1. The First Rule

Takuya likes to tell his brother he's going to be a hero.

He likes to tell him that, and go and beat up bullies on the playground. He likes to stand in front of sniveling, bruised kids after he's won and tell them they're weak. It's how he meets Tomoki.

What no one tells him is that it's also how you become a bully.

No one tells him that's why Tomoki runs away from him in tears every time he's around, until a kid with purple hair tells Takuya what he is right to his face. It's another whiner crybaby who was being kicked around. He shouldn't take them too seriously. He just sees another kid using his fists.

Unfortunately, Takuya is ten, and that means he will take it seriously.

He stops kicking and yelling. He's not a very good hero.

Shinya doesn't really notice. He's seven years old and a little spoiled by their mom. Okay, a lot spoiled by their mom. As far as he's concerned, his big brother has always been the bully.

So, now more than ever, he doesn't go home. He stays in the park and kicks a soccer ball around.

One day, someone kicks it back.

Tomoki looks like a frightened animal at the sight of him. Then Takuya passes the ball.

It takes two weeks for both of them to learn how to breathe around each other.

Maybe that's what heroes do.

A/N: Hi! Little short Frontier fic (I need to write more Frontier!) For the what if, diversity, and DFC Festival. :D For the prompt - unequal.