back in your days?"

With confidence Ritsu is not expecting, Mom laughs lightly. "Anyone who talks like that about themselves isn't as good as they think."

Mom claims everyone in town knew about her. She shows us a couple of faded pictures, primarily from elementary. "I didn't like getting my picture taken," she explains about the lack of photos in high school. "I was a little private. I do regret it." We had scandals of edited photos being spread, so I was pretty scared.

"You kind of look like Takane-san," says Ritsu at her middle school student ID.

"Tsubomi-chan is definitely cuter. But this means Shige has good…." Mom hesitates. Taste? I shouldn't talk like this to the boys… "- sense, since he really liked her."

I look over behind Ritsu, grabbing onto his shoulders. "I think you're prettier."

"That's rare. Nii-san calling a girl pretty."

Mom beams. "You're making me blush, Shige. But you're still not allowed to have chocolate after breakfast."

"I mean it," I grumble as I shake Ritsu, who's laughing.

"Why? What do you like about this younger picture of Mom?"

"She looks energetic."

"That's not a distinguishing feature. Maybe it's her eyes? Or the way she smiles?"

Mom's face is rounder than Takane-san's, and her hair thicker. Her shoulders are skewed on her ID. Her eyes look bright and alive, and her smile curved sharply as if she's trying not to giggle. I can tell it's Mom but the small dimple on her left cheek. "I just get the impression she's a very warm and friendly person. I can't hear her thoughts, so I'm not overwhelmed by details that would cancel the positive. But I also know it's Mom, so maybe I'm not being objective."

Mom and Ritsu react with surprise.

Ritsu weighs it in a little more. "I never thought of it that way… I'm sorry for being insensitive."

I overhear his thoughts. He's feeling bad because I have trouble judging people by appearance? I'm not sure how that's a bad thing. It's what's inside that counts, is what I've always thought.

"It's okay! It doesn't bother me." My eyes flicker back to Mom's old photo as I think of changing the subject. "Oh, when do you think Dad will come home? I need to ask him about the pictures from the opening ceremony. They're asking for a digital copy."

"He said he needed to pick up something from the post office, so he should be back soon," answers Mom.

"Digital copies?" asks Ritsu. I nod. "There isn't any. It's not a digital camera. That's why it took Dad weeks to get those pictures out."

I've used our camera before, but I assumed it worked like the cameras in phones. However, I use those even less. "Then what camera are we using?"

"It's film. You need a specialized shop to get them printed."

Sounds complicated all to get a picture printed. I guess I'll figure it out myself.

"The camera belonged to your dad when he was in college. Maybe it's time we get a new one," suggests Mom. "Why don't you two head to Tokyo this weekend and look around?"

Wait, are cameras that advanced that we have to go shopping in Tokyo?

Ritsu sighs. "Mom, you forget something again. Nii-san doesn't feel well around crowded places."

Mom glances at me. "He was out with his friends, though."

"I can go by myself. Not this weekend, though. Nii-san and I are going to be playing games."

"All right. Just let me know," she says, smiling.

"Do you want another film camera?"

Mom gathers her memorabilia back into the box. "Go with what Shige said he needed. It's for you two."

"I don't need it."

"Same here," says Ritsu. "The camera in my phone is good enough."

"You say that now. Just do it. I'm sure it would be useful in the future." Mom picks up the box and heads upstairs.

Still feeling like watching a movie? asks Ritsu as he searches for the remote.

We can go to Tokyo. I'll come with you.

I can go by myself, offers Ritsu again. You don't have to push yourself.

I find the remote on the floor and hand it to him. I won't. I've been working on my telepathy to lessen the noise of thoughts the father they are.

You did mention that. Ritsu mulls over the implications. Doesn't that make it easier to hear things? Unless you concentrate, people's thoughts have been too garbled to understand. Telepathy's nothing like how manga portrays it.

Yeah. Smart as ever. I smile, putting a hand on his head. Ritsu doesn't bat it away as he usually does.

Wouldn't being in crowds be worse? You'll understand what every person is thinking as if they're talking to you.

I sit down beside him. It isn't easy when your younger brother is too smart for his own good. My smile broadens with not a hint of anxiety.

"It doesn't matter."

I set my futon out. I'm exhausted but in a good way. Since the national exams for Ritsu are coming, he's been making more time to relax. It's been fun being able to do things with him again. We're almost a month since school started, but it still feels like we're on spring break. I'm going to miss this when Ritsu tackles his entrance exams again. I want to spend time with him as much as possible. I lie down, lights still on, ignoring the nightly moans of an overworked society plentiful within the range of my telepathy.

"So, Kageyama-kun, which is the normal thing to do when you're an older brother or sister?"

I gave my vote to Takahara-san. She happy lorded over Miyaike, saying how a "real, bona fide older brother had spoken."

"There's nothing wrong displaying your affection," she proudly proclaimed.

Of course, there isn't, but what she's standing up for isn't what this "real, bona fide older brother" is doing either. My desk is not brimming with pictures of Ritsu.

Miyaike had been avoiding my eyes. Kageyama did not look like that type of guy. What else don't I know about him? Though apparently, Takahara-san is a weirdo, too.

I am a weirdo, but he has the wrong idea as well.

There's no textbook telling me how to be a proper brother. Mom reminds me often to act as one, but she's yet to provide specific instructions to turn me into the Number 1 Nii-san. Ritsu looks up to me, so that's been a good sign that I'm not a total mess.

But I only went with Takahara-san because she stayed on topic. I don't know the correct answer, and I hate to admit it, but my ignorance isn't related to growing up as a psychic. What I do know is that pictures are an essential remembrance.

I utterly failed at that. I don't have any pictures of Ritsu at all.

How am I supposed to know that isn't the norm? I could do a quick survey by teleporting into the rooms of my male classmates and evaluate the average amount of pictures that can be displayed. Miyaike knows what he's talking about, so his claim of one to two photos can be trusted. But while I did initially go for Takahara-san for the sake of the conversation, I have mulled a bit more and have deemed her a genius, a prodigy when it comes to being an older sister, even. Why shouldn't I have a bunch of little Ritsu framed on my desk to motivate me through the eternity of listening into the unfiltered state of humanity's thoughts?

I'm used to having our photos everywhere downstairs. Maybe I subconsciously thought I was not allowed to have my own collection in my room. It's not that I felt it was unnecessary. I just never thought about it, period!

But for that, I'm going to need pictures. I need this image-taking tool to work on this barren, sad excuse of a desk of mine.