{Flashback}
In an open field, a young Akira with dark, spiky hair tended to a small garden of cabbages, whistling a soft tune. Despite the scorching sun overhead and the fact that most local farmers had called it a day, Akira kept working. The gentle care with which he handled the crops made it obvious—the boy genuinely loved farming.
After a few hours, he picked up his hoe and headed home. Arriving at the yard, he found his younger brother, Alex, sitting on the porch, wiping his eyes. The moment Alex saw him coming, he quickly tried to pretend he was busy with something else.
Akira dropped his hoe and ran over. "You've been crying, haven't you?"
Alex shook his head fast. "No!"
But Akira saw right through it. The tear tracks were still wet on his brother's cheeks. "Tell me who did it!"
"It's none of your business!"
Akira pressed, his voice rising. "I said tell me who did it!!"
Alex knew his brother. Once Akira got like this, he wasn't going to let it go until blood was drawn.
