Guess who's baaack!
I have some explaining to do but another time.
For now, enjoy!
Tadashi was already leaning against the fencing as Hiro sauntered behind him like the cocky little brat he was.
"I know what you're goning to say," his little brother claimed, as if the college acceptance letter had granted him he power of premontion. Hiro lowered his voice to mimic Tadashi's but ultimately wounded up sounding like a kid who'd yet to hit puberty.
Which is exactly what he was but that's besides the point.
"I should be proud of myself 'cause I'm finally using my gift for something important."
"No, no," Tadashi said, nonchalantly, shrugging his shoulders and feigning interest in the view before him. "I was just going to tell you that your fly was down for the whole show."
Hiro laughed sarcastically but Tadashi didn't look at him. A rustling and exclaimed "What!?" told the older Hamada that Hiro had chanced a look and noticed he was right. Tadashi let himself laugh as he was jabbed in the arm with Hiro's sharp elbow.
They settled down and for the first time that evening, Tadashi allowed himself to see the majestic glowing building in front of them. Something about the knowledge that Hiro would be with him next time he walked into that building seemed to make it glow ever so brighter.
"Welcome to Nerd School… nerd."
He expected another jab in the arm so was pleasantly surprised when Hiro mumbled, "Hey, I, um, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you, so... y-you know, thanks for not giving up on me."
"Aw, come here, bonehead!"
"Ack! Tadashi! Get off me, you bully!"
"Gerroff, you whale!"
Tadashi conceded, backing away with a pout and Hiro grumbled something about older brothers sucking people's souls via hugs as he readjusted his hoodie.
The wailing of an alarm prevented Tadashi from retorting as the brothers looked at each other and sprinted back towards the hall.
They had left just under ten minutes ago but the building looked completely different when they made it around the corner: engulfed in flames as people ran out into the cool night.
They stopped one of those people, a girl, who was struggling to breathe. Maybe because of how fast she had been running or the smoke. Probably both.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah but Callaghan's still in there!" She continued to run as Tadashi's blood ran cold, despite the heat.
He couldn't leave Callaghan in there to die.
His brain repeated it like a mantra, keeping in time with his drumming heart.
Tadashi was about to run into the building when something grabbed the sleeve of this cardigan. As if it were a hand too small to wrap around his wrist to stop him.
"Tadashi, no!"
Hiro's face looked younger, all of a sudden. More vulnerable.
Yet as Tadashi looked around and saw no one else there, he realised he couldn't make himslef stand idle.
"Callaghan's in there," he reminded Hiro, almost gently. "Someone has to help."
He made another attempt to run in but Hiro stopped him again; this time, both of his small hands were wrapped tightly around Tadashi's wrist.
"It doesn't have to be you."
Tadashi couldn't wait any longer. Internally begging Hiro to forgive him, he pushed the teen backwards and raced up the steps. The momentum lifted his cap into the air but he didn't stop.
Each step brought him closer to Callaghan.
He saw it before it happened, as if it were slow motion.
The building filled with a bright white light that expanded, colliding with Tadashi with a ferocious roar.
He flew backwards and curled up on himself as he landed harshly on the found at the bottom of the steps. His leg was filled with a searing pain and his head felt like it was going to be the next thing to explode.
The last thing he registered was two familiar voices yelling his name.