Hinata pushed open the front door and saw Melokosa settled in the living room, sitting at a small table, focused on a notebook he was filling with notes. The light sound of the pen on paper echoed in the quiet room.
— Hi, Melokosa.
— Hi, Hinata, he replied, barely raising his eyes, a calm smile on his face.
Hinata nodded, placed her bag near the door, and went upstairs to her room. She put away her things, taking care to place on her desk one of the photos she had taken with Mayohi in the photo booth. A discreet smile formed on her lips as she saw her own face, a little serious but full of life.
Once her things were put away, she went back down to the living room and sat next to Melokosa. Silence enveloped them for a moment, only broken by the scratching of the pen on paper.
— So, how was the gym today? he finally asked.
— It was nice, Hinata replied with a slight smile. And I was with Mayohi.
Melokosa raised an eyebrow, curious: Oh, your friend? Go on, explain.
Hinata stayed silent, watching the pen slide on the sheet, the sound almost hypnotic. Then she sighed and began to speak, her gentle voice betraying a mixture of enthusiasm and emotion:
— She… she's really strange, you know? Always wanting me to try things… Even taking photos, she finds excuses for me to change my pose all the time. We stayed in the booth, taking one after the other. Every time she told me I was too serious, that my face didn't look right, or that my hands were wrong… I thought I was going crazy.
Melokosa nodded, listening attentively, some notes in his notebook forgotten for the moment.
— And yet… Hinata continued, despite all her criticisms, I ended up smiling. She insisted, again and again, until we took the perfect photo… and I think I had never laughed so much for something so… silly.
— I see you have a lot of fun with her, said Melokosa, finally putting down his pen, a tender smile on his lips.
Hinata blushed slightly, lowered her head for a few seconds, then nodded vigorously:
— Yes… she's the best girl I've ever met.
Melokosa watched his sister, his gaze gentle but curious. — I'm happy for you, Hinata… it's rare to see someone like you let themselves laugh so much.
— With her… it's different, Hinata whispered. Like I could just be me, without having to fight or show I'm strong.
Melokosa smiled and lightly tapped her head, softly: — Good… you need moments like that. Even the strongest deserve a bit of lightness.
Hinata felt herself blush a little more, but a sincere smile lit up her face. She felt that Melokosa understood, even a little, why Mayohi had managed to pull her out of her bubble.
The silence that followed was filled with that quiet warmth that existed only between them.
— You know, Melokosa… she finally murmured. Thank you.
— For what? he asked, frowning slightly.
— For… everything. For being there, for listening to me… for being my brother. Even if I complain and sulk all the time.
Melokosa placed his hand on hers, gently: — That's what a big brother does, Hinata. And I'll always be here.
Hinata smiled shyly, squeezing his hand lightly. The outside world could wait. For this moment, all that mattered was the quiet of this living room and the simple but deep warmth of their bond.
Melokosa looked up at Hinata, a slight smile on his face:
— You remember you should participate in the martial arts festival in a few months, right?
Hinata nodded vigorously:
— Yes, of course!
— Perfect, Melokosa continued, I was able to gather more than 30,000 GKM. The registration costs 12,000, right?
Hinata's eyes lit up instantly, almost as if the sun had risen in her pupils:
— Oh yes, big brother… you mean that...
Melokosa closed his eyes, nodded slowly with a discreet smile:
— We will be able to register you. And there will still be enough for your hospital exam next week.
Hinata could no longer hold back. She jumped up and threw herself at her brother to wrap him in an enthusiastic hug, her cheeks reddening:
— Thank you so much, really, big brother! You're the best there is!
Melokosa held her gently against him, a mixture of pride and amusement in his eyes:
— You're becoming more and more expressive, little one. But that's good… it's exactly what's needed for someone who's going to show what she's worth in the ring.
Hinata detached herself slightly, still smiling, and jumped excitedly on the spot, repeating softly:
— I'm going to go… I'm going to go… I'll show what I can do!
Melokosa watched her, a little touched, and let out a small laugh:
— You'll make a sensation, I'm sure. But for now, focus on your exam.
The transition was quick. The following week, Hinata found herself in the hospital's examination room, sitting on the table, wearing a light gown. The air was filled with the characteristic smell of antiseptics, and the silence punctuated only by the clinking of instruments.
The doctor, a middle-aged man with glasses perched on the tip of his nose, took his seat in front of her, notebook and pen in hand.
— So Hinata, let's start. Since our last appointment, have you noticed any changes with your scar? Does it still hurt?
Hinata nodded gently, placing her hands on her knees:
— It's less and less frequent… but still unpredictable. Sometimes, I feel nothing for days, and sometimes the pain comes back suddenly, as if it wakes up without warning.
The doctor noted some observations, frowning slightly:
— I see. And this pain… is it localized or diffuse?
— Rather localized… just where the scar is widest, Hinata replied, pointing to the lower part of her abdomen. Sometimes it pulls and heats up… but with painkillers, it's manageable.
The doctor nodded, scribbling quickly in his notebook:
— Good, it's encouraging that it's less frequent. We will continue to monitor, but it seems your scar is stabilizing little by little.
Hinata let out a small breath of relief. Even if the pain could arise at any moment, she knew her big brother was doing everything so she remained protected and followed. She looked at the window, thinking about her week, the training, Mayohi… and everything still waiting for her at the festival.
The next morning, Hinata entered the classroom as usual.
She mechanically checked the seat next to her… empty.
She frowned.
— Mayohi… you're late today?, she thought.
The teacher arrived, placed her documents on the desk, and began the class without waiting.
Minutes passed.
The usual silence reigned — until the door softly opened.
Mayohi entered.
And the entire class held their breath.
Her face… bore bruises.
Her cheek was slightly swollen, a purple mark spreading towards her temple.
Her expression was empty, sad, almost absent.
The teacher immediately put down her chalk.
— Mayohi! What happened to you? And why the delay?
Mayohi stayed still for a fraction of a second, then forced a fragile smile.
— I had… a little accident on the way. Nothing serious, ma'am.
The teacher observed her face longer than necessary… then sighed, resigned.
— Very well. Sit down. And don't start being late again.
Mayohi nodded silently and crossed the classroom under heavy glances.
She sat next to Hinata.
But, to Hinata's great surprise, she said not a word.
No comment, no joke, no look.
Just… silence.
Hinata felt her stomach knot.
After the class
The room had emptied.
The two girls still sat alone, in the dusty calm of the late afternoon.
Hinata broke the silence.
— Mayohi… what's wrong?
Mayohi jumped slightly.
— Huh? Oh… nothing, it's just that I…
Hinata stared straight into her eyes.
A serious, sharp look, impossible to deceive.
— Are you going to lie to me?
Mayohi's heart seemed to tighten. She looked away, her shoulders trembling slightly.
— I… it's… it's nothing, Hinata. I don't want to—
— Mayohi.
That tone.
Not threatening — just… sincere.
Impossible to ignore.
Mayohi took a deep breath, one hand placed on her stomach as if to keep herself from collapsing.
Her voice faltered:
— I was beaten.
Hinata's eyes widened.
Mayohi continued, tears almost coming to her eyes:
— It was… Jack. My brother.
Hinata felt the ground give way for a second.
Mayohi went on, with a broken voice:
— He took my money last night… from my room. And when I wanted to tell him he had no right… he… he just called his friends. They pinned me against the wall, and they hit me. Then, he… he hit me too.
She quickly wiped a tear with her finger.
— I tried to defend myself… but there were three of them. And him… he's stronger than me. So I couldn't do anything…
Hinata remained still.
No emotion on her face.
But in her silence…
… something had begun to boil.
A slow, dark heat.
An invisible thread had just been pulled inside her — and it vibrated dangerously.
Mayohi added, voice trembling:
— I didn't want to tell you… because I know what you're like. And I don't want you to get expelled because of me…
Hinata slowly lowered her head, her fists clenching despite herself.
A phrase crossed her mind.
An old phrase, burned into her memory:
"If I hit you… I'll have more trouble with administration."
But Jack… had crossed a line.
And someone had touched Mayohi.
The only person capable of softening Hinata.
So, very slowly…
Hinata raised her head.
Her eyes were no longer neutral.
They were cold.
Deep.
And terribly calm.