Work Text:
Matsuno Karako stared at herself in the mirror.
One year. Tomorrow would mark one year since she began hormone replacement therapy. One year on estrogen.
Karako put her hand mirror down to look around the room from where she was laying on the couch. Choromatsu was reading a manga at the table, Ichimatsu was in the corner napping with a cat, and Jyushimatsu and Todomatsu were in the middle of a particularly intense match of Go. Totty seemed distressed by Jyushimatsu’s unpredictable plays; Jyushimatsu was laughing. Osomatsu was out—probably playing pachinko.
There would be no party, no fanfare, no celebration. It would be just another day.
Something about that make Karako all the more happier. Because if no one pointed it out, then it meant that she being herself was a normal thing. It wasn’t like when she first came out, with all the disbelief and questions and lackluster responses. And it wasn’t like when she first started taking estrogen, with the constant doctor’s visits and worries from family members.
This had become part of life, and that was nice.
The sound of the front door slamming barely got their attention. Hurried footsteps slammed up the stairs, and the bedroom door was thrown open.
“There’s a festival in town this weekend! Tomorrow night!” Osomatsu shouted as he entered the siblings’ shared bedroom. He frowned at their lack of reaction. “Oh come on, have a little more spirit! There’s a festival!”
“We heard you the first time,” Choromatsu grumbled. “Why does it matter?”
“We should go!”
Ichimatsu scoffed, woken by the commotion. “Why should we? It’ll just be a bunch of overpriced toys, rigged games, disgusting food, and too many people.”
Osomatsu laughed. “Ichimatsu! I know you like that yakisoba they always sell near the goldfish, don’t pretend you don’t!”
The younger looked away, clicking his tongue. Osomatsu ruffled his hair affectionately.
Todomatsu looked up from the game. “Osomatsu-niisan, there’s no reason to go. It’s always the same every year. We went every year until we graduated high school. It won’t be as fun. Besides, I have to work the morning shift.”
“Then we can go in the afternoon!”
Choromatsu sighed. “I think you’re missing the point, Osomatsu-niisan. We’re not interested.”
“Oh, why not? Come on Fappymatsu, it’ll be so much fun! There’ll be food, and fun times, and I heard at the end of the night there’s even fireworks—”
“FIREWORKS?!?!?!”
They barely winced at Jyushimatsu’s outburst, seeing as it was a pretty regular thing in their household. Jyushimatsu, meanwhile, was ecstatic.
“Fireworks!! I love fireworks! I wanna see them!”
Osomatsu laughed. “That’s the spirit!”
Jyushimatsu bounded over to Ichimatsu.
“We should go! Right, Ichimatsu-niisan?”
Ichimatsu jumped, then started to sweat. If there was anything he couldn’t do, it was crush Jyushimatsu’s hopes and dreams.
“I guess…”
The yellow-clad Matsu looked around the room excitedly. There was no way they could say not to that face.
“It could be fun…” Todomatsu said thoughtfully. “We still have our old kimono from last year.”
And then he realized what he’d said.
The others froze, their eyes turning to Karako. There was that unspoken understanding that perhaps Totty shouldn’t have said what he had. He immediately looked guilty.
For who could force their sister to wear a man’s kimono?
“Karako-neesan, I’m sorry! I completely forgot!”
She shook her head. “It’s fine. I could always rent one out. Or just wear my regular clothes.”
Choromatsu frowned. “It’ll be hard to find a good one this close to the festival. And they’re expensive. Are you sure?”
Karako shrugged. “It’s just one festival. I don’t have to dress up for it. There’s always future events as well. We’ll plan better then.”
“Are you sure?” Ichimatsu asked. “We could always not go.”
“No no, let’s go! I want to go!” she insisted.
“Great! It’s decided then!” Osomatsu said. “We’re going tomorrow!”
. . . . . . . . . .
The next day rolled around with six people pulling on their shoes. The five boys were dressed in their plain kimono with colorful jackets over them. Karako was the only one not matching, instead donning a loose blouse and her favorite navy-blue skirt.
Karako was also able to find geta to wear, but without a kimono there really wasn’t a point. Instead she slipped on a pair of heels with her outfit.
Osomatsu did a quick headcount. “Alrighty! Ready to go? Everyone got my—I mean, their money?”
“You’re the worst!” Choromatsu accused.
“I’m well aware. I’m broke. Now let’s go!”
He opened the door for them all when there was a shout from behind them.
“Wait, my little NEETs!”
A collective groan.
“Moooooom!” whined Totty. “We were about to leave for the festival!”
“I’m aware.” Matsuyo turned to her only daughter. “Karako, come with me for a minute. There’s something I needed to talk to you about.”
Osomatsu moaned, “Aw, but Mom! You’re gonna make us late!”
“She’ll meet you there.” That tone meant it was already final. No one decided to argue with that. Matsuyo beamed. “Good! Now Karako, I have something I want to show you. Come along.”
Karako smiled sheepishly. She turned to Choromatsu and Todomatsu.
“I’ll text you guys when I head out.”
The two nodded, though neither of them looked particularly pleased with the new arrangement. If she was honest, neither was Karako. But they couldn’t say no to their own mother. The brothers said their goodbyes and left, leaving Karako with Matsuyo. The older woman headed back into the house. Karako had no choice but to go with her.
“It’s a special day for you. You can’t possibly go out wearing that,” Matsuyo said as she led her daughter away from the rest.
“It’s my favorite skirt, Mom,” she said, following her mother obediently.
Matsuyo smiled at the skirt, for it was a nice one. “I’m aware. But there’s no reason you should be the only child of mine without a kimono this year.”
Karako frowned at the cryptic message. “What do you mean by that?”
Matsuyo didn’t reply. Instead she slid open the door to her bedroom. Karako hesitated for a moment, but soon followed her in. Matsuyo was pulling a box out of the closet when Karako entered. She motioned for her daughter to wait. Karako leaned against the doorframe.
“Why did you call me aside, Mom? We were all going out together.”
“I know, I know. You children had plans for the evening. But I was wondering if you would wear this for me tonight?”
Matsuyo handed the case to Karako.
“Careful,” she warned. “It’s an old box.”
Karako took it gingerly, unsure how to feel. Matsuyo gave her an encouraging nod. Swallowing, she opened the box. Cloth? No, it was some form of clothing? Could it be…?
Karako sat down. She pulled it out gingerly, careful not to damage what was there.
She gasped as she stared at the kimono.
It was gorgeous; no other word could truly describe it. The fabric was a rich indigo blue speckled with white. Red momiji leaves were etched into the bottom like a swirling autumn tree. The obi was a the same red-orange as the leaves with slight yellow patterning artfully done. It also came with a small cloth bag to hold some personal belongings in, bright yellow with red, and matching zori with tabi socks. The entire outfit was in pristine condition, as if it had only been worn once or twice in its existence.
What a waste of your beauty, Karako thought as she gently picked up a sleeve. The fabric was silky to the touch. It must have cost a fortune!
Karako turned to her mother. “This is…?”
“It was a gift from my grandmother when I was to be wed to your father,” she answered simply. “It was her profession. She made the entire thing by hand. You don’t find that sort of dedication in this day and age anymore.”
“Grandmama had an excellent eye to detail,” she said, continuing to appreciate the art before her. Karako frowned. “I don’t remember you ever wearing it.”
“Because I never did.”
That answer surprised her. “Why not?”
Matsuyo laughed. “Oh, imagine me in such a grand thing! I was always more simple. Most of the things I kept for weekend wear was brown anyway. It just wasn’t my taste. But I remembered it was here and thought that maybe you would like it, Karako. Blue has been your color for so long I can’t imagine you wearing anything else.”
“Me neither,” she admitted.
“There’s no point in wasting such a thing by having it grow musty in a closet without anyone knowing it exists. It was made to be worn on special occasions. What’s more special than this?”
Karako could think of a lot of things, but she decided not to say anything.
Matsuyo was watching her. “Karako.”
“Yes?”
“It won’t put itself on, you know.”
“Oh! Right. Silly me, heh heh…”
Karako blushed as she undressed. It wasn’t as if her mother hadn’t seen her body—Matsuyo had changed all of their diapers singlehandedly until the sextuplets were toilet trained, and then bathed with them until they were old enough to be embarrassed by it—but something about it was very revealing. Karako’s body was waxed and devoid of hair, there was a very slight swell of the breast, and she was neatly tucked into her panties. But it was still strange to be so bare. Even her brothers weren’t allowed to see her physical changes.
But Matsuyo didn’t so much as bat an eye, humming slightly as she helped Karako into the kimono.
“Oh, I’m glad. I was worried it would be a tad large, but this will do just fine!”
Karako stood still as her mother tied the obi up. It held everything in place perfectly. She marveled at the softness of the cloth and the way it clung to her. This was very different from Karamatsu’s old (and downright painful) mess of a kimono. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. She looked taller and slimmer somehow.
Meanwhile, Matsuyo was opening a small box containing an ornate silver pin. She beckoned for Karako to sit in front of her.
“Here,” she said. “Let me do up your hair. It’s finally long enough.”
Karako kneeled into seiza, giving her mother full access. She had no idea what Matsuyo was doing, but she allowed Matsuyo to brush and pin her hair in some way. It wasn’t necessarily painful, but the tugging was unfamiliar. But the motion was somewhat comforting.
She closed her eyes, letting Matsuyo do what she wanted. It took several minutes before Karako felt the heavy pin slip into her hair, which was piled in some way at the top of her head.
“You can look now.”
Karako opened her eyes. She blinked at her reflection in the mirror, confused. Then she stared. And she gasped.
Karako hardly recognized herself without her hair down or pulled into a lazy ponytail. It was artfully twisted into a bun on top of her head, the pin sticking through it to hold it in place (as well as the bobby pins hidden within it). It was firm enough not to move as she shook her head, but loose enough to avoid scraping back all her hair from her face. Matsuyo was aware of how self-conscious Karako was about letting her bangs grow all the way out, and they framed her face with class.
Karako turned to the side. Then the other. She touched her hair lightly, as if it would vanish.
“It’s amazing,” she breathed.
“I remember I used to practice when I was little, in case I had a daughter. I’m glad all those years weren’t wasted. Now turn around,” Matsuyo said, patting her shoulder. “Let me see you, dear.”
Karako did.
Matsuyo stared for several long moments, which made Karako fidget nervously. Perhaps it wasn’t right? Maybe she’d have to start over?
And then Matsuyo began to sniffle a little.
“Okaa-san?!”
Matsuyo took out a handkerchief from her pocket. She dabbed at her eyes as Karako scooted over to hold her hands, concern written all over her face.
“Are you okay? Is something wrong?”
“I’m sorry,” she said as she collected herself. She placed a hand on Karako’s cheek. “You look so beautiful, my daughter. I was taken aback by it. And it made me think about before we all knew…”
Karako’s expression soften. “Oh, Mummy…”
“I’m sorry it took me so many years to notice that.”
“Mummy…” Karako sniffed. “Stop… You’ll make me ruin my makeup.”
Matsuyo laughed. “Look at us! This is why your father jokes women like me are so emotional.”
Karako joined in. “You and me both. Like mother, like daughter.”
After a moment like that, Karako got up. She picked up the shoes and the bag.
“I should go. I’m sure everyone is waiting for me.”
“Not so fast! Let me take some pictures!”
“Moooooooom!”
“For your father! He won’t be able to see this until after you come home, and I doubt your hair will look anywhere this nice! Just a few. I already have the camera!”
. . . . . . . . . .
From: Totty
Where are you?! We’ve been waiting for forever!
To: Totty
I’m sorry. Mom had something she wanted me to wear tonight. Then she wanted to take pictures. It took a while.
Karako took a quick survey of her surroundings.
To: Totty
I’m by the mask booth near the center.
Her phone buzzed.
From: Totty
Okay! Ichimatsu-niisan, Jyushimatsu-niisan, and I will be there soon!
Karako slipped her phone into her bag and sighed. It was beginning to get dark by the time she had finally left home and headed to the festival. The kimono made it impossible to hurry at a pace faster than an exaggerated shuffle, which made Karako all the more later. Not that she truly minded. She’d gotten lots of stares on the way. At first she thought it was because of the usual reasons: not passing, being around her obvious brothers, not passing, being painful, and not passing to name a few.
It wasn’t until a little girl grabbed the sleeve of her kimono on the bus and called her a pretty lady that all of Karako’s usual fears were brushed away. The chocolate stain was totally worth it, though she would need to get that fixed as soon as possible.
Now standing at the festival, Karako felt even better.
She decided to buy a mask, just for fun. She hadn’t worn one in years, not since they were all kids. Besides, she had time before her brothers arrived. Might as well have some fun!
Karako ended up picking one of a white wolf with red detailing. She slipped it on, giggling a bit as she checked her reflection in her selfie camera. She pulled the mast up carefully so it was resting on her forehead. There was no point in messing up her hair now.
There was a loud gasp behind her that made Karako turn around. She smiled when she saw who it was.
“Totty!”
Her little brother’s eyes were shimmering in delight.
“Your kimono… It’s gorgeous! Did Mom give that to you?”
“Yes! Apparently Grandmama made it for her years ago, but she never wore it.”
Totty nodded. “I can see why. It’s a bit avant-garde for Mom, isn’t it?”
Jyushimatsu laughed loudly. “Karako-neesan looks so pretty, like a goddess!”
Karako blushed.
“She does look like a goddess, doesn’t she Nii-san?”
Ichimatsu rolled his eyes. “I guess she looks better than usual.”
“Admit she looks like a sophisticated lady, Ichimatsu-niisan!” Todomatsu demanded.
“It’s fine!” Karako said, trying to dissipate the tension. “Here, let’s get some food and a few other goods. I just bought myself a mask, and the price wasn’t bad at all! See?”
“Oooo, that looks so cute! We should all get them!” Todomatsu exclaimed. “Just like when we were kids! Doesn’t that sound like a good idea, Jyushimatsu-niisan?”
Jyushimatsu nodded vigorously. “Let’s, let’s!”
The four of them returned to the stand, immediately getting asked if they were quadruplets (followed by the usual response “sextuplets, actually”). Todomatsu chose a dog for Jyushimatsu and a cat for Ichimatsu. Jyushimatsu in return handed Todomatsu a rabbit one. They got the red panda and the frog for Osomatsu and Choromatsu respectively. Karako purchased them all.
“My treat!” she declared, “for today is a special day!”
Todomatsu looked up from his phone. “Just heard back from Choromatsu-niisan! He and Osomatsu-niisan are near the dango stand.”
“Let’s go!” Jyushimatsu shouted.
He led then along, Ichimatsu close behind, followed by Karako and Totty. The sun had already set by that point, the lantern lining the street illuminating the crowded paths with a warm, orange glow. Karako couldn’t help but take her phone out and snap a few pictures, sending them to her friends. They’d probably love an update.
“There they are!” Jyushimatsu shouted, pointing. “Oi, Nii—mmph?!”
Ichimatsu covered his mouth. “Not so loud. We should sneak up on them. That’ll be funnier.”
“Our masks! Put them on!” Totty hissed. “Then they can’t tell it’s us.”
Giggling, Jyushimatsu pulled his mask on. Karako followed suit, smirking. Ichimatsu did after a moment, sighing.
“There’s no point,” he pointed out. “They know how we’re dressed.”
Todomatsu’s reply was slightly muffled. “Yeah, but they don’t know what Karako-neesan looks like. Besides, it’s dark. And you’re the one who suggested this, Ichimatsu-niisan. Don’t back out on me now.”
“Ugh. Fine.”
The four of them found the nearest bridge and crossed the river to make a wide circle around the two seated brothers. Osomatsu was happily eating a large stack of dango that must’ve cost a fortune, while Choromatsu was checking his phone with a frown.
Choromatsu’s girlish shriek made their efforts to sneak up on him absolutely worth it. Though it took a minute for Osomatsu to stop choking on the sticky mess in his mouth. By the time he was done gagging Choromatsu was chewing them out on sneaking up.
“That was a childish prank from all of you! I expected you guys would’ve grown up at least a bit, but I guess that’s what happens when you’re the youngest three.”
Totty ripped off his mask, rolling his eyes. “It was just a joke. Geez, Choromatsu-niisan, learn to live a little.”
He was still fuming, but Osomatsu was tugging at his sleeve.
“Leave it, Choromatsu. More importantly, where’s Karako?”
“Here,” said Ichimatsu. He and Jyushimatsu had pulled off their masks as well.
“Where?”
They watched as Osomatsu looked around in confusion before his eyes landed on the only masked person still standing. He blinked, then stared, his eyes bugging out of his head.
“Karako?!”
She carefully removed the mask, smiling.
“Hello Osomatsu.”
Osomatsu whistled long and low. “Damn, I didn’t even recognize you there! That kimono looks good. Where’d you find it?”
“Mom,” replied Totty. “She had it. Isn’t it pretty?”
“It’s very flattering,” said Choromatsu.
“It’s hot is what it is! If you weren’t my sister, I would definitely f—guh!”
Osomatsu was silenced by a swift strike to the stomach by Ichimatsu. The youngest clicked his tongue in disgust.
“Don’t even say it,” he warned.
The tension dissipated the moment Karako began laughing. Osomatsu joined in soon after, wheezing slightly as he held his bruised stomach. Before long everyone was laughing except for Ichimatsu, who turned away with a blush on his face. Totty was quick to pull out his phone and snap a picture.
“Cute!” he announced.
Osomatsu stood up straight. “Alrighty then! We’re all gathered here. What now?”
Jyushimatsu raised his hand hight. “Let’s explore the festival. I wanna go to every stand!”
“Only if your wallet can withstand that sort of spending,” Ichimatsu warned.
“It’ll be okay! We can just look!”
“I want to get a snack,” mused Todomatsu. “Those dango did look good.”
“I think a few games are in order,” said Choromatsu. “What about you two?”
Osomatsu shrugged, grinning. “I’ll go wherever Karako wants! What d’ya say? What’s caught your interest.”
Karako thought for a moment.
“I know. Come on!” she said, handing Osomatsu the red panda mask. “I want to try the yakisoba.”
He smiled, rubbing his nose. “Only if you’re paying!”
The rest of the evening was spent circling the numerous booths around the festival area in pairs. It seemed everyone wanted to spend time with one another. Karako bought more food to eat with Osomatsu, sat down for tea with Choromatsu, fished for goldfish with Ichimatsu, won an oversized teddy bear for Jyushimatsu, and took numerous selfies with Totty. She was practically dead on her feet when it was all said and done, but there was one more grand event about to take place.
By the time ten o’clock rolled around the small crew was exhausted. They made their way out of the main pavilion and towards a dark hill on the outskirts of the festival. People were already gathered there staring up into the cloudless night sky.
“Hurry up!” Totty warned. “All the good spots will be gone!”
Osomatsu laughed. “Relax. I sent Choromatsu ahead to set everything up! He’s got a blanket and drinks and everything.”
They found Choromatsu near the top of the hill, waving them all over. He had set up a large quilt with a basket of sodas and chips. They all settled down. Karako passed around the drinks Choromatsu offered, along with the bags of chips.
Before long they were all munching and sipping away.
“Ne ne, Karako-neesan! When are the fireworks starting?” asked Jyushimatsu.
“Any minute now,” said Karako, smiling.
“Okay!” A pause. “How about now?”
Totty pouted. “Jyushimatsu-niisan, Karako-neesan literally just said in a minute! Wait for a bit!”
“Okay. …How about now, Totty?”
“AUGH!”
Karako turned to Osomatsu, who was leaning against Ichimatsu’s shoulder while munching away on some potato chips. Osomatsu was pretty hungry, despite eating all the food he had. Had he only spent money on food today?
Come to think of it, did Osomatsu spend any money at all?
Karako frowned, wracking her brain and coming up with nothing. Osomatsu had been mooching off of them all night. The difference was that no one made any fuss about it. They just…went along with it? That was unusual.
“Hey, Osomatsu?”
“Hm?” The elder finished off his chips and tossed the wrapper aside (which Choromatsu immediately picked up while muttering). “What’s up, Karako?”
“Why didn’t you buy anything at the festival?”
Osomatsu shrugged. “Eh, no reason really.”
Karako could tell he was lying in an instant. “Osomatsu…”
He leaned back. “Fine, fine. I lied. I already spent all my money on this. Choromatsu?”
Karako turned as her younger brother scooted forward with a box in his hands. He handed it to Karako, smiling. She opened it to find a cake sitting at the bottom. Chocolate, her favorite. And written in cursive on top was a single word:
Congratulations!
“What’s this for?” she asked.
“Nothing really. It’s just that, well, today’s a special day, isn’t it? And as the oldest, it’s my duty to make sure you’re taken care of, lil sis!”
It took Karako a moment to process what Osomatsu meant. She gasped when it finally hit her.
Her one year mark for estrogen.
Karako was shocked. “You guys remembered?”
Ichimatsu rolled his eyes. “Duh. Why would we forget?”
“But I didn’t mention anything about it…”
“Why would you need to, Nee-san?” Jyushimatsu asked honestly.
“Jyushimatsu’s right,” said Choromatsu. “We may not be the best brothers, but we kept track of your transition, Karako. And we’re all proud of how far you’ve come.”
“So we wanted to celebrate!” cheered Todomatsu.
The first of the fireworks started to boom as the five boys smiled and shouted:
“Happy One Year!”
Karako decided to never admit she’d immediately started sobbing, the sound muffled by the bright display in the sky. The only hint Matsuyo and Matsuzo got that night was her smudged mascara and the large smiled on all six of their children’s faces upon arriving home. They opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate before calling it a night.
Karako smiled as she snuggled into her usual spot in bed, five familiar snoring bodies surrounding her. The memories of the day came flooding back as she shut her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Happy One Year indeed.