Beneath the... (Chapter 6)
Title: Beneath the…
Rating: R for words.
Characters: OT5 (All Arashi members as brothers)
Genre: AU, drama, family, angst
Disclaimer: Only the plot is mine~
Summary: 2 years ago Osayama Satoshi was involved in a terrible accident that made him lost partial of his memories. Even though he survived the impact, he becomes mentally incapable and has to depend on his younger brothers to lead normal life. What he didn’t expect when waking up though was to find all his once caring brothers had turned into people who were completely different from his memory. Sho has changed into a hot-tempered workaholic, Kazunari becomes an introvert who refuses to talk with anyone, and Jun drowns himself in party, alcohol and women every single night. To make it even confusing, nobody in the house is allowed to speak about Masaki who for some unknown reasons has disappeared without a trace.
Will Satoshi find the answer he is seeking for in the end? Or something…is actually is hidden beneath the mess?
A/N: Their surname is Osayama. Un-betaed!
Chapter 6 : Beneath the warmth
“It’s been a while, isn’t it son?”
Sho doesn’t give any reaction despite the wide smile their father already shows to him. Instead, he just put the files he is carrying on the top of a small table next to the older man’s bed.
“I need your sign for these.”
The father was taken aback by the cold tone though still laugh in the end. While shaking his head due to Sho’s impatience, he reaches for his glasses and read through the files one by one. The ward falls into silence as the owner of the company properly checks each report in his hands before raises his gaze again toward the stiff man in front. Sho who remains quiet for the entire time on the other hand can't help but frown by the unreadable stare he receives.
“How long did you take to check all these statements?”
Though feel weird by the question, Sho doesn’t hesitate to answer.
“A few days.”
“Considering it’s you my son, I don’t think it can be done in a few days. Well, unless you stick your nose on every single movement the accounting department made.”
Too tired to response, Sho only can sigh. Well, he swears even blind people will notice just how terrible he looks nowadays, especially since it is getting closer to the end of year where all companies are preparing to close their account. It is not even his job to do the final check of their money flow, but being as paranoid as he is, he just cannot trust anyone to handle such an important task anymore. The only problem is he is not a person meant to work with numbers. He is just not born for that field. However, he also will rather force himself to work like a mule or whatever people call it rather than leaves it on the hand of their father’s moneygrubber directors. Those people always look for any possible way to bury them down so they can overtake the company and do as they please.
“Maybe it’s time for you to hire someone new, Sho. You’re going to over-exhausting yourself if you keep on working like this.”
The second son just returns his father’s gaze with emotionless one.
“No. I can handle this.”
“Then leave it to the accountants. We have a lot of capable ones, isn’t it?”
“How you can be so sure they’re not going to betray us?”
The exhausted yet determined look makes the old man to sigh while shaking his head. After all, one thing that nobody in their family can win over Sho is stubbornness and ego. Back then the second son has it on the same level with Jun’s, but during these past years it seems to build up more and more due to the pressure as both the head of the Osayama Corporation and family. He was used to being known as a friendly and funny man among the employees and friends some time ago, but not anymore after several incidents that happened to them. Nobody even dare to look into his eyes when talking like they are afraid he is going to snap them any second soon.
By the time the old man finishes checking and signing all the needed documents, Sho immediately gather all the files and prepares to leave. Yet, the bedridden man stops him before he could move away too far.
“False rumors might spread about your incapability to take care of Satoshi. Are you sure you want to make report about him to the police?”
Rage immediately sparks inside Sho by the absurd question. Before he could snap though, he is stopped by a small chime from his phone which signals that someone has sent him a message. After quickly mutters his leaving to his father, he rushes to outside without bothering to look at the lady who is standing near there. The previous conversation and exhaustion from the past weeks just add up even more stress in him that makes the constant headache he feels since a month ago gradually comes back. Later when he feels like his vision gradually turn to blurry, he immediately walks toward the lobby chair and sit there. As he tries to ease up the pain by taking a few deep breath, he eventually remembers about the unread message he received just a while ago and decides to check it. Deep frown however appears on his face once realizes it actually comes from Kazu that makes him to impatiently open it.
By the time he gets up from his seat and runs toward the main door a minute later though, the headache is already all forgotten. He ignores the fact that he nearly bumps into some of the hospital visitors as he hurries toward his car outside, wanting nothing more than to return to their home as fast as he can now.
***
“Nii-san~ wake up ~”
Instead of doing as he is told, Satoshi continues to snore in his sleep. Masaki who is amused by the comical scene on the other hand can’t help from giggling while putting on his working uniform. Even though it has been a while since the last time he sees the older man, the latter's calming vibe still can naturally calm him down just like how it always did every time unwanted things happen in their house. That thought enough to give him several nostalgic memories - both the happy and silly ones before his expression suddenly dims when their last moment together play in front of his eyes. Trying to shake it off from his head, Masaki quickly opens the curtain so he can let the sunlight to enter his old apartment. That instantly results some childish whines from Satoshi due the sudden brightness, but he just laughs it away as he kneels beside the sleeping man.
“Nii-san, you can go back to sleep after this. I only want you to lock the door after I leave.”
The lack of reaction makes the younger one sigh. He is just about to shake him again when the elder man suddenly snaps his eyes
open, startling Masaki by the abruptness. He nearly falls on his bum when the latter then sits up and grab for his shoulders.
“W-Why? Why ar-e you go-ing? You wa-nt to lea-ve a-gain, Ma-sak-i? No! P-lea-se do-n’t!”
Completely panic, the eldest brother continues to shake his younger brother until Masaki has to grab the latter’s arms to make him stop. The teary-eyed Satoshi though continues to blabber his worry out - non-stop until he watches how Masaki already explode with his trademark breathy laughter later. That of course confuse the sleepyhead so much as he stares at his brother while still panting like he just woke up from a nightmare.
“No, Nii-san. I mean, I’m leaving for work. I want you to lock the door after I go.” Masaki finally manages to say in the middle of his giggle while wiping the tears on his eyes due to over laughing. The answer enough to make Satoshi heaves his relief breath before hitting his brother’s arm when Masaki doesn’t show any sign of stopping soon.
“Alright, I’m sorry~ Anyway, I already asked for shorter shift today, so I might return around 1. And I already made some breakfast. It's on the table, so make sure not to skip it, okay?”
Satoshi obediently nods.
“I’ll send you home after lunch. I’m sure they are looking for you now.”
When Satoshi nods again, but this time with a big grin on his face, Masaki can’t hold himself from grinning back. He is about to get up after telling Satoshi about the drawing book and a pen that he also had left on the table before, but halt when the latter suddenly holds his hand. There is a long silence between them as he feels Satoshi’s grip just grows tighter in each second though nothing still leave the latter’s mouth even after a while. By the time Satoshi eventually says something, the younger man notices how his brother’s lips tremble as he forces himself to speak;
“I do-n’t see Sho, Ka-zu, and Jun smi-ling a-nym-ore. But it’s…di-ffe-rent in he-re. You a-re still smi-ling, Mas-a-ki.”
The clear sadness behind the tone makes Masaki frowns. If what Satoshi just said is the real situation of what is happening in their house right now, it will be very tragic from his view. After all, the house was always merry with laughter, teases, childish fights and so many happy stuffs before. He believes that things will get better after he leaves, but then why…?
“Thi-ngs are no-t sa-me with-out you at ho-me…ca-n’t you com-e back? Ple-as-e…”
Masaki completely loses for words. Seeing the desperate look that the elder man shows makes him feel even guiltier. Yet, realizing that there is no place for someone like him in the house anymore, in the end what he can do is only returning Satoshi’s grip tighter.
“It’s…more complicated than you think, Nii-san. Sho…already said he didn’t want to see me anymore. He hates me. Also, I think Kazu and Jun don’t want me to come back too-”
“Tha-t’s not tru-e! Ka-zu and Jun ne-ver sai-d that! The-y miss y-ou too!”
“Nii-san, I remember how Kazu looked at me at that time. He was very disappointed. Also…Jun…didn’t say anything after he returned from Kyoto. That’s why… I feel too embarrassed to face them again. I’m…the main reason why everything turns into mess like now after all.”
Satoshi widens his eyes by the unexpected reveal. He tries to say something, but stops when Masaki slowly let go of his hands. Despite the smile, Satoshi still notices how it doesn’t reach the other man’s bright eyes like usual. When Masaki then ruffles his hair and starts to walk toward the door without saying anything further, he finally gets up to follow the younger man while chewing his lip sadly. The old apartment is very quiet as Masaki then sits down on the Genkan to tie his shoes before he is startled by someone's sob behind him. Surprise, he quickly turns around where he sees Satoshi already start crying while biting his fingertips. Panic immediately takes over the younger brother’s heart by this sight as he tries to reach for the older one who immediately shakes it away.
“W-Why e-very-one ha-te me?”
Shocked, Masaki hurriedly steps forward.
“What are you talking about? Nobody hates you, Nii-san.”
“Then wh-y you g-uys r-ejec-ted me?! Be-cau-se I’m stu-pid?! Be-cau-se I’m cra-zy?! I know e-very-one thi-nk that!”
“No! Nobody thinks that! No matter what happened, Nii-san is still the same person for me! And I believe Sho, Kazu, and Jun think the same too!”
“But-bu-t why no-bo-dy li-stens to m-e?! I’m one of you gu-ys too!! No-bo-dy says any-thi-ng to me!”
“It’s not like that. Nii-san-”
“I-I ju-st wa-nt to know! I wan-t to he-lp!! I wan-t us ba-ck!!”
Seeing Satoshi already breakdown with tears make Masaki drop his shoulder sadly. He totally lost with what he shall do and say as he stares at the elder man with pair of hopeless eyes - torn between persuading the man with fake hopes or letting it be. After all, he himself doesn’t know what the latter meant with nobody tells him anything. And no matter what the unknown thing is, he is more than sure that Sho, Kazu, and Jun kept it as a secret from Satoshi for a good reason.
“Am I-a…bur-den..?”
Masaki quickly shakes his head and rushes to hug the older brother tightly in his arms. He let Satoshi cry as he rubs the latter’s back while persuading him with comforting words, telling him that nobody among them will think and treat him as one, ever. Judging from Satoshi’s continues stutters about things in house though, he bit by bit come to understand just how horrible the situation in the house is and how helpless Satoshi must feel for witnessing it all without able to do anything. Guilt sprouts bigger inside of him for turning their family upside down like that as he listens to his brother’s cry before he eventually breaks the hug. As he wipes the latter’s tears with his sleeves, he finally speaks in reassuring tone.
“Never think that about yourself, Nii-san. None of us will ever see you that way. It just…what had happened was more complicated than it seems.”
Satoshi’s sobs reduce to sniff as Masaki continue to gently clean his face. He wants the younger man to explain it further, but pouts when Masaki says that he already late to catch for his train. Yet, being as softhearted as the younger one is, Satoshi then feels a soft pat on his head follows by Masaki defeated sighs.
“…I’ll tell Nii-san something after I come back. So don’t cry, okay? Please?”
The promise gives a new hope to Satoshi. His teary eyes immediately shine with happiness as he enthusiastically nods before forcing Masaki to do pinky promise. When Masaki leaves with a wave and his usual cheerful smile later, his previously cloudy mood already takes a complete turn as he just keep on staring on the door where the younger man has disappeared to while hoping for the time to pass a bit faster. Yet, when he still fails to contain his excitement, he quickly takes the drawing book that was left for him and starts to draw something on it. The smile on his face never disappears as he sketches familiar features on the blank paper while the image of everyone’s happy expression pops into his head one by one, making his grin to grow wider and wider by each passing second.
***
>Entering the second week of posting and I can't believe it's already the 6th chapter *_* I always feel so sleepy when editing this for the last since I always post a new chapter right before I go to bed (I will get up at night to study and sleep around 8 or 9 o'clock in the morning XD) so I hope there won't be so many mistakes here and there.
>Satoshi seems very happy :) Will it goes that easy? Or...will it turns downhill from this point instead?
>Thank You SO much for reading until this far! Comments are very much appreciated. I'm very happy to read your opinion and theory about this story ^_^
Rating: R for words.
Characters: OT5 (All Arashi members as brothers)
Genre: AU, drama, family, angst
Disclaimer: Only the plot is mine~
Summary: 2 years ago Osayama Satoshi was involved in a terrible accident that made him lost partial of his memories. Even though he survived the impact, he becomes mentally incapable and has to depend on his younger brothers to lead normal life. What he didn’t expect when waking up though was to find all his once caring brothers had turned into people who were completely different from his memory. Sho has changed into a hot-tempered workaholic, Kazunari becomes an introvert who refuses to talk with anyone, and Jun drowns himself in party, alcohol and women every single night. To make it even confusing, nobody in the house is allowed to speak about Masaki who for some unknown reasons has disappeared without a trace.
Will Satoshi find the answer he is seeking for in the end? Or something…is actually is hidden beneath the mess?
A/N: Their surname is Osayama. Un-betaed!
Chapter 6 : Beneath the warmth
“It’s been a while, isn’t it son?”
Sho doesn’t give any reaction despite the wide smile their father already shows to him. Instead, he just put the files he is carrying on the top of a small table next to the older man’s bed.
“I need your sign for these.”
The father was taken aback by the cold tone though still laugh in the end. While shaking his head due to Sho’s impatience, he reaches for his glasses and read through the files one by one. The ward falls into silence as the owner of the company properly checks each report in his hands before raises his gaze again toward the stiff man in front. Sho who remains quiet for the entire time on the other hand can't help but frown by the unreadable stare he receives.
“How long did you take to check all these statements?”
Though feel weird by the question, Sho doesn’t hesitate to answer.
“A few days.”
“Considering it’s you my son, I don’t think it can be done in a few days. Well, unless you stick your nose on every single movement the accounting department made.”
Too tired to response, Sho only can sigh. Well, he swears even blind people will notice just how terrible he looks nowadays, especially since it is getting closer to the end of year where all companies are preparing to close their account. It is not even his job to do the final check of their money flow, but being as paranoid as he is, he just cannot trust anyone to handle such an important task anymore. The only problem is he is not a person meant to work with numbers. He is just not born for that field. However, he also will rather force himself to work like a mule or whatever people call it rather than leaves it on the hand of their father’s moneygrubber directors. Those people always look for any possible way to bury them down so they can overtake the company and do as they please.
“Maybe it’s time for you to hire someone new, Sho. You’re going to over-exhausting yourself if you keep on working like this.”
The second son just returns his father’s gaze with emotionless one.
“No. I can handle this.”
“Then leave it to the accountants. We have a lot of capable ones, isn’t it?”
“How you can be so sure they’re not going to betray us?”
The exhausted yet determined look makes the old man to sigh while shaking his head. After all, one thing that nobody in their family can win over Sho is stubbornness and ego. Back then the second son has it on the same level with Jun’s, but during these past years it seems to build up more and more due to the pressure as both the head of the Osayama Corporation and family. He was used to being known as a friendly and funny man among the employees and friends some time ago, but not anymore after several incidents that happened to them. Nobody even dare to look into his eyes when talking like they are afraid he is going to snap them any second soon.
By the time the old man finishes checking and signing all the needed documents, Sho immediately gather all the files and prepares to leave. Yet, the bedridden man stops him before he could move away too far.
“False rumors might spread about your incapability to take care of Satoshi. Are you sure you want to make report about him to the police?”
Rage immediately sparks inside Sho by the absurd question. Before he could snap though, he is stopped by a small chime from his phone which signals that someone has sent him a message. After quickly mutters his leaving to his father, he rushes to outside without bothering to look at the lady who is standing near there. The previous conversation and exhaustion from the past weeks just add up even more stress in him that makes the constant headache he feels since a month ago gradually comes back. Later when he feels like his vision gradually turn to blurry, he immediately walks toward the lobby chair and sit there. As he tries to ease up the pain by taking a few deep breath, he eventually remembers about the unread message he received just a while ago and decides to check it. Deep frown however appears on his face once realizes it actually comes from Kazu that makes him to impatiently open it.
By the time he gets up from his seat and runs toward the main door a minute later though, the headache is already all forgotten. He ignores the fact that he nearly bumps into some of the hospital visitors as he hurries toward his car outside, wanting nothing more than to return to their home as fast as he can now.
***
“Nii-san~ wake up ~”
Instead of doing as he is told, Satoshi continues to snore in his sleep. Masaki who is amused by the comical scene on the other hand can’t help from giggling while putting on his working uniform. Even though it has been a while since the last time he sees the older man, the latter's calming vibe still can naturally calm him down just like how it always did every time unwanted things happen in their house. That thought enough to give him several nostalgic memories - both the happy and silly ones before his expression suddenly dims when their last moment together play in front of his eyes. Trying to shake it off from his head, Masaki quickly opens the curtain so he can let the sunlight to enter his old apartment. That instantly results some childish whines from Satoshi due the sudden brightness, but he just laughs it away as he kneels beside the sleeping man.
“Nii-san, you can go back to sleep after this. I only want you to lock the door after I leave.”
The lack of reaction makes the younger one sigh. He is just about to shake him again when the elder man suddenly snaps his eyes
open, startling Masaki by the abruptness. He nearly falls on his bum when the latter then sits up and grab for his shoulders.
“W-Why? Why ar-e you go-ing? You wa-nt to lea-ve a-gain, Ma-sak-i? No! P-lea-se do-n’t!”
Completely panic, the eldest brother continues to shake his younger brother until Masaki has to grab the latter’s arms to make him stop. The teary-eyed Satoshi though continues to blabber his worry out - non-stop until he watches how Masaki already explode with his trademark breathy laughter later. That of course confuse the sleepyhead so much as he stares at his brother while still panting like he just woke up from a nightmare.
“No, Nii-san. I mean, I’m leaving for work. I want you to lock the door after I go.” Masaki finally manages to say in the middle of his giggle while wiping the tears on his eyes due to over laughing. The answer enough to make Satoshi heaves his relief breath before hitting his brother’s arm when Masaki doesn’t show any sign of stopping soon.
“Alright, I’m sorry~ Anyway, I already asked for shorter shift today, so I might return around 1. And I already made some breakfast. It's on the table, so make sure not to skip it, okay?”
Satoshi obediently nods.
“I’ll send you home after lunch. I’m sure they are looking for you now.”
When Satoshi nods again, but this time with a big grin on his face, Masaki can’t hold himself from grinning back. He is about to get up after telling Satoshi about the drawing book and a pen that he also had left on the table before, but halt when the latter suddenly holds his hand. There is a long silence between them as he feels Satoshi’s grip just grows tighter in each second though nothing still leave the latter’s mouth even after a while. By the time Satoshi eventually says something, the younger man notices how his brother’s lips tremble as he forces himself to speak;
“I do-n’t see Sho, Ka-zu, and Jun smi-ling a-nym-ore. But it’s…di-ffe-rent in he-re. You a-re still smi-ling, Mas-a-ki.”
The clear sadness behind the tone makes Masaki frowns. If what Satoshi just said is the real situation of what is happening in their house right now, it will be very tragic from his view. After all, the house was always merry with laughter, teases, childish fights and so many happy stuffs before. He believes that things will get better after he leaves, but then why…?
“Thi-ngs are no-t sa-me with-out you at ho-me…ca-n’t you com-e back? Ple-as-e…”
Masaki completely loses for words. Seeing the desperate look that the elder man shows makes him feel even guiltier. Yet, realizing that there is no place for someone like him in the house anymore, in the end what he can do is only returning Satoshi’s grip tighter.
“It’s…more complicated than you think, Nii-san. Sho…already said he didn’t want to see me anymore. He hates me. Also, I think Kazu and Jun don’t want me to come back too-”
“Tha-t’s not tru-e! Ka-zu and Jun ne-ver sai-d that! The-y miss y-ou too!”
“Nii-san, I remember how Kazu looked at me at that time. He was very disappointed. Also…Jun…didn’t say anything after he returned from Kyoto. That’s why… I feel too embarrassed to face them again. I’m…the main reason why everything turns into mess like now after all.”
Satoshi widens his eyes by the unexpected reveal. He tries to say something, but stops when Masaki slowly let go of his hands. Despite the smile, Satoshi still notices how it doesn’t reach the other man’s bright eyes like usual. When Masaki then ruffles his hair and starts to walk toward the door without saying anything further, he finally gets up to follow the younger man while chewing his lip sadly. The old apartment is very quiet as Masaki then sits down on the Genkan to tie his shoes before he is startled by someone's sob behind him. Surprise, he quickly turns around where he sees Satoshi already start crying while biting his fingertips. Panic immediately takes over the younger brother’s heart by this sight as he tries to reach for the older one who immediately shakes it away.
“W-Why e-very-one ha-te me?”
Shocked, Masaki hurriedly steps forward.
“What are you talking about? Nobody hates you, Nii-san.”
“Then wh-y you g-uys r-ejec-ted me?! Be-cau-se I’m stu-pid?! Be-cau-se I’m cra-zy?! I know e-very-one thi-nk that!”
“No! Nobody thinks that! No matter what happened, Nii-san is still the same person for me! And I believe Sho, Kazu, and Jun think the same too!”
“But-bu-t why no-bo-dy li-stens to m-e?! I’m one of you gu-ys too!! No-bo-dy says any-thi-ng to me!”
“It’s not like that. Nii-san-”
“I-I ju-st wa-nt to know! I wan-t to he-lp!! I wan-t us ba-ck!!”
Seeing Satoshi already breakdown with tears make Masaki drop his shoulder sadly. He totally lost with what he shall do and say as he stares at the elder man with pair of hopeless eyes - torn between persuading the man with fake hopes or letting it be. After all, he himself doesn’t know what the latter meant with nobody tells him anything. And no matter what the unknown thing is, he is more than sure that Sho, Kazu, and Jun kept it as a secret from Satoshi for a good reason.
“Am I-a…bur-den..?”
Masaki quickly shakes his head and rushes to hug the older brother tightly in his arms. He let Satoshi cry as he rubs the latter’s back while persuading him with comforting words, telling him that nobody among them will think and treat him as one, ever. Judging from Satoshi’s continues stutters about things in house though, he bit by bit come to understand just how horrible the situation in the house is and how helpless Satoshi must feel for witnessing it all without able to do anything. Guilt sprouts bigger inside of him for turning their family upside down like that as he listens to his brother’s cry before he eventually breaks the hug. As he wipes the latter’s tears with his sleeves, he finally speaks in reassuring tone.
“Never think that about yourself, Nii-san. None of us will ever see you that way. It just…what had happened was more complicated than it seems.”
Satoshi’s sobs reduce to sniff as Masaki continue to gently clean his face. He wants the younger man to explain it further, but pouts when Masaki says that he already late to catch for his train. Yet, being as softhearted as the younger one is, Satoshi then feels a soft pat on his head follows by Masaki defeated sighs.
“…I’ll tell Nii-san something after I come back. So don’t cry, okay? Please?”
The promise gives a new hope to Satoshi. His teary eyes immediately shine with happiness as he enthusiastically nods before forcing Masaki to do pinky promise. When Masaki leaves with a wave and his usual cheerful smile later, his previously cloudy mood already takes a complete turn as he just keep on staring on the door where the younger man has disappeared to while hoping for the time to pass a bit faster. Yet, when he still fails to contain his excitement, he quickly takes the drawing book that was left for him and starts to draw something on it. The smile on his face never disappears as he sketches familiar features on the blank paper while the image of everyone’s happy expression pops into his head one by one, making his grin to grow wider and wider by each passing second.
***
>Entering the second week of posting and I can't believe it's already the 6th chapter *_* I always feel so sleepy when editing this for the last since I always post a new chapter right before I go to bed (I will get up at night to study and sleep around 8 or 9 o'clock in the morning XD) so I hope there won't be so many mistakes here and there.
>Satoshi seems very happy :) Will it goes that easy? Or...will it turns downhill from this point instead?
>Thank You SO much for reading until this far! Comments are very much appreciated. I'm very happy to read your opinion and theory about this story ^_^