Three

Ryuu can't quite concentrate on class.

It is the chemistry lesson on the fifth period. Mr Hebihana, who also happens to be Hayato and Taka's father, is writing some notes onto the blackboard while explaining some kind of scientific facts with the usual boring tone.

Copying whatever is written onto the notebook, Ryuu regards the symbols and words with a frown, holding his notes close and squints as hard as he can. He can't understand what is taught today at all.

Maybe that's the consequence of not revising on the difficult subject yesterday… He wanted to read some notes last night but he just fell asleep after helping Kotaro brush his teeth.

Argh… what's this symbol again? Cobalt? Copper? And what's this equation?

Numerous question marks start to form on his head.

Maybe I'll ask Kamitani about it later

Thanks to Hayato, Ryuu managed to get decent results in his Chemistry and Physics in the last exam. Surprisingly, the cold-looking teen is really good at teaching someone. At first, Ryuu guessed he would get smacked on his head a lot because he was so bad at Science-related subjects. But it wasn't the case. Hayato didn't even get pissed when Ryuu kept making mistakes on the same thing. He just stayed quiet for a while, then tried to explain the concept in a different way.

Hayato is actually more patient than Inomata, who is the top student in her class. Ryuu got scolded by her for a few times since he was too slow at understanding.

Sometimes Ryuu wishes that he can be smarter, less clumsy and more decisive.

Other than not understanding about the content of the lesson, there is one more reason why he finds it difficult to focus…

… Kotaro's birthday is coming

And it is next week

Ryuu can't believe he has almost forgotten about it! It didn't hit his mind until he saw the date on the calendar this morning.

This is the first birthday Kotaro has after their parents passed away.

When his parents were still alive, they usually celebrated at home with a birthday cake. Ryuu knows that he can just do the same and Kotaro will be happy and satisfied without any complaints.

But this year is different, Ryuu decides to do something more for his little brother, especially when their parents are no longer able to celebrate birthdays anymore with them. During normal days, he can't give Kotaro enough attention because of other kids. Though taking care of other kids is his responsibility, Ryuu constantly feels guilty when he sees his little brother being so well-behaved and waits silently until he has time.

Clenching his fist tight, Ryuu is determined to give Kataron some happy memories on his birthday this year.

He wonders what he should do… throw a party with all the other kids? But then it will be the same as when they are in the daycare room… just with food, drinks and more mess…

… perhaps I can ask Kimitani about this too

Ryuu doesn't know the person whom he is thinking of is looking at him the whole time.

Seeing the way he scratches his hair, Hayato knows that the red-hair teen has trouble following the lesson again. Ryuu isn't good at Science but Hayato knows how hard he tries to catch up.

…because he doesn't want to disappoint the chairman

Hayato's seat is at the back of the classroom. With his chin propped on his hand, he can always glance at Ryuu's direction and notice what he is doing.

He has no idea when this habit is formed but he catches himself looking at Ryuu quite often. He does it when he doesn't feel like listening to the teacher, when the kids in the daycare are taking a nap, when he is running near the large glass windows of the daycare room during baseball practice, when…

…Actually whenever Ryuu is nearby

Hayato scowls at the realization of his behaviour. He never pays much attention on any particular person, well, not voluntarily at least. He has to keep an eye on Taka because of his mother's order.

When other boys are talking about which girl in the class is cute (namely Ushimaru) and ask him his opinion, he just shoots them the usual expressionless look and comments 'She's okay, I guess.' , which gains him some dirty looks from other guys.

In Hayato's world, only baseball can be regarded as a bit interesting. But he isn't really that into it either, or else he would have studied in a school with a much stronger team. The team he is in now can't even get to the second round of the inter high.

Sometimes Hayato wonders what interests him.

He watches as Ryuu is called to the front of the blackboard to solve some equations.

He isn't sure why this timid-looking teen has caught so much of his attention. He didn't notice this until the day when he asked Ryuu to tell the chairman about the parents' day.

Ryuu is writing some words on the board with hesitation, then wiping them all away in the next second. Hayato can actually see the sweat forming on his forehead.

finally shows some mercy on the poor student and asks, 'Is there anyone who can help Kashima a little?'

Of all people, why did that stupid old man have to pick Kashima to answer?

With a defeated sigh, Hayato raises his hand.

'Hey! Kamitani, wait!'

Hayato turns before he walks downstairs. Ryuu is running towards him, waving his hand.

'What?'

'Er... you have somewhere to go?' Ryuu asks, somehow looks a bit flustered 'I was thinking maybe we can have lunch together.'

Hayato looks at him, just realizes that Ryuu has to look up a little whenever he talks to him. 'We are having lunch together but the old hag was too lazy to cook last night. Have to grab something from the canteen before we do that.'

'Ah... I see,' Ryuu replies, relieved 'Why don't we share my lunchbox? You know Saikawa-san always cooks too much food for me...'

'Are you sure you'll have enough to eat?'

'Yeah, sure,' he smiles brightly, pulling the corner of Hayato's sweater 'Let's go back.'

He wonders if this habit of Ryuu is formed because he is too used to holding the kids' hands whenever he leads them to somewhere.

After they were back to the classroom, Ryuu takes out his oversized lunchbox.

'What happens to your lunchbox?' Hayato asks 'It wasn't this large yesterday.'

Opening the lid of the box, handing him a pair of chopsticks, Ryuu lets out an exasperated breath, 'During dinner yesterday, Baasan mentioned that I look too skinny for a growing teenager and Saikawa-san happened to hear that... '

'Oh, I can imagine what happened next then,' Hayato says coolly, chewing a piece of shrimp roll 'That guy is weird. So his latest challenge is to fatten you up?'

Ryuu's chopsticks stop in mid-air. He looks up, surprised, 'How do you know?'

'It's not that difficult to guess,' Hayato comments, helping himself with a slice of steak 'Just don't force yourself to finish all the food because you feel bad not to. You don't have to go along with his crazy plans.'

'Saikawa-san is a really nice guy...' he says quietly before eating some beautifully decorated broccoli. He wonders why Hayato can always correctly predict what in his mind is.

Hayato just shakes his head. He knows that there is no way Ryuu will stop pushing himself while trying to please others, especially when it comes to his current guardian and her butler.

'Ah right!' Ryuu says suddenly, obviously wants to change the subject 'How do you usually celebrate Taka's birthday?'

Busy stuffing some more food into his mouth, Hayato looks up, chews for a while, swallows and says, 'Eat a birthday cake at home. Old hag usually buys him a present.'

Ryuu's hopeful face falls once he hears that, 'Oh, I think so...'

'Kotaro's birthday's coming?'

'How do you know it's Kotaro's birthday?'

Hayato gives him a look, 'Who else would it be? Everyone knows how much you care about your little brother.'

This image that others have of him makes Ryuu feel embarrassed and uncomfortable, 'I... Am I really that strange?' He looks down, feeling self-conscious and ashamed all of a sudden.

It isn't the first time others mention about this to him, saying that he acts like Kotaro's dad instead of his elder brother, that this isn't normal and he has a brother complex.

Hayato isn't sure about the answer. He feels bad seeing Ryuu's reaction but lying isn't an option that he will choose 'I guess it's quite unusual for a high school student to be so concerned about his sibling like you are .'

Ryuu looks up, face gone pale.

Kamitani thinks I am unusual.

What if he feels disgusted with me?

What if he never wants to talk to me again?

Hayato hates it when Ryuu looks at him like this, knowing that he must be thinking towards the negative way. 'But you have no choice right? He's the only family member you have...' he thinks for a while and adds 'I mean with blood relation and all that... so it's only natural that you act like this.'

That's what Ryuu likes most about Hayato. He's always so honest. Other than wrapping the truth with sugar coating, he would just tell others what he truly thinks. Ryuu can't help but laugh a bit, though he still feels the bitterness for knowing the truth. 'Maybe it will get better once Kotaro has grown up.'

Hayato leans back in his chair, crossing his arms, 'Hm... I wonder.'

It's hard to imagine you without brother complex though.

He muses but keeps it to himself.

In the end, Ryuu hasn't got any idea of how to celebrate Kataro's birthday.

They are waiting for Mamizuka-sensei to take the twins home and then they can go home as well. At five-thirty, the twins are waving them goodbye. Ryuu looks around. The daycare room looks much bigger without Usaida and other kids. There are still some blankets and toys on the floor. Ryuu decides to tidy up a bit before they leaves.

Taka is still taking his afternoon nap soundly. Hayato clicks his tongue, once again finds his annoying brother troublesome. But he doesn't wake him up anyway. Glancing the other way, he sees Kataro standing very still in front of the fish tank, observing the fish which he caught from the booth during the festival.

Hayato walks towards Ryuu and takes the heavy toy box from him, 'Kashima, I think I know where you should go with Kataro for his birthday.'

'Huh?' Ryuu stares at him, puzzled. Hayato puts the box onto the shelf, then motions towards Kotaro, who is still gazing at the fish intently, trying to send some invisible energy to it.

'Ah! Do you mean the aquarium?' he asks, smiling happily 'How come I didn't think of this, silly me.'

'Hm? Are we going to the aquarium?' a childish voice asks

Both of them turn and see Taka, who is rubbing his still sleepy eyes, standing next to Hayato.

This guy always knows the best timing to wake up.

Hayato thinks darkly.

Things are going to get troublesome.