Its been two weeks since Choromatsu asked Ichimatsu to switch places in the futon. As he initially thought, Osomatsu was upset at this change, skeptical, but there was nothing he could do.

There was nothing he could've done, that anyone could've done, because they all felt guilty. When someone feels guilty about a certain helpless situations inflicted on someone, its hard for them to say no about certain things, they feel obliged and guilt tripped as if 'its the least they can do' type of ordeal. Choromatsu clearly knew this, he's witnessed and done its perfect works. He didn't feel bad about it, not in the slighest. Why should he?

They should feel guilty, they are down right horrible people. Choromatsu didn't ask for this, he didn't deserve this. Yet none of his brothers bothered to defend him, to help him, to just be there for him. He knew they were awful to begin with, but this was just another level.

Well, it didn't matter. Two weeks was enough time. Even if someone got suspicious, they wouldn't approach him so early and soon as two weeks. Besides, it's not like anything really changed that would make them question him. Choromatsu still spent most of his time in his room writing. Except this time, he was writing with a purpose. He was writing about his situation, his feelings, to his brothers. If anything, this was courteous of him. Choromatsu didn't have to write anything to them! Not after all they've forced him to put up with, with these stupid rules, this stupid house, with their bullshit. But he did anyway, because he's at least a decent fucking person.

The perks of having to sleep next to Osomatsu for half of his life, is Choromatsu knew exactly when Osomatsu slept, any physical cues that could tell Choromatsu he was out like a light. Even with the two brothers now inbetween them, Choromatsu could still tell. Of course he couldn't do anything as soon as this change was made, Osomatsu would obviously be cautious and suspicious, all Choromatsu had to do was be patient. A lesson he learned from none other but his brother dearest.

Soon enough, he noticed Osomatsu sleeping soundly like the rest of his brothers. Perfect.

Another rule of his household, was once the day ended, they all had to give their keys to Osomatsu, since they surprisingly trusted him the most with this task, so he could lock them in a box. Funny, locking keys in a box that needs a key just so they know for sure Choromatsu wouldn't try to get out while everyone slept by taking their keys. Such great lengths they got for this. Choromatsu has honestly never seen his entire family be so dedicated, so committed, so despreate. They act as if once Choromatsu gets out the house, it'll be the literal end of the world and they were the 'protectors', the only people who could prevent it to the best of their abilities by making Choromatsu suffer and drive him to his limit.

He couldn't tell if they just assumed Choromatsu could handle this situation or if they literally wanted to mentally torture him for nothing more but their own satisfaction.

Everything was in place. His writings, the clothes he wore - which was his flannel, and what he'd take. If you asked him to choose between living in the streets homeless with no food, money, or a roof over his head but a low paying job surrounded by strangers or live the rest of his life in the same house with the same people as he didnt have to worry about food or bills, without a doubt or second thought, he'd choose the first option. No hesitation. People who chose the second don't know how awful it is, how excruciating and hopeless it feels.

It was morning, around 11 AM. No one was up, it was a Sunday, of course no one would be, it didn't work that way in this house. He's been in here long enough to learn that. It might seem risky, but this was the only time he could leave as he finally found the key after searching sleepless nights. If Osomatsu wasn't here, there is no way he'd ever get his hands on any key.

Choromatsu was too weak to really do any harm to the doors and if he tried to use some sort of object it would be too loud. He was never fully alone in this house, so that'll never work.

This is it. The key was getting warm in his clammy hands. This is what he's been wanting, what he needs, why is he even hesitating?

With that, Choromatsu approached the door. Normally he'd put his shoes on that were already patiently waiting with the rest of the shoes, but since this entire thing started, they simply got rid of them. Choromatsu wouldn't ever have to use them in the future if he was never going to leave right? Well, it didn't matter. Barefoot it was.

There was no need for Choromatsu to take anything like a backpack, just knowing he'd be able to live outside was enough. Simple important things in his pocket were enough.

With that, he got the key and positioned it to the keyhole, pushing it in, and turning it. There was a click, a click he's slightly heard each day someone left. Now it felt loud as ever, as if that single click echoed throughout the house.

The door was slid open.

Choromatsu was hit with cold wind but a bright blinding light. At the same time, it was almost like his life flashed before his eyes. Everytime he's left through this door so freely.

When Todomatsu told them about their 'brother ranking' and his two older brothers wanting to know what they were. When it was New Years and he sent those new years cards as his brothers freaked out and begged, at least in his mind, not to. When it was Valentine's day and they all awkwardly waited outside for chocolate. When they were running away from Chibita after he went rogue. When he was the one chosen to refill the kerosene, chosen by Jyushimatsu.

When he got a job and moved away.

He found himself with tears at the corner of his eyes. Why is he thinking of these things? Why did things have to change? He just wanted things to be normal. To how they were before, when he could walk out this door anytime he wanted alone or with any of his brothers, with all of them. When even if he felt like a failure after a long day of 'job' hunting or doing something he thought was productice but knew it wasn't, he knew his brothers would understand and he was in the same place as them, they all were.

Choromatsu took a step out the floor of the house into what seemed like burning cement. He had his arm up to try and cover the bright sun. He doesn't remember it being so...vibrant and scorching. This would've been a perfect day because of the mix of cold and warm weather, but all it felt to him was overwhelming sensations.

He was feeling lightheaded, his legs felt like jello and his vision was horrible despite the glasses he was wearing, not even able to see exactly was in front of him except a messed up building, the cement, and light. Nausea took over along with a ring in his ears. His entire body fely hot, sweaty, suffocating. This was bad, very bad. He was right there! He is there! He hasn't been outside for a long time but it shouldn't do this to his body! Sure it was weak due to lack of sun its gotten, the lack of fresh air and doing something as simple as walking, but this shouldn't be happening!

Choromatsu couldn't help but let his tears shed, tears of defeat, of helplessness. Just a couple more steps and he could've made it, but as soon as he tried to move his other foot, he tripped on air. It felt so slow. So so slow. His vision darkened and his thoughts becoming empty as he fell. The last thing he saw the bright blue sky and the blinding light before it was consumed by darkness.

...

When Choromatsu woke up, he was laying on material that was all too familiar and something cold and heavy on his forehead.

He failed, huh?

Well...its not like Choromatsu thought it would be a guaranteed escape, which left his back up plan in case he did fail, because he always fails.

There was no noise, not even thoughts in his head. Instead, his body was on autopilot, sitting himself up making the weight on his forehead disappear as he put his hand into his pocket. Choromatsu wasn't even looking at anything specific, he just was, staring as the object was finally pulled out of his pocket.

The blade was slid up aiming.

Aiming for-

Hands got a hold of both his wrists. Hands? But that meant...

There was a popping ring in his ears that just went on as he stared straight ahead of him. It was a face. His face.

He looked sad- no, petrified. He was screaming things Choromatsu couldn't hear. That was until the ringing in his ears was subsidising, bringing Choromatsu's thoughts back.

This was Osomatsu. He was stopping him again. He was...

Choromatsu then struggled, trying to tear his arms away, "Let- LET ME GO!" It was useless though. Choromatsu was too weak. He was always weak, but with the lack of anything real, it was even worse. He might as well be fighting a wall.

"Karamatsu!"

At the sound of the second brother's name, he felt arms grab him from behind, pulling him in backward. This only prompted the one being held to struggle even more, "DON'T STOP ME- STOP TRYING TO STOP ME!" That's all he could do. Scream. Shout. Yell.

"Choromatsu, stop-!"

"YOU'VE TAKEN EVERYTHING ALREADY! PLease..!" The tears he wasn't able to shed earlier came pouring out now. Choromatsu let go of the boxcutter and now weakly struggled in his last unless attempt. The hold on his wrists tightened as the hold from the back loosened.

He could feel Osomatsu try to lean in but instead he harshly tried to shove him away, whichbarely fazed him. Despite how weak he is, Osomatsu took the hint and didn't try again. Now the weight in back of him was completely gone along with the arms.

Choromatsu couldn't look up. He couldn't bother listening to any words, to tell who really was in the room. What was the point?

All he could do was look down and cry at his failure. At a chance he knows he'll never get again. That both his plans failed of any sort of freedom he could ever get.

Now, he'll never taste it. Not even the bitter relieving taste of death