Brotherhood

Defense

Saturday Mornings were for playing, but not for Ryota. He doesn't have a playmate anyway. His brother was his only playmate and their game is always basketball - a never ending basketball. Souto - chan, his brother, left them to live on a faraway island. Well, that was on Anna's perspective, Ryota's younger sister.

He knows the reason. Everyday, regret was consuming him. If he could just take back to his dear brother what he said, maybe it wouldn't happen.

As he was dribbling the ball and looking at the basket, he tries to distract himself from the pain that he didn't chose to.

He just misses his brother. Anyone can miss their own brothers, right? But no one wants to console his feelings since everyone was too broke. Ryota just distract his pain in basketball, wherein his father and brother introduced it to him and maybe now, he can't live without it.

He wished he could make up to his own mistakes.

'Maybe if I can just make Souta - chan' s wish come true.' as he dribbles the ball and makes a lay up.

The ball went beautifully to the basket and it made a swiftly sound. The kids on another ring looked at him. To no avail, his mind was busy distracting himself and his body still keeps on dribbling.

' Could I do it? Give me a sign. '

He misses his ball as he dribbles and the ball stops on someone else's foot.

It was another kid but maybe a year older than him. He aims for a shoot from a three point line, making a perfect parabola for a perfect three point shot.

Ryota looked amazingly on what did just this kid did. But his thoughts were more powerful than him so he didn't make it obvious as he instantly get the ball.

"Elementary school?"

"No, I'm on my first middle school"

He passed the ball to this kid and he watched him makes 3 more elegant 3 points.

This kid is smaller than his Sou - chan. Regarding to his height, he can make 3 points. Ryota just watched him get the ball that has been passed to him. As he hold the ball the kid squats and extends his arms ready for defense.

'Is this the way they invite to play?' he thought to himself. He goes straight to the basket but this kid is also a good defender. There is a short difference in their height and why is it always he was shorter?

Sou - chan always encourages him for his height. But not this kid. His defense is really good.

"Put on some pressure. Some pressure."

Ryota was taken aback. This kid is almost like his brother. He missed his dribbling again and the ball went out of the court.

He went to get the ball. This kid was saying something its not because he can't hear it, its because he don't want to hear it.

Group of youngsters whose in the same age as him came to call him.
"Mit - chan"

This Mit - chan's voice really went into his senses this time.

"Let's play again"
"Next time try to win."

He got goosebumps. This words was exactly what his Souta - chan says to him after their last play. But he instantly remembered that, that kid was not his brother.

"Shut up" he said as he keep walking away, without looking back.