Inception

Chapter 6: Baby Brother

Leno went rigid the moment their eyes met.

Since Hibino had been talking to him, he noticed immediately.

"What's up?" he glanced over to Lena, along with a few others. "Oh! Dr. Ichigawa! I thought that was your pretty silver head on the wall."

"Move along, cadet." Hoshina said with his trademark smirk. "Food is served by rank if you're not quick."

Hibino made a comical expression of dismay and trotted ahead. A few of the others glanced curiously at Lena and the frozen Leno before following after Hibino at a much more relaxed pace. After a glance at her, Hoshino went after his officers to give some well placed feedback.

"Sister..."said Leno.

Good, he was wary. As he should be.

Lena gave him her widest smile. "Brother dearest, my only little brother left to me in this world, last of my kin, who I love so much."

"Laying it on thick, don't you think?" He looked to the side, purposely not meeting her eye.

"Grandma's been worrying. Seems you haven't been calling her either. Nor do you seem to remember she can't read texts."

"I called her."

"Three months ago after the hospital called first."

"Oh...has it been that long?"

"Leno..."

"I'm sorry, things happened, I got caught up—"

Lena smacked him across the head. Hard.

"OW!"

"What the hell could have kept you too busy to send me a text? Or a thirty second call?"

"Stuff, okay? I said I was sorry!"

"Not as sorry as you're gonna be! You didn't even tell us when you passed the defense force exam!" She raised her hand.

Leno hunched down and raised his arms, preparing for another hit.

But when it didn't come, he peered up from beneath his arms.

"Lena?"

Lena had begun to tremble. Her eyes burned something fierce and she couldn't get her chin to stop crinkling up. She let her arm drop.

"If you don't want us involved in your life, can't you just say so?"

Leno dropped his arms in alarm. "Lena, that's not it. I really was—something big came up and with work and training for the exams I'd just pass out as soon as I got home. Oh shit, Lena, don't cry."

"I'm not," she said thickly, covering her face. "I'm not! I'm just..." She took a deep breath. "I'm just glad you're okay. And that you're doing well in training."

"Yeah, I won't be getting myself killed. I promised you, didn't I?"

"And you're still stupid for thinking a promise can stop a kaiju from squashing you." She sniffed and rubbed her eyes hard.

After a moment of awkward consideration, where they both examined each others faces without meeting each other's eyes, Leno pulled her into a tight hug. He must have grown more since they'd been apart because she didn't remember him being able to lay his chin on her head.

"I'm sorry," said Leno.

"Hmm." Lena had never had it in her to be truly angry for long, even when she wanted to. All her daydreams of beating up her brother and making him cry had shattered the moment he'd been in front of her. She was pathetic and she hated it. How was the guy ever supposed to properly learn if neither her nor her grandmother had the strength to scold him? Why couldn't she treat him more like Hoshina?