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Sae nervously walked into the room with his soccer ball clutched in his arms and his father walking closely behind him, guiding him in gently.
“Excited to meet your little brother?” his father asked with a smile.
“Mhm…” Sae nodded, although he felt a bit unsure. He was worried his new baby brother might not like him or want to play soccer.
His mother, who was sitting on the hospital bed, wrapped in soft blankets and holding a little bundle in her arms, greeted Sae with a relieved smile.
“Hey, my darling. Come on! Say hi to your little brother.” she suggested gently.
Sae carefully placed his soccer ball on the floor and walked over to his mother. He climbed on the bed and peered into his mother’s arms.
Inside the bundle she was holding was a small, sleeping chubby, pink-faced baby.
Sae widened his eyes with wonder.
“His name is Rin,” his mother murmured.
Sae tilted his head to the side, curiously and innocently inspecting him like he was some new invention or animal.
“Can we play soccer now?” asked Sae hopefully.
His mother let out a soft chuckle. “Unfortunately no, sweetie. Not for now.”
Sae pouted. He had brought his soccer ball for nothing! How was he going to play with his new brother now?
“But, you can pet his head.” His mother offered. “Would you like to try?”
Sae nodded. He carefully extended his hand to pat Rin’s small head. The little hairs felt soft under Sae’s fingers.
“He’s so smooth…” Sae commented, which made his parents chuckle a bit.
He petted him a little longer, which was when Rin’s little eyes slowly fluttered open.
Sae gasped and immediately pulled his hand back. His eyes filled with slight guilt.
“Oh no! I woke him up, didn’t I, Mom?” he said sadly. “I’m sorry…”
His mother smiled and shook her head. “It’s no worry at all, sweetie. Look!” she gestured with her chin to the baby in her arms once more.
Sae’s eyes glittered when he saw those same eyes watching him with wide interest and wonder.
“He has the same eyes as me…” he gasped, staring at the small turquoise colored eyes and 5 little lashes underneath the eyes.
“Yes he does.” His father gently joined in, sitting beside him. “And look! He’s smiling at you!”
Rin’s small chubby face morphed into a happy smile. He reached out a small hand to Sae’s face and babbled curiously.
Sae widened his eyes once more. He nervously extended his index finger to Rin, who immediately grabbed it and giggled. Sae felt like the air around him changed, and his chest felt lighter, the same feeling it had when he discovered soccer for the first time.
“Can I hold him?” asked Sae excitedly, wanting more to explore this amazing feeling.
His mother agreed and gently helped Rin into Sae’s small arms. His father carefully supported Rin’s underside to keep him safely clutched against Sae’s chest.
Rin seemed more than happy to be there. His little smile made its way to Sae’s heart. Sae carefully let Rin hold his finger again, and his face melted into a soft smile.
“My little brother…” he whispered with awe. “Hello. I’m your big brother, Sae Itoshi. And you’re Rin Itoshi.”
Rin giggled, and Sae did too. He gently leaned down and nuzzled his nose against Rin’s tiny one, to which the baby happily grabbed his face and poked his cheeks.
Sae laughed and let him do so, murmuring closely. “You’re going to be my best friend forever. I’ll be the best big brother and the best striker in the whole wide world.”
Sae finally understood the warmth and lightness in his chest. He found another purpose, beyond just being the best striker.
He understood it as love, protectiveness and the desire to be the best brother in the world too.