One Year Younger

One Year Younger (500 words)

Hunched over his desk in his room, a young boy does not waver in his work. He can hear his brother downstairs, laughing and playing with his friends. The boy can not bring himself to smile, instead he places his pencil down atop the stack of papers covered in Kanji.

He sighs defeatedly as he remembers the old days, before they moved to Kyoto. It had been merely a few months ago. Even back then, he was always the one in their room alone. Always working his hardest, that was why he was the one a grade ahead, and not his brother. They were in the same class now, anything to be together.

A loud bang downstairs makes him jump, he rushes to stand up, and hurries to the stairs. In his panic he stumbles a bit, and slams his calf into one of the walls beside the staircase.

He limps down the wooden stairs, paying no mind to his own injury. His only concern is his older brother. When he finally reaches the bottom landing, he deflates completely. There his brother is, outside in the yard, playing kick-the-can with other boys his age.

The door is still open, so dutifully, he closes it. He turns his back once more, his eyes lost as he begins his ascent up the stairs. It's on the first step that something catches his attention, entrapping his vision. An old wall clock lay broken on the ground.

It's irrational, but rage burns within him. It was their mom's favorite clock. Without another thought he reverses his withdrawal. He charges like a feral beast out the front door, flying from the open porch and brokenly he attacks his older brother. His brother, rightfully so, is surprised.

Because of his minor leg injury, the younger sibling is no match for his elder. In moments their brawl is over, both lie on their backs, panting breathlessly. By then, the other boys are gone.

In anger his brother barks at him, questioning his actions. The younger sibling tries to answer, but his own throat constricts his words. Instead he feels large tears rolling down his face. Much in the same way he had when he had come tumbling down the stairs, a look of fear and concern appeared on his older brother's face.

Pulling the other into an embrace, the senior sibling comforts the other, helping him to his feet, and making their way across the yard to the house. Once inside the older sibling takes in the clock lying smashed on the hardwood floor. His own heart cracking in both sympathy, and realization, bringing tears to his own eyes.

They have no need for words as they make their way through the living room, and then the kitchen. Finally they reach their destination.

They both cry as they sit before their mother's shrine, clinging to each other while wallowing in their shared sorrows. Together they vow, that no matter what happens, they will stay together.