Brothers in Another World

Hit Man I

"Hey!" Klein heard a shout coming from behind, interrupting the man's thoughts. He had just been in the middle of jogging around town, keeping himself in shape ever since they're encounter with the Minotaur.
So close to death once again, he needed the endurance to fight longer.

Hearing the same voice from behind once again, Klein's head turned mid-dodge to find two men chasing after him.

"Get back here you little punk!" One shouted, holding

...

"One two three one two-!"

Tch! Hup! The hard feel of boxing pads felt so nice, sweat dripping from his body as Neil continued to throw hands. A familiar feeling to both him and his older brother, the two would train almost everyday ever since they moved in next to each other.

"There we go- Combo three!" Recognising his brothers callout, Neil began to throw his left hand forward for a quick jab, before using his right to hit a straight. Diverting the punch from hitting his face, Klein brought his left hand down in time to block a stomach blow from his younger brother. With the combination almost complete, Klein threw a quick jab to try and throw off his sibling, but it whiffed as the latter ducked.
Seeing the opening, Neil's whole body seamlessly moved into position, a picture-perfect haymaker was headed towards Klein.

C H O O !

The two brothers stared at each other, grins plastered across their face as the punch hit it's mark. In-place of Klein's face was their makeshift boxing pad, his left hand barely managing to stop the blow. "You've gotta be the best puncher I've felt since Rollins."

"Klein, I am the best striker." Neil gloated, bringing his hand back as he brought them to his side. Throwing his hands up in annoyance, Klein let out a loud sigh before the two were back to staring at each other. The awkward silence was amusing, the two letting out a slight chuckle.
Even more hilarious was when they looked right back at each other, a momentary pause before the two burst into laughter.

"Tcheheh...! Why do we find that funny?!" Neil barely let out, sniffling as he could feel his stomach barely holding itself together. Klein struggled to do the same, sitting down before he could lose control of his own footing.

"I dunno, Neil. I really don't know..." Klein said, smiling as the two fell flat on their backs. It was nice, spending more intimate time together like this, it was a definite throwback to when they were younger. Their upbringing wasn't the best of ones, and in his eyes, boxing was one of the only outs he had in that life.
Training alone had it's merits, but spending time with someone else while training? Now that's a blessing in disguise.

...

"Klein used to do something called boxing?" On there way back from the training grounds, Laila couldn't help but sate her curiosity. The question from their mage caught the younger brother off-guard, as the two were a few clicks behind Klein & Amari. A hand ran through his hair as Neil thought of an answer, before shrugging to himself.

"Yep, and he was pretty damn good at it." Neil said, pointing towards the two walking ahead.

It had been so long since they've sparred with each other, and ever since they had gained the ability of spells and swordplay, that's where all the focus had gone to. To adapt in this new world of Aloysius, improvise unlike no other, and overcome whatever challenges that may befall them in the future.
It was all so nicely-put in his eyes.

"What is boxing? It's quite the interesting form..." Laila asked, crossing her arms as she kept walking. Getting a sideways glance from Neil, he wasn't too sure how to answer that. Was it a prompt to explain boxing? 
Humming at the compliment, Neil spoke up in an informative tone.

"Boxing is a fighting style based around punches, footwork and grappling to a certain extent. But that's only in official fights, can't expect someone to hold still y'know?" Neil said, leaving the mage in thought as she surmised what he meant.

"I see, that explains how Klein and you are so capable without your weapons. It's no wonder you were hired so often."

Finally heading back into town, the group would take a few pit stops to the marketplace before getting home. Inviting the mage once again, Klein would make a delicious meal for the trio as Laila sat aside on the couch with Neil.
Amidst Klein's most recent blunder with his own fried eggs, Neil continued with their conversation.

"It wasn't just by our boxing skills..." Neil hummed at her comment, leaning back on the couch as he brought up a pile of paper from the table. Handing it to the mage, Laila looked on in surprise as the eldest sibling was gone once more. Small jobs, and other duties were listed down below, as it began to explain Klein's absence for some days while others are empty.

"So, that's why he wouldn't be here some days..." Laila had pondered the ideas on his absence, as some quests wouldn't include Klein due to personal reasons. She assumed it would be due to injuries from his time before Aloysius, but to think he would go the extra mile...

He's been working around the clock... I didn't know he worked so hard... Laila thought, looking back to Amari who was happily eating her lunch. A delicious fried egg sandwich mixed with bacon and butter, with a glass of fresh water beside it.
The silence that came afterwards could last hours, and Neil's nod all the response she needed.

"You don't need to worry about it, we're doing perfectly fine as we are." Neil reassured the mage, a hand rubbing her shoulders as Laila reeled back in shock. Briefly apologising, the two were left to eat as Klein finally brought their eggs on toast.
As the older brother left to the adventurers guild, Neil tapped Laila on the shoulder.

"Do you know what they used to call my brother?" Neil asked, letting out a smile as he looked to the fireplace.

Laila shrugged, at least they could make conversation until Klein returns from the guild. "What did they call him?"

"Hitman."

Hit Man? It was an interesting name, and as Laila was lost in thought, Neil moved to grab his brother's phone. Typing the passcode, he brought out photos for the mage to see on her own. Though she was astounded by the mysterious object at first, a brief explanation was enough to sate the mages questions for more.
Nevertheless, what she saw on his touch phone was a surprise.

In the photo was a young-looking man, shirtless and wearing some sort of gear. The determined gaze on the olive-skinned man, his left hand raised as he held some sort of belt in victory. His short hair and 5 o'clock shadow was enough to interest the mage, but as she took a closer look, Laila realised something.
His rough body, matched with the tired expression on his face looked oddly familiar...

"It's Klein," Those words from Neil were enough, snapping Laila out of her stupor as her head darted to the younger brother.

"T-That's Klein?! But he looks so...!" Laila was about to finish her sentence when Neil jumped back in shock. Without noticing, the mage had jumped to her feet, stunned at the revelation that this well-toned boxer was the same person as her boss.

"Old?" Neil didn't need an answer, the nervousness chuckle of Laila being enough.

"Amateur boxing tournaments, it brought out the best of my bro y'know." Neil could still remember the first time he entered one of the many underground rings. Amidst the raging crowds in a dark stadium, surrounding a boxing ring whose ropes were glowing white, he felt his heart spike as Klein stood back up.
That his older brother would go so far in order to keep their family afloat.

"I think you'd understand, Laila." Neil said, a somber expression plastered onto the younger brothers face. Sitting closer to the young man, she kept her focus on the photo as Laila herself was trying to piece things together of her own volition.
To think the two would regain their youth soon after, and yet the eldest of the two still goes out of his way for us. It's just like him...

"Yes... I do."