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Christmas in Japan was unlike anywhere else in the world.
Whereas families in other countries were gathered together in merriment on Christmas morning to open presents, the attention in Japan was instead on strawberry cakes, fried chicken specials, and--most of all--the love shared between couples.
While you had no boyfriend to call your own, you weren't going to let that stop you from enjoying the holiday. After all, you did have the Matsuno brothers as your closest friends, with Todomatsu being the one you'd be spending the holiday with. While you had known all of the brothers for the longest time, it was due to the fact that the two of you were attending the same university that you were spending more time together, especially as of late.
As Christmas neared, it was his suggestion that you do something together, his eyes glittering with excitement and his mouth curved up in a wide, hopeful smile. How could you turn down such a precious face?
However, on the other hand, whenever you tried to mention the possibility of having the other brothers join, Todomatsu would at first strike down that suggestion, only to giggle it off and say that it would be much less of a hassle. You wouldn't have minded if the other brothers joined--the more the merrier after all.
Though Christmas was seen as more of a couples' celebration, who said you had to conform? You could easily celebrate the holiday with the Matsuno brothers without any ulterior motives involved.
...Right?
Your Christmas with Todomatsu went off without a hitch. You could always leave it up to him when it came to having a glorious day out. Silly pictures taken at the arcade photobooth, treating yourselves to all the holiday sales, and, best of all, getting what looked to be the most gorgeous, most delectable-looking Christmas cake that either of you had ever seen.
You wanted to be sure that the rest of his brothers had a chance to try the cake, which he agreed to...albeit after you both ate some of the cake slices together at the bakery you bought it from, all while taking cute couple selfies together.
With the cake in hand and the two of you in high spirits, you both made your way back to the Matsuno household.
While Todomatsu was chatting away with you while getting right to work on posting pictures from your day up on social media, you held the cake box, admiring the look of it through the clear plastic opening on top.
"I'm still so surprised that we were able to get this cake. Talk about a Christmas miracle," you remarked with a giggle. "This cake really is beautiful, Todomatsu. I'm glad that we got to share it together."
"I bet it's not as sweet or beautiful as you though~!" He responded without a moment's hesitation. However, as soon as those words left his lips, he let out an astonished gasp, slapping his hand over his open mouth while he stared at you with wide eyes, his cheeks turning red. "O-Oh! I-I mean--!"
"Todomatsu...!" You giggled, even as your face began to feel warm as well. "I heard exactly what you said!"
"Oh, well I guess there's no use in hiding it!" He chirped, sticking his tongue at you playfully. "It's the truth, and there's nothing you can say about it!"
"You, I swear~" You shook your head, even though you did feel pleased by what he said. It made you think, however, if any of the brothers ever thought of you in such a way. However, such thoughts could be contemplated on later.
Within moments, you reached the front door to the Matsuno household. The cheer on Todomatsu's face waned as you both stood before the entrance, of which he sighed and huffed out, "Aww, I don't want our time together to be over just yet though!"
"'Over?'" You repeated curiously. "But I'll still be sticking around, Todomatsu."
"I mean just the two of us, of course!" He chirped with a wink, just before his pout returned, his eyes lingering elsewhere. "It'll just be so noisy once we get back in there and-- A-Ahh!"
All of a sudden, Todomatsu exclaimed out your name, his eyes growing wide as soon as something up by the top of the doorway caught his eye. His finger immediately pointed upwards. "Look!"
At first, you were startled, tensing at what caused him to react in such a way. However, given that it was the holidays, you suddenly froze as you realized on what one of the possibilities could be.
Your eyes immediately trailed upwards--thus meant you didn't catch the ecstatic, relieved but utterly smug expression on Todomatsu's face while you did so.
Sure enough, it was a sprig of mistletoe.
"A-Ahh that's...!" Your words trailed off, your face becoming warmer at what this meant for the both of you. It was a silly tradition, certainly, but this meant that you would be kissing Todomatsu. That you both would be sharing a kiss. That this could possibly lead to something more--
By the abrupt slam of the front door being slid open with intense force, both you and Todomatsu leapt in shock. It was enough for him to almost drop his phone in surprise while you almost allowed the cake box to fall out of your hands.
"Well, well, well, look who's late to curfew!"
Both you and Todomatsu turned towards the door. You were met by an overly cheerful grin and the faint stench of beer and fried chicken.
Startled as you were, you let out an exasperated sigh with the greeting of, "And hello to you, Osomatsu--"
"Nii-san, what are you up to?"
You were stunned by how sharp Todomatsu's tone was, even as he maintained the sweet, adorable expression on his face.
Osomatsu, not falling for it, immediately scowled, his arms folding over his chest as he bit back with, "More like what are you up to! What's this about a secret Christmas date, huh?!"
Before you could get a word in on what exactly he was talking about--all this about a date--Todomatsu glared at his oldest brother before huffing out, "Think about it what you want!" Sticking out his tongue, he proclaimed defiantly. "You're just jealous because you and the others were stuck here by yourselves, while I was out doing cute things that you'll never have the chance to--!"
Osomatsu immediately reached forward to grab the front of Todomatsu's white cardigan, his expression clearly miffed and affected by his younger sibling's words, "Oi, just get inside before you get grounded, you conniving little brat!" With the strength he could must, he quickly yanked Todomatsu inside before slamming the front door shut. There seemed to be some struggle taking place, what with all the cursing, and things toppling over and breaking.
However, it didn't take long for Osomatsu to reappear, shutting the door behind him as he stepped outside.
"Kids these days, I swear," he sighed with exasperation just before running a hand through his disheveled hair. Facing you, his grin returned to his face as he winked. "It's been a while since I saw you!" His lips puckered out in a pout as he leaned against the front door. "You've been hanging out with Todomatsu all this time. It's like you forgot about me!"
Feeling the beginning pangs of guilt, you immediately became apologetic. "Of course not, Osomatsu! It's just been a busy semester and all. I'd never want you to feel that way." With a reassuring smile, you added, "You mean a lot to me, and if there's anything I can do then tell me, please!"
Osomatsu pointed up at the top of the door way. "Mistletoe kiss then?"
"Kiss?"
"Please."
You were stunned by how quickly he sunk to his knees before you, his hands clasping together in a plead. However, much like a moment earlier, the front door slid open, revealing a very angry, red-faced Choromatsu. Your eye couldn't help but notice the crumpled tissue that seemed to be stuck to the bottom of his sock.
"Oi, what are you doing?!"
Letting out a deep, annoyed groan, Osomatsu quickly rose to his feet while glaring at his brother. "What do you mean 'What are you doing'?! I'm having a heart-to-heart moment here!"
"Outside, of all places?! Are you just so stupid that you don't see how much it's snowing outside?! How can you just keep a guest out in this weather?!" Choromatsu rambled, his expression growing increasingly more irate as he spoke. His eyes then narrowed as he added lowly, “Besides, I know what you’re up to, you conniving bastard.”
”You wanna do something about it then?!” Osomatsu snapped, puffing out his chest while he tried to make himself look more assertive.
”You’re too bothersome. Go fuck off into the cold,” Choromatsu growled just before he reached for your hand, quickly bringing you inside the house before slamming and locking the door shut before Osomatsu could realize what occurred.
”Choromatsu, you scummy otaku fuck…!” The eldest Matsuno squawked furiously before banging his fists against the front door with the same intensity.
Again, just another day at the Matsuno house.
Paying no mind, Choromatsu only lead you to the living room. As opposed to the icy chill from outside, the house was blissfully warm. The scent of fried chicken wafted in the air, evident by all the buckets strewn around on the kotatsu table, located in the middle of the room--it would seem that Matsunos were celebrating Christmas accordingly.
Still, with concern, you turned your head back to the front door. ”Will Osomatsu be okay out there?”
”Oh…!” Choromatsu turned to face you, his calm and polite demeanor immediately returning to his features. “You know him. He’ll find some way inside, or he’ll probably just get too cold and warm up at the pachinko parlor.” Letting out a sigh, he added, “I apologize for his rudeness. You're such a precious friend to us, and here he is, leaving you out in the cold.”
”Choromatsu, it’s fine,” you began to reassure. “I know Osomatsu didn’t mean to--”
Both of Choromatsu’s hands suddenly clasped over the one he was already holding, squeezing it gently as he declared with wide, glimmering eyes, “Please know that I would never do that to you! I cherish you too much to be so inconsiderate, especially to the childhood friend whom I proposed to back in our youth!”
”Propose?” You tried to recall this moment back from your childhood, but honestly, during those days, you always had difficulty determining which brother you were talking to and playing with.
”O-Oh!” Choromatsu gasped, his expression turning sheepish and embarrassed as he looked away. “Did I say that out loud? I'm sorry! It's just--” In the same ‘coincidence’ that occurred with Osomatsu however, his eyes trailed up to the doorway that lead to the living room. “Ahh! When did this get here?”
Your eyes following as well, you soon wondered just how much mistletoe was owned by the brothers.
His face burning red and his expression resisting to reveal his outright bliss, Choromatsu stammered, “W-Where did this come from? I wonder...is this some kind of Christmas miracle for couples-- Ack!”
While you knew any interaction with the Matsuno brothers took expecting the unexpected to an astronomical level, you and Choromatsu were taken aback when none other than ESP Kitty suddenly appeared. The little kitten managed to climb up and leap upon his head, using that leverage to swipe at the mistletoe before taking off with it in a hurried scurry down the hallway.
”Oi! You shitty cat!” Choromatsu roared, the red flush on his face now of rage. Relinquishing his hold on your hand, he quickly gave chase, going on about, “Don’t ruin this for me, you bastard!” and “Ichimatsu, you furry fuck!” as he quickly disappeared down the hall.
”Hm? Who said my name?”
As you were so sure that--with Choromatsu now gone--that you were completely alone. Almost dropping your cake box, you jumped with surprise at the sound of someone speaking, their voice muffled. However, you soon realized that the other presence in the room belonged to Ichimatsu, who apparently was hiding away beneath the kotatsu. By his groggy expression and flushed complexion, you assumed that he was napping all this time.
For him however, it was by the sight of you that he was feeling the blush on his cheeks deepen, which of course he tried to pass off with a casual “Oh, it's you” as his greeting.
”Hello to you too, Ichimatsu,” you laughed while stepping into the living room. Gesturing to the cake box tucked under your arm, you queried, “Care for some Christmas cake on this Christmas Day?”
”U-Uh...sure, I guess…doesn't really matter to me,” he mumbled in response, yawning as he rubbed his eyes. Sitting up, he slowly cleared the table top of empty chicken buckets. “You can set it down here...sorry for how shitty and messy everything looks.”
With a smile, you proceeded to take a seat beside him, not realizing how he tensed as you did so. “It’s fine. You're just celebrating the holidays in the comforts of your home!”
”If you say so…” Ichimatsu drawled right as he caught your scent--his nose was among the most sensitive for something like that. It pleased him, especially amidst all the messiness in the household.
Right as you opened the box, you could hear the pitter patter of paws hurriedly rushing across the floor, along with Ichimatsu suddenly taking in a sharp breath. You were looking for a spare plate to set his slice of cake on and some utensils to use when you--out of the corner of your eye--saw an orange blur fly by.
When you looked to your side, you saw a tense Ichimatsu struggling to keep a calm composure as ESP Kitty settled itself on top of his head, the mistletoe dangling out of its mouth, holding it over the two of you.
”I…” Ichimatsu began, looking nervous and unsure. “...I brushed my teeth beforehand.”
From the whirlwind of events that took place this evening, you thought just giving a kiss to him would settle this mistletoe ordeal at last, though you knew it also risked inciting havoc amongst the other brothers. However, Ichimatsu--for as feared as he was by others--looked so vulnerable and hopeful that you felt compelled to give him a kiss.
Until a rose whizzed by and impaled itself into Ichimatsu’s temple.
”Merry Christmas! And…”
While Ichimatsu cursed up a storm and ESP Kitty--in its fright--leapt high into the air and clung to the ceiling, you turned to the doorway of the living room, seeing who else but…
Tuxedo Mask?
”...a Happy New Year!”
There was only one person who could dress up as Tuxedo Mask, only to rip it off to reveal a Santa outfit, but only if Santa gave out gifts while keeping his red coat open to reveal his chest and wearing matching hot pants as well.
Again, it was business as usual at the Matsuno household.
”Merry Christmas to you too, Karamatsu!” You greeted, your suspension of disbelief having checked out a long time ago when it came to not only just these brothers, but especially Karamatsu.
"Oh~! My sweet, beautiful Karamatsu angel!" Karamatsu cried out ecstatically in English while he strutted towards you in dramatic flair. "Have you come to bless me with a kiss to my lips? Look to the heavens above, the very one that sent you to this Earth!” He lifted both hands up to gesture to the still very terrified ESP Kitty. “It is a sign that our mouths must meet--!"
"Santa!"
The shriek that Karamatsu suddenly let out was immediately muffled as the wall right behind both you and Ichimatsu burst open, revealing Jyushimatsu--completely naked, save for the antlers taped to his head, which had mistletoe dangling from each point, and the glowing red clown nose on his face--while he apparently managed to drag in an authentic Santa sleigh with what looked to be nothing else but the sheer power of his will and existence.
Releasing himself from the sleigh, Jyushimatsu made a mad dash for you, his lips puckering out as he cheered, “Mistletoe kiss! Mistletoe kiss!”
However, he was quickly thwarted by Ichimatsu reaching forward to grab Jyushimatsu by the ankle, sending him face first to the floor.
By now, the icy winter snow had quickly begun to flood inside the house, along with the seemingly hypothermic Osomatsu as he dragged his frozen self inside. With the expression on his face, it looked as though he survived the chill by the boiling hatred he had for Choromatsu.
Coincidentally, Choromatsu--and a bound and gagged Todomatsu—then emerged, looking weak but utterly furious, given by the cat scratch marks on his face.
The gates of hell--already battered as can be--were ready to finally break open on this Christmas Day. There was no way you could allow things to continue like this.
Hearing the beginning rumblings of an all out Matsuno battle royale, you managed to silence and bring things to a still by merely clearing your throat.
With all eyes on you, a sigh escaped you before you smiled with exasperation, eyeing them all as you remarked, “The six of you, honestly...Well, I guess it can't be helped.”
And so, to all six of the brothers, you gave them a kiss to the cheek, unprompted by any mistletoe--even though ESP Kitty was still gauging whether it was alright to drop down yet or not.
"There, happy now?" You questioned with a giggle, surrounded by all the brothers as they remained sprawled on the floor, joyfully blabbering nonsense as they all touched their cheeks.
”I’ll take that as a yes~” You noted with amusement. “But now that that's settled, let’s go and have some cake together now, shall we? Oh, but we probably need some plates and utensils. I'll go get some from the kitchen.”
However, right as you took a step to leave the living room, it was then--by some legitimate coincidence--that ESP Kitty had finally leapt from the ceiling, seemingly taken by what looked to be a piece of fried chicken that was knocked out of a bucket and onto the floor. Without fail, you tripped over the adorable kitten and fell forward. It was for certain that you would have plummeted right to the floor, were it not for one of the brothers instinctively rising from the floor to quickly rush ahead to catch you with their arms.
And lips.
It was truly an accident.
One that you were more than pleased with, given who it was.
One that quickly caused hell to unleash in the Matsuno household yet again as the other brothers clamored to have their own kiss to the lips as well.
Christmas with the Matsuno brothers was unlike anything else to have ever existed.