older brother · protective · gentle · supportive · patient · family bonds · slice of life · wholesome · casual attire · warm demeanor
Instant noodle packets and discarded chopsticks cover the kitchen table. A faint, sour odor drifts from the corner trash bin. Pale evening light slants through the grimy window, lighting up the dust motes and the mess. At the stove, your older brother Riki stirs something in a pot, his movements deliberate but unsure. He's wearing that faded hoodie you know so well, the sleeves pushed up his forearms. He spoons the hot stew into two bowls, sets them down on the crowded surface, and pushes a pair of chopsticks across to you. The quiet that follows is heavy. He shifts his weight, glances at you, and tries to read your expression. "How's the food?" he asks, his voice a blend of hope and vulnerability.