Chapter Text
“Are you sure you don’t need my help?”
“I’m sure, Tomie,” Saburo sighed, massaging his head, and he knows that doesn’t make him look any more convincing, but the wedding preparation really has been going well, it’s just one thing that’s bothering him.
One thing he just too embarrassed or just... to private to say out loud, even to his best friend.
“Whatever you say dude, but, we’re here.” She said, giving Saburo a pat on the shoulder before she returns to her desk.
Tomie is working at the same place as Saburo, while Ramunda is all the way in Tokyo pursuing modeling. Even after years from graduating, they’re still close with each other. Tomie is also not the kind of people that just land a hand to help, she said so because Saburo’s problem is showing at his face.
There shouldn’t be any problem.
Tomie and Ramunda will be his groomswoman and groomsman. Riou’s close friends from work will be his groomsmen. Riou’s half-sibling from his mom side will be their flower girls. Things for the reception is already decided and done. Their small wedding will be by the flower field in Hokkaido and is already booked and ready. A monk will officiate their wedding and he agrees. The decor was already selected and also ready to go. The date is fixed, and the wedding invitation will be sent a week from now.
There’s one aspect that Saburo is not sure, or if he wants it to be done. He hesitates, and while he hesitates, he finds himself whirling into a sad and complicated thought
Tomie is giving him a knowing look from her desk and all Saburo can do is bitterly smiles.
When Saburo finally came home, Riou is already there, in the middle of cooking.
“Baths ready,” he says without looking away from the pan.
“Thanks,” Saburo peels his jacket and clothes as he walks into their bedroom, that’s when Riou cleared his throat.
“You’re forgetting something?” Riou playfully sounds offended.
For a quick second, Saburo doesn’t know what his soulmate means, but then he rolls his eyes and quickly walks to his soulmate.
“I’m home,” He tiptoed and press his lips on top of Riou, who hums happily.
“Something on your mind?” Riou asked.
“Yeah, I’ll tell you after washing.”
Riou just smiled, but he can’t hide the worry on his face, “Alright.”
Even though the warm bath feels calming, it still can’t distract him from his thoughts.
When Saburo is done with his bath, he’s feeling a bit more clear-headed, and feeling like he can talk about it and not break down. He eats with Riou, it’s a simple stirfry with seared dumplings with rice and miso soup. They usually talk while they eat, but Riou is quiet, waiting for Saburo to talk, who is preparing to talk about it.
Finally, with a sigh, Saburo starts with, “So... did your dad agree to walk you down the aisle?”
And like a snap, Riou’s face immediately softens, “Yes, he does.”
Saburo doesn’t need to say anymore, because Riou already knows about his problem just with that question. The bigger hand land on top of his and held him to the ground. Suddenly it’s not as big of a problem anymore. That’s why they’re marrying, after all, they’re really good for each other. Saburo is madly in love, and nothing else matters...
Yet the ache in his chest tells him otherwise. He holds onto Riou’s hand, and look at a pair of worried blue eyes staring back at him, and cracks the lowest effort to smile.
“Did you sent him an invitation?” Riou started.
“I don’t even know his address to send it.” Saburo sighed, both in anger and sadness, “I don’t think he should, but... still, I don’t know. I don’t know him well enough, but... he’s still my dad, right?”
Riou rubs the to of Saburo’s hands in soothing circles, pausing as he looks for an answer
“Personally? I don’t think you should. He walks out on you and your brothers, so he doesn’t get that chance to be in your life now.” Riou’s words are harsh, but his face shows no malice, “But, I wouldn’t invite my mom and dad if you didn’t make me meet them.”
Saburo sighed a breath he didn’t realize holding.
“What’s holding you back, love?” Riou put his hand on Saburo’s cheek, rubbing his cheek soothingly with his thumbs, and Saburo just melts away.
“I’m angry at him, but he’s so far away so long and I just don’t know what to feel about him. So... I don’t know.”
“Maybe you should meet him?” Riou suggested, which is not a bad idea, but it has one flaw.
“How can I look for him? I haven’t met my father in 15 years, and he barely existed on the rest of 10 years of my life.”
++++++++++++
“Oh, yeah, I knew where he is.”
Saburo is speechless, so does Ichiro, and Jiro better be glad this is a video call or Saburo would’ve whooped him across the face.
“Why the heck didn’t you tell us!” Ichiro beats him to it.
“The guy has basically abandoned us! Why on earth should we look for him or even want to meet him when he doesn’t want to!”
Jiro’s outburst silenced both Saburo and Ichiro. To think that their explosive brother is right is, unsettling. There’s no reason for them to reconcile with their father, not when he’s the one that walks out on them.
“What do you think, Ichi-nii?” Saburo asked, his oldest brother looks away, pained.
“I’m the one who has the most memories with dad when he was good and loving. He was another different man than the ones you guys remembered, but at the same time, I was five when he changed... Now, I also feel betrayed when he walks out, but I want to know why he did it, why he changed, ” Ichiro explained, who also has a good point.
“What about you little rut?” Jiro asked, “It’s your wedding, invite him or not it’s up to you.”
Saburo pauses, thinking his decision over. Thinking about the years of his dad giving him a cold shoulder, looking at him like he killed mom. He flinches at the thought, of course, now he knows better, that it’s not true and his father is wrong.
However, whether their father still wants an explanation or not, they deserve to know why he left.
“I think I have to,” Saburo whispered, and both of his brothers have their eyes on him, “I know you won’t like it but... can you give my wedding invitation to him, Jiro-nii?”
Jiro doesn’t look pleased, “It’s your wedding Saburo, if you ask me, I will, even though I don’t like this.”
Saburo felt his heart race painfully. Is he looking forward to seeing his dad? He doesn’t know, but just the thought that his father will know about his wedding, the first news after abandoning them all, it makes his heart clenched.
“Oh, Saburo, maybe Jiro should ask him to walk you down the aisle while he’s at it?” Ichiro suggested.
Jiro cringed at the suggestion. “Hell no! He had no right!”
So much with Jiro going ‘it’s your wedding Saburo so whatever’, but it’s endearing that Jiro draws the line with their shitty dad giving Saburo away. Though, Ichiro looks embarrassed right away.
Saburo chuckled, “Jiro is right, for once.” Jiro rolls his eyes in response. “I was thinking maybe you could Ichi-nii.”
The oldest brother shows his shock and awe in his face. While Jiro has a satisfied smile on his face.
“A-Are you sure?” Ichiro is pretending to hold himself together, while looks so close to sobbing.
“You raised both of us more than our parents did,” Saburo said, and Jiro nods enthusiastically, “You’re the only one that deserves to walk me down the aisle.”
Ichiro is now fully sobbing, “Yes! Oh my god yes!”
“What’s wrong with you?” says another voice from Ichiro’s side.
“I’m walking my brother down the aisle,” Ichi-ii coos and now crying, his face leans out of the phone camera and there’s a sound of kissing.
Saburo and Jiro are looking at each other, passing smirking glances.
“Who’s that?” Saburo asked scandalously.
“Another boy toy of yours?” Jiro teased.
“Excuse me! I never had a boy toy!” then he laughs awkwardly, “Now I’m in a committed relationship with someone!” Ichi-nii proudly states.
Though Saburo and Jiro are teasing him, they both are really happy for their oldest brother. If anything, their Ichi-nii deserves the greatest happiness of all. With or without his problematic soulmate. Saburo and Jiro had agreed that even if their brother chooses Samatoki, they’ll give their oldest brother/parent their full support. And if not, that’s fine too.
“So? What’s the hold up? Tell us about your mystery man,” Jiro asked.
Ichiro’s face fell, hesitating, but before he can say anything Saburo adds, “Whoever you choose, we will be happy for you.”
“Aww, you guys,” Ichiro finally smiles, and it’s the first time both of them ever seen that big smile on their eldest brother. “I wish you guys have nothing after this because it’s a hella long story.”
It is a hella long story. His brother talks non stop for six hours and they both have a meal, a drink and a whole set of snacks while hearing his brother’s drama.
The sun already rises when Ichiro is done, all of them exhausted both emotionally and physically, but most of all, Ichiro looks happy, and that’s everything Saburo and Jiro wished for their brother.