Trick of the Light {Jyushimatsu}

A Dream?

Darkness. All encompassing darkness. That's all he knew. He was the sunshine of his brothers' lives, yet his mind held more darkness than even Ichimatsu's soul. And what's worse? He was bored.

He found himself at his front door, clutching a pill bottle. He knew Ichimatsu was napping inside. This would be fun.

He tried to contain his excitement. He strolled in, took the stairs by threes, and silently entered their bedroom. He approach his sleeping brother. He was glad he specified Dekapan to make these pills the kind that dissolve in your mouth.

He slipped two into his brothers mouth, waiting a moment for them to dissolve and take affect. He called, "Ichimatsu-niisan!"

Ichimatsu turned over and sat up on the couch.

"I feel weird," he said, flexing his hand.

"Because you're dreaming!" replied Jyushimatsu.

"Dreaming, huh?"

"Just try pinching yourself!" he proceeded to do so. No pain. Nothing. Of course there wouldn't be. "So, I'm dreaming. Then what should I do?

"Hmm. Ah! Follow me!"

The two stood and began walking, Ichimatsu slipped back on his hoodie.

They wandered the streets into the city, and arrived at a tall hotel. They entered, and went straight to the stairwell. Jyushimatsu felt such glee with every step, a clueless Ichimatsu trailing behind.

As they arrived at the top, Jyushimatsu finally spoke. "Since you're dreaming, you should try experiencing something you couldn't otherwise."

They opened the door and went out onto the roof.

"Take off your shoes, Nii-san!" he said, taking off his own slippers.

Ichimatsu looked concerned. He hesitated but eventually complied. Together, they climbed the fence, Ichimatsu nervously clinging to it on the other side.

"Ready, Nii-san? On the count of three!"

Ichimatsu gulped and braced.

"One!"

"Two."

"Three!"

Ichimatsu leaped off the fence, glancing back at his brother. There Jyushimatsu stood, one hand on the fence,the other waving.

"Bye-bye! Bakamatsu-niisan!"

Confusion and fear filled his mind as he plummeted to the ground.

splat.

Jyushimatsu's smile turned cruel, and he laughed.

Those pills blocked pain receptors, but the man had to have felt that.

Jyushimatsu climbed back over the fence to the sound of screams, and skipped back home.