Suddenly a hand yanked on the back of Karamatsu's hoodie, choking him, before he could react besides a strangled gasp, he was thrown hard against the wall of the alley.

Panicking, he sank down to the ground, coughing. When his coughing died down, he was gripped by his collar and dragged further down the alley, and held in place against a wall. He finally caught a look at his assailant.

"Pussying out already, niiiiii-san?"

Ichimatsu was mere inches away from his face.

"I honestly thought you would've held out longer before running away."

"Ichimatsu, I- I can explain! I'm just! I'm not ready!"

He tried to explain this away, but his words caught it his throat the moment they made eye contact. The glint was back in Ichimatsu's eye. And paired with the menacing grin revealing sharp teeth, he could finally place what that glint was.

Mischief.

The brutal kind that was reserved solely for him.

"Then again," he began, his grin twisting, "I guess technically you were stupid enough to stick in there for... hmm... how long has it been?"

Several sets of footfalls announced the approach of more people, but Karamatsu was too terrified to take his eyes off of Ichimatsu.

Until he heard a familiar voice.

"I'd say we've been at it for five months or so, now~"

Osomatsu?

He finally turned his head. His other four brothers were gathered up, blocking the alley's only exit.

Osomatsu had his signature grin just dripping with amusement, rubbing under his nose. Choromatsu was wearing his neutral frown. Jyushimatsu was smiling as usual, bubbling with anticipation. And Todomatsu's devilish smirk was reeking of malice.

"What... what's going on? Brothers?"

A dark chuckle brought his attention back to Ichimatsu, who was shaking his head, still grinning. "Ah, poor Kusomatsu. You look so pathetic and scared~" he said with mock sympathy. "Like a sad puppy cornered by hungry wolves."

The only thing his mind could comprehend was the need to run, but terror froze his muscles and veins.

"This isn't funny," he tried, praying to a God who never listened that they'd see whatever game they were playing was going too far.

"Yes, it is!" Todomatsu giggled, winking.

"Haha! I knew Nii-san was super dumb but you're dumber than I even thought!"

"Isn't he, Jyushimatsu? He probably still doesn't know what's going on!" Osomatsu took a step closer, cueing the others to follow.

Tears were streaming down Karamatsu's face. He tried to shrink away, but Ichimatsu's tight grip kept him in place.

"Answer me this, Kusomatsu. Did you really, seriously believe, that any of us, would ever love you like that? We don't love you at all in the first place!"

One of the hands gripping his hoodie released, then reeled back, delivering a solid punch directed at his eye. The force smacked his head against the wall behind him, sparking stars across his vision. He tried to drop down so he could curl into himself, cower away, but the hand returned to holding him steady.

"Answer me!"

His thoughts flowed like molasses, thick and groggy as he processed his brothers' words. Five months? Love him?

...

No. No, they wouldn't.

They wouldn't!

Sure, they liked abusing him, but they wouldn't go this far!

Had they made a new game, playing with his brain? Morphing and twisting his reality day in and day out; leaving him hollow and confused was their goal the whole time?

Ichimatsu seemed to relish in his horror at the revelation. His grin held mirth that was far from pure.

"You. Please. No. I'm just. I'm just in a coma! I've just been plagued with nightmares the whole time! You guys wouldn't... do this to me..."

"The hell we wouldn't. We did."

He sobbed, still held against the wall.

"Ch-Choromatsu? You, you wouldn't..." he begged.

Choromatsu just shrugged. "You were an idiot for believing it."

Jyushimatsu nodded enthusiastically. "Bakaramatsu! Oh, and guess what happens next?" He yelled, approaching quickly, just shy of jogging.

Ichimatsu chuckled again, letting go and stepping back. "Take it home, Jyushimatsu."

Standing in front of Karamatsu, just a couple feet away, his smile turned wicked. He jumped, spun, and his foot connected with the side of Karamatsu's head, sending him sprawling on the dirty ground. Before he could get up, a hand gripped his hair, pulling him back to his feet.

From there, the five of his brothers ganged up on him. Punching, kicking, stomping everywhere they could reach. He was amazed he was still conscious when they walked away, laughing, calling back for him to come back home when he was done 'moping', cuz he makes the best breakfasts.