The Disappearance of Osomatsu-san Drabbles

Fears (Ichi & Choro)

Ichi was honestly so unnerved by the silent treatment Choro was giving him, accompanied by a dead glare, a tight scowl, and crossed arms and legs. Well, he couldn't blame the latter, because even if Choro was his older brother despite his obvious fear of ghosts which often lead to him asking one of his brothers (minus Oso or Jyushi) to help him go to the bathroom at night, Choro still didn't deserve to be left alone at the bathroom at night, especially since Ichi knew about his fear of ghosts, thanks to Hana feeding him lies and stories.

But he couldn't pin the problem on the small girl; it was Ichi who decided to leave Choro alone in the bathroom by walking back to his room as soon as Choro got in.

The poor guy continued to talk and scream inside the bathroom until Todo had gotten curious about the noise, and when he went down to check, Choro instantly clung to him and started crying. Kara came down soon after, but that was to get a glass of water. Choro had refused to let go of Todo, even after they got him to his bed. And while that was going on, Ichi was asleep, ignoring the noises from outside his room.

After receiving a lecture from Kara, which Kara thankfully did after Oso and Jyushi left to go out and play and remain oblivious to the tension between Choro and Ichi, the purple-eyed male decided to sit down in the living room and "talk things out" with Choro. Todo left them with a pat on the head, and Kara left earlier to go grocery-shopping. Their swords were hidden in a safe place, just in case they were to start a fight.

It had been an hour now; an hour of deafening silence, awkward looks, and Choro's foot tapping against the wooden floor being the only source of noise. Choro was the flamboyant and peppy one of the brothers, so seeing him so silent and upset was just so.. odd. Then again, it was all Ichi's fault for being so cold-hearted to Choro in the first place. And as much as Ichi didn't want to make up to him like some sort of child that was struck by guilt, he had no other choice; Kara and Todo had been nice enough to not tell Jyushi and Oso about this, because Jyushi would be upset, and Oso would certainly murder him.

"Kodoku." Ichi spoke up. His pride was always the cause of such arguments in this house after all. "I'm sorry."

Choro scoffed a reply. "You really think that's going to help me feel better?" He spat. Ichi flinched by how cold and angered he sounded. "You really think a simple apology fixes everything? Is that how it goes in Flag Corporation? Is that why your brother is the way he is?"

Ichi immediately stood up, feeling the anger build up within him just by hearing those few words. His fists clenched and his glasses fell off his face, and he was planning to punch Choro for even saying such a thing.

Still, Choro didn't flinch. He forced eye contact with Ichi instead. "Of course you always resort to threatening others, verbally or not. How awfully childish of you, Suuji Ichi. I didn't know why I expected something else from you." He gritted his teeth. "You think a simple apology makes up for the fact that you left me last night, terrified?" He looked down at his own lap. "You know I do not know much about what is normal in society.. I hate being alone. I hate thinking that there's something out in the dark out to get me.. or worse, my brothers."

Ichi paused.

He was worried.. for us..?

"I never want to be alone again." Choro looked down at his lap. "It may not seem big to you.. but when you left me all alone there in the dark hallway.. I felt as if I was alone all over again.. I felt as if my parents just died all over again, and I was just a helpless child." Choro gripped onto the pillow resting on his lap. "I hate feeling alone. It is truly a selfish feeling, but I cannot help but feel that way, Suuji Ichi. I find peace within Kara, Todo, Jyushi, Oso.. and even you, despite what you just did last night."

Oh.

Now that hurt. Guilt was never a good feeling, and if someone managed to make someone as dignified and prideful as Suuji Ichi feel guilt..

Well, I must really be an asshole.

Ichi looked down. "I.. I.."

"It's best to not say anything. An apology cannot make up for the fact that I wasn't able to sleep last night." Choro looked up at him. Sure enough, there were bags underneath his puffy eyes, but they weren't as bad as Oso's. "But you can make it up to me by letting me handle this myself. After all." He stood up from the couch. "The best cure to heal wounds is time, yes? I do hope that this little disagreement of ours will only strengthen our bonds as brothers. After all, we are still trying to get use to one another."

That is true..

"Alright." Ichi picked up his glasses from the floor. "But I really mean it when I say I'm sorry. That was a dick move."

"Indeed. It was." Choro scoffed. "But enough with this atmosphere, I cannot deal with such a dark mood surrounding us brothers." Despite how upset he was, Choro gave a weak smile to Ichi. "I do have an idea. Why don't we bake a pie? That always cheers me up."

..I don't really deserve to have a nice family such as these guys.

He nodded. "Sure."