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“Come on, sleepyhead. Wake up!” Sanemi Shinazugawa’s voice was just over a whisper, close enough to his younger brother’s ear that their other siblings didn’t hear.
“Mmmmff.” Genya mumbled and turned his head away, snuggling into his thin pillow. A moment later he yelped as Sanemi flicked his forehead, the sound muffled by the other hand clamped over his mouth. “Wha was tha for?”
“You gotta wake up quietly.” Sanemi pointed at their younger siblings, and pulled Genya to his feet. Even though he was only 13, helping their mother had made him strong enough to lift his brother up with one arm, the other hand gesturing silence. Their mother was already awake, quiet noises in the back of the house giving her presence away as she toiled with the morning laundry taken in from the neighbors for a few extra yen.
The two crept carefully out past their sleeping siblings and through the front door, closing it quietly behind them. Genya exhaled and rubbed his arms in a self-hug, the chill January air biting so early in the morning. “Why are we up so early, I’d rather be asleep! It’s cold!”
“Do you always have to complain? You’ll warm up as we walk.” Sanemi grinned, no anger in his chiding. “It’s your birthday today you know. I have a gift for you.”
“Is it food?” Genya perked up and got a light whack on the back of his head.
“Food and sleep, food and sleep, that’s all you ever think about! No, it’s better than food.” Sanemi handed him a small bundle, though, and Genya gave a quiet cheer, stuffing his face with onigiri.
“You need your strength, we have a long way to go.”
Genya paused mid bite. “Won’t mama be worried?”
“Nope, I got permission. I’ve been planning this for weeks.” Sanemi tousled his brother’s overgrown hair and grinned, walking briskly to the edge of their small village and then out onto the main road. It was already a bit busy with those who started their work at the crack of dawn. He bartered with someone pulling a cart to get them a ride, and the brothers sat in the back, Genya excitedly swinging his feet.
“Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise. You can nap if you want to, though.” Sanemi smiled as his now 8 year old brother leaned against his side, quietly snoring in moments. He watched the trees pass by and small eddies of flurries fall as they traveled, only nudging Genya awake when they reached the next town over.
His brother yawned and rubbed his eyes, looking around in confusion that gave way to excitement. Set up beside the town were tents, with people bustling about and the smell of street food already filling the air. Loud voices, bright colors, and music were already overwhelming even in the late morning.
“What is all this?” He hopped off the cart eagerly, only kept from running towards it by his brother’s hand on the back of his collar.
“Slooooow down. It’s a matsuri festival. I overheard they were coming here this week, and since it’s your birthday…” He shrugged and almost fell over as his younger brother hugged him hard enough to creak bones.
“Thank you thank you thank you!!” Genya grabbed his brother’s hand and dove through the crowd, admiring hand crafted goods and foods they couldn’t afford, and delighting in the antics of those working the festival. Dancers moved to music, and at mid day a large procession of decorated floats took over the main street. Sanemi hoisted his brother up onto his shoulders for a better view, and didn’t complain when his white hair got gripped and pulled a bit painfully. All that mattered was Genya getting one day away from their normal life, watching their mother struggle, caring for their siblings, and dodging their father’s ire.
After the parade, Genya started looking longingly at the food stalls. “I wish–”
“–I told you, it’s your birthday.” Sanemi grinned and pulled out a few small coins painstakingly earned by offering what little free time he had to the neighbors for chores. “Watermelon is out of season, unfortunately, but I can get you some yakatori, maybe some tempura even?”
“Nemi is the best big brother in the whole world!!” Genya whooped and ran for the stalls, trying to decide. Sanemi hung back and shook his head, smiling. He turned to look around and a cart close by caught his eye, his stomach growling. A pretty girl with wavy hair as white as his own, pinned up on the sides, was focused on hand making ohagi, the red bean treat out of season but always in demand during festivals. She looked up as she blew a strand of hair out of her eyes, and their gazes met, both teens flushing pink in the awkward way of young people the world over.
Genya returned and tugged on Sanemi’s sleeve. “I know what I want to get…” He trailed off, and frowned. “Why’s your face red?” He turned to look and his expression turned guilty. “They have ohagi? You should get some, it’s your favorite.”
“Nah, we don’t have that much money. It’s okay. It’s your birthday, remember?” He gave the cart a last longing look and shook it off, smiling. “Okay, what did you pick?”
After they ate, Sanemi started to get more excited, and Genya felt a giddy anxiety seeing it. His brother led him through the festival grounds to the very back, and then a loud CRACK startled him so much he almost jumped out of his skin.
“What was THAT!?”
“Hey, you’re the one who is always saying you think they are neat.” Sanemi grinned and they moved through the crowd to see a large open area set up with targets. There were traditional bows, archers milling about, but also–
“Western sharp shooters!?” Genya was practically vibrating with glee as a tall man dressed in leather took the center of the field, shouldering a gun. He cut a stunning figure, the sides of his head shaved with only a strip of hair left down the center. He lined up his shot, and hit the target dead center, the crowd, all but Genya, moving back a step at the loud pop. Sanemi watched his face and grinned. Surprise successful.
“Happy birthday, Genya.” He almost got knocked over by his brother’s hug, noting it was the second time in the same day. Genya wasn’t just growing like a weed, he seemed to have inherited their father’s strength, too.
“My nii-chan is the nicest person in the whole world!” Genya clung to him, hiccupping and trying not to cry from emotional overstimulation. Sanemi laughed and stroked his hair, understanding and not minding the tears. He knew they were happy ones for once.
The brothers watched till the end of the show, then took up seats waiting for the last attraction of the day, a fireworks display that was sure to be exciting and worth walking home in the dark. While they waited, Genya sat at his brother’s feet, humming happily as Sanemi carefully used a knife to cut the sides of his hair short like his new idol. When it was done Genya touched his hair carefully and giggled, the short sides needing their mother’s touch to properly shore up.
“It looks good on you. It’s a good change for an eight year old.” Sanemi grinned and sheathed the little knife after cleaning it. His brother wiggled backwards until he could lean against his chest the way he did when they were younger, and he hugged him, both for warmth and out of happiness after a delightful day. They watched the fireworks start, and Genya squeaked in delight, eyes shining, making one of the best memories he would ever have. Sanemi laughed at his joy, feeling more than a little proud.
When the fireworks ended, Genya started to yawn, excitement giving way to exhaustion. People were returning to their homes, stalls closing, and the general atmosphere calm after the chaos of the day. They passed the food stalls, and Sanemi’s smile faltered a bit, seeing the ohagi stall already closed up. As they passed, a voice called out, and he turned to look.
“Wait!” The girl who had been cooking ran up to them, smiling. “You… you were the boy earlier, it’s your brother’s birthday, right?”
“You heard that?” Sanemi blinked in surprise, fascinated by the strange jagged patterns in the girl’s light blue eyes and freckles like autumn leaves crossing the bridge of her nose. He realized he was staring and flushed, looking anywhere else.
“I have really good hearing. You seem like a really good big brother.” She smiled and handed him a small cloth bundle. “On the house.” She grinned down at Genya, who started at her freckles with a child’s innocent fascination. “Happy birthday!”
“Thank you!” Genya waved. They watched her disappear behind the stall, and Sanemi opened up the little bundle. Five perfectly made ohagi were nestled together, the scent making his mouth water. “What is it, Nemi?”
“Ohagi.” He grinned, and offered one to his brother, eating them as they walked. “We should save one for mom. And one for our siblings.”
“Yeah, but the other one should be yours!” Genya nodded solemnly.
“What, you don’t want it? It’s your birthday.”
“Nah, I’m not hungry.” Genya grinned as Sanemi tucked away the little bag and enjoyed the extra treat.
“……liar. You’re always hungry. Or sleepy.”
“I am sleepy. Can you carry me?”
“Oi, me and my big mouth.” Sanemi turned, and let his brother climb on his back, carrying him the long way back to home.
+++
“This is my fault.” Sanemi paced back and forth, anxiety written in his lavender eyes.
“He’ll be okay, Nemi-chan.” Their mother gently changed the wet cloth on Genya’s forehead, combatting the fever that had settled in once again. The first fever had been two days after his birthday, and had been recurring all through the end of the cold months. “Now that spring is in full bloom and the weather is truly warm, his condition should improve.” Shizu smiled up at her eldest son, more worried about the stricken guilt in his eyes than his younger, sturdy brother.
“Still. I should have brought a blanket to keep him warmer. Or saved enough money to buy a ride back, or–”
“Nemi, sweetheart, he’ll be okay. This is just a little fever, he’ll be back to playing in no time.” The other children crowded outside the door after being scolded for waking their sick brother up, taking their cues from Sanemi when it came to worry.
“If you say so. I’ll see if I can find some work, to visit the alchemist for something to reduce his fever.” He straightened up, and Shizu reached up to soothe his worried brow. She doubted the medicine would be necessary, but if it got her son out of the house he might worry less, and the younger children certainly would.
“Be back before dark.”
Sanemi nodded and left in a hurry. Unfortunately, even after spending all afternoon asking, no one had any extra work for him, and he returned as the sun was setting with empty hands. He sat outside their home and looked up at the sky, feeling dejected. A flash of motion caught his gaze, and he sat up quickly, jumping to his feet. It would have felt foolish any other time, but he was desperate. He grabbed a discarded glass jar, and game of cat and mouse ensued. When he finally entered his home he had a smug expression, and his siblings crowded around him asking what he'd caught.
“It’s for Genya.” Sanemi peeked into the room, relieved to see his brother sitting up and eating, though he still had the flushed color of the fever. “How do you feel?”
“Better, nii-chan.” Genya gave him a tired smile. “Mom said you were worried.”
“Of course I worry, you’re my brother!” Sanemi rolled his eyes and sat across from him before holding up the jar. “Look what I found!”
“Whoaaaaa!” Genya put the food aside and reached for the jar. Inside was a strange winged creature, like a cross between a butterfly and a tiny bird. “What the heck is it?”
“I don’t know!” Sanemi grinned ear to ear. “But it’s neat, right?”
“Yeah it is!” Genya laughed as their siblings spilled into the room, all admiring the mighty gift.
“You can’t keep it too long.” Sanemi fidgeted. “It wouldn’t be right, that’s way too small a cage. But every day you’re sick… I’ll find a new bug to show you until you can go outside, okay?”
“Yeah, I’d like that!” Genya grinned and picked up his food, the brothers and sisters tossing out different names for the hawkmoth that watched them curiously from within the jar. Before bed they took it to the window and released “Hane” into the night, bidding it farewell.
Sanemi was true to his word, and presented his brother with the jar full of fireflies the next day, and a large, matallic green beetle the next. Shizu did her best to ignore the stream of weird insects coming and going from the house, anything that lightened the children’s mood and distracted them from the nights where their father would drink was a good thing.
On the fourth day, Sanemi’s shout as he came in the front door was enough to earn a “quiet down!” from a neighbor close by. He almost tripped running to show his brother, saved by his natural grace and arriving in a rather spectacularly dramatic tumble at Genya’s feet.
“Look it’s the coolest thing I’ve ever seen just look!!” He held up the jar and it’s massive occupant.
Genya gaped at the sight. It was a glossy, dark red beetle big enough to fill the whole palm of his hand, with a pronged spike jutting out from its face like a weapon. “It’s so…. What the heck is it!?”
“Our neighbor recognized it, he says it’s a rhinoceros beetle! He doesn’t like them, apparently they get into the garden sometimes. But I found it outside town in the trees!” Sanemi grinned and opened the jar, and let it crawl out onto his hand. “Look, it’s harmless.”
“Whoaaaa can I see?” Genya held up his hands and watched it crawl from Sanemi’s fingers onto his. “Ahh, it prickles!” He giggled like mad, eyes shining but not from fever.
“Mom said you’re a lot better today, tomorrow you can come with me to let it go, okay?” Sanemi smiled as they guided it back into the jar. “You just have to think of a name.”
All night Genya slept close by the glass jar, occasionally waking up to see the beetle walking around the small confines. When the morning came he woke more easily than usual, his body rebounding from illness with a need to MOVE. He and Sanemi walked out of town together with their jar, then off the road, a short hike up into the trees. They found a good spot and released the beetle after letting it walk on their hands a bit longer, watching it crawl up the trunk of a tree before awkwardly taking flight with a loud buzz.
“So what did you end up naming it?” Sanemi put his arm around Genya’s shoulders, trying to ignore the fact that his “little” brother was nearly his height after the last growth spurt. Genya grinned up at him, happy.
“I loved it a lot, so I named it Aniki.”
*Aniki means big brother in Japanese.