Embracing*Family

Ban tightened his grip on her arm even more.

He could feel the body in his arms, going from initial stiffness to gradual relaxation, yet still carrying a lingering awkwardness and distance.

Izuna is the younger brother from Parallel World.

Madara accepted this with unusual calm from the very beginning.

He didn't even bother to distinguish them, because there was no need.

This is Izuna, so vibrant and playful in front of him, occasionally eccentric, always full of whimsical ideas, capable of throwing himself into a play with all his passion, and capable of baring his sharp fangs to protect something important...

He was completely different from his younger brother, whom he remembered as gentle, intelligent, and occasionally melancholic because of the war, in both personality and behavior.

Only a few extremely subtle, ingrained habits are the same.

For example, when washing up, I always have the habit of filling the bowl with cold water first and then adding hot water; when eating, my chopsticks will unconsciously tap the edge of the bowl twice; when thinking, my right thumb will unconsciously rub the side of my index finger.

And, the high spirits that only appear during battle.

Yes, only these aspects are the same.

Ban treated him like another younger brother, doting on him, cherishing him, and indulging him.

But that's all.

He knew these were two different souls, burdened with different pasts, heading towards drastically different futures.

Even so...

The fine, aching pain in Ban's chest still spread.

Why are you so uncomfortable with hugs?

He closed his eyes briefly and gently rested his chin on the top of Izuna's head.

His Izuna used to love staying by his side the most.

Her small, warm body would curl up in his arms without any defenses, clutching his clothes, and fall asleep with even breathing.

But now, even a simple hug makes Izuna tense up and feel helpless.

Izuna.

He's been alone... for how long?

Didn't I protect my younger brother in that world? Or... did Madara leave even earlier, leaving Izuna all alone?

That's why Izuna is so uncomfortable with closeness, reliance, and being held so tightly in someone's arms, needing confirmation of their presence and warmth?

This conjecture made Madara's heart sink, and he unconsciously tightened his grip on Izuna's arm.

"... Madara-nii?" Izuna's muffled voice came from his arms, tinged with a cautious protest, "It's... too tight..."

Ban did not let go immediately.

He maintained the embrace, remained silent for a few seconds, and then slowly loosened his grip, but his arms were still wrapped around Izuna, not completely letting go.

He looked down at his younger brother's face, which was slightly flushed from holding his breath and feeling embarrassed, and his black eyes, which were filled with unease and confusion.

Madara raised a hand, his fingertips gently brushing against Izuna's temple.

"Get some rest." That was all Madara said in the end, his voice low and devoid of much emotion. "If your muscles are sore, have someone from the Medical Corps come and take a look tomorrow."

Izuna felt as if his brain had been swept by a sudden electric current, leaving it completely blank for a moment.

Ban-ge's deep voice was close to my ear, his warm breath brushed against my hair, and the hand that gently stroked my temple had thin calluses from years of holding Kunai, its touch rough yet unusually gentle.

Not to mention that face so close... lowered eyelashes, deep features, in the dim light of the corridor, there was a dizzying focus and gentleness.

The Beauty Scheme!

Izuna's inner voice screamed in despair.

He knew it! Ban Ge pulling back his thick bangs to reveal his magnificent face was a foolish move that would hurt both himself and the enemy a thousand times over! Normally it's fine, but this kind of close-range attack... who could withstand that!

My heart was pounding irrationally in my chest, and the heat from my ears spread all the way down my neck.

"... Okay, Brother Ban." Izumi replied dryly, hearing his own dazed voice.

Then, he stiffly moved out of Ban's embrace. He got up, took a step, and walked towards his room, awkwardly entering.

Only after the door closed behind him, cutting off the light from the corridor and the gaze that was still fixed on him, did Izuna lean against the door, slowly slide down, and raise his hands to cover his burning cheeks.

Good heavens... Did Madara take the wrong medicine today? Or was his fight Hyuga so cool that even Madara was impressed and therefore unusually gentle?

No, no! The important thing is... that atmosphere just now was so weird!

Izuna buried her burning face in her knees, trying to calm her chaotic heartbeat and thoughts.

Although my mom often rubs the area with stray hairs near my ears like this, the way Ban Ge does it feels completely different!

Izuna couldn't help but sigh softly.

Before he transmigrated here, in his original world, he was an only child.

His parents loved him very much, and his family was harmonious, but he never had any siblings.

He was used to being alone, used to solving problems independently, and used to maintaining a comfortable distance in his close friendships.

After transmigrating, it took him a long time and a lot of effort to gradually adapt to the identity of "Uchiha Izuna" and the fact that he had an extra older brother.

He tried his best to treat Ban Ge as his closest roommate, as a sworn brother he could entrust his life to, and approached the relationship and working together with that mindset.

But that is, after all... fundamentally different from true family members who are connected by blood, grew up together, and shared all joys and sorrows.

He could naturally fight alongside Ban Ge, joke with him, and rely on his strength and protection.

But to be held so tenderly, as if he were a fragile treasure, a miracle lost and found... that feeling was too heavy, and too unfamiliar.

He just couldn't get used to it.

My heartbeat remained erratic, and the heat in my cheeks lingered.

But...

Izuna slowly raised her head, lowered her hand from her face, and stared unfocusedly at the dimly lit corner of the room.

But that's Brother Ban.

It was Madara Uchiha, who had lost his only loved one and wandered alone in despair and darkness for a very long time.

He is the older brother who, though powerful to the point of being intimidating, shows his softest side to his family.

Since he decided to take on the role of "Uchiha Izuna," decided to stay in this world, and decided to be good to Madara so that he wouldn't be lonely anymore...

Therefore, he needs to get used to such intimate gestures as soon as possible.

I can't keep being held like this, feeling helpless and like a frightened rabbit.

Izuna clenched his fist, his eyes hardening.

Okay! It's decided then!

Next time!

Next time Ban Ge hugs him, he absolutely mustn't freeze! He needs to relax! Be natural! He could even... try hugging back?

Well, hugging back might be a bit difficult... but at least, we can't run away with our arms and legs moving in unison anymore!

... Maybe... perhaps... possibly... it's possible?

Izuna thought uncertainly, his newly mustered Yūki starting to deflate again.

Never mind! Time to sleep!

Izuna stood up and began making the bed.

In the hallway, Ban, left alone, stared at the rapidly closing door and fell silent.

In the stillness of the night, only the chirping of insects could be heard in the courtyard.

Ban did not immediately return to his room, but instead sat down again on the veranda, leaning against a pillar, gazing at the tree shadows in the courtyard, their outlines blurred by the moonlight.

He couldn't sleep.

He would do this every time he noticed something was wrong with Izuna.

There are some subtle inconsistencies that others might not notice.

For example, his unfamiliarity with hugs, or his silence or ambiguity when occasionally mentioning the past, would make him frown and ponder for a long time.

Ban doesn't like this.

He disliked the feeling of knowing his younger brother was hiding something, yet being unable to reach out or share his burdens.

He remembered when Izuna was still alive, he would frown over clan affairs, the war situation, and the future of the Uchiha. But at least back then, Izuna would confide in him, lean on his shoulder, and whisper his worries and plans.

But now, this Izuna...

Ban closed his eyes and sighed silently.

He never took the initiative to come over and stand close to him.

He was too good at hiding his true feelings and too used to bearing everything alone. Beneath that bright smile and occasional eccentricities lay a wall so thick that even he couldn't easily penetrate it.

When will Izuna be willing to reveal all those heavy memories of the past to him?

Ban sighed deeply, listened to the rustling sounds of the bed being made in the room, and stood up.

Izuna needs to take his glasses off before he can sleep.

Sigh... this is one of the things he can't get used to.