Fuma had always been a quiet, dependable figure in my life. From the moment I was born, he carried the unspoken role of being not just my older brother, but also my protector and my guide, and in many ways, my second parent. He was two years older than me, just enough of an enough gap to make him my hero but not enough to shield him from the chaos of being my sibling.

Y/n pov

The house was always lively when I was younger. I had an affinity with chaos, constantly darting around the living room with wild energy. Fuma, on the other hand, was calm and quiet, someone who always seemed to be years older than his actual age. While me just built pillow forts or reenacted battles with my action figures, Fuma would be at the kitchen table, studying diligently. He never complained when I interrupted him. Instead, he'd set down his pen and indulge me for a while, helping me build my fort or humoring my imaginary war stories.

Y/n: Fuma!

I yelled, and bursting into his room without knocking.

Y/n: Can you help me with this?

Fuma: Yeah, yeah.

He signed and stands up, putting down whatever he was working on.

Fuma: What is it this time?

But no matter how much he acted like I was an inconvenience, he'd always drop everything to help me. That's just how Fuma was.

Time skip

Things began to change when Fuma entered his teenage years. He started coming home later, spending more time with friends, and focusing more on his dreams. I wasn't fully understand it at the time, and the only thing that I know is that the brother who used to spend hours playing with me was no longer around anymore.

One night, when he came home late from Football practice, I was sitting in the living room, waiting for him. Our parents had already gone to bed, but I couldn't sleep. The house feels so empty without Fuma.

Fuma: Why are you still up?

He look at me and asked, while setting his bag down on the door.

Y/n: I wanted to see you.

I said quietly, and looked down slightly. And he sighed, running a hand through his hair. He looked tired, more tired than I ever seen him.

Fuma: You should go to bed. It's late.

Y/n: But you're never home.

I said, with my voice trembling.

Y/n: You don't stay home longer or play with me anymore.

And Fuma crouched down to my level, with his expression softening. And he said, while ruffling my hair.

Fuma: Hey, I'm still here, okay? I'm just...busy with school and practice. But I promise, I'll always be here when you need me. Got it?"

So I smiled and nodded, and after give him a hug, I go upstairs and go to bed. But the ache in my chest didn't go away.

Time Skip

As I got older, I began to understand Fuma's responsibilities. He wasn't just my older brother, he was also the one your parents relied on the most, the one who always had to set as a good example for his siblings. He carried the weight of being the oldest child, and I admired him for it, even if it sometimes meant he couldn't always be there for me.

But Fuma never let his responsibilities stop him from protecting me when it mattered.

One time, in high school, I got flirted with and harassed, and it left me feeling raw and vulnerable. I came home that day with tear-streaming down my cheeks, and I slamming my bedroom door shut. And Fuma, he is now a high school senior, noticed it immediately.

"What's wrong?" he asked, leaning against my doorframe.

"Nothing," I mumbled, your voice muffled by my pillow.

"Doesn't look like nothing." He sat down on the edge of my bed, waiting patiently for me to speak up.

When I finally told him what happened, he listened without interrupting. Then, he turned to be so worried and furious.

Fuma: How dare they touch you and hurt you!

Y/n: Fuma...

I asked, my voice was small. And he immediately noticed that I was afraid, so he calm down and smiled softly at me.

Fuma: Don't worry sis, I will protect you, you've always got me.

And later on, he does help and protect. He go find them, and teaches them a lesson, also told them to stay away from me.

Time skip

When Fuma left for college, the house feels more emptier than ever. I didn't realize how much I have relied on him until he wasn't home anymore. At first, he called oftentimes to checking in on me, asking about how was school, making sure that I was okay. But as time went on, the calls became less frequent. He was busy with classes, part-time jobs, and his growing passion for music. And I try hard to be understanding and told myself it was normal, now that he had his own life to live. But it didn't make me miss him any less.

One weekend, Fuma came home for the first time in months. And I was in the high school by the time, juggling my own set of responsibilities. When he walked through the door, I felt a strange mix of excitement and resentment. Part of me wanted to run up and hug him, but another part of me feels strange and distant from him, and don't know what to do.

Fuma: Hey. Long time no see.

He said, smiling at me as he dropped his bag on the floor.

Y/n: Hey. Welcome home. It's been a long time.

I said blankly, and I was sitting on the couch and didn't move. And he raised an eyebrow.

Fuma: What's wrong?"

Y/n: You wouldn't get it, or even know it.

I muttered, turning away to look out of the window. But Fuma wasn't one to let things slide. Later that night, he cornered me in the kitchen. He asked.

Fuma: Alright, now tell me, what's going on?"

Y/n: Nothing.

I said, avoiding his gaze.

Fuma: I don't believe you. Please just tell me.

And I hesitated, the words catching in my throat.

Y/n: I just...I feel like strange and distant, and you don't care about me anymore.

I finally admitted.

Y/n: You're always busy, and you never call. It's like I'm not your sibling anymore.

Fuma's expression softened. He stepped closer, placing a hand on my shoulder. And he said.

Fuma: I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was making you feel this way. But I do care about you, more than anything. You're my little sister. That's never going to change.

Y/n: Promise?

I looked at him and asked, with my voice trembling.

Fuma: Promise.

He said, and pulling me into a big, tight hug.

Fuma: And you know I never break my promises.

And over by the time, my relationship with Fuma evolved. I was no longer the clingy little sibling, and he was no longer the distant older brother. Instead, I found a new rhythm, a new balance between independence and connection.

Fuma's passion for music eventually led him to debut in a boy group called &TEAM, and I could never have been more prouder. Watching him on stage, I saw the culmination of all his hard work, all the sacrifices he'd made. But no matter how busy he was with his career, he always found time for me. Whether it was a quick phone call, a text message, or a surprise visit, he made sure that I knew I was still his priority.

"Don't forget," he said during one of his visits. "I'm always here for you, no matter what." And for the first time in years, I truly believed him.

Epilogue

Years later, as I sat in the audience at one of &TEAM's concerts, I watched Fuma perform with a mixture of awe and nostalgia. He was no longer just my older brother, he was someone the world admired, someone who had achieved his dreams. But to me, he would always be the boy who built pillow forts, the teenager who gave me advice, and the brother who promised to always protect me.

And Fuma, standing under the spotlight, caught my eye in the crowd and smiled. No matter how much time passed or how far apart life took me, I would always know one thing for sure, and that is he would always keep his promise.