Disclaimer: Osomatsu-san. Osomatsu-kun. Not mine.
On the Ropes
Karamatsu comes home to be put in an undesirable situation
"I'm hom-"
"Stop bugging me would you!"
"I wouldn't have to if you would just stop all of this nonsense!"
When Karamatsu returned home after his shift that afternoon, he was met with the sound of yelling from their bedroom. Curious, he made his way over there to see Jyushimatsu outside peeking into the room through the crack of the sliding door.
Jyushimatsu noticed him. He looked like he had also just come home. The fourth son had a smile on his face however it looked rather forced.
The yelling from the inside the room was still going on. Silently, he crept over to where his brother was standing.
"Jyushimatsu, what's going on?"
"Nii-san," Jyushimatsu spoke in a slightly nervous and hushed voice despite the small smile on his face. "Heh heh...welcome back...Todomatsu's also home."
"Todomatsu?"
The younger nodded. "He and Choromatsu are fighting again."
He sighed. 'Of course...When were the two ever not fighting?'
He placed a hand on brother's shoulder. "Hang tight Brother. I'll deal with this."
The other just nodded and moved to the side to let him go through.
"All right! All right!" Karamatsu interrupted the two brothers as he entered the room. "What's going on here?"
Both Choromatsu and Todomatsu stopped and turned to him.
Karamatsu looked over at Todomatsu. He was always a bit surprised whenever he saw his little brother's delinquent-like attire.
Todo wore a short-sleeved grey hoodie, a torn black vest over it, and a baseball cap adorning a skull on it. The elder also noticed several pieces of jewelry on him, ranging from a few slivers rings, a chain hanging from his belt, and a small upper piercing on one ear and on his lip. He was still wearing his black shoes inside the house much to Karamatsu and Choromatsu's disapproval.
Choromatsu was the first to speak.
"Karamatsu! I'm glad you're home. Now can you please help beat it into Todomatsu's thick head that what he's been doing is ridiculous?!"
"Oh sure, make Karamatsu do the talking for you," Todomatsu said rolling his eyes. "Way to show that once again big brother Choromatsu can't handle anything on his own."
"Shut up!" Choromatsu glared.
"And besides, I didn't do anything." Todomatsu said defensively. "All I did was come home and then suddenly I'm being yelled at by brother dearest here."
"I have to yell at you or else you won't listen."
"I don't have to listen to anything you say."
"Since I'm older than you. I deserve some respe-"
"Oh please not this again! We're the same age. It's not like you're that much older than me."
"Why you…"
"Todomatsu," Karamatsu tried to intervene. "Where have you been? You've been gone for two weeks. Mom was really worried."
"Oh I was just around having fun. That's all." Todomatsu said nonchalantly as he twirled a lock of his hair. "Where is Mom by the way?"
Choromatsu rolled his eyes. "Well, if you were actually home once in awhile, you would know that our parents had left for their trip today."
"Choromatsu, please let me-"
"Really?" The youngest brother smirked. "Thank god! At least I won't have Mom constantly bothering me for once."
"Todomatsu!" Karamatsu frowned.
"What?" Todomatsu groaned. "She always tries to watch us over like some hawk. It was so annoying if you ask me."
Todomatsu placed a hand on his hip and eyed at his older brothers with a cynical look his face.
"Honestly though, I'm surprised she actually decided to go through with the trip in the first place. So which one of you convinced her? I have to applaud you-"
"For God's sake!" Choromatsu groaned.
"Did I upset you Nii-san?" Todomatsu smiled innocently.
"Of course I'm upset! How dare you talk like that! You're not a kid anymore so why don't you grow up!"
Todomatsu raised his eyebrow.
"Oh~ Grow up you say?" The younger placed his index finger on his lips as if to ponder something then smirked at Choromatsu. "Hmmm...how about this? I'll 'grow up' once you do the same."
"What are you-?"
"And perhaps Nii-san," he continued; his expression now showing nothing but condescension. As if he was looking at a disgusting bug. "Maybe you can finally stop letting him control you for once. Wouldn't that finally be nice to see~ Right 'Big Brother' Karamatsu? I mean he's so-"
Karamatsu, finally having enough of this conversation, spoke up once again.
"That's enough Todomatsu."
The youngest glared over at Karamatsu.
"I'm just stating the obviou-"
"I SAID that's enough."
Todomatsu glanced over at Choromatsu. The second eldest looked pale. His eyes were cast downwards at his feet but he seemed to be staring at absolutely nothing.
There was a few minutes of silence in the room. Todomatsu clicked his tongue in annoyance but otherwise resigned to Karamatsu's demand. He waved a hand in the air.
"Fine fine, whatever."
Todomatsu turned his heels and headed to the door. Karamatsu eyes followed him.
"Where are you going?"
"Out," he replied bluntly. "I rather not stay with the likes of you people anymore than I have to."
Todomatsu opened the door and noticed that Jyushimatsu was standing outside the whole time. He only glanced at the brother for a second before harshly pushing past him and leaving the house.
Karamatsu finally let out a shaky breath and turned back to Choromatsu; placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey Choromatsu, are you alright?"
The later didn't respond.
"Choromatsu," he said again much louder; shaking him slightly. Finally, Choromatsu looked up at his older brother.
"Oh… yeah, I'm alright. Thanks Karamatsu Nii-san."
Karamatsu smiled and nodded at him. He then looked over at Jyushimatsu who was still standing by the doorframe.
"You ok as well Jyushimatsu?"
"Y-yes...Ah, YES!" The second youngest waved his hand, awkwardly smiling. "Everything is good."
Choromatsu looked at the younger in surprise.
"O-oh god Jyushimatsu! When did you get home? Were you here the whole entire time?" He then moved to Jyushimatsu frantically.
"I'm sorry you had to see that. I swear, Todomatsu can act so unreasonable!" He looked over again at Karamatsu. "Also I'm sorry again Nii-san. You had to deal with something like this when you just got home from work. You go ahead and get some rest. Anyways Jyushimatsu, you must be hungry. Let's go to the kitchen. I think Mom…"
The sound of Choromatsu's ramblings faded as he led Jyushimatsu towards the kitchen; leaving Karamatsu alone in the room.
He sighed in relief. He was glad that the argument between his two brothers didn't escalate any further. He didn't know what he would do if it did. He wasn't much help to begin with but he assumed if he wasn't home when the fight started, it would have gotten a lot worse.
Karamatsu shook his head, removed his tie, and laid himself onto the couch.
'Choromatsu's right…' He thought. 'What's up with Todomatsu? He use to never act up like this.'
He tried to remember what happened in that short moment.
So much animosity.
Todomatsu's disrespect towards his family.
Jyushimatsu's worried eyes.
More yelling.
Him not being able to do anything.
How Choromatsu was like when he was mentioned…
The eldest son frowned. What should he do in this situation? He had to think of something. But what?
It was times like these that made him feel like... like he was...
Karamatsu signed.
"I need to rest."
Completely exhausted, he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
It was hazy as if a bright, white film was placed over his eyes.
He couldn't tell where he was but everything seemed peaceful and calm around him.
It felt so comforting.
He could feel a man's hand on his shoulder and a woman holding him closely. Their gentle warmth felt oddly familiar.
He turns his head and he could see some children standing far in the distance.
They were calling his name.
They were all laughing so innocently, without a care in the world. He smiles and waves at the five blurry faces smiling back at him.
They beckon him to come over where they were at.
He starts running towards them.
"Oi Osomatsu, wake up!"
Osomatsu, slightly disoriented, opened his eyes. He tiredly shifted around the car seat and stretched out his arms. Tougou sat next to him in the the driver's seat with his hands on the wheel. The man's focus glued to the road in front of him.
*Yawn!* "What time is it?"
"11:36," the older man replied. "We'll be arriving at the location in about 5 minutes."
Osomatsu perked up, now fully awake. He gave Tougou a devilish smile.
"Money time~"
