I walked home at around noon that day, whistling and looking up at the puffy white clouds. It looked pretty clear, but I remember hearing that it was to rain later in the week. Hopefully I'd remember not to go out then.
As I opened the door, I heard the usual arguing. "Did you take my money," "What happened to my shit," and so on. I sat down at one of the couches, taking off my jacket and sunglasses, putting them off to the side.
"Where have you been, airhead?" Osomatsu got up from his sitting position on the floor and looked at me with a crooked smile. He suspected something, and the nose swipe confirmed it. It'd have to take some A+ Karamatsu acting this time around. I only hoped I could pull it off.
"Why, only at the horse races. They didn't take autographs as money. Didn't win, though." I smirked and draped an arm across the couch. I knew well enough that if I said I won, then they would chew me up and spit me up backwards. I couldn't take the chance.
"That's funny, considering that the horse races don't open 'till Monday." Osomatsu kept his grin. I realized my mistake. It was Saturday and I had messed up big time. Sweat started to bead at my forehead and I just stared hard at the wall in front of me, swallowing frequently.
"Hm, brother? Where have you been? Why don't you tell us?" He walked in closer, menacingly. I tried to keep my cool.
"Well, I...I was just at the park. The girls couldn't keep their hands off me with these pants." I didn't even have to look down to see the sparkle of my glittery pants. The others said it was painful; I said it was fashionable.
I couldn't afford to let my brothers know that I was alone with Chibita asking him to the club with me that night. Not only would they want to go, and ruin my chances of finding the perfect relationship, but they would never let me live the experience down that I technically asked Chibita on a date somewhere. It was the perfect teasing topic and I could not stand to see that grow into something worse. I learned my lesson on the ruthlessness of my brothers the last time I did something out of line.
Luckily, to my avail, Osomatsu harrumphed and walked past, back into the doorway and into the hall. Good save, Karamatsu. I kicked my feet up to the table and sighed contently. Today was starting off pretty well.
Later that night, I was in the club, a drink in my hand. I wasn't drunk yet, but I could feel the buzz of the alcohol start to zip through my head. It gave me a warm feeling starting in my toes. I looked around, seeing if Chibita would really hold up his end. He was a trustworthy guy, I didn't doubt that; it was just unusual to see him drink anything other than from his own cart. I'm pretty sure he drinks the oden oil plain when he has the chance, it wouldn't surprise me.
Looking around, a girl caught my attention on the dance floor. She was beautiful. Long auburn hair that cascaded gently to her waist, and freckles dotting her nose, cheeks, and arms. She had sparkling green eyes, and a bright grin. Her forest green dress fell delicately down her figure. She looked like the one. I sat there for a while, just admiring her for a moment, when I felt a tap on my right shoulder.
There was Chibita, all dressed in a blue outfit. It was kind of charming, for such a small little guy. My eyes glazed over him quickly, before I could even notice. I guessed he noticed, since his cheeks turned a dusty rose pink and his dark brown eyes darted to the left. I smiled, crossing my legs.
"Hey Chibita. Dressed kinda fancy for a club, don't you think? I mean, button-up? It's supposed to be semi-formal, not formal."
"It's not that fancy! And I like it, idjit! Mind your own business." He grumbled the last bit to himself, turning to the bar counter and ordering a drink. He looked cute when he was angry, his button nose all scrunched up and up-turned. His arms crossed and he had an adorable little frown mark up his chubby face.
"Sure thing, my adorable little darling." I leaned back into the counter, leaning forward towards the crowd. I turned my attention back to the dancers, subconsciously searching for the girl I had my eye on earlier. Something about her just drew me in. I felt as if I needed to find her. And I'd do anything to find her.
"Karamatsu, you damn idjit, listen to me!" While I had been spacing out, Chibita had been trying to talk to me, looking pretty red in the face now. I've seen him this angry pretty often, but rarely was it ever directed towards me.
"Jesus, sorry. I was just thinking about someone. What was it that you were saying?" I turned my chair towards him, sighing gently.
"I know you were thinking about someone, you were staring at the same girl for five minutes! Now, I want you to listen close cause I ain't gonna say it again!" Chibita huffed, closing his eyes and thinking for a minute. "I saying that I've known you a pretty long time, haven't I?"
I nodded my head, not sure entirely where this was going. I just crossed my arms and leaned against the counter.
"Okay, so I was wonderin' then, if you'd like to do things like this more often. I realized that out of the satanist group you call your brothers, you're the only one that I can actually stand (more or less), and I do need a drinking buddy to take care of me when I get too drunk." He opened one eye to look at my reaction to the offer. I couldn't keep a straight face.
"Of course, Chibita, anything for my Karamatsu boys." I grinned that cheesy, shit-eating grin and leaned towards him.
"Y'know, maybe I'll take that guy up on my offer."
"No, wait, I'll do anything!" I sounded desperate, sure, but as long as it meant a friend who could stand being around me for more than half an hour.
Chibita just returned my grin with his own smirk and muttered his signature "idjit" before turning back to the counter and ordering another drink.
I sat there for what seemed the longest time, thinking about nothing in particular when a I felt a tap on my left shoulder. I turned around, almost spilling my drink on the poor girl's green dress.