The young brunette, at seven years of age, could tell how unfair his parents were to his twin. They always discarded him like it was nothing. But he knew.
He knew that Izuru had his own ways of expressing himself, he didn't need to speak. He knew when Izuru was uncomfortable or content. Back when he had to share half his cookie with him because their mother had only given him one, he knew Izuru felt upset he couldn't ask for a cookie himself. Hajime knew how uncomfortable Izuru was when they went out for dinner at those noisy restaurants. He was quiet, yes, but he'd become even quieter when he lacked comfort.
Hajime could tell it was all unfair. It was unfair that his parents treated him with more respect than Izuru. It was unfair that all the other students called him a freak behind his back, all because he didn't talk. It was unfair that the teachers almost forgot him on the school field trip they once attended, almost intentionally it seemed.
One day, to his surprise, Izuru started talking. He was proud, even if he was a little worried about Izuru merely doing it because of pressure from everyone else.
He noticed little by little that his parents, along with his teachers, that they were paying more attention to Izuru then him. There was always some event or celebration that Izuru was invited to when he isn't, even if the discomfort his brother had in attending these events was as clear as day.
He seemed to have been pushed into the spotlight, in a way Hajime envied it. His parents no longer seemed to give him any attention, not even a mere glance. School was no better.
Izuru was deemed academically gifted, while Hajime was seen as average. He wanted to feel happy. Happy that Izuru was now being recognized. If only it were fair.
His brother only seemed to look down upon him. It was insulting to be told to work harder. Just because he was the one who got all the attention didn't mean anything. Hajime knew he wasn't stupid. He knew he deserved as much respect as Izuru was getting.
As time went on they grew even more distant, Hajime stopped caring to see how his brother was doing. It's not like he'd ever had time for him, right? Hajime managed to make some friends in school, be it they weren't very close. If anything he was a mere side piece.
It didn't matter though, his focus was more on his school work and getting into his dream school. He hoped maybe if he worked hard enough in psychology, he might even achieve a title as great at the ultimate therapist, something of the sorts.
When the time came, as expected, it was his brother who flawlessly accepted. They made such a big deal out of it, saying that with his talent he could bring absolute hope. The ultimate hope.
His dumb parents got him into the reserve course, it seemed only out of pride. They just wanted to say both their sons went to hope's peak, only to brag about Izuru and say nothing of him.
In the first few months of school, Hajime took notice of a pale, white-haired boy, that would come over to their house and hang out with Izuru. Even though he wouldn't admit it, he was happy to see that Izuru had someone.
The boy talked to him as well. His voice was breathy but his words were sweet. He hated to think that he may just have slightly fallen for his brother's friend.
Before he knew it, he and his brother were connected again. It happened because Izuru had discovered Hajime's crush on the other boy and decided he'd help them get together, in hopes that Hajime may look him in the eye smile, just one time more. He missed him.
After his hard work, his goal succeed. Hajime wasn't sure why Izuru had helped him, but he was happy nonetheless. Everything was alright till Izuru decided he didn't need them anymore, so it seemed. Hajime's anger arouse after he stopped being around, spending his time on activities that would make him more well known to the public. He was a liar. There was no way Izuru had actually cared for Nagito. Hajime convinced himself Izuru had befriended Nagito out of boredom and then dumped him onto Hajime.
That made sense, right? Or maybe Hajime lacked his ability to read Izuru and assumed the worst based off his own self-pity. The answer would only seem obvious.
One night, years later, he got a call from none other than Izuru himself. He almost ignored it. Almost.
Izuru had never called before, not to mention he knew he preferred receiving calls than making them. So he reluctantly accepted. Over the phone, he heard a voice much like his own, nearly whispering.
"I love you."
Then an abrupt end to the call.
He didn't know what to think of it. It was late, after all, about 2 AM. He shook it off as either his brother being drunk, tired, or just a wrong number. With that, he went to bed next to his pale partner.
Only an hour or so later he was woken by a call from his parents Izuru was in the hospital of a drug overdose.
(I'll continue another time, that or re-write this in a way that's more show than tell. It'd be a fun thing to try tbh, I'm just really busy and this is for a friend)
