Zaki was speechless. He didn’t expect that Sei’s condition would be something like this. But now that he mentioned this, Zaki realized that he never once called Sei ’big brother’ before. When they were young, Zaki never really saw Sei as his real brother. He was well aware they were not in any way related. Back then, he only saw Sei as the person who named him and the person he would be protecting with his life until his last breath. Zaki grew up thinking that way even though the late Princess Fei told him he was Sei’s little brother now. There were voices in his head that kept reminding him where he came from and who he really was. He knew that he was someone who was not meant to exist in this world and that he would never be Sei’s brother.
However, time passed and before he knew it, the voices in his head stop bugging him. He could tell that his relationship with Sei was no longer just one of a master and his knight. Zaki believed that it was because Sei never treated him as his tool. Sei treated him as a normal human being, not his weapon and shield even though Zaki himself thought this was his role all along.
When Sei started introducing him as his little brother, Zaki remembered how happy he felt. He remembered how he celebrated secretly. That was the day he started thinking that he was also an important existence. He also learned to accept that Sei and his mother were indeed his real family and when the Chen family adopted them, Zaki was finally convinced that it wasn’t blood and flesh that defined what family was, it was the bond and acceptance.
Thinking about it, Zaki didn’t know why he never addressed Sei as ’big brother’ when he spoke with him. He also didn’t know that this man wanted to be addressed as that. They were only a year apart and their physiques and heights were almost the same. If Sei wasn’t so serious and stern, people would not be able to tell which among them was younger.
“You really want me to call you that? This is really your one condition?” Zaki wanted to confirm and when Sei nodded without any hint of hesitation, invisible drops of sweat fell from Zaki’s forehead. ’Sigh, this guy… Sei, how old are we now to still be talking about something like this?’
“Okay, big bro, let me go now. I’ll call you big bro 100 times a day if that’s what you want. Now call those damn men to get out of my way!” Zaki burst and he slammed his palm on his table. For some reason, calling Sei ’big bro’ came out so naturally from his mouth and it was kind of a bit mood lifting.
Meanwhile, the man who was addressed as the ’big bro’ now looked like his face was shining. He was obviously so happy he turned into his chibi self looking as if his cheeks had gotten fat.
His reaction stunned everyone, even Zaki. ’Err… what’s with that face? What’s so great about me addressing you like that?’
Zaki was surprised when he realized Sei was happy. If he had known that just by calling him brig bro would make him look like this, he would have done this long ago. Somehow, seeing Sei like this made the mischievous side of him try to get out of its cage again. But Zaki was running out of time so he suppressed the grinning demon within him, kicking him to behave.
“Sei, no, big bro, I’m running out of time. I really need to-”
Zaki couldn’t finish his statement because Sei suddenly stood. He looked at the executives before him before he spoke.
“Meeting adjourned.” His authoritative voice rang inside the huge dark room and everyone’s eyes turned wide.
Sei on the other hand casually turned to Zaki.
“You are going to prepare for something very important right?” he asked and the surprised Zaki simply nodded.
“Is this for Hinari?” He asked again and Zaki’s ears reddened.
“W-well, yeah.”
“Okay then, let’s go.”
“H-huh?! Wait, where?”
“I’m coming with you. As your big brother, I need to show my support so I will go with you.”
Zaki: “. . .”
