"Hey, nice for you to finally join the living."

Ritsu chuckles as he sees his little sister drudge into the kitchen. Amusement dances in his usually cold eyes, the rare warmth in his gaze reserved for very few. The scent of fresh coffee fills the air, mixing with the faint smell of the radishes he's preparing on the cutting board.

"Anything you want for lunch? I've been trying out this new way to cook radishes and you might end up being the first victim since mom and dad already said no." He jokes, returning his focus back to slicing. The sharp knife hits the wood with a light thud, but no response accompanies the sound—the kitchen unnaturally void of their usual morning banter.

At the silence, Ritsu's brows furrow and he lays the knife down on the marble counter, blue eyes shifting to his sister sitting silently at the table.

"Hey. What'd I do to piss you off this time? Steal one of your CDs? Use your hairbrush? Was it that I drank your coffee yesterday?" Ritsu tries to make his tone light, attempting to hide his concern.

He walks over to her—who seems more focused on the floor than their conversation—and brings a hand up to her head.

"What's with the-"

Before Ritsu can ruffle her hair, she ducks her head, suddenly standing up and rushing out of the room, her chair scraping loudly against the floor.

Ritsu looks after her in confusion, his hand still hovering in the air. He knows she's been pushing him away lately for some unknown reason, but never has she blatantly ignored him like this. A frown comes over his face, determination rising in him to figure out what's troubling his little sister.

**

"Awww do you have to Ritsu?"

The girl's whining grates on Ritsu's nerves, but he does his best not to let it show. The hallway bustles with students between classes, creating a constant murmur of voices around them.

"I'm sorry, but I do. I told her I'd drive her home today."

Ritsu keeps his usual smile plastered on his face, resisting the urge to roll his eyes as the girl proceeds to try and convince him to abandon his plans in favor of walking her home.

"I would, really, but you know what it's like being an older brother. Still gotta take care of the little one no matter how grown up they are."

After a few more rebuttals, the girl finally gives up, sulking away.

Letting out a sigh, Ritsu checks his watch and heads toward his sister's classroom, irritation building at the interruption.

God the people here are annoying as fuck. Hope she won't be too pissed that I kept her waiting.

He arrives at their meeting spot sooner than expected after speed walking across campus, but his sister isn't there. Unease creeps over him as he scans the empty area.

Ever since I found out about the scars. I can't help but worry. I specifically told her to come here right away. Even though we argued about it, she'd listen to me... wouldn't she?

Growing impatient, Ritsu decides to look for her. It doesn't take long before he hears the sound of cruel laughter and something else—sobbing he recognizes instantly, usually muffled by doors or walls but unmistakable.

Without hesitating, Ritsu rounds the corner, his blue eyes burning with barely concealed hatred. The underclassmen bullying his sister don't notice him at first, too busy with their taunts.

"What a disappointment. Are you sure you weren't adopted? Surely Ritsu's sister wouldn't be such a fuck-up."

"I think you're right. Could she be a bastard child? She doesn't have any of Ritsu's looks, that's for sure. It's like she's trying to embarrass him with how ugly she is."

When they finally notice him standing there, the bullies pale and scramble to apologize. Ritsu doesn't acknowledge them, his focus solely on his sister's tear-streaked face and the red marks visible on her arms.