The One He Gave to Everyone But Us
For two days after touching the truth of Onii-sama, I dragged him everywhere under the sun. I wanted to be kinder. If I could just be kinder, something would change. That was the desperate hope I clung to.
But habits carved in blood don't bend so easily. Seven days left of our two-week escape. I'd keep hauling him around the same way. The thought made me feel pathetic. A week ago I never even questioned it. What on earth had happened to me?
I didn't understand my own heart. I didn't know what I wanted. The idea of another day wrapped in this fog made my chest ache.
Then—thank goodness, or maybe it was cruel fate— I didn't have to think about it anymore. The moment breakfast ended, every screen in the house screamed the same emergency alert.
Source: National Defense Force. Translation: foreign attack.
I stared at the television, drowning in unfamiliar jargon. One phrase snagged me like a hook.
"Submersible missile cruiser?"
Was that submarine during our cruise just the opening act?
"Lady Maya, please pull whatever strings you can!"
"Already done."
Sakurai-san and Mother both sounded tight. Even the news anchor kept pleading, "Please remain calm," while shaking like a leaf.
I wasn't panicking only because none of it felt real. A polite little dissociative episode, keeping me upright.
(But… what about him?)
Onii-sama stood silent, scrolling classified data on a pocket terminal. No tremor. No tension. No human flicker.
Was he numb like me? Or was he truly empty?
I couldn't look away. He tilted his head—"Oh?"
"Yes, Shiba speaking… No, thank you again for the other day… The base?"
Summer jacket, comm terminal—he was talking to Major Kazama. In the middle of a war zone, what could they possibly want?
"Grateful for the offer… Yes… I'll discuss it with Mother… Later, then."
When he hung up, every eye in the room was on him. He rose, bowed to Mother on the sofa.
"Madam, Major Kazama invites us to shelter inside Onna Air Base."
"Eh!?"
I slapped a hand over my mouth. One shock too many; my emotions were buffering.
Then the next bomb dropped.
"Madam, Lady Maya on the line."
Mother and Aunt Maya—sisters who spoke maybe once a decade— were suddenly on the phone.
"Maya? …Yes… You pulled strings, didn't you… Is it safe?… Got it. Thank you… Absolutely NOT!"
Mother actually shouted. What on earth had Aunt offered?
"Madam, what did she say?"
"She arranged military shelter. That call Tatsuya just took? Same deal."
"But isn't a military shelter safer?"
"I said the same. She insists it's fine. We've already inconvenienced her—let's do as she says. Tatsuya, accept the major's offer. And ask them to send a car."
"Yes, ma'am."
Pushing every hassle onto Onii-sama— surely I was overthinking it.
The escort who arrived was exactly who I expected: Private First Class Joseph Hinoki, grinning like we were old barracks buddies.
"Tatsuya! Sorry to keep ya!"
"Joe, thanks for coming."
"Quit with the stiff stuff."
Joe's smile was pure summer-camp joy. Onii-sama's was shy—but real. Warmer than anything he ever gave us.
Mother's brow furrowed. Surely she disliked Joe's manners, not the fact that a stranger earned a brighter smile than her own son… right?
Joe caught the chill, snapped to attention, and saluted like a recruit on parade.
"By order of Major Kazama, I'm here to escort the party!"
"Lead on," Sakurai-san sighed.
"Yes, ma'am!"
He didn't notice her eye-roll. I wished he had—just a little. But getting to the base came first.
(So… Onii-sama can make that face. Then everything he shows me really is an act?)
The roads were clogged with evacuees. I stared at his profile the whole ride.
Why save your real smile for strangers… and never for family?
Family came second. Of course it stung.
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