“In sports news, the Detroit Ligers have managed to secure another narrow victory over the Miami Blue Marlins in game 2 of the World Series without their star rookies Ken and Daichi Takagi.”
“Things were back and forth the entire game, but after a heroic three-run homerun from Samson Torkelson in the 8th inning, the Ligers were able to hold on and win by a single run.”
“Game 3 will be held in Miami at LoanDepot Park in two days time, please stay tuned.”
The news was broadcasted all of the country, surprising those who hadn’t had a chance to watch the game. With the absence of two of the Ligers key players, many believed that Miami would easily tie the series.
Throughout the game, the cameras were on Ken and Daichi who were forced to sit next to each other on the bench by their grandfather. Yet despite this, there was an obvious tension between them, something that took the internet by storm.
Countless articles and social media posts were created and it soon became a much larger topic than anyone anticipated. Theories ranged from innocent siblings fighting to cheating scandals.
This was so prominent that even reporters at the press conference had asked the question to Mark Williams, the coach of the Ligers.
Mark did not even dignify the question with an answer, yet it was apparent that the question itself was enough to piss him off. The two brothers were then subjected to another lecture from their grandfather, yet this did little to bridge the gap between the two.
Daichi returned home ahead of Ken, choosing to take a different taxi. It wasn’t uncommon for the two to go back separately since they would generally take turns in media duty, but this was the first time that Daichi had consciously done so without consulting his brother.
He walked in the door and ascended the stairs to his room, placing his bag down. He saw his fiance Miho sitting on the bed on her phone.
“Hey.”
However, Miho didn’t respond. She lifted her gaze before returning her attention to her phone, as if he didn’t exist.
Daichi had a bad feeling.
He hopped into bed and leaned over to kiss her, but Miho evaded and placed her phone down, finally turning to look at him. Her expression was fierce, as if she was a Tiger that had been awakened from its slumber.
In that moment, he knew that he was in trouble.
“What’s wrong? Why are you being so cold to me?” He asked, a hint of frustration in his tone.
“Oho, don’t you give me that tone mister. Do I really need to tell you what’s wrong? Or is it something that you can think of yourself?” Miho shot back mercilessly.
At this point, Daichi felt his hackles raised.
“What are you talking about? I have done nothing wrong to you right? What could have possibly happened since I left the house this morning?” Daichi replied defensively.
He was already feeling irritated thanks to the information dumped on him this morning, yet now he had to deal with this.
Miho let out a huff and crossed her arms.
“Why are you treating Ken like that? He’s your brother… There are countless posts online trying to guess what happened between you two.” Miho said, her tone accusatory.
“What? Don’t listen to those people, they’ll make a big deal out of anything.” Daichi replied dismissively.
“This isn’t just some made up drama. I’ve seen the clips online, anyone with half a brain could tell that there’s something wrong. I have never seen Ken depressed like that, just what did you do to him?”
Daichi’s anger surged.
“What do you mean what did I do to him!?” he said coldly.
Miho flinched, but she doubled down, “If you didn’t do anything, then tell me what happened? We’re meant to be partners, do you not trust me?”
Daichi massaged the bridge of his nose, trying to calm himself down. His thoughts were convoluted, giving rise to anger and irritation that was uncharacteristic.
He was usually so confident, yet now he was second guessing everything.
He now doubted the motive behind every single action that his brother had made. Every interaction, every decision. Was he being used? Was the help he received from Ken made out of pity and guilt?
Miho’s expression softened, seeing how Daichi looked to be pained. What woman could stay angry when her man looked so vulnerable.
“Talk to me Daichi… Maybe I can help you?”
Daichi laid back in bed and massaged his temples, trying to get his mind right. He didn’t know if he should tell Miho what Ken had told him, since it was said in confidence.
But at the same time, he knew that it might help him realize something if he received an outsider perspective on the matter.
“Can you keep a secret?” He asked, his tone much softer than he intended.
Miho placed her hand upon his forehead and began to run her fingers through his hair affectionately, “Of course. You can trust me, we’re partners remember.”
After letting out a deep sigh, Daichi finally opened up about what had been plaguing him. He started off with the dream he had experienced the night before, talking about what had transpired.
Even as he relayed it, Daichi could feel the tension in his body slipping away. It was as if speaking of it was already undoing the knot in his heart.
Miho listened patiently, continuing to run her fingers through his hair.
But then when the part about Ken admitting he had regressed came up, Miho stopped.
Daichi continued though, finishing his story and telling her all of his fears and worries that had been plaguing him about the situation. The fact that he couldn’t trust Ken anymore, despite the fact they were brothers.
She listened right up until the end, after which silence stretched out between the two for some time.
“So, what do you think?” Daichi asked, looking towards her.
However, Miho’s expression was turned in a deep frown.
“If that is all true… Then you are a damn fool!” She said, rapping him over his head with her knuckles.
The sudden violence caused him to let out a yelp of pain, “W—What the hell was that for?”
“How can you be thinking of such a thing!? Ken literally did everything he could to pay you back in this life, even taking you into his own family… Yet all you can do is suspect his motives? Talk about repaying kindness with enmity.”
“No wonder Ken looked so depressed…”
Daichi blinked a few times, not expecting to be lectured at this point in time.
“But… If he lied to me about this, what else has he lied to me about?”
Miho shook her head vehemently, letting out an annoyed groan, “If you’re second guessing everything now, what do you think you would have been like back when you were a teenager? I doubt you two would have even gotten close enough to become brothers if that was the case.”
“You need to apologize to Ken right away. You’re damn lucky to have a brother that was willing to sacrifice whatever it took to keep you in his family. If he had ulterior motives, do you think he would have stuck around after that psycho Tetsuhiro captured and beat him half to death?” She continued, each word stabbing into Daichi’s psyche.
Daichi’s eyes widened, as if suddenly realizing something.
“Am I an asshole?” He muttered.
Miho rapped him on the head with her knuckles once more, yet this time it was much softer, “It must be genetic…” she said with a grin.
Daichi laughed genuinely, surprising even himself.
“Sometimes I just think too much…” he admitted, rubbing his head where Miho had hit, “I will go apologize to Ken now.”
“Mmm.” Miho said smilingly.