「Osomatsu-san」- As It Was

Denial, but Bittersweet

"Heh, you'll never get a job! Idol lover! Idol lover!"

"S-Shut up! You're not doing any better!"

He tossed the empty beer can back at me, a clank as it hit the floor.

"Ehhhh... You'll never leave home, huh?"

"Should I?"

He muttered to himself.

"Wahh? What did you say? Idol lover!"

"Nothing, shut up already!"

I felt it a promise that day, that he wouldn't leave, but it happened anyways.

Should I even feel betrayed?

My hands tightened on the door handle as I forced it open. There were quick movements from inside as I forced these thoughts out from my head.

"Choromatsu..." My voice felt as dry as I felt. "C'mon. We're waiting for you out here."

"Y-Yeah okay, I'll be out in a minute."

He said nothing, turning away as he stuffed more things into his bag. I turned away, creating heavy steps as I descended the stairs.

Did he even care at all? About how I fucking feel?

A hot pool of anger ignited me as I joined the rest of my brothers in feeble silence. They all laughed loudly, even Ichimatsu, who was overjoyed about Choromatsu's accomplishments.

Why now of all times?

My grip tightened on my bowl as I heard Choromatsu's voice.

"Guys, guys! You don't have to make such a big deal!" He laughed nervously.

Clank clank.

I swiped more food from the pot dinner.

"Working at your father's job? It was lucky of you to finally have a chance to work there!" Came my mother's praise too.

They were all giving him gifts, possessions of their own of course, since virtually no one made money of their own.

Clank. Clank.

My aggression grew worse. I knew that, but no one cared at all.

"Todomatsu, pass the sauce." I said quietly, but loud enough for him to hear.

The chattering grew louder, buzzing in my ear and making me more irritated. At some point, I had enough as I slammed my fist on the table.

"Todomatsu!" I yelled.

He jumped, turning toward me finally. The chattering stopped like weather on a bad day as I felt eyes on me.

I had a sick thought as I wondered if this was how Choromatsu felt. Being at the center of everything like the controlling bastard he was.

"W-What is it, Osomatsu-niisan?" He swallowed.

"I said pass the sauce, weren't you listening at all?"

"Oh. Sorry, here you go." He tensed, leaning across the table.

I grabbed it from him, watching as another moment passed before they resumed to chattering.

Karamatsu was singing some painful song, having Jyushimatsu go rabid with bouncing around the room like always. Of course, he was always like this but it was really getting under my skin today.

"Jyushimatsu, quit it already." I muttered irritably.

"HUSTLE HUSTLE, MUSCLE MUSCLE." He chanted his usual catchphrase.

He breezed by me once again, bumping into my shoulder roughly as I dropped my piece of sushi. The rush of fury was back in me as I caught him by the front of his hoodie.

"Damn it, Jyushimatsu! You made me drop my sushi!" I roared.

He looked very scared, but the next thing I knew was I face-down in the carpet. I came to find out I received a punch from Karamatsu.

It surprised me, knowing that violence was not his forte. I shot up, grabbing at anything I could. Karamatsu remained calm as ever, proceeding to drag me out of the room. Jyushimatsu looked tense and flustered, it was rare to see that in him.

"Let GO of me! I'll fucking kill you!" I screamed over and over again.

I kicked and punched pitifully as my brothers stood around me in a circle and watching, Choromatsu looking the most bewildered.

"Let go of me now!" The last of my screams were heard as Karamatsu turned the door behind him, the last time I saw any of them.

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