"Do you remember the first time we went to the batting cages together?"
"How could I forget? You missed 12 hits in a row back then." Daichi said with an impish grin.
Ken scratched the back of his head, feeling a little embarrassed. But seeing the smile on his brothers face made it worth it. Daichi stepped out of the cage and handed Ken his bat, gesturing for him to enter.
"Sure I missed all those pitches, but do you remember your form back then?" Ken quipped, letting out a laugh. He stood awkwardly and held the bat like a child would before swinging terribly.
The action caused Daichi to chuckle.
"That was the first time I'd ever swung a bat, you can't blame me for having bad form." He replied, shrugging his shoulders.
"Mmm, and look at you now. Not only are you one of the clean up hitters for a Major league team, you also won the Home Run Derby in your rookie season. Who would have thought huh?" Ken stated with a smile.
Daichi's expression stiffened, "I guess you had a pretty good idea of my potential."
The conversation took a bit of a turn, leading to another silence.
WHOOOOOSH
WHACK
Ken slogged the next ball, just missing the sweet spot. He went through another 11 pitches before stepping out of the cage and handing the bat to his brother.
"Your turn."
"Ken…" Daichi didn't accept the bat, instead his head was lowered slightly, as if he was too afraid to look into Ken's eyes. "I'm sorry for doubting you for even a second. You've never done anything that should make me second guess your true motives. I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me."
Hearing his brother's heartfelt apology, a warm smile crept onto Ken's face. This was the one person besides his parents who had remained close to him after the injury in his past life.
The guy had endured so much, yet he had taken him for granted. It was only in this life that he realized just what kind of life Daichi had led. Being abused by his mother his whole life.
He could still remember the empty smile of his best friend.
"You never have to apologize to me little brother." Ken said from the bottom of his heart.
"What?" Daichi's expression turned confused, not expecting such a response. It sounded far too sincere for him to be sarcastic, so much so that he didn't know how to act.
Before he could respond, Ken moved forward and embraced him tightly. It was unexpected, but his body soon relaxed as he hugged him back.
But then his mind began to buzz before images flashed in his mind. It was similar to the vision he'd experienced last night in his dreams, but this time, they didn't feel as foreign.
"Ahem. Before we start todays classes, we have a new transfer student. His parents have moved to Yokohama from Fukushima."
The home room teacher spoke before he saw a stocky kid with wide shoulders and a baby face walk into the room, wearing the Seiko Middle School uniform.
"Huh?" Daichi could hardly recognize the younger version of himself, but he definitely knew that it was him.
A surge of excitement swept through him, causing his heart to beat faster. It was odd, almost like these feelings were not his own.
[Damn! How could I forget that Daichi only came to Seiko this year.]
[Argh damn it, he probably thinks I'm some kind of weirdo now.]
A voice entered his mind, shocking him.
"U-Umm. My name is Daichi Suzuki, I am new here… Please take care of me." The younger Daichi stammered before bowing to the whole class.
Daichi felt himself cringe, seeing his awkward younger self, but it was offset by happiness that was not his own.
"Hey, my name is Ken Takagi, nice to meet you."
His hand thrust out towards the younger Daichi as he came close.
'HUH!? I'm in Ken's body?' Daichi realized in that moment that he was indeed in Ken's body. Now that he thought on it, the voice he'd heard in his mind earlier was definitely his brothers, as was the one that had spoken aloud.
'Am I experiencing his memories? But how?'
As Daichi questioned what was happening, the scene continued. Lunch time arrived and Ken pulled out his giant bento box equipped with rice, fish, vegetables and fried egg. It was a Yuki special.
He turned his gaze and saw the younger Daichi only had a meager amount of leftover rice from the night before.
[How can he have so little food? Are his parents trying to starve him?]
Ken's thoughts spoke into Daichi's mind once more.
[I should offer him some of my food… But knowing him, he'll refuse. Maybe I'll just say that I won't be able to eat it all myself.]
He could not only hear Ken's thoughts, but he could also feel the emotions the guy was feeling in that moment.
"Hey man, did you want to share some of my lunch?"
"No no!" The younger Daichi quickly responded, shaking his head vigorously.
"It's cool man, I won't be able to eat all of this anyway. It's better that you have some otherwise it will just be a waste."
And just like that, they shared their meal.
He could see his younger self eat slowly, as if savoring every mouthful. Ken's joy and amusement filled Daichi, the emotions pure and without ulterior motives.
Despite this, Daichi felt a lump beginning to form in his throat as emotion choked him. This was the man who just hours ago he had been doubting? What kind of person was he that he could doubt such a sincere person like Ken?
Weren't they brothers? Weren't they two young men who had gone through thick and thin together? So why had he doubted him?
Daichi felt his emotions stir and in the next moment, a fierce anger overwhelmed him.
[YOU BASTARDS!]