The Two Kotetsu Brothers

"I didn't mean to do that during sparring class today."

Hearing this, Rin Nohara blushed.

So she had misunderstood.

"But Nebula, why didn't you give it to him yourself?"

Nebula Kotetsu gave a bitter smile. "Rin, you know how Obito treats me."

"He'd probably punch me before I even had a chance to speak."

Rin thought about it. That was probably true. Embarrassed, she apologized on Obito's behalf. "Sorry, Nebula. Obito can be a little rough sometimes."

"It's all right." Nebula smiled faintly. "I know Obito's a good person."

"So, Rin, please. Could you pass it on to Obito for me? Tell him it's an apology."

This time, Rin didn't refuse. She didn't want Obito Uchiha and Nebula Kotetsu to fall out. She didn't want either of them to get hurt.

Rin took the kunai and asked, "Did you come here just for this?"

Nebula replied, "Yeah."

At that answer, Rin was surprised to realize she didn't seem happy about it.

"Oh, don't worry, Nebula. I'll pass it on."

With an inexplicable feeling of disappointment in her heart, Rin watched Nebula turn to leave. Just as she was about to close the door, a familiar voice suddenly came from nearby.

"Rin."

Rin looked up.

It was Nebula Kotetsu.

She heard him speak.

"Rin."

"What I said earlier today, I meant it."

"I like you."

"I really, really... like you."

Rin's heart began to pound.

The boy stood in the night, more dazzling than the moonlight.

Then came the creak of a window above her, followed by her brother Shun Nohara's furious voice.

"Obito, you son of a—"

Nebula Kotetsu was gone.

Rin closed the door and walked unsteadily back inside. Ignoring her brother Shun's nagging, she went straight to her room.

She shut the door, threw herself onto the bed, and pulled the covers over her head.

She hoped that would quiet her noisy heart. But Nebula Kotetsu's face remained firmly in her mind, refusing to budge.

Rin didn't understand.

Why?

It didn't make sense.

She had known Nebula Kotetsu for a long time.

Aside from his fairy-like good looks, the thing that had left the strongest impression on her was that he seemed to have a lot of ex-girlfriends.

She had told herself she would never date someone like that. She had to find someone decent and kind-hearted.

But why?

Why did her heart beat so fast when he earnestly confessed his feelings to her? Why couldn't she clear her head?

Nebula Kotetsu, you really are a bad guy.

You muddled up my thoughts, then just walked away.

After a long, long time, Rin pulled her head out from under the covers and rolled onto her back. Staring at the empty ceiling, she couldn't help wondering:

Nebula Kotetsu, what are you doing right now?

Konoha's training ground in the mountains.

Nebula Kotetsu was stargazing with his upperclassman, Ririko.

The weather was lovely tonight. The sky was full of stars, unobscured by clouds, brilliant and beautiful.

They sat side by side on the ground with their knees hugged to their chests. Nebula looked up at the stars.

Ririko was looking at him.

Nebula asked why she wasn't looking at the stars. Ririko replied that he was more beautiful than they were.

Nebula was a little disappointed.

Ririko was two years ahead of Muto Ayaka. She had once been in the same class as him, but he had repeated two years. Now she worked in Konoha's Medical Department.

He thought she was even more likely to break up with him than Muto Ayaka, but even now, she showed no intention of doing so.

"Are you unhappy about something?" Ririko seemed to have sensed something.

"Yeah." Nebula nodded. "It's graduation season again. You know how I am. I'm under a lot of pressure."

Ririko reached out and gently caressed his cheek.

"What's the big deal?"

"If you can't become a ninja, you can just be an ordinary person."

"I can work and support you."

Nebula didn't respond.

Seeing this, Ririko leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Stop thinking about all that."

"I brought you something nice."

Nebula asked, "What is it?"

Ririko smiled. Then she gripped the lapels of her coat with both hands and spread it open.

In the hazy starlight, her white medical uniform stood out like a dazzling streak.

"Gulp." Nebula said, "That's it?"

Ririko replied, "Of course not."

As she spoke, she stretched out her legs, revealing the hem of her skirt.

Nebula's expression turned serious.

Fishnets!

Ririko was wearing fishnets!

A uniform under her coat, fishnets under her uniform.

"Senpai, you really did go layer by layer."

Ririko smiled triumphantly. Then—

She went fishing.

The fish were still alive, but the net was already broken. Ririko was bound to come home empty-handed.

By the time Nebula Kotetsu returned home, it was already eleven at night.

The Kotetsu residence was fairly large, with several rooms inside and out, as well as a spacious courtyard. His father, a Special Jōnin, had built up the family estate before he died.

But after his parents had both been killed in battle, the Kotetsu Clan had fallen into decline. Now, only he and Kotetsu Hagane lived in the vast residence.

When he opened the front door, he saw a light still on in the spacious living room and a conspicuous insulated flask on the dining table.

Nebula walked over and opened it. Inside was chicken soup that was still warm.

A comforting warmth filled his heart. He set the soup aside for now and went upstairs to the second floor.

As expected, the light was still on in the room.

Nebula opened the door. A boy much younger than him was hunched over the desk, writing and drawing in a notebook.

His younger brother, Kotetsu Hagane.

He asked with concern, "It's so late. Why aren't you asleep?"

"Don't worry about me. I'll go to bed in a bit," Kotetsu replied without looking back.

Nebula said, "There's no rush to study."

"You can't become an elite ninja overnight."

"Get plenty of sleep and take care of yourself. That's how you'll become a good ninja."

Kotetsu's voice was muffled. "I know."

"I'll go to bed in a bit."

Nebula frowned slightly.

Something was wrong.

They were brothers who spent every day together. Although Kotetsu hadn't shown anything out of the ordinary, Nebula could still tell he was acting differently.

He walked up behind Kotetsu and said, "Turn around."

Kotetsu didn't move.

Nebula had to turn him around himself. At just one glance, his expression darkened.

The boy had a handsome, strong-browed face and fair skin. He couldn't rival Nebula's face, which made him the enemy of all men, but he was still a refined and good-looking young man.

But now, his handsome face was covered in bruises.

Nebula asked in a low voice, "What happened?"

Kotetsu replied, "It's none of your business."

Nebula said, "You won't tell me? Fine, I'll go ask your teacher tomorrow."

Kotetsu gave in. Knowing his brother always followed through on what he said, he replied, "It was that guy, Sarutobi Taiga."

Nebula continued, "He's from the Sarutobi Clan. Why did he hit you?"

At that, Kotetsu raised his bruised face and stared expressionlessly at Nebula.

"He said you stole his brother's girlfriend."

"So during sparring class, he 'accidentally' hit me a little too hard."

Nebula said, "..."