Dark Worlds, Soft Touches : My best friend's brother Gundham Tanaka

Chapter 13- Rage

Trigger warning:physical abuse, mental abuse, and violence. I did not cry while writing this.

Akira POV
Past

I remember that fateful day when I discovered the my older brother had feelings for my best friend. It was a sunny afternoon, and 12-year-old Gundham and my 11-year-old self were innocently playing outside. Little did I know, inside our home, a storm was brewing.

I could hear my parents' heated argument echoing through the walls. My mother, in a fit of anger, shouted at my father, defending Gundham's unique and imaginative nature. "Gundham is a brilliant and creative boy!" she exclaimed passionately.

But my father, blinded by his own ignorance, lashed out at my brother. "He's nothing but a complete idiot! All he does is hide in his shell, burying himself in books and drawings," he bellowed. "Gundham can't even make friends!"

I tried my best to drown out their words, playing outside and pretending not to hear the turmoil unfolding inside. Yet, it was impossible not to notice the pain etched on Gundham's face, as the harsh words of our father seeped into his wounded soul.

The argument continued, escalating to a point where my mother's voice turned frantic. "It's because all you do is yell at him, belittle him, and lay your hands on him," she retorted, her voice trembling with anger and fear.

But my father, being the brute that he was, responded with vulgar words. "Shut up, you stupid hog!" I could hear the rustling inside, the sound of a struggle. I fought the overwhelming urge to rush inside, to protect my mother from the monster that was our father. I wanted to confront him, to make him understand just how incredible my big brother truly was.

Eventually, the tumultuous argument reached its peak, and my father stormed out of the house, his rage boiling over. My mother chased after him, her voice filled with desperation, pleading for him to stop. I caught a glimpse of the bruises on her arm.

"What's this?" My father demanded, pointing at a drawing in Gundham's sketchbook. The detailed artwork depicted Gundham wielding magnificent magical powers, capturing my attention with its beauty and intricacy. Oh, how I admired my brother's artistic talent. He was undeniably the coolest person I knew.

"It's... it's me using my powers. I am the Supreme Overlord of Ice," Gundham stammered nervously, his voice quivering with anxiety. But before he could even finish his sentence, my father's hand came crashing down on his face, leaving behind a visible bruise under Gundham's eye. A gasp escaped my lips as I witnessed the cruel act of violence.

"What did you just say? You're nothing but a little brat! Acting like a child will get you nowhere," my father spat out, his words dripping with contempt and disdain.

Gundham's anger mixed with his tears, creating a heartbreaking sight. My mother stood there, helpless and unable to intervene. Meanwhile, my father continued to flip through Gundham's sketchbook, mocking him and berating my mother for supporting him. He even went so far as to compare me to Gundham, emphasizing how I was the "normal" one. The rage within me began to grow, fueled by my father's hurtful words.

Then, my father's eyes landed on a particular page, and he erupted into a cruel, malicious laughter. It was an ugly sound that filled the air, making my blood boil with fury. "Oh, look at this! Isn't it cute?" he taunted, thrusting the notebook into my face. The page revealed a drawing of Gundham and Crystal, my best friend, depicted as a married couple. "How pathetic! Your brother is in love with your best friend. Isn't that just disgusting, Akira?" my father jeered, laughing sadistically. Gundham couldn't bear to meet my gaze, consumed by shame and self-loathing. My father turned his menacing gaze towards him, intensifying the dark aura that surrounded him.