Family Matters: Chapter 4
Title: Family matters ~ Chapter 4
Pairing: Jun, Masaki, Sho, Satoshi, Kazu (there are going to be additional side-characters though. No OCs.) I'm trying to give each of the five their well-deserves spot-light <3
Rating: PG
Multi-chapter
Beta: lover_youshould
Genre: family!AU in which Arashi are brothers :-) slice of life, a little drama (and I'm trying to add some light-hearted, funny moments to it too)
Summary: Since they were little they were always close to each other. And when unfortunate events force them to live together without their parents, it's only natural that they try to make the best out of it.
“What is it now?” Satoshi asks when he comes to the kitchen and sees his twin and Masaki at the kitchen table. “Are you colouring eggs? It’s not Easter!”
“We don’t need to celebrate Easter to colour eggs,” Masaki says with a cheerful grin and shoves some eggs towards Satoshi. “You are the artist among us. Help me.”
Satoshi nods absent-mindedly and sits down next to Sho. They exchange a glance but Sho just shrugs helplessly. It’s not unusual for Masaki to be in a good mood, but it is unusual for him to colour eggs at this time of the year. Satoshi grabs some pens and starts with his new task.
“You know-“ Masaki says all of a sudden. “I met a beautiful woman today.”
So that’s why Masaki just had a motivation push.
“Where did you meet her, Ma-chan?” Sho asks and his voice is soft and warm all of a sudden. Happy because Masaki seems to be happy. It’s such a pity no one in this family seems to realize this kind side of Sho, Satoshi thinks.
“In Kazu’s and Jun’s school. I just wanted to pick up the brochure and schedule for this parents-teacher-day. It’s actually a huge school festival too. She helped me out.”
“Pretty?” Satoshi asks casually, watching his brother in amusement.
“Very pretty. She is half Italian. Mama Mia she said once she realized I’m Jun’s and Kazu’s older brother. She has a cute accent when she speaks Japanese.” Masaki grins and puts the finished egg into a basket. He has painted a little rabbit and some flowers on it. “I wanted to thank her and invited her out. She said yes. Unbelievable, isn’t it?”
“Awesome, Masaki!” Satoshi smiles at him encouragingly and means it. “What’s her name?”
“Kato Rosa-chan,” he says.
Satoshi wants to say something, but the look that he can see in Sho’s eyes basically takes his breath away. The latter looks more than shocked, eyes widen-opened in awe. A very rare sight. “Jun’s Italian teacher?” he finally breathes out. “You are seriously dating one of our brothers’ teachers?”
“Teacher!?” Masaki squeaks in shock. “I thought she was a native speaker, a trainee. And she is Jun’s teacher on top of that?”
Satoshi grins dirtily. “Way to go Masaki. An older women. And a sensei~” He exchanges a teasing glance with Sho. “Maybe Sho won’t stay the least favourite brother,” he jokes. Sho laughs as well, his laugh increasing when Masaki shoots them a glare.
“Jun will understand,” he mumbles but doesn’t sound too convinced. Instead, he apparently decides to shift his attention towards his original task. His new egg. He has coloured it with lots of different colours, making a rainbow out of them. “Satoshi, did you already finish some eggs?” he asks and eyes him.
“Sure.” He points at the eggs in front of him. “Here they are.”
For a moment Masaki looks at him dumbfounded, before the look in his eyes suddenly gets surprised, then horrified then downright annoyed. “Sa-chan! What are you doing!?”
“Colouring eggs.”
Sho throws a glance in his direction. Next thing Satoshi knows, his brother is almost dropping down from his chair. He is laughing so much that his eyes get teary. “These are awesome, Satoshi. Your best work until now. Is this the crucifixion?”
“Yes. And the ordeal.”
“And you have even coloured some gothic eggs. All black with symbols from the scene. Oh, and here, a BDSM egg. Are these handcuffs on it?”
“Yeah-“ Masaki looks seriously pissed now, a very rare sight. “Awesome. You are so-“
Satoshi doesn’t get to know what he is, because they get interrupted by the younger ones curiously coming to the kitchen. “You can be heard from down the street.” Kazu grins. “Jun and I have been wondering what you three were laughing or arguing about.”
“Masaki is colouring eggs.” Sho smiles. “Satoshi is helping him.” He points at the bunch of dark, gothic and, okay, somewhat disturbing eggs. “That’s his work.”
For a moment Kazu and Jun exchange some glances, then they burst into giggles and laughs.
“Good that you are all so amused by this.” Masaki scolds all of them and takes the remaining white eggs away from Satoshi. He hands them to Sho. “You are going to help me now.”
“Sho?” Kazu asks in surprise. “He can’t paint to save his life.”
“He is not that bad. At least in comparison to us,” Jun intervenes. Unusual for him to be at Sho’s side. Satoshi looks up a bit and eyes the two younger guys carefully. Most of all, he is surprised to see Kazu that early. Was his previous suspicion groundless? Or did Kazu hear about them visiting next month and just wanted to prevent any further damage? Most likely it was the second option.
Before he can ask anything though, Masaki already interrupts him. “Sho at least colours the eggs. With COLOURS! Not like you, you idiotic older brother!”
~~~
It’s later at night when Satoshi is in his home-atelier, the one that is not in the city but in the house. He doesn’t always feel like heading to his professional one, hence he built one empty room in the top floor into an atelier, for him to be able to do some work at home. His phone vibrates and the first beats of Jason Derulo’s something - he seriously has no idea which song it is - fill the room. The phone is a present from Sho as he had the opinion that Satoshi’s old phone was rather suitable for an antique exhibition but not for regular usage. While the song was downloaded and put as his message-arrival and incoming-call song by Jun. When Satoshi has asked who that Jason Derulo dude is, Jun basically threw him a very frustrated glance, followed by a fifteen minute rant about how and why someone could be that much out of the world like Satoshi. Even the words like a grandpa fell - the main reason why Satoshi let Jun install that horrible song. These kids are too manipulative sometimes, but then, he loves them too much to really complain.
When the song doesn’t stop, he angles for his phone. “Hm?”
“Is that how you answer the phone, Satoshi-san?” a melodic voice answers before the guy on the other end chuckles.
“Kazuya-kun, is that you?”
“Yes, obviously,” Kame says casually.
Satoshi blinks. He is someone who has no problems with giving his phone number or email address to others but it rarely happens that someone really gets in touch with him. Most people are creeped out by his artistic side - not the pictures but the way he is. Typical artist, they often say. Or they are annoyed by the way he seems to be indifferent most of the time, which he isn’t. Really, not at all! And his one-night stands… stayed one-night stands most of the time, since they never bothered to call. “Why are you calling?” he asks carefully.
Kame chuckles. “Did you enjoy the sex with me?”
Satoshi frowns. That dude could probably get along with Kazu by the way he is blunt and bratty. “Yes, I did.”
“So did I,” Kame answers and Satoshi has to smile. “So, let’s repeat this!”
Satoshi’s smile is replaced by a frown. “Repeat?”
“Yes, how about Friday night, are you free on Friday night?”
“I think so.” Satoshi eyes his calendar - another present from Sho because he was so pissed that Satoshi tended to forget all kinds of appointments with him (Satoshi is trying to keep it up to date, but mostly Masaki and Sho do it for him, adding some dates to it so that Satoshi wouldn’t forget for sure). Friday evening - nothing planned. “Yes. I’m free.”
“Okay, let’s meet at the new udon place at 6 PM? The one right around the corner from your atelier.” Kame’s voice sounds steady and self-confident but Satoshi can’t get the feeling out of his head that it’s shaking slightly. Why the hell is he nervous?
There is no reason to decline. “Yeah, fine with me.”
~~~
“You are going on a date!?” Sho almost spits his drink out. “You? Mr. No-one-likes-to-stick-to-me-everyone-is-stupid-for-only-wanting-to-go-for-my-butt-hence-I’m-always-sulking-after-every-one-night-stand has finally managed to get a date?”
“Idiot! Better than you, Mr. I-have-no-time-to-date-because-my-clients-and-work-are-more-important!” Satoshi grins. “And it’s not a date. It’s something in between a casual meeting and a date,” he adds. Sho has just come back from work and as usual first visited him in his atelier. It’s their normal routine. In fact when Sho is working too long and doesn’t make it or when Satoshi is out or at his professional atelier, he weirdly misses their daily routine to have a good glass of wine together late at night. “We are just going for dinner.”
“Hm.” Sho angles for a piece of carrot cake with caramel filling - Masaki made it, a first attempt. Like always when Masaki goes for first attempts, the whole family gets to have plenty of it. This time the cake is basically a natural catastrophe, in a good way - as it’s so good that Satoshi feels he could bathe in it. Sho apparently thinks so too, because his eyes gleam. “Eating this is like having an orgasm,” he breathes out. “Not that I had one recently. But this one is close enough.”
Satoshi laughs. “You should tell that to Masaki. He will be happy. Especially after you scolded him for such a long time.”
“I did?” Sho asks and takes another bite.
“Yes. When he was messing around with Kazu and Jun the other day.”
“Ah.” Sho nods, apparently remembering. “That’s not scolding. I didn’t scold him. I just reminded him of how he is supposed to act.”
“Yes, exactly.” Satoshi snatches the spoon from Sho and takes a piece of the cake for himself. “You scolded him. You are pretty good at that.”
“Is that a compliment or an insult?” Sho wants to know.
“It could be both?” Satoshi shrugs. “I’m just saying that you are good at convincing people to overthink what they are doing. And you are also good at making someone feel like he is six years old again, getting reprimanded like a kid.”
Sho is silent for a moment, then he frowns, throwing a glare at Satoshi. “This is not a compliment at all, stupid twin!”
“It is not?” Satoshi asks, feeling a bit surprised. “But you are a lawyer. It’s your job to be good at that.”
“Yes.” Sho takes the spoon back and digs it into the delicious caramel filled cake. “But you are my brothers, not the accused.”
“I think-“ Satoshi folds his arms at the table and rests his chin on them. “-It’s okay that at least one of us takes the older brother role 100% serious. Let’s face it, Masaki is too sweet and still pretty young himself. I’m too slow in my reactions. You on the other hand are witty and react fast - it’s nothing bad for them to have a father figure around them.”
“Sure, it sounds good when you say it like that, but-“
“But?”
Sho shrugs. “It’s not good for my relationship with them. I don’t want to be a father figure. I don’t want to be strict like a parent. I want to be a normal older brother, a cool and fun one.”
“Hm~” Satoshi leans back a bit, eyeing the picture he has pinned to the wall. It’s basically the five of them, taken very spontaneously and hence fulfilling all kind of clichés, which means Sho is still in his tux, Satoshi covered in water colours, Masaki wearing an apron and a plate with a Tinkerbell-cake - for a children-birthday party in his shop -, Jun dressed like he is rather going to a host club than coming from school (still a problem, Satoshi thinks, but whenever he complains about Jun’s styling, he gets basically snapped at) and Kazu looking annoyed while playing on his 3DS. It’s so cliché that it’s almost ridiculous, but at the same time it’s exactly what they are. “I get what you mean, but at the same time it is as it is. We are family and it just so happens that we are the two oldest. Someone has to keep the bunch together even if it’s an unthankful task sometimes.”
Sho nods half-heartedly. “Of course you are right, but I guess I need to work harder to balance both. So that they can also see me as a brother they can trust. Like you.”
“Oh-“ Satoshi frowns. “Jun sees me like a brother he can trust. Kazu doesn’t. See? I guess it’s just the same for me as it is for you. Just that Jun is more open with showing his emotions. Might come to your advantage actually.”
“Why can’t we just all get along?” Sho grumbles. “It’s not fair. I want Jun to like me too. And Kazu is a lot nicer to you than Jun is to me. The comparison sucks.”
“You are sulking again,” Satoshi giggles. “Maybe you should show them this idiotic side of you too occasionally. Might give them a whole new approach to your character.”
“Why is Jun giving me such a hard time,” Sho whines. “I never did anything. I’m merely existing!”
Satoshi grins. “Four weeks ago you yelled at him for almost an hour. I was in my atelier, I thought it was the TV and when I came down to tell you guys to turn the noise of the movie down I stumbled into a natural catastrophe. How did you even manage to raise your voice for such a long time - actually I was a little impressed. Masaki sobbed into his self-made alcohol-free pina colada. And Jun was at least close to crying. I think he even did later on when he retreated, which is probably why Kazu appeared out of nowhere suddenly and picked the fight up yet again. This time, it didn’t end in only insulting you, if I might reminded you, he pulled me into it too. Like Where have you been all the time? What kind of horrible older brother are you!? Why didn’t you do this or that to stop the fight from escalating? You are always on Sho’s side, but at least Sho is honest about his feelings and shows them! You really think I would believe you that you thought it was the TV - no one is that dense! Man, what a story. I was seriously getting pissed too. He loves doing that.” Satoshi shrugs. “But well, I wouldn’t call this stunt of yours merely existing.”
“Are you finished with warming up this story again?” Sho huffs. “Yes, I was at fault. We have already talked about how at fault I was plenty times. And I have apologized to both Jun and Masaki. Something you by the way never did when you fought with Kazu!”
There are probably several things Satoshi could say about that. Like that even when they argue it doesn’t end in such a huge clash like with Sho and Jun. And he hardly ever yells at anyone. But then he has to admit that Sho’s last words hit the truth. He hardly ever apologizes for harsh words towards Kazu, neither does Kazu. In fact, he can’t even remember the last time the both of them actually apologized to each other. Sho on the other hand did. “Fine, you are right. At least you are able to apologize. Something I never do. You just need to work on your temper.”
“I know.” Sho eyes the cake gloomily. “I just snapped, once again. I hate when I do. It makes me feel horrible afterwards. I was just so angry. I didn’t know it was misunderstanding. Who would have known that it really was Masaki going to a Hillbilly-meets-Grease-80s party and wearing this wig? I was hundred percent sure it was Jun and that he took the car and drove without a license.” He sighs. “Damn it. I should probably learn to listen better.”
“Well, it can happen,” Satoshi says soothingly. He means it. “Don’t get hung up on that story too much. Besides that I do think that Jun could be nicer to you and not fight you all the time, despite that incident. He is letting it out on you too often. It’s not really okay - I wonder where this comes from. It’s weird. And, I think you are taking it very well, almost too well. You are allowed to get angry at him because of that, you know that right?”
“But-“ Sho shrugs. “You were right before, it’s no surprise Jun hates me.”
“He does not hate you!”
“You just said he does!”
“I did not-“ Satoshi takes a deep breath, wondering what he got himself into yet again. “I just commented on your wording merely existing. Besides you making a mistake doesn’t give anyone the right to push you that much. I didn’t want to make a drama out of it again. I swear. And you know that. So don’t be silly!”
“Idiotic? Silly? Did you just really insult me several times within only ten minutes?” Sho shoots back. “Wow, that’s a new record, Sa-chan~. I’m impressed. Maybe you should also show that side to Kazu? Might make him realize how much of a sadistic, bratty prick you can be.”
Satoshi laughs. Unlike the others it’s easy for him to get along with Sho. Maybe because they are twins and were always close. He just knows how to read Sho’s words and signs. Just like Sho probably knows how to read his. He smiles affectionately at his brother. “You could start with telling them the silly dirty jokes you only crack when it’s the both of us,” he suggests. “Might make them realize that you are actually pretty fun to be around. And not only earnest and super-strict.”
“Hm,” Sho chuckles. “And you could tell them that you are probably a bigger womanizer or man-eater than they imagine. Might give you some admiration from Kazu’s side.”
“You are probably right,” Satoshi grins. “But I’d rather keep that a secret.”
There is a pause in which both of them take a sip from their wine, cooling down a little from their heated talk. Then Sho however lets out a sigh and smiles affectionately. “Satoshi, what Kazu said to you during this fight was terrible and completely out of nowhere. I just want you to know that I felt bad for you. I don’t get his anger against you at all. Maybe you should talk about it with him to understand what’s going on?”
“Hm, maybe, I just don’t have the balls to do that.”
Sho cracks a laugh. “And we are back to dirty talk!” He grins. “Won’t you tell them that you are going on a date?”
“I told you it’s not a date,” Satoshi argues.
Sho smiles softly. “Hm, whatever you say.”
Pairing: Jun, Masaki, Sho, Satoshi, Kazu (there are going to be additional side-characters though. No OCs.) I'm trying to give each of the five their well-deserves spot-light <3
Rating: PG
Multi-chapter
Beta: lover_youshould
Genre: family!AU in which Arashi are brothers :-) slice of life, a little drama (and I'm trying to add some light-hearted, funny moments to it too)
Summary: Since they were little they were always close to each other. And when unfortunate events force them to live together without their parents, it's only natural that they try to make the best out of it.
“What is it now?” Satoshi asks when he comes to the kitchen and sees his twin and Masaki at the kitchen table. “Are you colouring eggs? It’s not Easter!”
“We don’t need to celebrate Easter to colour eggs,” Masaki says with a cheerful grin and shoves some eggs towards Satoshi. “You are the artist among us. Help me.”
Satoshi nods absent-mindedly and sits down next to Sho. They exchange a glance but Sho just shrugs helplessly. It’s not unusual for Masaki to be in a good mood, but it is unusual for him to colour eggs at this time of the year. Satoshi grabs some pens and starts with his new task.
“You know-“ Masaki says all of a sudden. “I met a beautiful woman today.”
So that’s why Masaki just had a motivation push.
“Where did you meet her, Ma-chan?” Sho asks and his voice is soft and warm all of a sudden. Happy because Masaki seems to be happy. It’s such a pity no one in this family seems to realize this kind side of Sho, Satoshi thinks.
“In Kazu’s and Jun’s school. I just wanted to pick up the brochure and schedule for this parents-teacher-day. It’s actually a huge school festival too. She helped me out.”
“Pretty?” Satoshi asks casually, watching his brother in amusement.
“Very pretty. She is half Italian. Mama Mia she said once she realized I’m Jun’s and Kazu’s older brother. She has a cute accent when she speaks Japanese.” Masaki grins and puts the finished egg into a basket. He has painted a little rabbit and some flowers on it. “I wanted to thank her and invited her out. She said yes. Unbelievable, isn’t it?”
“Awesome, Masaki!” Satoshi smiles at him encouragingly and means it. “What’s her name?”
“Kato Rosa-chan,” he says.
Satoshi wants to say something, but the look that he can see in Sho’s eyes basically takes his breath away. The latter looks more than shocked, eyes widen-opened in awe. A very rare sight. “Jun’s Italian teacher?” he finally breathes out. “You are seriously dating one of our brothers’ teachers?”
“Teacher!?” Masaki squeaks in shock. “I thought she was a native speaker, a trainee. And she is Jun’s teacher on top of that?”
Satoshi grins dirtily. “Way to go Masaki. An older women. And a sensei~” He exchanges a teasing glance with Sho. “Maybe Sho won’t stay the least favourite brother,” he jokes. Sho laughs as well, his laugh increasing when Masaki shoots them a glare.
“Jun will understand,” he mumbles but doesn’t sound too convinced. Instead, he apparently decides to shift his attention towards his original task. His new egg. He has coloured it with lots of different colours, making a rainbow out of them. “Satoshi, did you already finish some eggs?” he asks and eyes him.
“Sure.” He points at the eggs in front of him. “Here they are.”
For a moment Masaki looks at him dumbfounded, before the look in his eyes suddenly gets surprised, then horrified then downright annoyed. “Sa-chan! What are you doing!?”
“Colouring eggs.”
Sho throws a glance in his direction. Next thing Satoshi knows, his brother is almost dropping down from his chair. He is laughing so much that his eyes get teary. “These are awesome, Satoshi. Your best work until now. Is this the crucifixion?”
“Yes. And the ordeal.”
“And you have even coloured some gothic eggs. All black with symbols from the scene. Oh, and here, a BDSM egg. Are these handcuffs on it?”
“Yeah-“ Masaki looks seriously pissed now, a very rare sight. “Awesome. You are so-“
Satoshi doesn’t get to know what he is, because they get interrupted by the younger ones curiously coming to the kitchen. “You can be heard from down the street.” Kazu grins. “Jun and I have been wondering what you three were laughing or arguing about.”
“Masaki is colouring eggs.” Sho smiles. “Satoshi is helping him.” He points at the bunch of dark, gothic and, okay, somewhat disturbing eggs. “That’s his work.”
For a moment Kazu and Jun exchange some glances, then they burst into giggles and laughs.
“Good that you are all so amused by this.” Masaki scolds all of them and takes the remaining white eggs away from Satoshi. He hands them to Sho. “You are going to help me now.”
“Sho?” Kazu asks in surprise. “He can’t paint to save his life.”
“He is not that bad. At least in comparison to us,” Jun intervenes. Unusual for him to be at Sho’s side. Satoshi looks up a bit and eyes the two younger guys carefully. Most of all, he is surprised to see Kazu that early. Was his previous suspicion groundless? Or did Kazu hear about them visiting next month and just wanted to prevent any further damage? Most likely it was the second option.
Before he can ask anything though, Masaki already interrupts him. “Sho at least colours the eggs. With COLOURS! Not like you, you idiotic older brother!”
~~~
It’s later at night when Satoshi is in his home-atelier, the one that is not in the city but in the house. He doesn’t always feel like heading to his professional one, hence he built one empty room in the top floor into an atelier, for him to be able to do some work at home. His phone vibrates and the first beats of Jason Derulo’s something - he seriously has no idea which song it is - fill the room. The phone is a present from Sho as he had the opinion that Satoshi’s old phone was rather suitable for an antique exhibition but not for regular usage. While the song was downloaded and put as his message-arrival and incoming-call song by Jun. When Satoshi has asked who that Jason Derulo dude is, Jun basically threw him a very frustrated glance, followed by a fifteen minute rant about how and why someone could be that much out of the world like Satoshi. Even the words like a grandpa fell - the main reason why Satoshi let Jun install that horrible song. These kids are too manipulative sometimes, but then, he loves them too much to really complain.
When the song doesn’t stop, he angles for his phone. “Hm?”
“Is that how you answer the phone, Satoshi-san?” a melodic voice answers before the guy on the other end chuckles.
“Kazuya-kun, is that you?”
“Yes, obviously,” Kame says casually.
Satoshi blinks. He is someone who has no problems with giving his phone number or email address to others but it rarely happens that someone really gets in touch with him. Most people are creeped out by his artistic side - not the pictures but the way he is. Typical artist, they often say. Or they are annoyed by the way he seems to be indifferent most of the time, which he isn’t. Really, not at all! And his one-night stands… stayed one-night stands most of the time, since they never bothered to call. “Why are you calling?” he asks carefully.
Kame chuckles. “Did you enjoy the sex with me?”
Satoshi frowns. That dude could probably get along with Kazu by the way he is blunt and bratty. “Yes, I did.”
“So did I,” Kame answers and Satoshi has to smile. “So, let’s repeat this!”
Satoshi’s smile is replaced by a frown. “Repeat?”
“Yes, how about Friday night, are you free on Friday night?”
“I think so.” Satoshi eyes his calendar - another present from Sho because he was so pissed that Satoshi tended to forget all kinds of appointments with him (Satoshi is trying to keep it up to date, but mostly Masaki and Sho do it for him, adding some dates to it so that Satoshi wouldn’t forget for sure). Friday evening - nothing planned. “Yes. I’m free.”
“Okay, let’s meet at the new udon place at 6 PM? The one right around the corner from your atelier.” Kame’s voice sounds steady and self-confident but Satoshi can’t get the feeling out of his head that it’s shaking slightly. Why the hell is he nervous?
There is no reason to decline. “Yeah, fine with me.”
~~~
“You are going on a date!?” Sho almost spits his drink out. “You? Mr. No-one-likes-to-stick-to-me-everyone-is-stupid-for-only-wanting-to-go-for-my-butt-hence-I’m-always-sulking-after-every-one-night-stand has finally managed to get a date?”
“Idiot! Better than you, Mr. I-have-no-time-to-date-because-my-clients-and-work-are-more-important!” Satoshi grins. “And it’s not a date. It’s something in between a casual meeting and a date,” he adds. Sho has just come back from work and as usual first visited him in his atelier. It’s their normal routine. In fact when Sho is working too long and doesn’t make it or when Satoshi is out or at his professional atelier, he weirdly misses their daily routine to have a good glass of wine together late at night. “We are just going for dinner.”
“Hm.” Sho angles for a piece of carrot cake with caramel filling - Masaki made it, a first attempt. Like always when Masaki goes for first attempts, the whole family gets to have plenty of it. This time the cake is basically a natural catastrophe, in a good way - as it’s so good that Satoshi feels he could bathe in it. Sho apparently thinks so too, because his eyes gleam. “Eating this is like having an orgasm,” he breathes out. “Not that I had one recently. But this one is close enough.”
Satoshi laughs. “You should tell that to Masaki. He will be happy. Especially after you scolded him for such a long time.”
“I did?” Sho asks and takes another bite.
“Yes. When he was messing around with Kazu and Jun the other day.”
“Ah.” Sho nods, apparently remembering. “That’s not scolding. I didn’t scold him. I just reminded him of how he is supposed to act.”
“Yes, exactly.” Satoshi snatches the spoon from Sho and takes a piece of the cake for himself. “You scolded him. You are pretty good at that.”
“Is that a compliment or an insult?” Sho wants to know.
“It could be both?” Satoshi shrugs. “I’m just saying that you are good at convincing people to overthink what they are doing. And you are also good at making someone feel like he is six years old again, getting reprimanded like a kid.”
Sho is silent for a moment, then he frowns, throwing a glare at Satoshi. “This is not a compliment at all, stupid twin!”
“It is not?” Satoshi asks, feeling a bit surprised. “But you are a lawyer. It’s your job to be good at that.”
“Yes.” Sho takes the spoon back and digs it into the delicious caramel filled cake. “But you are my brothers, not the accused.”
“I think-“ Satoshi folds his arms at the table and rests his chin on them. “-It’s okay that at least one of us takes the older brother role 100% serious. Let’s face it, Masaki is too sweet and still pretty young himself. I’m too slow in my reactions. You on the other hand are witty and react fast - it’s nothing bad for them to have a father figure around them.”
“Sure, it sounds good when you say it like that, but-“
“But?”
Sho shrugs. “It’s not good for my relationship with them. I don’t want to be a father figure. I don’t want to be strict like a parent. I want to be a normal older brother, a cool and fun one.”
“Hm~” Satoshi leans back a bit, eyeing the picture he has pinned to the wall. It’s basically the five of them, taken very spontaneously and hence fulfilling all kind of clichés, which means Sho is still in his tux, Satoshi covered in water colours, Masaki wearing an apron and a plate with a Tinkerbell-cake - for a children-birthday party in his shop -, Jun dressed like he is rather going to a host club than coming from school (still a problem, Satoshi thinks, but whenever he complains about Jun’s styling, he gets basically snapped at) and Kazu looking annoyed while playing on his 3DS. It’s so cliché that it’s almost ridiculous, but at the same time it’s exactly what they are. “I get what you mean, but at the same time it is as it is. We are family and it just so happens that we are the two oldest. Someone has to keep the bunch together even if it’s an unthankful task sometimes.”
Sho nods half-heartedly. “Of course you are right, but I guess I need to work harder to balance both. So that they can also see me as a brother they can trust. Like you.”
“Oh-“ Satoshi frowns. “Jun sees me like a brother he can trust. Kazu doesn’t. See? I guess it’s just the same for me as it is for you. Just that Jun is more open with showing his emotions. Might come to your advantage actually.”
“Why can’t we just all get along?” Sho grumbles. “It’s not fair. I want Jun to like me too. And Kazu is a lot nicer to you than Jun is to me. The comparison sucks.”
“You are sulking again,” Satoshi giggles. “Maybe you should show them this idiotic side of you too occasionally. Might give them a whole new approach to your character.”
“Why is Jun giving me such a hard time,” Sho whines. “I never did anything. I’m merely existing!”
Satoshi grins. “Four weeks ago you yelled at him for almost an hour. I was in my atelier, I thought it was the TV and when I came down to tell you guys to turn the noise of the movie down I stumbled into a natural catastrophe. How did you even manage to raise your voice for such a long time - actually I was a little impressed. Masaki sobbed into his self-made alcohol-free pina colada. And Jun was at least close to crying. I think he even did later on when he retreated, which is probably why Kazu appeared out of nowhere suddenly and picked the fight up yet again. This time, it didn’t end in only insulting you, if I might reminded you, he pulled me into it too. Like Where have you been all the time? What kind of horrible older brother are you!? Why didn’t you do this or that to stop the fight from escalating? You are always on Sho’s side, but at least Sho is honest about his feelings and shows them! You really think I would believe you that you thought it was the TV - no one is that dense! Man, what a story. I was seriously getting pissed too. He loves doing that.” Satoshi shrugs. “But well, I wouldn’t call this stunt of yours merely existing.”
“Are you finished with warming up this story again?” Sho huffs. “Yes, I was at fault. We have already talked about how at fault I was plenty times. And I have apologized to both Jun and Masaki. Something you by the way never did when you fought with Kazu!”
There are probably several things Satoshi could say about that. Like that even when they argue it doesn’t end in such a huge clash like with Sho and Jun. And he hardly ever yells at anyone. But then he has to admit that Sho’s last words hit the truth. He hardly ever apologizes for harsh words towards Kazu, neither does Kazu. In fact, he can’t even remember the last time the both of them actually apologized to each other. Sho on the other hand did. “Fine, you are right. At least you are able to apologize. Something I never do. You just need to work on your temper.”
“I know.” Sho eyes the cake gloomily. “I just snapped, once again. I hate when I do. It makes me feel horrible afterwards. I was just so angry. I didn’t know it was misunderstanding. Who would have known that it really was Masaki going to a Hillbilly-meets-Grease-80s party and wearing this wig? I was hundred percent sure it was Jun and that he took the car and drove without a license.” He sighs. “Damn it. I should probably learn to listen better.”
“Well, it can happen,” Satoshi says soothingly. He means it. “Don’t get hung up on that story too much. Besides that I do think that Jun could be nicer to you and not fight you all the time, despite that incident. He is letting it out on you too often. It’s not really okay - I wonder where this comes from. It’s weird. And, I think you are taking it very well, almost too well. You are allowed to get angry at him because of that, you know that right?”
“But-“ Sho shrugs. “You were right before, it’s no surprise Jun hates me.”
“He does not hate you!”
“You just said he does!”
“I did not-“ Satoshi takes a deep breath, wondering what he got himself into yet again. “I just commented on your wording merely existing. Besides you making a mistake doesn’t give anyone the right to push you that much. I didn’t want to make a drama out of it again. I swear. And you know that. So don’t be silly!”
“Idiotic? Silly? Did you just really insult me several times within only ten minutes?” Sho shoots back. “Wow, that’s a new record, Sa-chan~. I’m impressed. Maybe you should also show that side to Kazu? Might make him realize how much of a sadistic, bratty prick you can be.”
Satoshi laughs. Unlike the others it’s easy for him to get along with Sho. Maybe because they are twins and were always close. He just knows how to read Sho’s words and signs. Just like Sho probably knows how to read his. He smiles affectionately at his brother. “You could start with telling them the silly dirty jokes you only crack when it’s the both of us,” he suggests. “Might make them realize that you are actually pretty fun to be around. And not only earnest and super-strict.”
“Hm,” Sho chuckles. “And you could tell them that you are probably a bigger womanizer or man-eater than they imagine. Might give you some admiration from Kazu’s side.”
“You are probably right,” Satoshi grins. “But I’d rather keep that a secret.”
There is a pause in which both of them take a sip from their wine, cooling down a little from their heated talk. Then Sho however lets out a sigh and smiles affectionately. “Satoshi, what Kazu said to you during this fight was terrible and completely out of nowhere. I just want you to know that I felt bad for you. I don’t get his anger against you at all. Maybe you should talk about it with him to understand what’s going on?”
“Hm, maybe, I just don’t have the balls to do that.”
Sho cracks a laugh. “And we are back to dirty talk!” He grins. “Won’t you tell them that you are going on a date?”
“I told you it’s not a date,” Satoshi argues.
Sho smiles softly. “Hm, whatever you say.”