The dining room was silent, with nothing more than the sound of forks clattering against plates. Takatora was the one to break the silence, as always "How do you feel now?"
Mitsuzane said quietly "I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me nii-san."
Yes I have to and I want to worry about you. Takatora wanted to say but just nodded. This would be the end of their conversation.
"Why did you come home so soon today?" Mitsuzane asked before he himself realized it. He still felt a bit light-headed.
"I didn't go to work, because you were sick." Takatora said as-a-matter-of-factly.
Mitsuzane poked at his food. So nii-san stayed home because of me. He didn't think he deserved it, his brother's care. "Thank you, nii-san, for… taking care of me. But… you didn't have to do that. I could handle it myself."
"Can you?" Takatora raised an eyebrow. He wanted to whack his brother on the head for saying such a stupid thing. They were brothers after all, and brothers take care of each other, right? "Mitsuzane… Listen, I want to take care of you, not because I'm forced to or anything, but because you're my brother. No matter what happened, you still are."
Mitsuzane continued looking at his plate, his hands unmoving. Takatora sighed. Sometimes he just wanted to hit Mitsuzane straight in the head so that such stupid thoughts would go away. Really.
"I want to take care of you, not because I'm forced to or anything, but because you're my brother. No matter what happened, you still are."
Nii-san doesn't hate me. He doesn't hate me. He was overcome with guilt, to think that Takatora didn't hate him after all the sins he had committed. He has done so much for me. And what have I done for him? Absolutely nothing. Takatora had tried to start conversations, but his answers had always been as short as possible. Nii-san is trying to make things better, everyone is. And I'm here, avoided responsibility, not being able to face what I've done. He wished he hadn't existed, so that he wouldn't have hurt anyone. He had actually thought about stupid things; but then again, that would be merciful. He had to live to pay for what he had done. There was only one way to go now. And what's the point of running away? What's done is done. I can't hide forever, can I? Nothing will be completed if I stay like this. So stop cowering and take the responsibility, Mitsuzane.
"Can you go to school to day?" Takatora eyed his brother worriedly. He still looked pale, and Takatora wouldn't mind if Mitsuzane wanted another day off. There were more important things now than keeping good grades at school though.
"Yes, nii-san."
It didn't take him long to notice that his brother had stopped eating, fork rested against the plate.
"Is something wrong? Do you want to eat something else?"
"Ah… No… This is fine."
The room went silent again. Mitsuzane fidgeted with his thoughts. Say it, Mitsuzane. Say it!
"… Nii-san?"
Takatora's eyes widened a bit "Huh?"
"Uh… How are things at Yggdrasill, nii-san?" Mitsuzane could feel his heart pounding against his ribs; his hand trembled a little for some reasons he didn't even know.
This may be the longest conversation for months. "Everything is going on pretty well. Some damages still need to be repaired though."
Mitsuzane nodded, looking at his plate. Takatora looked at him expectantly.
"Uh… Can I… Is there anything… I can help you with?"
Takatora seemed surprised that his brother was the one to ask. He was silent for a few seconds.
Getting no response, Mitsuzane quickly added, "But… I mean… If you don't want to… It's fine… I'm just asking…" His voice died down.
"Ah no! I mean… of course there are things that you can help. There's always a place for you in the company. But right now you need to focus on your study; I'll ask if I need your help, okay?"
Takatora could see his brother's eyes lighting up a little bit and let out a small smile. Mitsuzane nodded, finishing his meal.
As Takatora leaving home for work, he couldn't help smiling. Maybe, his little brother was coming back after all.