Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Today is that kind of day for Ichimatsu. By the time he woke up from his restless sleep, he knew that today would suck a lot. Today is a bad day. He doesn’t know what will happen, but today is a bad day. Usually he can fix his mood by petting cats.

But sadly, he doesn’t have any money to buy cat food today because he splurged his pocket money on pachinko yesterday too. He doesn’t dare to find any cats if he can’t offer them any food, that would only be like he takes advantage of them.

So, when his other siblings are going out, enjoying the sunny day, Ichimatsu stays at home. He doesn’t want to go out, he is busy sulking in the corner.

“Are you planting mushrooms there, Ichimatsu?”

But it seems there is one sibling that is still staying at home, together with him. Unfortunately, he is one of the shittiest from everyone else.

His oldest sibling, Osomatsu.

“I’m not planting any mushrooms.” Ichimatsu retorts back with a blank face. Though, his dark aura might have enough power to start growing poisonous mushrooms in the corner of their old house.

“I’m boooreeeed today.” Osomatsu groans childishly. Ichimatsu doesn’t care, he is still sitting at the corner with his knees on his chest. He tries to ignore the eldest, but he knows that Osomatsu will start to bother him really soon.

Today is really a bad day.

“Hey, Ichimatsu, let’s go to a minimarket.”

“We are banned there.” Ichimatsu blatantly reminds the eldest twins.

“No, there is a new minimarket around the corner. It is a bit further away. And more, I don’t plan to stay there, I’m just going to buy some snacks and enjoy it at home.” Osomatsu replies back.

“Do you even have any money?” Ichimatsu frowns a little. The fourth twin knows that the eldest also went bankrupt yesterday, along with him.

Osomatsu grins at him. “Of course I have money.”

‘You must have stolen it from the other--,’ Ichimatsu silently thinks. Probably from Choromatsu’s secret stash. Osomatsu is the shittiest eldest brother Ichimatsu ever knows.

“I don’t have any money. You can go alone.” Ichimatsu says he doesn’t want to meet the hungry stray cats and feels sorry because he can’t feed them.

“Eeeeeh…,” Osomatsu whines in the most childish way. If only Ichimatsu isn’t used to it, he would cringe at that. It is so painful to see the eldest to be the most childish, beside Jyushimatsu, among them.

Then there is a silence, Ichimatsu hopes Osomatsu has given up on the idea.The fourth brother only wants to spend the day as quietly as possible.

“I will treat you to a 50 yen worth snack, how about that?”

Ichimatsu is surprised and looks at Osomatsu with a doubtful face. The eldest has a smug expression.

“I’m a generous onii-chan after all, I will treat you that much! So, go with me!”

‘Don’t act smug when it isn’t even your money, you shitty eldest--,’ Ichimatsu retorts back in his heart. But he is tempted, what can Ichimatsu say? He is a shitty sibling too.

With 50 yen, he can buy a small roasted seaweed then he can feed it to the stray cats. Not the healthiest food for cats, he knows. But it is better than nothing.

And more, Osomatsu is the one who stole the money, not him.

“Okay.” Ichimatsu nods. Osomatsu jumps happily.

“Good! Let’s go!”

0o0o0o0o0

Today is a sunny day, but Ichimatsu doesn’t like this kind of weather. It is too bright and hot for his taste. He walks along Osomatsu with a sullen face. Though, his sullen face is his normal expression. He just wants to buy the roasted seaweed quickly then feeds it to the cats.

The thought of petting the stray cats is enough motivation for Ichimatsu to go out and endure the chatty Osomatsu beside him.

He hopes the eldest can read his mood and just shut up already. But he knows that the self centered Osomatsu doesn’t care about the fourth brother’s feelings so he keeps talking anyway. Ichimatsu is just half listening to his chatter, hoping they can arrive faster to the minimarket.

“Excuse me, I’m sorry, but can you tell me the way to the Akatsuka Botanical Garden?”

Ichimatsu almost jumps in his place, the same way when a cat is being startled. He sees two older womens approach them, by the way they dress, it seems they are tourists.

‘Shit, shit, shit-’ Ichimatsu curses in his heart as he glances around nervously. He doesn’t prepare himself to talk to strangers at all today. Interacting with minimarket employees is his limit, but he doesn’t have enough mental preparation to handle any other strangers today. His mood is messed up and his anxiety is sky rocket through the roof.

He just wants to disappear, to pretend that he doesn’t hear them or simply just running away-

“Akatsuka Botanical Garden? Aaaah… I know that place, hm… how to explain the direction…”

Ichimatsu turns to Osomatsu beside him, a bit shocked to see that the eldest can respond and reply in the normal way to normal people. But then again, Osomatsu’s communication ability is far better than Ichimatsu, that is when Osomatsu isn’t in his shitty mode.

“Oh I’m glad you know that place, please explain it to us. We have been trying to find that place for hours to no avail.” The older woman speaks up.

‘Then you have no sense of direction at all--,’ Ichimatsu retorts again in his heart. Since no one’s attention isn’t directed to him, Ichimatsu tries to shrink away.

Without himself noticing, Ichimatsu takes a step to his side, behind Osomatsu’s back. He will just let Osomatsu handle this, he won’t say anything. He doesn’t have energy to handle any stranger today. Osomatsu can guide them to hell if he wants to, Ichimatsu won’t care.

“You need to take a bus, then--” Ichimatsu is half listening to Osomatsu's words. He is a bit surprised to hear that Osomatsu knows where that place is. Ichimatsu thought Osomatsu only knew horse betting places, Chibita’s oden stand, bar, and places like that.

The two older women listen to Osomatsu’s words carefully. They remind Ichimatsu a lot of his own mother. Maybe that is also the reason why Osomatsu doesn’t joke around and actually try to help the older women seriously.

“I see, I see… that is quite far from here… No wonder we can’t find it yet, thank you very much, young man.”

“Ehehe, no problem.”

Ichimatsu frowns a little, this conversation keeps dragging on. He shrinks more behind Osomatsu’s back, hoping that the older women can go away fast. He also hopes that they won’t notice him. Ichimatsu keeps glancing at them warily, his palms sweating nervously.

He is really a dysfunctional NEET who can’t even talk properly to any strangers.

Let alone strangers, Ichimatsu sometimes still stutters when he talks with his family.

“Ara, I just noticed it. Are you two twins?”

Ichimatsu almost jumps again in his place, he is quite shocked. He can see that the two older women are stealing glances at him, who is shamefully hiding behind Osomatsu.

Now that conversation will really drag on. Most of the town people have known the famous shitty Matsuno sextuplets, but it must be really bizarre for these two older women.

Ichimatsu knows that Osomatsu will reply that they aren’t twins, but sextuplets, with somewhat a happy face, like how he usually does. Then the two older women will be surprised and keep asking him questions.

Ichimatsu’s stomach starts to churn badly.

“Yeah, we are twins.”

Ichimatsu blinks and glances at Osomatsu in a bit of confusion. Since Ichimatsu can’t really see Osomatsu’s expression from his place, he doesn’t know why the eldest is half lying like that.

“Oooh, how cute. I can see that your twin is quite shy.” The other older woman says as she stretches her neck to steal a glance to Ichimatsu.

Ichimatsu is shocked to his core. Unconsciously, crouching himself even smaller behind his oldest twin.

Right.

Ichimatsu doesn’t even notice it, he has been hiding behind Osomatsu’s back for the entire time unconsciously. It is just... his introvert’s instinct to hide his presence is so strong and the only available hiding place is behind Osomatsu’s back. He just does it, naturally, without any second thought.

Ichimatsu wants to die, he just wants to die. He wants to dig the ground then bury himself alive there. It is so shameful to see such a grown up adult like him, hiding behind his sibling’s back like a scared toddler. Not to mention that they are at the same age. Ichimatsu might call Osomatsu as his older brother, but for other people they are twins with the same age.

Ichimatsu wants to cry badly. No, he wants to claw his face then hitting his face to the wall in shame.

He doesn’t want to hear what kind of reply Osomatsu will give to them. Ichimatsu dreads the teasing or shaming coming from the eldest mouth.

So, without him knowing it, Ichimatsu pulls the back of Osomatsu’s hoodie.

Ichimatsu doesn’t know why he does it. But Ichimatsu is so nervous till he feels like he is going to die. He doesn’t know what he wants Osomatsu to do, what kind of signal he is trying to give to his older twin sibling, but Ichimatsu just hopes the eldest won’t make things worse for him. That is why he pulls Osomatsu’s hoodie a little bit.

Ichimatsu blinks when Osomatsu moves in front of him, takes a side step a little bit, in a casual way, blocking the two older women from seeing Ichimatsu.

“I think my little brother is just being grumpy because he is hungry, we are on our way to the mini market you see.”

Ichimatsu blinks again.

“Ah I see, pardon us for taking your time then. We will go our way, thank you very much young men.” The two older women politely leave with rather warm expressions, which confuse Ichimatsu a lot.

But finally, the introverted Matsuno can breathe properly. He lets go of Osomatsu's hoodie and stops hiding behind Osomatsu’s back with an embarrassed expression, but tries so hard to hide it.

“Gosh, those two aunts are really chatty. I don’t think they can reach the garden in that manner, right, Ichimatsu?”

Ichimatsu is surprised a little, he glances to see Osomatsu beside him. The eldest has his usual relaxed expression. There are no hints of teasing on his face, even though Ichimatsu has been waiting for it.

‘Gosh, you are really bad at talking with other people’ or ‘did you really hide behind my back like a toddler? Awww… my baby brother is so cuuuteee…’. Those kinds of responses. After all, Ichimatsu made it clear that he was hiding behind Osomatsu and asked the elder to help him.

Which was ridiculous, because they are both adults with the same age. He deserved that kind of teasing.

“Y-yeah, I guess so…” Ichimatsu replies in stutter.

“Now, let’s go to the mini market fast! I’m starving!” Osomatsu says and quickens his pace. Ichimatsu just trails behind his older brother with a confused expression.

0o0o0o0o

“See, Onii-chan can be generous right? Aren’t you happy that I treated you to some snacks?”

Ichimatsu looks at the bag of plastic in his hand. There are a couple packs of roasted seaweed there along with some candies and a bag of chips. He glances at the relaxed Osomatsu beside him.

Osomatsu still hasn’t mentioned anything about the small event earlier. It makes Ichimatsu wonder a lot. Usually the eldest won’t spare a chance at teasing his younger brothers relentlessly. So, Ichimatsu finds it weird that Osomatsu doesn’t say anything at all.

“Is something wrong?” Osomatsu asks him, Ichimatsu quickly glances at the other way.

“N-no.” Ichimatsu looks down.

He wonders…

Maybe just like how it felt natural for him to hide behind Osomatsu’s back, maybe it was natural for Osomatsu to shield him too. So, the eldest doesn’t think too much of it and he doesn’t find it weird either.

Or maybe, Osomatsu knows about Ichimatsu’s feelings. That is why he is dragging him outside, buying him snacks and shielding him from strangers. He doesn’t say anything because he knows that Ichimatsu will be super embarrassed about it.

Ichimatsu wonders which one is true.

But he can remember. It might have been just a harmless event earlier.

But back then, Osomatsu’s back felt bigger. It made Ichimatsu feel safe. And for that moment, Osomatsu felt reliable too.

For once, he feels really like a proper older brother.

‘If only he can act like that all the time…’ Ichimatsu silently thinks.

But maybe because those kinds of moments are rare, Ichimatsu treasures it more. Ichimatsu looks up before he takes a deep breath.

“Hm… O-Osomatsu-niisan.”

“Yeah?” Osomatsu glances at him, while eating a gummy candy with a relaxed expression.

“T-thank you…” He speaks so softly, it is barely a whisper. But he knows that Osomatsu can hear him.

Osomatsu smiles warmly at him. He rubs his nose with a happy expression.

“For the roasted seaweeds? You're welcome, Ichimacchan! Well, that isn’t my money anyway. But, Onii-chan is still pretty generous right?”

‘So you finally admitted that you stole that money?’ Ichimatsu retorts back in his mind. Nevertheless, Ichimatsu smiles back a little.

He thinks, Osomatsu really knows how he feels but just playing dumb about it. Osomatsu knows why Ichimatsu is thankful for him, not for the treats, but for shielding and being considerate about his feelings. But again, Osomatsu just pretends to be dumb about it.

“Now let’s have a party just for the two of us! I know where Mom hides the beers, let’s get them secretly!” Osomatsu throws his arm onto Ichimatsu’s shoulder. Usually the fourth brother finds that annoying, but today, he just smiles and nods.

Weirdly, he feels better already even without feeding and stroking any stray cats today.

And it is because of Osomatsu.

He might be the shittiest older brother.

But he is Ichimatsu’s older brother.

And Ichimatsu is glad for that.

End

Chapter Text

Today isn’t a good day for Karamatsu. Nothing particularly bad happened actually, besides some light rain showers and cold wind when he went outside. Besides being chilly to his bone, actually today is rather peaceful for him. Being born as the second eldest crazy NEET Matsuno sextuplets, this kind of day is actually quite normal and peaceful.

Karamatsu is just feeling a little blue today. Or maybe, not just today, but for a few days. It must have happened to many people as well. When he wakes up, his head is rather cloudy just like the weather. He thought he could clear his mind by going outside, he has been sulking in home for a few days after all. He thought the rain maybe could wash away his problems.

But of course it only adds more problems if anything.

“Achooo!”

And maybe to make matters worse, the water heating machine is broken. It seems since he always bathed outside with his brothers, he never noticed that the water heating machine in his home is broken. So, Karamatsu could only wash his drenched body with cold water.

By the time he is done, Karamatsu is trembling in coldness.

“Why is it so cold?” He mutters to himself. It is only the beginning of fall. The heater is still stored inside the cupboard and no kotatsu either. Karamatsu rubs his arm, trying to warm himself to no avail.

And his old house is so cold. No floor heater was installed in this old fashioned house. Even if he is wearing his socks, the floor is unbelievably cold.

Okay, maybe today isn’t a good day because it is so unbearably cold. The coldness doesn’t help his blue feeling either.

Karamatsu opens the door of his room that he shared with his brothers.

He plans to get the futon and blanket then sleep away to forget about the cold weather.

But then he sees something red.

For some reason, the red color stands out more than usual.

Karamatsu is surprised to see Osomatsu is staying home.

He thought everyone left the house to do their own things, but it seems Osomatsu has been staying home from the start.

‘He hasn't changed his pajamas yet…’ Karamatsu notices how Osomatsu simply throws his hoodie on top of his pajamas. His bed hair is still there too.

A definition of being a NEET, Karamatsu is rather amazed to see it.

Osomatsu is sitting on the sofa, there is a comic book on his lap. He reads it with a sleepy expression, he doesn’t even acknowledge Karamatsu being there.

The second eldest is used to being ignored by his brother. Nonetheless, he stops hugging himself and walks casually inside the room.

A cool man is never bothered by cold.

He doesn’t want to show that he is being cold to his bones in front of his only older brother. He is a cool man. A cool man is strong with cold.

He pulls out his sunglasses and wears them, to hide his expression.

Karamatsu wants to sit on the floor, just to notice that the coldness of the tatami doesn’t resonate well with his already cold body. Rather awkwardly, though he still tries to keep showing his cool demeanor, he walks toward the sofa and sits not too far from Osomatsu.

He glances at Osomatsu awkwardly, He totally misses the opportunity to talk to his eldest, this becomes rather awkward.

“Oh, you are home, Karamatsu?” Osomatsu finally says, his sleepy eyes still stay rooted to the comic on his lap. He yawns sleepily.

“Yeah, the weather isn’t the greatest now, so I came home sooner than I planned,” Karamatsu says.

“Ah right, I just noticed that it is raining now,” Osomatsu looks at the window for a moment. But then he is back at his comic book. He leans back at the sofa with a more comfortable position.

Karamatsu steals a glance at his older brother.

Maybe because of his red hoodie, but strangely Osomatsu doesn’t seem bothered by the cold at all. While Karamatsu is at the verge of fighting his trembling body. He should make himself tea earlier. He feels really cold.

He can’t move around to warm himself without being suspicious about it.

He can’t sleep on the futon because it is still only the afternoon.

Not that Osomatsu will care much about it, but Karamatsu wants to keep his cool image.

He doesn’t want to show that he is feeling a little blue and being cold to his bones today.

Then again, it doesn't seem like anyone would care about that. Not Osomatsu, not anyone else.

Even Osomatsu, who usually has more attention to give toward his younger brothers, looks so indifferent to Karamatsu’s return. He looks more interested toward the old comic book that he has read maybe over 100 times than Karamatsu.

‘Ah no good, it is getting worse.’ Karamatsu shakes his head slightly.

Usually he isn’t this sensitive. He is used to being the punching bag of his family, being ignored is nothing new. And more, Osomatsu doesn’t ignore him. He just acts slightly cold to him.

Nothing new, really.

Osomatsu is closer to anyone but Karamatsu. The second eldest knows this.

Maybe Choromatsu is better fit to be the second eldest, since he is also Osomatsu’s closest brother. Karamatsu is just… just there.

‘Gosh, stop it, stop.’ He hopes his head can stop thinking such negative thoughts. Usually he is okay even when they ignore him when he gets injured. But today for some reason, just a slight cold shoulder from the eldest almost broke his dam.

But he knows that he can’t help it. His stress has been accumulating for Akatsuka only knows how long. The bitter teasing, cruel jokes, violence, he has been receiving too many of that recently.

But Karamatsu wonders if it is wrong for him to be noticed too? To be cared for, to be… loved, just like the other younger brothers. Well, Osomatsu isn’t the most affectionate one between Matsuno sextuplets, but he isn’t the coldest either. There are times where Osomatsu likes to pamper his younger brothers. Like head patting, shoulder rubbing or even a hug.

Karamatsu wants those too… is it wrong for him to wish for that?

Is it because he doesn’t call Osomatsu with ‘nii-san’? So Osomatsu doesn’t think of him as his younger brother?

Probably it is.

It must be disgusting if he begs for that kind of thing to his only older brother. He can imagine Osomatsu stares him with disgusted expression--

“Karamatsu.”

Karamatsu glances at the eldest, glad that the sunglasses are covering his reddening eyes.

“Is something wrong?”

“Huh?”

Karamatsu stares at Osomatsu, the eldest looking serious for once. He still looks sleepy, but his eyes are opened properly.

He puts the comic aside then he opens his arms.

Karamatsu blinks at that gesture. He looks at his only older brother with confusion.

“Huh? This isn’t what you want?”

“Huh?”

Karamatsu is as confused as Osomatsu now.

He doesn’t get what Osomatsu is saying right now.

Osomatsu folds his arms and thinks carefully, confusing Karamatsu even more.

“Ah, right. This is it!” He says with a big smile. Karamatsu just tilts his head.

Then the next thing he knows, Osomatsu is hugging him tightly.

“Gyah! What is it!? Why are you so cold!?” Osomatsu shouts a little then tightens his embrace.

Karamatsu just freezes there.

He can’t believe this is really happening--

Then there is an awkward silence. Osomatsu loosens his embrace and looks at Karamatsu’s eyes.

“Am I wrong again?” He asks with confusion. “Huh… weird, I thought this is what you want.”

Karamatsu snaps back, his face starts to get red. Did Osomatsu just read his thought---

“Aniki… what are you doing?” He asks with a dumbfounded face.

Osomatsu blinks, then looks at him with a deadpan expression.

“I’m strangling you to death. OF COURSE NOT, I’m comforting you right now, geez…” Osomatsu sighs but then he smiles. He pulls off Karamatsu’s sunglasses and tosses it carelessly. “You have been sitting awkwardly, obviously working your small brain to the limit. Onii-chan needs to save you before your head explodes!”

Osomatsu pats his head, a gesture that Karamatsu rarely received from the eldest. But Karamatsu’s brain is almost short circuited so he just sits still.

“But I just noticed now that you are freezing, geez Karamatsu…,” Osomatsu takes both of Karamatsu’s cold hands and rubs them. “You should say something, you dumbass.”

Osomatsu’s hands feel so warm.

This feels surreal. Karamatsu still can’t believe this is happening.

“Are you really okay? Are you sick or something?” Osomatsu asks again. “You are awfully quiet today.”

Karamatsu opens his mouth then closes it again. He doesn’t know what to say. Because it is very rare for him to receive this kind of attention from Osomatsu. He didn’t notice that Osomatsu had been observing him and guessed what he needed.

“I’m not sick…” That is what Karamatsu can say. His voice is small and timid, unlike his usual cool deep voice.

“That’s good.” Osomatsu stops rubbing the second eldest’s hands. “What were you doing? Swimming in the river during the rain?”

Karamatsu frowns a little. “I’m not Jyushimatsu.”

“Like I ever mixed you two.” Osomatsu grins.

That is right. Sometimes Karamatsu forgets about this.

Osomatsu can read his younger brothers better than anyone else, sometimes, maybe even better than their parents. It is just that he rarely shows it. Or mostly, he doesn’t really care and does nothing about it. Most of the time, he aggravates the problems, rather than being helpful.

But then, there is this kind of rare moment.

When Osomatsu acts properly like an older brother.

Karamatsu doesn’t remember when the last time his only older brother pampers him like this. Probably years ago, he couldn't remember it.

“Is something wrong again? You look like you are going to cry…” Osomatsu rubs Karamatsu’s cheek tenderly. It makes Karamatsu’s eyes become more glassy. It takes his strongest will to just not cry there.

“Sometimes I forget just how sensitive you are…” Osomatsu pats Karamatsu’s head again. The second eldest swallows his hiccup and just nods.

“Are you still cold?” Osomatsu opens his arms again. “I’m too lazy to pull out the heater from the cupboard, making tea is a hassle too. So, this is the best I can do.” He grins and rubs his nose.

Karamatsu wants to snort. Of course, the lazy eldest will always be lazy.

Osomatsu’s arms look so inviting, but Karamatsu feels really embarrassed.

He isn’t that cold anymore and he feels a bit better than before. Osomatsu already hugged him once, then rubbed his hands and patted his head. Those are the most pampering he ever got for years. He wonders if he should ask for more.

“Come on, there are only two of us. You don’t need to get shy. I won’t tell anyone about this.” Osomatsu makes a gesture for Karamatsu to come into his arms.

Karamatsu gives up, he doesn’t care anymore. He jumps to Osomatsu’s arms and hugs his brother tightly. And like he expects, Osomatsu is really warm. His embrace is really comforting.

“There, there…,” Osomatsu pats his head.

Karamatsu inhales Osomatsu’s unique scent on his hoodie then relaxes into Osomatsu’s warm embrace. Even though they are all sharing the same DNA, they have their own unique scents. Osomatsu’s scent strangely reminds Karamatsu of home.

It is weird, Karamatsu doesn’t understand why.

“How could you notice?” Karamatsu mumbles.

“Hm? Notice what?”

“About me. I thought you didn’t care.” Karamatsu says before he can stop himself.

Osomatsu stops patting his head. Karamatsu wonders if he just ruins the mood. He grips Osomatsu’s hoodie tighter in his hand nervously.

“I won’t do this if I don’t care about you, idiot. You are my little brother, of course I noticed. You can’t hide anything from me, even by using those sunglasses.”

Karamatsu’s eyes go wide a little. Then he smiles a little. “Little brother huh? I thought you didn’t think of me as such.”

“Huh!? Are you an idiot? No, you are an idiot, but I thought you weren't that much of an idiot.”

Karamatsu’s smile flatters. Osomatsu sighs then ruffles Karamatsu’s head roughly.

“You are one of Matsuno sextuplets right? And I’m the eldest, so what are you? A bystander? No, you are my little brother of course.” Osmatsu grins when Karamatsu’s hair is as messy as Ichimatsu. “Even if you stubbornly refused to call me ‘nii-san’, you are still my little brother.” Osomatsu adds again.

Karamatsu really wonders if Osomatsu can read his mind, because he is so on point.

“Onii-chan will be happy if you call me ‘nii-san’, but I won’t force your or anything.” The way Osomatsu says it, it means otherwise. He sounds like a sulking toddler. Karamatsu holds back a chuckle.

“I remember you used to hate being called ‘nii-san’, Osomatsu.” Karamatsu leans back to Osomatsu, it feels like his body is melting. This is so comfortable. Maybe because they are twins-- no, sextuplets.

“How could you still remember that? That was sooo long ago…,” Osomatsu hufts. “I already accepted it.”

Karamatsu’s smile withers.

Right.

He remembers.

He remembers the reason why he stubbornly refused to call Osomatsu with ‘nii-san’. Not only because it doesn’t fit his cool image, but…

Osomatsu has enough trouble with four younger brothers. Karamatsu can remember that moment when Osomatsu threw a fit because everyone suddenly decided to make him ‘the eldest brother’. Before, he was just a ‘leader’, before, there was no such thing like an older brother or little brother between the sextuplets.

It was kind of absurd, they are all the same age.

And yet it happened.

But it changed everything.

Then their relationship changed along with their personality.

Unlike their little brothers, Karamatsu can understand a little of Osomatsu’s burden. Even if everyone has given up their expectation of Osomatsu being the eldest, and yet, Osomatsu is still the eldest brother for them.

So, Karamatsu wants to be an ‘equal’ for Osomatsu. He wants Osomatsu to share his burden with him and rely on him.

It doesn’t happen like that though.

“I feel confused…,” Karamatsu sighs and retreats back from Osomatsu's warm embrace.

“About what?” Osomatsu asks.

“About myself.” Karamatsu likes to say things in a cool way, but for this one he is being honest. There are times when he wants to be a little brother for Osomatsu, but other times, he wants to be an equal for Osomatsu. Just like how he keeps switching between ‘Aniki’ or ‘Osomatsu’.

“Don’t we all?” Osomatsu snorts and shakes his head. “Like I said, don’t think too much. Your head will explode.”

Karamatsu frowns a little at Osomatsu’s joke and the older brother just grins.

Maybe Karamatsu is indeed thinking too much about it. Maybe that is the meaning for being the second eldest right? He is a little brother for Osomatsu, but he is also the second eldest for the rest of the sextuplets. He can be a little brother and also an equal for Osomatsu at the same time.

“You look way better now.”

Karamatsu blushes a little but he tries to cover it. He can hear Osomatsu’s chuckles.

“Oh come on, don’t be so embarrassed. You can act cool and tough in front of our little brothers, but you are free to be yourself in front of me.”

“I’m a cool guy, I don’t know what you are talking about.” Karamatsu uses his cool expression and Osomatsu laughs again.

“Okay, okay… whatever you want. I’m going to sleep.” Osomatsu is about to stand but Karamatsu pulls his hoodie a little bit.

“Uhm… for today, thank you, Aniki.” Karamatsu says with reddening cheeks.

Osomatsu only grins and rubs his nose then he walks away from the sofa.

“We are home!”

“I’m home!”

“Gosh! It was so cold outside! Are you sure it is fall right now, not winter!?”

“Osomatsu-niisan!? You are going to sleep at this hour!?”

“Yeah, wake me up when dinner is ready.”

“Wait! You don’t even change from your pajamas--- Gosh, you shitty lazy eldest NEET!”

“Hahahaha that is an amazing name-calling, Cherrymatsu.”

“Don’t call me that!”

Karamatsu looks at Osomatsu between all the chaotic banters of his siblings.

Karamatsu certainly feels better and warm right now.

But..

What about Osomatsu himself? Karamatsu wonders if something is wrong with the eldest too. Or is it just him thinking too much about it?

‘Being the second eldest is surely hard but… I think being the eldest is way harder.’

Sadly, Karamatsu thinks the others would never understand it.

Maybe, he still has a long way to go to be Osomatsu’s equal. But he will try his best. So that one day Osomatsu can share his burden for being the eldest to him.

End

Chapter Text

Today is totally ruined, at least, for Choromatsu. Of course there are shitty days, it is actually hard to find a decent day because of his 5 shitty brothers. But of course, the most responsible for most of his shitty things in his life is his eldest brother, Osomatsu.

“I will never ever let you follow me to a book fair again!” Choromatsu huffs in annoyance. To be honest, if he isn't out in public, he will strangle Osomatsu to death already.

“You are so overreacting, Chorofapsky,” Osomatsu looks amused beside him. It makes Choromatsu’s blood boil harder.

“You were totally embarrassing me there!” Choromatsu is the edge on screaming his head off. He regrets how he ever let his oldest brother follow him to a book fair. Osomatsu whined to him when Choromatsu said that he was going to the book fair this morning. Choromatsu knew that it was going to be a terrible idea to let Osomatsu go into such a place.

“I didn’t do anything too terrible there,” Osomatsu has no shame, so Choromatsu clenches his fists to stop him from hitting his older brother.

“You ripped the plastic cover of a book, thinking that you could just read it there and didn’t need to pay. Then you tried to woo the sales girls. Then you knocked the display over then--” Just thinking about what the eldest did almost makes Choromatsu’s head explode. “You didn’t even like to read a book in the first place!”

“Well, I like manga and ero-books, they are still counted as books, right?” Osomatsu says in defense.

“Technically, yeah, but-”

“And it doesn’t like you like to read books either. You only read manga and light novels too, Chorofapsky, you aren’t that much different than me.”

Choromatsu grits his teeth. Right, he managed to score so many manga and light novels at a cheap price. That was why he put all the effort into attending a book fair in a neighboring city. They took the subway to get here and in the middle of waiting for the train to get home.

“And see, I bought one too. I did it properly.” Osomatsu shows him a paper bag filled with one comedy manga that the eldest bought.

That actually impressed Choromatsu, just a tiny bit. But that still didn’t erase all of the embarrassing stuff Osomatsu did at that book fair. At least, they didn’t get banned there, thankfully.

“Well, good for you, for acting like a sane person for once.” Choromatsu can’t hold back his criticism. Acting like a normal person isn’t something you need to praise after all.

“It was cheap, but with the train fare, I wonder if it was really worth it. The book fair was fun though.” Osomatsu’s words annoy Choromatsu further.

“You were the one who followed me here! Duh!” Choromatsu grits his teeth in anger.

“Well, I was bored at home…,” Osomatsu whines a little and Choromatsu sighs, thinking just how this eldest has no shame at acting like a spoiled child.

“You are really-”

“Oh, the train is here!” Osomatsu says before Choromatsu can finish his words. Indeed, the train is here. “Let’s go home fast, I’m hungry. We didn’t get to eat afternoon snacks.” Osomatsu hops into the train in a little bit of a hurry, Choromatsu just sighs.

But once he enters the train, he just notices that the train is quite packed.

“Huh, today is a weekday though?” he mumbles in confusion. The previous train he rode was almost empty, but this one has all the seats full.

“Hm, you are right. This is my first time to ride such a full train after graduating from high school.” Osomatsu adds nonchalantly, but he doesn’t look too bothered. Osomatsu grabs a handrail and looks outside the window.

“I guess this is the rush hour?” Choromatsu mumbles, this is the time for the worker to go back home. It isn’t as jam packed as the morning rush hour, but it isn’t empty either. Choromatsu stands beside Osomatsu and grabs the handrail.

Most of the passengers in the train are either students or office workers, based on their attire.

For some reason, that makes Choromatsu a little bit anxious.

“But I wonder why the book fair didn’t sell ero-book, they should be there too! It is a legitimate genre!” Osomatsu starts to chatter beside him.

“Well, this book fair is for all ages, so obviously there wouldn’t be such things there…” Choromatsu looks at himself. He wonders if his attire screams out that he is a NEET. Probably, his bag is, it is filled with so many manga and light novels, totally an otaku thing.

“That is really boring, you like to attend comic book fairs too, right? I think it will be more interesting, you have to invite me if there are any, Choromatsu.”

The train stops in another station and more people are coming in.

Now this isn’t too good. Choromatsu isn’t bad with crowds. But honestly there are office workers everywhere.

When he looks around at the full train, his eyes land on one office worker who opens his laptop on his seat. “Eeeeh… he is still working here!?” Choromatsu mumbles in surprise.

“What? Oh wow, man… that looks really tiring. It is a good thing that we are NEET.” Osomatsu snickers a little and looks at the window again.

No, being a NEET isn’t a good thing at all.

Choromatsu grips the handrail harder as he feels people start to push around him. He feels as if he is surrounded by all of these office workers. They are hard workers, they are the proper people who contribute back to society.

While he is a total trash who just enjoyed a book fair using his parent’s money.

He should be ashamed, really. So yeah, he feels so ashamed now.

“Choromatsu?”

How can Osomatsu doesn’t feel nervous at all in this situation? Choromatsu feels a little bit iffy. But then again the oldest has no shame at all, different from Choromatsu.

He wonders how he managed to end up like this. He should become a more proper person. He tries to, honestly. But sometimes, he wonders if he is just faking it. He wants to be a proper person, especially when the two eldest can’t set a good example for the younger brothers.

But Choromatsu is as shitty as them too. Choromatsu doesn’t want to work hard. He doesn’t want to work at all.

But the least thing he can do is to be proud of it. He should be ashamed, he shouldn’t show to the world that he is NEET with nothing good to do.

“Choromatsu?”

But being a NEET isn’t easy either. His days are filled with anxiety that he tries to forget with fanboying or alcohol. But, Choromatsu knows that these office workers have it harder than him. That is a proper way to life, Choromatsu needs to get to their level too or he will end up as a trash forever-

“Ah, we need to get off here!”

Choromatsu blinks and gasps when Osomatsu grabs his hand and helps him to wriggle their way toward the exit. Choromatsu just let him be dragged in confusion.

Once he gets on the platform, Choromatsu just notices that he can breathe a little easier now.

“Huh? This isn’t the right station--” Choromatsu gaps when he sees that he is in an unfamiliar station then he turns at the eldest.

“Really?”

“Yes! This isn’t Akatsuka Station! We shouldn't get off here!” Choromatsu groans then glares at the eldest. He wants to snap when Osomatsu takes a seat at the empty platform with a relaxed face, no trace of guilt at all.

“Oh well, we just need to take the next train then. It is okay.” He says.

“No! You were the one who said that we needed to get back in hurry! Gosh! What were you thinking!?” Choromatsu sits beside Osomatsu, still fuming inside.

“Well, I couldn’t see the sign properly because the train was moving too fast.” Osomatsu says.

“Then you should hear the announcement better.”

“The train is so noisy, I can barely hear a thing."

“Well-” Choromatsu huffs and groans. No good, he can’t win this argument with this blockhead. It will be good to hear Osomatsu say sorry for once. But of course Osomatsu is too stubborn to say that.

“But you see, Choromatsu, there is an emergency.”

“Huh?” Choromatsu turns to see Osomatsu in confusion. The eldest looks so serious.

“I’m thirsty, lend me some money. I want to buy a drink.”

“Huuuhhh? What!?” Choromatsu feels his head is about to explode in anger.

“Onii-chan used all of his money for train fare and the manga, lend me some!” Osomatsu starts to whine pitifully.

Choromatsu wants to strangle Osomatsu so badly, or maybe, just pushing him off the platform and letting the eldest get hit by the train will be better. But Choromatsu has no more energy to be angry.

He is tired from being so anxious on the train. His inside is all messed up. He wants to crawl inside a hole or vomit or cry, or do all of that together.

“Here.” Choromatsu tosses a few coins into Osomatsu’s hand.

“Thank you!”

And Osomatsu runs off quickly in happiness.

Choromatsu just sighs and looms at his fate.

Osomatsu is so dense, as the eldest, he should be more caring. But, Osomatsu is like this. He is the shittiest older brother and Choromatsu has enough of him. At times like this, at least he shouldn’t cause any problems. But as usual, he only makes things worse.

Even if Choromatsu cries here, he knows that Osomatsu will just laugh at him rather than being caring. That is why Choromatsu is fighting off his tears so badly. The last thing he wants is for Osomatsu to make fun of him for being such an anxiety mess.

“Waaahhh, Choromatsuuuu…”

Choromatsu groans and looks at Osomatsu who walks pitifully to him.

“I punched the wrong button and got hot tea instead! Even though I want cold juice…” Osomatsu whines and pouts then sits beside him.

Choromatsu doesn’t have any energy to get mad, so he just tries to ignore Osomatsu’s whining.

“This is for you. I would rather be thirsty rather than drink hot tea while feeling hot like this!” Osomatsu throws the hot tea in a can toward the third born. Choromatsu manages to catch it in surprise.

“You wasted my money for nothing. You should just drink tap water, you shitty eldest.” Choromatsu sighs, he stares at the can of hot tea on his hand. No other choice, he should drink it or it will be a waste. He opens it awkwardly after failing a few times. Then he sips the hot tea a little.

It isn’t that hot, it is warm and comforting. The hot tea is calming his nerve a little.

He is quite glad that he can breathe a little easier at least. His anxiety was flaring up really bad earlier. And the hot tea is doing a wonderful thing. His tense shoulders start to relax more.

He sips more, then he sighs in relief.

This is comforting.

Then he glances at Osomatsu. The third born is surprised when Osomatsu stares at him with an observing look.

Then he smiles, which makes Choromatsu confused.

Then something inside Chrotomatsu’s head just clicked.

‘No, don’t tell me, he has been- -’ Choromatsu can’t believe it.

Did Osomatsu do all of this on purpose? Dragging him off to the wrong station then buying him a warm drink? Did he notice that Choromatsu was getting an anxiety attack earlier?

From the relieved look on the eldest and how he looks away in a relaxed manner, probably he did.

“… do you want the rest of the tea, Osomatsu-niisan? It isn’t that hot.” Choromatsu offers him, his face is slightly reddened.

“Nah, Onii-chan likes juice better.” Osomatsu says even though he said that he felt thirsty earlier.

Choromatsu wonders if he is thinking too much about it. It feels weird if it is. He almost can’t believe that Osomatsu can act as an observant and proper older brother.

But deep inside, Choromatsu knows he can.

There was a reason why he and the other brothers rather one sidedly pointed Osomatsu as ‘the eldest brother’ back then.

It is really rare, super rare, but there are times where Osomatsu can act properly as the eldest.

There are times when he shows that he can read his younger brothers like an open book.

And despite being close to him and how Osomatsu is quite simple, there are times where Choromatsu can’t tell what the first born is thinking.

Like now.

“I wonder if the next train will be packed as well…,” Osomatsu says.

“Probably,” Choromatsu twirls the half-empty can on his hands.

“I don’t really like it, the train at rush hour. I could smell the back of old men there… eugh.” Osomatsu shows a disgusted expression.

“Yeah- wait, what does the back of the old man smell like? The smell is coming from the armpit.”

“No, it is from their back. Our dad’s back smells a lot too.”

“...I can’t understand how your brain works sometimes.”

“Onii-chan doesn’t understand it either!” Osomatsu laughs and Choromatsu finally can laugh again.

Then there is a comfortable silence between them.

“Do you want to just walk?” Osomatsu asks again.

Choromatsu looks at the now cold can on his hands.

“Our home is quite far from here.” Choromatsu has been contemplating that for a while.

“Well, it will be a long walk, but at least it won’t smell like the back of old men.”

“Why are you so obsessed with the smell of the back of old men!?” Choromatsu finally has the energy to retort back at the eldest absurdity. But then he stops. “You said you are hungry and thirsty…” Choromatsu mumbles in a softer voice.

“Hm… I’m okay, if I’m too weak to walk then you can just give me a piggyback ride home.” Osomatsu grins.

“No way, I will just leave you.” Choromatsu replies.

“Eeeehhh cruel.”

“You will just do the same thing to me after all.”

“Well, that’s true.” And Osomatsu laughs.

Choromatsu huffs but then smiles softly. No, not really. He knows that Osomatsu won’t do that… Well, unless he is being shitty.

“Okay then, let’s walk to our home!” Osomatsu stands and stretches his arms a little.

Choromatsu stands for a long time but stops.

He looks at Osomatsu in hesitation.

“What is it, Chorofapsky?”

“Uhm…” Choromatsu can feel his face redden badly. He wants to say thank you, but why is it so hard? Why does he feel this embarrassed?

Osomatsu looks at him for a few seconds then smiles in a more understanding way. “Let’s just go home.”

Choromatsu wonders why those words sounded like ‘It is okay, you don’t need to thank me. I understand.’

The third born grits his teeth then forcefully shoves the can of tea into Osomatsu’s hand. “You need to drink first, it will be a long walk, Osomatsu-niisan.” Then Choromatsu walks off faster to hide his embarrassment.

He can hear Osomatsu’s soft laugh, some gulping and how Osomatsu throws the can nonchalantly.

“Hey, Cherrymatsu wait for Onii-chan~!”

This is why Choromatsu just can’t totally hate Osomatsu.

He is his older brother, he is a handful and embarrassing but… Choromatsu is glad that he has him as his older brother…

Well… Sometimes.

End

Chapter Text

Today isn’t a good day. It is a bit weird for Jyushimatsu to admit that. But even for him, there are days that simply aren’t a good day. It is a bit hard for him to explain. But today his smile feels a bit forced. Even though he doesn’t like a forced smile, for Jyushimatsu a smile is number one. So his mouth stays open in a kind of forced way.

“Huh? Jyushimatsu? What’s wrong?”

Jyushimatsu looks up, his smile feels genuine for once when he notices someone calling his name.

“Osomatsu-niisan!” Jyushimatsu waves his sleeved hand.

Osomatsu approaches him with a bit of a confused look.

“...what happened?” He says with a baffled look.

Jyushimatsu looks at himself. He is sitting on a stair on the hill quite far from home. The weather is a bit chilly but he can still tolerate it.

Jyushimatsu looks at the eldest with an observant look. He wonders what Osomatsu just did alone. Playing pachinko? Betting at the horse track? He doesn’t look upset at least, which is good.

“I twisted my right ankle.”

Osomatsu blinks with the same confused face.

“What?”

“I twisted my right ankle.” Jyushimatsu repeats.

Osomatsu is silent for a few seconds.

“That can happen to you too?”

Jyushimatsu gives Osomatsu a weird look.

“I have ankles too, Osomatsu-niisan.”

“I know, it is just… I’m surprised that can happen to you too.” Osomatsu takes a deep breath and his confused look is gone, replaced with a more concerned look. “Can I see it?” He asks.

Jyushimatsu nods carefully. He half expects Osomatsu to just brush his wound aside and leave him alone. But Jyushimatsu is happy that Osomatsu doesn’t do any of that.

Instead, the eldest crouches down and rolls off Jyushimatsu’s right sock as carefully as possible.

And both of them can see how Jyushimatsu’s right ankle is red and swollen.

“Man, this looks hurt…,” Osomatsu mumbles, carelessly tossing the sock aside. Jyushimatsu looks at it, they will definitely forget about that one sock later for sure. “What happened?”

“I fell from the stair,” Jyushimatsu says, pointing into the top of the staircase. The hill is quite tall and there might be a hundred of stairs to get on top of it. No, just kidding, maybe just around half of it, Jyushimatsu isn’t sure. He never counts them.

Osomatsu blinks then lets out an awkward chuckle. “Well, actually it is a miracle that you survived with only a twisted ankle.”

Jyushimatsu tilts his head a little bit, he doesn’t notice how haggard he looks. He doesn’t really get what Osomatsu’s words mean, but maybe Osomatsu means that Jyushimatsu is just being Jyushimatsu as always.

“So, you can’t walk? It will be dinner soon, we need to get home fast.” Osomatsu says again.

“It hurts to walk.” Jyushimatsu admits, he looks down.

There is a silence between them. Jyushimatsu wonders if he should just sleep on the staircase while waiting for his ankle to heal. Or maybe later an alien will come and he can hijack their spacecraft.

“It can’t be helped then..,” Osomatsu turns around then crouches down. “Come on, let’s go home.”

Jyushimatsu tilts his head again in confusion.

“I will carry you back home, come on.” Osomatsu explains it with a more annoyed expression.

“Really!?” Jyushimatsu is surprised to hear that. Even though carrying each other is a common occurrence among Matsuno sextuplets, Osomatsu won’t do that unless there is no other choice. Most of the time, it is him who gets carried by the others, not the other way around.

“So what? Am I supposed to leave you alone here?” Osomatsu asks back. Jyushimatsu shakes his head then jumps into Osomatsu’s back quickly.

“Woah! You should warn me first--- oh geez…” Osomatsu manages to regain his balance quickly and supports Jyushimatsu’s weight with his back and hands.

“Sorry…,” Jyushimatsu mumbles quietly. He can tell that Osomatsu’s mood is getting worse by the second. He feels bad for troubling his older brother like this.

“Hold on tight, you shouldn’t fall anymore,” Osomatsu says, then he stands and starts to walk.

Jyushimatsu looks at the darkened sky, it starts to feel more chilly. Thankfully, being carried by Osomatsu, the eldest back feels like a warm heater so Jyushimatsu leans back on it.

But there is a weird silence between them and Jyushimatsu frowns.

“Osomatsu-niisan, are you angry?” he asks carefully. He wonders if he did something that made his brother upset. Then again, carrying him back home like this is quite upsetting already.

“Huh!? Me?” Osomatsu sounds surprised. He looks back over his shoulder and Jyushimatsu can see that Osomatsu doesn’t look angry.

“I’m just… I’m not angry.” Osomatsu says there is a hesitation to his words. But Jyushimatsu can’t understand why. Then Osomatsu huffs.

“Did something happen?” Osomatsu asks.

“Huh?” Now Jyushimatsu is the one who is surprised.

“I just found it weird. It doesn’t like a twisted ankle can stop you from doing anything, usually.” Osomatsu explains. “If it is you Jyushimatsu, you can just… what? Makes a tornado then flying back home? Something like that.”

“Aaaahhh…” Jyushimatsu understands what Osomatsu is trying to say. But he doesn’t know how to explain it to the eldest. So Jyushimatsu is silent while thinking how to answer it.

There is an awkward silence between them, only the sound of Osomatsu’s pants can be heard.

“I lost my ball.” Jyushimatsu just remembers why today isn’t feel like a good day. That was the start.

“What? What ball?” Osomatsu asks back.

“My baseball ball.” Jyushimatsu says. “I lost it when I was playing catch with myself.” Jyushimatsu’s smile is rather strained. “I threw the ball too fast… wooooosh… then I tried to catch it but it went down the hill… then I tried to find it but I couldn’t then… I fell.” Jyushimatsu explains it in a rather comical way but then he looks down again.

“I see…” Osomatsu can understand that. “No wonder you get sad.”

Jyushimatsu blinks then tilts his head. Does he feel sad? Ah… he does. He just notices it. When he noticed that he couldn’t find the ball no matter how hard he looked then he fell down the stairs, he lost his willpower to simply stand up. Usually he would just jump around with one leg to go back home.

“Yes I’m sad.” Jyushimatsu admits it. He only has one set of baseball equipment, so he treasures them a lot. He saved money for only-Akatsuka-knew-how-long till he could buy all of them. His pocket money was limited and between playing and losing the money to gambling, it was hard to save a lot of money.

“Is it expensive? The baseball ball?” Osomatsu asks.

“Hm… the legit one is quite expensive.” Jyushimatsu remembers how Todomatsu helped him to buy them from the sports store. It was ideal to buy more than one ball, but again, his money was limited. And now, he lost the only ball he had. He still has his bat but still…

“Hm… since we are all NEET, it is hard to buy stuff like that huh…” Osomatsu says. “Well, you can just save money again.”

The fifth born knows that, but Jyushimatsu doesn’t look forward to more money saving to buy one ball again. It will be quite long for sure. But it can’t be helped.

“You really do love baseball…” Osomatsu mumbles. He grunts when he tries to fix Jyushimatsu’s position on his back because the fifth born starts to slide down.

“If you feel bored, just ask me or the others to play with you. Maybe we can play something like… catching an imaginary ball or something?” Osomatsu says.

“That sounds so... boring.” Jyushimatsu wonders if that is a joke he missed.

“Ahahahaha…” Osomatsu laughs again. “Well… as long as the game isn’t that strenuous, I got strained back last month when I played baseball with you, Jyushimatsu.”

“Ah right.” Jyushimatsu remembers that. They only managed to play for 10 minutes before the eldest injured his back. It was actually quite funny because everyone laughed at the eldest for injuring himself on such a trivial matter. He looks and acts like an old man sometimes, weirdly.

Because of that Jyushimatsu doesn’t ask Osomatsu to play along with him that often. Well, the other brothers too actually, because almost no one can match his stamina at all.

They don’t play together as much as when they were kids. Of course they are still hanging out together, but sometimes Jyushimatsu wants to play many games with his brothers, like baseball or even tag games.

Because of that the fifth born learns how to play with himself. But that is also the reason why he lost his ball.

Jyushimatsu snaps from his daydream when he hears grunts. He looks at Osomatsu with a slight frown.

“Am I heavy, Osomatsu-niisan? Should I get off?” Jyushimatsu asks. Whether he is feeling sad or getting a twisted ankle doesn’t mean that he should trouble his eldest brother like this. Jyushimatsu just needs to pull off most of his will power to fly back home.

Not to mention he remembers how Osomatsu strained his back last month. It has healed, but still...

“No, it is okay.” The way Osomatsu pants and his back starts to damp with sweat speaks otherwise though. “Onii-chan is just getting old, that’s all.”

“I see…” Jyushimatsu nods, then he is shocked. “But you are the same age as me, Osomatsu-niisan. We aren’t old yet! Or… are we?” Jyushimatsu feels unsure about that.

“Hahahahaha...” Osomatsu chuckles slightly. “It is okay, Onii-chan may not be as strong as I used to be, but I won’t force you to walk with a twisted ankle. I’m a good Onii-chan you see.”

Jyushimatsu is a bit speechless.

He agrees with the others that Osomatsu is a shitty eldest.

But he is a good shitty eldest for Jyushimatsu. He wonders if that makes sense.

Jyushimatsu looks down at his eldest brother. “You used to be so strong, Osomatsu-niisan.”

It isn’t hard to remember how Osomatsu can single handedly fight them and win back then when they were still young. He was their leader and a leader needed to be the strongest. Back then, they could play baseball all day, without Osomatsu injuring his back like an old man.

Well, Osomatsu is their eldest now, not their leader, so Jyushimatsu wonders if that means differently.

“Well, I was… But if I need to fight you or the others, I will still win no matter what. I’m Onii-chan after all.” Jyushimatsu frowns, he can easily use his octopus hold on his eldest and he will win that way.

But if what Osomatsu means is more like a serious fight then…

“You are weak, but you are strong too.” Jyushimatsu draws a conclusion.

“That sounds complicated, oh well..” Osomatsu huffs.

The distance between the hill and their home is quite far, further than Chibita’s oden cart or other place. And Osomatsu isn’t the fittest between them, Jyushimatsu knows that. Even though he can win the fight between the brothers easily, his stamina isn’t the best.

“Well, at least I’m not too weak to play with you, Jyushimatsu.”

Jyushimatsu snaps from his thoughts then looks down at the eldest. Osomatsu is smiling at him.

“As long as you go easy on me, I can entertain you for a while.” Osomatsu laughs a bit between his heavy breathings. “Then without you noticing, you will have enough money to buy a new ball, isn’t that great?”

Jyushimatsu looks at his older brother, his open mouth changes into a more genuine smile. “That sounds good.” Jyushimatsu leans down and hugs his eldest tighter. “Actually we don’t really need to play baseball or other strenuous games… we can just play at home.”

Playing mahjong or cards or even watching together, they are fun as long as Jyushimatsu has the other brothers with him.

Of course it is more exciting to play challenging games, but Jyushimatsu loves to spend time with his brothers.

He loves that more than he loves baseball.

“As long as you don’t destroy our home then, it is okay.” Osomatsu teases him.

“Aahahaha… no promise.” Jyushimatsu jokes back, actually, he is half serious about that.

Ah, right, now that Jyushimatsu feels better he should just get off from Osomatsu’s back and walk on his own. He can walk with one leg or he can just jump around, no problem.

But Osomatsu’s back feels warm, even though it feels a bit damp with sweat.

Jyushimatsu grips Osomatsu’s back a little tighter.

“What? Is it chilly? You are weak against cold, huh, Jyushimatsu?” Osomatsu asks with a smile. He is full of sweat, but he doesn’t look upset.

So, Jyushimatsu chooses to be a bit selfish. He wants to enjoy this moment a little bit longer. It is rare for him to be carried back by his eldest brother like this.

It is rare for him to see how Osomatsu can be a proper older brother. So, Jyushimatsu wants to be spoiled for awhile, he hopes Osomatsu is okay with that.

Jyushimatsu nuzzles his head on the eldest's shoulder.

“I will give you a massage at home, Osomatsu-niisan.” Jyushimatsu mumbles.

“Oh… that is good, I will definitely need that.”

“But don’t play dead again.” Jyushimatsu frowns a little.

Osomatsu bursts out a loud laughter. “Okay okay, I won’t.”

Jyushimatsu feels way better now, thanks to the first born.

Today is a good day after all.

End

Chapter Text

Today is the worst day. Today is literally hell. It isn’t even an exaggeration, it is a fact. That is for Todomatsu. He can feel his tears flowing and wetting the blindfold around his eyes. The tape around his mouth is stopping his sobbing. But nonetheless he can’t stop crying and sobbing so miserably. At least the very loud noise had stopped for a while, before his ears were filled with very loud banging noises.

But he is still terribly scared, very much scared.

He wonders if he will die here.

He wonders if his brothers will know if he dies here.

He is trying to call his older brothers, but no sound can come out from his taped mouth beside a mumbling sound.

This is very scary, this is too much for Todomatsu. He doesn’t even know what is actually happening, where he is, what time it is. He doesn’t know at all.

He just wants to go home, to go back to his older brothers. He doesn’t want to get trapped inside here, all alone in the darkness.

Then there is a very loud bang noise. It comes again. Todomatsu trembles in fear and tries to beg for forgiveness to whoever does this to him.

Then there is another sound, as if it is a metal door being ripped open.

“TODOMATSU!?”

That is a very familiar voice, but it is hard for Todomatsu to figure out whose voice it is. The desperation inside the voice is unfamiliar after all.

Then there are step voices then someone touches him. Todomatsu is screaming in fear because he doesn’t know who it is. He tries to move but his wrists and ankles being tied limit his movement.

“No-- Todomatsu, it is okay. It is me, Osomatsu. Don’t struggle too much, I will free you, okay?”

Then someone opens his blindfold. Todomatsu blinks, his eyes feel sticky but he can still see who is in front of him.

It is his eldest twin, Osomatsu.

Without warning, Osomatsu rips open the tape around Todomatsu’s mouth. The youngest moans in pain.

“Sorry, sorry…” Osomatsu looks sorry for a moment before he unties Todomatsu’s wrists and ankles.

“Osomatsu...nii-chan?”

“Yes, yes, Onii-chan is here… gosh… that must be scary isn’t it, Totty?” Osomatsu smiles awkwardly at him.

Todomatsu can’t believe that Osomatsu is the one who saves him. But still, his heart is filled with so much relief but also anguish.

“WUUAAAHHHH!” And finally he can cry to his heart content.

“Huh!? Huh!? What is it, Todomatsu? Are you badly hurt-” Osomatsu stops talking when Todomatsu launches himself at his eldest brother.

“WUUUAAHH sobs sobs… IT WAS SO SCARY… HUHUHUHU…”

“OUCH! Ouch! Todomatsu!? Uh… you need to calm down--” Todomatsu can feel how Osomatsu is trying to free himself from his clutches, but Todomatsu hugs him harder as if his life depends on it.

“WHY DID YOU COME SO LATE!? OSOMATSU-NIICHAN, IT WAS SO SCARY!!!”

“Totty… wait… ouch… really, calm down first… ow ow ow…” Todomatsu only wails harder, failing to notice how his brother keeps wincing in pain. They are on the ground and Todomatsu is hugging him so tightly from the front, his hands are grabbing Osomatsu’s shoulder so hard that his knuckles are almost white.

“Uhuhuhu… it is so dark here…” Todomatsu can’t stop crying. He can barely see everything around him. He doesn’t recognize where he is, probably in a deserted house or something. He can barely see himself and Osomatsu too.

“Todomatsu, please… wait, I just want you to change position---” Osomatsu is struggling to get out of Todomatsu’s arms.

“NOOO! DON’T LEAVE ME--!” Todomatsu screams again and hugs Osomatsu harder.

“OUCH-- No! Totty, I won’t leave you, I just want you to--”

“CHOROMATSU-NIICHAN!? KARAMATSU-NIICHAN!?” Todomatsu tries to call the other older brothers. He knows that Osomatsu is one of the brothers that least tolerate him. He probably starts to think Todomatsu is annoying and burdening and ready to ditch him alone soon. If it is with Choromatsu or Karamatsu, Todomatsu will be safe. He knows that they won’t leave him.

And they will comfort him too.

Osomatsu stops struggling and huffs. Finally, he hugs Todomatsu back.

“They aren’t here, they are--- you see… uhm… they are waiting at home, I think.” Todomatsu fails to notice the many hesitations in Osomatsu’s voice. Instead, he can feel how his eldest brother pats his head tenderly. “Now, calm down. It is okay, you are safe now. Onii-chan is here. I will protect you.”

And Todomatsu still sobs, he still wants Karamatsu or Choromatsu. But he keeps clinging to Osomatsu’s shoulder, crying his heart out.

“There… there…” Osomatsu pats his back, Todomatsu can feel his tears slowing down. “We need to get out… Can you walk on your own?”

Todomatsu only grips Osomatsu’s shoulder tighter.

“Ouch-- okay, okay I get it… Totty-- you see, I want you to change position--- you aren’t that small anymore you see--”

“No! I don’t want to! Don’t leave me!” Todomatsu refuses to open his eyes and buries himself on Osomatsu’s shoulder.

“I won’t… okay okay… I understand… just—- hang on tight, okay?” And Todomatsu can feel how Osomatsu starts to stand. He grunts a lot, as if he is in pain. But Todomatsu is still closing his eyes tight, his body is still trembling in fear in this unknown place.

“Huft… gosh… you aren’t as heavy as the others but still---” Todomatsu clings on Osomatsu’s front as if he is a koala. He can feel how Osomatsu’s hands support his body weight and he starts to walk slowly.

Todomatsu still whimpers in fear.

“It is okay, you are safe now.” Osomatsu pats his head again as he is walking. “Do you remember what happened?”

Todomatsu opens his eyes a little but closes them again as he notices that they haven’t gotten out from the deserted house yet.

“I-- I only remember…” Todomatsu stops and thinks for a minute. “I just… walked alone… then someone grabbed me from behind then… there was darkness then I--” Todomatsu shivers again and clutches on Osomatsu’s shoulder harder.

“Ouch! Okay, okay I get it…” Osomatsu grunts and winces in pain, it makes Todomatsu worry a little. If someone attacks them, what should he do!?

But Osomatsu pats his head again and Todomatsu calms down. “Iyami got too far this time really…” Osomatsu says with a low tone. And Todomatsu can notice how much anger is in his words. “I’m glad that you are okay… well despite being rendered back to your old self.”

Todomatsu doesn’t understand what Osomatsu is talking about.

“So, Karamatsu-niichan and Choromatsu-niichan are waiting at home?” Todomatsu asks the first born. He can feel how Osomatsu’s breath gets faster and his neck starts to get wet from sweat.

“Yeah, they are waiting at home…” Osomatsu sounds more confident this time. “...I almost forgot how you used to be so close to them…” Osomatsu shifts Todomatsu’s body when the youngest starts to slide down. He grunts again but keeps on walking.

“Well…” Todomatsu just mumbles, he doesn’t know what to say.

“We are out now.” Osomatsu informs him.

Todomatsu opens his eyes, Osomatsu is right, they are out of the deserted house. No, it was a deserted building. The sky is dark and the surrounding view still looks unfamiliar for the youngest so Todomatsu grips Osomatsu’s shoulder nervously.

“It is okay, Onii-chan gets you.” Osomatsu keeps on walking, and seems familiar with the area.

Todomatsu wants to peek at the eldest face, but stops himself from doing that. He is afraid if he sees Osomatsu’s annoyed face. Todomatsu just can’t help it. He is very scared.

He doesn’t want to risk getting left behind alone.

“...hey, Totty.”

Osomatsu is panting, but he is still talking to the youngest.

“Hm?” Todomatsu responds timidly.

“Tell me… why Karamatsu and Choromatsu? Not me?”

Todomatsu blinks, a little surprised, then he bits his lips nervously.

He doesn’t want to say something that makes Osomatsu mad. But he knows that he can’t really lie either.

“You… uhm… you are… scary, Osomatsu-niichan.”

Osomatsu stops walking and Todomatsu grips Osomatsu’s shoulder nervously. He is about to cry and asks for forgiveness. But Osomatsu resumes his walking again.

“I see… so I were scary, huh?” He sounds casual, not angry. But based on his voice, Todomatsu wonders if he hurts the eldest feeling.

“But I don’t hate you! You are just… uhm…” Todomatsu stutters in his words. “You… you hate me for calling you ‘nii-chan’ and uhm…” Todomatsu bit his lips hard. “I thought you hated me…”

“Huh?” Osomatsu stops walking again.

Todomatsu grabs the eldest shoulder nervously, feeling glad that from this position he can avoid Osomatsu’s eyes easily. “I thought… you don’t want to be… my older brother.”

There is an awkward pause between them and Todomatsu wonders if he just made a fatal mistake. He wonders if Osomatsu will ditch him here in anger. Just like how he used to avoid and left him alone...

“I see… well, you aren’t wrong… but it was back then…” Osomatsu walks again, he pats Todomatsu’s back softly. “I’m your Onii-chan now.”

Todomatsu’s eyes get glassy. “Really?”

He almost can’t believe it. He can still vividly remember Osomatsu's expression when Todomatsu called him ‘nii-chan’. How he even refused to see his eyes.

To think that Osomatsu wants to be his older brother…

Todomatsu feels so happy, even though deep inside he still feels restless and scared. He doesn’t know why.

“Yeah… I saved you, right?” Osomatsu asks back and shifts Todomatsu’s body again, then he grunts. Todomatsu just notices how those grunts sound as if Osomatsu is in a lot of pain.

“Osomatsu-niichan… are you okay? Are you going to die?” Todomatsu asks in fear.

“Hahahaha… no, Onii-chan isn’t going to die…” Osomatsu pants and this time, he stops to catch his breath. “You are… you are just heavy, Totty.”

Todomatsu starts to tremble again. It will be his fault if Osomatsu dies now. He doesn’t want his eldest to die. He doesn’t want to be left alone again.

“Sssshh… Todomatsu, it is okay…,” Osomatsu pats his back when Todomatsu trembles badly and his breaths quickens. “We will get home soon… and… Choromatsu and Karamatsu will be there for you, okay?” Osomatsu presses Todomatsu’s head gently to his shoulder, as if he is trying to stop Todomatsu from looking to his face.

Todomatsu just nods and buries his head on Osomatsu's shoulder.

He closes his eyes. He can feel and hear how Osomatsu pants heavily and sounds in pain. Before Todoamtsu notices, his eyes are wet again. He cries silently and Osomatsu pats his head again, as if he is telling Todomatsu that everything is going to be alright.

It feels agonizingly slow, sometimes Osomatsu almost loses balance before he catches himself.

“Osomatsu-niichan…” Todomatsu sobs and trembles, he is at a loss at what he should do. He is weak, he is nothing without his older brothers. If something happens to Osomatsu, Todomatsu doesn’t know what to do. Probably, he would just cry, just like now.

He doesn’t want to lose Osomatsu when the oldest just accepts to be his older brother.

“It is okay… really…” Osomatsu takes a deep breath, but his voice is shaking. “See? We are… almost at home…”

Osomatsu is right, Todomatsu can recognize his surroundings now.

Osomatsu finally reaches the front door and the light greets Todomatsu.

“Osomatsu! Totty!” Karamatsu shouts, he sounds desperate and worried. Choromatsu follows behind him, his face looks as worried as Karamatsu.

“Karamatsu-niichan! Choromatsu-niichan!” Todomatsu jumps off quickly from Osomatsu and rushes toward the two older brothers.

“Are you okay!? Are you hurt?” Choromatsu starts to hover on Todomatsu while the youngest cries again on their arm. But then Karamatsu shoves Todomatsu gently toward Choromatsu and moves.

“Aniki-- you---”

“I’m okay--”

“Todomatsu!”

“Totty!”

Ichimatsu and Jyushiamtsu also appear at the front door. Todomatsu turns to them in confusion but he feels so glad to see them too. He is happy that he is at home with all of his other brothers.

Speaking of which--

He turns around to see Osomatsu, but Karamatsu’s body is blocking the eldest from the youngest’s vision. Then someone turns his head to face another way.

“Todomatsu…” Choromatsu has a weird expression. “We need to tend your wounds first, okay? Let’s go in.” He says with a smile.

Todomatsu just nods, he turns around again but this time Jyushimatsu and Ichimatsu block his view too.

“We are so worried about you, Totty!” Jyushiamtsu says.

Ichimatsu doesn’t say anything, but it seems that he agrees with Jyushimatsu’s words.

“I’m glad you are home…,” Choromatsu pats his head gently and smiles.

Todomatsu’s eyes are getting teary again.

He nods and smiles a little.

“I’m home… Nii-chan…”

0o0o0o0

Choromatsu has quite bad anxiety. But there are times when he knows he needs to be strong, so he holds on. Just like now.

He tends Todomatsu’s wounds carefully, ignoring how his heart is filled with so much fear and confusion. It is very alarming and worrying to see how Todomatsu acts as if he was his old self in high school. He looks so timid and in fear.

Even Ichimatsu looks at him with a worried expression.

“These will bruise badly… but at least… you aren't injured anywhere else…,” Choromatsu sighs in relief as he finishes tending Todomatsu’s wounds. Todomatsu nods and looks at his bandaged wrists and ankles.

“Is Choromatsu-niichan okay? You are hurt too…” Todomatsu asks.

Choromatsu almost wants to shiver to hear how Todomatsu calls him ‘nii-chan’, but his anxiety is too high for him to cringe. “Well, oh…. I’m okay, just scratches.” Choromatsu brushes the youngest off.

That is the truth, he isn’t badly hurt. On the other hand, Osomatsu--

All of the people in the room stuns in silence when they can hear a muffled scream on the other side of the house.

Choromatsu can tell whose scream it is. His heart drops again in worry.

But then he turns to see the clueless but also terrified Todomatsu.

Then he sees Jyushimatsu. The fifth born looks restless as well, even though most of his wounds haven’t been treated yet.

Choromatsu wants to check on Osomatsu badly, but Karamatsu has mouthed him earlier.

‘I will take care of Osomatsu, you take care of the others.’

Choromatsu understands, with Todomatsu’s fragile mental condition. The youngest is still in shock and traumatic. He doesn’t need more stress from worrying about the eldest condition. Or even think that it is his fault.

And he knows as the third born, he needs to be strong for the rest of the brothers as well.

Choromatsu turns when someone pats his shoulder. It is Ichimatsu.

“You can go, Choromatsu-niisan. I will handle the rest.”

Choromatsu stares at him in shock.

Ichimatsu looks at him with an annoyed expression.

“It is okay, Jyushimatsu and I can handle Todomatsu. Just go.”

It is really rare for Ichimatsu to act dependable.

But then again, he is the fourth born. He is also the older brother for Jyushimatsu and Todomatsu. Then Ichimatsu turns at the youngest.

“Todomatsu, can you help me tending Jyushimatsu’s injuries?”

Todomatsu looks at him timidly then turns at Jyushimatsu, he looks a bit scared at Jyushimatsu but then he nods. “Okay.”

“Good.” Ichimatsu nods and takes away the first aid kit from Choromatsu's hands. Then he signals Choromatsu to just go.

The third born closes his eyes then opens them again. “Totty, I need to go to the bathroom for a second, okay?” Choromatsu says with a smile.

Todomatsu nods then Ichimatsu pats the youngest’s back to get his attention.

Choromatsu uses that chance to slip away from the room and walks toward the bathroom.

He opens the door and finds the two oldest brothers in there.

Osomatsu is biting on a towel to muffle his scream. But his face shows that he is in a lot of pain.

“How is he? How bad is it?” Choromatsu asks with his heart thundering in worry.

Karamatsu turns at him with the same worried expression, but a bit more calm. “Nothing is broken at least, but it is swollen so badly… I try to compress it with ice, I don’t know what else I can do--”

Karamatsu lifts his hand and Choromatsu can see it.

Osomatsu’s right shoulder is so badly swollen in red and blue color. It looks as if the bone is broken.

“Oh geez… don’t overreact, I’m okay…” Osomatsu spats out the towel and talks with an exasperated face.

“You should see your face when you arrive at the front door, really…” Choromatsu huffs in annoyance.

“I thought you were going to die, you were so pale…” Karamatsu agrees, he gently presses a bag of ice onto Osomatsu’s swollen shoulder. The eldest grimaces in pain, but he doesn’t scream anymore.

“It just… ouch ouch… please be gentle Karamatsu… it just hurts a lot.”

Choromatsu takes another first aid kit in the cabinet. Since this household has six brothers and they tend to get hurt a lot, there are more than one first aid kit in this house.

“Of course it hurt a lot, you carried Todomatsu on the front with your injured shoulder!” Choromatsu slams the first aid kit on the floor beside Osomatsu in anger.

Osomatsu looks at him then at Karamatsu then huffs and looks up. “Well… it couldn’t be helped.”

Choromatsu opens his mouth but then closes it again.

Todomatsu isn’t badly injured, at least, not as bad as Osomatsu. But he is so mentally shaken to the point he regressed to his old self.

“Well… I should have asked you to rescue him instead of me though…,” Osomatsu huffs, he stares at Karamatsu.

“But you are the one who can handle Iyami better than the rest of us, Aniki.” Karamatsu replies back. “I think it was a correct decision… for you to save Todomatsu, then me to save Choromatsu and Jyushimatsu to save Ichimatsu.” Karamatsu adds again. He is still compressing Osomatsu’s shoulder with the ice.

Choromatsu takes an elastic band from the first aid kit. He notes himself that if Osomatsu’s shoulder doesn’t get better tomorrow then they need to go to see a doctor.

“Iyami was really going too far.” Osomatsu mumbles. He looks tired now, but still angry.

“I agree.” Karamatsu nods.

“At least no one got injured badly.” Choromatsu sighs. To be honest, they got worse injuries than these from various occasions. It wasn’t the worst.

“But it must be really bad for Todomatsu.” Karamatsu says. He lifts the ice and signals to Choromatsu. The third born starts to apply the elastic band to Osomatsu’s shoulder. The eldest groans in pain, but he doesn’t fight back.

“Well… being blindfolded, gagged and tied alone in a dark place wasn’t nice at all…” Choromatsu agrees.

“And he knows us too well… he knows that separating us is the best way to attack us…,” Osomatsu grimaces when Choromatsu ties the elastic band tightly.

“We need to pay him back later.” It is rare to see Karamatsu so vicious, but the other two brothers can relate to his feelings.

“Of course, I will kill him…” Osomatsu doesn’t sound joking. “How dare he hit him on the back of my shoulder!? That was cheating!” But then Osomatsu is back to his usual jokes. Both Karamatsu and Choromatsu know that the eldest is angry at Iyami for another reason, that he captured his younger brothers.

Osomatsu huffs then looks at Choromatsu. “How about you, Choromatsu? Are you okay?”

Choromatsu closes the first aid kit. “I’m okay. I just get scratches and bruises, mostly.” He stares at Karamatsu, the second eldest is injured a bit worse than him because of some of Iyami’s traps. But nothing too serious, thankfully.

“No, I mean… like you said, being blindfolded, gagged and tied alone in a dark place must be very scary…” Osomatsu looks at him with a serious face.

Choromatsu freezes a little. “It was scary… but I’m not scared of a dark place so… it wasn’t too bad.”

Osomatsu is still giving him a look. And Choromatsu bits his lip.

“Just so you know, my left shoulder is still open.” Osomatsu smiles at him, his eyes are soft and understanding.

“I’m really okay.” Choromatsu says persistently.

He turns to see that Karamatsu is also giving him a look

Both of them are being so unfair.

“Seeing… Todomatsu is more like that… shocking for me…,” Choromatsu’s eyes start to get glassy. His build up anxiety finally rises back to the surface. It hurts to see the youngest to be so vulnerable and scared. Not to mention how all of the brothers got injured to various extents. And how they were so helpless when they got separated like that. It was really scary.

“He will be okay…,” Osomatsu makes a gentle gesture to Choromatsu, so the third born finally gives in and cries on Osomatsu’s left shoulder. He sobs quietly there.

“There there… it must be so scary for you, but you hold on well, Chorofapsky.” Osomatsu pats his head gently.

Karamatsu smiles a little at seeing how Choromatsu cries on the eldest’s shoulder. The third born has been looking so nervous and in a wreck for a while, but stayed strong for the rest of the little brothers. It is good for him to let go like this. The one who got shocked isn’t only Todomatsu after all.

“You too, Karamatsu. You did good.” Osomatsu reaches Karamatsu’s arm and pat him. His right shoulder injury prevented him from lifting his hand to pat his head like usual. “You saved Choromatsu and were strong for all of us.”

For a moment when Osomatsu and Todomatsu weren’t with them, Karamatsu, despite being a sensitive guy, tries to hold strong for everyone else. He didn’t crumble or cry, like usual.

But for him, to see Osomatsu’s so ghostly pale on the front door with a wailing Todomatsu, that was very shocking to him. He never saw Osomatsu look like that. He never saw him almost crumble while holding his little brother.

“I’m glad you two are okay…,” Karamatsu tears start to fall one by one. He doesn’t know what he should do if something bad really happens to both of them. His only older brother and the youngest brother.

“You are still sensitive as usual… I’m okay geez…” Osomatsu grins a little and pats Karamatsu’s arm more.

Then there is a peaceful silence, only being filled by quiet sobs from Choromatsu and Karamatsu.

“You know, I don’t want to be cruel to the two of you… but… our little brothers are waiting.” Osomatsu pats Choromatsu’s shoulder then glances at Karamatsu. “They will get worried.”

Karamatsu nods and calms himself down. He erases his tears, Choromatsu does the same.

It is the responsibility of the older brothers to stay strong and be the pillar for the little brothers. Karamatsu looks at Osomatsu.

Though, the one who gets burdened the most is Osomatsu. And the eldest doesn’t say anything, even though it must be as equally as shocking to him just like for the rest of them.

Choromatsu helps Osomatsu to dress back and Karamatsu puts the first aid kit away.

“I think I should handle Ichimatsu, you guys handle the others.”

But at least, for this, Osomatsu splits his burden to them.

It is okay because he isn’t the only older brother here.

0o0o0o0

Seeing Todomatsu like this makes Ichimatsu feel a bit of deja vu. Todomatsu is a bit wary of Jyushimatsu, but the fifth born is trying his best to make a goofy face to cheer the youngest up.

It is as if Todomatsu forgets about him being an adult and regresses back to his old self. Even though Todomatsu is a dry monster and manipulative as hell, he is also strong.

So to see him so meek and timid like this makes Ichimatsu feel uneasy.

It just means how badly Todomatsu is shocked by this event.

But then the door is open.

“Totty, are you okay?”

“Osomatsu-niichan!”

Osomatsu looks better. He doesn’t look ghostly pale anymore. He doesn’t crumble to the floor anymore. Ichimatsu feels so glad to see that. And he can feel how the burden of being the older brother has evaporated away from his shoulders.

It must have been transferred to Osomatsu.

“Are you okay? Are you hurt?” Todomatsu looks worried. Osomatsu pats his head and smiles.

“Onii-chan is fine, I’m strong after all.”

What a good poker face, Ichimatsu huffs and he retreats to the corner, as usual.

But then Osomatsu approaches him, as do Karamatsu and Choromatsu shift their attention to Todomatsu and Jyushimatsu.

Osomatsu takes a seat beside him while Ichimatsu eyeing him weirdly.

Ichimatsu looks at how Karamatsu takes Todomatsu to his arm and the youngest is getting pampered. While Choromatsu is rechecking Jyushimatsu’s tended wounds.

“Are you okay, Ichimacchan?” finally, Osomatsu asks him.

“Huh? I’m okay… something like that isn’t scary for me at all.” Ichimatsu huffs. So, Osomatsu is playing the eldest brother role again.

It is iffy.

But oddly comforting at the same time.

“Hm… Yamimatsu is used to the darkness after all? Hehehe…” Osomatsu lightly jokes and pats Ichimatsu’s head. “I think to make Jyushimatsu saved you was the best decision.”

Ichimatsu huffs.

“But to be alone must be so scary nonetheless.”

Ichimatsu grumbles a little. It is annoying how Osomatsu can read him like an open book.

The eldest pulls Ichimatsu’s body so he leans on Osomatsu’s left side a little bit.

“It is okay, everything will be okay. Including Todomatsu.”

It is really annoying how Osomatsu seems like he understands everything.

“I know you are at odds with Todomatsu most of the time, but you are still nii-chan after all, right?” Osomatsu grins a little and pulls Ichimatsu’s head so he leans to his head.

“Shut up…” Ichimatsu huffs and hides his head on top of his knees.

Osomatsu just lightly chuckles, then he ruffles Ichimatsu’s head before he stands.

“Jyushimatsu!” Osomatsu shouts happily.

“Nii-san!”

“No! Jyushimatsu, don’t jump on Osomatsu-niisan!” Choromatsu manages to hold Jyushimatsu down then glares at the eldest. Osomatsu blatantly ignores him and pats Jyushimatsu’s head.

“Good job, as usual. Jyushimatsu is the best.”

“Of course~! Everything will be alright because we are all together now!” Jyushimatsu smiles happily despite his injuries.

“You are absolutely right.” Osomatsu nods and hugs Jyushimatsu for a moment. “You are the best, Jyushimatsu. Thank you.”

Ichimatsu wonders if Osomatsu means something else. Maybe he is thanking Jyushimatsu for staying happy and cheerful despite the despairing atmosphere and helping lift everyone’s mood.

“Your welcome, Osomatsu-niisan.” Jyushimatsu smiles warmly. “I’m happy that you are alright.”

Osomatsu pats his back and releases Jyushimatsu.

“Now, let’s go to sleep. Onii-chan is sleepy and tired.”

Everyone nods. Karamatsu approaches Osomatsu and shoves a tablet of painkiller onto his hand. With a silent gesture, he asks Osomatsu to take it. The eldest just chuckles a little and nods.

Todomatsu looks at the eldest.

Despite being hidden by the hoodie, Todomatsu can see a little peek of Osomatsu’s injured right shoulder.

Osomatsu is his older brother. He said that and he proved it.

He isn’t that scary Osomatsu any longer.

Todomatsu approaches him quietly.

When Osomatsu turns around, he can feel someone grab his sleeves and he looks at the timid Todomatsu beside him.

“Thank you, Osomatsu-niichan, for saving me.”

Osomatsu smiles warmly at him. But then he grins with teasing eyes.

“Just so you know, I will tease you relentlessly for this.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“It feels so good to be called ‘nii-chan’.” Osomatsu then laughs.

Choromatsu and Ichimatsu seem to disagree with him. While Karamatsu and Jyushimatsu nod along. Osomatsu just laughs harder.

Todomatsu tilts his head in confusion.

All of his older brothers are weird.

But he loves them anyway.

Especially the eldest.

He isn’t scared toward him anymore.

Osomatsu is his eldest brother now.

And Todomatsu is very happy about that.

End

Chapter Text

Today is a weird day for Chibita. He doesn’t really know how to explain it, but his gut tells so. Even his oden says so. Even though today started quite ordinarily, by night he knows why today feels weird for him.

The demon sextuplets crash again into his oden stand, like usual. Nothing weird in particular. But by the time the rest of the younger brothers are drunk and dozing off, the eldest is wide awake. His face is red, but he still looks pretty much sober. Tonight, he looks calmer and takes time to drink his beer, different from his loud little brothers. They were busy venting out about the recent incident with Iyami, while Osomatsu was busy stuffing himself with oden rather than drinking beer.

So here they are, the only sober people in this little stand.

The atmosphere around the eldest has been a little weird since his younger brothers blacked out one by one.

“Hey, Chibita.”

“Yeah, what is it, idjit?”

Osomatsu sips his beer in a casual manner, but his eyes mean serious business.

“You know, I find it strange. Iyami still occasionally mixed us together, so how the hell did he manage to formulate a plan to kidnap the least strong brothers out of the six of us? I found it unbelievable.” Osomatsu twirls the beer on his glass then stares at Chibita with a rather intimidating smile. “You weren’t involved with it, right?”

Chibita freezes in his place and is unable to stare back at Osomatsu.

Sometimes he just remembers why he called these sextuplets as ‘demon sextuplets’. They can be very scary, almost as scary as yakuza, when they want to. Especially the older brothers, and the scariest among all of them is of course the eldest, Osomatsu.

People may call him stupid or even idiot, but as the childhood friend of them, Chibita knows Osomatsu has hidden sides that many people doesn’t know.

He can be very perceptive and observant, if he wants to. Most of the time, he ignores things like that because he finds them bothersome.

But he is very sharp.

Just like now.

Chibita gulps.

“I wasn’t involved in Iyami's scheme, well… he did ask me many things about you guys…,” Chibita looks to anywhere but Osomatsu’s eyes. “But I didn’t know his plan at all, seriously.”

Osomatsu looks at Chibita with serious eyes then he sips his beer again. “Really?”

“I swear, idjit!” Chibita answers nervously.

Osomatsu huffs, his face hasn’t returned to his usually bored and relaxed expression. He still looks serious, which makes Chibita feel nervous.

“You know, attacking us together is one thing, but kidnapping a few of us and separating us is a different thing.” Osomatsu puts down his glass gently. But his face is nothing but gentle. “I don’t like things like that.”

As his childhood friend, Chibita knows this side of Osomatsu. It is his ‘older brother’ side. It means ‘don’t mess up with any of my younger brothers or I will pay you back’ kind of thing. People might find it unlikely, since their relationship as brothers isn’t that harmonious as well. But Chibita knows that.

‘Iyami really went too far. RIP for you…’ Chibita nods silently, praying for his partner in crime.

He knows that once Osomatsu’s injured shoulder has healed, the demon sextuplets will pay Iyami back.

“But well, if you weren’t involved with that… good then.” Osomatsu downs the rest of the beer and burps a little. His expression is more relaxed. He eyes his sleeping baby brothers with tender eyes before he pours another glass of beer for himself.

“So you can act like this too…” Chibita finds it a bit amusing, still trying to ease his nervousness. He isn't at fault, but he is still feeling a little bit guilty. And he hopes Osomatsu will really let this one go.

Because he is terrifying when he holds down a grudge.

“Like what?” Osomatsu asks back.

“Like an older brother.”

Osomatsu grins and sips the beer on his glass. He doesn’t respond back to Chibita’s statement, since it isn’t a question.

“Now that makes me curious…” Chibita looks at the slightly drunk Osomatsu. “Since when did you become their ‘eldest’ though? It wasn’t like that during elementary school.”

Osomatsu looks dumbfounded.

Chibita looks at him curiously.

“You are curious about that, now?” Osomatsu stares back at him in disbelief.

“To be honest, it has been a while. But I never had any chance to ask about that before.” Chibita replies. He has been their childhood friend for years, but they attended different high schools and by the time they graduated, somehow the dynamic between the sextuplets had changed.

Somehow there are older brothers and little brothers. Somehow they call each other honorific, rather than just their name. And the way they treat each other has changed too.

Osomatsu is silent for quite a long time, it makes Chibita wonder if he touches a sensitive topic. Osomatsu does have a thing for his role as older brother.

“Well, it just happened.”

That is a shitty answer, as expected from Osomatsu. Chibita gives him a deadpan expression.

“Don’t give me that look. It just happened, ask them, not me. They were the ones who decided that, not me.” Osomatsu pours another glass of beer. At this rate, the eldest will be as drunk as his younger brothers.

“Huh? They were the ones who decided that?” Chibita finds it surprising.

“What? You thought it was me?” Osomatsu sneers back. But Chibita nods with a confused face.

“Well… you have been acting as their leader since you guys are small so…” Chibita trails off. Then again, Osomastu has a complex about being the eldest. As if he loves the role but also despises it at the same time and he can’t just settle down.

It is something that Chibita can’t understand until now.

“No way, being the leader and older brother are different, soooo different,” Osomatsu huffs with a bit annoyed face. “Being the leader was much easier.”

Chibita blinks. “How? I don’t see much difference…” Osomatsu is still the leader, that is how Chibita looks at their dynamic.

Osomatsu rolls his eyes. “Being the leader is… you just need to be the strongest, the bravest, you just need to make sure everyone follows you and make sure they listen to your order.”

That sounds… harsh. But then again, Chibita remembers that Osomatsu used to be more vicious as a kid. He was more barbaric and temperamental than now. The adult Osomatsu is more chill and easy going, even if people might find it hard to believe.

“But being the older brother is different,” Chibita says, he gets what Osomatsu is trying to say.

“Right, it is very different. Especially, being the ‘eldest’ brother.” Osomatsu groans. “Isn’t it unfair? I have five younger brothers, that is too much!”

And now Chibita knows that Osomatsu will complain endlessly about his role as the eldest. The oden maker groans a little then he glances at the sleeping brothers.

‘Shoot-- they start to wake up!!’ Chibita is startled at his place. Seeing drunk people almost every night makes him able to tell the difference between sleeping and awake people at a glance.

The younger brothers are just pretending to sleep, but they are pretty much alert.

He tries to signal Osomatsu to shut his mouth. The last thing he wants is for the demon sextuplets to fight here. He doesn’t want them to destroy his stall.

But of course Osomatsu is too absorbed in his own misery to notice Chibita’s signal.

“They are so troublesome, they are shitty brothers. Well… me too, but still, they are really shitty and such a pain to take care of.” Osomatsu looks drunk. Chibita still tries to signal to the eldest that the rest of the brothers are listening, but Osomatsu is blatantly ignoring him.

“Then what? They also ask me to take my responsibility as the eldest more seriously. F*ck with them! I didn’t even ask to be the eldest! We are practically the same age, don’t you find it strange?” Osomatsu slams down the glass harder to the table.

“Just because my name is listed as ‘the first son’ on the family register, somehow that made me have more responsibility as the eldest then the rest of my brothers? What the f*ck with that logic!” Osomatsu is definitely fuming.

And Chibita can feel the suffocating atmosphere coming from the pretending-to-be-asleep brothers.

“Hey, idjit-”

“But you know what the most unfair thing is?” Osomatsu is either dense or too drunk for him to not notice the shift change in the atmosphere.

“Osomatsu, I think you better sto-”

“The most unfair thing is… how come they look cute?”

“...”

Chibita stops and blinks then frowns. “Sorry, what?” He wonders if he hears it wrong.

“That is weird right,” Osomatsu still looks annoyed. “I mean, come on, we are the same age so why do they look… somewhat cute and adorable in my eyes?” Osomatsu looks very serious.

But Chibita wonders if he is joking right now.

Or maybe he is too drunk to talk coherently.

But people said the drunk people always tell the truth.

The now awake brothers look kind of frozen in their place too. They are still stubbornly pretending to sleep though.

Chibita frowns so hard at Osomatsu. “You are kidding, right, idjit?”

Osomatsu stares at Chibita for a few seconds before he laughs out loud suddenly. “Gosh, your expression…” He says.

Chibita relaxed a little.

“But I’m not kidding.”

Chibita frowns again.

“Seriously, I don’t get it too, Chibita.” Osomatsu still chuckles, his face is almost as red as his hoodie. It seems he is indeed too drunk to even notice what he is talking about. “Sometimes… they just… look adorable… like, uhm… when they are mad? It makes me want to tease them more… or when they are sad? It makes me want to pamper them…”

Osomatsu has a tender expression when he says that.

But Chibita just frowns harder. “That is… gross.”

It makes him want to puke.

And Osomatsu laughs hard again until his eyes get teary. “I know! I know! Hahahaha! I mean… gosh, it is so gross… but I still think like that time by time…” The eldest erases his tears.

Then his face turns serious again, as serious as drunk people can be. “Is it because they are younger brothers so they look cute? Or is it because I’m Onii-chan? I don’t get it either.”

“Neither do I.” Chibita really wants to puke. The demon sextuplets are anything but cute in his eyes. And they are all adult men for Akatsuka’s sake, it makes him cringe so bad.

Osomatsu still chuckles a little bit. He sways a bit, definitely drunk. But he is calmer now. “Well… by the time I noticed that… I thought ‘ah shit, I’m indeed the eldest’…” Osomatsu says with a tender smile. “So, it can’t be helped.”

Chibita really can’t understand how the dynamic between the sextuplets work.

“Just like that?” Chibita asks again. He also ignores the wide awake brothers, since they are still pretending to be asleep. Even though they are so bad at acting. If only Osomatsu isn’t so drunk, he might notice it too.

“I mean, you can stop being their eldest, if you want to.” Chibita adds more.

Osomatsu pouts and is silent, as if he is thinking about what Chibita is saying. “I guess you are right…” He slurs a bit. “To be honest… I don’t know how long I will be their older brother…”

Chibita blinks. Osomatsu looks up, his face red. But his eyes look a bit more sober than before.

“I mean… I have been their eldest like… what? It hasn't been 10 years yet… I don’t know how long it will last…” Osomatsu says. His face looks solemn for once. “I mean, one day they can… ask me to stop being their eldest? Maybe once we are old enough… will they stop calling me with ‘nii-san’? Honestly, I don’t know.”

There is an awkward silence, Chibita glances at the still younger brothers. Osomatsu is still oblivious about his brothers being wide awake and listening to his conversation with Chibita.

“Do you want to stop, though?” Chibita asks, he wonders if that is what the other brothers are thinking.

“Stop what?” Osomatsu is nibbling at the leftover oden on his plate.

“Stop being their eldest.”

Osomatsu stops chewing and stares back at the oden with an unreadable expression.

“Honestly, I don’t know.”

That is a very honest answer, such a rarity from Osomatsu who usually hates being open about his deeper feelings.

“Sometimes I want to change back to how we were back then…” Osomatsu stops. “But to change the dynamic again is too bothersome now…” Osomatsu sighs and looks up to nothing.

“They are very troublesome indeed…” Osomatsu huffs. “But they are also adorable…” Osomatsu chuckles a little.

“Such a dilemma, I don’t know.” Osomatsu finally says as he finishes eating his leftover oden.

“I guess… it isn’t easy to be the eldest, huh?” Chibita asks with a small smile.

Osomatsu huffs and looks drowsy. “It isn’t a very rewarding role…” He stretches his body a little and looks ready to sleep. “But I’m their Onii-chan… it can’t be helped.”

And Osomatsu rests his head on the table and finally snores away.

Chibita blinks then turns toward the now awkward little brothers.

The oden maker huffs with a little smile.

He wonders if their red faces are because they are drunk or because about what Osomatsu’s words.

But they aren’t cute at all.

That is just simply gross.

0o0o0o0

“Osomatsu-niisan.”

“Hmmm~?”

Todomatsu looks at how the totally drunk Osomatsu is being carried by Karamatsu on his back.

“You know… you can stop being the eldest if you want, it is stupid after all. We are all at the same age, who is the eldest or the youngest shouldn’t matter.” Todomatsu says.

The others look at him with a very surprised look.

As expected from the dry monster, he just approaches the subject without any hesitation.

Osomatsu opens his eyes a little bit and grins. Slowly he reaches Todomatsu’s head, since Todomarsu isn’t walking too far from the eldest two.

Osomatsu pats Todomatsu's head with a drunk smile.

“It is too late~ I’m Onii-chan now~ ehehehe.”

Todomatsu is a little shocked.

“Also, don’t say something like that with that kind of face.” Osomatsu says with a more serious look.

The youngest touches his own face quickly. “Huh? What kind of face!?”

Osomatsu just smiles tenderly and rests his head again on Karamatsu’s back.

“You are all going to be Onii-chan’s little brothers no matter what… ehehe…” Osomatsu is back at his drunken speech.

“Really!?” Jyushimatsu approaches him with a happy face.

“Really.”

“Really? Really? Really?” Jyushimatsu asks again.

“Really! Really! Really!” Osomatsu answers back.

Then both of them laugh together.

Karamatsu just smiles tenderly and he looks at how Choromatsu has the same expression as him. Even Ichimatsu has a small content smile on his lips.

Osomatsu dozed off again on Karamatsu’s back.

That day, the day when they decided one sidedly for Osomatsu to be the eldest, they noticed that they were being unfair to him. They just shoved the responsibility as the eldest to him without his consent. He refused and avoided it for a while. But then he accepted it. And then he changed.

And they almost forget about it, because now Osomatsu looks so proud and happy to be their, albeit shitty, eldest brother. Always calling himself ‘nii-chan’ or even ‘Onii-chan’.

But that doesn’t erase the fact that he is still struggling to accept that role for them.

But somehow, despite that, Osomatsu is still their eldest.

It might be selfish of them.

And they won’t openly admit it either.

But they are really glad that Osomatsu is their eldest brother.

He is a shitty eldest brother.

But he is their shitty eldest brother.

End

Omake

Osomatsu blinks and opens his eyes drowsily. “Why is it so hot? It is fall now…” Osomatsu groans but then he notices that he can’t move his limbs.

No, to be exact, he can’t feel his limbs.

He looks around and notices how his little brothers somehow end up sleeping surrounding him. And yeah, they are all sleeping on his limbs. No wonder he can’t feel them now.

Osomatsu huffs and frowns. “What is the matter with them…?” He mumbles.

‘Gosh. They look cute.’ Osomatsu smiles a little, thinking it silently.

Then a moment passes and sweat trickles down on Osomatsu’s forehead.

“BUT IT IS HOT, GUYS! GET OFF!!!!”

That is how they end up fighting each other early in the morning.

It is just another peaceful day of Matsuno sextuplets.