As Choromatsu went down the stairs after leaving Osomatsu to do his business, he was expecting something, anything, happening between his brothers. The more likely scenario, which ended up being correct, was a discussion. Even more so now that they could discuss about Osomatsu without him being there. Choromatsu wasn't sure if he was prepared to go back and must do their little "agreement", as if it was some law or rule.

It happened when they entered high school and were constantly having arguments due to ah...disagreements in the brothers. In order to make it peaceful and end things quickly, it was basically a vote. If there was one against three or four, then the "winner" was the one with the majority. This being said, if it was two against two, the odd one out will have to be the tiebreaker choosing a side by hearing out what each has to say. And sadly in most cases, Choromatsu had to be the tiebreaker. He never liked discussions or choosing sides, but it was easier than having two brothers trying to prove the other two they're point only for the other to do the same and its this endless cycle until someone steps in or the other surrenders, the latter was hardly ever the case.

Choromatsu was in front of the door, he could already hear the bickering. Now he mentally prepared himself to listen to both sides and have to choose, though because they will practically drag him into this and make him be the tiebreaker, he can make a mutual solution. And so, he opened the door to come face with Karamatsu and Ichimatsu on one side of the table while Todomatsu and Jyushimatsu were on the other side. They've seemed to stop mid-sentence when they heard the door open and turned the Choromatsu.

They all knew how this went.

They didn't say a word until Choromatsu sat in the middle, between Karamatsu and Todomatsu. He looked at Karamatsu, then at Todomatsu, and then put his head down while closing his eyes, letting out a sigh. "Alright, who started it? Speak first." The routine was about to begin as if it was rehearsed.

At that Todomatsu cleared his throat and faced Choromatsu, Choromatsu then opened his eyes and perked up to look right back at him. "Well, Choromatsu-niisan, I proposed that despite what Osomatsu-niisan told us, we should call the cops or some sort of authority or even any sort of professional help."

Choromatsu's eyes furrowed. So this was it huh? Now he understood the situation, but it made him question it, "Why? Osomatsu-niisan clearly told me to not call them and I promised we wouldn't."

"That's exactly why! Why would Osomatsu-niisan tell you not to call them? It makes no sense, you'd think that whatever he'd been through the police would be reinsurance!"

Karamatsu's voice then cut in, "That is the problem Todomatsu, we don't know what Osomatsu has been through. We can't just do something he doesn't want without even telling him first. We don't know how he'd react if he knew we called them, or anyone for that matter, it could trigger something." Todomatsu eyes then narrowed as he stared at Karamatsu.

Great. Here they go.

"Karamatsu-niisan I'm not dumb nor naïve. I've done researched about...cases similar to Osomatsu-niisan's just in case if he were to come back we'd have some idea of what to do since clearly we don't. This is a job meant for professionals Karamatsu-niisan, people don't come back and act so normal or like we remembered them, they change and we don't know how Osomatsu-niisan did! This is something only professionals that have dealt with this kind of situation can help with! We have no idea what we're doing or going to do Niisan... this isn't something we can understand or know anything about...You saw how he acted when Choromatsu-niisan asked him where he's been..."

Todomatsu then seemed to lower his head as he finished what he was saying. They all understood why he thinks this, why he wants other help so bad. He was afraid. They all were. Todomatsu is afraid they won't be able to handle him or be able to help him, while Karamatsu is scared of what officials would do knowing Osomatsu just showed up out of nowhere and after Osomatsu clearly stated he didn't want the cops coming here, which could betray their trust in them. But the same fear present in all of them is fear of Osomatsu. Of what he could do. Of what could happen to him.

It would've been easier if they've done this discussion while Osomatsu was taking a shower instead of now where they had to rush a decision and choose what to do before Osomatsu comes back and risks hearing them. They might be adults, have jobs, and go to school but that doesn't exactly mean thinking is their strong suit.

Choromatsu took a deep breath in. He didn't know what to do. They were both correct, they needed some sort of professional or something to help them, but they can't just do it without asking or considering what Osomatsu wants or thinks, because if they do something behind his back it could end badly. But the problem was, it was pretty clear Osomatsu had some fear of authorities, or at least the police, so him accepting to any proposition was probably low. Ah this was so stressful and confusing what should they do-!

"Choromatsu-niisan," He turned to Todomatsu who cut into his thoughts, "You're already the tiebreaker but...I think its better you choose what you think is right and best for Osomatsu-niisan, you're...the one that talked to him the most so..." As he heard that, he turned to face Karamatsu and narrowed his eyes as Karamatsu nodded in agreement with Todomatsu. Choromatsu's glare said it all, I'm not the one that he made him promise to keep a secret.

Despite this however, he still felt a little honored yet pressured by this, who knows what Jyushimatsu and Ichimatsu thought about this, but it seems they've already decided they didn't want to be part of this and wanted to get it over with whatever they choose because they didn't want to have this discussion to begin with by them sitting together in a corner watching as they discuss. Maybe it was better they weren't part of this type of decision, especially Ichimatsu since it was obvious how he felt about these kinds of situation, and all Jyushimatsu wanted was their happiness but had no idea what that could be in this dilemma.

Well, he didn't have enough time to think about all this, he had to choose something before he came back. Wait, isn't that unfair?! Why should he be the only one to choose he wasn't even part of this discussion to begin with! He really couldn't agree or disagree with the youngest nor the oldest- No...second oldest.

Choromatsu sighed and crossed his arms. "Alright," Todomatsu and Karamatsu intensely stared at him. So much for no pressure.

"I think..."

Well, that could've gone...worse? Because of his genius quick thinking, when he shaved his first streak, he forgot the most essential part, the shaving cream. Thankfully, he wasn't dumb enough to do it hard enough to cut him bad, maybe a bit, but not absolutely terrible. This just helped prove he needed adult supervision, but he was an adult? He was just forgetful and eager is all.

When he finally put the shaving cream and did it right, he looked more or less what he guessed he was supposed to look like, more like his brothers. The only thing he needed to fix was his hair, he should ask them later about it.

Despite the pep talk, he didn't feel any different, was he supposed to? He thought he should but there was just, nothing. Very anticlimactic if you ask him.

Well, now that he was done with everything he could think of, he decided to open the mints and pop one on his mouth. The taste was almost painful and a little too fresh and bitter, but the longer it stayed in his mouth the better it got. So instead of spitting it out, he just let it slowly dissolve. He got to his duffle bag and checked it everywhere to see if it got wet or anything. From the looks and feel of it, everything was safe. So he put all the things Choromatsu bought him back into the grocery bag and into his own bag.

Then it occurred to him, he was alone. There was no way any of them would come to check on him if Choromatsu made sure to reassure them. With that thought in mind, he pulled out the photo album. The first few pages were of his parents - boring - but then he spotted one with 6 babies laid out on what seemed like a bed wrapped with a blanket crying. Ah, so this is where it started.

For some reason, some mysterious reason, he felt himself want to cry. The more he looked at pictures with all six of them, the more he felt his eyes water. Then there was one picture that made his heart feel like it was being squeezed. It was a family picture, one they take on their birthday every year. They just turned ten, all of them wearing the same outfit, looking like the same exact person, as if someone copied and pasted the same person. Despite this however, they were all smiling happily, without a care in the world. Even when they were young they had some distinct features, like their smiles back then which didn't change when they got older. Todomatsu's looked cat like and cute, Jyushimatu's was big and wide, Ichimatsu's was small but was noticeably happy, Choromatsu had his little 'v', Karamatsu's looked almost smug and confident, and then there was Osomatsu's. It looked like a grin as he showed off his teeth as he stood in the very front like the leader he was.

Osomatsu felt his tears threatening to fall, to roll out his eyes and onto his cheeks so he wiped them away with his arm. He already did enough crying in the shower he didn't need more. Then there was a sudden urge to take the photo. Well, he already had the photo album, meaning he was planning to keep it despite that not being what he intended. Maybe he'll return it before he goes anywhere, or he'll just keep it. If his parents weren't there anymore he's sure they wouldn't mind or notice the letters or the album was gone. Besides, it was put in a place to hide and was hardly used considering the dust that was gathered when he found them.

If he planned to keep the album, it meant it was his, so he could just take the picture out anyway right? So he did, very carefully to make sure he doesn't mess up the other or accidently take aother with it.

When it was out, he went back into his bag and pulled out a wallet. The only wallet he had that was actually his. It was dark maroon and looked old that was leather. Inside he had a fake ID, but it was the most recent he has that looks more like how he looks now. In one of the little pockets he carefully put the photo. He didn't want to fold or mess it up in any way so he put it in the biggest. It didn't matter if he could see it as soon as he opened his wallet as long as it was there and he was able to hold it and look at it wherever he went with ease.

Osomatsu closed his now less empty wallet and put it back in his bag, picking up the photo album again in hopes of looking at more only to see after that photo, there was nothing. He skipped a couple pages to find them still empty.

Oh right. That WAS the year he- figured they didn't want to take pictures after that. Damn, he hoped to see them grow up but guess he had to rely on almost unreliable letters for that.

It was about time he finished up here anyway. Even if he didnt want to admit it or see it that way, really he was stalling. Maybe stalling a little too much. The photo album was closed and put back into its place in the bag. Osomatsu got up, closing the bag and putting it on his shoulder. Now that he was all set he finally stepped out the bathroom. The atmosphere inside there was warm and isolated, but comfortable in a way. Outside of it and into the house felt like a weight off him. He felt light, maybe a little too light.

Osomatsu was a nervous wreck. They were all up by now, and this time it was the whole day, or the rest of the day left, that he'd have to spend with them in awkwardness without the excuse of sleep as an escape. Unsure of what to do, how to feel, hell even how to speak. It was easier if it was one on one like ealier, but all of them? That was more than a little overwhelming.

Should he take this chance to just, run? Run and never turn back because he doesn't know how to handle this, how to handle them. If he ran, he didnt have to worry about being their older brother and changing, right?

But, his body was on autopilot as instead of heading to the door as he thought of doing, he went to what he presumed was the kitchen. Great, even his body was against him and making decisions for him. Or maybe, it just really knew what he wanted. He wanted to get to know them better, he wanted to at least have a little clouser with himself and his stupid curiosity, with the small part of him thats been guiding him up to this point since he came to Japan that was their older brother. That was the Osomatsu who wanted to see his brothers more than anything and would do anything to make the wish come true, the one who killed-

He was right in front of the door. Was this even the right one? He could hardly hear anything or he just didn't bother to pay too much attention. Well, whatever. He was here anyway, no turning back.

With that he took a deep breath in, wore a grin, and opened the door.