Work Text:
1.
Narnia had a younger brother.
He was always grumpy, and just looking at him felt oppressive. Yet, he was also the one who cared and worried about his family more than anyone else.
Then, at some point, that affection began to branch out, enveloping the young students he protected. The scales that had always tilted toward one side now aligned parallel.
When attention no longer lingered on him as it once did, and those wide, sparkling eyes were now calm as a mirror, how should he express himself?
Although Narnia outwardly showed no emotion, he realized that his beloved younger brother seemed to have gradually forgotten, and was now living a life of his own responsibilities. What he disliked most about him was that he had invested too much emotion in those students; what would happen if that vulnerability became his weakness?
A new family should be the place where the most vulnerable emotions are placed, because no matter what, family members will never betray each other. Especially since he and the other guy are very close, having been inseparable since childhood.
"Brother, my students are in the middle of their exams to get promoted, so let's pause for a bit. I can't be negligent and let the kids fall behind."
What was it about these students that bothered him so much?
He thought to himself he didn't understand it.
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2.
Narnia has a close younger brother.
He's been with him since they were little, always holding his cold hands with his warm, small hands. His eyes crinkle when he smiles brightly, his mouth chattering incessantly about everything under the sun, boasting about how good he is and how well he's done his homework to earn his older brother's praise.
The time spent with him always pulls him away from sudden negative thoughts, leaving him with only the peaceful haven he calls 'home.' He's a capable older brother, not the eldest son burdened with the family's expectations.
Having a younger brother is what makes him happiest.
They rarely argue loudly, getting along like two perfectly fitting puzzle pieces, understanding each other's intentions through habits and spontaneous actions.
When disagreements arose, they simply remained silent, but stayed by each other's side until they understood each other's intentions, blending their ideas to produce the best possible proposal.
If things continued like this, fate would always guide their steps.
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3.
Narnia had a beloved younger brother.
His brother resembled their father in some ways, but was also very different.
Perhaps the only difference was his adorable appearance, his bright, sparkling eyes, his gentle face that rarely smiled – but when he did, he looked strangely kind: "Will him be bullied because of this gentle demeanor?" – that was what him worried about.
He was well-behaved, quiet, and never bothered anyone. Yet, just his voice or his presence alone could brighten the surroundings, as if immersing everyone in the positive energy he radiated, making everyone who saw him smile brightly.
How lovely, such a cute younger brother.
He lived a carefree, free life, yet he also constrained himself. He wasn't the eldest son from the start, and he didn't need to strive for anything since he would eventually work at Babyls School, a chaotic school run by the Sullivan Trio.
"You're not grown up yet. Grow up slowly, so I can enjoy it a little longer," Narnia said casually, watching his younger brother diligently reading the national books, which were several times larger than his own hands. His serious expression as he pondered the words made Narnia chuckle.
He looked up from the books, his voice sweet: "But I want to be really good. Brother, that will help you a lot." His large, round eyes now shone with determination as he looked at Narnia, then brightened with joy upon receiving a pat on the head from the other man.
His younger brother loved burying himself in the books in the palace library. Partly because he wanted to gain more knowledge, and he wanted to understand the world outside better, to satisfy his childlike curiosity.
He also liked having his family together, receiving his father's attention and praise, his pat on the head. His uncle's attention, teasing, and patting on the head. His older brother's recognition, sitting in his lap and receiving a gentle pat on the head. He knew his younger brother loved physical touch, but why? Was he lacking a sense of security?
Narnia noticed that, despite his perpetually grumpy demeanor and sharp tongue, he always expressed his love through his actions.
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4.
Narnia had a younger brother.
He was determined; even with severe injuries, blurred vision, and trembling hands, he wouldn't back down. If he showed weakness, his would lose his brother completely.
He still tried to tame the very beast that had possessed the Naberius lineage.
Cerberus wasn't a familiar spirit; it had driven away any familiar spirit that dared approach its tamer.
The three claw marks on its back were a distinctive mark of this family. It hurt, but possessing a powerful beast was not unlike being a familiar spirit.
After that success, he always saw a small, yellow Cerberus beside him, though it was still twice the size of his younger brother. It was strange that his was a bright, fierce yellow, while everyone else's was a haunting black. Was he very different? Different from his father, from his scruffy uncle? Or perhaps he was different from him.
"I'm sorry, Kalego, I couldn't help when you were in pain." - Narnia gently stroked his blood-stained hair, the man lying incapacitated and wounded after his last successful attempt to tame Cerberus.
"I'm fine, brother, that shows Naberius Kalego - I've grown stronger and deserve recognition." - Kalego smiled, gently touching the hand that was lovingly stroking him.
The older man sat watching the younger man lying on the bed, talking to each other. The older man cared for him meticulously, having servants bring him books to read, and even teaching him himself.
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5.
Narnia had a beloved younger brother.
As he grew older, he became more unapproachable, his words sharp and sarcastic. But those venomous words never touched him.
One time, when he had started attending Babyls School, he proudly showed him how he had worked hard and achieved the top entrance exam score, a feat he had accomplished himself.
Under the sunset over the fragrant flower field he had given him, Narnia saw his brother clutching the 4th/Daleth/ badge in his arms, smiling at him.
The little boy with soft cheeks, who had always affectionately called him "older brother," had grown up.
Narnia's eyes were filled with both joy for him and sadness for the distance that would come as they grew older, a distance that was drawing closer day by day. "Day by day" wasn't quite right; his brother was only 14 years old this year, but for someone as far-sighted as him... Now it would all be in the past, and he wouldn't have time to be with his younger brother anymore.
Narnia listened as he recounted his school life, his friend obsessed with creatures, the mysterious senior who had gotten him into trouble, his teachers, and his slovenly uncle. He seemed irritated as he told the later stories, but Narnia knew he was also happy.
A sudden thought crossed Narnia's mind: the number of people he cared about had increased, but thankfully, his older brother still held a significant place.
"Those guys are so annoying, you can't imagine how much trouble I've been through!"
"Yeah, I feel sorry for you. Let me handle them."
"No way, brother. They're treasures, you can't touch them."
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6.
Narnia had a younger brother he cherished.
As long as they could be together, one would wait while the other waited. He, once a lonely man, now had someone he longed for. Things that could have taken their time, he did quickly and to the best of his ability to reach him.
"What if you make mistakes or errors by doing it so quickly?" little Kalego asked, tilting his head and looking at him with curious eyes. He himself proudly puffed out his chest: "I always do well, little brother, this older brother is always right."
"Are you being arrogant?"
"Maybe so, because I'm right, little brother."
He hesitated, looking at him, then nodded in agreement, accepting his reason, which sounded both right and wrong.
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7.
Narnia had a little tail.
Just being at home meant hearing his voice every minute: "Brother." – so childish and innocent. If he didn't see his brother for more than half an hour, he'd call out, and a simple "yes" was enough for him to get back to what he was doing.
His father often joked that Kalego didn't pay as much attention to him as he did to Narnia, which made the little one confused, looking back and forth between the two of them. Then, after thinking for a moment, he'd run to hug his father first, then his brother. His father would laugh and pat his head, sometimes even picking him up and showing him what he was doing. His brother would also be allowed to stand beside him and watch.
Narnia would vaguely admit that his brother had a captivating charm that made those around him happier, or perhaps that's just how children are? Why wasn't he like that?
"Alright, Narnia, take your little brother out to play."
The father waved his hand, dismissing them both after they had played for a while. They said goodbye to their father, and he took his brother's hand and led him around the mansion, or out into the garden. Or, literally, out to play.
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8.
Narnia was actually very busy.
From studying to managing things, he learned everything to be presentable, to be able to shoulder the responsibilities of his great father.
He never showed it on his face; he didn't really have any opinions or feel tired.
But when talking to his younger brother Kalego, he would sometimes tell him he was tired and ask for comfort from him. Just to receive a pat on the head, some of the comforting words were meaningless but sweet, and the soft hug from the child's body made him feel comfortable.
He knew Kalego didn't understand anything about his affairs, but he would still try to understand and comfort him in every way, like giving him candy, helping him with something, or asking his father to let Kalego play with him so he could rest. He realized his father seemed to indulge Kalego a lot.
The advantage of having a cute younger brother was something else.
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9.
Narnia felt incredibly proud of himself.
So far, he had achieved what he wanted, and his younger brother had grown up to become a school security guard at Babyls School, just as he had predicted.
They were both grown up, and their jobs meant they couldn't see each other often, but did that matter? He still received letters, and they met once a week to spend time together.
The two brothers remained on good terms; he always replied to his brother's letters whenever possible, or if he was busy, he would send a text message instead to let him know.
Although his brother sometimes seemed distant, he knew that Kalego would never let go of him because Kalego was angry.
If Kalego ever blamed his brother, he knew it was his fault.
But the fact that Kalego was questioning him just because of a bunch of worthless students was problematic.
"Because it's necessary," he interrupted him, ignoring the bewildered look in the other's eyes as he continued, "There are many secrets, but getting someone in there is a necessary process." "Although it's troublesome for you, it's because I trust you."
Putting too much emotion into a stranger is foolish.
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10.
Narnia recalled it all with unceasing rage.
The younger brother he trusted had now wholeheartedly covered for that monstrous, despicable man who dared to infiltrate the school he managed.
What should he think? Was it that bastard who deceived him, or was he the one who had been manipulated?
A storm raged inside him, shattering all the memories, trust, and pride he had once held for his younger brother, leaving nothing but waste.
His reason stalled, as if an invisible force had silenced him.
Everything Narnia had strived to achieve had almost completely collapsed. The man he always considered his younger brother had turned against him. In the end, he had turned his fangs against his own brother for the sake of another.
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11.
Narnia once had a younger brother.
His name was Kalego. As a child, he affectionately called him "little brother."
Narnia always placed more trust in him than in anyone else. He never doubted him. Yet now, his trust had been shattered by someone so close to him.
He hadn't paid attention to the rumors until his eyes witnessed the truth—the very paper proving that his former brother had been humiliated by becoming the familiar spirit of that shameless man.
Now, he felt the noble blood flowing in his veins had been tainted by someone who seemed so clear-headed and decisive.
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12.
"Guardian Dog Naberius?" - "You must be mistaking him for a familiar."
"I've investigated thoroughly, you fool."
"How dare a human-chained creature like you call yourself Guardian Dog Naberius?"