Envie De Voyager

Your Brother

Dear Suabara,

Der besten bruder in der welt ist mein bruder. Sound familiar? I mean, of course you know what it means, you linguistically-gifted rascal. But do you remember its significance?

Magnifique! Yes! It is the first line that you used to describe me from those German lessons so long ago! I'm sure you remember it, but I've never told you how exactly I've felt about the whole thing. Of course, other than pride, because my initial reaction was a resounding and overly-enthusiastic "Woah! My little brother is so far into his third language! I'm still struggling with primary school Maths, for goodness sake!"

Jokes aside, I remember the qualities you've listed down there. And the question at the end, when you asked how you could be like me. Well, I will answer those for you now. I might be a decade late, but better late than never. Besides, I have heard from your best friend Kanata that you have been struggling through some things. The revelations of these past weeks have been heavy for you—I wish I could have been the one to reveal them to you instead. I'm hoping this little guide of 'How To Be Kiba' will at least lighten you up.

Step number one, be just as Iron. Our surname itself can be written in different kanji, just like many other words in the Japanese language. But the official kanji that represents our surname is exactly the same as the ones for the word 'Iron'. Be like Iron, Suabara! Iron's been used for so many things over so many years, for its strength and malleability. And you should be the same, if you want to really be like me. I am resistant to the trials that come to me, but once I understand that it is not something to fight, I bend to it and let it flow past me. Much better than allowing myself to be shattered because of so much resistance. In short, resist, but know when to bend!

Step number two, Life is like a rose. Mother loved roses, and not just because of her surname. You and I both know that she believed that Life is a rose, a beautiful creation that is grand in all aspects, but bearing thorns. Don't be so gloomy, and don't be too idealistic. Go in between! Remember that Life has beauty, and remember that sometimes, Life stings. I'll add in another thing and talk about wilting and scattering petals. Remember that good never lasts, so enjoy it while you still have time—they only stay for such a short time, and the real beauty of things is always only seen when it is leaving your arms. Wink wonk, you know what I mean!

Step number three, the evening will come. Father's name turned into a quality. Nifty, huh? Anyway, you must remember that dark times will come. The world isn't sunshine and rainbows, you'll be at the bottom too. Like where you are right now. Down in the dumps. A short while back, you were enjoying as you accepted the challenge of that stranger. You found company in Raimon's team, reunited with Kanata, and ended up making new friends. In fact, I couldn't believe the first and last of those, because as far as I remember, you're socially awkward and not particularly looking to mingle! But of course, the Sun sets, and the world has to be plunged into darkness sooner or later. You'll live through this, worry not, as long as you keep your eyes on the glowing Moon. And before you know it, the Sun will come again.

The final step, strive for excellence. I know you think that is what you're doing right now. But that's not what it is. You're striving for victory. An excellent man isn't defined by how many endeavours he had been successful in. Of course, that is a factor. But many other factors exist, just like the methods of attaining success, and how he learns from his mistakes. As far as I can see, you only are superficially excellent. You've let your moral character and once-pure motives disappear. I wonder why? What has happened?

As you can see, I returned the favour. I used names in our family to describe how one can be like Kiba. I see myself as a person who enjoys life and is an inspiration to his family members. A person who gets success because he loves challenges. Sound familiar? It should, because that's you too. That's Father too. You've been like me as a child, even if you've never realised it. Which is why I always just jokingly gave wise-sounding statements and not a guide.

Take this as a gift. Read it. Go over it.

I give this to you now because you've forgotten what it is to be like us. To be like me, like Father, like yourself. And I want you to remember. Once you do, do what you do best. Innovate. Improve. After all, you're a scientist. You've just hidden your true self from yourself. And as your brother, I fell that it was my fault for letting you experience such a thing. Never again. This is my attempt to make things right. My attempt to let you know that I am still around. That I am still your brother. That time never changed that fact. That more connects us inside than just football, a surname, and a title.

I want you to be Kurogane Suabara.

A Kurogane to the end.

Don't disappoint.

I look forward to seeing you,
Kiba-nī

Tried to test my hand with Suabara's older brother. Not sure if I captured his personality in the piece. Or if I managed to show off his aura in the not-so-satisfactory drawing. But I guess it's something in development. I haven't made a story arc about him yet, for a prequel book might be too much to go through for just a small number of significant events. But maybe, just maybe, if I can flesh out the characters more, I can make a short one. Maybe a few one-shots.

As for why Kiba has a fixation on the idea of Suabara being a 'Kurogane', I cannot explain fully yet. But what I can say is that the theme of lineage and recurrence are strong in Evanescence.