The scene changed and the youngster Daichi appeared in front of his eyes, cowering as two boys threw punches and kicks at his body. There were no cries of pain, just the sound of dull thuds as the attacks landed.
Ken rushed in, charging his shoulder into the back of the closest bully, sending him to the ground. The last remaining bully turned around, only for a fist to come flying into his face.
CRUNCH
“Y-You broke by dose.”
“I’ll break your balls if you don’t piss of right now.”
“E-Eeeek!”
Daichi watched on, reliving the memory of when Ken had come to save him on that day. It had been so long that he had forgotten what happened.
“W-Why did you help me?”
“What kind of person would sit back and watch his best friend get beaten up by some thugs?” Ken said, slinging his arm around the younger Daichi’s shoulders.
“B-Best friend?” the youngster stammered. Tears suddenly began to flood from his eyes as he cried out all of his grievances.
[I didn’t know he was being bullied in Middle School… I’m sorry Daichi, I truly was a terrible friend.]
A feeling of sorrow filled Daichi’s body as he heard Ken’s thoughts pouring into his mind. The genuine sadness mixed with his own, moistening his eyes.
“You two. Come with me to the principals office.”
“Ah damn.”
The scene changed and Daichi found himself in a car, staring out the window at the skyline.
“Why did you go so far for a new transfer student?” Yuki’s voice filled the car.
“He’s my best friend, there is no way that I could stand back and watch while those people were beating him.” Ken replied matter-of-factly.
“And was it worth it?”
“No… I should have hit him harder.”
Daichi laughed, not expecting the response. This was the cheeky brother he knew too well.
“Don’t worry about your father, I’ll stick up for you.” Yuki replied with a smile. It was clear that she was trying to hide her amusement.
After these words, the scene changed. He appeared in Ken’s bedroom, seated at his desk.
[Daichi didn’t start playing baseball until High School, but he was still drafted into the NPB before university. If I can get him to play a year sooner… Maybe he’ll be even better in this life.]
Ken’s thoughts spoke into Daichi’s mind as he tapped his pen on the notepad in front of him. There was a diagram detailing a bunch of steps to try and convince the younger Daichi to join baseball.
[If he starts now, he might be able to get into a good school like Osaka Toin or Chiben Wakayama. With proper training, Daichi could be the best player in Japan. Maybe he could even join the Majors?]
‘Ken…’ Daichi was speechless. What kind of person would do this? Even if they had a chance to start over again with the knowledge of their past life.
Just why would Ken go so far for him?
And just as Daichi’s thoughts began to spiral, the scene changed once more.
“Kenny, show Daichi to the spare room and where the bathroom is. Your father is on a flight right now so I will have to wait till tomorrow morning to talk to him. Head to bed early and get some good sleep.” Yuki’s tone was icy as she gave the order from the kitchen.
He saw his younger self covered in bruises. Daichi didn’t need to think long before he remembered the scene. It was right after Ken had found him being beaten by his mother.
This was the day his entire life changed for the better.
“Come upstairs, I’ll show you to the spare room.” Ken said, leading the youngster upstairs.
A little while later, Ken returned to his room and laid down, looking at the ceiling. Daichi could feel the mixed emotions from Ken, running through him.
[I can’t let Daichi go back to that woman… Just what kind of psychopath hits their own child like that?]
Ken’s thoughts rushed into his head.
[Can we take him in? I’m not sure what salary Dad is on at the Warriors, but it should be enough right? But Mom isn’t working…]
Anxiety crept up, threatening to overwhelm both Daichi and Ken.
[I can’t get a job until next year since I’m only 15… Damn it! Why didn’t I remember anything useful from my past life? All I know is how to edit spreadsheets.]
As Ken continued to agonize over the situation, Daichi had had enough. Tears were already streaming down his face, his emotions raw and unhindered. He was the luckiest man on Earth to have this man as a brother.
But it was the last of Ken’s thoughts that brought him over the edge.
[It doesn’t matter… I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him with us.]
And just like that, the vision faded. He found himself in Ken’s embrace, his face wet with warm tears that had been falling for who knew how long.
All this time his brother had been truly looking out for him. If this was not brotherly love, then it didn’t exist in this world, or any other for that matter.
For a man who had no father and an abusive mother for the first 15 years of his life, Ken’s arrival had been a blessing from the heavens. He had been saved by this caring man. Everything he had today could be owed to the person in his arms.
As he sobbed into Ken’s shoulder, he heard him speak, “Are you okay little brother?”
He felt Ken try to break the hug to check on him, but Daichi held him tighter, not wanting to let go. He didn’t know if he could face him right now, not after being shown what he’d just seen.
He didn’t feel worthy of Ken’s friendship or brotherhood.
Ken let out a chuckle, his hand patting the middle of Daichi’s back.
“I’m here for you man. I always will be…” Ken said, soothing his little brother.
