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He tried. He really did.
He told himself he could do it. He said it was necessary, not only for him, but for the child in front of him.
Keigo was only 20 years old, but his tired and worn face slightly aged him. Having grown up in a poor household, he was set to follow the steps of his father - a notorious criminal. All that changed when the Hero Commission took notice of him and his unique quirk.
They praised his abilities, and promised him a better life than the one he had. A boy, sick of living in a place where he wasn’t loved, accepted their offer. He was ready to leave a neighborhood that only taught him misery and corruption.
There was one issue, though: his newborn brother. At only six months old, the only tender hand the newborn knew was those of his 14 year old brother’s. Little Fumikage loved his brother, and Keigo loved him back.
Fumikage was the sole reason Keigo hesitated, and he held on to his brother as if his life depended on it. Never wanting to let go.
The Commission promised that he could visit his little brother as many times as he wanted. It took a bit more effort to convince, but he ultimately agreed.
He took one long look at his brother before he departed.
They lied, Keigo thought. The Commission lied about everything. He knew he wasn’t becoming a hero. He was just becoming a mindless soldier they would use for their gain.
He didn’t know what was worse: starving in a household that never cared for him or enduring the mental and physical strain of this so called training. In a few years, fear was stripped away from him. The one emotion that makes us humans.
The tears stopped after the second year, but he can still feel his heart twisting every time he heard the Commission tell him all of this pain was for a bright future. He kept telling himself that they haven’t destroyed who he was deep inside, but each day that dangerous numb feeling intensified.
He was grateful he was still able to see his little brother, who soon after, became his sole reason for smiling. Even if his visits were becoming less frequent, Keigo cherished every second he spent with Fumikage.
Keigo knew one day, once he had the money, he would take his little brother with him to live in a house they can call their own. He just didn’t know it would happen so soon.
When he heard about the death of his parents, Keigo could only worry about his brother. He didn’t want Fumikage to end up living with strangers. Not while he was still alive.
He never fought this passionately about anything before, but he would move the sky and ground for his little brother. He demanded custody of his brother, and Keigo wasn’t scared of fighting the high officials of the Commission.
The Commission eventually agreed to help him obtain custody of his brother. They were going to keep an eye on them, since Keigo was still young in their eyes. They told him that Fumikage would benefit living with a relative, and that they were going to provide for him if anything was needed.
Seeing their eyes, Keigo knew they were lying. It was those same eyes that told him to leave his home and train with them. They wanted Fumikage close to Keigo, because it would benefit them in the long run. Keigo noticed the way they talked about his brother’s quirk. His heart dropped at the implications.
Even if he knew the Commission was dangerously interested in his brother, he was glad that Fumikage would be under his care. Keigo promised to himself that he will keep his brother safe.
It's the present day, two years since he got custody, and Fumikage was curled up with Keigo on top of a pink hammock. Tonight was special, because it could be the last night they spend together. Keigo looked up at the night sky, and it took all the effort he had within not to tear up.
Fumikage was looking up at him, confusion written up all over his face. Keigo looked down, and he smiled tenderly at his brother.
“You’re so much stronger than me, Fumi,” Keigo said, ruffling the little boy’s feathers.
“What?” Fumikage asked, squinting his eyes. Keigo chuckled.
“You’re going to do amazing things at my age,” Keigo replied, “much better things than me.”
Fumikage stared at his older brother for a moment in complete silence. Keigo felt like his brother was trying to read him, but came up with nothing.
“But I want to be like you,” Fumikage stated, startling Keigo.
Keigo’s mouth dropped open for a second, but he quickly composed himself. He felt a knot in his throat, threatening to burst out at any moment.
“Thank you,” Keigo whispered, “for believing in me.”
They sat in silence, admiring the stars above them. Even at the sight of such beauty, Keigo couldn’t shake off the worry invading his mind.
Two days ago, the Commission told him they were going to take Fumikage. Through the shock and despair, Keigo begged for an explanation. Their answer was simple - they believed he wasn’t a responsible guardian for Fumikage.
That night was the first time in a long time that he cried himself to sleep. That feeling of hopelessness he felt years ago came back like a tsunami crashing in his mind. He knew they could do this without any problems, and that fighting back will be a battle he cannot win.
He admitted that he had a lot on his plate. Patrolling, missions, and taking care of his little brother was always a constant for him. The former two were taking more of his time recently, and it was all because the Commission required him to. He just never expected them to use that against him, and take away the only family he has left. They won, he thought, and he couldn’t do anything.
He was angry for accepting that offer years ago, acting only on his selfish desires. He was enraged that this was the last night before they came.
Keigo was going to make sure he spent it each second with Fumikage. Starting by plucking one of his little brother’s feathers.
“Ow!” Fumikage yelled, looking back at his brother with wide eyes. Keigo laughed loudly, before picking one of his own feathers. Fumikage stared awedly at the two contrasting feathers, one being pitch black and the other a fiery red.
Keigo put his arms around Fumikage, where the two feathers were placed on his hands. Fumikage stretched his hands to touch the feathers, feeling the softness of his own feather, while his brother’s was more rough and rigid.
“It’s time to let them go,” Keigo said, staring softly at Fumikage. The young boy only nodded, but he couldn’t explain this sorrow feeling in his chest.
Together, they released the feather, letting the wind do its job. Keigo stared at it longingly, knowing that while they were separated, those feathers would continue to fly together.
After trying for so long, Keigo was not able to contain his tears any longer. It felt like a stream filled with all his regrets and grief that piled up throughout the years coursing down his cheeks. He tried to sob quietly, but he knew his brother could hear him. He felt his brother’s face shaking, worried for Keigo, yet he did not turn around to meet his eyes. Keigo couldn’t blame him; it was too much for a six year old to take.
Once Keigo felt his tears dry up, he sighed quietly and cleared his throat.
“Fumi,” Keigo started, “I want you to remember these words for me, okay?”
Fumikage finally turned around to face his brother. He frowned once he saw Keigo’s puffy eyes and sad smile. Fumikage didn’t know why his brother was distraught, but he was too afraid to ask.
“What?” Fumikage asked, his head turning slightly to the side.
“ Aloha oe. ”
“Aloha oe? What does that mean?”
“It means ‘love to you’ ,” Keigo responded. It also meant farewell, but Keigo didn’t want Fumikage to remember it that way.
“Whenever you feel sad, I want you to say those words aloud,” Keigo stated, gently preening Fumikage’s feathers, “I’ll hear them. Always.”
“If you’re sad, would you say it?” Fumikage questioned. Keigo laughed softly, and displayed a grin that Fumikage has never seen. It wasn’t forceful or disingenuous, but rather natural and peaceful.
“Of course,” Keigo replied, “ aloha oe. ”
“ Aloha oe, ” Fumikage said back, smiling like his brother. He turned back around, and placed the back of his head onto Keigo’s chest as he stared at the stars. Keigo embraced him, and he used his wings to cover both of them.
The Commission took many things from Kiego. They took the feeling of fear away from him, and that childish innocence he once had. They destroyed the hope he had of becoming a hero that people can look up to.
And now, they’re taking his brother away.
Until we meet again.