「Osomatsu-san」- As It Was

Cold Stillness

I opened my eyes again, slower this time. Everything was still and more quiet than usual. I heard shuffling downstairs and voices talking in hushed whispers. Good, I wasn't entirely alone.

Yet.

I focused on trying to get up, but a flash of pain struck me on my side as I laid back down.

"Ouch..." I winced in silence.

I looked around, finding that my red hoodie was taken off and that I was wrapped in our futon.

I actually had it to myself for once. I thought bitterly.

"Is this really what I wanted?"

My head swirled with all these thoughts before I shook my head.

No, I couldn't be thinking of those things.

I touched my face, seeing that a large bandage was in place of my bruise. The skin on my knuckles felt tender along with my injuries. The blood from my face drained as I heard screaming voices in my head.

One of them was Karamatsu, desperately trying to stop me.

"Cut it out, Osomatsu!"

I was so warped while punching Todomatsu that I heard nothing around me. He had a black eye by the time my brothers yanked me off of him.

"You almost killed him... What were you thinking?" Karamatsu's voice echoed.

I remember his disappointed expression so clearly before I finally passed out.

"Always thinking about yourself, huh?" I absentmindedly said aloud.

By this time, Karamatsu came in, carrying a towel and some new bandages for me. He said nothing, not even bothering to look me in the eyes.

Usually he would make some off-hand pun or a lame one-liner, but he was so quiet now. I couldn't even find it in me to be surprised or say anything stupid.

"Totty's...leaving too." He spoke suddenly, his voice hoarse.

I said nothing as he delicately replaced the bandage on my cheek.

He wrung the towel, finally standing to leave. I took it that he was going to see him off too and that everyone was downstairs, probably catering to Todomatsu.

It was like a sick joke, they were all moving just fine without me there. The fact that I can't do anything about this...

"Things are better this way, isn't it?"

For once, it felt better to agree with my inner demons.

To never have to face this harsh reality.

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