Chapter Text
Jyushimatsu couldn’t help but stare into the box in his lap with mild confusion and curiosity. Inside was a small envelope, a folded map of Akatsuka, a letter, and three very old and outdated cassette tapes along with their player and a set of old headphones to listen to them with. He picked up the envelope first, no name was written on either side.
However on the top right corner on each side was the number five, written in yellow glitter. His heart ached in his chest as he stared at the sparkling number. Was this some sort of joke? Looking away the yellow Matsu gave himself a moment to breathe, his ever common smile and hyperactivity nowhere to be seen as he turned the envelope over, opened it, and took a glance inside. Inside was a very large sum of cash.
Almost dropping it, Jyushimatsu gathered up the cash and carefully counted it, ¥319,841. He almost couldn’t believe it and recounted but there it was, ¥319,841 in his hand. Slowly he sat it back in the envelope and back in the box, leaning against the wall by his bed he picked up a cassette tape, just like the envelope in the top right corners of each side where sparkling numbers, only they were different.
Looking closer the yellow Matsu took notice that the numbers written were not written in yellow glitter like before, but instead on side A there was a sparkling red one and on side B, a shimmering green three. It would take an idiot not to know what the significance of the colors and matching numbers would mean, and despite what his brothers and most people may think, Jyushimatsu was no idiot. Checking the other tapes he sat them in order in front of him.
Tape one had the red one and green three, tape two had a purple four and a yellow five, and tape three had a pink six, however on side B there was a simple heart written in plain black marker. Naturally it struck him with curiosity to see the color blue missing from the tapes, but this only fueled his need to figure out this mystery further. Glancing back into the box, Jyushimatsu finally reached in and took out the folded letter. He gently removed the tape, slowly opening it:
1. Listen to the tapes in order.
2. Follow instructions.
3. Follow the map.
4. Do not try getting away with not listening and running off with the money.
5. There is someone watching to make sure you do.
A shiver ran up his spine at the fifth instruction --the fourth was obviously meant for Osomatsu-- and he glanced around his room, suddenly more alert than before. He carefully closed the paper and sat it aside. Staring at the cassettes and their player he suddenly got all the more anxious, but being who he was, he easily summoned up the courage and grabbed the headphones, slipped the first tape into the slot, and pressed play.
There was only the sound of static before a faint rustling could be heard, and finally a voice Jyushimatsu thought he would never hear again.
RED CASSETTE: SIDE A
So it does work huh?
Covering his mouth quickly, Jyushimatsu’s eyes began to water and he could barely hold back the urge to pause the tape.
Alright then, I bet the ones listening must be pretty shocked, huh? Well surprise surprise Akatsuka, it’s everyone’s oh so favourite brother , - I hope you’re ready, because I’m about to tell you the story of my life. More specifically, why my life ended. And if you’re listening to these tapes, you’re one of the reasons why.
Jyushimatsu tensed at the cruel tone, a familiar voice filled with too much spite.
“Karamatsunii-san.”
He was at a loss of words, and a cold chill spread across his spine as the voice of his second oldest brother spoke with such bitterness. He paused the tape and almost threw off the headphones, instead he set them to the side and held his head in his hands. This couldn’t be right. Jyushimatsu stared at nothing as he tried to make sense of his brothers words. It was obvious through color coding that Karamatsu sent these to all of their brothers, including himself and some unknown person. The sudden heavy feeling in his gut made him feel as though he had just swallowed mercury. The yellow hooded brother put the headphones back on and once more played the tape, letting his oldest brother’s voice wash over him like a melancholic wave ready to wash him away.
Here’s how it’s going to go, all of you will listen to the tapes, all of you will follow the instructions I give you, and all of you will listen. If you don’t then the one watching you will make sure to send all the other copies to everyone we know. Our parents, Iyami, Totoko, and yes, Todomatsu, even your coworkers. Your friends as well, online or not. Atsushi too. Everyone will know what you all did.
There was a brief pause in the tape and the sound of dull static filled Jyushimatsu’s ears. He was about to check if the tape had finished before the sudden sound of muffled music and light traffic came to life.
This will be the first test, I want you to take the map and go to the first location on there, it won’t be hard to spot.
Jyushimatsu wasted no time in pausing the tape to grab the map and open it to see what the first location would be. Thankfully each location was marked with a glittery music note in various colors. Looking at the tape through the cassette, he reminded himself he was listening to the red tape, Osomatsu’s tape. The young Matsuno quickly spotted the red music note and instantly recognized the location: it was the Pachinko Gallery.
The other brothers always refused to tell Jyushimatsu why Karamatsu killed himself, always assuming it was best he didn’t know as if he was some child. They always used the excuse that he never left a note, but he did. If following these instructions could lead him to the truth to why his brother would end his own life then so be it, he’ll carry the weight of sorrow and listen to every word his older brother has to say about them, and about him.
Putting the map and envelope into his shorts pockets, he quickly left Dekapan’s lab and set foot towards the first location. As he did so he played the tape in order to make sure he didn’t forget anything.
You can pause the tape until you get there, but when you do make sure to go in. Sit wherever you want as long as you go inside, then we can finally know the truth, isn’t that right, Osomatsu-niisan?
Jyushimatsu slowly stopped walking and paused the tape. He let himself wonder what the eldest could have done to Karamatsu, his ‘second in command’ that could have landed him on the list, but soon he’ll find out why all of them were there, his usual wide grin appeared on his face. Before setting the player into his hoodies front pocket and continued his search he made sure to make a promise, he’ll make them all pay for what they did to Karamatsu.