How I finally decided to make the ''aww big bro Shindou & lil bro Tenma'' reaction on AR a reality. Y'all enjoy, and prepare for the angst :)

(This is just a bit of a side project for me, and it's not going to be as elaborate, or big, as my other stories! Prepare for shorter chapters than I usually upload, haha.)

~'0'~

''I can't believe all of that happened."

Tenma can't help but agree as he and his two classmates cross the bridge. ''Everything's so crazy!''

Nishizono, his new friend, nods along. ''Yeah! Who would've thought some weird guy would just attack the soccer club like that?'' the two boys grimace at the thought of Tsurugi and all the trouble he'd caused, and that on the first day of school.

The first day of school... already, so much has changed. Finding out about Fifth Sector... it was definitely a shock. It causes a heavy feeling in Tenma's chest, one he doesn't want to think about, so instead he quickly changes the topic to their new class schedule. Thankfully his two friends don't seem to notice his discomfort and easily switch subjects.

By the time they reach Kogarashi Manor and Aoi says goodbye, he and Nishizono are talking animatedly about what classes they're looking forward to the most. They wave Aoi goodbye as the girl turns the corner, and then it's just the two of them.

Tenma leads the shorter boy through the Manor's gates, and they pause in the garden as Nishizono takes in the building. ''What is this place?'' the boy asks, looking around. ''I don't know whether to call it old or just shabby...''

'''Shabby' might be over the line,'' says a voice from behind them and the two teens turn around, a smile already forming on Tenma's face. ''Hello you two.''

The brunet grins, already stepping forward to take the groceries Aki is carrying from her. ''Aki-nee, hello!'' he chirps. ''This is my friend, Nishizono Shinsuke. He's in my class!'' he then turns to the other boy. ''And this is Aki-nee, my relative and the landlord of this house.''

Immediately, Nishizono panics and bows, all too aware of how rude he sounded just now. ''I'm so sorry I called it shabby!''

Aki laughs. ''I don't mind,'' she tells him, and then glances at her younger cousin. ''Are you staying for dinner, Tenma?''

''Mm!''

''Well, come on in then. I made cookies!'' Aki moves to the front door and opens it to welcome them. The two teens help with putting away the groceries and then move towards the living room, where Nishizono instantly gasps at seeing the dog that's lazing on the carpet. They spend their time like that, talking and playing with Sasuke, until eventually the shorter boy has to leave for home.

Tenma ends up chatting with Aki while she cooks – she's been teaching him the basics lately – and then over dinner, telling her all about his first day at Raimon and everything he's found out.

''-and Tsurugi was all like, I'll destroy soccer and stuff, and then he used this hissatsu and shot it right at me! It was so fast, I couldn't even try and stop it!'' the brunet exclaims, waving his chopsticks around to demonstrate just how much speed was behind the shot. Then he catches his relative's worried look and hurries to reassure her. ''It didn't hit me! The first team came and stopped it.''

Aki pauses, the corner of her lips twisting down. ''The first team?'' she repeats carefully.

''Mm.'' Suddenly, there's an awkward silence between them, and Tenma chews on his lower lip. ''Um. Nothing really happened, I mean, I was mostly ignored. So it was fine.'' He half-shrugs and, noticing that Aki is still pursing her lips, quickly tries to distract her. ''Anyway, then Tsurugi's team showed up and challenged Raimon to a match!'' As he continues talking about the rest of his day, he sees his sister figure slowly relax again.

By the time they've finished dinner and washed the dishes, Aki keeps glancing at the clock and Tenma takes the hint that he should start heading home. He hugs her tightly for a moment, then grabs his bag and Sasuke's leash, and soon enough he's waving goodbye.

He laughs at Sasuke's enthusiastic antics while they walk, enjoying the warmth of the setting sun. Today was a lot, for sure, but it wasn't... it wasn't bad, or at least not as bad as he might've feared. He was only ignored, so that's okay. He can deal with being ignored, he just hopes the rest of his time with the soccer team won't go wrong. If he even makes it onto the team, that is, but if he tries his hardest then surely...!

He's pulled out of his thoughts by a whine from Sasuke, and the young teen laughs when he sees his dog looking at him. ''Ah, don't worry about me!'' Tenma chirps, pausing for a moment to scratch behind Sasuke's ears. ''Everything will work out somehow! It'll be fine, I'm sure the team will be lots of fun.''

Sasuke barks in agreement.

It doesn't take long for them to reach the nicer part of the city, the modest two story homes slowly turning into larger houses with carefully tended to gardens surrounding them. The centerpiece, however, is the beautiful white mansion with its large fountain in the heart of the neighborhood. The mansion Tenma is headed to.

When he's at the gate, he types in the code to open it without even having to think about it and slips inside. The iron bars of the fence are beautifully shaped, but to Tenma, they only remind him of a cage. Pretty to look at, but nothing more.

The front door is already swinging open before he's even at the stairs, and Tenma holds back a sigh as he gives a short bow to the young woman in the doorway. He's been told countless times it's unnecessary, that the staff are below him in position, but he thinks it's ridiculous. ''I'm home!''

''Welcome back, young master,'' she allows, a faint smile flickering over her face. From upstairs, there's the faint sound of someone playing the piano. ''Did you eat dinner at Kino-san's place?''

''Mm,'' the boy confirms as he takes off his shoes and frees Sasuke from his leash. With a quick hand gesture, the dog disappears down the hallway to wait in Tenma's room upstairs. He's allowed in the house, as long as he doesn't get in the way. ''Sorry Ichika-san, I should've called ahead.''

The maid shakes her head, hands folded daintily in front of her apron. ''There is no need, young master. But might I be as bold as to remind you of the family dinner this Sunday?''

Tenma can't hide a wince, then instantly tries to cover it up with an awkward chuckle. ''I remember, but thank you. I'll be there.'' He places his shoes neatly by the front door, then grabs his bag from where he'd dropped it on the floor. ''Is there anything I can help with? The dishes?''

''They're already done, young master.'' Ichika's polite smile cracks a little, turning crooked at the edges as she tries not to grin. ''Please focus on your studies, the cleaning is my duty.''

The teen pouts. ''It's just the first day, I don't have any homework yet!'' finally, Ichika lets a chuckle escape and Tenma grins at his accomplishment. When the maid notices, she rolls her eyes and waves him away, further into the mansion.

As he walks through the neat corridor, all white walls and shiny wooden floors, his smile fades away. Passing the living room, he peeks around the corner – but it's empty, and Tenma moves on, not knowing whether to be relieved or not. He darts up the stairs, sock-clad feet not making any sound, and the piano music becomes clearer. The source of it is an opened door somewhere down the main hall on the second floor, and the brunet grimaces as he heads towards it.

He pauses just before he reaches the room, one step away from the doorway, and inhales deeply to calm himself. Then he steps into the room, eyes easily picking out the grand piano and the teen seated on the bench, fingers dancing over the keys.

For several long seconds, the music is the only thing audible, heavy and dreadful but beautiful nonetheless. Tenma waits, patiently, knowing the elder is aware of his presence.

And indeed, not long after, the music comes to an end, the sudden silence startling.

''I'm home, nii-sama,'' Tenma says, head dipping into a nod.

Dark eyes suddenly pin him in place and it takes a few seconds too long for his brother to greet him in return. Deliberate, no doubt. ''Welcome back.'' It sounds anything but welcoming, the elder's lips pulled down in a displeased frown. ''Were you at Aki-san's again?''

Tenma nods.

There's clear annoyance in his brother's gaze and the elder exhales harshly. ''I did not appreciate your actions at school today,'' he scolds, straightening up, and the younger bites his lip and looks down. ''You had no reason to interfere with the match.''

I didn't, Tenma wants to say. It wasn't my choice.

Instead, a quiet ''I'm sorry'' leaves his lips.

''It doesn't matter, anyway. You won't pass tomorrow's entrance exam – the club is done for.''

The younger's head whips up, and before he can stop himself, he's lashing out in protest. ''Takuto-!''

Instantly he falls silent when his brother's eyes narrow in anger, and he regrets ever opening his mouth. Takuto stands up and walks towards the sitting area on the other side of the room, motioning with one hand for Tenma to take a seat on the sofa while he himself takes the armchair. Resigned, the younger sits as well, hiding a wince when he takes in his brother's posture – straight, legs crossed. Closed off.

That's not a good sign.

They both fall silent, the younger knowing it won't be appreciated if he talks now. It doesn't take long for the elder brother to sigh, annoyed, and something in his expression is as cold as ice. ''I told you again and again not to join the soccer club, it's a waste. Now you know why. Fifth Sector's soccer isn't fun, it's not for you, and it'll just ruin the sport for you so do me a favor and stay away.''

Tenma flinches at how harshly the final word is spoken. There's so much he wants to say, to protest, but it'd only fall on deaf ears. He chews on his lower lip, daring a glance at Takuto's face. ''Nii-sama...''

The elder seems to understand without him even saying it and huffs, annoyed. ''You're just going to ignore me, aren't you?'' either he doesn't notice Tenma's wince or simply doesn't acknowledge it. He massages his temples tiredly. ''Whatever, but don't say I didn't warn you.''

''I...'' he doesn't even know what to say, a feeling he's incredibly familiar with when it comes to his brother. Always unsure, always tentatively trying to figure out what he can and can't say at that moment. So, as usual, the brunet withdraws, curls into himself, and risks a glance at Takuto's face. ''Are you- are you alright, nii-sama? You collapsed...''

And god, had Tenma been worried when Takuto suddenly passed out like that, seemingly unable to breathe and spread out limply on the grass a second later. All after he'd brought out a Keshin. Tenma hadn't even been able to see because the team pretty much pushed him aside to get to their captain. Then Coach Kudou had carried him to the infirmary and Aoi had forced the young brunet to go to the induction ceremony.

Something flashes over Takuto's face, so fast Tenma is sure he imagined it.

''I'm fine,'' is the clipped answer, and that seems to be all the elder wants to say on it. In fact, that seems to be the end of the very short, very one-sided, conversation in Takuto's mind. He rises from the chair and walks towards the door, and Tenma tries to protest.

''Nii-sama!''

Without even looking back, he pauses on the treshold. ''Don't call me that when we're at school, I don't need anyone thinking I'm playing favorites.'' And then he disappears down the corridor, leaving Tenma behind – the younger's mouth has fallen open in shock as he stares at where his brother just stood.

What, what just happened?

He blinks, wills himself not to cry, and closes his mouth with an audible click. Of course he knew Takuto hasn't been happy with him for a long time, pretty much the whole of last year after the elder started junior high, but to just... refuse to openly acknowledge their relationship? To pretend they're strangers?

Swallowing the tears away and Tenma rises from the sofa, and his feet seem to move on their own, leading him to the piano Takuto just abandoned. With shaking fingers he reaches for the picture frame on the wall near it, curling around the edge of it.

He remembers when this was put up, when Takuto was gifted the music room to do with as he wanted. It's not officially his, of course, but seeing as his brother is by far the one to spend most time here their parents gave him mostly free reign of the room. Takuto had decorated it to his tastes, but the very first thing he'd changed about it... the very first thing he'd put up, had been this picture.

Back then he'd been so excited to show Tenma that he'd snuck him out of bed after the younger's bedtime and they'd tiptoed here together, Takuto never letting go of his hand. All to show him how he'd put up their favorite photo of them together, front and center where he'd be able to see it whenever he was playing the piano.

Tenma stares bitterly at it now, clouded by what had once been one of his fondest memories. It was taken several months after the Shindou family had gained custody of him, he doesn't remember exactly how long, but it's probably one of the first times he'd smiled in months. It's tiny and fragile and soft, but a smile nonetheless. And it was all thanks to Takuto.

He grips the picture frame tightly.

What changed?

Takuto had always been so kind to him, taking to the role of older brother like a duck to water despite having spent the first seven years of his life as an only child. When everyone around them had been ready to give up at Tenma's refusal to speak, Takuto had stuck by him, telling him it was okay if he didn't want to talk. When Tenma couldn't sleep for days, kept awake by night terrors, Takuto would stubbornly try to stay up with him because he ''didn't want him to be alone!''

And yet... now...

It seems Tenma's resolution not to cry isn't enough to actually stop the tears, and he furiously wipes at his eyes to no avail. He can't- he can't be here, in this room he used to spend so much time with his older brother, playing games and talking and listening to Takuto playing the piano, back when everything was still good.

Twisting around sharply, the young brunet nearly sprints out of the room and towards his own, thankfully not seeing anyone on his way. The last thing he needs right now is to be questioned by the staff, or worse, his guardians.

He makes it to his bedroom in record time and quickly but quietly closes the door behind him, leaning against it for a few moments. A bark catches his attention, and grey eyes flit towards Sasuke, who's suddenly in front of him and whining sadly.

Immediately the teen drops to the floor, a sad chuckle escaping him when Sasuke starts licking his face. He throws his arms around the dog, burying his face in the soft fur, and hopes tomorrow will be a better day.

~'0'~

So, thoughts on this? Love it? Hate it? Can't wait for more? Never wanna read it again? XD

Yeahh, remember how harsh Shindou acted during the start of the anime? Still the case here!