Chapter Text
“A-Ahh-choo!”
“Jesus, warn a guy before you snot rocket our project away.”
Kiyotaka sniffled, bringing the crook of his elbow away from his face as he felt his head fall from the height it shot to when the sneeze took over. He blinked a couple of times, feeling his eyes water slightly at the violence his body just involuntarily performed, “My apologies, Kuwata,” he mumbled, the stuffy nose preventing his voice from its natural baritone, “I haven’t been feeling like myself recently.”
Leon narrowed his eyes at the moral compass, leaning on the table and not at all paying much attention to the school project in front of him like Kiyotaka was, “You sick or something? Maybe you should go home if you don’t feel great. Can’t have you spreading your disease and shit. We can work on our project after the break.”
Before Kiyotaka could retaliate because no, he was feeling just fine and was going to make Leon finish this project before everyone left the campus, even if it killed him, another sneeze took over his body. He didn’t make his elbow this time, resulting in turning his entire body to avoid blowing unsanitary particles in Leon’s face. Said redhead leaned back on instinct, frowning at the other deeply, “Man, I don’t think anyone’s seen you like this, like, ever. I think we were all convinced you were a robot, or something. Robots can’t get sick.”
“No, I can't imagine they do. They don’t have immune systems,” Kiyotaka commented, feeling a rumble in his chest as he talked. He cleared his throat to try and get rid of it, “I am just as human as you are, you know.”
“Kinda hard to remember that when you’re working yourself to death. It was a better comparison than, you know, being an idiot. You know that phrase, right?”
Kiyotaka narrowed his eyes, feeling insulted, “So I’m either a robot or an idiot?”
“No, no,” Leon waved his hands defensively, “it’s an expression, like, ya know! Idiots can’t catch colds?” At Kiyotaka’s blank face, the redhead rolled his eyes, “Look it up, it’s right up your alley. But, dude, seriously! Just look at you!” Leon gestured to the absolute mess that was Kiyotaka’s face, puffy eyes and clammy looking skin, “you’re getting worse by the second! Go home!”
“Are you bullying Ishimaru, Kuwata?” A feminine voice intervened. Kiyotaka looked up to see Aoi had skipped her way towards the pair, one hand on her hip and the other holding a dessert bun, “don’t make me get Owada on your ass.”
“Mondo can suck my giant di–”
“Asahina, please, there’s no eating allowed in the library.” Kiyotaka interjected, knowing exactly where that conversation was going. Aoi glanced at her bun as the moral compass gestured his head towards a nearby trash can. The staring contest between them didn’t stop as Aoi slowly lifted the bun to her mouth and shoved the entire thing in, closing her lips over the end as best as she could. Her chipmunk cheeks would be hilarious if the whole ordeal wasn’t so disrespectful. Kiyotaka broke the gaze first with a sigh. He took out a detention slip from his book bag and handed it to Aoi after writing her crime. Said offender let out a frustrated, muffled groan as she took the pink slip. She tried to speak, but Kiyotaka raised his hand to stop her.
“Please do not talk with your mouth full.”
“Wow, you really are sick, huh?” Leon raised his hands to rest behind his head, interlocking his fingers with himself, “Normally you would’ve already gone down the whole alphabet of reasons why whatever she did was ‘indecent and wrong’. But, jokes aside, I’m getting real worried about you, now. When’s the last time you rested?”
“You’re sick?” Aoi swallowed the bun after many chews, looking at Kiyotaka with concern in his eyes. She reached forward and placed a hand on the hall monitor’s forehead, “Jeez!” She immediately pulled back, “You’re, like, a whole heater! What are you still doing here?!”
A librarian across the room shushed at them. Kiyotaka immediately stood and bowed in her direction as an apology before starting to gather his things, “I’m fine,” he stated, his tone hushed and nasal, “It’s– It’s just allergies, I’m sure. I am not getting sick, and if I were I would take care of it. Thank you for worrying about me, but it really is not needed at all.” Kiyotaka looked at the school project on the table before sliding his book bag over his shoulder to hang. He raised his hand to peer at his watch, followed the ticking hand with his eyes for a few moments, then looked at Leon, “I sincerely apologize, Kuwata. I know we agreed on finishing this project before the break, but it seems I’ve run out of time. Do you mind holding onto it until we’ve returned? I have, ah, prior engagements to attend tonight. I do not trust it would be safe with me.”
Leon raised a black eyebrow, seemingly surprised at Kiyotaka, “Uh, yeah, man,” he started to gather his own things, standing up as well, “you… sure you’re going to be good? And, like, what’s got you so busy for the week?”
Kiyotaka sucked in his air through his teeth, mostly due to his nose being out of commission as of that moment, but also to calm his nerves at such a question, “Just…” he paused, eye darting from Leon to Aoi, then to his watch again, “just, family things. I must be off now, or I’ll be late. I will see you two next Monday.”
With a bow, he left his classmates without waiting for a response. He was already procrastinating as much as he physically could, and now it was time to face danger. When he reached outside, his whole body shook from the cold. He pulled his scarf from his book bag and wrapped it around his neck, covering the lower half of his face to stop his nose from icing over. The more he walked towards the school gate, the more he thought that Leon might be right about him being sick.
It wasn’t that the notion was impossible, it just wasn’t likely. Kiyotaka never got sick. He prided himself in staying healthy, which met he never felt the effects of illness. Hell, even in middle school when his whole class was out with the flu, including his teacher, Kiyotaka remained seated at the front, hands folded on the desk and fidgeting thumbs. He seemed to be the prime example of a good immune system. So to be a sniffling, sneezing mess was so surprising to him, Kiyotaka wondered what happened in his daily schedule that allowed the germ intruders to sink its teeth into him. Being sick was a whole new experience he’d have to maintain, which under normal circumstances was perfectly acceptable, but being sick right now? This week, of all weeks? That seemed impossible.
Walking through the crosswalk, head still tucked in his scarf, Kiyotaka felt a yawn take over his body. What, was he exhausted, too? He’s never been tired mid day like this, his sleep schedule was so important to him. Was he even going to make it home? He glanced at his watch, the hands had moved ever so slightly from when he last looked. He’ll have to pick up the pace, or else he’d never hear the end of it.
Kiyotaka mentally prepared himself for the school break. He wished so badly he could just turn around and forget his promise, but going back on his word was never an option. Kiyotaka had to face the music, as they say, of his consequences. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t regret it.
Stop it he scolded himself, shaking his head to get rid of the awful thoughts in his head. This was his family, of course he was happy to see them and spend the week in his warm, childhood bed. He looked forward to his mother coddling him, and his father to ask about his progression in school. He looked forward to the family dinners, and the late night telenovelas, and sitting on their back patio, listening to the calm wind with a mug of hot chocolate. In fact, those thoughts brought a smile to his aching face as he rounded the corner, now seeing his family's home in sight. The nostalgia made him quicken his steps, everything about the house was coming into view. His fathers old, beat up minivan. His mothers frosted-over flower bed. The tire swing that hung to the side of the house, which no doubt had spiderwebs and bugs to call it home now. Yes, everything seemed all of a sudden warm, and Kiyotaka could hardly register the pain in his head anymore as he thought about the loving smiles he’ll see on his parents' faces when he greets them. The closer he got, the happier he felt. Why was he so worried, again? Surely, nothing could ruin the reunion he and his parents were about to have. The two most important beings in his life.
He was reminded of his worry just then. When he approached the gate, a body tackled him to the ground. Kiyotaka let out a sharp yelp before his face hit the grass, pain shooting through his nose. He brought his hands up to lift himself from the dirt and flipped over his attacker, causing the two of them to roll around in the Ishimaru’s front yard like small children. Laughter filled Kiyotaka’s ears, but he couldn’t see anything but blurred masses as he finally pinned the other down by the shoulders, his knee moving to press against the hard stomach underneath.
“Mijos, please! You’ll get dirty, rough housin’ like that! Where did I raise you, a barn?!”
Kiyotaka heard his mothers voice from the front door, causing his vision to unblur from the adrenaline he just experienced. His eyes darted until the body underneath him finally registered with his brain, seeing the all too familiar toothy, cocky, obnoxious smirk plastered on that unmistakable face.
“Sup, baby bro,” Kiyondo lifted a hand to flick Kiyotaka’s forehead, causing the twin on top to withdraw from pinning the other to the ground. Kiyotaka groaned at his own appearance, running his hands down his pants to try and get rid of the dirt that seemed stuck. He heard a laugh that made his skin crawl, “d’aw, that fancy new school of yours makin’ you thin skinned?”
Kiyotaka sneezed in Kiyondo’s face as an answer.
“Ugh, disgustin’!” Kiyondo shoved his twin away, wiping his face with his sleeve to get rid of the germs. His eyes traveled to their mother, who was still staring at them, “Mama! Taka sneezed on me!” He yelled, crocodile tears in his eyes.
Dulce rolled her eyes so hard that Taka could see it from his place on the lawn, “Don’t flash those eyes at me, Ki. Get inside, both of ya! You’ll catch your death out here!”
Ki scrambled to stand up, leaving Taka in the dust as he ran to the door. He placed a sweet kiss on his mothers cheek and waltzed inside. Taka sighed to himself, stood up fully now and retrieved his book bag that had fallen before making his own way to the house. Dulce looked at him expectantly. He smiled at her, “Hello, mother,” he greeted, placing a small kiss on her unmarked cheek, “I hope you’ve been well.”
“Oh, much better now that m’boys are back,” Dulce tapped Taka’s lower back to hurry him inside, closed the front door behind them, and took Taka’s bag and coat from him, “go greet your father, he’s been waitin’ for you all day, you know.”
Taka did as he was told, sniffling all the way to the den where he found his father sitting with a newspaper captivating his attention. When he heard someone enter the room, sharp eyes behind thin frames peered over the paper, then a smile spread across his face, “My son,” he folded the newspaper up and placed it on his end table, along with his glasses. He stood from his chair to offer his hand to Taka, who took it firmly. A hug followed soon after, rough pats on the back were delivered to both men, “I can’t wait for you to tell me all about Hope’s Peak. It’s been too long since you’ve visited.”
The younger of the two’s smile turned sheepish, “I apologize, father. I’ve been incredibly busy with school responsibilities. I wish I could visit more often.”
“Looks like you’ve been busy with more than just school,” A coo was heard from the doorway. Taka and Takaaki turned their heads towards the white haired devil, who waved his brother's phone in his hand with a mischievous smile, “who’s this hottie in your camera roll? You’ve got, like, way too many pictures of–”
“You’re so obnoxious!” Taka stormed over and snatched his phone from the other’s hand, “Haven’t you learned anything about respecting personal items? How did you get in my phone, anyway? I changed my passcode after last time!”
Ki’s smile didn’t fall, “Yeah, you can’t set up that facial recognition bull crap. We’ve got the same face, genius.”
Taka’s face turned red, he didn’t know if it was from embarrassment or his head spinning, “Stay out of my belongings!”
“Sheesh, they’ve only been home for ten minutes and they’ve already been in two arguments,” A feminine voice interrupted the banter, “Ki, don’t tease your brother. Even though I want to hear all about who’s on his phone.” Dulce let out a giggle, not helping her sons case at all.
Taka shoved his phone in his pocket as deep as it could go, his face now definitely red from embarrassment, “Wow, I sure am hungry, mother! Please allow me to wash up before I partake in whatever delightful meal you’ve prepared for us!”
Before anyone could answer, Taka maneuvered his way out of the room and up the stairs. He reached the hallway bathroom, locked the door behind him, and sat on the lid of the towel, staring at the ground to calm himself down. Okay. It’s okay. Only a short week of this, he can manage it, right? His parents were a delight, even when they teased him. That’s just what loving parents do! It’s absolutely nothing he can’t handle!
A familiar and ugly laugh bubbled in the back of his mind, sounding like a train was approaching him way too fast. Taka could practically see Ki’s stupid face, mocking him and going through all of his belongings. Taka was glad he had Leon keep the project over the break. He’s lucky he caught his phone before Ki could say anything more about Mondo, he’s not ready for his family to know about his affections towards his best friend. Not because he was a man, oh Heavens no. But because he was the Ultimate Biker. Speaking of which…
Taka took his phone out of his pocket, quickly removed the face recognition feature, then opened his text messages to a very fond contact.
[To Mondo] I have made it safely home. I hope you have as well! I cannot wait to hear how Daiya and your mother are doing!
Taka’s leg shook as he watched the green message send slowly, possibly due to Mondo’s reception. He waited a few slow moving moments before seeing a response come through.
[From Mondo] yup cant w8 2 c u l8r
That was all the response he needed. Taka placed his phone back in his pocket carefully, stood from his position and began freshening up.
The evening blended together with laughter and conversations. Taka had gone into detail about his accomplishments at Hope’s Peak, and the friends he’s made along the way. He didn’t name drop any of them, but he did express fondness for all of his classmates and explained how talented he thought all of them were. He announced how honored he was to be chosen as the class representative, and how his student council responsibilities were going smoothly. His parents seemed very proud, and asked many questions that Taka was more than happy to answer.
Ki didn’t say a word, he just grinned through it all and picked his food. Taka was almost surprised he wasn’t being sarcastic or malicious, but it seemed like his twin had enough teasing for one night. When it was the white haired brothers' turn to talk, all he bragged about was how the kendo classes he taught were going, and how he hadn’t been suspended or had detention in nearly two weeks. A small victory, but one that the Ishimaru’s celebrated, nonetheless. Taka had realized years ago that as much as Ki loved to talk, he never talked about himself. He wondered if there was a reason behind the obnoxious façade, but every time he tried to discuss it with Ki, he’d just laugh in his face and tease him, which never failed to make Taka heated. The unspoken agreement to not talk about feelings was formed between the brothers, and that was the only promise that had never been broken.
After dinner, the family moved to their main room and spent the next couple of hours taking turns for baths and listening to the radio. Ki and Dulce’s song had come on, and they were too busy belting out the chorus to notice Taka had returned from his much needed soak, towel around his shoulders and hair sticking every which way, “It’s your turn, Ki,” he announced, throat closing up just as he was mid sentence, resulting in a cough.
Mother and son stopped singing, and the woman rushed over to place a hand on her son's forehead. She let out a hiss as she shook her head, “Mi’jito,” she moved her hands to rub on Taka’s arms lovingly, “are you feelin’ sick? You didn’t look so hot at dinner. Maybe you should lay down, okay?”
Taka frowned, trying to push the thought of bed away from his mind. The more he imagined it, the sleepier he got, “No,” he refused, “I want to watch our shows, we haven’t done that in ages.”
“And we have an entire break to do that.”
“Taka’s sick?” Ki made his way to the pair, teeth white and straight as he grinned, “Whoa, never thought I’d see the day. What, you miss your cup of orange juice this morning?”
Takaaki clicked his tongue, making Ki stop talking, but still looking cocky. Dulce ignored their exchanged in favor for her raven headed child, “I know you want to spend time with us, baby, but you need rest. Or else you won’t be able to go back to school after break. Is that what you want?”
Taka wanted to fight, but looking into his mothers big red eyes told him he shouldn’t. He sighed, admitting a silent defeat, and tried not to look too disappointed, “Okay,” he agreed, clearing his throat just a bit so his voice wasn’t too low, “the bath is still ready for you Ki. I shall be going to bed now. Good night, family.”
With that, he turned and made his way towards his old bedroom. Being inside, after so long, almost felt foreign. But everything was left just as he last saw it, and the sheets were washed and smelt like his mothers favorite laundry detergent. Taka tossed his towel over the door hook and sat on the side of his bed, seeing his phone on his end table had two text messages waiting for him. With curiosity, he checked it one last time before bed.
[From Mondo] chuck
[From Mondo] (image)
Taka smiled. Mondo had sent him a picture of a white Maltese, spotless and looking freshly brushed. The picture was taken at a very high angle, one where the dog was looking up at the camera, tail mid-wag and tongue out. He looked like was smiling, like a natural little model. Taka noticed sock covered toes at the bottom of the picture. A small bow sat on top of the dog's head, possibly due to Mondo’s mother as Taka couldn’t imagine his friend doing that. Chuck looked content and spoiled, just as Mondo had described. Taka wished he had a pet so he could return the favor of such a cute picture.
[To Mondo] What an adorable guy! Please, give him affection for me. :^)
Taka wasn’t expecting a replay, but he’s glad he got one. Mondo had sent him another picture of Chuck, this time closer to the camera and his friend’s hand in view. Chuck was rubbing against Mondo’s hand, looking very happy. How could dogs look like they're smiling like that? It was adorable, Taka wished he had gone with his kyoudai to meet his furry companion. Locking his phone, Taka laid down on the bed, snuggling himself underneath the covers, then turned off his nightstand lamp to engulf himself in darkness.
He still heard the distant music from downstairs, his mother was probably still in a dancing mood. No doubt his father had joined her, now that the boys were out of the room. Taka closed his eyes to imagine his parents dancing sweetly with each other to the soft beats of his mothers favorite songs, swaying in the den like they were the only two people in the world. He’d always admired how strong their love for each other was, and he knew that they could get through anything if they were together. The Ishimaru name had been ran through the mud so many times in recent years, Dulce had more than enough opportunities to leave to save herself from being one of them. Taka knew that, and his father also knew that fact all too well. But she didn’t. Whether it be for the sake of the boys, or her husband, or whatever other reason, was lost to Taka. But it didn’t really matter. She had stayed, she had fought, and she still smiles like she wouldn't trade this life for anything in the world. A realization accord to Taka at one point stating how Dulce never talked about her own family to him or Ki, and the idea that she didn't leave them because she had no one else to go to was possible. But from the way she loved them on a day to day basis, Taka knew that hypothesis couldn't be true.
In a corner of Taka’s mind, he hoped to find someone like his mother. Dependable, sweet, fearless. A deeper, much quieter part of his mind told him he already has. But now was not the time to listen. Romance was too distracting, and there were plenty of other things to worry about. Like his door opening ever so slowly at this very second.
Taka turned his head to see a haloed aura of white hair peeking through the poorly lit crack. With an inaudible groan he turned his body to rest himself on his elbow, staring at his brother, “What do you need, Ki?”
Said twin was still grinning like he'd never stopped. It almost annoyed Taka. “Catch,” he tossed an object at Taka, who tried and failed to grab midair. It landed on his bed, and Taka raised an eyebrow, “thought'cha might need some water for that nasty as freak voice of yours.”
The ravened headed twin raised the bottle from the bed and fully sat up now, studying it to make sure the seal wasn’t broken yet, and there were no leaks. Ki laughed at his brother's cautious approach, but the youngest of the two could honestly never be too careful when it came to him. Taka opened the bottle carefully, offering a small smile, “Thank you, Ki,” he stated, taking a small sip of the liquid, “I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”
“Sure,” Ki had now fully opened the door, leaning on the door frame with his knee cocked and arms crossed, a towel laying over his shoulders and water droplets falling from his hair, “so, about my payment–”
“I should have known.” Taka pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out as deep of a sigh as he could manage.
“I need you to look at this paper I had to write, or else I’ll be suspended.”
Taka glared at his brother, “Again?”
“Again.” Ki agreed, almost proudly. It made the sickly brother’s skin crawl with how confident he sounded in his bad behavior.
“Mother and father would not like that at all.”
“Which is why we’re not going to tell them.”
Taka let out a breath-like laugh, moving to place the water bottle on his end table. His eyes were starting to blur uncontrollably, maybe he shouldn’t go to bed yet. He swung his feet over the end of the bed and pushed himself off, shoving his way past his brother to the small half bath just across the hall. “And just what could make you even think that I would keep your lack of discipline a secret? They should know, they are our parents.”
Ki followed him into the other room, watching Taka as he rummaged through the medicine cabinet to find his old contact case and solution, “Because if you tell my secret, I’ll blow yours out the water.”
Taka rolled his eyes as he opened the case and moved more stuff around to find his old pair of glasses. Once found, he sat them aside and washed his hands, “I would never keep secrets from my own family.”
“Oh yeah?” Ki didn’t miss a beat, “you still haven’t told me who that hottie with a body is.”
Taka immediately froze, staring at himself in the mirror with his hands near his eyeball. He felt the back of his neck grow hot, no no. He can’t be too obvious. He can’t let Ki know there might be something going on, “I have no idea what you’re referring to.”
“What-the fudge-ever, man, get over yourself!” Ki laughed loudly, pointing at his brother with so much amusement on his face, “don’t act like I can’t read your face loud and clear, we got the same expressions! You know exactly who I’m talkin’ about, Mr. Can’t Lie To My Family!”
The younger twin had successfully taken out one contact now, refusing to look at the other person in the room. He moved for the second one, “You must be talking about my classmate. I have several of their pictures in my phone. I am the class representative, after all. I need to document a lot of events.”
“Oh, so that one picture of him sleepin’ has a special place in the yearbook, huh?”
“Alright!” Taka let out a groan, shoving the glasses on the top of his nose forcefully and screwing the caps on his contacts case, “He is a friend! Nothing more, does that satisfy you? Let me see your stupid paper!”
With a victory smile, Ki skipped his way into his own room to retrieve said object. Taka sighed to himself, his eyes no longer blurring but his headache back in action. There was no way he was going to survive this break without a scratch.
Spending time with his family should have been a joy, but as the days went on Taka felt the illness taking over his body more and more. On the final day of break, he was trapped in his bed with a wet rag on his forehead. Dulce sat on the edge of his bed, waiting on the thermometer in his mouth to beep in antagonizing silence. Ki was leaning on the wall with his arms crossed, that irreplaceable smile on his face, as if he was enjoying his brother’s suffering. Once alerted, their mother took the stick out of her son's mouth and sucked in air when she saw the number, “I don’t think you can go back to school, papi,” she said, moving loose hairs from Taka’ sweaty face. Her expression was soft and loving as she continued, “I will call the Headmaster and tell him you have to stay home. We can go to the doctor tomorrow, okay?”
Taka smacked his lips, trying to wet them enough to speak while slowly blinking. His vision was too blurred to focus on anything, so he just stared at the ceiling past his mothers warm face, “No,” he whispered, “I need… I have to…”
“No, no, amor,” Dulce took the rag from Taka’s forehead, standing up from his bed, “you are not goin’ back until you feel better, and that’s final. Do you hear me?” she let out a small sigh, looking down at the rag in her hands.
Taka’s head followed her, but he still couldn’t look at her, “Can you…” he let out a cough, his chest hurting, “c-can you at least… get my assignments for this week? I don’t want to fall behind...”
Dulce clicked her tongue, placing her hands on her hips, “That should be the least of your worries right now, baby. I really don’t want to leave you here by yourself, you need your mama right now.”
“I’ll get his stuff,” Ki piped up, walking over to take the rag out of his mothers hand. Dulce studied her other son’s smiling face as he continued, “you know this baby won’t stop cryin’ until he gets his precious English homework. I’ll even talk to the Headmaster for you, mama. What are they gunna do, make me prove we’re related or somethin’?”
Taka wanted to argue and say No, that is a terrible idea!- but a coughing fit stopped him. The cough seemed to work against him because Dulce smiled sweetly and placed a hand on Ki’s head to ruffle his white hair lovingly, “That is a wonderful idea, mi'jito! You are so sweet.”
“Anythin' for my baby brother. Right, Taka?” If Taka could fight, he’d smack that menacing smile right off of Ki’s face. But alas, he was forced just to stare at the other, trying to threaten him with his dewy eyes, “I’ll be there first thing in the mornin’.”
Dulce tapped the thermometer on the palm of her hand before placing a small kiss on Ki’s cheek, “I will be right back. Can you please run the rag under some more water? Your brother needs it to be colder.”
Before Ki could say anything, she walked out the door, leaving the twins in the room alone. Ki looked at Taka, tilted his head to the side. That damned smile still plastered on his face, like he was some villain in a dramatic movie. “Oh yes, mama. I’ll be more than happy to go to school for my dearest brother.”
Taka’s eyes watched in horror as Ki made his way to the sickly brother’s drawer, pulling out a box of black hair dye, “Sheesh, bro. You still keep this around? It’s flippin’ insane how you want to look as different from me as possible.”
If he could get up, Taka would snatch that box from his brother's hand and yell at him to exit his room. But his body ached, and his eyes could barely register Ki moving to leave the room. Taka groaned as he moved as fast as he could, reaching out to grab onto Ki’s wrist with a clammy hand, nearly falling out of his bed in the process. He huffed. Damn, he must really be sick if even this took so much energy out of him. With piercing, watery eyes, Taka looked at Ki with as much plea as he could manage, “Don’t.”
“Isn’t this better?” Ki immediately said, as if he was waiting for the argument. He turned his body to fully face Taka now, showing the brother how his smile finally left his face. All that replaced was emptiness. Nothing. Taka had seen this look on him previously, but it was never directed at him before, “You never miss school. If I didn’t go to your school impersonatin’ you, what would your precious, oh-so-talented classmates or teachers think? The student council might even discuss somethin’ you oppose, and you won’t even be there to deny it.” Ki’s eyes narrowed, taking his wrist from the other. Taka struggled not to lose his balance as he scrambled to be upright on the bed again. The box of hair dye had crumbled slightly underneath the pressure of Ki’s fingers, indicating that his grip was tightening. He was angry? “This way, you can keep your stupid clean record, no one comes over to check on you and have to see your less than perfect home, or your embarrassin’ twin brother, and I get to bring your mother freakin’ school work home. Deal?”
Taka tried to swallow the large lump in his throat. He watched his brother’s expression to see if it’d change, but it did not. After a few moments, it was still the hard, creased frown. It was still the dagger like eyes, piercing Taka, right through his heart. It made him feel terrible, why was Ki looking at him like this? Why was he adamant about going to school as Taka? And, embarrassing twin brother? Less than perfect home? Is that how the eldest twin saw their family? Taka didn’t necessarily disagree with either notion, but it still sounded like Ki was spitting venom at him when he phrased it like that. Taka ran his now shaking hand through his sweaty hair, a congested sigh escaping from his mouth. He laid back down and stared at the ceiling.
Defeat filled his body. Ki did bring up good points. The other two alternatives would be to go to school sick and spread his illness, or miss school and risk getting behind. “Please,” he started, his voice raspy and barely audible, “don’t talk to anyone. Don't talk to Mondo.”
It was like whiplash. Ki immediately went back to his teasing, conniving grin, “So that’s the guy, huh? You're so cute when you want to be,” he rolled the rag in his hands and tossed a wink towards Taka before making his leave, stopping at the door for just a second, “I won’t ruin anythin’ for you. Just want to see what’s got my brother so uptight these days. This school must be worth fightin' for, since you're never home anymore.” Ki tapped on the door frame with his finger. Taka turned his head towards him to study his face. He couldn't read anything in that bleak expression. "Dad, and mama, and me- Well, we're still the same. But you? You've changed a lot. I want to see why."
With that, he left. Taka, now alone in his room, closed his eyes to fully rest the ache behind them. Possible scenarios ran through his head, along with alarms and loud voices screaming at him saying that this whole plan was a bad idea. Despite what he said, Taka knew that Ki was going to ruin everything he had worked so hard for. He always did. The feeling of a wet cloth on his forehead soothed him enough for sleep to replace the endless cycle of panic.