“Are you okay?” A toddler’s voice rang behind a young boy’s back. He lifted his face from his knees, which were drenched in tears and looked at the boy closely. The boy seemed older than him, he had a gentle gaze and had a slim build. He went over to the boy and sat beside him.

“Why were you crying earlier?” The fifth grader said.

“…I miss my parents…” The third grader Yasu Ito answered. This was his previous school’s annual camping trip. It was the first time leaving home alone. And he didn’t really have any friends in his class, so he was alone.

“You’ll see them the day after tomorrow! So don’t cry! Hey, why don’t we go and do the other assigned activities together? It’ll be fun, let’s go!” The little boy got up again and extended his hand to Yasu, which he hesitantly grabbed.

The two stood up and went right ahead.

In the middle of the year, eating together with Ren Miyamoto and Yasu, there was a boy with glasses and an average build. All three of them were tall and almost the same height. This kid, Naoki Shigemura, became their friend a little after the camp, when they casually just started talking. None of the three were in the same class. Naoki was a fourth grader, Ren a fifth grader and Yasu a third grader.

That’s why, the two could only interact in their lunch breaks.

Eventually, Yasu entered fourth grade… and he no longer shared breaks with Ren, having moved up to middle school according to his school’s curriculum. Then, came fifth grade… not only did he no longer share breaks with Naoki too, but… The news that after this he was to be transferred due to her mother’s work… struck him like a bolt of thunder.

Eventually… It was the last day of Yasu’s school year. Behind the garden of their school, where their lunch area was. There was a lemon tree. It’s branches with an abundance of leaves and beautiful flowers, sun brightly shone through the gaps of the branches… and lemons hid themselves amongst the green leaves in camouflage. The two already knew about his moving… they knew they wouldn’t be able to see him again after that… That’s why they gathered around one last time, sharing many joys and laughs, and sorrows and cries.

They had an idea, since the lemon tree was low enough for the three tall boys to reach it, they all chose a lemon… and ripped it. It was a temporary symbol of their eternal friendship. While the lemon will rot eventually… they knew that their friendships wouldn’t.

After that, for the next ten months or so… there was no contact of Yasu with the other two. Things changed on Yasu’s fourteenth birthday, however, he gathered the courage to message Ren… after months of radio silence.

To his surprise, Ren wasn’t mad… he rather understood that Yasu probably had it rough adjusting himself. They started talking and eventually Ren gave Yasu — Naoki’s number… then… the three created a group chat.

And from then on until modern day, the three remain close… However, they no longer thought of each other as just friends… Rather, they were brothers.

Brothers-in-arms.

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

“So basically, I’m swamped with robotics homework.” Ren said, the other two listening in.

“Sounds tough— Ah! Behind you, Naoki!” Yasu said as he paid attention to his computer. “Oh sh*t…! He ‘s one shot!”

“Naoki?! Whaa—!  D-dead… Thank god…” Yasu sighed in relief as he aided his ally. The three were playing a shooter together, it was one of those days where the three were free from their duties. While Yasu was in his second year of high school, the other two already graduated and while Naoki hasn’t entered university yet, Ren already started his career in mechatronics.

“Ugh… third place…” Yasu groaned.

“Don’t go pushing by yourselves then! What were you thinking?!” Ren said through the voice chat.

“Never! Yasu! We shall be anarchists and throw under any future empire! MUAHAHAHA.” Naoki stated.

“Sir, yes sir!” Yasu followed, annoying Ren.

“Oi. You two… Hah~ Well, it doesn’t matter. Let’s just get ready again…” Ren said in defeat as a green tick appeared next to his username, followed by Naoki’s and then Yasu’s. Five seconds later Yasu’s randomized loading screen appeared with the usual useless game tips.

“Please stay close to me this time…”

“We’ll see about that.”

“I need a quest for battle pass upgrade so I’m dropping off~”

“Yasu?!” Like that, the three spent time together playing games chatting away and laughing. Putting the others up to date with their lives as well as telling funny stories to each other.

Whenever one got downed, they would send funny videos to their group chat, until they either got revived or the game was over. This was a normal session for the three. While Yasu spent more time with Hajime and Souta, time spent with Naoki and Ren remained a bliss and something he wouldn’t trade for anything.

“Right. When are you coming back around to the city, Yasu?” Asked Naoki.

“Hm… probably during Holy Week? My mother tends to travel to buy things, so maybe we can all arrange something and meet up for two or three hours?” Yasu said.

The three got tired of losing, so they lounged around the lobby, some eating, some watching videos or doing their homework. They talked peacefully.

“Tell us in advance, that way we can clear up our schedules. Well… not like Naoki has something important to do…”

“Excuse you?! For your information! I have a job at my family’s crop field! I also help with animals!”

“Right, you want something inside the agricultural field right, Naoki?” Yasu asked as he sipped some coffee.

“That’s right!” Naoki said.

Naoki placed all the paperwork and all that remained was to start his classes when the next period starts. Until then, he had around four months to be at leisure.

“Sad we won’t get to be in the same university, though. Well, may your career be full of success.”

“Thank you, thank you!”

Naoki had something to do, so he muted himself, promising to come back in a few minutes. They knew that it was a lie and that he was probably not going to return, but they just hoped.

“By the way, Yasu. Are you still going with Architecture as a career?” Ren asked Yasu. The sound of munching is clearly audible at the other side of the line.

“Naturally. I like drawing and I’m good at math, so I think I have it in the bag!” Yasu said with a prideful smile. “I know you will.” Ren chuckled.

“I believe in you, Yasu. We’re not brothers for nothing, am I right?”

“Of course. My school has one extra year unlike the previous one… So there’s still around a year and a half left for my graduation.”

“At least, you get better prepared for what’s to come. University is no joke, that much let me tell you.” Ren didn’t want to scare Yasu, however as his older brother from another mother, he felt the need to tell him and give him some advice.

The two talked for a while about university, at the end it was as they expected; “Sorry, I can’t get back on, good night!”. Such was the message Naoki sent to their group chat.

Ren and Yasu spoke for about another half an hour after, then as time grew late, they both disconnected after saying their farewells. Yasu slipped into bed, deep in thought as he looked forward to the following day.

Life wasn’t anything special, however it felt just right for him. He closed his eyelids and tried to slip, falling into deep slumber a few minutes later.