Delinquent's Crescendo

Chapter 13: Always Smile

[Hajime Pov]

Flashback...

"Come on, fight back!" I shout

My brother reached for his toy but couldn't reach it as I was on top of our toy bin, elevated into the air.

"Give me my toy!" My brother yelled

"Not until you push me!" I shout

*time was simpler back then...*

"Hajime, what are you thinking about?" Ririka questioned us while we walked to class.

"Nothing really..." I mumbled

She furrowed her brow and squinted. "Hajime, why are you lying?" She asked

"Because it really is nothing!" I shout

"Are you sure?" She asked

"Yeah, it's just about my brother!" I say

I ended up bumping into some guy. I looked up at him, and his face almost looked shaded out to me. I couldn't see who it was exactly, but I knew he was one of my bullies.

"Bawhahaha-your voice is so stupid!"

Everyone around was laughing, besides Ririka, who had a look of anger and hatred in her eyes. "Quit laughing!" She screamed, rushing up to the man and pinning him to the wall.

"Violent bitch..." he scoffed.

"Shut up!" Rirka yelled, but I pulled her away. "Hajime, let me punt his head!" She yelled at me.

"No, just let them laugh," I reply.

They laughed again and again. Ignoring them is the best option; after all, they're just empty threats.

After school, I walked out into the courtyard, where my brother was waiting for me patiently.

"What do you need?" I questioned

"Can't an older brother see his little sister at the end of a school day?" He asked

"Yes, but at the same time, usually you only come to see me when you need something." I point out

"Yes, but I love you!" He said it loudly.

It looked as if he was going to collapse. "Onii-chan, are you sure you should be here? Shouldn't you have gone home to rest?" I question

He stared at me. "Hajime, I'm fine. Just because your brother has weak bones doesn't mean that he can't come and greet his little sister. There are things I still can do despite being frail!" He told me with a laugh.

"You are optimistic..." I sigh

"Yeah, because I don't want you to worry about me!" He chuckled

"I should be worried, though!" I yell

"It isn't the younger sister's job to worry about her older brother, no matter the circumstances!" He retorted

"Well, but when their older brother is a weakling like you, it leaves me with no choice!" I respond angrily.

"Hmph..." we both pout in anger.

"We're going home..." I scoff

"No, we are getting sushi," he replied.

"Conveyer only..." I tell him

"Fine..." he sighs.

I hear footsteps behind us, and my ears pick up words like "She seems too happy." They said in disgust that some people just can't accept that people can be happy in any circumstance. Even though I'm being bullied, there is nothing that will break me or make me give in to their bullshit. I'm not giving their desired reaction.