Chapter Text
The alarm rang as usual. Senjuro got up and quickly headed to the bathroom to get ready for the day. He washed his face, and as he applied toothpaste to his toothbrush, his eyes fell on the mirror, and he froze for a moment. Looking in the mirror had always been a huge challenge. The pain of seeing himself look just like his father and mother at the same time had always been difficult for him. It wasn't anger or disgust, it was just a discomfort, as if five tiny needles were piercing his neck every time he looked or remembered his appearance. "It's okay, Senjuro, it's okay," he said to himself as he shook his head and got ready again. He was too mentally tired to start another day with a thousand melancholic thoughts; after all, it had been like this all week. He returned to his room and set out his uniform. Luckily, it was Friday, and since the year was ending, most of the classes would probably be vague or contain some trivial material that wouldn't be covered in the future. When he finally finished tying his tie, he heard a loud bang, as if something had hit, and voices arguing could be heard.
Senjuro discreetly went to the kitchen to make something to eat. At least he knew Kyojuro was home. He slept at his apartment most of the time. The problem was, if he was here, it was because something was wrong. "YOU'RE NEVER HOME! AND WHEN YOU DO SHOW UP, IT'S TO GIVE YOUR OPINIONS ON MY SON'S EDUCATION!?" Now he really didn't want his father to see him. He hated it when they fought, especially when he was the topic. He opened the refrigerator quietly, if that was even possible. "Dad, this isn't about you, it's about Senjuro! He needs you here! Not in a bar getting drunk!" If Shinjuro were in shape, he would have slapped Kyojuro in the face, but when he tried to do so, he tripped over his own foot and nearly fell to the ground. "Screw you, Kyojuro! If you keep up this spoiled, prissy chatter, you better get out of my house!" The other boy snorted softly. It was getting late, and he had to work. He grabbed the car and apartment keys and took one last look at his own father, pain in his eyes. "I'll be back later to pick up Senjuro. Good morning, Dad." Shinjuro yelled a few more things as Kyojuro left, things about him becoming a man, his not being welcome, that his father decided what was going on in the house, and that Senjuro obeyed him because he was the one in charge. As the younger boy lit the stove, his father walked over to him and put his hand on his shoulder.
"You better not turn into a sissy like your brother."
The egg splattered in the pan, the oil didn't splatter much, his dad argued to himself, and in 20 minutes he had to go to school. Long day.