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"So? How was that first day?"
Sunfei's silence would have been an answer by itself a few months ago, although ever since he lost his eye, Rakta has found his little brother to be a lot quieter than he used to be.
Both him and Bacchus have accepted this change in their brother's behavior. Though they have to admit that they are more than often gratified by an answer, just like right now:
"They're calling me Hayato Suo." Rakta blinks at Sunfei's quiet voice, as if he, himself, was still in disbelief.
"Hayato Suo?" Sunfei nods at Bacchus' question, "why?"
"It's the Japanese reading of his name, you birdbrain."
"Hey what-"
"I don't… really mind." Sunfei's words stop their argument as soon as it started. They look at him expectantly, hoping for him to continue but he looks hesitant, looking for the right words to properly explain how he feels. Bacchus and Rakta both wait silently, offering Sunfei the space he needs to speak up.
It has been hard not to worry for their younger brother going in a new town alone. Rakta had initially requested to be sent with him so that Sunfei would have someone to protect him, but their master refused, even when Rakta begrudgingly accepted for the person sent to be Bacchus. As long as it would be either of them, really. But no.
Sunfei needs to learn how to apprehend his world now that he sees it differently, their master said. Even though Rakta understands, it doesn't mean he agrees. It wouldn't have hurt anyone for him to be accompanied and have someone to talk to there. He's quiet enough with them, Rakta doesn't want to imagine how he will be without anyone he knows around.
Sunfei had also been silent back then, thoughts neatly concealed, almost spacing out while his fate was being sealed by their elders. It's been like that ever since; Sunfei has withdrawn himself a bit, patrolling a little less and training alone with their master. No one dared questioning him and the few people that started talking about it got quickly shut down by Rakta or Bacchus themselves.
Hence, the second Sunfei starts talking, they listen attentively, trying to decipher the thoughts he so scarcely shares now. Rakta has come to think that their brother might have a sense of inadequacy with his newly acquired disability. Speaking out when he feels so unsure is new for him and he can't afford looking shaky in front of other people with the status he has been given withing Red Chanpuru. He has too many responsabilities to sound unsure of himself. So instead, he observes. Sunfei has never been a rowdy kid, but he has also always been quite cheeky and Rakta has to admit he misses the liveliness that used to inhabit him but he guesses that some of it must have been ripped appart when his eye was taken by force.
Rakta almost shudders at the memory of the haunting screams piercing that fateful night.
"It almost feels like I'm someone else, there."
"You kind of are, though." And for one, Rakta doesn't fully disagree with Bacchus. He is kind of a new person there. Nobody knows the title and responsabilities that lie on those small shoulders.
Rakta wonders if Sunfei feels relieved or more tense because of that but the small smile he has might as well be a hint about the answer to that question.
He sighs, not really wanting to break his spirit but he has to make sure his brother doesn't get hurt later:
"Don't get attached too much, Sunfei. One day you'll have to chose between both names." Sunfei looks at him almost surprised and Rakta raises an eyebrow. Why is he so surprised?
"I wouldn't really call it a choice. Sunfei is the name I was given by master. I'll always come back to this name at the end of the day." Rakta looks away, not wanting to create space for a bad omen.
But he has a feeling that this new version of their brother is going to be both a blessing and a curse.
Because Hayato Suo strangely sounds quite fitting for his little brother.