Chapter Text
- Five years pass
Karamatsu sat quietly at the kitchen table their family grew up eating at. It was pretty much the same in the house. Things moved around a bit and some new furniture replaced old- like the couch. It was ruined three years previously by Jyushimatsu accidentally throwing up on it while he had a stomach bug.
The second oldest of the Matsuno brothers sat with coffee in one hand and a clunky iPhone in the other. These types of phones just came out and he was still getting used to them.
Kara took a peek at the time before rolling his eyes, “IF YOU DON’T GET DOWNSTAIRS IN FIVE MINUTES, NO XBOX FOR A MONTH.” He hollered out, listening to the sudden footsteps pounding on the floor upstairs and from the side bedroom.
Finally two boys appeared at the bottom of the stairs. Jyushimatsu entered the kitchen first, immediately heading towards the fridge. He was taller now. Karamatsu couldn’t remember being his size when he was 15. Jyushi was tall and lanky; Kara knew he’d grow into his tall frame.
Ichimatsu snuck in quietly; his hair shoulder length-his bang covering his eyes just slightly. Ichi was tall but not as tall as Jyushi. His build thin and lean like the other though, but Kara wasn’t sure if he’d ever change-the boy was 17 now… nearly done growing.
Finally, the side room doors slid open. Todomatsu was 8, he was tiny for his age which caused him to be picked on a lot. But, Totty was witty and quick to handle those situations. Kara wasn’t sure where he got that from, overall he was a pretty good kid. The youngest wore a pink hoodie; one Mayu had bought him a Christmas ago. His hair was buzzed on the sides and fluffed on top. The fluff came naturally, like Osomatsu’s.
“Are you boys ready? Osomatsu isn’t gonna wait for us much longer.” Kara spoke quickly, watching Jyushi devour a bowl of cereal, “Oi! Slow down, you’ll make yourself sick again!”
Ichimatsu flopped down into a chair, “No… do I really have do go?” He spoke with an annoyed tone.
“Yes! How do you think that’d make Choro feel, huh? We’re all there except his kid brother, Ichimatsu!” Kara tilted his head, this was something he was used to by now. Ichimatsu’s attitude sure was a winner. “I’m so excited, I’m ready!!” Totty spoke up loudly, he passed the table and ran to shove his shoes on. Kara rose his brows at Ichi, “See? Even Totty’s going.”
Ichimatsu slumped with an exaggerated sigh. Jyushi slammed his bowl onto the table, letting out a belch. “Ready!” He yelled out, “Alright alright, throw your bowl in the sink and lets go, go, go!” Kara clapped his hands as he spoke, pushing Ichi to his feet and gathering them to finish getting their shoes on.
It was summer time, the heat was excruciating. The boys usually walked to Osomatsu’s apartment. The oldest having a car to drive them longer distances. Today was no different, the only difference being Totty’s complaints about the heat from his pink hoodie which suffocated him. Kara told him to take it off; which he did. A white t-shirt covering him now as he wrapped the hoodie around his waist.
Finally the boys made it to the oldest brother’s place. It was small but it did the trick; holding only Osomatsu. The building held at least four others, the driveway only held two vehicles though. One fairly nice Toyota and a red rust bucket- a vehicle Karamatsu had no idea the brand.
The second oldest quickly noticed a figure on the steps of the apartments, it was Os. His hair was cut short, the tuft on his head being the longest part. It was gelled up sticking out from under the red beanie he’s had for years now. He was smoking a cigarette, something he’d put down on and off for the past five years now.
Os smirked, blowing out the smoke as he stood. “Heeeey, there they are.” His voice cracked a bit, but he didn’t falter. He held his arms out, taking Karamatsu into a brief embrace before letting go and hugging the others. Totty pushed Jyushi out of the way, hopping into his oldest brother’s arms first. This sent Oso’s cigarette flying out of his fingers, which caused him to curse a bit but laugh it off. “Alright, alright. Hi Totts.” He hugged Jyushi next, teasing his height then took Ichimatsu into a brief pat fest. Ichi found it annoying but took it with a scowl on his face.
“So, you boys ready?” Osomatsu held his palms out, awaiting a response. Karamatsu nodded, “Yeah, lets get this party on, huh?” Os clasped his hands together, nodding as he jogged towards the driver seat of the old rust bucket.
The drive wasn’t super long, but it felt long to Ichimatsu. His gaze lost out the window. Seated next to him was Jyushi, but Todomatsu was squished in the middle. Karamatsu sat in the passenger as Os drove. Osomatsu had his stupid western music playing and is voice grated Ichimatsu’s hearing aids-which led him to turn them off completely.
He should be happy right now, but if he were being honest… he really didn’t feel it. Ichi has been feeling this way for the past few days. It’s not like he was off his meds or anything; but nothing was exciting to him right now. He knew he should be excited, happy for Choromatsu… but he just wasn’t.
Karamatsu pointed this out to Os, which the oldest noticed already. The two bickered quietly up front.
Finally, they arrived. It was a pretty large campus. The College of Liberal Arts in Tokyo… CLAT for short. It was the school Choromatsu applied to and got accepted into. He worked hard these past four years and today was the big day. Graduation- the first Matsuno to graduate high school and college. He studied for an English teaching degree; which Osomatsu never understood but was proud of the younger either way. The brothers exit the car once arrival and followed the signs leading towards an auditorium… one which they assumed the ceremony would be held.
There were so many people, the crowds sent anxiety through Ichimatsu’s veins. But he stuck close to his brothers and stayed quiet. “This is what you guys get to look into once your Ichimatsu’s age.” Osomatsu blurted catching Ichi’s attention. “You can go study for anything you want and become a doctor… or… a baseball player like Jyushi.” The mentioned boy nodded excitedly, “Gotta get that scholarship! I’ll make it to nationals, you’ll see!” The younger spat, sending a laugh out of the two oldest. “Speaking of which, have you heard anything back from the schools you applied to Ichi?” Osomatsu asked, his hands slipped into his pockets. Ichi took a moment to comprehend his mouth movement then tilted his head side to side-contemplating his words. “I heard from a few… but not the ones I really want to attend.”
Os nodded, “Yeah? What is your dream college?” The younger traveled by Os’ side, watching as the others roamed ahead. “Uh, I dunno… Tokyo School of Art, I wanna be an illustrator.” The oldest smirked, “Awesome, good for you kid. Hey, listen.” He placed a firm hand on Ichi’s shoulder, “You’ll get it. I know you will. Then, in a few years we’ll be doing the same thing but for you.”
Ichimatsu felt the corners of his mouth tug upwards, he nodded. “Thanks.” Os left him with a smile and a firm pat before ushering him up to speed with the others.
The boys met up with Totoko, Mayu and even Chibita. Everyone came to see the middle child Matsuno graduate. The group sat and watched as the ceremony began.
It seemed like forever until Choro walked on stage. He looked over at the crowd, smiled and shook hands before taking his diploma.
Osomatsu was the loudest person in the crowd at that moment. Karamatsu found it hilarious; cheering alongside the oldest Matsuno. There was a pride within Os’ eyes that Kara had never seen before; as if Choro was his own son.
He was proud, and so was Kara.
As quickly as it began, it ended. The boys ran up to Choro after the ceremony. Totty was the first of everyone, running up to the middle child and hugging the life out of him. Choro laughed, squeezing him in return. “You did it, Choro!!”
Totts yelled out. Choro smiled, “Yeah’ah.” Osomatsu was the next to hug him, a tighter grasp than expected. Choro wondered if his brother was working out. “That’s my kid brother! Cap and gown, look at you! All professional now!” Os yelled out, emotion choking his vocal cords. But he kept a smile fight on his lips. Choro blinked back tears in return, feeling the emotion finally. “Yeah. Yeah, not yet though.”
Chibita wandered up to the younger, patting his shoulder. “Hey, lets go have some ramen to celebrate back home, huh? On me.” He spoke loudly, the boys and Totoko nodded in agreement. “Alright, meet you all there!”
With many hardships through the past few years. Choromatsu was proud of where they came from. A small family; a pod of cubs lost without their parents. But with each other’s and friends’ help; they were able to get through the hard times together. Of course; he knows they will face many more in the future. But, he hopes for a long ways before then and even still he knows he won’t be alone along the ride.
He knows this for certain; looking at the many people who surrounds him this evening. Chibita’s is a small little vendor; but it holds all of them. Choro watches as his brother poors out cold lemonade for everyone; and Chibita cooks up an udon hotpot. Ever since Oso’s struggle with alcohol; Chibita decided against serving alcohol at his vendor. It pushed a lot of people away but he gained a lot of new faces; younger faces. Choromatsu admired Chibita for that; for accommodating his stupid brother. The brother who works hard, as difficult as it is to admit. Osomatsu works harder than ever before; his fight for survival amongst the world is stronger. Oso also started dating Mayu; together they’re cute.
Choro hopes to be an uncle sometime soon; and looks forward to watching the six of them expand their family…
their parent’s legacy.