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Life Goes On
Let's see what Karamatsu is doing right now.
"Are you sure you'll all be alright on your own?"
Matsuno Matsuyo stood by the door frame, a suitcase at her feet, and looking incredibly worried at her eldest son Karamatsu.
"We'll be fine," The young 18 year old said, smiling reassuringly at his mother. "Now please, your taxi's waiting outside. We wouldn't want you and Dad to be late for your flight."
"Do you have our numbers? Did we give you a copy of the itinerary? Will you need any extra money just in case? Did I make enough food for you all?"
"Yes, Choromatsu kept them both posted on the fridge, no thank you, and plenty. Come on Mom. There's no need to worry."
"Karamatsu is right dear," Matsuzo chuckled as his took his wife's suitcase. "I'm sure they can take care of themselves for 3 weeks."
"I suppose so... but-"
"Mom, Dad's right. We can handle ourselves. You know we can."
"I know," Matsuyo said still looking unconvinced. "Oh, I almost forgot. Ichimatsu will be coming over tomorrow so remember to pick him up from the station. And have you heard from Todomatsu yet?"
Karamatau gave a long sigh in response. "Not yet," he said with slight frustration in his voice. "I'm sure he's fine though. I'll make sure to deal with him when he decides to come home."
"Oh, alright then." Matsuyo looked down crestfallen for a moment but shook her head and looked at Karamatsu sternly. "Well then, make sure that when you do see him, tell him that he should stop making his old mother worried sick!
"Matsuyo dear," Matsuzo called from outside. "Come now, the taxi's waiting!"
Karamatsu just smiled and kissed his mother on the cheek.
"Don't worry about us Dear Mother," he said walking her to the taxi. "I'll take care of everything. You guys just have fun alright? You both deserve it!"
Matsuyo could help but smile back. "Thank you," she said. "You're such a good child, Karamatsu."
And with that, the Matsuno parents were driven off to the airport. Karamatsu sighed in exhaustion and went back inside the house. Choromatsu was there waiting for him by the door. The young man wore a plain green t-shirt and black sweatpants. He almost seemed to look as if he just got out of bed.
"Ah my dear brother. It is nice to see you've finally awoke. Perhaps one day I will finally see you before the blazing sun touches the highest point in the sky~"
"Ugh, please don't talk like that Nii-san," Choromatsu spoke with disgust evident on his face. "It's weird and for your information, I did wake up early this morning. I just wanted to stay in the room that's all."
"Ah yes, of course."
"...Anyways, did they leave already?" Choromatsu asked.
"Yeah. You didn't want to see them off?"
"I said bye to them earlier. By the way, where's Jyushimatsu?"
"He had to leave early this morning for class. Didn't you say you were awake earlier so you should have known that right?"
"I was distracted. I couldn't leave my computer for a few hours."
"Oh I see, participating in another online auction?" Karamatsu smirked, raising his a eyebrow at his younger brother. "I hope you weren't betting too much on those idol merchandise of yours."
The second eldest crossed his arms over his chest looking absolutely offended. "Come on Nii-san! I wouldn't waste that much money on stuff like that AND besides... I lost."
"Haha I'm sorry to hear that Brother!" He laughed as walked over to their shared bedroom. Choromatsu following behind him.
"So Nii-san," Choromatsu spoke. "Will you be heading to work soon?" He looked at the time on his watch and saw that it was 15 minutes until 1 in the afternoon. "Didn't you say that you work weekday afternoons at that cafe by Totoko-san's place?"
"Ah yes," the elder answered heading over to the closet to grab his uniform. "Although I'll be working only until 6 today. Oh, I also won't be eating dinner when I get back."
"Working tonight as well?"
"Yeah," Karamatsu said as began unbutton his shirt. "Probably going to take a nap before my shift and eat there."
"You sure have it rough Karamatsu nii-san," Choromatsu said leaning against the closet door.
"Not to worry," he said giving the brother a thumbs up. "It's actually not too bad. Want me to try getting you a job at the cafe? My manager said that we're in need of more employees and-."
"No thank you." Choromatsu turned away from him, walking over to his laptop located on round table in their room. "I'm perfectly fine staying at home doing the chores. That's enough work for me."
"Ah, I see." Karamatsu said still smiling however with a hint was disappointment on his face. Adjusting his black tie, he began to walk out of the room.
"Well, I'll be going now."
Choromatsu, not even bothering to turn around, waved nonchalantly.
"See you later."
Karamatsu sighed and headed out the door.
This was how it has always been.
Just simple chit chat, a few jokes and snarky remarks here and there; and then the two eldest sons would go off to do their own things.
It wasn't as if Choromatsu and him disliked each other. In fact, the two were closer to each other out of the other brothers because they were the eldest. Unfortunately for Karamatsu, conversations between them became shorter and shorter ever since high school and he had gotten himself a job...or in this case, three jobs.
Choromatsu, on the other hand, refused the idea of finding a job after high school even though he was very able in many areas of work.
'But I guess that's just how Choromatsu is,' Karamatsu thought. At least he knew he could depend on the other to help out when needed.
In a way, both silently agreed that each of them would still hold a certain responsibility in the family.
Karamatsu would take care of the family financially. While Choromatsu stuck to the maintaining the household as well as taking care of his parent's well-being despite his quirks.
'Still, he does become a bit lazy when he on that laptop of his.' Karamatsu chuckled at the thought but then his face turned to a slight frown. 'Though...I wish he could go out more often.'
As Karamatsu was heading to his workplace, he passed a home appliance store. He stopped and turned his attention to the television displayed in the store window. It was showing news from a Nagoya broadcasting station.
"...of armed robberies. So far, there has been a number of 16 cases reported as of late last night and early morning. From what is known, the witnesses state that the suspect attacked them at knifepoint, their lives were threatened, and were forced to hand over their valuables. Fortunately, none of the victims were injured. The identity of the suspect remains unknown only that they are said to be male, in his late teens to early 20s, and was wearing a black hoodie during the time of the robberies. No further information has been gathered as of yet. Residents are asked to..."
Karamatsu frowned at the negative news. Even though the robberies spoken about occurred hours away from where he lived, it was still very worrisome and troubling to hear. However, he was glad to hear that no was hurt and hoped the police will be able to catch the criminal.
"Man," Karamatsu mused. "There's a lot of dangerous people out there."
For a moment, his mind flashed to the a fiery, self-confident young boy. A boy that looked just like him. A boy with an innocent smile and a childish, carefree laugh.
But in a split second, the boy's face changed. Now only showing tears, scared little eyes, and a quivering hand reaching out to him.
'No, let go of me! Mom! MOM!'
He shook his head, snapping out of his thoughts.
"I better get going..."
Turning away from the store window, he continued on his way.
