Chapter Text
Michikatsu Tsugikuni is a struggling man. He suffers from poverty, having left his toxic household and overbearing family behind. A twenty-one years old man, who wasn’t kicked out by any means by his parents, no. But has chosen to live this life full of suffering rather than getting himself stuck in such a negative environment he called home.
His parents did not love him. Preferring to put all their attention on the oldest son; Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
But now that his parents were deceased years ago, he didn’t give a damn anymore if he was a failure. Yoriichi is here anyways to bring the Tsugikuni name into the light. So it was quite obvious he isn’t needed. He can do whatever he wants without being constantly judged by those scrutinizing gazes from his parents. No longer does he have to feel those lingering eyes filled with utter distaste and disappointment.
However, it wasn’t their death that led him to walk away deep into the night of their funeral. It wasn’t because he could no longer find himself staying at that house that only stores depressing memories. It wasn’t because of those that he now suffers from poverty…
It was because of Yoriichi. His older brother.
His parents did not leave any impact on his life, except for their unloving attitude and practically becoming neglecting parents only to him. But it’s his brother who managed to make him feel things he never want to ever experience ever again. It was his brother who initiate things that scarred him for life.
When he was thirteen, he suddenly realizes that his sweet elder brother isn’t exactly the sweet brother he first thought of. In his defense, he was young, stupid, and innocent. As a little boy, he always admire his brother more than anything in the world, ignoring the signs of impending danger that were always there but overlooked. But as he reached his teen years, it felt like opening his eyes for the first time.
He realizes that his brother is too protective to the point it’s frowned upon. The love Yoriichi gave him became far too much that he recognizes all too late it was bordering obsession. He hadn’t noticed it before because he couldn’t understand it at first.
Isn’t it called love when the older brother only wishes for the younger sibling's happiness?
But is it certainly called love when the older brother simply wanted the younger sibling to be isolated from the world? With the reason being to keep such innocence intact. To maintain the younger sibling’s health stable at all times. And to avoid dangers the outside world usually only gives… Isn’t it called love when all the eldest wanted was to keep the youngest at home forever and never go outside for good?
Being locked up is the solution. Confined with invisible chains made out of manipulativeness and lies. Forever isolated is the key to keeping innocence in control. To Yoriichi Tsugikuni… that is his ideology.
All the reasons why Michikatsu left the household for his good.
Michikatsu was lucky he found out sooner than expected. At sixteen years old, Michikatsu heard his brother calling the school to end his education. At the same time, he also noticed the fact that Yoriichi kept bringing up the topic of the safety of staying at home and the dangers that continue to lurk outside. Topics of preferring home rather than experiencing the world. It always revolves around their relationship as brothers. According to Yoriichi, they shall always stick with each other no matter what. Michikatsu should never leave Yoriichi’s side and will always let him know what Michikatsu is doing, where he is going, what is happening around him, and what condition he is in.
It was drilled onto the younger one’s mind over and over again.
It was a good way to convince such young minds. But the thing is, Michikatsu is old enough to know his brother is feeding him these kinds of information in hopes to be locked here forever. So, he isn’t convinced easily. That attitude was the trigger and the confirmation that his brother is insane.
The good side was… Yoriichi never noticed how mature Michikatsu has become. The eldest thought that Michikatsu is still a naive boy with hopeless dreams and who still admires him every day. But little does Yoriichi know that their parents constantly fed the youngest with negativity and reminders of how the world treats people. It was enough to make Michikatsu grow up fast; learning what was good and what was wrong right away.
Mentioning the fact that the school Michikatsu goes in heavily encourages in teaching children signs that can be a great threat to their lives. His teachers were deadset on letting kids know how cruel society can be, and not everyone is nice to them. Even parents and siblings can be a great threat.
Some kids of his age back then didn’t care or bother to listen. Assumingly, those children live a good life with their parents and brothers and sisters. But to Michikatsu… He listened. Because the signs being taught to them were meaningful and familiar. That’s why he acts quite a bit mature and knowledgeable when it comes to rocky relationships with his parents and brother.
Although Michikatsu didn’t tell his teachers what was going on in his household, at least he is more aware of what environment he lived in despite being constantly fed with lies by his older brother. He already knew that their parents didn’t love him, and the only one who cared deeply for him was Yoriichi. But he had realized that this love is too much.
There were already signs. Whenever Michikatsu left for school, Yoriichi would look at him blankly. But as Yoriichi fetch him from school, the eldest would look too happy and lock him in a tight hug.
To anyone, it’s alright for brothers to act such a thing. Of course, it does! It’s normal for the eldest sibling to miss their youngest. It’s an act of love!
But is it really when they don’t know what happens afterward?
Once they were inside, Yoriichi would pester Michikatsu with questions. Question after question after question… It was endless! Sometimes, Michikatsu preferred to keep some events to himself, yet somehow, Yoriichi would sense this and immediately ponder him for more. There were instances when Michikatsu lied. But it’s like Yoriichi could read his mind and would suddenly act cold.
Colder than their father. Colder than their mother. Yoriichi would look at him dead in the eye, showing no signs of expression whatsoever. Michikatsu couldn’t figure out what he is feeling when his brother wore that blank face.
“Michikatsu.”
“Yes, brother?”
“Don’t lie to me.”
“I’m not.”
“You’re doing it again.”
“I-I’m…”
“Since when did you learn how to lie, Michikatsu?”
“Um…”
“Why would you lie to your brother? Why would you do this to me?”
“B-Because… I just want some, um, some privacy!”
“Privacy? We’re brothers. We share everything.”
“But I want to keep something for myself, too!”
“No, Michikatsu. You will not.”
“But why, brother?”
“Because I’m the oldest. I’m the only one who can take care of you– I can protect you! I have to know if you’re safe out there.”
“But I am always fine! I feel fine.”
“Yet that feeling won’t last long. It’s too dangerous out there for you, Michikatsu. So you better listen to me and only me, okay? Tell me everything no matter what. Don’t trust every word out there but me.”
“But they’re kind, brother. You don’t have to be worried.”
“I am always worried, brother mine. Especially when your kindness and innocence can be tainted so easily. I have to protect that at all cost.”
“You can’t protect me forever.”
“I will and I must. I will find a way to convince our mother and father to homeschool you, alright? So that you will remain safe.”
“But I don’t want to be homeschooled!”
“Hush now, Michikatsu. It’s for your own good. Remember what we talked about before? Say it.”
“T-That I have to listen to you and only you?”
“Exactly. Can you tell me why?”
“Because you’re a-always right…”
Michikatsu always wanted to ask why. Why does his brother, Yoriichi, desire to preserve such innocence? Why is he acting like this? Everyone knows that it can’t last long. Because growing up, innocence has to be tainted to survive. Innocence has to be broken down to learn how to live a life. That’s just how it is and yet…
He sighs, easing the tension off of his shoulders. Whatever! At least he’s free. Free from brainwashing, manipulation, control, and isolation. Free from those maroon eyes that seemed to lock him in a tight cage. He’s indeed free…
But poor.
The twenty-one years old man mused as he wiped down the table clean. Michikatsu thought back of the day he left the house. Sixteen when his parents died, eighteen when he left. And now three years later, Michikatsu continues to struggle. He may no longer be controlled by his brother, but he is indeed controlled by poverty.
Michikatsu has three jobs. Currently, he is working as a waiter in a cafe-restaurant, only working up till seven in the morning to noon. Once his duty is done as a waiter, he works at the mall as the cleaning and maintenance. One o’clock in the afternoon until six. And his night duty for his third job as a pizza delivery boy in a twenty-four hours pizza restaurant, working from six to eight in the evening.
It’s stressful. Too many things to handle. A heavy toll on Michikatsu’s life, and too much pressure was placed upon his shoulders. Yet the man is willing to carry such a burden even if it cost him his life. All these just to get away from his now-successful brother…
That’s right.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni. A well-known businessman and CEO of one of the biggest fashion companies. Michikatsu heard about this on local radio. Only a year after he left his home, the Tsugikuni name became known instantly when Yoriichi appeared. Michikatsu was only nineteen, and Yoriichi was twenty-four when became the youngest man to hold the title of Chief Executive Officer in the country.
Michikatsu was nineteen… and barely out of poverty. While Yoriichi was twenty-four and became a successful man. Now, he is twenty-one, and his situation did not change. Yoriichi turned twenty-six recently and is living a luxurious life.
It is madness.
“Michikatsu?”
The man snapped himself out of his trance, realizing he was gripping the towel too tightly till the water dripped down to the floor. He turned around to see his colleague, a kind waitress, looking at him with worried eyes.
“Are you alright?”
Michikatsu softened his hold on the towel. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?” She eyed the towel and back to him. “You were just standing there and staring at nothing. Even the customers are getting worried,” then her eyes traveled beside him, looking at an elderly couple who were also glancing up at him with worried gazes.
Michikatsu felt embarrassment creep up his cheeks and quickly hides his blush. “Ah, sorry about that.” He cleared his throat. “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”
The waitress, Koyuki, stared at him for a moment before giving him a gentle smile. “Okay! Now that you’re done daydreaming, you should get back to work. Your day duty is about to end, you know.”
Michikatsu fumbled around, searching for the clock and realizing that she was right. “Yeah, yeah…” It’s almost twelve. He needs to finish his work and quickly head to the mall. There was supposedly a meeting to be held around that time, so he needs to hurry to get there as fast as he can.
Though there is still some time left, Michikatsu proceeds to take orders from one table to another. Delivering the papers filled with orders to the cashier or the chef and taking orders once again, then wiping dirty tables and removing the plates. It’s a simple thing he could do. Out of the three jobs, this is what Michikatsu prefers. Rather than cleaning constantly dirty tiles and wiping walls as he worked at the mall, then using a shitty bicycle that he could borrow from the pizza restaurant to deliver boxes from one house to another.
Even though the customers can be a bit overbearing at times, at least Michikatsu wasn’t the one to handle most of them. And admittedly, sometimes, the customers he couldn’t definitely handle talking with are the people who look at him and says, ‘you look like Yoriichi Tsugikuni!’ And even worse, ‘if anything, you could be his brother!’
Michikatsu would end up lying to those people, saying that he only looks like him despite it being the harsh truth that he shares the same blood as that man. Every single week, he’d come to encounter those people. They’d look him straight in the eye after studying his face and say those words over and over again. Not only in the cafe-restaurant, but in the other two jobs as well.
Thankfully, Michikatsu’s allowed to wear a face mask while working at the mall and as a delivery boy. People would surely dare to take a photo of him secretly and possibly post it on the media just because he does look like the famous and young CEO of Japan. It’s just a struggle living with this kind of face every time he meets new people.
Michikatsu’s first impression of others always starts with that. Even all the staff here in this restaurant kept mentioning nicknames such as Yoriichi 2.0. And the worst thing was? The same last name and hair. At this point, everyone was convinced he was the brother of the famous CEO Tsugikuni.
The looks. The last name. Even the first name as well.
Michikatsu is just glad that his brother did not reveal too much of himself in the public. All that people knew about him was his status, age, and just the business he work for. That’s it. Nothing about family and even lovers. Michikatsu could only assume the reason why his brother will never expose himself and his personal life is that he is still the same brother. The same older brother who’d prefer to isolate Michikatsu , the younger brother, rather than be known.
It’s why even though his workmates kept calling him the second version of Yoriichi, it is just a fun joke to call him and egg him on.
Koyuki was the only person who calls him by his name. She is at least tolerable.
Speaking of which, Michikatsu just finished taking another order from a student when he was approached by Koyuki. “Michikatsu!”
“Yeah?”
“Can you take out the trash, please?” Koyuki proceeds to show off her puppy eyes.
Michikatsu knew he can’t disagree with her anyway. Since he’s a young man and the strong one here, it’s usually him being the one to carry heavy stuff around the kitchen.
“Okay,” he said, handing his notebook out for her to take.
The woman smiled gleefully. “Thanks! You’re very reliable and strong, Michikatsu.”
He rolled his eyes, “And the only young one in here.” Indeed, the rest of the staff here were older.
She laughed out loud, “Right!”
Koyuki is a kind woman. She’s the happy-go-lucky kind of girl, always brightening up everyone’s mood and constantly helping around the kitchen. She got a good boyfriend who visits the restaurant every day to talk to her and support her. Michikatsu believes that she deserves to have such a good lover since she’s a pure sweetheart.
Michikatsu walked to the kitchen, passing by the chefs and other staff members of the restaurant. No calling him Yoriichi 2.0 this time as they are busy preparing lunch since noon is coming by. He took the plastic bag and wrapped it closed, then heave it up without a care that it smells or stains his work clothes.
The man left the restaurant carrying a huge bag, with the streets bustling with people simply minding their own business and honking cars zooming by on the road, all the while walking to a massive bin and hauling the trash bag up.
Michikatsu sighed in exhaustion, looking up at the blue sky, no clouds to be seen as he talked to the heavens above. “When will I have an easy life?” The only answer he received was the sounds of the car engines on the road. He shook himself off his musings, not having the time and luxury to stick around and do nothing.
Just as he was about to shut the trash bin close, a firm hold of a palm grasped his shoulder, causing him to jump in fright.
“Woah, hey!” Michikatsu swiftly turned around, assuming it was Koyuki being herself again–
It’s like staring at a mirror. However, it isn’t his reflection. It looked like a mirror was openly placed there, but… it wasn’t. It’s a real-life person. A different person. A person that still looks like him nonetheless.
Dread filled him in an instant.
“Michikatsu?”
That voice sounded so broken and breathless as his name was mentioned. Those maroon eyes were blown wide with disbelief. The newcomer’s mouth slightly gaped open. His chest heaved up and down, looking like he had just run a marathon. Not to mention the fact that this man looked so out of place as his attire is a deep crimson suit, only worn for men with high caliber.
It’s not just this man who is in deep shock.
Michikatsu was, too. And it was at that moment he began to realize some things. He realized that he failed. For three years, he went hiding. He knew his brother was searching for him high and low, from one city to another. Non-stop. He noticed when watching the television, that his brother has been going to places where Michikatsu may be in.
Because a few years ago, he was executing one of his plans. Every night, Michikatsu would mention places he wanted to go first and foremost. Places such as South Korea and Sweden. Back then, Michikatsu would blabber on and on that once he had the money or is rich enough, he’d go and live there.
Of course, that was all part of the plan. Michikatsu has to trick his brother that once he does leave the house, which he did, then his brother would proceed to think that Michikatsu had certainly gone to those places he dreamed of going.
His trick worked. When his brother was first exposed to the media, the news reported about his travels from Korea and Sweden. The CEO took many months staying at those places, the news reporter had said but did not specify the reason why he was there. Everyone assumed Yoriichi have a big project going on at those places… That’s what they all think. But not to Michikatsu.
Only he knew the reason why.
Back when the news was first delivered to the public, Michikatsu laughed so hard he thought he was going to end up losing his job for laughing all day and night. He could just see how desperate his brother have become. How fruitless his efforts are just for searching one man, him! Especially that futile hope that his brother can still find him even though they are both miles and miles away!
But now…
Michikatsu’s brain was processing so slowly. It raised alarms, but the feeling of denial couldn’t go away. Denial that he’s caught. Denial that this man standing before him isn’t his brother… For three years, he did so well.
But indeed, it’s not just any man.
It’s Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
With that, he snapped out of himself. He tugged off the hand that seemed to grip his shoulder too tightly and rushed away. His heart hammering inside his chest. His body felt like it was carrying a weight heavier than a boulder. He felt like he wants to vomit. Instantly, fear gripped him as he ran back to the restaurant.
He shut the door closed, not caring that the customers are looking at him oddly. Then, he headed to the kitchen, farther away from the presence of other people. He can’t bring himself to look at the other staff members. Not when he is in a frantic and desperate position.
Yoriichi, his older brother, found him!
No more denial.
He needs to leave. Now!
“Michikatsu?”
The man yelped, his heart thundering twice as hard.
It was Koyuki. She looked ready to laugh, but when she saw the… messy state he is in, her expression was replaced into a concerned one. “Are you… alright?”
Alright? Do I look alright!?
“Yeah, I’m fine.” He lied, desperate to control his breathing to avoid suspicion.
But it’s too late as Koyuki studied him. She paused for a bit, “Are you sure?”
A sense of deja vu hits him. “A-Absolutely,” he stuttered.
But Koyuki is having none of it. “I can tell the manager that you’re not feeling well. I’m sure they’ll excuse you–”
“No, no.” Michikatsu shook his head, “I’m fine, I feel alright. Trust me.”
Both fell into silence once more. He could see the contemplation in her hesitant eyes. Those worried glances made him feel unsettled, but alas, she gave in. “Okay. Just… Just tell me if something is wrong.” Her eyes narrowed quite accusingly, “Because I know you aren’t. I’ve seen this attitude already with my stubborn boyfriend, so you can’t hide anything from me either. But I won’t pry on your business.”
Michikatsu released a sigh of relief, however, his shoulders are too tensed. “Yeah. Thank you, Koyuki.”
She smiled and her eyes softened, “I’m always here.” She nods and then walked away, leaving him with his thoughts.
The man leaned on the wall, calming his anxiety down since his heart is still beating like crazy. He managed to hide his shaking hands from the ever-knowing Koyuki. Now that Michikatsu’s alone, his mind wanders at the image of his… older brother.
Yoriichi looks different. Indeed, Michikatsu had already seen him many times on television and the radio, especially when he’s always been the highlight of idol stars despite him being an entrepreneur, not a celebrity; an iconic figure that almost everyone knows. But Yoriichi looks different up close. Who wouldn’t recognize him? Yoriichi is a handsome young man who became successful at such a young age.
He is everyone’s dream. With a lean and strong body, glistening long hair, and good-looking face, fit for a model. Not only that but possess a brilliant mind, known for his capability of doing anything. A young prodigy who everyone wants to become! And no one can deny him anything with that brilliance. Let alone, such gifts deserve to be known.
Little is known about that man. And that is what everyone wants anyway. A mysterious figure who can afford luxurious things and do amazing things with his genius plans.
And what is Michikatsu? Well… He’s a man who works three jobs and is struggling to pay the ridiculously expensive rent of his apartment.
Embarrassingly? He was caught by his very-successful brother in a poor state he is in.
“Fuuuck!” Michikatsu groaned out loud, clutching his thick and uncontrolled hair with frustration and anger. He felt tears bubbling in his eyes. The desire to run away from all his troubles mounted. The unfairness of this world is just too harsh on him. All Michikatsu wanted is to become successful before meeting Yoriichi. So that he could have equal power as him, too. So that he could show his brother that he is capable of taking care of himself alone and surviving.
But life is shit. It is unfair.
Right now, Michikatsu worries about this job. He just can’t quit now! This job is important. It provides him good money better than the other two! Even though Yoriichi knows about his job as a waiter now that he’s caught, Michikatsu still has to continue working to earn enough money to live and afford stuff. But… at the same time, he doesn’t want to see that damn rich boy again!
“What to do…” Michikatsu muttered, hissing in annoyance. The pressure on him is placed upon his shoulders once more. Panic and fear controlled him again. He dreads the unknown events that will soon take place. He just doesn’t know what to do.
The man released a sigh. “Fuck this.” Then in resignation, he composed himself for a moment and returned to the kitchen. Had no choice left but to work.
The chefs didn’t pay him any mind, busy as ever. Even fellow waiters and waitresses were bustling around at the already too-busy restaurant. The smell of caffeine wafted through the air as well as the smell of the cooked meals. Just as he took the notebook to start taking some orders from the customers, something catches his attention in the corner of his eye.
Michikatsu took a step back, eyes trained on a figure sitting at the corner, who is leaning on a glass wall that views the outside. The figure casually sits on his respective table, with a laptop open up and a cup of coffee sitting beside it. That man types away on his laptop, uncaring that he looks so out of place in such a public space.
With such an expensive suit on display and face revealed for the world to see, it is no wonder why the restaurant suddenly got so frantic and busy.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni is here. Of course, he is.
And everyone is freaking out. Mostly, it’s the staff who are at the peak of stress when they realized this.
Including him, of course. But in a different level of feeling than everyone else felt. To the customers, they were taking photos from left to right. The staff was frantic, not having heard in advance that a well-known entrepreneur have taken a visit to this small cafe-restaurant. The owner was contacted right away, and the manager didn’t know what to do either. It was all too sudden.
Although the restaurant is indeed quite small, only frequently visited by the regulars and students or people who work nearby, it is enough to give Michikatsu a good pay than the other two jobs. But now that Yoriichi is here out of
all
restaurants in the area, which everyone can easily identify as the odd one out, Michikatsu isn’t ready to let this job go.
With students mostly occupying the place, they will not fail to notice Yoriichi and would immediately spread the news with their stolen pictures of him.
Damn it. Michikatsu mused as he observed the people murmuring and whispering along with themselves as they eyed the unperturbed man. The fact that his bodyguards are also here, sitting nearby is making it too obvious!
It’s as if Yoriichi wanted his presence to be known not by the people, but by him. To let Michikatsu know that there’s no backing out. That he is now found out. Yoriichi is doing this because he will remain persistent unless they talk. Even if it means doing a risky thing by being out in the public, it was an effective way to send a message to Michikatsu.
I found you. Now, you can’t get away from me anymore.
Michikatsu turned and stomped away, grabbing the notebook without care anymore that he can be seen by his brother.
Koyuki was standing behind the counter, mouth gaping open in shock. When she sees Michikatsu, her eyes glowed brightly. “Michikatsu, look!”
He didn’t.
She continued anyway, “Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! It’s Yoriichi Tsugikuni.” Her hand is gripping her phone too tightly. “I need to call Hakuji, but I can’t! It’s work time!” She’s openly squealing and visibly shaking in excitement. “I can’t believe it. I can’t believe t-that we just got visited by someone famous. Yoriichi Tsugikuni, no less! Holy hell, what does this mean!?”
Koyuki doesn’t curse a lot. So she must’ve felt so excited at the moment. However, Michikatsu was not moved.
Then her eyes traveled back and forth between him and Yoriichi. “Oh my goodness! You two look so alike!” She started laughing. “Let’s take a picture of you two! He’d notice you for sure. Y-You two are like siblings, oh my goodness! This is awesome.”
Michikatsu shook his head. “Let’s not do that.”
“But why? This is once in a lifetime experience for both of us! This is the first time I’ve seen a famous person so close!” Then she gasped, “Oh! I was the one who took his order, by the way. I’m the one who handed that coffee. Do you see that? You see that!?” She pointed at the drink Yoriichi is holding in his hand.
But Michikatsu didn’t look. Instead, he looked frightened and hopeless.
Koyuki noticed this but mistaken Michikatsu’s expression for nervousness about seeing someone famous up close. “You should take his order next time–”
“No,” he bluntly retorted.
The woman blinked, quite surprised. “B-But this is…”
He shook his head, “No, Koyuki. I will not.” Then he walked away, going to the other side to take some orders from the customers who were far away from Yoriichi.
It was almost noon, and he wanted to leave this place so badly. Customers are coming in more to take their lunch. It’s very busy, especially when a known figure is currently sitting at one of the tables.
However, it’s eerie. Michikatsu noticed that Yoriichi isn’t looking at him, which is great. But he had a feeling that Yoriichi doesn’t want to reveal Michikatsu’s identity like this. The last thing the eldest wanted is to reveal that he had a brother all along, and once people know about this, Michikatsu may become the center of attention, even possibly, the center of danger. Michikatsu will surely be targeted.
To Michikatsu, that’s what he thought.
He finished taking an order from another customer, and he was about to head towards the kitchen when he is called…
“Excuse me, waiter, please.”
Chills ran down his spine. Michikatsu couldn’t help but freeze on the spot.
He thought that his hands had stopped shaking by now, but apparently, it was not. He took a moment to look around to see if there were a nearby waiters and waitresses. But he’s the only one in the spot close to him. Michikatsu forced himself to calm down. He unclenched his fist.
Having no choice left, he breathed in and out, then faced the inevitable.
Michikatsu ignored the two tough-looking guards just sitting at the other table, who are studying him with wariness as he got closer to their boss. He couldn’t bear himself to look at his brother’s face once again. So, he pull out a pen and stared at his notebook as he now stand beside Yoriichi.
“What would you like?” The first-ever sentence Michikatsu uttered to his brother for three years. The man hopes his voice wouldn’t break if this conversation is prolonged.
“I would like to have you back home with me.”
The waiter blinked. Well, that was surprising.
Michikatsu shook himself internally, “Sorry, but that’s not on the menu.”
“I’m not ordering anything, Michikatsu. I just want to talk with you.” The sound of his name left another chill down his spine. Michikatsu hated it when Yoriichi said it like that.
“Then, I have no purpose here.” He was about to leave when suddenly, Yoriichi’s tone was filled with warning.
“Your identity is at stake here.”
It was enough to make Michikatsu pause on the spot. Apprehension is replaced with anger.
“That’s why I need to leave, right? If this is taking too long, my identity is at risk anyway, people are going to notice us.” Michikatsu’s hand curled without his knowledge.
“But I still need to talk to you, brother.”
Don’t call me that! Michikatsu wanted to yell out but refrained himself.
“We’ll talk later. Just not now.” Ha! He’ll be gone by noon anyway.
Yoriichi was stubborn though. “Please…”
He felt irritation bubbling in his chest. “The last thing I want is for my face to be seen and immediately identified as your brother.”
If everyone finds out about me, then I’ll be at the center of the public eye. People can point me out if I am spotted outside. If I escaped from him, it will all be useless when people will identify me anyway. Then, he’d find me easily. I can’t stay here for long…
“Then, isn’t it better to stay at home? Home, where it is safer and free from the eyes of the public. Where no one else can target you, too.”
No, he won’t be doing this to me right now. “Fuck you. I don’t want to hear that bullshit again.”
Just as he was about to walk away. Yoriichi called out to him softly, “I’ll be waiting here, Michikatsu. We need to talk.” Michikatsu merely scoffed and rolled his eyes. He made a mistake looking at those maroon eyes that softened when they made eye contact. “I miss you, brother mine.”
His heart dropped as he left.
Michikatsu walked to the kitchen, Koyuki trailing him from behind. “Oh my goodness! What happened? It looked like you two have a pretty long conversation!” She clapped loudly, “Tell me, tell me, tell me. Did he order something–”
“He was amused that he and I look the same, that’s why we talk,” Michikatsu said blandly.
It was enough to make Koyuki laugh in pure joy. “T-That’s crazy!” Koyuki continued to say something, but Michikatsu couldn’t hear anything then.
He was taking off his apron and dressed off his work attire, all the while, Koyuki blabbered on and on. Michikatsu felt like he is a dead man walking. All he thought of at this very moment are the words his brother dared to say to his face.
“I miss you, brother mine.”
Michikatsu excused himself, interrupting Koyuki without the care he was being rude. He just wants to get out. He just wants to leave the place. He needs to go. Yoriichi doesn’t know that he’ll get off work at noon. So, he uses this moment to escape.
Yoriichi is here. Despite him looking nonchalant or calm as they talk, unperturbed and friendly, those maroon eyes say otherwise. His face is expressionless, but his eyes tell a message:
‘I found you.’