You're Hayato Nagai.
And you're very upset with your brother right now.
Why?
Cause, just like how he knows how to read you, you know how to read him.
And you knew exactly what he was thinking the moment you said you wanted to protect people.
You frown at your brother and cross your arms, "Bro. Did you think that you wouldn't be there with me while we're protecting people from bad guys? Did you think you were going to do some fucking 'work in the shadows' bullshit? Go all 'the ends justify the means' and crap on me?"
You give your brother your best judging glare. He stares you down with the same blank expression...then turns back to his book.
"It is a possibility that...may have crossed my mind. Yes," he says this without looking you in the eyes.
You sigh and shake your head, "Oh for...Yam! What is it that I always say about that stuff?"
"To paraphrase, 'It's a dumbass thought process, made by dumbass people, who want to justify their dumbass decisions' I remember you saying," Yamato does his best to imitate your voice. Which doesn't work considering his is typically flat and emotionless.
"Right, because it's true. In all the shows and manga, what always happens to the people who try to do that shit?"
There's silence for a bit. Then you clarify, "And before you say 'Those are fictional stories' keep in mind I have gauntlets possessed by the spirit of an ancient samurai, you have a kitsune that follows you almost everywhere, I can move faster than the human eye can track, and I managed to become a Martial Arts Master within a few weeks."
Yamato is silent for a bit. Then he shakes his head, "They tend to either make things worse for them and their allies, end up joining the antagonist, become worse than the antagonist, or end up losing the people they were doing the awful deeds for in the first place."
"Exactly," you nod sagely, "Cause that stuff ain't good. For anyone."
"I understand that. But, if you're planning to become a hero of the school then-"
"When did I ever say that?"
Yamato stops and looks up at you, "Well, you said that you became stronger because you wished to protect people. It stands to reason, then, that you wish to become a 'Hero' of sorts. Which means you will no doubt encounter situations where-"
"Stop right there," you hold up a hand and Yamato complies. Then you point at him, "When we ended the raid, did I choose to head out there and be hailed as a Hero by everybody? Did I choose to let everyone and their mother know that I, Hayato Nagai, badass extraordinaire, single-handedly ended the threat to our great school? No, I didn't. What did I do?"
You place your arm around his shoulder and pull him into a hug. You smile while poking him in the chest, "I went back to the dorm and watched anime with you, bro! I want to protect people, including you, but I couldn't give less a shit about about getting recognition from it. It'd be nice, but you're more important. And I know for a fact I couldn't make it far without you right by my side."
"Hayato, you give yourself too little credit. I am not nearly as proficient as you are in physical combat," he says while trying to avoid your eyes.
"So what? You don't have to be an awesome combatant. That's my job. You're the Tactician. You make sure I don't do anything too stupid, and give me a reason to stand in the way of danger," you say while patting him on the back.
He takes a moment to think your words over. Then he nods while looking you in the eyes, "I...I can see your point. Even though I'd rather you stay as far away from dangerous situations as possible, I understand that will be incompatible with your current goal."
"Aaaannnddd?"
"And...I...was too hasty in suggesting that you would need me to fight from the shadows. I will remain by your side and assist you in accomplishing your goals."
You pat him on the back and smile, "There you go...just be sure not to ignore your own goals, alright? I want you to do stuff cause you want to do it. Not cause I want to."
"Query: What if my goal is to make sure your goals succeed?"
"....Ok, you got me there," you admit with a chuckle, "But you get what I mean right? Live your life for you. Not for me, Yamato."
"I will try, brother. I will try," he says before turning his gaze up at the rapidly darkening sky. His eyes narrow and he quickly starts packing his stuff.
"What's up, bro? Something-," you're cut off as something cold and wet falls onto your nose. Swearing under your breath, you're quick to put your own stuff away while getting to your feet. But you're too late. The rain's already falling by the time you get up.
Instinctively, you move to stand over Yamato. Without a word he latches onto your chest and you start running to the door to the roof. You're able to get inside just when the downpour becomes a torrent. You slam the door shut behind you and look down at your brother, "You alright there, Yam?"
"I am fine, brother," he says as he lets you go. He swiftly grabs your arm and starts to lead you downstairs, "But you are soaking wet. We need to get an umbrella, take you back to dorm, and get you in dry clothes before you catch a cold."
You don't argue with Yamato. Not because you don't think you'll catch a cold.
But cause you're too busy laughing at how familiar this all is.
"Brother! Don't!"
You ignore Yamato's words of protest, holding him tighter against your chest as you run through the dark rainy night. All your clothes have been soaked through. Your backpack is so heavy that you can feel it slowing you down as you move. Your every step sends splashes of water into your shoes and over your socks.
But it doesn't matter.
None of it matters.
You just gotta keep running until you find some shelter.
"Don't talk, Yam," you say while your head swivels back and forth, "Just stay still until I can find us some place to sleep for the night."
"But you'll get sick!"
"No I won't. I'm your big brother. I'm too tough to get sick," you say with what you hope is a comforting smile. You just need to keep going. There's gotta be...there! There's a space beneath some apartment stairs. With the last of your energy you book it straight towards the space, ignoring the honking of several cars as you cross the street. In a few moments you're out of the rain and safe.
Only then do you let Yamato down. Then you get on one knee and look him over.
His hat? Dry in and out.
Shirt, pants, and socks? Totally fine.
Everything else? Good.
You sigh with relief and nod, "OK. We made it. You look alright, Yam. Now, just stay here and I'll find us some...Yam?"
He's shaking. His hands are going to his eyes and...he's crying!
No, no, no, no, no. What did you do? What did you do wrong?
You place your hands on his shoulders and start to squeeze, "Yam! What's wrong!? Did some water get in your eye? Did you hurt yourself? Is it about one of those jerks at school? Cause if so I'll-"
"N-n-no," he says between sniffles while he tries to wipe the tears from his eyes, "It's-it's-you got wet up. Because of me. I'm-I'm sorry. I keep...keep making you do...things like this. It's my fault you're gonna get sick. I'm a...I'm a terrible-"
"Hey! Hey! None of that!" you give him a gentle shake and stand up, "I'm fine! See? I'm fine!"
You let him go and do a few poses with a huge grin across your face, "See? There's nothing on this planet that can bring down your big brother, Hayato! You just sit tight, don't worry about anything, and I'll be back with something to cover us up. Alright?"
He sniffs some more and you offer your sleeve to him. He wipes the snot and stuff off on your shirt, but you don't mind. He says in a shaky voice, "Pr-Pro-Promise?"
"Promise."
"...OK," he backs up against the wall and sits down, "Come back soon."
"Always," you say then rush off into the rain.
...If you do end up getting sick, you're gonna have to pretend your fine.
But that's OK.
It makes Yam happy.
So you'll do it.
That's what big brothers do.
Hayato has chosen to protect others with his power!
Due to accumulation of ??? Yamato Points and Choices during Quest, Hayato has managed to stop Yamato from going down a Dark Path!
New Possible Trait Available: The Ever-present Shield
The Ever-Present Shield: You have committed yourself to defending others from outward threats. The opposition's power doesn't matter. The opposition's numbers don't matter. The opposition's social status don't matter. If someone is in trouble, you will be there to help them. Gain +20 to Resistance: Physical, but Hayato will jump to people's defense when they're in trouble. Even when it might be disadvantageous to him.
Take this Trait?
[] Yes
[] No
You've always been interested in Martial Arts.
A part of it was that you saw it as a hobby. It was something you liked to do, you were really good at it, and it was fun to just smash shit up with your bare hands.
But, being honest?
The main reason was fighting.
Not fighting for the sake of fighting.
But fighting for others.
Growing up, you had to do a lot of that.
More than you're willing to admit to anyone that isn't Yamato.
Not having parents was...rough. You weren't exactly homeless but you did have to shack up in...less than ideal places more often than you really wanted. And that always brought trouble with it.
Gang members who said you were on their turf.
Homeless Hunters looking for some sick kicks.
Other people your age acting like jackasses.
Starving, feral animals that could make you sick if they got a good hit in.
And that's just off the top of your head.
You didn't win all your fights. It's, as Yamato would say, statistically impossible to do that. You lost sometimes. But never without dignity. Even when you were on the ground, your face getting stomped on by some asshole's boot, you never stopped pushing back. Never let them see you grovel. Never let them see you bleed.
And as time went on, you got better.
And better.
And better.
And better.
Until, eventually, it became natural to you. You didn't lose as many fights as before. You started being able to win fights before they even really started. Numbers stopped mattering. And, by the time this happened, you and Yamato had an apartment to yourselves.
So, you didn't need to get better anymore.
Then you got into Raijin.
And that changed.
You had other reasons to get stronger. Other people to fight and fight for. And to get it done, you needed to be better.
So you started training again.
Now you're here...but you don't get that same feeling.
You don't feel the sense of "this is enough" that you got before. You don't feel like you can stop here.
Why?
Because you didn't stop.
When you reached those barriers, you kept going.
When the idea that you were strong enough presented itself, you ignore it.
When you had the chance to stop your body from changing, you didn't take it.
And this is the result.
You know you're not done improving.
You know you can get better.
And what you can do now?
Child's play compared to what awaits you down this path.
Other people couldn't do this. Their bodies wouldn't let them. They'd give out on them. They'd reach a point where continuing would be harmful to their physical health.
But yours?
Your body is asking for it.
And, well, who are you to tell it no?
[Dreamer -> Martial Savant]
[Can now raise Supernatural Martial Art Skills to 200]
Finally. Hope you all enjoy. I certainly enjoyed writing it.
Also, no, choosing something other than "To Protect Others' would not have set Yamato on a Dark Path. You've gotten enough background points to avoid it.
