Looking at his hand, Karamatsu sighed. It was only getting worse and he couldn't do anything about it. He raised his right hand higher and studied it. He could slightly see the trees and grass through his hand and that's when Karamatsu decided to give up on the idea of returning to normal.

He was fading.

When he first noticed his body becoming translucent he knew he had to get away from his brothers. If they had seen his body's state, they would've grown concerned and Karamatsu didn't want that. The whole time he had been here as a ghost his brothers always gave him looks of worry even when they tried to hide it. Karamatsu knew everything. That was why he had tried so hard to do everything he could to make them happy, to make his brothers' griefs and sorrows just disappear. But in the end it never really worked out because even when everything seemed fine and normal everybody knew it just wasn't right. It didn't feel right.

And that was why Karamatsu had to run away. He couldn't bear to see the looks of horror on their faces. Maybe to them, it would be like the funeral all over again. They would have to deal with the loss of their brother again, and Karamatsu doubted there would be a third chance.

Turning his head, he shifted his gaze past the trees to the cliff afar. It was the middle of the night and he was finally inside the forest, sitting down and resting his back against the bark of a tree. So after all that time of having a feeling that he would be in here one day, it was the day that he was dead and a ghost. He laughed, he had no idea that it would've been like this.

He kept his eyes on the cliff. So that had been the place where he died. The moment he spotted the area when he was with Jyushimatsu that was when all the memories came flooding in. It crashed into him so hard he felt weak in the knees. But he had to hold himself together and hide his emotions because if he hadn't, then Jyushimatsu would've known something was wrong and the truth would've been spilled.

What happened to him after he jumped? The last thing he could remember was waking up in his house but he had already been a ghost by then. Also, how did his brothers know that he was dead? When he saw his brothers again on that rainy night they explained to him that they had just gotten back from the funeral. Had Chibita not done what he had asked? Well, even if he didn't he couldn't be mad at his friend. He had asked him for an awful favor after all and Karamatsu still felt guilty.

Turning his attention back to his hand, his frown deepened when it was more semitransparent than the last time he looked at it. So he guessed that looking at the place where he died triggered something in him that was now causing him to fade. To disappear…and maybe for good.

Karamatsu's breath hitched at the last thought. He was going to leave this world again and he might never come back. When he was alive he actually looked forward to disappearing but now that it was going to happen again it didn't sit well with him. He wasn't afraid, he just didn't want to leave.

But what about his brothers? They weren't even aware of the state he's in. They could've assumed that Karamatsu just left them. It was better than finding out that he actually left the world again.

…But what about himself? Karamatsu wouldn't lie to admit that he felt a pang of guilt for suddenly ditching his brothers like that only to hide. He wondered what they were doing. Were they searching for him? Were they crying? As much as he wanted to see them again he couldn't, not looking like this. And it didn't help that memories of his brothers were flowing through his brain right now.

All of the things he'd done with his brothers while he was a ghost, he'd never in his living years thought he would've done any of that. Despite being a ghost for the past month, he'd spent the best time with his brothers than he ever had. He wished he could do it again. But most of all, he just wanted…he wanted…

He just wanted to see his brothers again.

And that's when he realized he was crying.

Putting a hand to his cheek, he felt the wet trails. When had he started crying? Was it because all he wanted more than ever was to see his brothers again? The thought of it had tears falling faster and dropping into his lap. Karamatsu's lips wobbled as he shut his eyes. He regretted letting his brothers suffer for so long because of him. He regretted not being strong enough to handle his emotions. He wished he had never seen the cliff and remembered his death.

But most of all, he wished he had never killed himself.

His puffy eyes spotted the cliff once again. It was too late to fix this. Things will never be the same again. It was just something that he learned to accept. But maybe there was something that he could do. It was probably selfish of him but with his time ending soon then maybe it was okay for one final selfish wish. A wish that could finally let him pass on content and happy.

Wiping his face, he got up and started walking out of the forest. Every step he took made him feel like falling over and never getting up. He felt extremely weak. Way worse from when he remembered he barely ate anything anymore when he was alive. But he had to do this, or else he would regret it when he really disappeared.

After many struggling steps he finally made it to his destination. Looking up, he smiled. He was at his house again. Sliding the door open, he stepped inside and started searching for any of his brothers only to find the house empty.

His heart sank a little. He had hoped that at least one of his brothers were here but that didn't seem to be the case. Sighing, he went to a file cabinet and pulled out a piece of paper and then went to his father's work desk and picked out a pen. He walked into the living room and sat on the floor in front of the table. He wasn't going to give up just yet. This method was his last resort and if this didn't work then he could pass on knowing that he tried. With a weak grasp of the pen, he started writing:

Dear brothers,

I apologize for leaving so suddenly but there was something that happened. I feared what your reactions would've been so my only choice was to run away. But you see, I have been in hiding for too long and I think it would be best if we could meet up. For one more time that is… I cannot go into further details just yet but when you actually see me then you will understand. But for now, do you know where Jyushimatsu practices baseball nowadays? The cliff by the ocean? If you could please head over there and when you see it, you should also see a small forest to the right. Go inside there and that is where you will find me. But if you don't…well I just wanted to say that I love you guys so much.

P.S- Please don't read the letters in the closet until after today. -Karamatsu

After finishing the last sentence, Karamatsu's hand felt numb and shook. He never thought writing could be so draining. He left the note and pen on the table and made his way over to the bedroom, placing the remaining letters in the closet before exiting the house for the last time.

When he got outside he looked up. The sky was still dark but instead of black it became more dark blue. That must've meant that the sun was going to rise soon. Karamatsu made a mental note of that. If his brothers came before the sun came up, then they could probably still see him. If they came after, then…Karamatsu couldn't do anything about it besides hope.

He walked down the street and turned in a few areas before he realized the house he just passed. Stopping, he turned around to see the house that belonged to his good friend. He hadn't seen Chibita since that incident with Osomatsu and he knew he was suffering just as much as his brothers. Worried for his friend's wellbeing, he walked up and knocked on the door. If Chibita answered, he might not see him but at least Karamatsu would know how he was feeling by seeing his face.

But he never got to see his friend's face because no one answered. His shoulders slumped at that. It seemed that every person he wanted to see was just not available. He decided to leave the house but not without turning the doorknob for a good measure. And to his luck it opened.

He sincerely hoped that Chibita was alright because if he was home and his door was unlocked then something must've happened. Doing a quick search, he also found the place to be empty. Chibita must've been out as well but Karamatsu couldn't help but feel a bit saddened. He was going to disappear without ever seeing Chibita again.

His eyes scanned over a counter and he noticed a crumpled piece of paper with a pencil by it. Curiosity ended up getting the better of him and he made a beeline towards it and with hesitant hands, he opened it.

"I'm such a terrible friend. I'm so sorry, Karamatsu."

Karamatsu gasped as he clutched the paper. He felt tears threatening to spill. All he wanted to do was find Chibita and squeeze him into a hug and tell him that he's the one who was a terrible friend and that he's the one who's sorry. His friend was out there somewhere who was probably spiraling down in guilt. Karamatsu had been such a fool for dragging him into his mess.

He had to tell Chibita that none of this was his fault. Hastily grabbing the pencil next to him, Karamatsu quickly wrote with as much honestly as he could on the wrinkled paper. Chibita didn't deserve this pain. Not even his brothers, not anyone. If he had realized when he was alive just how much his death could affect all the people he cared about then he wouldn't have…

He had no time to dwell on the past nor the time to regret over things. Putting the last sentence Karamatsu gave it one last look over before leaving it on the counter face up. He could only hope that Chibita came here soon to see the truth.

It disheartened Karamatsu that he couldn't be seen by his friends and parents. At least Chibita believed that he was still here but it was his parents and Totoko who didn't. Maybe he should've left them a note for them as well and let them decide if it was really him that wrote it. But time was running out and he had a place to be.

Walking out of the house, Karamatsu gave Chibita's house one last longing stare before continuing his way towards the forest. The sky was still dark, but it slowly became a lighter blue and he worried that his brothers wouldn't read the note and find him in time. Despite growing weaker and more tired by the minute Karamatsu still refused to give up. Even though his wish of becoming a star didn't come true that didn't mean that this wish couldn't come true either.

He reached the forest and strained his ears to hear if his brothers were already here but there was only silence aside from the few crickets. Repressing a frown, Karamatsu made his way through and found the same tree and sat down. His skin became even more translucent and he knew that he wasn't going to make it for another hour. All he could do was wait and hope.

.

.

.

He waited for another 20 minutes and there was still no sign of his brothers and at that point he closed his eyes and sighed. Instead of feeling bitter, his lips grew into a smile as he looked at the cliff by the right. He shouldn't feel so disappointed over this. They probably weren't home yet to find the note or maybe they just didn't care. Whatever the reason was Karamatsu could only smile. It's fine, he thought, because he got the second chance to be with each of his brothers. It might not be during his final moment but regardless he couldn't have asked for anything more.

He noticed a spot of light in his peripheral and he looked towards of the ocean to see the sun beginning to rise, its yellow curve peaking over the ocean horizon. So his time was up. Relaxing against the tree, Karamatsu closed his eyes. Wherever they were, he hoped his brothers had as much fun with him as he had with them. He hoped they were alright.

"…matsu!"

Karamatsu jolted away from the tree and turned his attention left of him. Focusing, he heard the rustles of leaves and grass and in the next second he saw his brothers running towards him at full speed. Karamatsu sprung up and his eyes widened in disbelief. They actually came. "Y-You guys…" he said.

"Karamatsu!" They all screamed when they found him. A mixture of anger, sadness, and concern were present in all their faces as they kept running. They finally slowed down to a halt a few feet away from him when they finally got a good look at him.

"I can't believe it…" Karamatsu whispered disbelievingly, "You guys really came back for me."

"Of course we came back for you! After all that shit you made us go through into finding you only to find out you told us where you were with a dumb note? How could we not?!" Ichimatsu snapped. "You better be glad that I came home before all the others and found the note," he grumbled, "And why did you just leave us so suddenly?"

"Oh my god," Todomatsu whispered, and then he yelled, "Oh my god! Karamatsu-niisan y-you-?" He couldn't even finish his sentence as he stared at him in horror.

Karamatsu's face shifted into a grim look as he nodded his head. Raising a hand to show them, he spoke, "My brothers, what you are seeing is the truth. My body is slowly disappearing and soon I will not be around here for much longer."

The others gasped in horror as they took in the sight and words. The younger two actually started crying, "This-this is all so unfair!" Todomatsu wept.

Realization finally dawned upon Choromatsu, "Karamatsu-niisan, is that why you…left so suddenly? Because you didn't want us to know about this?"

"Yes," Karamatsu sorrowfully admitted. He couldn't remain eye contact so he stared at the grass instead, "Once I noticed what was happening to me I had to get away. I didn't want to make you guys worried and I feared that you would learn the truth of my death. But now that my time is ending soon I think it's best that I tell you."

"We know."

Karamatsu lifted his head and stared at them bewilderedly, "What?"

"We know," Ichimatsu repeated, "You took…you took your own life."

Silence rang in the air. Karamatsu's brows furrowed and Osomatsu seemed to understand his thought. "If you're wondering how we know that, Chibita told us," he said before the other could ask.

"Ch-Chibita told you guys?" Karamatsu said, shocked, "Oh gosh, that must've been too much pressure for him. Do you know where he is or what he's doing now?"

The brothers all gave each other hesitant looks until Choromatsu took responsibility and spoke for them all, "Well right after he told us he ran away before we could say anything." He thought it was best to leave out the incident with Ichimatsu's anger. "We were too caught up in," he paused and swallowed, "Our guilt."

"Don't we deserve it though?" Ichimatsu asked, "Don't we deserve to feel so miserable and guilty? His death was basically our faults. I knew. Karamatsu knew. We all knew but nobody said anything about it." He turned towards the others, "We didn't know exactly how Karamatsu died but don't you dare lie and say that you guys didn't know we all played some part in it." Turning his attention back to Karamatsu, Ichimatsu's voice waivered, "I remember when you said that you forgave me, but… I don't deserve to be forgiven. None of us do."

The ghost watched all his brothers' eyes turn away from him and stared at the ground in shame. This wasn't what he wanted. Karamatsu didn't want it to end being like this. "No, I don't think that," he said, "I still forgive you all." And it was the very truth.

Ichimatsu's face scrunched up as tears started spilling, "But- why? After all the terrible things that we'd done to you in the past?"

Smiling, Karamatsu knew how to answer this easily, "Because I love you all so much."

And that was it. Those were the words that had all his brothers crying, even himself.

"W-We're so sorry Karamatsu-niisan!" Jyushimatsu bawled, smearing his tears on his sleeve as he tried wiping it.

"It's okay! I forgive every one of you! I'm so sorry for what I've done," Karamatsu sobbed, "I wish that what I did had never happened. I wish I could've spent more time with you all." He knew the sunrise behind him was higher because he could see the sun's rays shining through him. It was time, "I-I have to go now."

"Karamatsu you bastard," Osomatsu said, but he had a shaking smile, "You're leaving us again without asking."

"Sorry Osomatsu but I'm not the one who decides that this time," Karamatsu laughed, "Even though I can't stay for much longer, I truly enjoyed every moment with you all. But now this is my farewell."

"No it's not!" Choromatsu argued, "This can't be a farewell because there will be a time when we die too and then we'll see you again." The others shook their heads vigorously in agreement.

Karamatsu's eyes widened for a moment before relaxing and grinning, "Yeah, you're right. I meant to say that I'll be seeing you all again someday."

Ichimatsu ran. He ran towards Karamatsu automatically and the others soon followed to do the same. This couldn't be the end, he thought, or at least not yet.

Not until they gave a proper goodbye.

Karamatsu stared at them in shock, surprised at the sudden movement, before smiling and opening his arms like he was welcoming them. Without fumbling, Ichimatsu and the others closed the distance with every step they took. He saw how Karamatsu mouthed something and Ichimatsu's eyes widened. He couldn't hear it but he fully understood what he meant. The brothers leaped towards Karamatsu and shouted his name.

But Karamatsu was gone.

They all crashed on the ground in a pile. All of them were crying except for Ichimatsu, lying on the ground crushed by his brothers. That was it. It was over. Ichimatsu stared at the grass distantly, echoing those last silent words in his head.

Thank you.


Aren't you guys happy that there's actually one more chapter left? I wonder what will happen... Also I just love it when something in the story refers to the title. :)

It would be really great if you guys could leave a review. It really makes me happy. :') Thank you to those who have reviewed. I squeal every time I read them. :)

Thank you so much for reading!