Where Do You Go Every Night?

Yumoto had started to notice that Gora was always leaving home in the middle of the night…

He didn't know for how long it had been happening. But, on those nights where it was harder than usual to fall asleep, he'd always hear the faint noise of Gora walking around, and then of one of the doors leading outside opening. It didn't take him long to realize it was more like a nightly routine than just a coincidence.

He wasn't too concerned at first. That is, until Ryuu had told him about a rumor going around: of a creepy, cloaked creature showing up around town every night. There was no word of it possibly harming anybody, but if the rumors were to be believed, it could very well hurt someone pretty badly if it wanted to, given it was also said to have sharp claws.

Yumoto didn't know why Gora was leaving every night. Had he also heard about the creature? He knew Gora was strong, but now that he didn't have his Maximum Gorar powers anymore, could he actually defend himself if that creature ever decided to attack him? Would a normal really axe be enough?

Gora also seemed so much sadder the past few weeks. He never showed it in front of Yumoto. But, despite the smiles he'd put on around others, Yumoto could tell there was something about them that made them feel fake. And at times, when Gora thought he was alone, he'd catch him sighing with a saddened expression Yumoto had only ever remembered seeing when he was very young, back when their parents had left…

He did seem to be a little happier one day. A little more hopeful, perhaps. But Yumoto couldn't stop thinking about it… He realized Gora never really opened up much. At least not to him. It was always much easier for Yumoto to be the one opening up to him.

Something was definitely off, and Yumoto's concern grew every day… Until he finally decided to confront his brother about it.

The subject had been in the back of his head all day. Wondering when he should bring it up… Or if he even should bring it up at all.

But it was getting more and more late. And by the time they were having dinner, he felt like there was a lump on his throat.

"Is everything alright, Yumoto?" Gora asked. "You look worried."

"Do I?" Yumoto asked.

"And you've been eating very slowly." After saying that, Gora's eyes suddenly widened. "You're not sick, are you!?"

"No! That's not it! It's just…" Yumoto paused, then took a deep breath. It seemed it was a 'now or never' situation. "I… I am worried about you."

Gora was silent for a moment. "Worried about me?"

Yumoto nodded. "You… You don't seem to be very happy. And you also keep going out late at night…"

Gora's face went a bit pale. "…You know I've been going out?"

"I heard it a few times. I've heard there's some weird thing walking around town lately as well…"

Gora froze almost completely at that.

"Are you alright?" Yumoto asked.

"I-it's nothing. I'm fine."

That didn't seem like the reaction of someone who was fine. Yumoto frowned. "Why do you go out every night? And why so late? Where have you been going? Are you sure you're safe?"

"I'm fine!" Gora's tone was a bit louder than before, and he looked a bit angry…

Yumoto was the one who froze this time. Gora never spoke like that to him before. He had always tried so hard to be patient with Yumoto, to not shout at him even if he was angry…

Gora noticed he had slipped up. His angry expression faded as he sighed. He looked down, conflicted.

There was a moment of silence as he thought. Yumoto didn't dare say anything either, looking down at his own plate. Had it always been that hard to get his brother to open up to him?

"I… I don't think I should tell you about it. At least… Not right now…"

Yumoto nodded silently, but he didn't feel any happier. He couldn't stop worrying about Gora.

"You don't have to worry about me. I'm fine out there." He paused. "And… About that 'weird thing walking around town', where did you hear that?"

"Ryuu-senpai told me."

"Well, I can guarantee you I haven't seen anything like that. Spreading rumors like that can be dangerous, you know?"

"Okay. I'll tell him that." He still didn't feel like he was being sincere. But Yumoto didn't want to question him any further. It was clear he wasn't going to budge, and he didn't want to risk making him angrier…

"Good. Now finish your food. Just because summer vacation is coming up doesn't mean you should go to bed late. You still have school tomorrow."

"I know, I know…"

Yumoto simply did as he was told and finished his dinner in silence, going straight to his bedroom right after.

Like every night, he eventually heard Gora heading out.

He sighed.