After getting the call from his brother, Hayuki heads to his house.
Hayuki: "Fantastic… just what I needed right now…"
Hayuki: "Like I didn't already have enough problems this week… damn it."
As Hayuki is making his way home, a figure suddenly comes out from around a corner, and the two bump into each other.
Furaya: "Ouch, that hurt…"
Hayuki: "Damn, that hurt… can't you watch where you're walking, idiot?"
Furaya: "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean—wait… Hayuki?!"
Hayuki: "Fu… Furaya?!"
Furaya: "HEEEEY HAYUKIIII, I MISSED YOU SO MUCH, LITTLE BROTHER!"
Furaya: "COME HERE, LET ME GIVE YOU A HUG!"
Hayuki: "STAY AWAY FROM ME, GOT IT? I DON'T NEED YOUR HUGS."
Furaya: "It's been so long since I last saw you… time really flies, huh?"
Hayuki: "Yeah… sure."
Furaya: "Hey, since we're already out, how about we grab a bite to eat? And before you say anything, it's on me, don't worry, hahaha. That way you can also tell me what's been going on, hahaha."
Hayuki (thinking): "Krrrk… who does he think he is? I don't need his charity."
Hayuki: "Don't worry, I've got money. You don't have to pay. Let's just go eat, I'm starving."
Furaya: "Sure… sure, hahaha."
The two start walking, while the snow falls gently over the streets of Ottawa, under a night lit by the moon.
Furaya: "You know, these past few months have been crazy… we won four matches in a row, and the coach finally made me a permanent starter, telling me I'm the team's strategist and absolutely essential. You can't imagine the joy I felt in that moment."
Hayuki: "Oh yeah, sure… interesting…"
Furaya: "Ah right, at the end of the month we had a friendly match in Montréal… the adrenaline was insane. Even though it was just a friendly, I felt more fired up than ever, like it was an official match. In the end, we even won, and guess what?"
Hayuki: "What?"
Furaya: "It was me who scored the winning goal in the last minute for the team. In the end, they even carried me on their shoulders—though after throwing me up, they didn't catch me, hahaha. I almost got seriously hurt."
Hayuki: "Yeah, sure… congratulations."
Hayuki (thinking): "I would've been so happy if you had gotten hurt… that would've been the best day of my life…"
Furaya: "And get this, the coach even named me the new captain. He says he likes my attitude during training and my fighting spirit on the field… especially how I can motivate and inspire others. Well, not to brag, but maybe he was right, hahaha!"
Hayuki (thinking): "You arrogant, conceited bastard… who the hell do you think you are, piece of shit…"
Furaya: "You know, little brother, you should come watch one of my next matches. It'd really mean a lot to me to have you there—I'd be so happy to have you by my side, haha."
Hayuki (thinking): "Who are you trying to fool… I wouldn't go to one of your matches even if it were my last day on Earth…"
Furaya: "Oh, and we managed to win the school soccer tournament."
Hayuki (thinking): "Good for you… and? I couldn't care less… just shut up…"
Furaya: "It was tough, but we trained a lot to win, and luckily it all went well."
Hayuki: "Why are you telling me all this?"
Furaya: "No reason… I just wanted to share it with you, that's all…"
Hayuki: "Well, I don't care. Let's just hurry up, I'm hungry."
Furaya: "O… okay…"
The two go to eat at a diner.
Hayuki (thoughts): "And me? What have I done… always behind, always last… every time I thought I was taking a step forward, he would take two."
Furaya: "And then… at the end of last month, the friendly match in Montréal… guys, what an adrenaline rush… me running, passing, shooting… and that last-minute goal. Everyone was watching, laughing, carrying me on their shoulders… and I… I wished you were there to see it, to laugh with me."
Hayuki clenches his fists under the table, feeling a mix of anger and helplessness growing inside him.
Hayuki (thoughts): "Laugh with him… me? Not anymore. Not after everything he's made me feel… inferior."
Furaya: "And you know… the coach named me captain. He said I know how to motivate others, that my attitude is right. I don't want to brag, but… maybe it's true. Maybe… I've improved too."
Hayuki looks up at the window, watching the snow fall, thinking about all the moments he felt alone and neglected.
Hayuki (thoughts): "Improved… yeah, but me? What have I become? I lost the title, the coach left… and he… he keeps running ahead, doing everything better than me…"
Furaya: "And then… you know, I'd love for you to come watch a match. Just to be together… I want you to see how much I've improved, how hard I try… maybe it will make you happy, even just a little."
Hayuki jumps up, his hands still bleeding, his voice broken with anger and pain:
Hayuki: "I don't… I don't want to watch your matches! I don't want to hear about your victories… I don't want to feel like a failure next to you anymore!"
Furaya remains still, momentarily speechless, watching his brother explode in front of him.
Hayuki: "Why… why have you always been one step ahead of me?! Why does everything you do seem perfect, while I… I stay behind?!"
Furaya reaches out a hand, trying to calm Hayuki, but he recoils, breathing heavily, his anger on the verge of overflowing.
Hayuki: "I don't want your help… I don't want anything from you… I just want you to shut up!"
Furaya: "I know… I know all this makes you feel this way… but it's not that I want to brag, really. It's just that… I worked so hard, you know? The training days, the effort… and in the end, the winning goal, the tournament victory… those were incredible moments. Everyone was happy, I was happy… and sometimes… I just want to share them with you, little brother."
Hayuki: "Every time you talk about your successes… the tournament you won, the grades, how everyone praises you… I feel… completely worthless."
Furaya lowers his gaze for a moment, but then continues, almost as if he can't stop himself.
Hayuki: "Enough! ENOUGH! I've had enough of all this! Your successes, your smiles, your victories… every single damn moment makes me feel like a failure!"
Furaya slowly stands, trying not to provoke more anger.
Furaya: "Hayuki… wait, please, listen—"
Hayuki: "I don't want to listen! I don't want to hear a word! Every time you open your mouth… every time you speak, I only feel how worthless I am next to you!"
Hayuki stands, the falling snow outside reflecting in the window as his eyes shine with repressed rage. He slams a fist on the table, making the whole place shake.
Hayuki: "Why… why do I always have to be the one behind you?! Why can't I… just once… be the best?"
Furaya takes a step forward, calmly, trying not to intimidate his brother.
Furaya: "Hayuki… it's not a competition… I don't want to overshadow you… I… I just wanted to share with you—"
Hayuki: "I don't want to share anything with you! I don't want to hear your words… I don't want to see your victories! I DID EVERYTHING ON MY OWN AND NOW I DON'T RECOGNIZE MYSELF ANYMORE!"