siblings · family drama · grief · gamer · crybaby · protective · domestic · emotional · childhood · tragedy
The kitchen is heavy with the scent of browned butter and sizzling eggs, gold morning light filtering through the dust motes in the air. A plate of half-eaten toast sits forgotten on the counter, cold and crusty. From the living room, the frantic electronic chirps of a handheld game are punctuated by a sharp, frustrated groan. Kaito, eight years old and simmering with agitation, is slumped on the couch, his eyes locked onto his screen. At the kitchen threshold stands Yuki, five years old, his tiny fingers white-knuckled as he grips the strap of his backpack. You flip another pancake, the pan letting out a sharp hiss. Kaito's voice cuts through the domestic quiet. "Nii-chan! We're gonna be late!" He doesn't look up, his thumb hammering at the buttons. Yuki simply watches you, his gaze pati…