Work Text:
Prologue
The eldest of the Matsuno sextuplets sprawled across the floor of their his bedroom. He trying, and failing miserably, to read the latest issue of his favourite manga. He kept getting distracted by his brothers. Or rather, the absence of his brothers.
Three months. It had been three months since his brothers had moved out.
Osomatsu flipped page and frowned slightly. They still hadn't come back. There had been a family dinner or two, but he had never expected for his brothers to honestly make it out in the world. A week, two at best, and Osomatsu figured they'd realize how much better they had it at home and they'd come running back. Not a single one had.
Hell, Even Karamatsu and Ichimatsu had somehow managed to find jobs over the last few months. Granted, Karamatsu worked at a convenience store and Ichimatsu at an animal shelter. Not exactly jobs to brag about, but still, jobs. He was the last NEET in the family. Even Karamatsu! Osomatsu quickly shoved down thoughts of an ache in his cheek and disappointed eyes that hurt even worse.
Something about the whole situation just itched. Osomatsu hated losing. He detested being last. Wasn't it his right as the oldest to be the first amongst the brothers. And here he was, left behind like discarded trash.
Osomatsu huffed and tossed the manga away. There was no reading with his mood like this Dammit. He heaved himself to his feet and went to go slip on his shoes. Instead of wasting time thinking about his brothers, he'd go catch up on his pachinko time. He didn't get to go as often now that he could pilfer money from his brothers' wallets. It was the only thing that he missed about them.
The empty bed didn't bother him, He was glad to be able to stretch out. He absolutely didn't have trouble sleeping at night. Nope. And Being able to watch whatever he wanted on TV was great, that's why he left it on all the time. Not to drown the silence of a near empty. He got to eat his fill at dinner without having to share.
Osomatsu absolutely didn't feel like he missing a limb without his brothers. Hah! As if.
He Jammed his hands into the pockets of his hoodie, hunched over, and started the familiar trek to his favourite pachinko parlor. He passed the super market and few clothing stores. Just a few blocks from the home of his addiction something caught his eye and he abruptly drew to a stop.
A small but well kept travel shop, with a red awning and small sign reading 'Kimura Travel'. It was a new business, only opening in the last few weeks. Osomatsu had payed little attention to it before, but today was different. Today, a now hiring sign was posted in the window.
Huh.
Osomatsu turned to continue on his way, but halted again. A job. Maybe? Nah, who cares. But something about being the last brother to find a job had, if he was honest with himself, had really started to rankle over the last few months. Did want he want to work? No, too much effort. But he couldn't stand being in last place either. And that was what he was wasn't it? Last to leave home, last to find a job.
A rare sense of determination filled him. He'd show them. He clenched his fist and strode through the doorway into the shop.
It was quiet, well lit and covered with photos from places the world over. Seating was scattered about with travel magazines piled on tables and in racks along the wall.
Seated at a desk was a middle aged man, graying at the temples, and his long hair pull back in a lose ponytail. The man looked up when Osomatsu entered, peering at him over the top of his glasses with a small smile.
"Welcome to Kimura Travel Agency. I'm the owner Kimura Makio, Is there anything I can help you with today?"
Osomatsu blinked and opened mouth, before shutting it and wetting his lips. Somehow this was harder when he actually cared about getting the job.
"U-um, my name is Matsuno Osomatsu, and I wanted to ask about your now hiring sign."
Kimura studied him for a moment, appraising. He beckoned Osomatsu over, to have him sit at the chair directly acros the desk from him. Osomatsu made his way over to slouch in the seat before catching himself and sitting up straighter.
Kimura spoke softly, but with a strange sense of power and authority. Osomatsu found his attention monopolized by the man in front of him.
"We're currently looking for some travel photographers and journalists. We're looking into starting a blog as a new PR strategy, and so need someone to travel to these places in order to write the posts."
Osomatsu's eyes widened. That... actually sound pretty neat. And he be able to brag to his brothers about all the places he'd been. A big plus in his opinion.
"May I ask about your previous job experience, Matsuno-san?"
Shit. Osomatsu gulped. "I don't have any."
"Any experience with writing or photography?"
"None."
Kimura-san tilted his head and look at Osomatsu thoughtfully. Osomatsu found himself blushing in embarrassment after a few moments, fighting down the urge to bolt. Something about the way Kimura looked at him was horribly exposing. The older man leaned forward, looking Osomatsu straight in the eye.
"Matsuno-san, answer me this. Why did you come in today? With complete honesty, if you please."
Kimura leaned back, brushing his hair back over his should from where it had fallen.
Osomatsu gaped, struggled for a moment, before everything just fell out of his mouth.
"I'm last of six brothers still living at home. I'm jealous that they are finding a away to make it on their own, when I feel like I'm drowning without them around. I need to get out, I need to get away. I've never worked, never wanted to work, but I don't want to be forgotten! I need to do something to catch up to them!"
Osomatsu gasped for breath and trembled, his whole body rushed with adrenaline at finally voicing the thoughts that had be festering for so long. He didn't want to face Kimura-san. He'd probably blown it. Fuck.
Kimura-san leaned back, and when Osomatsu gained the nerve to look up, he saw, to his surprise, a knowing smile on the elder's face.
"Matsuno-san. We may be able to work something out."
Wait, what?
"Huh?" Osomatsu eloquently returned.
"I have an associate who lives in Europe. She'd be able to show you the ropes, teach you what you'll need to get around there. I'll provide you with a camera and a laptop, so you can practice and get used to what you would be doing as a travel blogger. I wont be able to pay you much to start off with, so you'll have to be responsible, watch your money. Learned to take care of yourself. But I'm willing to take a chance on you, Osomatsu-san. If, you take it seriously and put in the effort."
Holy shit. What the hell? Was he really saying what Osomatsu thought he was saying?
Osomatsu was elated and confused and nervous all at once, the emotions chasing one another round and round in his gut.
"But why?"
Kimura stood and beckoned to Osomatsu. "Someone took a chance on me once, when I was young and desperate. To be quite honest" He suddenly grinned, boyish "You remind me of me. Now come! Lets start the paperwork. we have a lot to get done if we want to get you started."
Osomatsu followed him to the back, still in a state of disbelief.
He had a job!
Osomatsu filled out paper after paper, even having to take a few trips home to grab various identification. Thanks to a family vacation a year prior he even had a Visa, which Kimura-san said should make it easier to add other countries to it, rather than applying for a new one.
A few weeks later, Osomatsu finds himself in an airport terminal, waiting for a flight to Ireland. He wonders if he should have given his family more of a heads up on what he was about to do, but shakes it off. He vaguely explained to his parents that he'd be gone for a bit, but not really the why's and hows of it. He'd said nothing to his brothers. They'd left without considering his feelings, so they could suck it for all he cared.
The call to board rang across the PA and Osomatsu stands, and after awhile boards the plane.
There was no turning back now.
As Japan disappears rapidly out the window, Osomatsu rests his head against the window.
Well, might as well take a nap. It was gonna be a long flight