Chapter 104 Argument

"Brother, are you alright?"

Yuichiro Tokito had never seen Iwakatsu feel nauseous before, and instinctively thought that the other person was feeling unwell, so he rushed over.

Iwakatsu waved his hand, he was feeling much better after a while. He pushed Tokito Ichiro inside to wipe his sweat, as it was windy at night and he could easily catch a cold. Tokito Ichiro had no choice; although he didn't think he would get sick, he couldn't stand his worrying ancestor.

"Brother, you're awake."

Yoriichi Tsugikuni took a few steps forward and walked up to Iwakatsu. He noticed the other man's trembling stomach and intestines, as if he had been doused with cold water.

It seems I've displeased my older brother again.

"I'm fine."

Iwakatsu turned his head away from Yoriichi Tsugikuni; he didn't want to see his face for the time being. Yoriichi Tsugikuni remained silent, standing there looking at Iwakatsu's back, thinking of starting a conversation with him.

"Brother, what did you dream about just now?"

Yoriichi Tsugikuni asked a question that had been bothering him. He watched as Iwakatsu paused, slowly turned his head, and his red eyes, now in disguise, glanced at him. The direct gaze made Yoriichi Tsugikuni freeze.

"Why...why do you ask that?"

Yan Sheng certainly remembered what he dreamed about, and it wasn't the first time he had dreamed about that scene. When he was unconscious, he had merged with all the memories of his other self, like a revolving lantern, and even the emotions he had at the time affected him.

Iwakatsu didn't understand why Yoriichi Tsugikuni would suddenly ask this question. He frowned as he looked at his younger brother standing there, whose eyes, identical to his own, could see right through him.

“My brother is sad. I can feel it. It’s because Yoriichi did something wrong.”

Yoriichi looked at them; the two were only a meter apart, yet he felt an immense distance between them. He admitted he was deeply troubled. He and his elder brother should have been the closest people in the world, yet they had become familiar strangers.

While watching Ichiro Tokito practice, he was pondering Iwakatsu's sleep-talking. Every word was so clear, yet he couldn't understand it.

Abandon it, leave.

The unfamiliar words made Yoriichi Tsugikuni anxious. What had he done to make his brother like this? He vaguely remembered the day the two of them went on their last mission.

Why did you leave Yan Sheng there alone?!

Kawakami Akio was right. It was his fault. Every attempt he made only hurt his older brother. Didn't he know that? His older brother hated him so much.

Seeing the hint of worry in Yoriichi's eyes, Iwakatsu was annoyed. What had he done while he was asleep to make Yoriichi feel this way? The other's inexplicable concern only made him feel disgusted.

He doesn't need that kind of concern.

"I don't know... what makes you feel this way, but I'm... fine."

After finishing his sentence, Iwakatsu turned to leave, intending to check if Tokito Ichiro had any food left.

Reflexively, Yoriichi stepped forward and grabbed Iwakatsu's wrist. Iwakatsu felt a burning sensation from the excessively high body temperature and instinctively tried to shake it off.

“Brother, it must be Yoriichi’s fault. You were even crying back then. It was Yoriichi…”

"Shut up."

Yan Sheng was really angry, even a little ashamed. He cried? Looking at Yoriichi's serious expression, he just felt annoyed. Couldn't he understand human language? He had already said that everything was fine, that he didn't know and didn't want to talk about it, and that he didn't want to see that face that made him feel nauseous.

Iwakatsu frowned, turned around and shook off Yoriichi Tsugikuni's hand, his three golden eyes, exposed by his emotions, glaring at the other man.

It's always like this, doing things he doesn't understand, saying things he doesn't comprehend, forcefully appearing before him, trying to peel away all his unbearable aspects.

The most disgusting thing in the world is that everything the other person does and every word they say hurts and attacks you, yet you know that the other person is doing it for your own good and to help you.

"Tsugikuni...Yoriichi, in my eyes, you are still...a...stranger."

He looked at Yoriichi Tsugikuni and spoke slowly and deliberately, his tone serious, yet his words were tinged with deep sorrow.

"I'm sorry, but some things... I just... won't ask anymore."

Ji Guoyuan opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing. He stood there for a long time, watching Yan Sheng's departing figure, unable to calm down.

He upset his older brother again.

That wasn't his intention. Why do I always manage to mess things up?

As he stood there, listening to the conversation between the two people inside, he could sense the improvement in their mood as they spoke, and his eyes darkened.

I'm not even as good as a teenager.

The moonlight couldn't reach him, shrouding him in gloom. After a long while, he realized that the conversation inside had stopped, and all he could hear was the sound of wooden clogs stepping on the ground.

"Come here...and eat."

Iwakatsu's voice came, causing Yoriichi Tsugikuni to look up at him. The other party had already reverted to his original form, and his red eyes met his gaze.

"Yes, elder brother."

Yoriichi Tsugikuni took a step forward, the moonlight illuminating his red haori. Iwakatsu's words disrupted his thoughts, pulling him away from his self-reflection.

He followed behind Yan Sheng, reaching out cautiously to tug at the other's sleeve. He hesitated for a moment, watching the other's actions, but did not stop him.

Yoriichi Tsugikuni smiled, his mood improving considerably. He knew that Iwakatsu had accepted his overtures, so the previous unpleasantness was now behind him.

My older brother is a gentle person

——

Yan Sheng regretted leaving as soon as he did. He knew he had been too sensitive and overreacted, and that his overthinking had led him to criticize or even yell at the other person.

Ugh, how shameful! I was being so unreasonable.

Yan Sheng sighed. He couldn't control his emotions every time he faced Yoriichi Tsugikuni. He couldn't tell if it was because he was affected by the fusion of memories or because of his own nature.

He saw Tokito Ichiro preparing hot rice balls and wanted to go up and help, but the other refused.

"Brother, I can do it myself."

Tokito Ichiro hadn't forgotten how Iwakatsu had gotten covered in dust when he tried to help, and not only did he make Iwakatsu wash an extra piece of clothing, but he also made Iwakatsu redo his dinner that night.

I can cook, I just don't know how to use firewood or a stove.

Watching Tokito Ichiro's skillful maneuvering, Iwakatsu felt discriminated against. He realized he could do it too; he just needed to learn, and it didn't seem that difficult.

After a while, Tokito Ichiro turned around and saw Iwakatsu reaching out to lift the lid. He was holding a clean piece of wood and said with some helplessness.

"Brother, don't touch me."

"……good."

Iwakatsu remained silent and withdrew his hand. He watched as Tokito Ichiro cut some fruit, then took out a cup he always carried, holding a knife and preparing to cut his hand, but then, as if remembering something, he looked up at him and said...

"Brother, go and call that guy outside to come over for dinner."

Tokito Ichiro also overheard their conversation. When he saw Iwakatsu, he noticed that the other man seemed a bit upset. He figured Iwakatsu had calmed down by now and decided to give him an excuse.

"Um,."

Iwakatsu walked along, feeling conflicted. When he saw Yoriichi Tsugikuni standing in the shadows, he felt a little guilty, but he couldn't say anything else. He could only awkwardly ask the other person to come and eat.