Osomatsu was a good big brother. Right? He led his brothers, made sure they enjoyed their lazy days with drinking, playing, hanging out, even inserting himself into their personal lives in ways that (to him) were pretty funny. Usually. He (usually)made sure that the whole group was together, unless he knew why certain brothers weren't there at the time. He encouraged them (even if half-heartedly) when he knew they needed or wanted it. He praised them and gave them affection. He took them down a peg or two when he deemed it necessary. He knew what was best for them. Sure he sometimes was relentless with his teasing, but it was (usually) all in good fun. See? He was a good brother!

Okay, so maybe he wasn't always a great big brother. He was selfish. Unobservant. Whiny. But really, selfishness was his biggest issue. As long as he was happy, all else was secondary.

And so, if he were to approach Karamatsu about what's been going on what good would it do? There's no way he'd believe Osomatsu was looking out for him. But in truth, he was looking out for everyone. Things had seriously changed since Karamatsu disappeared. Even though he was back, things still weren't the same.

And really, they shouldn't be. As much as they all likely wanted to forget it ever happened, return to their comfortable routine, they knew they couldn't. Osomatsu, especially, as leader, couldn't let them.

Their eyes had been opened, yet again, to how mistreated the second brother was. Once he'd healed last time, they'd all reverted. This time, things needed to improve.

He knew Ichimatsu had tried. And Jyushimatsu. He knew Choromatsu and Todomatsu wanted to. And he shouldn't sit around and wait for them to. It was his turn.

He didn't know how to approach him. So he waited. He knew he was around, dutifully catching up on chores just as he'd promised Ichimatsu he would do. Yet, even now, no one was helping him do it. Jyushimatsu was following him around, just watching. At least he was keeping him company, not that they were really talking.

He stayed out of sight, just watching. Karamatsu was good at doing chores, moved with practiced ease, yet not mindlessly. Osomatsu hadn't even considered chores as something someone could be good at.

Finally, Karamatsu announced to Jyushimatsu that the chores had been completed. The two left for the field at the park. Osomatsu took that as his cue. He waited for his two brothers to get a bit of distance before slipping on his shoes and following.

Why was he following them? He wasn't totally sure, but he felt like he should. Maybe he was worried Karamatsu wouldn't come back again. He stayed hidden for the hour or so they played baseball, and followed them back home as well.

He purposely waited a 30 count before going inside. He was too impatient to wait longer. He talked briefly with Jyushimatsu, mostly asking how their playtime was. He would have talked longer, but he noticed Ichimatsu following Karamatsu to the bedroom, looking irritated.

He interrupted Jyushimatsu, insisting, "Hang on, hang on, I'll be right back."

Jyushimatsu must've caught on to something because he just nodded and skipped to the living room with Todomatsu and a sleeping Choromatsu.

Osomatsu hurried up the stairs and peeked into the room. Karamatsu and Ichimatsu were slowly sitting down, back-to-back. They were talking in low voices, so he couldn't hear much.

Suddenly, Ichimatsu crawled over to his stuff, grabbing something and walking back over to their brother, offering it to him. Karamatsu took it, set it on his shelf, and headed for the roof, calling back, "It's for the best."

Waiting a few moments to hide his eavesdropping, he opened the door all the way and entered the bedroom as well.

"Hey, Ichimacchan!"

Ichimatsu jumped and sniffled, clearly trying not to cry, and clearly trying to hide it.

"What do you want, Nii-san?"

Osomatsu rubbed under his nose. "Didja see where Karamatsu went? I wanna talk to him."

"Roof," he replied, voice still a bit shaky.

"Alright. You, uh. Doin' okay?"

"Mind your business," Ichimatsu replied shortly.

"Alright," he said, trying to soothe his brother. "I'll just," he motioned to the roof and headed out.

As he stepped onto the roof, he realized he had no plan. He wanted to keep this casual, but knew he shouldn't make it into a joke.

Karamatsu was sitting in his usual spot, looking up at the sky. He didn't say anything as Osomatsu approached, but Osomatsu knew he knew he was there. He moved next to his brother and took a seat.

Ahh, he really should've planned this conversation out.

"Ah, I lost big at pachinko!" He complained. A lie, of course. He hadn't been to pachinko since before all this happened.

Karamatsu didn't respond, instead pulling out a pack of cigarettes, offering one to Osomatsu, who took it.

"Thought you decided to quit after Totty bitched you out when his friends saw you and thought he was the one smoking," he said without thinking.

Karamatsu paused, put his cigarette back in the pack, and handed to pack to Osomatsu, muttering a simple 'right'.

Okayyy… maybe the wrong thing to say.

"But seriously, Onii-chan had such rotten luck!"

Wordlessly, Karamatsu pulled out his wallet, took out some bills, and handed them over. He put his wallet back in his pocket, and went back inside. Osomatsu heard Ichimatsu ask "Where are you going?" But didn't hear the reply.

Ichimatsu climbed up onto the roof just as Karamatsu left the house.

"Well?" Ichimatsu asked.

"He gave me his cigarettes, some money, and left. He hardly said a word."

"What did you say?" He was being inquisitive rather than accusatory.

"Complained about a made up trip to Pachinko. Asked if he hadn't quit smoking."

"You pretended you went to play pachinko while he was missing?"

Osomatsu paused. Shit. That's what it sounded like. He seriously botched that conversation.

He watched Karamatsu walking farther away.

"Follow?" He asked.

"Follow," Ichimatsu replied.