Chapter Text
“You can do it!”
“Yeah don’t be a wuss, chug it!”
You continued to ogle the large, intimidating glass of beer before finally deciding to gather every drop of courage you had in you and grabbed the handle. Your friends around you cheered and it spurred you on, bracing yourself as you quickly brought the rim of the glass to your lips and began to take large, regrettable gulps of liquid bitterness.
“YEAH! Chug! Chug! Chug!” The hooting around you got even louder as you were close to your last few sips. You nearly choked when you heard a slurred voice coming from Osomatsu commenting on how good you were at swallowing. But you persevered, even though your head felt like it was about to explode, and finally for what felt like forever you finally had taken the last gulp before slamming the glass onto the counter, face red and gasping for dear life. Hollering and literal screeching pursued - damn who was yelling so loud?!
You turned to look at the brothers and Totoko who had the biggest smiles on their faces, waving their drinks in the air and sloshing alcohol everywhere. The scene before you made you feel so happy, your friends drinking and laughing, the sky turning beautiful hues of pinks and oranges as the sun was setting, and the cool sea breeze caressing your cheeks. The energy coming from everyone was so positive! Even Ichimatsu was so happy and inebriated, he had his arm slung around Karamatsu’s shoulder as they both raised their glasses too, cheering for you. Karamatsu wrapped his free arm around your waist and pulled you flush to his side, hip to hip.
“My rose! I knew you could do it!” He beamed, pure happiness and pride in his features. He squeezed you and Ichimatsu to him, laughing a little heartily. You actually didn’t think you could chug that much beer at once, but you tried to play it off like you could by grabbing the shades off of Kara’s face and placing it on your head.
“Yeah, I knew I could too!” You lied, grinning at him. Karamatsu, enamored with your display of confidence, chuckled as his ears turned red. Ichimatsu brought his drink to his side and went into his usual slouching position, looking at you with a wide grin on his face.
“You should drink with us... more often…” he admitted, his voice a bit gruff and scratchy from the unusual amount of yelling he’d done earlier. You couldn’t help but smile. Your dear Ichi hinting that he wanted to spend more time with you, you could almost cry!
“Of course Ichi!” You offered, and it was then after looking up at Kara and Ichi, you suddenly realized how close in proximity you were to both of them. They didn’t seem to mind, but you were feeling just a tad awkward with Kara’s arm on your waist and Ichi’s unwavering gaze. They were looking at you strangely too, and it was making you self-conscious. What’s with them anyway? They must have been drinking more than they’re used to.
“Ahhh… I’m going to get something to eat real quick.” You state, peeling yourself away from them. They nodded, not bothered by it and began to speak about something else. You turn and only take a step before bumping straight into a firm chest.
“Ah! If you wanted a hug you could have just asked!” Todomatsu gushed, taking this opportunity to wrap his arms around you and squeeze you against him.
“T-Todomatsu!! Sorry about that.” You sputtered, slightly embarrassed about bumping into him. He didn’t seem to care however, as he pulls back from the hug and looks down at you.
“It’s fine. Hey, let me take some pictures!” He says as he pulls out his smartphone from his pocket. He didn’t really wait for your response as he put his face next to yours and smiled, taking a few selfies. You’re sure you looked silly, what with the wind blowing through your hair and making it messy, but when Totty pulled away, looking at the photos, he giggled.
“Aw, we’re so cute! I like this one the best,” he leaned over to show you. “We almost look like a couple, don’t we?” Your faced burned, and he looked at you in shock, like if he said something he shouldn’t have.
“Oh my gosh, did I say that out loud?” He asks and covered his mouth, cheeks pink. You weren’t sure if he was being a coy little shit or if he was legit being a huge drunk dork. You decided to laugh it off.
“Yeah, you kinda did! Hey.. what’s that in the background?” You ask, looking down at the picture again. Upon closer inspection, there was a yellow blur…
Todomatsu frowns. “Jyushimatsu nii-san! You photobombed our selfie!!!” He was clearly displeased, but Jyushimatsu bolted from nowhere and suddenly you were in his arms, bridal style. He started to sprint, the cold wind hitting your face.
“Jyushi!!! Jyushi, where are you taking me?!” He was running so fast and you were really not used to being picked up so suddenly, so you grasped onto his shirt tightly, even though you knew he wouldn’t drop you. You could feel his solid form under his clothes, pressing against you as he ran. Damn… he was really toned. Toned yellow jelly bean boy.
“There are games!” He simply states, busting through the door into the cabin. You see what he means by games when you see Totoko, Osomatsu, and Choromatsu standing around some sort of green table, yelling a ton. It was then you realized they were gambling. Of course, oh boy here we go… Jyushimatsu put you down so you could observe the game.
“Double down!” Osomatsu slurred as he struck the table viciously with his palm. The dealer drew a card and showed it to Osomatsu. Bust. He then promptly brought his hands to his head, ruffling his bowl cut in frustration.
“EHHHH?!?!!?” He howled, letting his head hit the table in dismay. The dealer took all of Osomatsu’s chips and Choromatsu shook his head in disapproval, a frown painting his features.
“I told you not to do that… bad idea.” Choro huffed.
Osomatsu shot up and seethed at Choromatsu. “Like if you’re one to talk, know-it-all Fappymatsu!”
“EH? Who the hell is Fappymatsu?” Choro countered, before suddenly realizing your presence and he flustered quickly, stuttering your name.
“A-ah… hi!” The green bean stammered. “...I didn’t… realize you were standing there.” You could just see the pure embarrassment and shame on his face. No matter how many times he was caught arguing with his brothers or called that crude nickname in front of you, he always seemed to recede back into himself. Hell, you’d feel a deep shame too if you were crowned that humiliating nickname.
“Are you guys playing black jack?” You ask, trying to change the subject. You guessed no matter what type of gambling it was, the brothers were up for anything, especially Osomatsu.
“Yeah, Osomatsu sucks at it.” Choromatsu said, a little flatly. Jyushimatsu nodded. “Osomatsu nii-san is bad!”
“Oi!” Oso yelled.
“I see that.” You agreed.
“Oi! Not you too!” Osomatsu looked at you in vain, as if you had betrayed him.
“Yeah… Osomatsu is really unlucky. A useless virgin NEET.” Totoko added in. Fucking savage.
“AHHH, Totoko… so cold…” Osomatsu whined, letting his body sink onto the table in sorrow. You’d feel bad if you hadn’t known Osomatsu recovers faster than anybody.
“Alright… I’ll put down 50.” You state, leaning forward on the table. You weren’t even sure if you were going to be any good at this, but who cares right now? You have a little extra to spend and you’re gonna have fun with it. “Let’s go.”
The rest look at you in surprise as the dealer takes all the cards and starts to shuffle them.
“But… aare you sure? Have you ever played black jack before?” Choromatsu asked, looking at you.
“Well not really. I know some of the rules, though.” You shrugged, watching the dealer. Meanwhile Choromatsu, Osomatsu, and Jyushimatsu ogled you. Were you really just going to throw away 50 bucks?? Totoko stared in silence, seeming unphased.
“Don’t you want to learn the rules?” Osomatsu chimed in with a grin, suddenly close to you. Too close, you might add. Well at least he’s done sulking, you thought.
“And learn from you? Who just lost all your chips? No thanks.” You hummed as the dealer finally passed you two cards. Osomatsu glowered at you, but otherwise stayed silent. Your cards were finally flipped and…
“Blackjack!” Everyone gasped in unison. You blinked at the ace and the queen, and then up as the dealer pushed you your winnings in chips.
“Wow, _____-chan is a natural!” Jyushi shouted whilst throwing his arms in the air and waving them.
“Just beginner’s luck!” Osomatsu says, smirking. “I bet you won’t win twice in a row!”
But you did. And you won again, and again, and again… until Ichimatsu, Karamatsu, and Todomatsu heard the commotion from the bar and walked over to the table see what all the fuss was about.
“_____ is winning so much! They’re close to a million!” They gaped.
“For real?”
“How are you so lucky?!”
“Uh, I don’t know!” You stuttered as you looked at your cards again. A four and an eight.
“Hit!” You told the dealer, who was dumbfounded. He flipped you a card. The crowd held in their breath, as it was a nine, making it twenty-one! But it wasn’t over yet… The dealer flipped his own card, and… he busted himself. Your friends erupted into absolute chaos as the dealer shakily pushed you more of your winnings. You sat in disbelief. You had finally gotten to a million! Who would have thought?
“OH MY GOD!” Totoko practically shrieked in your ear, grabbing your shoulders from behind you and shaking you. For some reason, Karamatsu had tears threatening to spill from his eyes. Ichimatsu and Todomatsu had hooked arms and were skipping in circles joyfully while Jyushimatsu ran loops around everyone.
“I knew you could do it!” Osomatsu said, smiling at you. Well that finally snapped you out of your daze.
“You LIAR!” You shot up from your seat and glared at him playfully. You stumbled in your tipsy state, having to lean on the table for support and Osomatsu cheekily grinned at your little mistake, but was soon shouldered out of the way by Choromatsu.
“Y-you’re amazing! That was so cool!” The green boy genuinely complimented, his eyes shining. He had his hands balled into fists right below his face, looking at you in admiration. Awe, you couldn’t help but notice how adorable he was- he was looking at you similar to how he looks at one of his favorite idols!
“Thank you Choro, you’re so sweet!” You leaned in and took his hands in yours. He immediately stiffened, looking at you in disbelief before looking like he was about to melt. His cheeks, which were already red from drinking, became even more so, his hands becoming a tad sweaty.
“S-sweet….?? Oh, t-thank you!” He looked like he was about to faint or cream his pants, or both, so you let go of him for his own sake and celebrated with the others. Hatabou emerged from the cabin and looked at his friends, slight confusion on his face.
“What’s happening, dajo?”
“They hit it big! One million!”
Hatabou smiled widely, clasping his hands together. “One million? That’s amazing, not a lot of people win big with my dealers! You must be really lucky!”
You paused for a second. “Huh?” His dealer? “What do you mean?”
He nodded. “Mhm! I own a few casinos across the country! I had a dealer on the ship since I knew my friends like to gamble, jo!” You stared blankly, as did the others; Hatabou owned casinos too? How much do you even know about him? You never actually did stop to think where exactly this dealer came from. Wait, then that means that you’d be getting the money from Hatabou? That seems strange, to take money from your friend.
“Wait.. a-actually, Hatabou don’t worry about it! That’s too much, I was just playing for fun, you know?” You laughed nervously, shaking your hands. He’d already done so much for you by getting you extra vacation days and taking you on his yacht. You’d feel guilty, he’s been too good to you after all.
“It’s not that much money, jo!” Eh?! He started to walk in another direction. “Let’s celebrate! Follow me!” And so with that, you and the others began trailing behind him into the cabin, wondering what was in store.