Hajime
"You only understand the value of things when you lose them." That's an incredibly true saying. I have always loved my brother. As is often the case with older siblings, he was a great role model for me during my childhood. He trod the path, showing where to go and what to avoid. He taught me, protected me, and I admired him for it. But then our mother died and everything fell apart like a house of cards.
While I buried my sadness in my studies and later in my work, Ryohei escaped to games and friends. When Ryohei dropped out of school and didn't even look for a job, dad thought he had given up everything. But the truth is, he was struggling with a harsh reality and we weren't much help. Absorbed in our own processes of coping with the pain of loss, we ignored his need for closeness, peace, and belonging. I was praised for my work achievements, while he was overlooked. It should have been the other way around. Attention should have been paid to him. I just need peace and a way to distract my mind from negative emotions and thoughts. I wish I had realized this before that meteorite fell in the Shibuya area. What happened, happened. Who knows, maybe if it weren't for the fact that I almost lost him, I would never have faced the truth.
When Ryohei opened his eyes in the hospital bed, I felt a mixture of hope and abysmal fear. I was hoping that now, that I knew, what we were both like, I would be able to repair our relationship. At the same time, I realized even more how hurtful it will be for him to learn that Karube and Chota are dead. I didn't like either of them, and my father and I believed they were a bad influence on my brother. But today I know that without them, he would be much worse off. So I was worried that when he hears the unfortunate news, it may send him into another depressive spiral from which there may be no return. Fortunately, I was wrong again. Ryohei didn't collapse, in fact he didn't even seem surprised.
"What about the others?" he asked me.
"The others, who?" I didn't understand.
"My other friends: Usagi, Kuina, Chishiya, An, Aguni, Heiya?" he clarified, but I could only continue to stare at him with my mouth open, because since when did he have any friends other than Karube and Chota?
