Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Osomatsu found this kind of funny that he was stuck in the tram, which he never usually took, all of this because of a little adventure with his brothers, who haven't hesitated to ditch him at some point.

Ah, he couldn't wait for the moment when he will beat their ass.

Still, it wasn't that bad, he just had that to do after he had walked for a while. Now he didn't have to walk very much.

The NEET was blocked by the incredible amount of employed people, as it was usual in Japan. Even though he wanted to, he couldn't sit down anywhere. He was stuck with several people while his eyes were wandering.

The scenery was wonderful! All those breasts, I mean all those hills uh.

Actually, it was even less annoying, the « view » made him forgets about his growing hunger.

Another station, some people went out while some others entered.

He was enjoying the changing scenery when he noticed something... wrong with it.

A girl was stuck between one of the wall and a man, and if it weren't for her facial expression he wouldn't have noticed...

...her expression looked even more terrified, as he looked at her. He kept a straight face, but he could see his arms moving...

…

- « Oi. »

The two strangers were startled by his sudden appearance, especially the man.

- « It seems that you don't know the rule: look but don't touch, right? »

The guy was a little taller than him, but why would he care? He didn't, not at all.

He finally looked at him, saying:

- « What do you mean? »

Osomatsu watched the young woman making sure he wasn't mistaken, but she was paralyzed by fear and it just encouraged Osomatsu to use his own fist.

First, he took the guy by the collar.

- « You know very well what I mean. »

At the same time, the door opened again and a simple and clear idea came into his mind :

- « Get out of the way! I’m taking out the trash! »

Some seconds later, you could hear a scream as the aggressor was ejected out of the tram. Osomatsu attracted attention on him but didn't pay it any mind as he was making his way to get closer to the person he rescued.

After something like that, nobody dared to say anything and the crowd who was entering in the tram stayed silent while the man was now, ironically, in a trashcan.

Then the tram kept going, in silence. The atmosphere was particular after such an event.

Osomatsu finally said something:

- « Do you think I did a home run? »

He chuckled at his own joke, but the woman had no reaction. Understanding, he asked:

- « Are you okay? »

Still shocked, all she did was watch in his direction. Osomatsu smiled brightly while rubbing his nose. His hand bumped by accident on her own, but it gave him an idea:

- « … may I? »

She opened her own hand, and once he held her, she gripped his. He smiled again.

- « Don't worry. Everything's going to be okay from now on. »

He held her hand the whole time, quietly. She seemed to relax but he wasn't really sure.

The tranquillity which slowly took place between them was interrupted by the announcement of where they were now. Akatsuka Ward, of course.

- «Ah, we're finally at my station. »

She blinked out of surprise:

- « Me too. »

They noticed that they were still holding hands. Osomatsu scratched the back of his neck, blushing:

- « Ah-haha! I'm sorry, I haven't noticed...
- No, it's okay... reassured the young woman »

They had to walk out of the tram at the same time to walk in the same direction for a while, in silence. Came the moment where they had to part away.

- « I see..., have a good day then! »

Osomatsu said those words and proceeded to wave his hand, as she smiled in return. He saw her leaving without a thought, but weirdly she managed to get back to him, a paper in her hand.

- « It's my phone number...
- ...eh?! »

She looked away:

- « Sorry if it seems too bold I just... I would like to talk to you again if possible... your voice reassures me.
- O-ok... »

Just after saying that, she was really quick to leave, not letting him the time to give her his own number.

It took him a moment to realize all that happened.

He rescued a woman from an aggressor.

She smiled at him, several times.

They held hands for what looked like hours to him.

And now he has her number.

He started to giggle stupidly and then managed to scream:

- « HEY GUYS! GUESS WHAT YOUR BROTHER HAS DONE TODAY! »

He was close to home and his first idea was to run to it, screaming those words.

Once at home, he breathed in before getting into their room, a smile almost as big as Jyushimatsu's.

- « Guess who’s got a girl’s number without any effort today? »

They looked at him with suspicion:

- « It's surely fake. » replied Choromatsu.
- « WRONG! And I will tell you WHY, Choromatsu! »

He sat down, waiting for his brothers to gather around him to listen to the eldest one.

Something which few of them have done, but he finally got their attention. He fiercely talked about the heroic behaviour he had had. It was worth a tv show, but it was more of a lie than anything to his brothers.

That’s why they said absolutely nothing.

- « You don't believe me? Seriously?
- Just call her and we will believe you, Osomatsu-nii-san. », cut Todomatsu, tired of the situation.

Osomatsu tensed up. Blushing, he chuckled, visibly embarrassed:

- « Perhaps... later right? You know, to give her the time to get over her emot- HEY! WHY ARE YOU ALL LEAVING?! »

They were all already focused on their own distraction.

Vexed, Osomatsu decided to go downstairs to watch TV. Whatever! He'll show them later anyway.

A quick nap later, the loudest voice in the house awoke him:

- « Osomatsu-nii-san, Osomatsu-nii-san! »

Quickly, he was shaken by Jyushimatsu:

- « It's almost time for dinner!
- Ah... mm... yeah...
- You still haven't called her right? » said Jyushimatsu, out of nowhere.

Osomatsu looked at his brother who just hit the nail on the head. Despite this, Osomatu’s usual carefree attitude came back and he smiled:

- « I'm waiting for a SIGN Jyushimatsu...
_ Ouch! Please stop, you're painful to look at. »

The two dorks of the house laughed at the brief Karamatsu impersonation and proceeded to go eat.

Though, Osomatsu wasn't really acting like waiting for a sign.

He went to the terrace looking at the sky, pensive.

With the number of this stranger in his hand, he sighed.

Oh, he knew it was a real one it wasn't the question but...

He was nervous. What was he supposed to say?

He looked at the sky. Haha, who knows, perhaps the sky will really show him a sign...

- « …  woah?! A SHOOTING STAR?! »

It was the sign he waited, the moment to do a wish!

- « I don't know how it works but... Akatsuka-sensei, if you're out there, please give me a chance to talk to this girl- »

But in return for his prayer, a scream echoed in the night.

He barely had the time to open his eyes that someone violently crashed into him, ejecting him on the wall.

- « Osomatsu-nii-san?! Osomatsu-nii-san?! »

His brothers worriedly reached to him, and with their lifestyle, they were not ready for that.

I mean, what was that GIRL doing on their BROTHER, both of them against their wall?!

The stranger fell on the floor, Osomatsu staying on the wall, visibly stuck in it.

Finally, Choromatsu spoke up, talking to Jyushimatsu:

- « Have you done any other sport besides baseball today?
- No, only baseball! Also, why are you all looking at me?!
- Perhaps it's because of Dr.Dekapan... », said Karamatsu, in a curiously normal voice.
- « Instead of talking, we should help them don't you think? », added Ichimatsu.

The boys looked more preoccupied about the girl than their own brother, but strangely Osomatsu could have a bit of their attention when the gravitational effect made him fall on the young woman.

Which resulted in him being punched by Choromatsu:

- « HOW DARE YOU?! Treating a poor innocent girl like this!!
- Mademoiselle, how are you? Can you hear me through your sweet slumber? », asked Karamatsu, while holding her hand.
- « Is she alive, Kusomatsu? », Ichimatsu started to get close too.
- « Karamatsu-nii-san, my ears are bleeding, stop that! », objected Jyushimatsu.
- « SHUT THE FUCK UP ALL OF YOU! STOP GETTING CLOSE TO HER! YOU'RE GOING TO SCARE HER! », screamed out Todomatsu, visibly aware of how confusing it will be for her when she’ll wake up.

He was right, she was waking up. She didn't notice that her hand was held and she just tried to sit, with difficulty, whimpering because of the pain:

- « Ouch... I should really stop going near this laboratory... »

It's when she noticed her hand was being held, and how she was surrounded. Startled, she asked with a hesitant voice:

- « Have we met before?
- Heh, ~? », reacted Karamatsu, happy to have some attention, « I have no memory of it, my lady.
- Uh... but why is there so many of you?! »

Her gaze went to all of them, who wasn't moving. Choromatsu tried to find his words, but Todomatsu finally says something:

- « Sorry for... everything, and good afternoon? Hahaha, we are the Matsuno. I am Todomatsu- »

She fainted, it was really too much for today.

They all looked at her, motionless.

Ichimatsu sighed:

- « It seems like we killed someone. Again. »

Chapter Text

The six brothers truly weren’t expecting to see a girl sleeping in their living room… other than in a dream, of course!

Matsuyo was taking care of the fainted stranger and thought that, given her state, she was probably going to spend the night sleeping here.

She then took care of giving a lecture to her, how she called them, NEETs.

- “You’d better not bother her or anything! If she wakes up, call me immediately. I have no desire for her to be exposed to your foolishness.”

… wow.

Naturally, the living room wasn’t the place where the brothers stayed the most and moreover they should go to sleep… even if that was going to be difficult with what just happened.

… It seemed like I’m forgetting Osomatsu in this story. In what state is he?

Well, it seemed like he’s going to spend the night on the terrace since nobody was concerned about him. Osomatsu stayed fainted for a while until water drops came to disturb his slumber.

Waked up by the rain, Osomatsu tried, even before opening his eyes, to protect himself from it.

He grumbled as he entered the room while his brothers were distracting themselves in the futon. They were muttering who knows what between them, he’ll ask them about it later.

For the time being, he needed ice for his concussion.

After taking the ice and applying it on his bump on the head, Osomatsu went to the living room to go sit down…

And he choked on his own spit.

First of all, a girl, and second of all, a girl he knew and wasn’t Totoko-chan.

The stranger was sleeping peacefully, despite him being here. There was only the sound of her breathing in the room, but Osomatsu had the impression to hear his heart echoing he was so stressed by the situation.

- “Ah, you are there?”

Osomatsu turned around to face Matsuyo holding a blanket in her arms. She gave it to him, adding:

- “Make yourself useful and give this to her. The air is going to get colder with the rain. I’ll make her some tea, just in case.”

Osomatsu remained sheepish in front of his mother, who went to the kitchen without a word.

He… he had to put a blanket on her? Where does this lie on the virgins ranking?

He had to calm himself down. After all, nothing said she was going to wake up and… fuck, he sounds like a pervert.

He decided to risk it by starting to get closer to her. He opened the blanket, took it by a side and made the other flutter on the unconscious girl’s body.

She was covered and still asleep.

But Osomatsu, as we know him, couldn’t stop here.

He got a little closer and crouched to her level.

With her ribbon to hold her chestnut brown hair in a ponytail… it was really her, and she was really as cute as when he met her…

She seemed to be alright. It was better than earlier anyway.

A warm smile appeared on his face, but his guest’s tensed up suddenly.

- “Mm?”

And her eyes snapped open.

…shit.

“W-wait it’s not what you the-“

-CRACK-

It was the sound Osomatsu’s head made after his body went across the room and hit the wall and passed through its wood. Rapidly, on the other side, his brothers arrived.

All that this scene presented were the stranger awakened and spooked, while the eldest had a bloody nose.

…later, Matsuyo had to rescue the eldest from his death.

- “Now, apologize to our guest- oh excuse me, what is your name?

- Kawashima… Kawashima Ayane…

- APOLOGIZE TO KAWASHIMA-SAN, STUPID NEETS!”

At her order, six same-faced individuals kneeled down to apologize in a terrible rush.

Ayane had visibly not finished going through the mill with them.

They stayed in this position, shaking, while their mother was talking to her like it was nothing:

- “Don’t worry, they don’t bite, they are just idiots.

- Oh, I know… one of them saved me this afternoon…

- Which one?”

Ayane should have expected to be faced with a game of spot the differences, given where she ended up.

The six NEETs were sitting in line, without her mother had to ask them to.

She looks at them for a moment, noticing some differences between them which ruled them out little by little… until:

- “I think it’s him…?”

She pointed at Todomatsu.

Osomatsu’s blood was boiling.

- “NO NO AND NO!”

He seized his little brother by his face before opening his eyelids further and showed his eyes to a confused Ayane, without caring about the pain he was inflecting to him:

- “Look at his pupils! They are bigger than mine! That’s TO-DO-MA-TSU!”

And he proceeded with the others:

- “Him, he smiles all the time, that’s Jyushimatsu! Him, he never smiles and he is always dishevelled, Ichimatsu! Him, you can’t mistake him, he’s always overdoing it, that’s Karamatsu! And the nerd over here, that’s Choromatsu!”

The audience was displeased by this simple description of their character, and of course, Osomatsu was preparing to describe himself.

- “And as for me… well, I’m the one who knocked out this pervert! Osomatsu! Osomatsu Matsuno-“

For the second time of the day, his hands were held in hers.

Ayane smiled at him from the bottom of her heart.

- “All right… sorry for my mistake. Thank you again, Osomatsu-san.”

It was too much for his little virgin heart, Osomatsu fainted for the umpteenth time today.

Her mother shrugged her shoulders before looking at the five other brothers, visibly jealous.

- “Clear off now.”

They left in the blink of an eye while leaving the eldest behind who Matsuyo chucked out away herself while shouting: “YOU FORGOT HIM!”

She sighed, and she turned back to the poor Ayane who, aside from now knowing the name of her rescuer, was still just as lost.

- “I apologize for these idiots, as well for this belated introduction: my name is Matsuyo Matsuno, and you currently are in my home. My husband is still asleep, he’s lucky to not be woken up by all this noise.”

She chuckled a bit, a laugh that Ayane tried to follow through but it was more out of nervosity than anything.

Matsuyo left the room without any warning before returning with some tea she served to her guest.

- “Drink this, this will warm you up. And it will help you to recover from your emotions.

- Yes, Ma…?

- You can call me Matsuyo, it’s fine by me.

- Very well, Matsuyo-san…”

And after she drank a bit of tea, Matsuyo continued:

- “Do you want to talk about what happened to you today? It was a day full of emotions it seems, wasn’t it?

- …

- You do not have to, of course. I won’t force you, but if it can help you, do not hesitate.

- …actually…”

Ayane talked about how she was being molested, and how Osomatsu had intervened and reassured her.

But as if she had so many things to get off her chest, she didn’t stop there.

Matsuyo listened to her until a silence took place.

Even at the floor above, it seemed to be quiet.

Or at least, it seemed.

- “HOW AM I A NERD?!

- Pfft, look at how you dress yourself…”, started Todomatsu.

- “Who else thinks Choromatsu is a nerd?”, cried out the eldest.

And the other brothers raised their hand, unanimous. Choromatsu, not in the mood, collapsed on his bed while grumbling:

- “Go fuck yourself, I’m going to sleep!

- Doesn’t it make you feel anything that a girl is sleeping in the same house as us tonight?”, inquired Ichimatsu, feigning indifference.

… apparently not.

Karamatsu tried to be responsible:

“I-I know what can come into our mind, my dear little brothers… but given the situations, I don’t think it’s the time for that, right Osomatsu?”

He glanced at his eldest brother, who was spacing out, his face scarlet.

- “…Aniki?”

His nose started bleeding.

…it wasn’t going to stop given the punch he just received.

- “YOU DISGUST ME!”

Todomatsu beat the crap out of the eldest, now fainted again.

Ichimatsu, little surprised by the way the situation had deteriorated, asked if they should let their knocked-out big brother in a corner of the room still.

But they agreed that he deserved it, so they left him there and went to rejoice Choromatsu, who would have like to fall asleep.

The next day, early in the morning, Ayane was already ready to leave even before Matsuyo made breakfast:

- “You’re already leaving, Ayane-san?

- I don’t want to overstay my welcome here! Thank you again, for yesterday evening, I’ll repay you.”

They exchanged again some hospitalities before she went away, as quick as she appeared, once again.

But, before she was gone, Ayane felt someone’s eyes on her.

She turned around to see Osomatsu who was looking at her from his room’s window, still in his pyjamas.

She waved at him, and he waved back at her more timidly.

She left quickly, she seemed in a hurry.

And although the wind made her skirt dance, he wondered if everything was ok with her.

The fright he had seen on Ayane’s face had not left his mind.

Chapter Text

« You think there are chances we see her again? »

They were gathered to have breakfast with each other, as usual. After all, despite what had happened, it wasn’t necessarily going to spoil their appetite. Osomatsu seemed affected though, seeing as he wasn’t even trying to steal food from one of his brothers, and asked a question with an obvious answer.

Todomatsu, as if to check on his brother’s reflexes, answered him all while picking food off his plate:

- “No normal person would come back here on their own free will, Osomatsu-nii-san.”

Todomatsu stole Osomatsu’s food while he was looking elsewhere. The audience remained silent, while Todomatsu was unrestrainedly chewing his loot, awaiting a response from the eldest.

- “Ah, I see…”

…

- “By the way, Totty. You’re dead.”

What would a morning be without hearing the sextuplets? Matsuyo sighed as she heard her children fighting, they literally refused to change.

As for little Ayane, she didn’t know if she would come back, that much was true. But Matsuyo had done her best to show her compassion. Of course, they had known each other for less than a day now, but her maternal instinct had urged her to assist this young woman.

And it wouldn’t be one of her NEETS who would be useful in this situation.

She didn’t know if Osomatsu had taken notice, but she gave him a bigger portion than the other five just for what he had done yesterday.

Although they were NEETS, they weren’t hopeless, were they?

The following day was as mundane as another day for the NEETS could be: after making a stop at Dekapan’s out of curiosity, they found themselves reduced to the size of a mosquito and spent the rest of the day avoiding being eaten or trampled.

The next day had, of course, no trace of this incident. They went back to their daily routine and had seemed to forget what had happened.

Jyushimatsu brought his direct elder brother along, Ichimatsu, to play baseball outside (hang in there Ichimatsu) while Karamatsu went to meet his “Karamatsu Girls” (good luck to the ladies who would cross his path).

Todomatsu, Choromatsu and Osomatsu had stayed at home, one of them on his phone slouched on the couch, while another was reading his idols magazines at the table and the last one was still in the “walking like a zombie to the bathroom” phase.

It was at this time that, despite the early hour, someone decided to ring at their door.

It startled Osomatsu who had just put toothpaste on his toothbrush. He grumbled, thinking that someone else would be opening it.

He started to brush his teeth and almost choked when they rang again, without even getting rid of his brush he went down the stairs furiously to reach the door.

- “Wahs your problem?!”

He spat on the person on the landing who was none other than… the girl he had met yesterday.

He stopped in full swing, and she too didn’t move a muscle.

Without any shame, however, he began to scrutinize her. She was still wearing her ponytail, her brown hair wrapped in her yellow ribbon. Her eyes, lighter, were framed by rectangular glasses, placed on a small nose, under which her lips, rosied by a lipstick, were offered as a forbidden temptation.

Well, in Osomatsu’s eyes, it was easy to be a forbidden temptation.

She was wearing pants today though. She was more covered.

- “E-Excuse me… Ichimatsu-san?”

Impressive that she remembered their names, but she was still wrong.

So Osomatsu, in that splendour that was his own, brushed his hair with… his toothbrush, still full of toothpaste.

He took a “cool” pose, before asking her:

- “And now, do you recognize the guy who saved you?”

…

- “Pfff !”

She giggled. A smile again.

Yep, it was definitely the state in which he had found her. He congratulated himself, what a cool guy he was!

- “I suppose it’s Osomatsu-san then… sorry again. I came to bring this to Matsuyo-san.”

He only noticed now (despite just having ogled her) that she was holding a basket full of apples.

Was it the season? It must have cost a lot.

- “They had a discount… but well I don’t know if you like apples… but I wanted to give something to thank her for yesterday…”

Osomatsu put his toothbrush in one of his hands, took the basket in the other and ignored his hair, even dirtier than before.

He got ready to go inside, before turning back to Ayane who was still standing there.

- “Bah? Are you not coming in?

- No, it’s just that… you were brushing your teeth, right?

- Yup.

- … did you swallow the toothpaste?”

Later, Osomatsu was trying to throw up his bullshit.

Matsuyo sighed and apologized again:

- “See, I was right when I said they were stupid. Oh dear…”

Matsuyo and Ayane stood in front of the toilet, from which Osomatsu could be heard vomiting his screw up as best as he could.

And once again, she found herself in their living room, clearly waiting since it was Osomatsu who had invited her in, technically.

There were only two out of the six of them, but don’t ask her for too much, she didn’t know who was who yet.

Both parties stayed still, looking at each other.

What an awkward situation.

But between all of them, Choromatsu was certainly the most stressed, sweating and looking for a way to hide.

Todomatsu ended up taking an expiration which startled them all and spoke to the young woman:

- “Kawashima-san, right? It wasn’t too difficult to come all the way here?”

Choromatsu looked at him with sparkling eyes:

“Yes, that’s it, Todomatsu!” he exclaimed in the depths in his thoughts, “Start with small talk to relax the mood! How did I not think of this! You’re an awesome little brother!”

Meanwhile, Ayane answered in turn, relaxed by the soft tone of the last of the sextuplets:

- “Oh, I didn’t have too much trouble… it took me a bit of a walk, but it made me stretch my legs!

- Haha, I see! Do you do any sport? You are so thin!” complemented Todomatsu.

“Haha no, I don’t! And you…?

- Todomatsu! But you can call me To-tty~!”

He made a cute expression which made Ayane laugh.

Ok, all things considered, the youngest had his place in Choromatsu’s secret Death Note. Well, it wasn’t the first time he wrote furiously one of his brothers’ name in it.

He clenched his fists and he started to boil with anger: he was being excluded from the discussion?!

- “Uh, Kawashima-san-

- Really?! Have you climbed the Mount Everest? By yourself?!” Ayane exclaimed, covering Choromatsu’s voice.

- “Hehe yes, I don’t really like to brag about it… it was a personal challenge.” Todomatsu replied.

Pfff, being modest, him? He couldn’t believe this… it was amazing that he could change the mood while we could still hear Osomatsu throwing up!

Finally, after what seemed hours, the eldest couldn’t even be heard. Choromatsu checked the clock… wait, he HAS been talking for hours! That was why Matsuyo had given them tea, and that he was now quietly chatting!

… by the way, Choromatsu just noticed his mother had left some tea for him too

He sighed and prepared himself to take it when a scream boomed:

- “CHOROMATSU-NII-SAN! TOTTY!!”

The door opened in a crash which made Choromatsu scream, in rage because his tea was spilling on his pants, in frustration because his tea smelled really good, and in pain because it had just fallen on his genitals.

- “STOP ENTERING LIKE THAT JYUSHIMATSU! FUCKING HELL!

- It’s not like you aren’t used to it already.” Ichimatsu grumbled.

Strangely enough, neither of those two was the first to enter the room but instead, a poor Karamatsu, projected by Jyushimatsu, went to end Choromatsu.

This latter got up immediately:

- “What’s this again?! What have you done to him?

- Jyushimatsu used him as a skateboard.” Ichimatsu explained.

- “AGAIN?! Jyushimatsu!!” Choromatsu retorted.

- “Hahahahaha!!” Laughed Jyushimatsu while rubbing the back of his head. “But Karamatsu-nii-san is super aerodynamic!

- Thanks, bruzza… “ Karamatsu huffed from his concussion.

…Todomatsu and Ayane watched the scene until the brothers noticed her. She made a tensed face.

Oh shit. They suddenly felt aware of the fact that they were…. well, who they were. Feeling anxious, they all were immobilized like statues, although Todomatsu tried something to not completely ruin their reputation.

- “Huh… Kawashima-

- Pfff… hahaha…”

Ayane was visibly giggling before it amplified:

- “Hahaha… HAHAHAHA!!”

And just like that, she bursts out laughing, trying in vain to contain herself. Tears were forming in her eyes she was so caught up in it.

The brothers were looking at her, shocked.

And suddenly, Jyushimatsu started to laugh too. Which encouraged Karamatsu. Then Ichimatsu. Todomatsu. And even Choromatsu.

A shared hilarity which came to Osomatsu’s ears who was…

Still on the floor, toilets’ floor this time around.

Want to know what happened this time?

Well, from the toilet paper stuck to his foot and the bump on the lower side of his head, we can deduce he slipped and hit his head on the edge of the toilet.

- “Aaah…”

The second time he had fainted… he got up while whimpering. And the laughter of those idiots made his headache worse!!

Despite the deplorable state he was in, he was on his feet in a few seconds and headed towards the living room… before turning back and sitting in front of the wall.

Since he had noticed it.

She was having fun with his brothers it seemed. Seriously? While it was him who invited her?!

What was going on in the first place?!

Matsuyo, beckoned by the good atmosphere from the living room, made her way to it but stopped in front of the eldest who was blocking the way, curled up on himself and grumbling.

- “Osomatsu.”

He didn’t move, more out of sulkiness rather than defying her authority.

She sighed and sat down beside him.

- “Come now, why don’t you join them?”

Osomatsu stopped grumbling.

A myriad of thought passed through him, about their meeting, the frightened expression he had seen on her face, the feeling of her hand in his, his multiple excuses, her… her skirt-

- “I saw her first…”

…yeah, he realized how stupid that sounded.

But in a way, it was true, wasn’t it? And… it was unfair she ignores him so easily… he didn’t ignore her, him.

Matsuyo’s glasses were hiding her eyes. Okay, he was screwed.

Like Totty, he protected his nipples from a possible aggression but instead, she did nothing.

… which in a way was worse than having his nipples cut off.

- “…mom?

- You know, in her situation, having a boyfriend isn’t going to be her priority.”

… WELL. At least it was direct, thank you…

They stayed like that, in silence, while a lively discussion could be heard in the room next to them, mostly from Ayane, Todomatsu and Jyushimatsu.

- “Did you talk… about something yesterday?”

Osomatsu finally asked, pulling his face from between his legs.

Matsuyo smiled and put her index finger to her lips.

- “Secret between girls.

- … you aren’t a girl anymore, Mom-“

Ah, Osomatsu had just lost his nipples in a shot of a kitchen knife.

While he was crying on the floor, Matsuyo went on as if nothing had happened:

- “Let’s just say that she needed to confide herself. If she feels at home here, it’s a good thing.’

- “Ah, do you have the time? I wasn’t supposed to stay that long…”

Ayane was looking at her watch, frowning while imagining how this would change her schedule. She slightly blamed herself, she just wanted to drop the basket and leave but…

The five brothers looked at her without saying anything.

But she smiled at them.

She hadn’t laughed like that in a long time…

She was just wondering…

- “Where is Osomatsu-san?”

They looked at each other, sometimes shrugging, sometimes shaking their heads negatively. Choromatsu finally said:

- “Ah well it’s our stupid big brother, he is probably out to horse racing or something like th-.”

The door opened in a blast at those words, revealing an Osomatsu, still in pyjamas, smiling and energetic:

- “Hey, It’s Osomatsu! So did you have fun?”

… the other brothers didn’t know if they should take this as a threat while Osomatsu rubbed his nose while laughing.

- “Anyway, I hope you treated my guest well, huh? Any problem, Kawashima-san?”

Ayane stared at him without a word.

Osomatsu looked down and noticed what she was looking at.

His pyjamas were bloody.

- “A-are you okay?

- Ah, this? No, it’s nothing, it’s just-

- Y-you can’t stay like this! It’s a serious injury!

- Wai-

- We have to put pressure on it or else it’s going to get worse!

- No, I swear it’s-“

A scream of pain and some bandages applied by Mom later, Osomatsu and Ayane found themselves at the entrance in a great silence.

Osomatsu finally clasped his hands together with a begging expression, and said in a low voice:

- “…. We won’t talk about this ever again, alright?”

She nodded positively with an apologetic smile.

So, it was going to end like that… she would once again fly away, and maybe she won’t have any reason to come back now…

She put her shoes back on and turned her back on him while saying goodbye, and he waved goodbye at her, like last time.

Then she opened the door.

Then it turned out that today again, it was raining, extremely so.

And by the time she closed the door and turned around, Osomatsu was already dressed for the first time that day with an umbrella.

…lucky, huh?

We don’t really keep track of weather in this town. Was it the raining season for this heavy rain?

They shared an umbrella. It was worthy of a shoujo manga.

But they didn’t say anything, despite the stupid smile plastered on Osomatsu’s face.

This was happening to him? Really? Hehe, he was so happy.

But his neighbour didn’t show any sign of life, she simply walked beside him.

And when Osomatsu noticed this, he thought that it might not really be the time to think that he was outdistancing his little brothers.

- “Say… since last time… everything alright?”

That same tone, filled with worry for her.

Ayane came out of her thoughts’ void. She hummed in approval as if the harassment she had suffered through was no longer relevant emotionally.

- “Aren’t you angry?”

She stopped abruptly, forcing Osomatsu to do the same, and recenter the umbrella above them.

- “How would that change anything?”

…what kind of question was that?

Ayane turned around, with a smile so different from what he had seen of her today.

- “Even if I’m angry, it won’t stop this kind of pervert to exist. My feelings on the matter have no meaning.”

The sound of the rain engulfed Osomatsu’s train of thoughts.

There was nothing to understand in that.

He understood absolutely nothing.

How could she say that, and keep smiling?

Chapter Text

Ayane let herself fall on her mattress with a huge sigh, letting her body decompress of all the pressure it had contained during the day.

She could still hear the rain outside, reminding her that it had only been a little while since she had left Osomatsu, and that she had just as much little time for the work she still had to do.

But she didn't feel like she was able to move, or rather she didn't want to. Coming back to her desk, the stress... from where she was lying, she was already fed up with it just thinking about it. The only thing her heart was set on doing right now was to hide her head under a cushion while her thoughts were undeniably heading towards what she was trying to avoid too.

Namely, what she had said earlier.

Osomatsu's confused look disturbed her for some reason.

Even if in a sense, it was a common reaction to being disturbed by such words.

 But well, it was just her own way of living.

And she tightened the cushion against herself and clenched her teeth.

The feeling of being touched against her will stayed on her like a scar which oozed without warning. And besides quietly taking it on the chin, she didn't know what else to do.

Only waiting until later and then going to work.

Outside, Osomatsu was walking slowly, despite the downpour.

He had been taken aback by her reply, and now her smile caused a feeling of frustration in him.

Oh, usually, he would have answered sincerely right away. But for once, a dose of consciousness which prevented him to act like a complete irresponsible had restrained him.

 Because he felt like if he'd let himself loose this time, it would have done more harm than anything.

Everyone is defending themselves one way or another, and it was her own way of doing it. And to expose what was on his mind, it would have thrown away her defences. And he was well placed to know that no one wants to be seen without them.

And hey... he was far too involved now to not notice as much.

Ayane's reflection in the mirror indeed showed a young woman who has spent, to say the least, a bad night.

This was going to require more makeup than usual to get a fresh llook:she had big dark circles under her eyes.

And this was troublesome, but it was her daily life. What she had experienced yesterday at the Matsuno's was more out of the ordinary.

There was no chance this would happen again just like that-

And it was at this moment she remembered that she herself had given a reason for these events to happen again.

The number she had given to Osomatsu.

She covered her face with her hands while wondering what stupid idea had urged her to do that in the first place.

Ah yes. It was his voice.

"But that was no excuse... that was no excuse at all  ", she thought, while crouching rather pathetically in her bathroom.

Some months ago, she would have never done something like that.

No, scratch that, a few months ago, she certainly would have done nothing at all. Remembering what had caused this, she certainly wouldn't have shook his hand and let alone thanked him.

And surely she would haven't seen him again nor would have also met his family...

Ayane sighed. She had to go to university anyway.

Or rather, it was where she was supposed to go, but after having hastily eaten her breakfast, and crossing the park which lead to her station...

She stopped in her tracks.

This morning, the sky was immensely clear, and the air was cool.

She was in the midde of the path, where there was only other people around her age who were hurrying to go where they would spend their day.

But her footsteps were no longer following this parade, and instead ,she sat down on a bench, resigned.

Wondering what she was doing. Another day attending university, preserving her grade point average and talking about how hard it was to do so with the others.

Surely.

But it seemed void of interest from where she sat.

" HUSTLE HUSTLE  ! MUSCLE MUSCLE  ! "

An imposing and deep voice echoed in the surroundings, redirecting the attention of people who were walking by to where this was coming from.

It was only a matter of minutes for the passers-by, but Ayane's attention remained on the young man wearing a baseball apparel who was hitting the wind with his bat on the grass.

...the one perpetually smiling... what was his name again  ?

"...matsu... "

She was still thinking about those names far too similar, without noticing that the one she was trying to call was already posted in front of her.

"THE GIRL FROM YESTERDAY  ! GOOD MORNING  ! SUPER COINCIDENCE  ! "

He spoke really loudly, but she didn't know why his extremely exaggerated reaction put her at ease  :

" What was your name again  ? "

" Jyushimatsu Matsuno  ! Ah, I didn't remember your name, what was it  ?"

" Ayane Kawa-"

" AYANE-SAN THEN  ! "

He shook both of her hands, making her all confused. Was this not going too fast  ?

" It was ridiculously fast.  », she thought, smiling."

" In this case, may I call you Jyushimatsu-san  ?"

" Of course  ! Thanks, Ayane-san  !! I'm training right now, do you want to watch  ? "

Ah, that's right, he had lift his bat in the grass as well as his gloves and ball.

...since she wasn't going to university now... why not ?

She smiled back at his eternal smile. It seemed that the sun was shining more

Ayane was sitting in the grass, next to the gloves and ball while Jyushimatsu carried on hitting in the air to perfect his swings.

Aside from Jyushimatsu's voice, it was quiet. Surely because no parasitical thought was invading her head  . Surely because she wasn't currently at university.

All of sudden, she asked Jyushimatsu  :

"Do you know how your brother and I met  ?"

"Ah of course  ! ", Jyushimatsu replied immediately while still focused on his goal," He told us that a pervert was molesting you and he wrecked his face. "

This was straightforward at least... coming from him, it seemed to be more of a simple convenience than a traumatic experience...

" Do you tell each other everything, between brothers  ?"

"Hahaha  ! Not at all  !  ", Jyushimatsu laughed, "But Osomatsu-nii-san likes to talk constantly about everything he does and he wants us to do the same  !"

"Nii-san  ?"

"Osomatsu-nii-san is the eldest  ! ", he clarified.

"...but you were all born at the same time  ?"

"Haha, yes, but he's still the eldest  ! ", Jyushimatsu continued.

 ...she was still gazing at the sky, Jyushimatsu's hits kept their frequency.

This morning, her thoughts were just letting themselves go, more than usual.

She went on  :

" What is it like to have a big brother  ?"

Can you always count on him  ? Is it not embarrassing  ? Can you talk to him about everything  ? Brothers, sisters  ? What was that  ?

" It depends on which one  ! But I love them all, that's for sure  ! And I know they love me too  ! So in short, I love it  !"

Jyushimatsu beamed at her with a big smile.

Truly they really were alike. But it was only a likeness.

She smiled back at him...

But that very same smile dissolved...

"I have to go to university... "

She said out loud, to get back on track.

"Ah, but you don't look really awake  ! Coffee  ? Grab some coffee on your way  ! "

She hummed in approval before standing up, and stretching, not paying attention to the fact that her belly could be seen during a short time because of her T-shirt  .

"Thank you a lot, Jyushimatsu-san."

 "You're welcome  ! Don't hesitate to come tosee us again too  !  "

...huh  ?

She found herself stammering, this sentence shaking up her exit plan  :

" But I..."

"Haha, you're all red Ayane-san  ! Osomatsu-nii-san would love to see you like that  !"

She bowed without a word, and left while leaving an agitated «  goodbye  » behind her  .

"She was odd, that girl ", Jyushimatsu thought while watching her go.

But soon he turned his attention back to his swings.

In the end, Jyushimatsu had spent the day outside and came back home with his natural enthusiasm.

Jyushimatsu entered their common bedroom, where Osomatsu was lying on the floor, half asleep. Karamatsu could be heard tuning his guitar from the roof.

Of course, the brutal way Jyushimatsu opened the door woke his big brother up and drown out the sounds of the guitar coming from higher up.

"HUSTLE HUSTLE  ! MUSCLE MUSCLE  !"

" A-ah, hi Jyushimatsu... ", Osomatsu garbled while yawning.

" NII-SAN  ! I'VE SEEN AYANE-SAN AT THE PARK TODAY  ! "

Wait... Ayane... -san  ?

Without understanding why, Jyushimatsu saw his eldest brother getting up at an impressive speed before facing him, a shadow hiding his face  :

" Nii... -san  ?"

"...Jyushimatsu... "

...

"  THAT'S NOT FAIR  !"

He started to shake him in a rather pathetic way, without wiping Jyushimatsu's smile off his face, but his eyes showed the way he saw his brother right now.

"Why can you call her that  ? Did she allow you to  ? Why are you trying to get ahead of me  ?! It's cruel, too cruel  !"

"You know that's not it, nii-san... ", replied the younger brother, letting himself be shaken around.

Osomatsu sat back down on the floor and curled up on himself, surrounded by a black aura. As if he were Ichimatsu, he began to mutter depressing things.

" Pfff, of course yo,u manage to talk to her... you're good at cheering people up..."

"Are you in love with her, nii-san  ? "

Osomatsu stopped whining, letting an awkward silence in the room. Jyushimatsu, sensing this growing discomfort, was overcome by panic and tried to erase what he had just said, but Osomatsu cut him off by standing up  :

" Come on now, Jyushimatsu... aren't we a little early in the story for that  ?"

"Hah  ? ", said the other brother, confused.

Osomatsu made that stupid smile that everyone knew him by  :

"  I'm her savior, nothing more, nothing less  ! I'm going to fall in love that easily...  "

He surely wasn't aware of the rosy hue on his cheeks. His little brother thought that it might not be love, but knowing that his brother was at a high level of excitement, his big show was baloney.

" So, you didn't tell me, how was she  ? She's doing okay  ? "

He was still smiling, but Jyushimatsu didn't buy it and could see that he was seriously worried. He got quickly attached, his big bro...

Well, admittedly when he thought back to the circumstances...

"  She looked tired, she watched me train and asked me questions about us  ! Oh and about you too  !"

"What do you mean about me too  ?! Y-you didn't tell her anything weird huh  ?"

"Why are you worried about that, nii-san  ? "

Ah re,ally this discussion was strange. Osomatsu grew quiet again to express himself properly... he finally replied, in a low voice  :

"It's just that... she probably must have a good impression about me... I don't want that to be ruined... "

...oh...

"But you're a NEET, nii-san. "

Ouch, it hurt.

" I know, Jyushimatsu  !! But hey, I want to enjoy this while she still doesn't know how much of a pathetic loser I am, okay  ?"

" Aniki... "

Karamatsu, coming back from the roof, placed his hand on his only big brother's shoulder.

" Do you intend on seeing her again  ?"

" ...well..."

"I told her she should come again  ! ", announced the youngest of the three, «  She looked happy  ! She was all red  ! Haha  ! "

Osomatsu and Karamatsu stared at him in confusion.

"She looked tired, and yesterday she had fun, right  ? I think she would be happy to come back  !"

"Good obversation, Jyushimatsu  !  » said Karamatsu, while patting his little brother's shoulder."

Osomatsu looked a little sulky. That's easy for them to say, seriously  ! He had his hands in his pockets and was fiddling inside of them, until he noticed a piece of paper...

He immediately remembered that this came from Ayane. Incidentally wh,en he thought about it, his «  voice  » was a weird reason to give him her number but...

This would come in handy.

He abandonned his brothers and went down to the lower floor at the speed of light.

Ayane was looking out the window of her little apartment, still thoughtful, and obviously not in the mood to sleep despite the fact that it was getting late.

She didn't feel in condition for that, and even after a bath it, was still not the case. She was still in her bathrobe, her hair becoming curlier because of the humidity. Lying on her bed, having stopped in the process of drying herself, she was still staring out of the window while trying to make out the stars that gradually appeared as time passed.

Then the silence of her bedroom was interrupted by the ringing of her phone. She nonchalantly sat, wondering who that could be but even before reaching for her cellphone, she was already thinking of someone.

And as such, she didn't really think before she picked it up and asked  :

" Tsubaki  ? Is that you  ? "

But all she got in reply was a silence and the sound of a deep breath.

" ...Tsubaki  ? "

On the other side of the handset, Osomatsu cried to Todomatsu, whose phone he had just stolen  :

"  She mistook me for someone else  !"

"Great  ! Now give it back- "

Ayane was forced to move her phone away from her ears when screams and noises of struggle could be heard, and she would have hanged up if it had not been followed by  :

" Sorry, I needed to take care of someone first."

She felt sorry for Todomatsu.

When she realized it was Osomatsu, she remembered the way she had left him the day before and she found herself confused on how she should react.

As for Osomatsu, he had taken refuge on the roof after having knocked out his youngest brother. Well, not completely since he could be heard complaining to the others, but given the angle he had found, if they dared climbing up, Osomatsu would greet them with a kick in the face.

" It was time for me to take advantage of the number you gave me, right, Ayane-san  ?"

To which she didn't answer immediately, maybe because he was going too fast  :

" I hope I'm not bothering you-"

" No, I'm fine..."

"Are you sure  ?  "

...an awkward silence settled down. Of course they both knew the answer, but saying more wasn't going to help them.

Given the situation they were in, Osomatsu didn't really know what to do... it would have been easier if this had resolved itself from the moment he had thrown her harasser in the trash, but the reality was quite different.

So the best thing to do was to change subthe ject  :

"By the way, you gave me your number because my voice eased you, do you remember  ? "

She did know if he heard that, but Ayane had just put her hand on her face at top speed.

"  I know... it seems silly out of context..."

" Haha no~  ! It's the first time someone compliments my voice", Osomatsu answered, evidently happy, "And besides, if you hadn't done that, we couldn't talk to each other like that, privately, right  ?"

" Yes...  », she finally said."

" So, that's a good thing  ! "

"  Well, for me it is  ", he avoided saying, but he couldn't see the smile forming on his correspondent's face, as she softly anwered  :

"You're right, Osomatsu-san. "

He didn't seem to take the underlying reason too seriously as long as they were talking to each other at the moment.

Osomatsu thought that just talking to her like that was good enough for now.

And Ayane felt moved by his kindness with which he spoke to her, clearing up her melancholy for today, and for the next time to come, surely.

Chapter Text

Ayane accepted the Matsuno's hospitality, and as a result, often came back to their home when she had free time. The reality was she most often found herself in the company of Matsuyo, and despite the age difference, the two women got along very well.

What about the men of the house? Well, regarding the father Matsuno, the latter seemed to appreciate Ayane's presence as much as his wife but kept an eye on his toddlers to make sure that a good half of them stayed intimidated by his presence

«  Incorrigible, really.  », he thought.

But it happened still, slowly but surely, and this despite the eldest's utmost and cruel surveillance who wanted to keep all of her attention on him. It was him the house's hero after all!

That been said, Ayane's presence still made itself feel like an anomaly in the established status quo of their home. And it was quickly taken notice of in this anime genre that was supposed to be Osomatsu-san itself...

Came the day, where the story genre that was supposed to be Osomatsu-san seemed to explode due to the excessive presence of Ayane. Let's see then the damages' results.

Ayane had recovered her smile despite the aggression she has been involved in last week. Even her nights seemed to have been lighter. She hasn't been able to confess to the one who saved her how his presence alone comforted her. But, it wasn't the only reason that made her come back here.

Ayane knew little about Osomatsu's almost but not quite identical brothers. The latter always disappeared from her sight, and she only realized at the end that she hadn't seen them much.

Eventually, Ayane took advantage of another moment of freedom to seek refuge and hospitality at the Matsuno's. And she didn't expect to encounter a member of this family outside of their residence.

Indeed, while she was on her way to walk on the bridge, she saw without a doubt the second eldest of the brothers, Karamatsu. ...She wasn't sure if it was his exact name, but she'd try this time.

The latter was striking a pose similar to one from a fashion magazine, sunglasses out even though it wasn't that sunny outside, a leather shirt which surely was making him sweat since that despite the lack of sunlight it still wasn't the type of weather to wear something made out of leather.

Beside him, girls were watching him intently... but while heading closer she understood that they were slandering about the young man, unaware of their real intentions.

Poor him... he may be special in his case but still. Maybe she should confront those girls directly? But if he overheard what they were saying it would be even worse. No, it was better if she talked to him and that they leave together.

Let's go, for Karamatsu's sake.

- «  Excuse me...  », she said, calling Karamatsu.

The latter immediately pulled out a bouquet of red roses from who knows where, got rid of his sunglasses to offer her the most fabulous and dazzling look that she ever saw in her existence, and grabbed her hand before dropping on one knee.

- «  My Karamatsu Girl! I knew that one day you would appear before me! Excuse my cruelty, for not having noticed you so far, but I promise you a life full of passion awaits us-  »

He blinked while noticing to whom he had just offered those burning words. And Ayane became paralyzed because of them.

Maybe they were too ignited, these words because Ayane had the same sensation that she had when she watched those overrated romantic dramas: her cheeks turned red... out of shame. This kind of stuff was so embarrassing, how could people actually like that kind of thing?

And here, it was as if Karamatsu had PUT her in one of those dramas.

She couldn't handle this situation. It was just too corny. She must faint for her own sake, and she did so immediately.

Karamatsu caught her in mid-air, while in tears for having disturbed like that his new acquaintance  :

-  «  Ayane-san  !! AYANE-SAN  !! NOOOOOO  !!  »

Ayane's soul was ready for heaven when a voice reminded her that it was a bit early to die.

- «  Karamatsu Girl huh...  »

Osomatsu looked aggressive, but whatever, it was still worth to return back to her body.

While this process unfolded, Karamatsu was confronted with a big brother who was visibly very angry, cracking his fists and grinning devilishly.

- «  I knew you would do that one day, Karamatsu...

- A-Aniki! Wait! It's not what you thin-  »

At those words, Osomatsu sent his brother to drown in the river, making sure to tie an anvil to his feet before sending him into the water.

Ayane was still fainted on the ground (say it was becoming a habit) and he hoped that it wasn't because she had been «  charmed  » by his brother's declaration. So, what to do now?

...ah, he will have to... touch her again huh...

Oh well. He's already had to carry his mother before. It was the same thing. The same thing. The same thing. The sam-no not the same thing at all, fuck she smells super good why do girls smell good like that asdjfg-

Later Ayane didn't know how she had arrived safely at the Matsuno's. It was the second time where fainting had led her to this couch, still.

Then she thought she might have had a bad dream, but it was as if her memory was stuck. Maybe it was best not to know what had happened before landing here.

And so Ayane was still in a lost state of mind when she realized she still had her boots on. She went to the entrance to put down them here, and it was at this moment that another Matsuno brother opened the door.

He stayed on the landing of the door, shocked. He was wearing a green plaid shirt. Green... so it was probably Choromatsu, right?

- «  Hello...  »

Anyway, the latter seemed to go to pieces at the sight of her, and despite his arms full of bags, he hurriedly sped on the upper floor without saying anything to her.

Ayane didn't know what to say while confronted with his behaviour, and as she took a step while feeling lost, she stepped on something.

- «  Oh no!  »

She crouched immediately: it was, it seemed, a figurine. But it was not broken. Fortunately.

She climbed the stairs despite the earlier scene to give it back to him. She knew where was their room because it was the most spacious place on the floor.

And as if by chance, when she went to knock, Choromatsu was the one opening the door on her  :

-  «  Hum, sorry, but you dropped this...

- Ah huh, thank you...

He put his figurine in his pocket where it visibly was sticking out. An embarrassing silence followed where Choromatsu didn't seem to want to look at her in the eyes. Ayane didn't know if she had to leave or not, given how embarrassed he was... but he ended up talking to her anyway.

- «  Sorry for earlier... it's just that I felt... well... now you know that I'm an otaku...

- Was that the problem?  »

They both looked at each other in surprise, foolishly.

Ayane sighed  :

- «  I thought I had done something-

- N-No not at all! It's not your fault, Ayane-san!  », replied Choromatsu, panicked.

- «  But what's the problem with being an otaku?  »

Choromatsu was completely lost for words when what seemed to be a diligent student and who had her own apartment asked him this question: why was it bad to be an otaku in Japan? If you don't suspect the implications yourself, Choromatsu's complexes will hasten to tell you  :

- «  I'm a v- I MEAN... I don't have a girlfriend, I don't have a job... I use my money for this kind of stuff... that doesn't seem like a problem from your point of view?

- «  You don't study? While looking at you, I could imagine you as a student at the university.  »

Wow, he didn't know she thought so highly of him, here's a way to put the attention on him.

- «  N-no... I've worked... once... but I have stopped...

- You can always start again  », she suggested.

He said nothing. Yes, it seemed easy in her eyes. He felt like he was being looked from above, with her suggestion. He wanted to go back to his room and to put on the new album of Nyaa-chan to the max so that he would not have to hear himself grumbling-

- «  I'm not saying that's easy to do...  »

...was she reading his thoughts?

- «  But what I mean is that you always have the option to come back to it. No matter how long it will take you.

- B-but it's not even as if I was planning to do it  !!

- Then you'll do it when you're ready.  »

And she simply smiled at him. Choromatsu was disconcerted. Not that those words had erased his thoughts but...

Someone was thinking like that?

-  «  Ayane-san...  »

And...

Apparently, he didn't have the opportunity to say more when the eldest sibling appeared again. He apologized to their guest and pushed his other brother into their room in one motion before closing the door behind them.

And to open it back.

- «  By the way, mom is downstairs, she wants to see you. 

- Ah!  »

When we talked about Matsuyo, Ayane would hurry up... leaving the two brothers to explain themselves.

- «  Ah, Ayane! I was looking for someone to help me cook, and it seemed that Ichimatsu wanted to help. Would you like to join us?  »

...Ichimatsu?

She wasn't sure this would go well...

Unlike the others, Ichimatsu never really spoke to her, and he avoided her presence entirely. She had deduced that he just didn't like her.

So when they found themselves together to make rice balls... the atmosphere was tense. Ichimatsu still wasn't talking to her and hadn't even responded when Ayane explained the reason of her presence in the kitchen.

For a while, she just stood there, without saying anything, while he carried on making rice balls... until she noticed the peculiar form of those balls.

- «  Are they cats?  »

Ichimatsu stopped in the middle of making them. She felt stupid to ask this and to embarrass him. Maybe she should just leave.

- «  Yes... those are cats... 

- I... I see...  », she said, shyly.

I went to back to work on them, and she tried something  :

- «  They are really pretty. Could you teach me?

- ...  »

He took a moment to answer as if he was conflicted.

After all, why did she have to be here? Making rice balls, it was his thing, it was the only thing he managed to cook with dignity...

He wondered why she was still here, wasn't she disgusted by his presence? Why did she want to learn something from him?

He wanted to reject the offer, it was tiring and she would surely hate it...

- «  Okay...  »

But in a turn of events, he thought that she had insisted to talk to him, so she must really want to spend a bad time...

She won't come back to him to ask stuff like that... after all, there was no chance she likes the way he teaches...

-  «  So, how is it going?  »

Matsuyo finally showed up in the kitchen. She had hoped that Ayane's presence would help her son a bit so that he wouldn't have to do this alone again. He always seemed so lonely to her, but she had the feeling that with his behaviour there were chances that the young woman would throw the towel on him.

The scene unfolding before her eyes astonished her  :

- «  Don't forget, Ayane: if you mess up a nekogiri, it's rotten. And you'll have to eat it all!

- Yes, Sensei  !!  »

Matsuyo was speechless watching the young woman fussing on her rice balls under Ichimatsu's authoritarian gaze. Was her son really capable to act like this?

- «  We're home!

- BOEH  !!!  »

Ah, here come the youngest siblings, Todomatsu and Jyushimatsu. Instinctively the latter ran towards the kitchen  :

-  «  It smells good! Mom, what are we eating tonight  ?!

- Your big brother is making-

- OH  !! IT'S AYANE-CHAN  !! HELLO  !!

- A-Ayane-chan  ?!  »

The aforementioned lost her lead while seeing how fast Jyushimatsu was skipping steps. Ichimatsu clicked his tongue, and even though Ayane's eyes stayed on the brother wearing yellow, she put the result of her hard work into her mouth.

Todomatsu had already arrived and grumbled when he saw their work  :

- «  What's going on  ?! Ichimatsu-nii-san, what are you doing?

- She was consenting.  », he defended himself.

- «  Look Totty! In addition to the usual Nekogiri, there are some Inugiri too!  », Jyushimatsu shouted while pointing at the rice balls.

- «Inu-what?  », Ichimatsu said, surprised.

He hadn't paid attention to it, but it was true that some rice balls looked more like Shiba inu than a simple cat. He looked at his student. The latter smiled  :

- «  I just wanted to try to make some of them... but well, if I have to eat those too...

- No. It's alright.  »

Ichimatsu smiled softly :

- «  I have nothing against dogs.  »

Jyushimatsu seemed even more excited while Ayane sighed: she just really had eaten a lot of Nekogiri already!

- «  Nii-san, nii-san  !!! Teach me too!

- «  It's true that they are cute, teach me Ichimatsu-sama!  », retorted Todomatsu just after Jyushimatsu.

Ichimatsu had really enough positive attention on him.

But soon this meant more workforce.

And rapidly Jyushimatsu and Todomatsu got caught up in the dance.

- «  Can I make one in the shape of a rabbit?

- As long as you don't screw up, Todomatsu.  », replied the current cooking teacher.

Meanwhile... Ayane had just cleared off. With her belly full of rice balls, another nap was needed...

- «  I can't eat any more...  »

She sighed in her sleep.

Jyushimatsu laughed while thinking back at the rigorous lesson she just had, and Todomatsu, sneaky as he is, took out his phone.

At the same moment, on the upper floor, Choromatsu and Osomatsu were out of breath after having fought a battle to death that the eldest had launched on his own.

While they were both half-fainted on the floor after sending a «  Final Punch  » in each other's face, Choromatsu grumbled  :

- «  Can you let me say something now, you moron?

- Yeah, what were you going to say before I busted your teeth?  »

The third brother let out a deep sigh before sitting down while groaning  :

- «  I wasn't trying to steal her away from you, idiot. And it's not like she was your girlfriend anyway.  »

Choromatsu had a point. Osomatsu thought aloud  :

-  «  We're all guys here... I wonder how she can come here so calmly...  »

He sat in his turn, groaning too  :

- «  I don't get girls...

- Well maybe she just feels good here, you know. We must not seem suspicious to her.  »

Harmless...

But oh well, if Choromatsu was saying that, technically only five out of the six brothers really were. If he was not mistaken about the others.

- «  I feel a bit like a loser here...

- If she knew what you were thinking about she wouldn't come back here though.  », Choromatsu remarked.

- «  Wait, who do you think I am? You think I only think about that?  »

Choromatsu obviously looked at him from above, despite the fact that they were the same height.

- «  So why would you punch me then, huh?

- ...I don't want her to compare us.  »

...weird that Osomatsu seemed so serious.

- «  Well, just let it go.

- No, go on?  », Choromatsu replied, taken aback.

-  «  Meh, I already know what you are gonna say, Choromatsu. I'm going down.  »

Osomatsu wiped off the blood that was still flowing from his nose with his sleeve, the aftermath of his fight against Choromatsu, before getting up while stretching. He was smiling again and walked towards the exit and gave a farewell to his little brother by saying to him  :

- «  Don't forget to tidy up the room when we come back!  »

...what a strange behaviour...

Seeing him play the hero was nothing new, but that it had any effect on someone, it was something none of the sextuplets would have thought could actually happen. Osomatsu included of course.

...He could have thought about all of that for a longer time, but the fact that his idiot of the eldest brother had given him the chore of tidying their room suddenly hit him.

And in no time, Choromatsu came back down the stairs while shouting after him, but as fate would have it that at that specific moment he bumped against a soaked and exhausted Karamatsu who had spent his day in the bottom of the lake and had survived who knows how.

In the living room, Osomatsu tried to steal Todomatsu's cellphone, while Jyushimatsu carried on drawing on Ayane's face.

A normal day at the Mastuno's... with Ayane.

Chapter Text

On such a beautiful day, he would have never thought that one could cry so much. But with this fragility which characterized their meeting, it was obvious it was bound to happen.

Maybe she shouldn't have come here today.

After all, going to the university askedof her more will than before the incident she had on the tram.

In fact, up until today, she had managed to avoid taking it at all. It was the benefit of having a friend who could drive, named Aiko.

But today, Aiko wasn't available to help Ayane out. And logically, she would have to ride the tramway. Unless she wished to become broke by taking a taxi.

In addition to going to the university, she worked part-time too... but most of her money came from her family, which stayed in the countryside. This part-time job, it was mostly a way for her to feel less guilty regarding the money she costed them, for her studies, which she still wasn't even sure of the utility.

Yes... just thinking about it, Ayane thought that her life was a hell of a mess.

And today, despite the fact she was near the station, she didn't go any further.

She simply wasn't going to go today.

...but she was unable to backtrack.

She didn't know where to go at such an hour of the day. It was rather early.

She thought back about the Matsuno's home but the idea went away by itself.

It wasn't a working day either.

So what were the options left for her?

...maybe just staying on this bench and waiting for the time to pass was enough.

It was a radiant day. And she took refuge in the scenery to forget how heavy her heart was.

Her mind wandered back to the Matsuno, but especially to one in particular... in her phone, she had his little brother's number as well as their residence's.

Ayane doubted that she would bother him if she called. The problem, was rather her own reaction if she did.

She felt too vulnerable and regretted to not have stayed at home.

But in this kind of situation, his voice seemed to soothe her... so perhaps it wasn' a problem to call him?

Technically, the safe distance between them will still be there.

...

...

The phone started to ring by itself as if to push her to do what she was hesitant to.

Of course, it was Todomatsu who was calling her, since Osomatsu didn't even have a cell phone.

Well if it was him using said phone at least .

- «  Ayane-san, are you coming over today  ?  »

No, it was definitely Todomatsu.

- «  I'm not coming... why  ?

- Oh... haha, no reason~ just to be ready if that was the case  !  »

The distinct sound of an alarm could be heard ringing through the phone.

...what was that? There was a fire at home?

- «  Are... are you okay? 

- Haha, yes don't worry about it! Well, I'm going to hang up !  »

He did exactly that, leaving Ayane alone with the tone.

It was obvious that he was hiding something from her and that they aren't as okay as he claimed.

Not knowing what to do any more, she stood up then: having a walk could maybe clear her head, but at this time of the day with those workers and students out there, she didn't have the chance to.

Everyone was going to work or study... and her?

She didn't know what she was doing anymore.

On the pavement, soon, she drowned in the crowd. A sea full of suits and ties. It was the world of adults, a world full of black and gray.

She felt like she belonged to this mass. That she had to take upon herself, to go back to the university, and to go study... to study what again  ? Did it matter  ? As long as she succeeded in what she did...

Her vision began to blur, and her thoughts engulfed her, she could hardly hear her own will begging for it to stop.

She heard her name being called from far away, but drawing near.

And suddenly, bright red appeared to her.

A hand which seemed to always be there to save her, snapped her out of her torpor.

She was called again.

Tears were about to come out. There wasn't any reason to hide her face.

She really didn't understand anything anymore.

Just that as long as she held his hand, it seemed that the mass didn't matter anymore. Her thoughts cleared. And her tears flowed.

And him, he didn't let go of her hand, didn't look away from her either.

Osomatsu.

And while smiling, he suggested to her  :

- «  What do you think about a date today  ?  »

Even if he had said it that way, he knew it was nothing like a date actually.

Chance had brought them together again when he was running away from home after setting it on fire (it's a long story) and he had thought that a maid cafe was the perfect way to recover from his emotions, the money obviously wasn't his either.

And while he was trying to make his way through this crowd full of workers, he had recognized her silhouette  : Ayane.

If he was able to differentiate his brothers so perfectly, there was no reason for him to have trouble with anyone else.

And once he found her, he didn't know what to do. All he knew was that sweets, usually tended to cheer people up, especially with ice cream.

So he had ordered a parfait for them and hoped that this gesture wouldn't be too much for her.

From this perspective, it looked like they were on a date indeed.

Osomatsu, embarrassed, began apologizing  :

- «  Sorry, maybe you didn't want ice cream... or to eat anything really, but I thought that-

- No, it's fine. Thank you for your attention.  »

Ayane wasn't looking at him in the eyes but it seemed that she was smiling  :

- «  It seems like you always come to save me. How do you do that  ?

- As luck would have it, I guess  ?  », he said, his words followed by a light chuckle.

This enchanting little laugh lifted her spirits even more than he could imagine. For this reason, she smiled tenderly at him, before saying  :

- «  Yes, it seemed very lucky.  »

He paused at the sight of her soft smile.

Her smile... if he could make her smile like that, then he was ready to give her all the ice creams she wished.

Seeing her happy made him happy.

But he didn't want to limit this day to some laughs to take her mind off things. Despite their proximity, he still didn't understand her.

- «  Hey ,Ayane-chan...  »

He said that without realizing it  : they already carefreely called Totoko with this suffix, and then came Kinko. Calling her like that would have eventually happened anyway.

And strangely enough, she received this rather well given that beside a brief surprised look she didn't say anything about it  :

- «  Ayane-chan, you know, I realize that I don't really know anything about you even if you  visit us almost every day.  »

Which was weird since she visited them pretty often  ? But she never talked about herself, and she hadn't had the opportunity to ask him about anything yet.

Hoping that it wasn't a problem yet.

Ayane asked, her head tilted to the side  :

- «  Should I do the same for you by inviting you home  ?

- Ye... No. Don't change the subject  ! That's not what I'm trying to tell you  !  »

She remained silent, but continued to listen to him  :

- «  What I mean is that, before today... there was this time in the rain and since that day I have thought about what you said.  »

Really  ?

She thought or maybe rather hoped that he had forgotten about that. Her twisted reasoning shouldn't make a lot of sense to most people, if not to her friends

- «  Say, about today, what happened  ?  »

...She'd like to avoid talking about it.

But after seeing her like that... she couldn't just brush him off 

- «  I didn't want to go to the university... but I forced myself to go until I reached the tram station. Then I couldn't go any further. And then, you found me.  »

There, in a few simple words...

It was enough for Osomatsu to understand the situation.

He felt like he finally had some clarification about what Ayane was going through.

He asked her then  :

- «  Why did you force yourself to go  ?

- I'm used to it.

- To force yourself  ?  »

She simply nodded her head, and started to eat the frozen dessert, distancing herself with those words which shaped her life.

Osomatsu watched her without saying anything. Clearly, this has taken away his desire to eat.

- «  And do you know why you do that  ?  »

She stopped as she was going to take another bite and put her spoon into the glass container.

- «  What else can I do then  ?  »

This question... she knew the answer to it.

But she didn't know what else she was supposed to do.

- «  Something you like, for example  ?  »

...

- «  I don't know, huh, it's just that... to me, if I had to work or study, 'should be something that encourages me to do it... are you doing something you like right now  ?  »

...

She could only admit it.

- «  No.  »

A tear ran down her cheek.

- «  I don't enjoy what I'm doing.  »

Osomatsu looked at her, troubled. He was tempted to hand her a hankerchief.

But with what she had said earlier, he felt inclined to do something else.

He took her hand in his again and asked her  :

- «  Say, does it really reassure you when I do that  ?  »

She nodded while smiling at him, as tears poured in.

To be honest, right now, he wanted to hug her. He'd sent the table flying to do it.

On the other side, Ayane dried her tears with her other free hand with a hankerchief, sniffling.

And he tighten his grip harder than he intended to.

- «  Thank you for the parfait, Osomatsu-kun.

- It's nothing.  », he replied, «  Where are you going now  ?  »

- «  I don't really now... I've got nowhere to go.  »

. ..

- «  Ayane-chan... what about spending the rest of the day together  ?  »

She looked at him in surprise  :

- «  Since you have nothing to do... And I've got nothing to do... we should just find something to do together  ?  »

Chapter Text

He wasn't expecting her to accept the invitation, and since then he's been in high spirits. He was over the moon at the thought of being on a date with Ayane, him and her, alone.

Although he knew it wasn't the time for that, though, he tried his best to hold back his joy. How he wished he could be honest in this moment... but Ayane's state concerned him more.

- «  I have enough money to pay for karaoke, I'm pretty good at singing you know  !  »

She nodded still looking absent-minded, so even if he hasn't been invited to do so, he took her hand and started to guide her to their next destination.

She was... over the moon.

She felt like all her walls had fallen all at once. It was the kind of moment where she would have been better alone or with a close friend. And yet, she felt treated with such extreme kindness.

And there always was his voice which seemed to sweep away her troubles and reassure her. The voice which has lead her to have a weird behavior, incidentally.

Deep down, she knew what those indicators meant.

While she stayed a bit set back behind him, watching him from his back, it was obvious.

She squeezed her hand, startling Osomatsu who looked behind him. He sent her a smile  :

- «  Back among us  ?  »

She nodded while smiling back at him.

They found themselves in a room alone, and Osomatsu carried on managing their little afternoon. Ayane watched him, thoughtful.

Yet, under her collected attitude, her heart was pounding, and she even thought that she probably was blushing right now.

She smiled a bit, enjoying the reassurance that this feeling could bring before things get complicated. For now, it has bloomed naturally in her heart. She was afraid of the rainclouds to come.

Especially when, all things considered, if he has said he didn't know a lot about her, she didn't know him that well either.

No, not regarding his situation, or his family... but regarding him. Him, the eldest son, Osomatsu Matsuno.

To her, he was kind, clumsy, cute, and for a reason that escaped her, he had a gift to see the weird facets of her personality. And despite that, he didn't seem to want to flee from her.

So, she thought to herself, that he was a good person. But her past experiences made her doubt.

Because she knew there were things she wasn't aware of about him.

But in this moment... she felt like she would just let things flow.

For the time being, she hasn't been hurt yet, so maybe she could keep her heart open.

- «  Do you want to start singing  ?  »

She was pulled out of her daydreaming by his words and simply shook her head no.

- «  Ah I see  ! You wanna hear my legendary voice  first!

- It's true that you have a beautiful voice, Osomatsu-kun.  », she said, smiling.

He didn't expect this kind of reply, turning him beet red. It reminded him moreover that they were alone and that...

No... it wasn't the time to think about this kind of things, right  ?

- «  Haha, thanks  !

- You have a pretty smile too.  »

He was totally confused by her attitude until he noticed that she was sticking out her tongue with playfulness.

...she was different today.

Was it because they were alone together  ?

In front of that, he thanked her in a lower voice, wishing to get to his song quickly, in the hope that he would regain confidence.

He felt Ayane's gaze on him during all the time he took to look for a song on the karaoke's touch pad, until he found one he loved.

- «  Hanamaru pippi wa Yoiko dake  !!

- I've never heard of this one, I look forward to it  !  »

Was she... doing this on purpose  ? Or was it just him  ?

In all cases, Osomatsu regained his smile once he started to sing. Ayane tapped to the beat with her fingertips on the table, and in no time his turn was already over.

Osomatsu thought that it was a pity still that there wasn't any full version for the songs he loved. When he turned around, Ayane had already regained some colors, so he thought that it was still worth it.

Her sparkling eyes moved him more that he admitted to himself right now.

He eventually handed the mic to Ayane  :

- «  It's your turn now  ! And you have to, you accepted to come here so I won't be the only one singing here.

- I know but... I don't know if I'm going to manage with the song I want to sing. Actually, I don't even know if it's in here and-

- No excuses, you have to sing, Ayane-chan~  !  »

She resigned herself while taking the touch pad she then put on her lap, looking for the track she had in her head with the tip of her finger.

Phew. It was here.

...well no, was it really a good thing that it was in there  ?

...oh well.

She just had to imagine she was alone in her room. Or with her friends.

It was a song she knew, no need to worry about it.

For his part, Osomatsu found her simply adorable to hesitate like that. The song she was going to sing will surely be as cute as her.

Well, it was what he thought until he saw the title displayed which didn't really seem cute, «  Shocking Party  » by a band called «  A-RISE  ».

And then, the metamorphosis made itself felt.

He didn't imagine at all Ayane singing this kind of song, which probably was put in nightclub, but by the way she was singing it was obvious she must have listened to stuff like that often and it was her taste.

He had his mouth wide open because of the shock, and he only closed it when Ayane came back to his side. He then exclaimed  :

- «  THAT WAS SUPER SEXY !  »

...

- «  I mean, you are too of course.  »

She giggled a bit with her hand hidding her lips, like she sometimes did at their house. It was almost like the Ayane he had a glimpse of, singing this electrifying song, had disappeared to let place to the one he knew.

- «  Thank you for the compliment  !  »

What mattered the most, was that she relaxed and that... that had more effects than what he has expected from women usually.

- «  It's the kind of song I used to sing with my friends, but mostly when we all were still in high school.

- Oh  ?  », he said, all ears.

- «  Yes, it's been a while I had this much fun  !  »

She paused, as if she remembered something, despite all the joy she just had.

- «  I miss them a little.

- ...did something happened  ? You can't see them anymore  ?  », Osomatsu asked, inquisitive.

- «  No, it's not like that.  »

She fell into silence again, searching for her words.

- «  We grew up. They're busy... and we just spend less time together compared to before.  »

...it reminded him of something.

Even if, in a way, they would always come back to their daily lives. He knew this feeling.

She carried on, trying to be positive  :

- «  But I'm proud of them. They are following a path they enjoy, and they are happy. It's just me who still hasn't figured it out.

- What's their names?  », he asked, to avoid diving any further into melancholy.

- «  Tsubaki and Aiko. Tsubaki is an athlete and Aiko is a fashion model. Maybe you've already seen them in magazines.  »

He didn't specify which kind of «  magazines  » he read the most.

- «  Say... how does it feel to be as inseparable with your brothers  ?  »

«  Those are the words of someone who surely didn't have any sibling.  », Osomatsu thought to himself, keeping on smiling.

- «  We are more stuck together than inseparable.

- Do you hate each other  ?  », she said, tilting her head on the side.

- «  Haha, no, it has nothing to do with that  ! It's just that, you know... when you have brothers, and like five of them, it quickly becomes stuffy.  »

And yet, he wouldn't know what to do without them.

- «  And, it's the first time in a long time that we truly are alone together too. Usually they always are there. They don't even know where I am, and all the better  !

- You want to keep me for yourself alone  ??  »

She smiled with this rare teasing look in her eyes. It seemed that she was like that too. But at this game, he was certain to win.

-  «  Yep, exactly~  !  »

The surprise displayed on her face was adorable.

That being said, taking back the mic and having to focus on choosing a song brought him a bit back to Earth.

They exited the karaoke with a tired voice and had to refresh themselves with water once outside. Since Osomatsu had succeeded in lifting Ayane's spirits up, he wondered if their date should technically end here. After all, was there any other reason for them to stay together now  ?

- «  Ayane-chan, do you want to go home  ?  »

She looked at him with surprise before getting a pensive look.

- «  Maybe... I do need to think I guess.

- Yeah, I suppose you have a lot of thing to do.

- Groceries...  », she thought, out loud.

- «  Hm  ?!

- The real meals I've eten lately, it's mostly when I'm at your home... I should take the opportunity of the time left to find something to cook.  »

That's right she had to do that all alone. This kind of stuff didn't even cross his mind.

- «  But you know Osomatsu-kun... I enjoyed myself very much today... I'd like to do that again.  »

...

- «  Of course we'll do that again  ! Whenever you want, you just have to call me  !... well call Totty. Or the home phone. I really should get my own.

- Huhu, you're going to buy a phone just for me  ?  », she said, teasingly.

- «  It's easy to steal Totty's phone or to get to the home phone first, but it sucks so yeah I should get to it...  »

She silently stared at him without he really understood why.

- «  Is there something wrong  ?

- N-no... I should go...  »

The cute Ayane was back, but only the time they said goodbye to each other.

And as they were leaving each other again, it was reassuring to know he could now see her without his brothers. He kept himself from shouting out of joy in the middle of the street, afraid she might hear him, and he ran back home.

Only then in the last moment he remembered he had fled from home because of the fire he caused. But since the house was still standing, they seemed to have managed. What a pity that his cigarette had fallen so close to Choromatsu's stuff...

A Choromatsu who welcomed him by attacking him from behind in a wrestling hold that Osomatsu's spine is going to remember for a long time.

And thus, while he was stuck in an uncomfortable position, Jyushimatsu was kind enough to go fetch him from the trash can he had been left in. Jyushimatsu was so kind that he actually helped his brother to get out of this position. Of course, some bones were broken in the process.

That being said, he reminded strangely calm since he came back, which the others found strange. First off why wasn't he bragging anymore  ? Where has gone the Osomatsu who bored everyone out of their minds with what he had surely done during the day, while his family was stuck in a house on fire  ?

Oh well, he will probably come back in no time...

It didn't prevent him from spending his evening with a longing look, again, while everyone went about their usual routines. But the fact that he was the only one to do that attracted attention.

- «  Nii-san  ! Nii-san  ! What are you fantasizing about  ?  »

Jyushimatsu and his overactivity made him prone to ask questions that the others kept to themselves for the moment, by well-deserved grudge regarding the incident from earlier.

- «  Say Jyushimatsu... how do you make a girl happy  ?  »

Jyushimatsu didn't expect this question and neither the thoughtful look he had. He answered without thinking what seemed obvious to him  :

- «  Make her laugh, Osomatsu-nii-san  !  »

Osomatsu paused to reflect on it and patted Jyushimatsu's head  :

- «  You're right  !  »

And to those words he started to ruffle his hair, as he loved so well to do.

While all the brothers' daily lives remained untouched, Ayane received a SMS while she was in the middle of her groceries shopping in the supermarket.

« As a way to apologize for today, are you free to meet each other tomorrow  ? I already asked Tsubaki-chan, there is only you left  !  »

It came from her friend Aiko. What a good coincidence they could also talk to each other today. Then obviously, she agreed, fully knowing already who she was going to talk about to her friends tomorrow.

Chapter Text

Ayane and her two friends met up in a café they had known since high school. Ayane was visibly still half asleep, but was smiling anyway thanks to the other two young women's presence.

Aiko was lovely, with her adorable cheerful behavior. She had greeted her with a hug as soon as she arrived, which had warmed Ayane's heart. Her blonde curls made her look like a little angel in Ayane's eyes.

Tsubaki, more reserved, had immediately noticed her tiredness as she asked her how she was doing in a concerned way. Her tall form was easy to take notice of. Ayane even thought to herself that she must have gained muscles. She was rather athletic after all.

She was sincerely proud of them. Her two friends were following a path which made them happy.

- «  How have you been since last time  ?  »

Ayane wasn't really sure how to address everything, but it had to be done. She had hidden them her condition for long enough.

She struggled to put the words on what had happened a few weeks ago now. And when it was done, she felt extremely uneasy at her friends' silence.

Aiko finally spoke up, a hand on her lips...

- «  This is horrible, my poor darling...
- I'm sorry for not talking about this sooner... I just couldn't accept this at all at first.
- Did you endure this all alone  ?  », Tsubaki asked.
- «  Not... exactly...  »

She explained in more details about how she had been helped, and that she had taken shelter in her «  savior  »'s home a little. After this incident, her condition only got worse, locking up her ability to talk to those close to her.

Aiko exclaimed  :

- «  What  ?! I'm jealous of him  ! Why didn't you talk to us about this sooner  ?
- I'm sorry Aiko... it was really difficult...
- Don't apologize! This is this pervert who should apologize! You haven't done anything wrong!!  », her friend got a bit worked up.
- «  Calm down, Aiko  », Tsubaki requested.
- «  But it annoys me so much that she had to suffer in silence like that!  »

At her friends' reactions, Ayane felt stupid to have taken so long to actually bring it up. Of course Aiko and Tsubaki were worried, sad even, and they were going to console her. Of course none of them was going to ask her what could have happened to trigger this situation. What had she worn this day or such.

It was like Ms. Matsuno had said  : it wasn't her fault and if she had been there, she would have twisted this pervert's arm.

- «  Thank you...  »

She felt as if a weight in her body had been a bit removed. She felt so relieved, now.

- «  You don't rest anymore since that day, right  ?  »

Tsubaki was still straight to the point. Ayane nodded and lowered her gaze despite her smile still present.

- «  I spend my time taking refuge at the Matsuno's like a coward...
- You aren't a coward.  », Aiko said immediately.

But Ayane couldn't help thinking back to this day, before Osomatsu's intervention. She remembered she was holding the tram's bar, her head full of thoughts, squished between other people. She was thinking about groceries, among other things, about the work she had to finish, and the more she thought about it, nothing else seemed to matter.

Eating and working, was it all there was to life  ? Eating, working, what for  ?

- «  Yes, I'm a coward... I feel good over there, but I'm not doing anything else...
- So what  ?  », Tsubaki asked.
- «  So what...  ? I'm not supposed to do that...
- Who told you what you were supposed to do  ?  », Tsubaki asked again, looking her in the eyes.

Aiko was a bit surprised by Tsubaki's serious tone, but the situation seemed to lend itselt to it. Ayane looked at her, mouth agape.

Nobody gave her orders.

She didn't owe it to anyone.

Tsubaki proceeded, her eyes more empathetic  :

- «  Ayane, ever since we've known you, you've always been irreproachable in your studies. I thought it was because you liked studying, but since we started college... you seem lost.  »

...ah, so that what it was.

Ayane looked at Tsubaki and Aiko, and felt like a distance was there.

Tsubaki and Aiko knew what to do with their lives.

Tsubaki had chosen the difficult, and even sexist path of athleticism where she redoubled her efforts to show she was up to it. Her competitive spirit would take her far.

Aiko had chosen the equally competitive field of modeling, which played more on popularity than raw efforts, but even if she complained a lot she had always loved wearing beautiful clothes and fashion was something she was proud of.

They had a goal. They were going somewhere.

They were only dreams when they were high schoolers, but now, her two friends were making them come true.

Ayane was still proud.

Proud, but alone.

- «  It's true... I'm not like you...  »

Tsubaki immediately felt guilty with the impression that her friend was about to cry. She came closer, apologizing  :

- «  I'm sorry, I didn't mean to come off as harsh-
- Do you know what this means  ?  », Aiko suddenly said while getting up.

Aiko looked at Ayane with a stern look, without the latter understanding why, and Tsubaki didn't either.

- «  For not having told us anything, you owe us a favor  ! And this favor is... to take a break!  »

Ayane looked at her as if she didn't know what a break was which made Tsubaki sigh.

- «  But I'm not going to stop going to university or to work...
- Oh yes you are! First off do you really need this job, with your parents paying for you  ? Take a leave at least!  », Aiko suggested.
- «  But university...  », Ayane added.
- «  We aren't in high school anymore, Ayane.  », Tsubaki said, siding with Aiko, «  You can «  skip class  »  ».

...Ayane couldn't even comprehend the concept of skipping class.

-  «  But... my grade point average...
- To hell with your grade point average! It can go fuck itself!  »

Saying this out loud shocked the other customers around. Aiko glared back at them, as if to say «  What, is it me you're looking at  », making her friends laugh.

- «  What I mean is, now you should stop overworking yourself. At least do this for us, Ayane.  »

Ayane looked at her two friends who were still watching her with concern.

-  «  I'll try...  »

A small silence settled between them where they started to smile at each other. An instant of pure friendship and gentleness, for them who haven't met up in a while.

After that, it was enough. Aiko decided to change the subject  :

- «  And the boy you've met, how is it going with him  ?  »

Ayane smiled a little as if to say «  ah you...  », before replying  :

- «  Besides him practically becoming my super hero, nothing much.
- He is your superman and you, his Lois  ?  », Aiko's smile widened.

She knew what she was getting at but, oh well...

- «  You know, Aiko, I got like two boyfriends since I started university, and it didn't really help me much.
- Again with rationalising...  », Tsubaki said, rolling her eyes.
- «  Are you sure of what you are saying  ? Or are you just afraid, Ayane-chan  ?  », Aiko asked again.

Ayane put both hands on her blushed cheeks and sighed  :

- «  I think he's adorable.  »

Aiko looked at her with sparkling eyes  :

- «  Oh, is it an issue that a boy is that adorable  ? How adorable is he ? I want to see a photo!  »

Ayane complied and showed them one she took when she was with Osomatsu.
Tsubaki commented  :

- «  Ah yeah... they really do all look the same.
- ...I'm disappointed  », Aiko pouted, «  They all look like potatoes.
- But it's what make their charm...  », Ayane took their defence, «  And Osomatsu is the one smoking.  »

Aiko looked at her, utterly confused  :

- «  He looks like a potato and he smokes  ?
- I think they look neat  », Tsubaki said, «  I'm weak for men who are small and cute.  »

Another silence settled during which the blonde stared at her friend, but her other friend seemed to simply smile seeing how Ayane had confessed to her feelings so easily. Ayane added  :

-  «  And also... with him it's different. I feel safe. As if, no matter what happens, he'll reassure me and smile at me. And...  »

She sighed again  :

- «  Why is this happening to me now  ?
- Why do view this as something bad  ?  », Tsubaki asked, «  Ask him out.  »

Ayane paused, she seemed to think  :

- « First  I need to use the free time I'll have wisely. I can't just hang on to him and expect my problems to fly away.  »

She didn't want to become dependant again.

Aiko yawned suddenly and stretched a little before carrying on  :

- «  Don't you take this too seriously  ? It's just flirting.
- If I'm feeling like this, flirting can end up badly.  », Ayane explained. «  If I need to take a break... I need to get by myself.  »

The discussion proceeded on what Ayane could do now that she was in the prospect of relaxing. Movies and series to watch, books to read, music bands to listen to, places to visit... her friends recommended activities the best they could.

After this discussion they spent some time together still before Tsubaki left first. Aiko asked Ayane if she wanted to be escorted home but Ayane declined.

She wanted some time alone.

- «  It's good that you take charge of it by yourself... but don't always refuse help that is given to you. You might need it more than you realize.  »

Ayane nodded with an obvious conviction.

So when it was Aiko's turn to leave, the blonde leaving by car, Ayane realized that a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. A weight she only now realized the heaviness of.

If she continued to focus on relaxing, will she feel this sensation even more  ? She smiled at the thought, even if she still felt a bit guilty.

But it was either that or the burn out.

As she made her way home, she couldn't help herself smiling while walking with joy.

- «  Ah, Ayane-san  !  »

The next day she was standing in front of the Matsuno's house with a fruits basket, the person opening the door to her being Karamatsu.

- «  What are those fruits you are bringing  us here?
- Pears.  »

Without noticing the expression of pure terror that Karamatsu sported, Ayane put the basket in his hands and invited herself inside. At this moment, the matriarch of the house was precisely in the hallway  :

- «  Oh, Ayane!
- Oh, Matsuyo-san!  »

They aheaded towards the kitchen, as they always did, which was where Matsuyo was most of the time, and Ayane was always ready to give her a helping hand. Right now, the mother was washing the dishes. She asked  :

- «  So what's new  ?
- I plan on taking a break, so I'll spend less time here.  »

Matsuyo stopped scrubbing the plate she just took. Her glasses covering her eyes mysteriously with their brilliance  :

- «  Did one of my sons do anything  ?
- No, it doesn't have anything to do with them... it's me. I need to unwind.  »

And to those words, Matsuyo directly reverted back to her usual self, and although Ayane didn't seem to react to it, in a corner of her head she thought this wasn't commonplace.

- «  Do you have recommendations on easy dishes to make  ? I want to take advantage of this time to cook.  »

Matsuyo's gaze lit up.

- «  Oh Ayane... of course! Let me just...  »

She cheerfully moved around in her kitchen to go towards a shelf and came back from it with a notebook. Mother Matsuno gave it to the young woman.

- «  These are recipes I know by heart  : they are easy to make and feed well.
- Thank you so much! It's perfect!  »

As contact was easy between them, it didn't stop there and they continued chatting. But suddenly, one of the sextuplets went into the kitchen while asking  :

- «  Why is Karamatsu paralyzed at the entrance- Oh hello Ayane-san.  »

The latter greeted him with a smile which surprised him  : she seemed in a better mood than the other times she visited them. Moreover, at the sight of the third brother, Ayane got an idea  :

- «  Choromatsu-san, you are knowledgeable about animes, mangas and light novels, right  ?  »

Choromatsu blinked in surprise  :

- «  Erm... yes...why  ?
- I would like you to recommend me things!
- To... recommend you  ?  »

He still wasn't comfortable to the idea of talking about his passion he kept to himself after all. The first things he thought of were idol animes. Would she like those  ? No, there must be something else...

And so, later, Ayane followed Choromatsu in their shared room. She remained standing up out of politeness while Choromatsu was first looking for light novels for her to read.

- «  Hmm... no, not that-
- Do you like idols, Choromatsu-san  ?  »

To those words, Choromatsu dropped the books he had in his hands and turned around briskly to face her.

- «  Wh-what...  »

Ayane pointed at the big poster that could be seen hanging on the wall.

- «  F-fucking hel-  !!!  »

Choromatsu dashed towards it, his eyes coming out of his sockets. He also noticed a note :

«  Choro-chan, sorry for setting your things on fire! In return, I've decided to hang one of the poster you bought! Your big brother who loves you lots, Osomatsu.  »

Choromatsu swore, and didn't know if he should remove the poster anymore. Ayane moved to look at it closer too and  :

- «  The girls from Love Live are cute.  »

...

- «  You like that sort of anime  ?
- Yes!  », Ayane smiled, «  Well, it's mostly a friend of mine who introduced me to this. I like watching it because their outfits are cute.
- ...  »

As it turned out, it wasn't that difficult to recommend her animes. Soon, Choromatsu began to lose his sense of moderation to talk about animes, and Ayane nodded along to what he was saying. He monopolized the discussion more than her and she could see that he really was passionate about his hobby.

At the sight of Choromatsu's big triangular smile, she wondered if one day she would have, too, something to be passionate about as much as him.

He reminded her of her friends.

Choromatsu stopped in his tracks, realizing he was dominating the whole conversation and she didn't know as much about anime as he did  :

- «  Ah, sorry, maybe I'm talking too much  ?  »

Ayane shook her head  :

- «  No... It's just that I envy you.  »

He didn't understand why  :

- «  I just asked you because I wanted things to watch or read, but you, you really are passionate.  »

Choromatsu couldn't help but to blush and scratch the back of his head  :

- «  Passionate...
- Yes... it's good to have something you put all your heart in. I know that you're a bit ashamed of it... but really, it's good that you have that.  »

«  People like that really were lucky  », she thought.

She was well aware that they were NEETS but in a way, she envied them. If she had as much free time as they did, she wouldn't know what to do to spend it.

Aiko and Tsubaki clug to their passion. A passion isn't something one should part from if it made one this radiant, this colorful.

If she had a color...

It would be brown, normalcy's color.

He answered with a smile.

Seeing this, Ayane had a thought for the elder of the sextuplets.

- «  Is Osomatsu-kun out today  ?
- Oh, yes. Probably losing all his money on his idiotic bets.  »

She laughed lightly, hand on her lips.

- «  Too bad, I would have liked to see him... so then, I'm going to head back.  »

Even though Ayane seemed to appreciate the other brothers' presence, it was obvious she had a soft spot for the elder, as incredible as this could be.

Choromatsu offered to accompany her, and without knowing why, the basket she had brough had remained at the entrance. Noticing the pears, Choromatsu understood Karamatsu's previous state, but it would be rude not to eat them, right  ? Here's a dilemma to work on later.

- «  Have a safe trip home, Ayane-san.
- Thank you!
- I'll tell Osomatsu you came by.  »

She just smiled at him and bade him goodbye again before leaving with Matsuyo's cooking book and Choromatsu's recommendations.

And so, later in the day...

- «  Ayane-chan came here and you didn't tell me anything  ?
- You don't have a phone on you.  », Choromatsu replied.

Since Ayane's departure and the discovery of the pears, Choromatsu had tried to make a pear pie but had failed. He was in front of a circular, black mass that he was about to throw away with regret, but Osomatsu was more preoccupied with getting worked up on his own about the fact that he still hadn't bought a phone.

All of a sudden, someone rang at the door  :

- «  Oh, maybe it's her-
- AYANE-CHAN!  »

Osomatsu ran to the door while shouting her name and happily opened it.

- «  Ayane-ch...  »

-  «  Who is Ayane-chan  ?  »

He got the wrong person.

It was Totoko.

Chapter Text

For Totoko, it was a day like any other where she received the attention she deserved, accompanied by the three eldest Matsuno who were already carrying some of the things she wanted and that they had paid for her.

However, the weird part was that Osomatsu… seemed to have his mind elsewhere today? Why did she feel like he was treating her less like the princess that she was? After all, after he had opened the door to her today…

- “How do I look today? I’m just adorable, right?

- You are as cute as usual, Totoko-chan!”

She didn’t know why but this made her a tad angry. But oh well, it wasn’t going to ruin her day!

Osomatsu was the last one in the lineup, contrary to the usual, his two direct younger brothers preceding him. He was lost in his thoughts and Karamatsu and Choromatsu, who had rushed to the door as soon as Totoko was mentioned, were also surprised by his behavior.

A moment came when Totoko went in a shop and ordered the boys to wait for her at the dressing room.

Osomatsu sighed, his mind still elsewhere. Choromatsu was beginning to worry a bit about his attitude, but Karamatsu beat him to it:

- “What are you thinking about, Osomatsu?

- Ayane-chan…”

… Choromatsu and Karamatsu looked at each other. And began to smile.

- “You really do care about her, huh?

- Ah Osomatsu! So you’ve finally taken a taste of the flames of passion and I see that they’ve ignited you!

- Yeah, what he said.” Choromatsu added.

Osomatsu looked up at them.

- “Hmmm…

- You don’t seem happy about it? She seems to like you too.”, Choromatsu said.

- “Ah Osomatsu! How dare you seduce a lady before us?

- It’s only natural since I’m the eldest!”, Osomatsu laughed while scratching his nose, “But well…”

He seemed to look gloomy again without his two brothers understanding why.

- “She thinks I’m a good person.

- Haha, it’s sure that well, otherwise…”, Choromatsu laughed.

- “Yeah, that’s the problem…”

How could this be a problem? But they let him speak because Osomatsu wasn’t usually the talkative type.

- “The way she smiles, laughs…”

Osomatsu seemed absorbed in his own bubble where he was dreaming about her. It was the first time they saw him like that… it was almost… touching?

- And her boobs too… I wonder what her bra size is…”

…

The two brothers couldn’t suppress a slap to the back of the eldest’s head, making him fall over.

- “What the heck?

- When I think about it, it’s a bit of my own fault for listening to you…”, Choromatsu said.

- “You will never change, Osomatsu…”, Karamatsu retorted while shaking his head, disappointed.

- Well yeah! I find her sexy too! Don’t tell me that’s not what your case too!”

To those words, he got up while watching them more seriously.

- “You are attracted to her too, right?

- No.”, the two brothers said in unison.

- “Don’t lie to me! We all are a group of desperate virgins!

- Yes but, Ayane-san is just a special case I think…”, Choromatsu concluded.

- “She’s a beautiful young woman for sure, but she is also… she… well…”

They couldn’t find the right words it seemed, but Osomatsu didn’t need them because if they really were attracted to her, he could have read it on their faces. It was obvious to him, but not to them. And that was a good thing.

- “And well like I said she is sexy too, so I don’t see the problem. She is cute too and I like to see her happy, it just that it doesn’t prevent me from wanting to bang her. As long as she doesn’t know that…

- “I’m amazed you managed to calm yourself so much about her…”, Karamatsu pointed out, a tad playful.

- “It’s just that…”

Osomatsu sighed and looked down, almost grumbling his words out:

- “She doesn’t look at me like I disgust her… I want to ask her to come play with me, but I don’t want to bother her. And she likes me well enough… I want things to stay like that. For her to continue looking at me like this.”

He didn’t know how he managed to do that, but she wasn’t repulsed by his presence. It almost stressed him out to restrain himself not to blurt some things out in front of her, but for him, it went without saying to be that way in front of her.

He just wanted that, if they were to hang out together, she might as well be happy at least. And when he didn’t see her, like now, he sometimes wondered what she was doing and if she was fine.

- “She deserves to be happy.”

Karamatsu and Choromatsu shared a look before patting their big brother’s back without saying anything.

- “Who deserves to be happy?”

The three boys jumped up and turned towards a Totoko, with sets of clothes, who was looking at them, so angry it seemed a nerve was emerging from her forehead.

- “Erm Totoko-chan…”

In an instant she approached Osomatsu, scaring him:

- “Who were you talking about?”

He had no other choice but to summarize everything, Karamatsu and Choromatsu both were looking away, unable to help their elder brother in this given situation.

Totoko held her head down, which hid her eyes, then she looked sideways, seemingly sulking:

- Why didn’t you tell me anything?

- Erm, because you’re interested?”, Osomatsu replied.

She seemed to sulk ever more and grumbled:

- “It’s not like you to say that kind of stuff, stupid NEET! And anyway, I’m sure she is less cute than I am…”

A hushed silence took place where Karamatsu and Choromatsu glanced at Osomatsu and Totoko, facing each other. She had laid a mine. Was he going to jump on it? Choromatsu was expecting the worst while Karamatsu was internally praying for the salvation of his elder brother, who did what was the most obvious thing expected out of him:

- “It’s just that, I think I love her, Totoko-chan.”

Karamatsu pushed a light “oh my god” and Choromatsu was sweating, while their eyes went from Osomatsu to Totoko.

- “You are able to feel love?!

- HEY WHO DO YOU TAKE ME FOR!

- And here I thought you only loved me.

- Oh, don’t tell me that…”, Osomatsu exclaimed with sparkling eyes, “YOU ARE JEALOUS?”

…

- “Hehe, Totoko-chan if you love me so much you should have said so! We could date!

- I DON’T LOVE YOU, STUPID NEET! NO BUT HAVE YOU LOOKED AT YOURSELF BEFORE SAYING THIS?!

- Eh why are you getting so angry for then? It’s not like we were a couple or anything.”

He stood here while rubbing his nose, waiting for a reply that Totoko didn’t seem to be in the mood to give him anyway. His gaze shifted towards the panic of Karamatsu and Choromatsu in the background.

And since he wasn’t really feeling like staying here anymore, he shrugged.

- “Okay then, I’m leaving.”

And without further ado, he headed back to the way home under the dismayed look of Karamatsu, Choromatsu and Totoko. The latter was steaming from rage and turned around suddenly on the poor remaining Matsuno.

And slowly, she regained her calm and told them in a tone still grumpy: “Too bad for him! He won’t be able to see me in the adorable dresses you are going to buy for me!”

Because of course, they would have to pay for them.

Ayane wiped her forehead, proud to have vacuumed every room in the house. Singing while working really had the effect to boost her motivation, and it reminded her immensely of the way Snow White cleaned up, even though here, no little animals were accompanying her.

Finally, she opened one of the two widows of the apartment and worked her way around in her little room to go take care of the second one. Once that was done, she went back to organizing her things on her shelves.

It was there she noticed a photo.

Her and her family.

She took the frame with both her hands and stared at it. If it was only her, she hadn’t changed much, with her wavy hair that reached her shoulders. In university, she had opted for rectangular glasses rather than round ones like in high school.

Her parents didn’t look like her. It was striking to her, but she wondered if it would be to someone else?

She remembered when this picture was taken: at her graduation, a few months before she started living alone.

Before her current life begins without her realizing.

Her parents… they were smiling. They looked so proud. She did her best for that.

Would they still be proud today?

She thought back to the Matsuno house.

She was still thinking of running away.

But then Aiko and Tsubaki’s faces appeared to her.

Ayane was hard on herself, wasn’t she?

Just like as she had tried to do, just today…

She put the frame down and went to her bed with freshly changed sheets, put her glasses on her dresser and let herself drop on it.

She stared at the ceiling, for a long time. Emptiness in her head. Then she closed her eyes.

The sound of the wind mixed with the silence. Silence. Silence. Fresh silence.

She’d better close the widow and then take a nap afterwards and that’s what she did, to then taking her pants off and snuggling under her blankets. She felt safe and secure.

Aiko was right. She needed to do this more often. To rest a little on her laurels wasn’t such a bad thing, was it?

You could feel in her breathing that she was slowly but gently soothing herself. And slowly, sleep took over. And slowly, she fell asleep.

Let’s dedicate this day to rest.

Osomatsu was cleaning his nose while reading a comic book when Karamatsu and Choromatsu returned from their shopping session with Totoko, which lasted longer than expected, in addition to getting kicked out in a drier way than usual by her.

- “Osomatsu.

- Uh?”, said the latter, turning towards them, wiping his bogger on the tatami.

Choromatsu had to force himself not to say anything as Karamatsu briskly moved closer to him and put both hand on his shoulders.

- “Tell us more.”

The three brothers were soon in a circle with each a can of beer in hand, talking jovially.

- “Still, dumbass, you could have waited before abandoning us there with Totoko-chan!

It was Choromatsu who threw that after taking a big sip of his drink.

- “I didn’t wanna stay that’s all.

- It’s true that you’ve already held Ayane’s hand…”, Karamatsu added.

- “Asshole!”, Choromatsu threw back.

- “Hehe, the eldest must be the first in everything!”

They laughed heartily and Karamatsu proceeded:

- “Totoko was going to kill us because of you, you know that, right, stupid eldest?

- Next time we see each other, she’ll kill ME for sure.”, Osomatsu noted, “But that will be for next time!

- You really have no idea what you’re doing.”, Choromatsu sighed but was still smiling.

Osomatsu only shrugged before thinking about something and saying:

- “By the way Choromatsu, what did Ayane tell you?

- Uh? Hm…”, Choromatsu thought, “She asked me if I had good animes to recommend her. When I arrived, she was with Mom.

- Ah…”

Osomatsu looked pensive and begin to smile:

- “I hope we’ll be able to see her soon…”

Karamatsu and Choromatsu shared a look:

- “Brother, are you really going to spend your time just waiting around for her to come? It’s her who is supposed to play the role of the princess! You know where she lives, just go visit her on your own.

- But… what if I did something she dislikes?”

Karamatsu spat out his beer while Choromatsu choked on it.

…what?

What?

WHAT?!

Osomatsu, caring about what someone could think about him?!

Now they were certain.

Osomatsu REALLY was in love.

Karamatsu stood up, a shadow over his eyes:

- “Osomatsu…

- Uh yes, Kara-chan?” Osomatsu asked, a bit intimidated by Karamatsu’s sudden behavior.

The latter pointed at him:

- “COWARD! WHERE IS YOUR MASCULINE PRIDE?! YOU ARE HER PRINCE, YOU CAN’T WAIT AROUND FOR HER TO SAVE YOU FROM YOUR TOWER!

- …huh?

- Heh. I see that I don’t have a choice. Right, Choromatsu?

- … Choromatsu?”

Karamatsu glanced at the latter, who was still choking on his beer.

After rescuing Choromatsu from a ridiculous death, he stayed seated at Osomatsu’s side, wondering what Karamatsu had prepared:

- “I’m going to show you, Osomatsu… what women want.”

…

- “No thanks.

- WHAT?! YOU ARE KILLING THE MOOD, ANIKI!”, Karamatsu cried.

- “Asking Totoko would be more useful at this point, no?”, Choromatsu proposed.

- “I’d rather not see her right now, given what happened today…”

Without them knowing how, Karamatsu had time to take out a PowerPoint to explain his initiative:

- “Osomatsu, we are going to talk… about what women want.”

Chapter Text

- “All these observations, I’ve made them personally, so you can trust me. “

Karamatsu began his presentation meant to demonstrate what women look for in a man. Choromatsu didn’t say anything but he expected the worst and Osomatsu was already immersed in his comic book again.

- “Women want a man who sells them dreams… adventure… excitement!!

- OK but how? It’s not like Osomatsu has the money to do that.”

At these words, he turned to the latter, adding: “Unless he saved money behind our backs.” Osomatsu replied with a “huh?” while looking at him in confusion. Karamatsu tried to regain his attention:

- “Osomatsu, listen when I’m talking, it’s very important.

- Yeah, I’m sure a virgin teaching another virgin about what women like is gonna be useful.”

His two brothers had to admit that he was right.

- “It is true that I have no experience… but! We have a sure way of knowing what they like.”

To which Osomatsu and Choromatsu responded by finally paying him full attention.

- “We have… SHOJO and JOSEI!”

Karamatsu snapped his fingers and a pile appeared by his side. Choromatsu immediately noticed that they were all his.

- “If you’re going to read my manga you could at least tell me!

- I haven’t read them all yet. But I guessed they could be useful to us!

- How so?

- Think about it… they all give us a guide of what they like!”

This sentence changed their point of view on those manga aimed at girls. Choromatsu pretended to not be convinced but still picked one from those he hadn’t read yet anyway and Osomatsu traded his comic book for one. Karamatsu did the same and soon this lesson about ladies turned into a book club.

- “I’m home!”

It was Todomatsu. His presence made them realize how much time they had spent reading.

Todomatsu was intercepted by his eldest brother:

- “Totty, do girls like kabedon?

- You mean, getting trapped against a wall? Who would like that?

- That’s what I thought…”, Osomatsu mumbled, sitting while putting down the manga he was reading.

Todomatsu approached them, asking:

- “What are you doing?

- We are trying to understand girls.”, Osomatsu sighed.

- “By reading manga?”

Todomatsu shook his head, thinking about the silliness of his older brothers.

- “You aren’t going to learn anything useful in these.

- But isn’t the point that they can read about their fantasies in these? The kind of man they would like to have?”, Karamatsu asked.

- “Pfff those are just fantasies… some men fantasize about being dominated, it isn’t your case, is it?”

Choromatsu agreed but Osomatsu and Karamatsu were weirdly quiet.

- “… guys?”

Karamatsu coughed and Osomatsu looked elsewhere. Todomatsu moved closer to them with a wide smile:

- “You are-

- LET’S STOP TALKING ABOUT THAT!”, Karamatsu exclaimed. “The most important thing is that you, Totty, are Osomatsu’s only hope.

- Why?

- You always go out with girls!

- Oh man, you really are desperate NEETs.”, Totty laughed, hand on his lips.

- “Shut up, NEET.”, Osomatsu retorted.

Despite the discussion, Todomatsu sat down with his brothers and glanced at the manga they were reading and, moreover, Choromatsu was still reading, having moved away from the original objective.

- “What did you get out of these manga?

- Girls love guys who are clingy and have a dark past?

- See, that’s why I told you that you weren’t going to learn anything out of these.”, Todomatsu sighed.

Osomatsu and Karamatsu looked at Todomatsu with high expectations. Him, who was able to spend time with girls without grossing them out, was an unexpected beacon of hope.

- “But Osomatsu-nii-san… are you serious about Ayane-san?”

Osomatsu chuckled a bit before scratching his nape:

- “Well, listen, of course I’d like to go out with her… She’s cute, kind… and well, I want to protect her.”

Totty refrained from expressing his disgust at his goo-goo brother.

- “But I don’t expect this to work out. I’m a virgin and a NEET after all, right?”

Todomatsu felt a bit of pity hearing this part while Karamatsu gave a pat on his brother’s back again.

- “Come on Osomatsu! Don’t give up!

- Hehe thanks… but speaking of which, it reminds me. Totty, are you attracted to Ayane-chan?”

The latter shook his head negatively immediately, to which Osomatsu replied:

- “Karamatsu, Choromatsu and even you! How come?

- Nii-san, she mostly spends time with mom when she comes over. I think we all are used to her being here, even though she’s a girl. And also…”

He shrugged:

- “Nobody wants to recreate the same situation we have with Totoko, right?

- So, you guys really aren’t attracted to her?”

Todomatsu sighed, but the fact that Osomatsu insisted gave this impression that Ayane’s charm should be obvious to everyone.

- “Nii-san. Imagine trying to flirt with Homura.”

Osomatsu’s mind became blank for a moment, pushing his imagination far away.

Despite the DVDs of Homura that he had all bought to then thrown them in the trash, he didn’t view the young woman any differently. He still hadn’t talked about that to Jyushimatsu, come to think of it.

That day, he really thought to himself that he would be a great catch for a date, but oh well.

His little brother was so happy, why would he even think for a second about flirting with Homura, really?

- “Oh… I think I understand.”

Then he began to smile while scratching his nose:

- “Onii-chan really has faithful little brothers!

- And besides, with what she went through I think the last thing she wants is that we try to hit on her.”, Choromatsu added.

- “And don’t get carried away either, it’s not like she belongs to you anyway.”, Todomatsu said.

- “… I know that…”, Osomatsu grumbled. “And I don’t want to own her. It’s super possessive, no?

- You behaved like that though.”, Choromatsu noted. “Remember when you punched me?

- And when you tried to drown me?”, Karamatsu added.

Osomatsu started to sulk but still ended up saying:

- “… sorry. It’s just that I didn’t trust you.

- We all are virgins, but we aren’t that desperate.”, Choromatsu said, outraged.

- “And you haven’t tried anything, we have even less of a reason to do that, especially in her state.”, Karamatsu added.

- “Even if there are some who are like that in these manga, I don’t think girls like guys who prevent them from talking to whoever they want.”, Todomatsu retorted.

- “…yeah, you’re right.”

He scratched the back of his head, while lowering it and apologized again without trying to put the blame on Karamatsu and Choromatsu, which surprised them all.

- “If you think you’ll never be able to go out with her, what are you waiting for?

- I don’t know. Maybe nothing after all. Like I said, even if it’d be great to date her, it just seems like a pipe dream. Too good to be true.”

Karamatsu patted him on the shoulder:

- “Hey, don’t be so negative. You get along well with her anyway, don’t you?

-Yeah, I even had a date with her!”

This put a great silence between them, to which Osomatsu asked:

- “Oh, I didn’t tell you that?

- No.”, the others said, in unison.

- “Ah well, it’s not that important...”

After all, nothing romantic had occurred and it wasn’t the point of this date. He simply wanted to help her feel better.

But given his brothers’ reaction, it was better to inform them of that before they start attacking him. Such was the price to pay for not informing them.

At the end of Osomatsu ‘s summary, the other three brothers had tears in their eyes.

- “Poor Ayane-san…”

Choromatsu handed out tissues to the other two and Karamatsu gave a stronger pat on Osomatsu’s back:

- “You truly have been a real gentleman towards her, well done!

- Haha, you think? Maybe she’ll like me more with that!

- You know it’s not just as simple as treating her well for her to come to love you.

- I know, I already said I’m not expecting anything…”

Osomatsu sighed. He knew that it was basically useless to study what she might like or not. In fact, this discussion made him lower his spirits even more. He laid down while rubbing his nose thoughtfully.

- “Don’t we continue this discussion?

- Bah… if you want. I’d rather keep reading.”

It wasn’t going to change their habits anyway. When she’ll return, he’s going to act like he always does. It was a good thing that she didn’t need him right now, it would mean that she was feeling good.

Todomatsu thought that maybe he had been a bit harsh, even if that was the truth: if one only had to be nice to make people love them, it would be common knowledge! No, it was much more complicated than that and even with planning, people’s feelings just aren’t something that could be made bloomed like that.

He leaned over his older brother:

- “Hey Nii-san… it’s still good what you did for her.”

Osomatsu replied with a smile.

No matter what will happen, he could be sure of at least one thing: Ayane’s well-being was the most important thing and it always will be.

That said…

He wasn’t expecting her to not visit them for such a long time.

But that meant she was fine… right?

Chapter Text

Ayane looked at herself in her long mirror and smiled. A smile still forced unfortunately. But she had read somewhere that you could fool your brain by smiling, and that a pleasant feeling may come afterwards to preserve that same smile.

She had chosen an outfit she liked, a tank top and jeans, her hair tied with her favorite ribbon. The weather was getting warmer and soon summer will make an appearance. It was a good prospect, wasn't it     ?

Yes, she should see the bright side of things. She was still trying to. Cooking, reading, watching something... it could only help her feel better in the future.

Today she is going to university and is opting for the bus. She knew she could always count on Aiko but she shouldn't always cling to her, right     ?

The bus was different. First, you could sit there. And it never was as full as the tram was.

And so she tried riding it. Moreover, the tram subscription paid for both. But honestly, she really ought to learn to drive ! That would make things easier for her. But oh well, she still has to buy a car too after that...

Ah, now wasn't the time to think about all of this.

On the bus, even if it was tempting, she didn't put on her headphones. And just like that, she went to university. And just like that, she attended her economics classes.

And she thought it was a good thing she was going. It was the journey to go and return she was afraid of.

She wondered when she would be able to ride the tram again.

For today, should she listen herself and leave earlier or stay until 7 pm  ? «     Listening to herself     » had been a strange practice but encouraged by her friends. She was used to sticking to her schedule to the letter and at first, not doing so made her feel guilty. It became even hard to spend time at home and she ended up regretting leaving.

But at the same time, she realized she was less and less tired. The only times she really forced herself were to find someone who would hand her her notes and surprisingly it wasn't a problem     ! Little by little, she felt less guilty for her actions.

So today, she was going to leave earlier once again. So, while she was gathering her things, she overheard a discussion coming from the seats above hers :

- «  We are short on girls... Umehara dropped us at the last moment.

- Ask the one below us over there, maybe she'd go ?

- I'm on it !  »

Without missing a beat, someone came down to ask her who knows what. Since they were short on girls, it certainly was for a mixer.

- «     Hey... Huh     ?     »

She looked up and faced a red haired young man with a tanned complexion, much taller than her. Surprise flashed on both of their faces.

- «     Ayane... is that you  ?

- Chika-kun  !

- It really is you  !!     »

Ayane went towards him too     : he held his hand in the air for her to high five him, which she did without thinking. Ayane continued     :

- « I didn't know you were studying here too.

- I ended up taking a completely different path from what I expected.

- I see. It's a shame I didn't notice you were there earlier.  »

Ayane smiled. That good old Chika     ! It's been so long. Since their high school days.

- «  So, we've just met up again and you already want to throw a mixer  ?

- They were short on a boy and now a girl too, I'm a bit in the same situation as you. Won't you want to help us out by coming too  ? We're going to the karaoke.

- With pleasure. We've got a lot to catch up.  »

It was a good thing.

Maybe she would finally find a balance between university, work and her hobbies. Perhaps she finally was on the right track.

The other two girls who accompanied him were surprised by her presence  : Ayane wasn't the type to spend time with others outside of university. She limited herself to going with them on the way home, talking about everything and nothing. Ayane now realized that she must have missed out on the opportunity to meet new acquaintances acting this way.

She felt that she had a lot to catch up with Chika and this mixer was a good occasion. Ayane didn't expect to be popular and to be approached by the others. Instead the two other young women were just watching them acting thick as thieves :

- «  And to think that I chose Chika-kun on purpose...

- Who would have thought they knew each other. They seem to really get along. »

Even today their closeness was obvious to everyone. Ayane felt the eyes on them, from one of the girls in particular, who seemed to be staring at her, but she didn't have time to pay it too much attention before Chika declared  :

- «  Let's exchange numbers, Ayane  ! »

Ayane didn't allow herself to be asked again, so glad to see him again. Chika knew how to lead the discussion and how to make her laugh, since high school he always had been someone energetic and friendly, making him irresistible to everyone thanks to his great kindness.

- «  I imagine you're single to have accepted this invitation  ?

- Yes. And so are you, I suppose  ?

- Yeah. Hey, aren't you dreaming about getting a boyfriend, getting married, that kind of stuff by now  ?

- ... I've never really thought about that. Have you ?

- Of course. I think everyone in this room is thinking about it a bit, right  ?

They started to look around where people their age were talking too. She realized that, from an outsider's point of view, it could look like Chika and her were flirting with each other.

- «  I don't know really. I don't really wonder about that kind of thing.

- And yet, you accepted to participate to a mixer  ?

- Because you'd be there.

- Hehe, thanks. »

Suddenly Ayane's phone rang. It was from Aiko.

She excused herself and left the room to make her call, away from those noisy rooms.

- «  Aiko  ?

- I'm done shooting the commercial for Fujio Park  !

- Oh that's great     ! When is it going to be broadcasted on TV  ?

- I don't know yet but that's not why I'm calling ! I was offered park tickets, do you want some  ?

- Tickets  ?     »

She thought back to the persons she was with at this mixer whom she didn't really know that well actually, but soon her thoughts went towards Osomatsu.

- «  Yes, if you could get me two that would be great. Thanks Aiko.  »

When she came back into the room, she had a smile on her face. Chika said  :

- « Oh you seem to be in a better mood  !

- Yes.     »

She smiled, her heart light.

- «  Hey, Kawashima-san  ?

- Yes  ?     »

It was another young woman who called out to her. The one who was staring at her earlier.

- « I was wondering... I love your tank top. Where did you buy it  ?  »

Ayane was taken aback.

- «  It was at... Boutique Nanami I think.

- Really  ? It's so pretty !

- Oh thank you !

- Boutique Nanami is at the shopping center entrance right  ?

- Hey, anybody wants to sing     ? I'm going to sing  !  », another feminine voice said.

- Give me the mic after you're done  !  », the girl Ayane was talking to requested .

- «     Oh would you like to sing too Kawashima-san  ?

- Yes, why not  !

- Great  ! Hey boys, do you want to sing too ?  »

This mixer became more enjoyable very quickly. The singing had encouraged each participants to talk to each other more, which made them all have a good time, forgetting that at least four of them originally came here to try to flirt.

At the end, while they were standing in front of the building and were still talking, one of the men declared  :

- «  And it was cool that you were there, Kawashima  ! You should come more often !

- Yeah we should do something like that again !  », Chika said, «  You see it was a good idea I invited her  !

- We could do this again, like, next week  ?  », Ayane proposed.

- «  I'm unavailable next week...     », one of them said.

- «  Hey no worries. We will do that when we can.  », one of the girls said, positive.

Ayane had collected their phone numbers after this discussion and they went on their separate ways.

As she returned home, she was still thinking back to the events which just occured and sent an optimistic message to her friends.

Which goes to show, maybe things would start to get better after all.

Ayane didn't come to visit anymore.

It was so sudden. And in addition, he had missed the last time she came at their home.

They used to see her at least once a week, so now Osomatsu always rushed to the front door to be disappointed by the person he opened it to. He ended up not doing it anymore and his unchanging daily life resumed its course.

- « I'm bored...  »

Osomatsu was face down, while Todomatsu ignored his whining. Karamatsu was tuning his guitar.

- «  Can't you just go the horse races or something     ? It's starting to get annoying seeing you like that every day. »

Osomatsu looked up at Todomatsu  :

- «  Lend me some money  ?

- In your dreams.

- Pff  ! Ungrateful brother !

- Says the one who never pays back.  »

Offended by the truth in his words, Osomatsu stood up. His childish nature had made him go into a huff, but he also had to admit that the idea of making some bets put him in a better mood.

There was not point in trying to hide money. Osomatsu had a gift when it came to that and he decided to use it wisely. And since they knew him, his brothers had their wallets on themselves anyway.

Osomatsu began his inspection when the phone rang. He was going to carry on but nobody in the house seemed to care about the noise it made and since Osomatsu was the closest to it...

He picked it up while yawning and said  : «  Matsuno Residence, who's calling  ?     »

- «  Osomatsu-kun  ? »

His heart skipped a beat and he put his hand on the handset. It had been so long since he had heard this voice  !

- «     Pssst  ! Guys  !! It's Ayane-chan !!     »

The other two brothers joined Osomatsu immediately, hoping to hear snippets of Ayane's voice to find out if she had stopped coming because of their eldest brother, as they were theorizing.

- «  Haha really ? And you thought of me  ? Oh, I'm too flattered  ! Of course I accept !     »

Osomatsu rubbed his nose with a stupid smile on his face, beet red up to his ears.

- «  Ok ok     ! See you this weekend then  ! ... Do I hang up or do you hang up ?     »

He wanted to do this super cheesy exchange where one like the other didn't want to hang up but Ayane didn't think so, and hung up herself.

Osomatsu looked at the handset with sparkling eyes, feeling like he was on a small cloud and in a flash he exclaimed with joy  :

- «  I'VE GOT A DATE  ! I WAS INVITED TO A DATE  !!!     »

At those words, he went upstairs and rushed to the window to yell ever louder  :

- «  I'VE GOT A DATE  ! I'VE GOT A DATE !!     »

Then he began to twirl around like a ballerina, still shouting his joy.

Karamatsu and Todomatsu must have been touched during the first... seconds of this but they were already fed up. Karamatsu grabbed his brother and dragged him to their room, followed by Todomatsu.

- «  Huh  ?! What are you doing to your nii-chan  ?

- You're not going to get away with this...right, Totty  ?  », Karamatsu asked to his youngest brother.

- «  Hehe  ! He doesn't leave us any choice.  », Todomatsu said, trotting alongside him.

And Osomatsu was totally changed by what followed...

Later, Choromatsu opened their house's front door, circled by Ichimatsu and Jyushimatsu. All alone with those oddballs... but he just couldn't have left them alone. He really is the only responsible one in this house.

He moved forward, sighing, when Jyushimatsu's voice pulled him out of it  :

- «  Hey Nii-san  ! Totty  ! Why do you have cucumbers on your eyes  ?     »

Osomatsu, Karamatsu and Todomatsu were laying on deckchairs, their faces smeared with a green cream and cucumbers on their eyes. They were only wearing a towel, their bodies plastered with monoi oil.

- «  Can I eat them  ?

- No Jyushimatsu-nii-san     ! It's a beauty treatment !

- Would my eyes be more beautiful if I put cucumbers on them  ?

- But why are you doing this now by the way ?  », Choromatsu asked.

- «  Your Onii-chan has a date with Ayane-chan, Fappy ! »

If he didn't have cucumbers on his eyes, he would surely wink at him. The other brothers couldn't hide their surprise :

- «  I can't believe this is really happening...

- I thought she realized what a bunch of losers we were and that she abandoned us.  », Ichimatsu confessed.

- «  In any case, me and Todomatsu have decided that we should prepare Osomatsu for this day. », Karamatsu explained.

- «  Understandable since he's a real ugly.  », Todomatsu confirmed.

- «  I have the same face as you. », Osomatsu retorted.

- « But you don't take care of it, unlike me.  »

Choromatsu jabbered something before going to get something to read, while Ichimatsu stared at Jyushimatsu.

- «  Hey Jyushimatsu.

- Yes Nii-san ?

- You okay ?  »

Jyushimatsu marked a pause for a moment during which he closed his mouth briefly before smiling  :

- «  Of course ! Why ? »

Ichimatsu thought that maybe this wasn't the time for that and Osomatsu was too busy daydreaming to pay any attention.

Whether it was for Osomatsu or Jyushimatsu, Ichimatsu hoped things wouldn't get out of hand.

Chapter Text

He was thirty minutes early. Since this date had been planned, that's all he had in mind, and his brothers seemed the same way.

If it weren't for them, he would have gone in his blue suit rather than what he was currently wearing. Karamatsu and Todomatsu working together to give him the best look could only create a good outcome on his outfit.

A shirt with blue strips, a brown jacket, red pants... and as the only jewelry, was a ring, which he wore as a necklace.

It was a gift from Karamatsu, which supposedly would bring him luck  :

«  With this ring, your charm will only increase, even if it could never reach mine.

_You mean I'm going to look as stupid as you  ? You can keep it  !  »

But he still took it, because in reality it gave him a bit more courage.

«  Don't screw this up, shitty eldest  !

_Good luck, Nii-san  !

_Call us after your date  !

_You can do it  !  »

His younger brothers cheered him on by waving around flags with the family emblem, Karamatsu even shed a little tear for the event.

By the time he reflected on all of that, not even five minutes went by, according to the clock that stood in front of him. He was even more anxious than ever. Oh no, and what if he began to sweat and smell bad  ? He needed to calm down but he didn't have anything to help him with that.

Maybe he should buy her a small gift  ? Or he shouldn't  ? Yes it was stupid  ! And moreover where would she put it  ? Aaah why did he left early, waiting was torture  !

She was in a very good mood. She wanted to look her best today, to bring out all her best features. She remembered that a few years ago she was still able to go out in a good mood and that was coming back, little by little.

Today wasn't a day like any others after all.

When Ayane arrived at the meeting place, Osomatsu was already there, waiting on a bench. He was smiling but looked stressed.

The truth is, Osomatsu was still expecting to be stood up. Or that something would go wrong at least. He couldn't help it, it just was the way things tended to turn out usually.

So the fact that Ayane actually showed up erased his first fears. He got up at once and walked over to her  :

«  Ayane-chan  !! Hi  !  »

She was so cute  !! And... wait, was it just him or her chest looked bigger  ?

«  Did you arrive early  ? How long have you been waiting  ?

_Haha something like 30 minutes  ?

_You didn't have to come so early.  », she said, smiling at him.

Ayane wasn't used to seeing Osomatsu in another outfit other than his red sweatshirt. He looked elegant without overdoing it and it suited him.

«  You look charming dressed like that.  »

Osomatsu looked at her with astonishment and pointed to himself  :

«  ...me  ?

_Of course. Who else  ?  »

Osomatsu didn't know what to say and settled for laughing a bit stupidly while rubbing his nose.

«  Let's go to the park  ! I'm sure we'll have tons of fun  !

_Haha yes the park  !  »

He was so happy he forgot the reason for their date but the idea of having fun with her all day long made him eager to reach the park.

They rode the bus peacefully, having found free seats. Osomatsu was extremely happy just being able to take the bus with her, and to think they were going to spend the whole day together  ! Whether it was this morning or right now, he couldn't believe it.

«  What are you thinking about, Osomatsu-kun  ?  »

And she was smiling at him too  !!

«  No-... thing special.  »

He rubbed the back of his head saying this and started laughing stupidly to hide his complete    embarrassment, which was still obvious anyway.

«  There will also be a parade at the amusement park tonight, would you like us to stay to watch it  ?

_Of course  !!  »

She nodded, obviously she was really glad to be here too even if this was just to thank him originally.

In Fujio Park, there were a large number of visitors. There was a constant hubbub with people talking, looking for what attraction to ride or where to eat, or were simply wandering around to relax. The weather was warm, but they figured that after a while they might have to take off their jackets.

Ayane asked Osomatsu  :

«  What would you want to do first, Osomatsu-kun?

_What to do huh  ? There are so many options it's hard to choose. So I'll let you decide first  !

_Ah  ? Well then, why not the haunted house?  »

An icy chill ran through Osomatsu.

«  The haunted house  ?

_Are you scared  of it?

_Huh what  ?! We are in an amusement park, it can't be scary  !  »

It was a Gothic style mansion with graves in the garden which was obviously full of weirdly shaped trees. Typical. Kids stuff. Not gonna scare him.

«  Ayane-chan, do you like horror movies  ?

_They're rather funny.

_What do you mean funny  ?  »

It seemed that his fantasy of Ayane huddled in his arms due to a horror movie will only remain a fantasy.

«  Sometimes the characters die in a stupid manner. You know like in final destination  ?

_Haha yeah  ! You've watched them  all ?  »

Talking about something else made Osomatsu forget where they were heading for a while but the loud sound of the door slamming shut behind them brought him back to reality.

They were now in total darkness. A women's cry echoed making him jump and grab hold of Ayane.

«  Is everything alright, Osomatsu-kun  ?

_Yes  ! Don't worry  !!  »

Everything wasn't alright.

Without warning the platform they were standing on began to descend, as the light slowly came back.

«  The attraction itself must be downstairs.  »

But Osomatsu was way too scared to reply. Being locked up in a mansion where someone just screamed reminded him too much of that time when Chibita had chased them down in their house before punishing them with extra strong mustard.

Once the light returned and the platform was fully down, Osomatsu put some distance between him and Ayane again but found himself frozen on the ground while the crowd, Ayane included, started to walk.

She was going to talk to him but noticed he had stayed behind. So she came to his rescue  :

«  Everything's good  ?

_Yes perfectly!  »

It was extremely obvious he was terrified.

Ayane lightly laughed before reaching out to him:

«  Don't be afraid. I'll protect you.  »

...

Was it just him or did Ayane seem really cool saying this  ?

Later he was holding her hand, blushing and eyes closed shut, extremely embarrassed.

«  It reminds me, back in high school we organized a haunted house too.

_Oh  ?  », Osomatsu said, eyes still closed and relying solely on Ayane guiding him to move forward.

 _ It was so much fun  ! The visitors' frightened faces were excellent. I must still have pictures.

_Ah  ?  »

He wasn't really expecting this, she was so sweet and fragile in his eyes.

«  I remember one time I accidentally hit one of the haunted house's performers.

_Don't hesitate doing it again here...

_I told you I would protect you, right  ?  »

They chuckled but Osomatsu really felt lucky she was there to hold his hand.

«  Osomatsu, you can open your eyes now.

_They were open  ! I swear.

_So why did you keep on holding on to me  ?

_So you could keep your promise to protect me.

_Ah  ?  »

They were outside of the hauted house now, which made way to another activity.

«  Well since you were scared of the haunted house, you are the one choosing the next ride.

 _The roller coaster  !!

_Ok, let me just put my glasses in my bag.  »

In the queue, Osomatsu was bursting with impatience. Being surrounded by so many people as well as having an excited Osomatsu by her side, quickly raised the temperature. Ayane had to get rid of her sweater, which revealed something that Osomatsu usually overlooked  : a rather generous chest.

After breathing out and waving her hand to get a bit of wind, Ayane noticed Osomatsu had stopped moving. When she looked at him, he glanced in the opposite direction.

«  I guess you don't want to take a look  ?  »

Osomatsu was still surprised that Ayane wasn't as shy as she seemed. But even if she seemed at ease, he knew himself enough to know that if he paid too much attention to her chest he will say something stupid or potentially annoying...

It was crazy how much effort he had to make in her presence. Oh well. All he wished for was her comfort after all.

«  I didn't see anything.  »

But when it was their turn to ride on the roller coaster, all his attention turned on said attraction and nothing else anyway. During the ride, they were too busy screaming while clinging to their seat belts, an invigorating activity.

After a few comments about the attraction, Osomatsu noticed an ice cream stand and asked Ayane if she wanted any, which she accepted. She took out her wallet to give him enough to pay for it.

«  Hm  ? We could just both pay.

_No, I'm the one inviting you today. Take the money.  »

«  Take the money  » wasn't something he usually turned down. He still paid with it and just thought to himself that he was going to pay her back later in another way.

They sat on a bench, enjoying the cold sweetness. Since they brought up the topic earlier,    Ayane wanted to know more about Osomatsu's high school days.

«  Did you do anything special at your high school's cultural festival  ?

_I've...  »

And he remembered his last year when the class organized a crossdressing café. He found himself dressed up as a maid.

«  No, nothing special.

_Then why are you blushing  ?

_I'm not  !

_Huhu, alright don't tell me if you don't want to. I'll ask your brothers-

_DON'T ASK THEM  !  »

Ayane laughed seeing how easy it was to embarrass Osomatsu. He really was adorable. She couldn't help touching his cheek with the tip of her index finger.

«  What are you doing  ? Don't treat me like a kid- OH  !!  »

Osomatsu's attention was diverted by one of the park mascots who had balloons and was handing them out to children.

«  Do you want a balloon  ?

_I need to finish my ice cream first.

_You're going to make a mess, give it to me.

_You aren't going to eat it while i'm gone, huh  ?

_If you don't hurry I might.

_HEY  !  »

Osomatsu hurried to the mascot who gave him a balloon without commenting on his age. Surely because in reality, they mistook him for a teenager.

_«  There I am  ! Oh did you want one  by the way  ?

_No, it's alright. We already rode the roller coaster, but if we ever go on the same kind of ride, what are going to do with the balloon  ?

_I'll hold it, that's all. What do you want to do next, Ayane-chan  ?

_I'll let you choose.

_Again  ? Awesome. What about the go-karts  ?

_Even with the balloon  ?

_I'll hang it on the car, we'll be the only ones with style on the race track  !  »

Ayane agreed and after finishing their ice creams, they headed towards the race track. Many children had made the same decision and were pulling their parents in the same direction. Ayane said  :

«  We have a lot of adversaries to play against.

_We will win anyway, leave it to me  ! I'm not a charismatic legend for nothing.

_Charismatic legend  ?

_You don't think so  ?  »

Osomatsu winked.

«  What do you mean, a kart per participant  ?

_You are an adult, you couldn't fit both in one kart anyway.  »

The attraction supervisor was clear, they will have to compete against each other on the race track. As Osomatsu was balking, Ayane whispered in his ear  :

«  Don't disappoint me, loser.  »

He turned around at once as she got in her kart.

«  It's what you think  ! The last time I raced in a go-kart I won, and against everyone. I'll make you swallow your words, dear lady  !  »

And he jumped into another kart. The children left as soon as they were seated but Ayane and Osomatsu were still staring each other down. Osomatsu said  :

«  We start on the count of three.

_Are we doing three laps like in Mario Kart  ?

_Yeah  !

_Ok  ! You count.  », Ayane replied.

_One... two-  »

And Ayane blasted off on two.

«  YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS  !  »

Osomatsu stepped on the gas while Ayane was making a head start that seemed to become increasingly difficult to catch up. A red shell would have solved the problem a while ago but it wasn't allowed in this race close to reality.

What was there left as an option besides stepping on the gas  ?

Yes  : very few options.

Thankfully, they weren't alone on the track and the presence of children forced Ayane to dodge them. She checked her progression by looking behind her where Osomatsu was, but when she faced the road again she had to brake or she would have collided with someone else.

That and in addition, she had to reposition herself which made her lose a few seconds which brought Osomatsu dangerously close to her. Even while speeding up he was catching up to her  !

Soon they were neck to neck on a straight line which separated them from the finish line. Nothing could predict who will be the winner. And crossing the finish line didn't indicate which one it was.

Osomatsu exclaimed  :

«  I won  !

_No, I overtook you by a hair.

_What hair  ?! Sorry but this time I win.  », Osomatsu proudly declared.

_Impossible, you're too Osoi.

_Osoi  ?! You know, Japanese jokes don't really work in another language.

_By the way, the balloon.

_What about it  ?

_It's flying away.  »

If the bear-shaped balloon had miraculously survived the shocks, it didn't prevent it from giving in and making an attempt to fly away, which they were both witnessing. Osomatsu didn't admit defeat and ran up to the kart he then used as a springboard to catch it midair.

Before crashing down on the floor.

«  Stop removing the compress from your nose, it worsen the bleeding.  »

To those words, she gave him another compress to put in his nostril. When they had announced that a child got hurt, a small emergency team joined them on the track. Even if Osomatsu turned out to be an adult, the nurses gave him the necessities to help stop the nose bleeding that his sudden fall had caused.

«  From what I know, you find yourself in those kind of situations a lot, right  ?

_Haha yeah... except usually nobody is here to patch me up so I'm rather lucky this time around  !  »

Ayane-chan was so kind to him, it warmed his heart. They had a great time... now he was thinking about it, what time was it  ? He asked Ayane who checked her watch  :

«  We still have time to go to one or two attractions before the parade.

_So what are we waiting for  ?

_For your nose to stop bleeding.

_Ah yes, right... we could just walk around a bit.

_Of course.  »

Osomatsu and Ayane found themselves stolling around side by side, enjoying the warm weather. People were chattering and screams from the rides could still be heard in the distance.    Ayane thought about a more popular park which had conquered the whole world and spoke to Osomatsu  :

«  Have you ever gone to Disneyland  ?

_Hm nah. And you  ?

_Me neither.

_Oh what's your favorite Disney movie  ?

_Brother Bear. And you  ?

_Snow White. By the way it reminds me, Karamatsu loves Disney movies, they make him cry, that's hilarious.

_Haha we should watch some movies together when I come to your place.

_Of course, whenever you want  !

_I'd also like to watch idol animes with Choromatsu-kun.

_Hm of course.

_You know, we should also take this opportunity to all go out together with everyone, it would be nice, right  ? »

Osomatsu couldn't help but worry a bit about how she perceived him. Now that she got along with his brothers, was she seeing him as an extension of his brothers  ?

And he remembered what his mother told him about that. That she probably wasn't looking for a relationship. And anyway, he said himself that he wouldn't do anything.

So whatever she thought of him, it didn't change anything, right  ?

«  Osomatsu-kun  ?

_Huh what  ?

_Do you think we should all go out together next time  ?

_Oh yeah sure, that'd be cool.  »

Suddenly a microphone sound was heard throughout the park  :

«  The Fujio Parade will soon begin  ! Please come closer to the center of the park to see it  !  »

Osomatsu and Ayane exchanged glances after noticing the speed at which people were heading in the same direction. They held hands once again in mutual agreement before walking faster to finally start running. Adrenaline rushed through their blood vessels as they were doing their best to double up on parents and their children. The night was already looming and Osomatsu felt so good that his nose was no longer hurting.

They arrived in front of the barriers which separated the parade from the pedestrian zone. The sound of the crowd approaching almost as fast could be heard despite the fact they were in the front row. Ayane noticed that Osomatsu hadn't let go of his balloon  :

«  You impress me  !

_Haha thanks... but my feet hurt so bad now.

_I can still try carrying you.

_No, you've stolen the role of Prince Charming from me enough for today.  »

And they laughed. The parade still took a few more minutes to start.

And during all this time neither of them thought of putting their hands back into their pockets. They forgot where they were, engrossed by the parade. The big floats were passing by, filled with wonders for the young and the old, the mascots waved at the crowd and the children as well as some adults waved back at them.

All that was left were the music and the cascade of sparkling colors.

A thought crossed    Ayane's mind. Especially to lean more on Osomatsu's arm. She looked at him, who was too busy watching the parade.

And there, she thought to herself.

That surely.

She already was in love with him.

Falling in love... it was strangely simple actually.

Like when watching a parade and the most beautiful thing isn't in front of you but by your side.

Chapter Text

Osomatsu was gleefully scampering back home, while humming a melody. He had never been this happy in his life, he was sure of it. It was a date ! Date ! His first real date ! With the girl he likes !! How could he not be happy ?!

Still over the moon, he finally reached his house and took off his shoes before getting back inside. And without any warning, he found himself in complete darkness. He soon realized why it was, considering the rush of hands hauling him to who knows where.

« HEY GUYS ARE YOU SERIOUS ?! RELEASE YOUR NII-CHAN !! »

He didn't think they were listening to him when they decided to throw him in the living room. All his brothers were now gathered around him with a serious look. Osomatsu was too taken aback to know what to say, but he still tried :

« Huh... what d'you want ?

_The date.

_Yes ?

_How did it go ? »

Osomatsu looked at each one of them, one after the other, before replying and showing them his thumb up.

«  A complete victory ! »

And they cried out a victorious scream all together.

«  I'm so happy that you restrained yourself from acting gross, Osomatsu !

_Haha thanks, Karamatsu, you really do love your Nii-chan eh ?

I_'m taking back my ring. », Karamatsu replied while taking it off the eldest's neck.

«  Do I tell you how it went, huh ?! I'm gonna tell you  !!  »

«  So, how was it ? »

Three days later, it was in the park that Ayane had decided to invite Tsubaki and Aiko to talk about her date.

Ayane was like a sunbeam, very different from the last time they've met each other. This was already enough to put them in a good mood and they gladly listened to Ayane's story about the day she had spent with Osomatsu.

«  I want to confess honestly...

_Confess ? Are you not going to wait for him to do it ? », Aiko asked.

«  No... I already have a plan in mind.

_... a plan  ? »

Suddenly the light on Ayane's glasses lenses made her eyes impossible to be seen.

« Yes... because I've already planned WHERE and WHEN I'm going to confess. And I need your help, girls. »

And the two best friends nodded.

The perfect opportunity to confess presented itself to Ayane in the form of a fireworks festival. Was it summer already ? How time flies.

An evening spent together playing... food stands... then fireworks, wasn't it just exciting?

Blushing and smiling, it was an adorable Ayane that Tsubaki and Aiko were witnessing. The former then said :

«  I'm free this day. Are you too, Aiko ?

_Yes, this would be great if we went together. I assume Matsuno-san will come with his family ?

_I need to ask him out first, but I think he will     ? He's rather family oriented. »

«  Quite the opposite of you then.  », she heard a voice say in her mind.

But she ignored it.

«  I'm going to go through his brother, wait a second...

_He doesn't have a phone...  ? », Aiko inquired.

«  Seems like it.  », Ayane simply replied.

Aiko glanced at Tsubaki who seemed as surprised as she was but didn't know what to do besides shrugging.

«  Ayane... you are okay, right  ? »

A small silence took place between them before Ayane resumed while smiling :

«  Yes, I'm alright. Thanks for always worrying about me, Ai-chan.

_... don't call me that... », Aiko mumbled, diverting her gaze and turning red.

« Hehe ! », Ayane chuckled.

« Ai-chan is just very protective, isn't she ? » Tsubaki added.

« Oh not you too, Tsubaki  !

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

You haven't met Osomatsu-kun yet. I'm sure you will like him more afterwards. Which makes the festival even more important in fact  !  »

After that the discussion shifted progressively to what they were going to wear for this day.

«  Brother ?

_Yeah, Karamatsu ?

_Your ladylove is on the phone~

_OH !

_Tell her I say hello- ah, he's alreay gone.

_Ayaneeee !  », Osomatsu almost shouted on the phone, in the entrance of the house.

_Good evening Osomatsu-kun !

_I've missed you ! How are you ? »

Osomatsu was rubbing his nose while displaying a wide toothy grin. He couldn't be any less obvious about his feelings. Karamatsu was watching him, smiling, when Todomatsu said :

« They're flirting now, right  ?

_Yes, my brother. They're flirting.

_As long as they don't use my phone...     », Todomatsu sighed.

«  C'mon Totty, aren't you happy for Aniki  ?

_I also want someone to hold my hand...

_What nonsense  ! You've already done that enough times before, right ?

_Hey speaking of which, why isn't he getting thrown out of the show  ?

_Now Totty, if we had thrown him out, the fanfiction would have never reached 13 chapters  !  », Karamatsu kindly explained, «  But in the context of the show, we need to keep the status quo.

_I... Karamatsu  ?! Don't break the 4^th wall like that !! »

Behind them, Osomatsu could be heard letting out a cry of joy.

«  TANABATA  ! TANABATA ! CAN'T WAIT FOR TANABATA !

_We're going to the Tanabata Festival with Ayane ? », Choromatsu asked.

«  HAHA  ! YEAH ! Oh and her friends are coming along. », Osomatsu specified.

« ... FRIENDS  ?!

_What are their names again...  ? Tsubaki and Aiko I think- »

Two pairs of hands started to shake him before he could finish his sentence :

« How many are they going to be  ?! Are they pretty ?!

_I don't know, Ayane-chan only talks about them sometimes.

_I can't wait to be there  !  », Choromatsu exclaimed.

«  Tsubaki and Aiko  ? Gorgeous names.  », Karamatsu reflected.

Osomatsu couldn't help thinking about how pathetic they probably were in the eyes of normal people.

And while Ayane's absence had still a strong presence in the Matsuno household, the prospect of meeting with her again managed to put Osomatsu in a general good mood until the D-day. This day, he wasn't the only one to be dressed up to the nines. While everyone had opted for yukatas in their respective favorite color, they wore them in a darker tone as to bring out a more mature look, which didn't really match their true selves.

Of course the parents were coming along but they were unaware of the presence of the young women who would soon join them.

«  Don't you think I've had little appearance ? »

The family father suddenly asked this question to his wife.

«  We don't really appear much already in the anime but in this fic... it's even worse.

Oh look honey, it's Ayane and she's with her friends  !

Are you ignoring me too, Matsuyo ?!  »

The focus was redirected towards the newcomers. The young woman who was at least a head taller than her friends directly attracted the attention. She had dark skin, curly black hair and beautiful golden eyes. She smiled with ease, wearing a yukata matching her eyes color. Beside her, smaller and slender, was another young woman with blond hair and some ribbons who seems a bit more tense but still looked adorable, which resulted in cartoon worthy reactions from some of them. She had red eyes but it only gave her more charm.

Even though Ayane wasn't left out either, Osomatsu was the only one to truly take a good look at her. Her, in her elegant pale purple yukata and her hair put into a bun. She had a splendid flower comb which was holding her hairstyle up.

«  Good evening everyone !

_Ayane  !  » Matsuyo greeted her, waving her hand. «     So, who are your friends ?

_Tsubaki-

_OH MY QUEEN  !  »

All eyes fell on Karamatsu, who had taken Tsubaki's hand, the latter too shocked to react. Choromatsu and Todomatsu frowned :

«  Karamatsu...

_Oh pardon me. That's not what I meant to say. »

He took off his sunglasses (because of course he was wearing sunglasses), revealing his sparkling bishonen eyes and put on a charming smile.

«  I meant to say... OH  ! MY GODDESS  !  »

A silence settled. Todomatsu sighed and Choromatsu attempted an approach :

«  Huh  ! I'm sorry miss  ! Don't pay attention to him-

_Haha...  »

Tsubaki had her other hand up to hide her lips and it seemed that she was... smiling.

«  Really ? A goddess ?

_Erm-... yes yes  ! Of course  ! It's your golden eyes. Miss, you are charming.  »

Nobody knew how to react to the fact that Karamatsu's words didn't put her off.

The other brothers looked at Osomatsu and Ayane who were already in their own little world and thought to themselves that if a girl was able to stand Osomatsu, why not also Karamatsu while we were at it  ?

Ayane paid attention to them again  :

« And this is Aiko  !  »

Aiko who was sighing was all of a sudden taken by surprise by the crowd of young men who were looking at her with eyes full of stars.

«  Good evening.

_Good evening Aiko-san  !  », they replied in chorus.

_Yuck.  », she retorted.

Ayane laughed  :

«  I see that you're popular.

8Tsk. Shouldn't we go now  ? It would be a shame to just stay here with all there is to do.  »

And so they began to wander in the festival while more and more people started to flock in the same spot.

«  Hey look it's the shooting stand !  »

Osomatsu grabbed Ayane's hand without thinking and she followed him to the stand without realizing that the others didn't notice their absence, leaving them by themselves.

Chapter Text

- «  Hey  ! Is this game rigged or what  ? I can't do it  !

- Your aim is just bad.

- Ayane-chan  ?! Of course my aim is good. Who do you think I am  ?

- Your plan to impress your girlfriend has failed, kid.     », the stand keeper said in a cackle.

- «  G-girlfriend  ?  », Osomatsu stammered.

- «  Let me try.  »

Ayane did nothing to deny what the man had said, which surprised Osomatsu: it was the first thing a girl would have done.

Yeah well... Ayane wasn't just any girl either. Ayane was special... and for this reason, he didn't deny it either.

It puzzled him more than he imagined it would.

-  «  I can't believe you've won ! And not me  !

- Talent, Osomatsu-kun. Either you have or you don't.  », Ayane smiled.

Osomatsu was holding the prize Ayane had won: a huge white teddy bear plush with a red ribbon. He was a bit jealous, he admitted to himself. Initially, he wanted to be the one to win the plush and to offer it to Ayane, but she had won this prize all on her own.

- «  Hehe, you are really cool, Ayane-chan.

- Thank you.  »

They were silent for some minutes, with only the sound of their footsteps. Ayane attempted to start the conversation again before Osomatsu remarked:

- «  We've lost the others, it seems.

- Yes-

- That's good, they surely would have made fun of me for messing up !

- ... I was wondering-

- Oh look Ayane-chan  !! Choco bananas  ! You want some  ?  »

After purchasing some chocolate covered bananas...

- «  We should just meet them back again at the fireworks  !

- Yeah  !  », Osomatsu replied, moments before devouring the banana he bought.

- «... so I was wondering-  », Ayane tried again.

- «  OH AYANE-CHAN  ! CARAMEL APPLES  !  »

And once the caramel coated apples were bought, Osomatsu gleefully chuckled:

-     «  Hehe, chocolate banana or caramel apple, which one am I gonna eat first  ?  »

Evidently, now wasn't the right time for that, she thought, sighing. Without any warning, someone almost bumped into her but Osomatsu moved her out of the way by holding her by the hand.

- «  Watch out Ayane-chan  !

- Oh thanks.

- No problem  !  »

And he smiled again.

«  I LOVE YOU  !  »

Was what Ayane yelled in the privacy of her own thoughts. And to take her by the hand like that on top of it  !

Well, that's right, he's been doing it out of habit ever since their first meeting. She was also used to it by now, in a way.

- «  Osomatsu-kun  ?

- Hm  ?

- Can I have the caramel apple  ?

- What  ? You should've gotten one when you were still at the stand  ! »

Oh no, now she was looking at him with big sad eyes. Too cute  ! It was annoying  !

- «  Alright...

- Thank you~  !  »

She grinned and crunched on the apple. The part where Osomatsu had munched on earlier.

He really was a big virgin to be shaken by something like that.

But honestly he was super glad to be with her again. She seemed all cheery, with her beaming smile and flushed cheeks. She truly was adorable  !

Okay, he had regained his energy. He had to win something today  ! Wasn't he the legendary Osomatsu  ?

- «  Why do I keep losing  ?!

- You really don't have much luck tonight, it seems.  », Ayane still teased him while holding his white teddy bear.

- «... luck you say  ? Reminds me of something Ichimatsu was talking about the other day...     »

Maybe he couldn't win anything tonight because he was with her, some kind of «  punishment  ». But then again, from what he knew, he also kept getting punished without any real «  blessing » to follow suit anyway, so it really was a rare case.

They sat down on a bench and Ayane suggested that they ate their snacks. They were then a bit withdrawn.

Ayane was biting her apple and Osomatsu his banana. Silently.

Ayane finally spoke out  :

-     «  Isn't it nice  ?

- «  Sure is  ! Do we really have to meet up with the others  ?

- No, we don't. »

... he was just joking.

... Ayane seemed a bit peculiar this evening, didn't she  ?

It almost seems like...

No way  ! Haha. No way that could happen, right ?

She thought about why she wanted to confess.

He had a wonderful smile. An adorable laugh. And she was witnessing it all now.

While they were going from stands to stands, she thought to herself that she wished to keep him close to her.

As they were walking, she softly called out to him by his name. Osomatsu turned to her, and it seemed he didn't notice the chocolate smudge he had at the corner of his lips. It made her giggle.

Her hand moved slowly towards his and-

- «  Oh you're hearing that  ?

- ... hearing what  ?

- I think a kid is cry- Hey  ! I was right  ! It's a lost child  ! »

Again  ? Oh well, she wasn't going to blame a kid for getting lost.

She followed Osomatsu who was now facing a tearful little girl.

- «  Hey hey  ! You okay  ?

- No  ! I'm crying  right now !  », the little one mumbled.

- «  Haha sorry, silly question  !

- Nii-chan... Nii-chan...

- Have you lost your big brother  ?

- Yes  !! »

And she began to sob louder. Osomatsu patted her on the head.

- «  Hey you know what  ? I'm a big brother too. So I'm not gonna let you down. I'm going to help you find him.  »

She was looking at him hesitantly now:

- «  But I'm not supposed to follow strangers...

- Haha, I know I have a weird face  ! But you know, if I'm scaring you, you can hold Ayane-chan's hand. Right, Ayane-chan  ?  »

She jolted a little when the little girl glanced at her.

- «  She is pretty, huh  ?

- Yes  !  », the little girl beamed.

Ayane tenderly smiled to the little one. Ayane moved closer towards her and gently took her hand, without forcing.

- «  You can also hold Osomatsu-kun's hand.

- Osomatsu-kun  ?  », the little girl asked.

- «  That is to say, me  !  », Osomatsu retorted, pointing at himself.

So she took his hand. They thought she was really cute with her mid-length curly hair, but especially with her beautiful very clear blue eyes. Osomatsu asked:

- «  What's your name  ?

- Hitomi  !

- So then Hitomi-chan, where have you last seen your brother  ?

- At the stand with the plushies  ! I stayed in front of it and Nii-chan continued to walk.

- He must have continued to move a bit more forward, he shouldn't be too far way.  », Ayane resumed.

They proceeded to move towards the direction Hitomi had indicated to them, and the latter then also asked:

- «  Ayane-chan, is he your boyfriend  ? »

Ayane blushed, and Osomatsu expected her to deny it but she merely laughed.

- «  So it's a yes  ?  »

She shrugged.

What was that  ? Like... is that some sort of way of saying she would like him to be her boyfriend  ?

Hahaha it had to be a joke, no way...

-     «  Hitomi! Hitomi  !  »

A panicked voice rang out through the crowd.

-     «  It's my big brother  ! »

They sped up their paces towards the direction of the voice to find themselves in front of a young man with white hair and blue eyes. Really beautiful, just like his little sister.

Hitomi ran up directly to him.

-     «  Nii-chan !

- Hitomi  ! I'm sorry I was lost in my thoughts. This is why I always have to hold your hand.

- No, I'm a big girl  !

- Not that big... either way it wasn't your fault, I should have been more careful.  »

He looked up at Ayane and Osomatsu.

- «     Did you find her ? Thank you for bringing her back to me !  »

He smiled at them. Osomatsu grinned while rubbing his nose.

- «  Haha, as a nii-san myself, I get it !

- Take care of yourselves  ! We wish you a great fireworks viewing !  », Ayane added.

The big brother bid them farewell one last time, Hitomi waved them goodbye and they left hand in hand. Osomatsu sighed:

- «  She was adorable...

- I agree.  »

They exchanged smiles, before then noticing something: everyone seemed to be heading to a specific direction...

They exclaimed:

- «  The fireworks  !  »

They started to walk to the same spot, but there were already a lot of people. What was certain was that there weren't going to be any seated place left.

And it looked like it was already starting too. Osomatsu began to swear.

- «  Aaaah...  ! Fuck  !  »

Ayane took his hand but with a bit more force than last time. She went in another direction without Osomatsu understanding why.

- «  Where are you taking me, Ayane-chan  ?

- It's a secret. »

He wondered what expression her face was displaying since it was hidden to him at this moment.

They found themselves in a place a bit withdrawn from the festival.

It was quieter here. But they had a great view on the fireworks spectacle. There were still a few people around, but not that many.

That said, Osomatsu's attention wasn't on the fireworks anymore.

- «  Ayane-chan  ?

- Osomatsu-kun... »

She turned to him.

She was smiling at him fondly.

And this simple smile was enough to freeze him in place.

She slowly got closer to him, took both his hands again and squeezed them in hers.

- « I have something to tell you.  »

He nodded, unable to utter a word.

Ah... this could only be a dream right  ? It looks like something out of a shojo... what's going to happen  ? What is she going to tell him  ?

That she wants him to help her to get closer to one of his brothers  ? Or that she has to leave to somewhere  ?

- «  Osomatsu... »

... leaving out the -kun  ?

- « I love you. »

...

- «  I love you so much.  »

...

-     «  Osomatsu  ?

- You love what  ?! »

Ayane started giggling:

-     «  But you of course  ! Who else  ?

- You... you're serious  ? You aren't getting the wrong brother  ?  »

He even glanced behind his back to make sure and when he looked back at her, Ayane placed her hand delicately on his cheek.

-     «  You're the one I love, Osomatsu Matsuno. »

Osomatsu's heart was beating too fast. He was all sheepish, not knowing what to do. He had been convinced that the day a pretty girl would confess to him, who was a legend in the cool attitude department, he would embrace her and kiss her and-

But the current situation was quite different because it wasn't just any pretty girl. It was Ayane. It was the girl he had stood up for, the one he had seen in tears, in the worst possible situation, and the one he only had tried to cheer up. It was her, who had improved her situation on her own, away from his eyes and who came back to him happier and more relaxed.

Was this really happening  ? To him  ?

Ayane realized that Osomatsu's brain must have shut off because when she waved her hand in front of his eyes, there was no reaction.

- «  Osomatsu-kun  ? »

What to do  ?

...

Oh.

Why not  ?

Suddenly Ayane moved even closer to him. It took her face being this close to his for him to snap out of it, helped by the fragrance of her perfume.

- «  Aya-  »

And hop.

A kiss.

On the cheek.

She asked him, still smiling:

- «  Are you back among us now  ?  »

She put her hand on his shoulder and realized that she didn't have any support. Osomatsu's body, as stiff as a pole, fell to the ground without further ado.

Of all the conclusions this evening could have had, Ayane didn't really see coming the fainting of the man she loved.

Chapter Text

Slowly, but surely, Osomatsu became conscious again.

He realized quickly that he was in the futon with his blue pajamas. His brothers were still asleep.

He laughed shyly.

"Of course… it could only be a dream..."

"Shh, shut up Osomatsu" whispered Choromatsu

" Nobody wants to hear about my dream ?"

He talked this loudly, : perfectly aware that it would wake up his brothers : it worked perfectly : once everyone awakens, they looked at him with annoyance.

" I dreamt that Ayane-chan confessed to me ! Crazy right ? "

He expected another reaction than the silence his brother were in. No, it was more like they were all watching him with coldness.

He rubbed his fingers and laughed.

" It would be so nice if it happened for real !"

…

" Go fuck yourself "

" Ichimacchan ?! Why are you so mean ? "

They all watched him with apparent disgust on their face.

Eh ?

Todomatsu started to talk, talking not to him but his brothers :

" Who tell him ?

" I refuse. I am too disgusted." Lamented Choromatsu

" I am so jealous !" Screamed Jyushimatsu,

_"What are you guys talking about ? We are in the same situation !

" Not anymore. "

It was Karamatsu.

" Brother… it wasn’t a dream."

"… what ? Stop joking around, Karamatsu ! It can only be a dream."

" Nope. Yesterday, Ayane-chan called us to tell us you fainted. And the reason why was because she confessed. "

Karamatsu wiped a tear as Ichimatsu patted him for the strength he needed to say that ;

" Are you serious, Karamatsu ?"

"If you keep it up, I am going to strangle you !" He menaced

"But..."

By seeing the way his brothers looked at him, Osomatsu became silent.

Wait, it was real ? It wasn’t a dream ?

Like seriously ? Like it was the truth ?

It was real ?

Todomatsu started to complain :

" When you think we had to get you home after…"

" So it’s real ?"

…

" Don’t make me repeat myself-hey, where are you going ?"

"Go seeing Ayane-chan ! "

Osomatsu sprinted in the stairs, took his shoes and sprinted right in the direction of Ayane’s house.

He ran like his life depended on it as people turned in his direction since he didn’t change off clothes.

Was it in the right direction, though ? But he knew well where she lived now, because of all the time he got her home.

He was exhausted, panting and transpiring. But he was there now. So he climbed the stairs and ringed at her door.

" Hm ? Who is it ?"

"It’s !! Osomatsu... "

Quickly, the woman of his heart showed up at the door.

" You’re up early !"

" We are in the middle of the afternoon." She said with a smile

" A-ah... "

She kept smiling with an affection he never noticed before.

"Ayane-chan…"

" Yes ?"

" … do you love me "

"Yes I do."

" Like… seriously ? Me? "

She just smiled and nodded.

"Me too… I love you."

He didn’t dare looking at her right in the eyes. It was really just like a dream. Even if she told him that she loved him first, he was scared that he’d be rejected if he opened his heart to her.

Ayane’s hand’s was on Osomatsu’s cheek as she made him look et her, so their gaze would cross.

She smiled again.

And this time, kissed his lips.

Osomatsu’s became all red again as she held Ayane, and when she was over, he hid his face on the crook of her neck.

« Are you already hugging me ? »

Osomatsu took a step back.

« I am sorry ! I didn’t think… I hope it didn’t bother you…

" I just kissed you !"

" Aaaah I know ! He said, vapor all around him"

She laughed kindly and kissed him again, on the cheek that time, and took his hand.

Finally, he found the courage to look at her and smile.

" There’s something I’d like to do since a while. "

" What is it ?"

He chuckled shyly while grating the back of his neck :

" I want to call you Aya-chan… since it’s cute… like you. "

She kissed him again ! He will die of happiness if it continues !

"In this case I should call him Oso-kun right ? Since it’s cute, like you."

"Do you think… I am cute ? "

" You need to get used to have more praise from now on."

" R-really ?!"

" You’re adorable. "

Osomatsu chuckled again, happy.

Then he remembered that he was still in pajama.

"I should change, right ? Aw shit, I didn’t even brush my teeth, it must stink."

"You have a little taste of takoyaki. You ate a lot yesterday, didn’t you ?"

"Really ?"

"Yeah, but if I had to chose, I’d rather mint."

" Haha… I am coming back home to change. Do you want us to get somewhere after like… the park ? "

She nodded positively.

He kissed her cheek.

" Then see you later ! "

He left as quickly as he came. Ayane closed the door to then touch her reddened cheeks.

" Oso-kun... "

It really fitted him.

Later, our lovebirds effectively met again. Facing her again, in his blue suit, he didn’t know what to say. So she took his hands to guide him.

" To the park, isn’t it ? "

She kept doing what he thought he’d do as a boyfriend. She was so calm. Maybe because she already had a boyfriend before? He couldn’t help but think that it was a bit unfair how easy it was for her…

But he didn’t have reason to complain ! They were really together now !

" I love holding your hands."

"Oh, really ?"

"Yeah, it reassures me. It’s like this since I know you. You may not have a job, but in my eyes, it surprises me that you never had anyone yet. "

He laughed a bit, because coming from someone else, it would definitely be a joke. She loved him though and was honest.

" Did you take your breakfast ? If not, we should go to the supermarket before to go to the park."

_" Yeah, good idea ! "

At this point, all he did is follow her around.

A picnic was improvised at the park.

They spent the whole day together.

It was really different from their date before. Since it was official now, after all.

But usually something always happened. What if…

" You look like you’re thinking about something else. Are you ok ?"

"Oh yeah ! It’s just…. I am thankful that you love me, Aya-chan."

"Thanks for loving me, Ayane."

Chapter Text

Since that day, Osomatsu felt like he lived in a dream. He had a girlfriend! AYANE was his girlfriend. And since that day, Osomatsu’s happiness became very quickly annoying to his brothers. In appearance nothing changed… except that Osomatsu was ALWAYS happy. He was as much as a disaster than usual but now even when he was being egotistic and insufferable to his poor younger brothers, he shined like the sun. Summer Kamen himself would hate his guts!

They didn’t have another date planned again since that day, but Osomatsu talked to her by the smartphone that he bought “helped” by Todomatsu after “asking him” for a little while (regular people would call this harassment) almost everyday. They were so in love it was gross.

Of course none of this disgust fell on Ayane who was still as welcome as usual to the Matsuno’s household. But seeing her so regularly with Osomatsu confused the unfortunate souls who knew the Matsuno Brothers. And so far, nobody could believe that someone mentally sane would give a chance to a good for nothing like Osomatsu.

But Osomatsu didn’t care, because Ayane was his girlfriend!

And today was one of the best days ever because they will finally have another date!

“Where?” asked Ichimatsu in a deadpan voice as all the other brothers ignored Osomatsu who screamed it to their face.

“Hehehe, you want to know, right? Well, I don’t know either! It’s a surprise!”

“Then don’t make us waste our time, shitty eldest!” Choromatsu intervened.

Osomatsu, still on a cloud of happiness, gave a thumbs up and said “Ok!” before leaving their common place.

“I was happy that Ayane-chan accepted to be with him at the beginning but really…” sighed Todomatsu.

“I want to kill him.” said Ichimatsu, straight up.

“Well, brothers, if he can get a girlfriend that means that we aren’t totally helpless, don’t you think? Let’s be positive, brothers!” explained Karamatsu.

“One of Ayane-chan friend likes you a bit too much, Karamatsu-nii-san…”

Silence fell on the room as Karamatsu visibly started to sweat. 

“W-well, brothers! I have my own things to do today-”

“YOU TOO, KARAMATSU?!”

“GET HIM!”

“WHY ME? OSOMATSU IS THE ONE WITH A GIRLFRIEND- AAAAAAARGH”

Osomatsu ignored the screams of his brother like he is used to as he walked with enthusiasm toward the place Ayane chose for their date. This time he was wearing his sky blue costume, too excited to really think about what to wear.

Ayane was as beautiful as usual and he wanted to hold her, too. But he always kept in mind that she may not want to be touched anymore. That’s ok though. Just being her boyfriend made him happy.

“So so! Where are we going?!”

“It’s a surprise!” she smiled and took his hand, “let me lead the way!”

It reminded him of their date at the amusement park. It’s true that Ayane led the way most of the time, too. He wondered, for a moment, if it would be ok if he did. But he stopped to think about that quickly because he wanted to enjoy the day, not get worked up over such things.

They walked hand in hand. It made him happy. She was smiling. She was happy too. What more does he need?

After a walk, Ayane came into a building. Osomatsu gasped seeing what was inside:

Mangas! And a lot of them! There were even goodies!

“Is it a manga coffee?!” he finally asked.

“You guessed right !” she replied, smiling even more.

“Oh!! For once I won’t have to take Choromatsu’s, haha!”

“I used to go there when I was in high school. Let me just pay for us to stay.”

Osomatsu felt like a child in a toy store. He immediately searched for one of the manga Choromatsu lent him so he would know what happened in the volume Choromatsu didn’t have. Hehe, maybe he could use it to blackmail him somehow…M

Ayane came back and sat at his side.

“What are you going to read, Oso-kun?”

At this moment Osomatsu became self conscious of how the cover of the manga he was reading had the heroine almost naked. He quickly hid it away and took something at the side of it.

“Oh, huh, this one?”

It was a romantic shojo manga.

“Oh! It’s a classic! I remember crying about it with Aika and Tsubaki when it was still ongoing.”

Haha, he’s lucky she hadn’t seen the other one…

...yeah. He better try something less…. Revealing today. He guessed he could always wait for Choromatsu to actually read the manga so he got to read it later.

Now he was more intrigued about what Ayane meant by crying about this manga when she was younger.

“I don’t say it’s a classic for no reason! The male lead is popular but still so kind and refreshing, so of course a lot of girls were into him and they established the rule that they would all share him! Strange, right? And the heroine also had to face a love rival… Oh, I won’t tell you everything! You should read it for yourself. Or we could even watch the anime together!”

Osomatsu immediately accepted the idea as Ayane checked the other manga close to where he was.

“Maybe you should get a manga which hasn't been animated yet?”

“Like what?” asked Osomatsu, tilting his head.

Ayane chuckled at his involuntary move.

“Well, what kind of things do you like?”

“Huh… oh, action!! I love manga and anime with big fights!  Oh, like that one anime where they use the hamon and then stand! One of the protagonists and Jyushimatsu literally have the same voice!”

“What do you mean by the same voice?”

“Well, they have the same guy voicing them!”

“Don’t break the fourth wall so casually, Oso-kun!”

“And you, Aya-chan? What do you like?”

“I like musical anime! Remember this song at the karaoke? It was in the anime love live. I find it easier to like fictional idols rather than real ones. Oh, I also like the ones about sports, too! I like anime where the characters are passionate in general.”

Osomatsu watched her talking about what she likes with a smile. She was shining so brightly. Because she was a treasure.

He was really happy. Really, really happy.

But maybe, he was just a little… just a little… worried?

He shouldn’t dwell on that.

She loved him.

What more does he need ?