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Appearing 18, Osomatsu could get away with a lot. This included mooching off his parents for decades, until they died. He missed them a lot, but was glad he’d been able to spend so long with them, rather than move out and be lonely. Like he was now. So many of his friends had met their soulmates earlier on, leaving him to be the only one still young. Well, appearing as such.
He had a job now, at least. He was a loyal employee for nearly 20 years now, helping Minette-sensei with his manga. Minette had also yet to find his (yes, his, though most people believed Minette to be female) soulmate, and was a couple decades younger than Osomatsu.
Osomatsu also worked at the bookstore Minette always did book signings at. It was amusing to him, seeing Minette flustered around so many girls, never getting more used to it.
This was another thing Osomatsu could get away with, appearing 18. Checking out girls. Maybe some really were around 18, maybe they were older. The point is, he couldn’t get away with it if he appeared as the 72-year-old he was.
Today was another book signing. Minette had only been at it for about 45 minutes before asking for a 5-minute break.
Osomatsu brought him a glass of water; Minette preferred Dr Pepper, but had been disallowed from having fizzy drinks at events, as it caused him to burp a lot.
He gave the mangaka a hand massage as well, as he tended to grip the marker harder the cuter the girl he was signing for was.
After the five minutes were up, he removed the sign and waved the next person forward. It was a familiar woman of 78, with the face of a 22-year-old.
“Totoko-chan! Welcome, welcome! You didn’t bring Reika with you?”
“She’s got a concert next door soon, but wanted me to get her copy signed. Also, those two brothers I told you about are here, so don’t talk about her so loud.”
Totoko and Nyaa-chan, legally ‘Reika’, had met on Nyaa-chan’s 17th birthday. It was Totoko’s last year of being an idol, as she’d been one for 13 years by then and hadn’t aged yet. Sure, people liked looking at girls who appeared to be young, but knowing she must be at least nearing her 40’s made her popularity drop. So, she agreed to open for Nyaa-chan’s 17th birthday concert special. When they met backstage, they discovered they were soulmates.
Reika found out first, since Totoko introduced herself by her real name immediately.
So now, they have to keep the fact that Reika found her soulmate a secret from the public, or everyone would lose interest in her.
“Oh, that one awkward idol otaku who drags his brother along? Why are they here?
“Shh! They’re only a few people behind me. I heard them talking about getting to the concert too early, so they came here to not seem too eager or something.”
Minette handed the book over. “Guys rarely read my shit, they stick out worse here than if they just waited outside the concert.”
Totoko giggled, took the book, and left.
The next few people went quickly, as they were very cute and Minette didn’t want them hanging around. Then, two boys appearing 18 approached.
They were either twins, or brothers who just looked like it, but one caught Osomatsu’s attention more. Despite having the same face as the one in green, the one in pink was just so. Cute.
Osomatsu stared.
The green one awkwardly handed over a book to have signed, but Osomatsu was distracted.
So was the pink brother.
Osomatsu stepped around the table, approaching the man. He held out his hand, as if compelled.
“Osomatsu,” he said.
The man’s eyes widened and lit up, and he took Osomatsu’s hand.
“Todomatsu,” he replied, the words echoing beautifully in Osomatsu’s ears.
This was him, the one he’d have, to love for always, who he’d finally grow old with.
The compelling feeling came again, but before he could speak, Todomatsu retracted his hand, looked away, and shyly said, “27.”
Osomatsu flushed. “72,” he was almost embarrassed to admit. “I’ve waited for you for 72 years.”
“Hehe~,” Todomatsu giggled cutely, making Osomatsu’s heart soar. “So old,” he stuck out his tongue and winked.
A cough from Minette reminded Osomatsu that there was a line. They could continue this later. Kind of had to.
“Dinner at 9? After Nyaa-chan’s concert? I heard your brother was dragging you along there.”
Said brother sputtered, but was ignored.
“Sounds good,” Todomatsu purred, “Osomatsu.”