Chapter Text
"I'm home!"
Jiro says, locking the door.
"Uh huh, and why are you so late? I doubt your soccer friends would keep you for that much time."
Saburo says, as he's seen watching TV on the couch.
"What's that supposed to mean!"
Jiro slightly yells, irritated.
The younger one stands up, walks to him, and starts.
"What do you think?"
They start arguing back and forth. Footsteps play on the staircase as Ichiro walks down.
He glares at them with a face more pissed of than usual.
"Shut up!"
Ichiro yells from the end of it.
"Could you guys, I don't know... Not fight? I'm tired enough Jiro."
The middle brother gulps, with Ichiro's call of his name sounding more menacing.
"For you, it's bad enough to come home late. You got me really worried! Now you're picking a fight first thing? I'm very disappointed in you. Of course though, what'd I expect."
The 2 brothers were speechless.
Jiro stands still, not able to move. Suddenly, everything goes dark around him. He couldn't see anything. There was no sound. It was empty.
Till laughing was heard in front of him. He knows exactly what was going on.
"Why is this happening again..?"
He thinks.
As that happens, the other 2 sees him backing up to the wall next to the door.
Jiro's own voice fills his empty space.
"I'm so annoying."
"Give them a break."
"Nobody knows how to deal with you."
"I'll just cause us to lose."
Out of that space, he cries and repeats, "I know."
He starts gripping his hair, and shutting his eyes tightly, as tears start to stream down his face.
Ichiro after calling his name many times, finally get to him.
"Jiro!"
Jiro looks at his brothers with shock and sadness. He then quickly runs out the doorway, cutting Ichiro off as he tried to call out for him again.
Tears endlessly fall from his eyes. He thought there was nowhere to go, but then remembered Doppo and Hifumi's house. The last time he went there, was because Doppo suggested to talk about their personal problems.
Doppo greets him at his door with Hifumi walking up behind him.
"Heyoo~ Who's at the door??? Eh? You're the middle kid in the "Buster Bros!!!" Right?"
"Yeah.. Could I stay here for a few days?" Jiro replies with a soft voice.
Doppo realises the dried tears on Jiro's face and sighs.
"Of course..."
Hifumi speaks out.
"Ehh~? What about your brother's?? Wouldn't they be worried?"
Jiro slightly winces.
"I might tell you sometime later or sumthin'.."
Doppo and Hifumi look at eachother, and lets him in.
Night time:
Jiro looks at the ceiling, trying to sleep on the couch with his left arm on his forehead, and his right hanging down, hand almost touching the ground.
"God-... I'm so dramatic."
He whispers. He then, falls asleep.
The next day, Ichiro and Saburo goes to eat breakfast.
".. Do you think he's going to come back?"
Saburo says, playing with his bacon with his fork.
Ichiro stares at where Jiro would usually sit..
"I'm not sure, but hopefully..."
2 days after: Morning.
"Are you sure you're ready?"
Doppo hesitantly asks as Jiro puts on his jacket in front of the door.
"Of course! Why wouldn't I be?"
They both smile at each other, and say their goodbyes.
A knock on the door is heard on the Buster Bros' door. Ichiro goes to open it and forms a few tears from what he saw while opening the door.
He hugs Jiro, which makes his eyes widen. Saburo slowly walks to the door and sees Jiro's head on Ichiro's shoulder from the hug.
He smiles with worry; with Jiro spotting him, but looking away as if he was expecting Saburo to call him stupid.
Jiro speaks out.
"I never would've thought you guys would miss me that much!'
(Ah. That was an exaggeration.) Ichiro thinks. At least he hopes.
He ends his sentence with a chuckle.
The eldest brother brings him inside.
"Are- are you okay? Is there anything to do to help you right now?"
Jiro answers.
"Haha, I'll be fine. Anyway, I'm more hungry than I thought!"
"Oh! I'll make eggs then!"
Ichiro excitedly announces.
He proceeds to walk to the kitchen and start making them.
"Hey.." Saburo starts.
"You know you can rely on us when you have struggles... Right?"
He says, looking down away from the older one.
Jiro chuckles once again.
"I'm fin-"
He gets cut off by Saburo starting a "lecture."
" I'm fine' this, I'm ok' that! I don't want to hear it anymore! It's unhealthy to keep your problems and not ask for help! Are you stupid? Your dumb brain needs to realize this!"
Jiro's eyes widen.
He admits,
"I guess.. you're right."
"Just know, we're here..."
Saburo mumbles with embarrassment written on his face.
Jiro's eyes sparkle with joy. He nods in agreement and excitedly agreed.
"Hai!"