“Kunimitsu, I’m entrusting Guo Yu to you,” Ayana said reluctantly as she sent her younger son to the door of the Tezuka household, reminding her older son to take good care of his little brother.
“Ah,” Tezuka Kunimitsu replied succinctly as always.
Today was Tezuka Guo Yu’s first day of school. While Kunimitsu remained calm, the rest of the family was a bit anxious. Ayana, watching her younger son obediently follow behind his older brother, couldn’t help but remind him again, “Guo Yu, you must listen to your brother at school!”
“Ah,” Guo Yu replied earnestly, mimicking his brother’s serious demeanor on his first day of school.
With his handsome face, even a serious expression was quite charming. Guo Yu’s earnest look successfully melted Ayana’s worries. She couldn’t help but worry if her adorable son would be bullied at school.
Patting Guo Yu’s head, Ayana instructed, “At school, you should get along well with your classmates. If anyone bullies you, remember to find your brother.”
“Okay,” Guo Yu replied with a cheerful smile, quickly forgetting his resolve to stay serious, “I’ll definitely get along well with my classmates.”
“Well then, Mother, I’m taking Guo Yu to school now,” Kunimitsu said, seeing that his mother had finished her instructions. He and Guo Yu bid farewell to their mother, “Guo Yu, we should go.”
“Okay, Brother, I’m coming,” Guo Yu said, automatically taking his brother’s hand and obediently saying goodbye to his mother, “Goodbye, Mom!”
“Goodbye, Guo Yu!” Ayana waved with a smile, then signaled to her older son, “Goodbye, Kunimitsu, be safe on the road.”
“Ah,” Kunimitsu replied, a bit surprised by his mother’s farewell, but quickly realizing she was just being considerate.
Watching his obedient little brother holding his hand, Kunimitsu thought to himself that today was indeed a significant day, as it was Guo Yu’s first day of school.
“Brother, brother, is that Fuji Older Brother up ahead?” Guo Yu, excited about going to school, hadn’t noticed Kunimitsu’s distraction. He spotted Fuji Shuusuke standing at the corner and eagerly tugged at his brother’s hand, “Brother, can we go to school with Fuji Older Brother?”
“Ah,” Kunimitsu replied, not explaining that Fuji Shuusuke was waiting for him, letting Guo Yu think it was a chance encounter.
“Fuji Older Brother!” Guo Yu called out excitedly before they even reached Fuji, greeting him formally when Fuji looked down at him, “Hello, Fuji Older Brother!”
On the second day of the new semester, Fuji Shuusuke habitually waited at the corner for Kunimitsu to go to school together. Seeing little Guo Yu was a pleasant surprise.
Fuji was a bit surprised. Wasn’t Guo Yu always homeschooled? Why was he with Kunimitsu? Was he going to school?
Though puzzled, Fuji couldn’t ignore the serious greeting from the little guy. Knowing how earnest children could be, Fuji couldn’t help but smile, ruffling Guo Yu’s hair, “Hello, little Guo Yu.”
“Fuji Older Brother, I’m going to school today too,” Guo Yu said to Fuji, “Aren’t I great?”
Seeing Guo Yu’s expectant eyes, Fuji couldn’t help but chuckle, “Yes, Guo Yu is great!”
Receiving the praise he desired, Guo Yu beamed with joy. Guo Yu was indeed the best.
As Guo Yu chatted happily with Fuji, Kunimitsu, standing nearby, couldn’t help but frown, feeling a bit ignored.
“Kunimitsu, is it okay to take Guo Yu to school this early?” Fuji asked, realizing a serious issue. He and Kunimitsu went to school early for tennis club practice. What would Guo Yu do during their training? “What about Guo Yu during practice?”
“…” Kunimitsu hadn’t considered this. Though it was the first day of the new semester, he was used to getting up early for practice, not considering that it was Guo Yu’s first day of school, and it was indeed a bit early.
But if he sent Guo Yu back home now, he’d be disappointed, having looked forward to this day for so long.
However, taking Guo Yu to practice wasn’t an option either, as he wasn’t a club member, and even as the captain, Kunimitsu couldn’t break the rules to let his brother into the tennis court.
What should he do? It was a headache.
Meanwhile, back at the Tezuka household, Ayana glanced at the clock on the wall and was taken aback. Why so early? Guo Yu usually slept until seven or eight. Wouldn’t he fall asleep in class?
But even if Guo Yu did fall asleep in class, it didn’t matter. Kunimitsu could always tutor him later.
With this thought, Ayana calmly continued her chores.
On the other side, before Kunimitsu could resolve his dilemma, the three of them had already reached the school gate.
“Guo Yu, look, this is our school,” Fuji said, having learned what he wanted to know from Guo Yu during their conversation on the way.
The Tezuka family had protected Guo Yu so well that he answered whatever was asked. In no time, Fuji learned that Guo Yu wanted to go to school after watching cartoons where all the main characters attended school, unlike him.
Though Guo Yu’s reason for attending school was childish, Fuji was relieved. He had long wanted to suggest to Kunimitsu to send Guo Yu to school, thinking it would be better for him to interact with peers.
Though it wasn’t the Tezuka elders who suggested sending Guo Yu to school, little Guo Yu was here, ready to experience a normal student’s life.
With this, Fuji, who never watched cartoons, thought he might give them a try. Cartoons weren’t entirely useless, after all. Little Guo Yu was inspired by them!
But for now, the most important thing was to introduce the school to little Guo Yu. “Come, Guo Yu, let me show you around the school.”
“Thank you, Fuji Older Brother!” Guo Yu said, letting go of his brother’s hand and walking over to Fuji.
“You’re welcome, be good!” Fuji said, extending his hand before Guo Yu reached him, knowing from his long acquaintance with Kunimitsu that Guo Yu liked holding hands while walking.
Seeing Fuji’s outstretched hand, Guo Yu happily took it.
Guo Yu’s hand was so soft and small! No wonder Kunimitsu liked holding it; it was just too cute, Fuji thought.
Meanwhile, Kunimitsu felt a bit unused to Guo Yu letting go of his hand to hold Fuji’s, but he quickly reassured himself that it was normal. Guo Yu was growing up and should have his own life, not stay at home all the time.
Seeing his brother’s constant smile since they left home, Kunimitsu thought that if going to school made Guo Yu this happy, it would be wonderful.
This way, the family wouldn’t have to worry about him being gloomy often.
While Kunimitsu was lost in thought, Fuji took Guo Yu for a tour around the school, introducing it in detail before bringing him to the tennis club’s entrance without hesitation.
Seeing Kunimitsu standing at the entrance, Fuji said to Guo Yu, “Be good, Guo Yu, Fuji Older Brother will wait for you inside.”
“Okay.”
“Kunimitsu, I’ve brought Guo Yu back safely,” Fuji said, handing Guo Yu’s hand to Kunimitsu, joking about how obedient Guo Yu was, “Little Guo Yu is so good, I almost want to take him home.”
“Don’t slack off!” Kunimitsu ignored Fuji’s joke, looking down at Guo Yu.
His face was a bit red, and there was sweat on his forehead, indicating he was tired.
“Did you have fun, Guo Yu?”
“Yes, I did!” Guo Yu replied excitedly, thinking about the places they visited. The school was so big, he could explore it.
“Kunimitsu, why not bring Guo Yu into the tennis court?” Fuji suggested, considering Guo Yu’s unfamiliarity with the place.
“No,” Kunimitsu replied, adhering to the rule that non-club members weren’t allowed inside. But this time, he was in a bind. If Guo Yu couldn’t go in, what should he do?
“Kunimitsu, who’s this?” Just then, Coach Ryuzaki passed by, curious about the child next to Kunimitsu, “Is this your sister? She’s very pretty!”