Beneath the... (Chapter 19)
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 19 : Beneath the suffering
It has been a few days since Masaki was officially announced as Sho’s temporary replacement. With the fact that the company's top management is taken over by his brother who has much more experience in business field, Kazu finally can breathe with relief again. The feelings of finally having someone that he and Jun can rely on and seek guide from every time they are unsure about something really help them a lot to be more confident whenever they are asked to attend meeting or handle some matters. Within that short period also, the former accountant manages to point out a lot of questionable checks and statements which most of it were unsurprisingly released by the board of the directors. Their situation also improves when several business proposals that were previously put on hold by the directors on purpose are eventually gets it approval to be proceeded one by one after a proper review from Masaki. In short, the return of the older man really saves the company from facing its worst downhill ever for the second time in its history.
However, if there is one thing Kazu has to say he doesn’t like about Masaki, it's the third brother's unhealthy working habit. The realization of how the older man will always either reject their invitation for lunch or forgets to eat the food that they had bought for him whenever he is too occupied with his job always worry them to no end. Thankfully, the sharp Jun notices it quick after they take turn to assist Masaki every two days, or they can't imagine what is going to happen to the slightly older man now. After all, the latter really leaves them to no other choice but to force him to finish it first every time, or he will not be allowed to continue his job. Yet, even if Masaki surrenders to their wish in the end, he will literally shove everything into his mouth instead of eating it so he can go back to his work faster.
Just like now.
“Don't force me to feed you with my hand like a little child, Masaki. Eat properly.”
He already glare at his elder brother who again, swallows his food without chewing it. When he emphasizes his warning tone later, Masaki finally stops and looks at him with his big brown eyes. At first, it confuses him when Masaki lowers his chopstick without a word, but as soon as the latter opens his full with food mouth as a gesture to be feed, the fourth brother immediately slaps him hard while grimacing how gross it is. The priceless reaction immediately makes Masaki laughs aloud due to amusement before it turns to cough when he is chocked by whatever thing that stuck in his throat. This time, it is Kazu's turn to laugh at him as he passes the panic man a glass of water who takes it gratefully. Their lunch then continues with the younger man mocking the third brother’s manner while the said man eats his food with a big pout on his face.
“You and Sho are very alike indeed with that unhealthy working style and table manner… But well, luckily Sho doesn’t behave like that anymore when he’s dining at home.”
The reminiscing expression that follows the fourth brother’s words brings a smile to Masaki's face. Both then fall into comfortable silence for a while when the elder brother continues to eat his food while Kazu quietly watches him in front. As soon as Masaki finishes with it later, he takes another sip of his drink before finally looks at the younger man again to ask one thing that has been bothering him lately.
“When will Jun talk with Sho about that baby?”
That question makes Kazu just sighs heavily instead.
“I don’t know too. Jun said he wants to see that lady once before he talks to Sho, but…he couldn’t track her.”
Masaki’s expression immediately changes into a serious one by that just that like the younger brother has predicted. After all, he himself is actually worried with the woman’s well-being after Jun confessed to him two days ago that she is nowhere to be found, probably because he avoids her calls for the past weeks. Who knows what she is going to do if she thinks Jun doesn't want to take responsibility and leaves her to deal with the problem alone without having anyone else to ask for help.
“Jun told me before he is still trying to find her back. Let’s just hope for the best until then.”
Unable to say a word, Masaki just nods. The elder brother's thoughtful look on the other hand gives Kazu a rough guess on what is currently in the latter’s mind until it makes him ponders to himself if he should confirm it to Masaki or not. Yet, he chooses to keep it in the end and changes the topic instead.
“Why do you choose to help this company? Of course, I’m glad that you’re here again, but...you said there’s another reason why you come back here aside of us. Also, what’s your connection with the suicide case? You told us before that you lent your phone to the man, but why?” he is about to throws several more questions when Masaki suddenly put down his glass on the desk. The gloomy expression that the already latter has immediately makes him feel guilty for forcing the older man though it is obvious the latter doesn't want to talk about it from their first meeting in that very same office days ago. Before he could apologize for his thoughtlessness however, he is silenced by Masaki sudden sighs.
“...Did you remember why Sho took over father’s position from the first place?”
That leaves Kazu frowning for a while. It takes nearly a minute before he finally remembers what Masaki had told him, Satoshi, and Jun a long time ago.
“You said...he saw one of father’s employees was hit by a car to death.”
Seeing the older man nods with weirdly blank expression makes him frown deeper. He doesn't know for how long Masaki just lost in his thought after that while staring at his glass in front like battling to himself if he should talk about it or not.
Eventually, the latter takes a deep breath and lifts his sad gaze to him again.
He was devastated. Brokenhearted.
After the meeting with Takayama and Togawa yesterday, Masaki immediately asked for a leave without payment for indefinite time from both his workplaces. He then spent the entire night cried and drinking his heart out that by time the daylight slipped through his window on the next day, he already lied on the floor like one pathetic man who ran out of tears to wipe. His phone had been turned off since yesterday as the rings will only brought him headache until it nearly urged him to smash it beyond repair just like him. Now, he knew what Sho felt when he didn’t follow the latter's order despite knowing about Sho’s unconditional trust on him. This must be his punishment for betrayed the older man two years ago.
A few days after that were spent by him sleeping, dazing off, and crying in his old apartment. He will leave to have his meal outside since he already felt too down to cook, but that was it. He can’t longer smile, laugh, or even hold a normal conversation with his neighbor without excusing himself to leave early. Knowing that either anyone from LAB or Osayama Co. will definitely look for him in that mean time as well once they failed to reach him through phone and his workplace, Masaki told his landlord on purpose that he will not be around to run some errand in case anyone came to look for him. The depressed man after that ignored all knocks, calls, or whatever he heard beyond the door, even if the other person was his brother since he didn’t want them to see him in that horrible state.
One night when he was on his way to return home after having his dinner outside, he bumped into the drunkard who always sat in the dark alleyway that will lead to his apartment. However, instead of crying and bawling over his life as usual, the man was laughing while cheering with his beer like celebrating something great. Though confused by the rareness, Masaki decided to ignore the latter as he walked pass the man who already started to hum a happy song. Before he could walk a little further however, the man stopped him and came to put his arm on Masaki’s slump shoulder.
“Why so down? You always look so happy.”
Not in a mood of talking, Masaki just turned his face to the other side. Despite his attempts to refuse latter’s drinking invitation after that, the man already gave him a can of beer before pulling him to sit along on the side of the dark alley. Thankfully, the man didn’t say anything else aside of that since he already drowned in his own world again while Masaki quietly sipped his beer beside. When the drunk man started to hum another song, he couldn’t hide his curiosity anymore and looked at the smiling man questioningly.
“Did something good happen?”
The man immediately turned to him, this time with a big grin on his face.
“The company I worked at went bankrupt. Now I’m free!”
The answer stunned Masaki. Yet, the fact that the man still can look so happy as he shared about the unrealistic expectation that the higher ups always have, the bullies that often happen there, and the long hours of working that the company made him confuse than ever. When he asked the man to explain it later, the man just chuckled back.
“Well, I already lost my passion to work there anyway. I used to love that place, but after the top management changed...I couldn’t longer enjoy my job. I only worked for living and send my money to my parents. Their life is better now because of that, but they are still saying they are more worried about my condition here. But now…I think they finally can rest assured.”
The small smile that showed on the man’s face made Masaki thoughtful. Clenching his hand tighter around his beer, Masaki later surprised the fellow by clanking their can together and cheered for him to show his support. That immediately brought happy tears to the drunken man who thanked him before started to tell Masaki a lot of bad stories about the company that he used to work at in which Masaki will either nod or respond from time to time. The two of them then continued to talk about various things even when they already ran out of alcohol until the morning light came and the man yawned due to exhaustion. Masaki himself was a bit dizzy since he hadn't slept for the entire night and wanted to call it day when the latter suddenly asked.
“Can I borrow your phone? I need to call my parents. They’re living in Hiroshima.”
For some reasons, Masaki didn’t hesitate to give it to the man. Instead of letting the man to use it there while he waited though, he told the latter to keep it until they meet again later.
“I don’t have to use it for anything anyway. Take your time. And please ignored any numbers that showed up. It's nothing important anyway.”
He noticed how the man chewed his lip by that before thanking him for lending it again. It was obvious that the latter needed more time to mentally prepare himself to talk about his situation with his parents who he hadn't called for a long time and Masaki knew better than pushing him. After that, the two of them bid goodbye to each other with a wish that they will meet again when they have time.
“I straightaway went to sleep when I reached home, but around 6 hours later, I was awakened by siren. It wasn’t far from my apartment, so I decided to go and check what’s actually going on. And that's when...I found out from the crowd that gathered there about him. I never thought…that will be the last time I will see him tho. I hope he will get well soon.”
Kazu only can chew his lip bitterly by the story. He is seriously loss of words to say this time, especially when the older man already has a grim look on his face. Now when he recalls it, he knows the man that Masaki was talking about is the same person with the drunken man that he and Satoshi encountered in the alleyway during their search for Masaki not long ago. Who would ever think that poor man actually hid something so painful for long inside him...
“Sho saw father’s late nagotiator was hit by a car when nobody in our family wanted to take over this company. And I...met a man who lost his job because it went bankrupt right before the same thing happened again. I don’t know if this is fate or what, but…I couldn’t look away even if I want to. Somehow I understand now why Sho decided to force himself to work that hard.”
“That’s not a good working style, Masaki. We don’t want you to force yourself until you’re sick like Sho.”
“I know, that’s why I need you guys to watch me when I’m overdoing it. Back then that’s what I did too, so Sho won’t go overboard. I failed though in the end…”
Before Kazu can object it, someone suddenly knocks the door from outside. The person then doesn’t bother to wait for the temporary CEO’s permission first to enter as he just barges in despite Takayama’s effort to stop him behind. The lack of manner triggers Kazu’s temper, but Masaki immediately pats him on shoulder as a signal to stay quiet while he walks to stand face to face with the furious management director. Before he could ask the reason behind the visit however, the old man already throws pages of documents at him until it falls and lies everywhere on the floor. That rudeness shock both Kazu and Takayama, but neither gets to move when the arrogant director already steps on the management plan that Masaki had worked hard for to complete until he didn’t get to sleep for an entire night.
“This is why I against it to let you take over! Did your brain spoil somewhere after these two years?! What kind of crap you just sent to me?! You’re an embarrassment as a leader!”
Now, that is something Kazu can't tolerate ever. If he was battling to himself whether he should scream at the man before, the only thing he wants to do now is punch that shameless man as he stamps angrily forward. Right before he can open his mouth and knock out the arrogant man however, Masaki already catches his arm and shoots him a stern look. When the elder brother then tells Takayama to take him outside and wait there, he already turns to Masaki due to disbelieve. As soon as the door is closed behind them after Takayama literally drags him out like he has been told though, Kazu quickly turns to Takayama with fierce eyes.
“What were you thinking?! Why will you let Masaki to face that *sshole alone?!”
“Let’s just wait here like Masaki-san said, Kazunari-san. Masaki-san knows what to do.”
The bitterness that actualy hides behind the words can't fool Kazu to do as he is asked. Instead, he ignores the secretary’s plead and walks back toward the door. Yet, right when he manages to open it a little, he is left dumbfound by the sight of his older brother is bowing down very low at the director while apologizing for his mistake. Not to mention about the arrogant look that the old man has as he mocks Masaki’s level of intelligence and credibility to become Sho’s replacement which is more than enough to make Kazu storms in and punch that old jerk until half dead if not because Takayama already drags him away from the door with unbelievable amount of strength. He wants to oppose it, but the secretary’s words shut him.
“At least, please don’t do anything for Masaki-san’s sake. I understand it’s difficult, but it’s the only way left now. If Masaki-san insists to defend himself, his words might be used against him by the board of directors. They will make it sounds like Masaki-san is incapable to receive criticism. And by the end of the day, Sho-san will be affected as well since it’s him who suggested Masaki-san’s name as his replacement.”
The fact that Masaki and the secretary already calculate all possibility to that point makes Kazu speechless. It both shocking and saddening him. He thought everything will get better after Masaki agreed to work for the company that literally had ruined his life, but seems like he is completely wrong. Just how much longer they had to endure the harassment from the heartless directors after all the misery they had to through?
“Is there nothing…we can do anymore? What’s the problem again this time?”
“As you already know Kazunari-san, that’s the management director. I rarely see him come here since Sho-san is very good with administration and company-planning-related field which is not Masaki-san’s expertise. It was otherwise when Sho-san was still working however. Usually it will be the accountancy director who will show up and told Sho-san to fix everything from scratch. But during that time Sho-san can handle it without much problem since they already admitted Sho-san’s capability as leader. But for Masaki-san who is only coming back as a replacement…it’s different.”
Just then the same director slams open the door. A huge smirk already plasters on his face as he walks in front them which annoys Kazu more than ever until he barely manages to restrain himself from bashing the man if not because of Takayama’s tight grip on his arm. As soon as the arrogant man leaves the floor, he no longer wastes his time to check on Masaki in the office. Nothing can describe how burning he is though when sees the older brother of his is kneeling on the floor while picking up the papers that are everywhere around him. Later, when Masaki looks up and smiles at him like the previous incident didn’t happen at all, something inside him immediately click as he rushes to help and gather it as well. Masaki immediately thanks him by that as the two of them then start to neatly arrange all the documents again before the older brother put it back inside an envelope. Yet, right when he gets up to put it inside the shelf together with other documents, Kazu quickly snatches it away and leaves the place without any further word. The sudden action leaves Masaki astonishes for a while before he rushes to chase over the younger man if not because Takayama asks him to let the man be for now.
***
As soon as he stops in front of Sho’s ward, Satoshi carefully opens it and peeks inside. Seeing the brother of his is staring outside of the window as he usually does every day brings a smile to his face while he steps inside and approaches the younger man who is sitting on the bed. He notices how Sho acknowledges his presence by looking at him from the edge of his eyes before turning to the scenery again with blank gaze, but that doesn’t let him feel down the slightest. Instead, he pulls a chair next to Sho’s bed and settles there as he put another new drawing book on the empty side of the bed.
“How-s yo-ur feel-ing to-day, Sho?”
The younger brother remains quiet and looks at the same distance in front. Far from giving up, Satoshi keeps smiling while opens the first page of his sketch. That has been his routine since the doctor advised him to not touch any topic related to Sho’s condition until the latter is ready to open up himself.
“Thi-s ti-me I dra-w fish! It’s be-en a whil-e sin-ce I ca-tch one. I wi-sh I can go fish-ing a-gain so-on…” Satoshi pouts as he points at
Sho the first fish he sketched, which is Tuna. Despite his loss of memories about what happened two years ago, he still can recall the memories before that like when he still oftenly went to the sea while juggling with his tight exhibition schedule. He told the younger man how it was his first big catch ever and the fact that he actually made sashimi from it to eat with the captain boat before took the remaining home to share with them. His expression is full with excitement as he continues to tell Sho more about Tuna’s nutrient, sizes, and on until he eventually has it enough and proceed to the next one.
“Thi-s one wa-s the one I cau-ght when I we-nt to sea wi-th Jun la-st year! Bo-th of us cau-ght one for our-sel-ves! Jun was ve-ry wor-ried he wi-ll get sun-tan, but af-ter tha-t he was ve-ry ex-cited too! I wi-sh I can go fish-ing wi-th him a-gain. Tha-t was fu-n…”
His pout grows bigger as he recalls the day. However, before he can tell the younger man more about his experience, he is surprised by a sudden hoarse voice that comes from the only person aside of him there.
“If you miss it very much, you should go back and ask them to take you there again. There is no reason to stay here.”
At once, Satoshi raises his face to look at Sho. Although the second brother is still staring at far distance, he can feel a brand new hope is born inside him by the response.
“The-n let’s wa-it un-til you get bet-ter. A-ll of us ca-n go fish-ing to-ge-ther af-ter that.”
“You would rather not have me to come along, right? I’ll just ruin everything.”
The monotone clenches Satoshi’s heart sadly. But more than that, it is those words that depress him.
“Why a-re you sa-ying that? You-re not. I'm su-re it wi-ll be mo-re fun wi-th you the-re.”
Sho unexpectedly chuckles by that. The bitterness that hidden under it however makes Satoshi's expression dim as he watches Sho finally turns to him with cynical look.
“I was the one who destroy our family, right? I was the bad one for hitting Kazu and Jun and shouting at them. I lash everything about the company at home that make you guys angry with me. That’s why you shouldn’t hide it any longer. If you hate me, no need to stay and do all this anymore. I’ll be just fine staying alone here.”
“I ne-ver hate you. We ne-ver hate yo-u, Sho. E-ven Ma-saki sti-ll care a-bout you.”
“You only say that because you feel sorry with me. You guys feel responsible about me. I had done a lot of terrible things to us after all. I know it. I’m the bad blood one. And I’m also the one without actual bloodline brother... That's why nobody wants to stick with me…”
The eldest brother looks at Sho due to disbelieve by that. Before Sho can continue with his depressing words further though, Satoshi suddenly gets up from his seat with furious look.
“A-re you sa-ying tha-t we are not yo-ur bro-thers?! Be-cause we ha-ve dif-ferent blo-od?! You-re un-be-lieve-able!”
The unexpected raise of voice struck Sho who immediately turn to him again. When Satoshi later clenches his fist like he is ready to him, the younger man really thought he is really screwed this time. Triggering the always calm and gentle brother’s temper is one thing. But making him this angry till the point he can go as far as punching someone is definitely the worst.
“I will hi-t you if no-t be-cause you-re sick.”
Sho flinches when the older man unexpectedly slumps on the empty space next to him instead. Currently speechless though, he just stares at Satoshi who already pouts to himself while glaring at the wall. He can feel his heart jumps due to shock later when the angry man turns to him again.
“If Ka-zu and Jun don-t care a-bout you, the-y will not wa-nt to wat-ch over the com-pany. They ha-te the pla-ce. And I ha-te it too. But the-y still do tha-t be-cause they care a-bout you. They wa-nt to help you. Why don-t you no-tice it?”
That silences Sho. Meanwhile, seeing how speechless the younger brother already is makes Satoshi even mad. He is angry. He feels so disappoint toward Sho for thinking that low about them.
However, on top of all, he is sad. He feels helpless for unable to notice Sho’s feelings earlier. Before he realizes it, angry tears already make it down to his face, surprising Sho who already freezes beside him.
“We ne-ver ha-te you, Sho. No-body will ha-te you be-cause we don-t have sa-me pare-nts. I don-t e-ven have sa-me fa-ther with all of yo-u, you kno-w.”
As he begins to sniff, he sees how Sho’s expression saddens by that. Yet, it doesn’t stop him from reaching for the younger man's arm and grips it to emphasize his words.
“But we gro-w up to-gether, rig-ht? We ha-ve each o-ther. No-body ca-res a-bout blo-od. See? E-ven if you can-t tru-st Ma-saki any-more, he still co-mes back. He sa-id he won-t show him-self in fron-t of you be-cause he af-raid your heal-th will get wor-sen. Every-one loves yo-u, Sho. Don-t think tha-t low of your-self.”
Sho’s eyes already glimmer by that. Not wanting to show his crumbling facade though, he quickly turns away as he raises his hand to wipe the threatening tears. Satoshi who notices it at the same time just smiles in the midst of his cry.
“You ha-ve a very bad tem-per af-ter Masa-ki left. Al-ways scream-ing…easi-ly anno-yed. But you-re firm…and gen-tle. You se-nd and co-me to pick me up fr-om work. You to-ld Kazu to mo-ve on when no-body dares to sa-y a word. You tri-ed to stop Jun fro-m destroy-ing him-self. Your way…mi-ght be wrong some-times, but you-r inten-tion is ri-ght.” Satoshi nearly lose his breath after speaking that long. Yet, it worth it when he sees Sho’s wall already crush as the younger brother is shaking with tears beside him. Already grinning widely, he then pulls the latter closer to his side.
“We like yo-u, Sho. You-re a pa-rt of us af-ter all. If you kno-w wha-t was the wro-ng thing yo-u had done be-fore, you sti-ll can fix it no-w.”
Sho only can sob against his hand by that. Satoshi at the same time just pat him on back, trying to calm him down despite actually unable to stop crying himself. His smile doesn’t disappear even when Sho desperately clean his face later while smirking.
“I’m only crying because you are.”
Satoshi just laugh back by that. It feels like the once thick atmosphere that surrounds them is getting clearer now even though neither say a word after that as both of them drown in their thought like reflecting what had happened. The comfortable silence continues as Satoshi then moves to pour drink for his younger brother before they are startled by sudden knocks to the ward door from outside. When Kazu opens the door and comes in while carrying numbers of papers using his uninjured arm later, the two of them just look at each other before quietly watch the fourth brother who already put everything on the empty space of Sho's bed. The younger man then wants to say something as soon as he raises his gaze at Sho, but noticing the red eyes that those two elder brother have left him dumbfounded instead.
“What happened?”
Satoshi just smiles at the younger man without saying a word. Sho on the other hand takes one deep breath before throwing his cool look at Kazu.
“What’s that?”
Not expecting that he will eventually hear the second brother’s voice after like ages, Kazu is left stunned for a while. He then turns to Satoshi who already grins at him which of course makes him even shock though finally shows the same relief smile back. Yet, when he turns to Sho again later, his expression immediately changes into serious one as he puts his hand on the top of the thick papers of Masaki's planing.
“You’re good with management planning, right?”
***
>I'm very sorry for the late update again. I already hesitated if I can make this one time since the last post, but I chose to not mention anything about it in the end. No excuse this time since I know you are probably bored of it =_="
>As always, Thank You SO much for reading! Comments and thought are loooooove.
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 19 : Beneath the suffering
It has been a few days since Masaki was officially announced as Sho’s temporary replacement. With the fact that the company's top management is taken over by his brother who has much more experience in business field, Kazu finally can breathe with relief again. The feelings of finally having someone that he and Jun can rely on and seek guide from every time they are unsure about something really help them a lot to be more confident whenever they are asked to attend meeting or handle some matters. Within that short period also, the former accountant manages to point out a lot of questionable checks and statements which most of it were unsurprisingly released by the board of the directors. Their situation also improves when several business proposals that were previously put on hold by the directors on purpose are eventually gets it approval to be proceeded one by one after a proper review from Masaki. In short, the return of the older man really saves the company from facing its worst downhill ever for the second time in its history.
However, if there is one thing Kazu has to say he doesn’t like about Masaki, it's the third brother's unhealthy working habit. The realization of how the older man will always either reject their invitation for lunch or forgets to eat the food that they had bought for him whenever he is too occupied with his job always worry them to no end. Thankfully, the sharp Jun notices it quick after they take turn to assist Masaki every two days, or they can't imagine what is going to happen to the slightly older man now. After all, the latter really leaves them to no other choice but to force him to finish it first every time, or he will not be allowed to continue his job. Yet, even if Masaki surrenders to their wish in the end, he will literally shove everything into his mouth instead of eating it so he can go back to his work faster.
Just like now.
“Don't force me to feed you with my hand like a little child, Masaki. Eat properly.”
He already glare at his elder brother who again, swallows his food without chewing it. When he emphasizes his warning tone later, Masaki finally stops and looks at him with his big brown eyes. At first, it confuses him when Masaki lowers his chopstick without a word, but as soon as the latter opens his full with food mouth as a gesture to be feed, the fourth brother immediately slaps him hard while grimacing how gross it is. The priceless reaction immediately makes Masaki laughs aloud due to amusement before it turns to cough when he is chocked by whatever thing that stuck in his throat. This time, it is Kazu's turn to laugh at him as he passes the panic man a glass of water who takes it gratefully. Their lunch then continues with the younger man mocking the third brother’s manner while the said man eats his food with a big pout on his face.
“You and Sho are very alike indeed with that unhealthy working style and table manner… But well, luckily Sho doesn’t behave like that anymore when he’s dining at home.”
The reminiscing expression that follows the fourth brother’s words brings a smile to Masaki's face. Both then fall into comfortable silence for a while when the elder brother continues to eat his food while Kazu quietly watches him in front. As soon as Masaki finishes with it later, he takes another sip of his drink before finally looks at the younger man again to ask one thing that has been bothering him lately.
“When will Jun talk with Sho about that baby?”
That question makes Kazu just sighs heavily instead.
“I don’t know too. Jun said he wants to see that lady once before he talks to Sho, but…he couldn’t track her.”
Masaki’s expression immediately changes into a serious one by that just that like the younger brother has predicted. After all, he himself is actually worried with the woman’s well-being after Jun confessed to him two days ago that she is nowhere to be found, probably because he avoids her calls for the past weeks. Who knows what she is going to do if she thinks Jun doesn't want to take responsibility and leaves her to deal with the problem alone without having anyone else to ask for help.
“Jun told me before he is still trying to find her back. Let’s just hope for the best until then.”
Unable to say a word, Masaki just nods. The elder brother's thoughtful look on the other hand gives Kazu a rough guess on what is currently in the latter’s mind until it makes him ponders to himself if he should confirm it to Masaki or not. Yet, he chooses to keep it in the end and changes the topic instead.
“Why do you choose to help this company? Of course, I’m glad that you’re here again, but...you said there’s another reason why you come back here aside of us. Also, what’s your connection with the suicide case? You told us before that you lent your phone to the man, but why?” he is about to throws several more questions when Masaki suddenly put down his glass on the desk. The gloomy expression that the already latter has immediately makes him feel guilty for forcing the older man though it is obvious the latter doesn't want to talk about it from their first meeting in that very same office days ago. Before he could apologize for his thoughtlessness however, he is silenced by Masaki sudden sighs.
“...Did you remember why Sho took over father’s position from the first place?”
That leaves Kazu frowning for a while. It takes nearly a minute before he finally remembers what Masaki had told him, Satoshi, and Jun a long time ago.
“You said...he saw one of father’s employees was hit by a car to death.”
Seeing the older man nods with weirdly blank expression makes him frown deeper. He doesn't know for how long Masaki just lost in his thought after that while staring at his glass in front like battling to himself if he should talk about it or not.
Eventually, the latter takes a deep breath and lifts his sad gaze to him again.
He was devastated. Brokenhearted.
After the meeting with Takayama and Togawa yesterday, Masaki immediately asked for a leave without payment for indefinite time from both his workplaces. He then spent the entire night cried and drinking his heart out that by time the daylight slipped through his window on the next day, he already lied on the floor like one pathetic man who ran out of tears to wipe. His phone had been turned off since yesterday as the rings will only brought him headache until it nearly urged him to smash it beyond repair just like him. Now, he knew what Sho felt when he didn’t follow the latter's order despite knowing about Sho’s unconditional trust on him. This must be his punishment for betrayed the older man two years ago.
A few days after that were spent by him sleeping, dazing off, and crying in his old apartment. He will leave to have his meal outside since he already felt too down to cook, but that was it. He can’t longer smile, laugh, or even hold a normal conversation with his neighbor without excusing himself to leave early. Knowing that either anyone from LAB or Osayama Co. will definitely look for him in that mean time as well once they failed to reach him through phone and his workplace, Masaki told his landlord on purpose that he will not be around to run some errand in case anyone came to look for him. The depressed man after that ignored all knocks, calls, or whatever he heard beyond the door, even if the other person was his brother since he didn’t want them to see him in that horrible state.
One night when he was on his way to return home after having his dinner outside, he bumped into the drunkard who always sat in the dark alleyway that will lead to his apartment. However, instead of crying and bawling over his life as usual, the man was laughing while cheering with his beer like celebrating something great. Though confused by the rareness, Masaki decided to ignore the latter as he walked pass the man who already started to hum a happy song. Before he could walk a little further however, the man stopped him and came to put his arm on Masaki’s slump shoulder.
“Why so down? You always look so happy.”
Not in a mood of talking, Masaki just turned his face to the other side. Despite his attempts to refuse latter’s drinking invitation after that, the man already gave him a can of beer before pulling him to sit along on the side of the dark alley. Thankfully, the man didn’t say anything else aside of that since he already drowned in his own world again while Masaki quietly sipped his beer beside. When the drunk man started to hum another song, he couldn’t hide his curiosity anymore and looked at the smiling man questioningly.
“Did something good happen?”
The man immediately turned to him, this time with a big grin on his face.
“The company I worked at went bankrupt. Now I’m free!”
The answer stunned Masaki. Yet, the fact that the man still can look so happy as he shared about the unrealistic expectation that the higher ups always have, the bullies that often happen there, and the long hours of working that the company made him confuse than ever. When he asked the man to explain it later, the man just chuckled back.
“Well, I already lost my passion to work there anyway. I used to love that place, but after the top management changed...I couldn’t longer enjoy my job. I only worked for living and send my money to my parents. Their life is better now because of that, but they are still saying they are more worried about my condition here. But now…I think they finally can rest assured.”
The small smile that showed on the man’s face made Masaki thoughtful. Clenching his hand tighter around his beer, Masaki later surprised the fellow by clanking their can together and cheered for him to show his support. That immediately brought happy tears to the drunken man who thanked him before started to tell Masaki a lot of bad stories about the company that he used to work at in which Masaki will either nod or respond from time to time. The two of them then continued to talk about various things even when they already ran out of alcohol until the morning light came and the man yawned due to exhaustion. Masaki himself was a bit dizzy since he hadn't slept for the entire night and wanted to call it day when the latter suddenly asked.
“Can I borrow your phone? I need to call my parents. They’re living in Hiroshima.”
For some reasons, Masaki didn’t hesitate to give it to the man. Instead of letting the man to use it there while he waited though, he told the latter to keep it until they meet again later.
“I don’t have to use it for anything anyway. Take your time. And please ignored any numbers that showed up. It's nothing important anyway.”
He noticed how the man chewed his lip by that before thanking him for lending it again. It was obvious that the latter needed more time to mentally prepare himself to talk about his situation with his parents who he hadn't called for a long time and Masaki knew better than pushing him. After that, the two of them bid goodbye to each other with a wish that they will meet again when they have time.
“I straightaway went to sleep when I reached home, but around 6 hours later, I was awakened by siren. It wasn’t far from my apartment, so I decided to go and check what’s actually going on. And that's when...I found out from the crowd that gathered there about him. I never thought…that will be the last time I will see him tho. I hope he will get well soon.”
Kazu only can chew his lip bitterly by the story. He is seriously loss of words to say this time, especially when the older man already has a grim look on his face. Now when he recalls it, he knows the man that Masaki was talking about is the same person with the drunken man that he and Satoshi encountered in the alleyway during their search for Masaki not long ago. Who would ever think that poor man actually hid something so painful for long inside him...
“Sho saw father’s late nagotiator was hit by a car when nobody in our family wanted to take over this company. And I...met a man who lost his job because it went bankrupt right before the same thing happened again. I don’t know if this is fate or what, but…I couldn’t look away even if I want to. Somehow I understand now why Sho decided to force himself to work that hard.”
“That’s not a good working style, Masaki. We don’t want you to force yourself until you’re sick like Sho.”
“I know, that’s why I need you guys to watch me when I’m overdoing it. Back then that’s what I did too, so Sho won’t go overboard. I failed though in the end…”
Before Kazu can object it, someone suddenly knocks the door from outside. The person then doesn’t bother to wait for the temporary CEO’s permission first to enter as he just barges in despite Takayama’s effort to stop him behind. The lack of manner triggers Kazu’s temper, but Masaki immediately pats him on shoulder as a signal to stay quiet while he walks to stand face to face with the furious management director. Before he could ask the reason behind the visit however, the old man already throws pages of documents at him until it falls and lies everywhere on the floor. That rudeness shock both Kazu and Takayama, but neither gets to move when the arrogant director already steps on the management plan that Masaki had worked hard for to complete until he didn’t get to sleep for an entire night.
“This is why I against it to let you take over! Did your brain spoil somewhere after these two years?! What kind of crap you just sent to me?! You’re an embarrassment as a leader!”
Now, that is something Kazu can't tolerate ever. If he was battling to himself whether he should scream at the man before, the only thing he wants to do now is punch that shameless man as he stamps angrily forward. Right before he can open his mouth and knock out the arrogant man however, Masaki already catches his arm and shoots him a stern look. When the elder brother then tells Takayama to take him outside and wait there, he already turns to Masaki due to disbelieve. As soon as the door is closed behind them after Takayama literally drags him out like he has been told though, Kazu quickly turns to Takayama with fierce eyes.
“What were you thinking?! Why will you let Masaki to face that *sshole alone?!”
“Let’s just wait here like Masaki-san said, Kazunari-san. Masaki-san knows what to do.”
The bitterness that actualy hides behind the words can't fool Kazu to do as he is asked. Instead, he ignores the secretary’s plead and walks back toward the door. Yet, right when he manages to open it a little, he is left dumbfound by the sight of his older brother is bowing down very low at the director while apologizing for his mistake. Not to mention about the arrogant look that the old man has as he mocks Masaki’s level of intelligence and credibility to become Sho’s replacement which is more than enough to make Kazu storms in and punch that old jerk until half dead if not because Takayama already drags him away from the door with unbelievable amount of strength. He wants to oppose it, but the secretary’s words shut him.
“At least, please don’t do anything for Masaki-san’s sake. I understand it’s difficult, but it’s the only way left now. If Masaki-san insists to defend himself, his words might be used against him by the board of directors. They will make it sounds like Masaki-san is incapable to receive criticism. And by the end of the day, Sho-san will be affected as well since it’s him who suggested Masaki-san’s name as his replacement.”
The fact that Masaki and the secretary already calculate all possibility to that point makes Kazu speechless. It both shocking and saddening him. He thought everything will get better after Masaki agreed to work for the company that literally had ruined his life, but seems like he is completely wrong. Just how much longer they had to endure the harassment from the heartless directors after all the misery they had to through?
“Is there nothing…we can do anymore? What’s the problem again this time?”
“As you already know Kazunari-san, that’s the management director. I rarely see him come here since Sho-san is very good with administration and company-planning-related field which is not Masaki-san’s expertise. It was otherwise when Sho-san was still working however. Usually it will be the accountancy director who will show up and told Sho-san to fix everything from scratch. But during that time Sho-san can handle it without much problem since they already admitted Sho-san’s capability as leader. But for Masaki-san who is only coming back as a replacement…it’s different.”
Just then the same director slams open the door. A huge smirk already plasters on his face as he walks in front them which annoys Kazu more than ever until he barely manages to restrain himself from bashing the man if not because of Takayama’s tight grip on his arm. As soon as the arrogant man leaves the floor, he no longer wastes his time to check on Masaki in the office. Nothing can describe how burning he is though when sees the older brother of his is kneeling on the floor while picking up the papers that are everywhere around him. Later, when Masaki looks up and smiles at him like the previous incident didn’t happen at all, something inside him immediately click as he rushes to help and gather it as well. Masaki immediately thanks him by that as the two of them then start to neatly arrange all the documents again before the older brother put it back inside an envelope. Yet, right when he gets up to put it inside the shelf together with other documents, Kazu quickly snatches it away and leaves the place without any further word. The sudden action leaves Masaki astonishes for a while before he rushes to chase over the younger man if not because Takayama asks him to let the man be for now.
***
As soon as he stops in front of Sho’s ward, Satoshi carefully opens it and peeks inside. Seeing the brother of his is staring outside of the window as he usually does every day brings a smile to his face while he steps inside and approaches the younger man who is sitting on the bed. He notices how Sho acknowledges his presence by looking at him from the edge of his eyes before turning to the scenery again with blank gaze, but that doesn’t let him feel down the slightest. Instead, he pulls a chair next to Sho’s bed and settles there as he put another new drawing book on the empty side of the bed.
“How-s yo-ur feel-ing to-day, Sho?”
The younger brother remains quiet and looks at the same distance in front. Far from giving up, Satoshi keeps smiling while opens the first page of his sketch. That has been his routine since the doctor advised him to not touch any topic related to Sho’s condition until the latter is ready to open up himself.
“Thi-s ti-me I dra-w fish! It’s be-en a whil-e sin-ce I ca-tch one. I wi-sh I can go fish-ing a-gain so-on…” Satoshi pouts as he points at
Sho the first fish he sketched, which is Tuna. Despite his loss of memories about what happened two years ago, he still can recall the memories before that like when he still oftenly went to the sea while juggling with his tight exhibition schedule. He told the younger man how it was his first big catch ever and the fact that he actually made sashimi from it to eat with the captain boat before took the remaining home to share with them. His expression is full with excitement as he continues to tell Sho more about Tuna’s nutrient, sizes, and on until he eventually has it enough and proceed to the next one.
“Thi-s one wa-s the one I cau-ght when I we-nt to sea wi-th Jun la-st year! Bo-th of us cau-ght one for our-sel-ves! Jun was ve-ry wor-ried he wi-ll get sun-tan, but af-ter tha-t he was ve-ry ex-cited too! I wi-sh I can go fish-ing wi-th him a-gain. Tha-t was fu-n…”
His pout grows bigger as he recalls the day. However, before he can tell the younger man more about his experience, he is surprised by a sudden hoarse voice that comes from the only person aside of him there.
“If you miss it very much, you should go back and ask them to take you there again. There is no reason to stay here.”
At once, Satoshi raises his face to look at Sho. Although the second brother is still staring at far distance, he can feel a brand new hope is born inside him by the response.
“The-n let’s wa-it un-til you get bet-ter. A-ll of us ca-n go fish-ing to-ge-ther af-ter that.”
“You would rather not have me to come along, right? I’ll just ruin everything.”
The monotone clenches Satoshi’s heart sadly. But more than that, it is those words that depress him.
“Why a-re you sa-ying that? You-re not. I'm su-re it wi-ll be mo-re fun wi-th you the-re.”
Sho unexpectedly chuckles by that. The bitterness that hidden under it however makes Satoshi's expression dim as he watches Sho finally turns to him with cynical look.
“I was the one who destroy our family, right? I was the bad one for hitting Kazu and Jun and shouting at them. I lash everything about the company at home that make you guys angry with me. That’s why you shouldn’t hide it any longer. If you hate me, no need to stay and do all this anymore. I’ll be just fine staying alone here.”
“I ne-ver hate you. We ne-ver hate yo-u, Sho. E-ven Ma-saki sti-ll care a-bout you.”
“You only say that because you feel sorry with me. You guys feel responsible about me. I had done a lot of terrible things to us after all. I know it. I’m the bad blood one. And I’m also the one without actual bloodline brother... That's why nobody wants to stick with me…”
The eldest brother looks at Sho due to disbelieve by that. Before Sho can continue with his depressing words further though, Satoshi suddenly gets up from his seat with furious look.
“A-re you sa-ying tha-t we are not yo-ur bro-thers?! Be-cause we ha-ve dif-ferent blo-od?! You-re un-be-lieve-able!”
The unexpected raise of voice struck Sho who immediately turn to him again. When Satoshi later clenches his fist like he is ready to him, the younger man really thought he is really screwed this time. Triggering the always calm and gentle brother’s temper is one thing. But making him this angry till the point he can go as far as punching someone is definitely the worst.
“I will hi-t you if no-t be-cause you-re sick.”
Sho flinches when the older man unexpectedly slumps on the empty space next to him instead. Currently speechless though, he just stares at Satoshi who already pouts to himself while glaring at the wall. He can feel his heart jumps due to shock later when the angry man turns to him again.
“If Ka-zu and Jun don-t care a-bout you, the-y will not wa-nt to wat-ch over the com-pany. They ha-te the pla-ce. And I ha-te it too. But the-y still do tha-t be-cause they care a-bout you. They wa-nt to help you. Why don-t you no-tice it?”
That silences Sho. Meanwhile, seeing how speechless the younger brother already is makes Satoshi even mad. He is angry. He feels so disappoint toward Sho for thinking that low about them.
However, on top of all, he is sad. He feels helpless for unable to notice Sho’s feelings earlier. Before he realizes it, angry tears already make it down to his face, surprising Sho who already freezes beside him.
“We ne-ver ha-te you, Sho. No-body will ha-te you be-cause we don-t have sa-me pare-nts. I don-t e-ven have sa-me fa-ther with all of yo-u, you kno-w.”
As he begins to sniff, he sees how Sho’s expression saddens by that. Yet, it doesn’t stop him from reaching for the younger man's arm and grips it to emphasize his words.
“But we gro-w up to-gether, rig-ht? We ha-ve each o-ther. No-body ca-res a-bout blo-od. See? E-ven if you can-t tru-st Ma-saki any-more, he still co-mes back. He sa-id he won-t show him-self in fron-t of you be-cause he af-raid your heal-th will get wor-sen. Every-one loves yo-u, Sho. Don-t think tha-t low of your-self.”
Sho’s eyes already glimmer by that. Not wanting to show his crumbling facade though, he quickly turns away as he raises his hand to wipe the threatening tears. Satoshi who notices it at the same time just smiles in the midst of his cry.
“You ha-ve a very bad tem-per af-ter Masa-ki left. Al-ways scream-ing…easi-ly anno-yed. But you-re firm…and gen-tle. You se-nd and co-me to pick me up fr-om work. You to-ld Kazu to mo-ve on when no-body dares to sa-y a word. You tri-ed to stop Jun fro-m destroy-ing him-self. Your way…mi-ght be wrong some-times, but you-r inten-tion is ri-ght.” Satoshi nearly lose his breath after speaking that long. Yet, it worth it when he sees Sho’s wall already crush as the younger brother is shaking with tears beside him. Already grinning widely, he then pulls the latter closer to his side.
“We like yo-u, Sho. You-re a pa-rt of us af-ter all. If you kno-w wha-t was the wro-ng thing yo-u had done be-fore, you sti-ll can fix it no-w.”
Sho only can sob against his hand by that. Satoshi at the same time just pat him on back, trying to calm him down despite actually unable to stop crying himself. His smile doesn’t disappear even when Sho desperately clean his face later while smirking.
“I’m only crying because you are.”
Satoshi just laugh back by that. It feels like the once thick atmosphere that surrounds them is getting clearer now even though neither say a word after that as both of them drown in their thought like reflecting what had happened. The comfortable silence continues as Satoshi then moves to pour drink for his younger brother before they are startled by sudden knocks to the ward door from outside. When Kazu opens the door and comes in while carrying numbers of papers using his uninjured arm later, the two of them just look at each other before quietly watch the fourth brother who already put everything on the empty space of Sho's bed. The younger man then wants to say something as soon as he raises his gaze at Sho, but noticing the red eyes that those two elder brother have left him dumbfounded instead.
“What happened?”
Satoshi just smiles at the younger man without saying a word. Sho on the other hand takes one deep breath before throwing his cool look at Kazu.
“What’s that?”
Not expecting that he will eventually hear the second brother’s voice after like ages, Kazu is left stunned for a while. He then turns to Satoshi who already grins at him which of course makes him even shock though finally shows the same relief smile back. Yet, when he turns to Sho again later, his expression immediately changes into serious one as he puts his hand on the top of the thick papers of Masaki's planing.
“You’re good with management planning, right?”
***
>I'm very sorry for the late update again. I already hesitated if I can make this one time since the last post, but I chose to not mention anything about it in the end. No excuse this time since I know you are probably bored of it =_="
>As always, Thank You SO much for reading! Comments and thought are loooooove.