Chapter 16 - Making Things Better
I stayed in my room for I don't know how long. I finally let go of my pillow and took a breath. I decided to get some air by walking onto my balcony. I looked up and found the sky filled with a few stars. Then, I looked down and found Subaru who was standing with a bag around his shoulder. He was looking at the sky as well. I had a feeling that I had to go downstairs.
He...He doesn't plan on leaving does he?! Is he planning to leave without saying goodbye?!
I made my way to the entrance and yelled, "Subaru!"
He turned around as our gazes locked. Then, he averted my gaze, "Naomi....go back to your room.."
I walked towards him, "I'm not! Just where do you think you're going this time of night?"
"I'm going to be gone for a while. I need to continuing training to become a professional basketball player.."
"But...this doesn't mean that you can just leave like this!"
"Naomi....", he turned around, just facing his back towards me, "I can't face you right now. After what you said earlier...I have no right to face you right now."
"Subaru..."
"I was going to punch Natsume. When you stood in front of me, I just realized what an idiot I was. I didn't want you to see me like that. Your brother hitting another brother.....I can't forgive myself."
"But, Subaru this is not right. This doesn't mean that you should just leave. I--!"
"That's enough, Naomi." He looked at me, "Just....understand where I'm coming from all right?"
I looked at him, speechless. I looked down and closed my eyes.
"Okay, I'm leaving now," he spoke as turned around and started to walk away.
"WAIT!"
He stopped walking.
I continued as I placed a hand on my chest, "Just know! Know that you are still my brother and that I care about you! I care about you, Subaru just like I do with everyone else. You....I forgive you! Now I want you to forgive yourself!!! For your sake and for mine! For everyone's sake!"
Subaru's eyes shot up as he closed his eyes and smiled.
My body trembled then I was surprised as he smiled at me, "I'll see you again, Naomi."
I looked at him for a moment and then I smiled happily, "I'll see you again, big brother!"
--
At school...
My eyes scanned all over the people who passed the exams. I kept scanning and scanning then a voice spoke behind me, "There! There's your number, Naomi!!! You made it! You passed!!!"
"Yuusuke!!", I noticed him as he smiled and I returned his smile. "Thank you! I hope you made it too!"
"I hope so!", his eyes started to scan the numbers. Then, he sighed, "It didn't happen."
"What?!", I was shocked, "But you studied as hard as me."
He scratched his head, "It's okay, it's no big deal. I'm glad you made it."
"But.."
"Hey, Naomi. Don't worry about me, okay? I'll make it somehow," he showed a big smile and gave a thumbs-up. That was enough to make me feel a wave of relief was over me and smile wishing the best for Yuusuke.
At this point, my brothers were either planning to leave the house for career reasons. So, I decided that the day where I would speak about my feelings would come after graduation.
I remember the time Subaru and Natsume fought and I'm sure everyone never wanted to see me be angry in that state. It was time for me to make my feelings clear so no more misunderstandings happen.
I walked home leaving Yuusuke at school for his usual tutoring and heard a voice from in front of the tree that was at the center of the house, "Naomi..."
I walked forward and froze, my eyes shot up, "Subaru...."
I walked towards him and smiled, "I'm glad you're back."
He was silent and then he spoke, "I'm sorry...about what happened. I'm sorry, Naomi...I never meant to worry you. All this time I thought I was a person who could never accept your kindness. But....your kindness is all I need to keep moving forward. I remembered what you said."
"Just know! Know that you are still my brother and that I care about you! I care about you, Subaru just like I do with everyone else. You....I forgive you! Now I want you to forgive yourself!!! For your sake and for mine! For everyone's sake!"
He continued, "I remembered those words...I'm sorry, Naomi."
I shook my head, "You don't have to apologize anymore, Subaru. Remember," I smiled happily, "I forgave you already."
He smiled as he pulled me into a hug, "Thank you, Naomi! Thank you!"
I smiled as I hugged him back, "Now...you should talk to Natsume."
He pulled away, "Naomi?"
"He's the one you should apologize to as well. I have a feeling that he is still pretty shaken up about what happened that time. I'm serious about what I said. You have to handle this situation like adults. You can't just apologize to me."
He nodded, "I understand. I'll stop by his apartment tonight."
"Good."
In the end, Natsume and Subaru made up and the whole dramatic aura of the house was finally getting lifted.
And before we knew it, Graduation Day was here.
The ceremony was filled with smiles and tears. A lot of tears. It was a bittersweet feeling, just walking through the hallways for the last time and then leaving the school for the last time.
The best part was the amazing party everyone made for Yuusuke and I when we arrived at home.
Everyone had party poppers and there was confetti. We were so surprised as we looked down and found the amazing feast on the table.
"OH....MY.....GOODNESS!!", Yuusuke and I yelled in unison.
Suddenly, the bell rang and Hikaru thought it would be funny to let Yuusuke answer the door even though he graduated as well.
Yuusuke, of course, refused but answered the door to come back with an amazed look on his face.
"Y-Yuusuke? Are you all right?", I asked.
"I...I can't believe it."
"Huh?"
"Here," he handed me something that looked like a letter as I read it and my other brothers peered at it as well. "Surprise replacement...WHAT?!"
"I...I don't know what I did to deserve this..."
"Y-You're!"
He fell to his knees and grabbed onto my legs, "This is all thanks to you, Naomi! Thank you for studying with me! Thank you for believing in an idiot like me!"
I smiled and laughed, "Yuusuke! I knew you would do it!"
He stood up, "Am I really going to college with you?"
"Yes!"
"Really! Am I really!"
I took his shoulders and shook him, "YES YOU ARE!!!!!!"
We cheered loudly as we sat around the table and started to eat the amazing feast.
The food was amazingly delicious and everyone had great smiles on their faces. Once the feast ended, I knew it was time to talk to everyone.
Everyone sat on the couch as I stood before everyone.
It's time...I have to...say how I feel about everyone...
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My Own Conflict - Brothers Conflict Fan Fiction
FanfictionMy name is Naomi Fujikawa and I am 16 years old. I live with my dad who is a photographer and a traveler. Since he travels in many different places, he met a woman named Miwa Asahina who happened to be a traveler as well. They became a great couple...