As he continued to silently look around the house, Ichimatsu regretted not paying attention to what his mother was saying before he left to go get more dried sardines for his cat friends.
Now that he needed her help he had no idea where she was.
He sighed. Checking the living room again in case he missed her while he walked around the house looking for her, only to find his eldest brother had positioned himself comfortably on the floor with a manga.
As the fourth born was about walk away to continue his search, Osomatsu looked up from his spot and gives a big smile to the presence of his younger brother. "Ah! Ichimatsu where ya goin?"
Well now that he's been spotted, Ichimatsu figures he might as well ask if eldest has seen the person he's been looking for. "Do you know where mom is?"
"Ah Mom? I think she just went out to buy stuff for dinner. Why? Did you need something from her?"
The fourth brother debated for a moment on whether or not he should tell the eldest what it was that he needed help with, but eventually figured there was no harm in just letting him know. "It's just that my DAT sweater got ripped while I was out and I needed her to fix it for me..."
Oh. Osomatsu finally notices the purple sweater his brother had been carrying in his arms this whole time. 'Hmm... Karamatsu could probably fix that but I guess he too shy to ask him' the eldest thinks with an amused smile.
Well, he might as well do both the second born and his mother a favor as his good deed for the week he decides. "Here give me it, I'll hand it over to mom when she comes home"
Ichimatsu startles, surprised and suspicious of the eldest's brothers motives for doing him a favor "Y-you don't have to I can do it myself when she gets back"
"It's fine isn't it?" the eldest's insists holding out his hand, "'sides I know you want to go feed the cats in the alley before it gets too dark right?"
He smirks and the purple brother's face colours in an angry blush "W-what!? How did you--" he throws the sweater straight at Osomatsu's face, making him fall to the floor with a thud. "Fine here! See you stupid eldest" Ichimatsu says clicking his tongue as he walks off.
Osomatsu continues to giggle even after his brother fully leaves the room though. Ah, he really can't help but tease his little brothers every now and then, they're all so cute!
He gets up with a satisfied sigh, picking up the sweater from his lap. "Now let's see what we're working with here..." he sees that there are multiple rips along the sleeves and by the collar, probably due to some of his more feisty cat friends.
"Geez, he really wasn't kidding when he said it needed fixing huh. Let's see, where'd I put that sewing kit?"
~~~~~~~~~~
"I'm home" Ichimatsu says quietly as he steps into the house.
"Ah Ichimacchan! Back so soon?" Osomatsu says popping out of the living room, "Welcome home! I got mom to fix your sweater for you~" he continues, handing his brother back his purple sweater and rubbing a finger under his nose with a grin.
Ichimatsu startles at the his brother's sudden entrance but gets distracted as he marvels at the perfectly fixed sweater. He makes a mental note to thank his mom later for making it look brand new again. "Ah thanks Osomatsu-niisan looks like you finally did something useful for once"
The eldest dramatically gasps and clutches his heart, "I'm offended Ichimacchan! How could you say that to your favorite eldest brother?"
"I never said you were my favorite, and you are the only "eldest" brother"
"So I'm your favorite by default?" Osomatsu says smiling sweetly.
Ichimatsu pushes him aside as he walks in, making him laugh. "Don't push your luck shitty matsu" he says despite the tiny smile forming on his face.
A little before dinner, Ichimatsu finally runs into their mother in the kitchen finishing dinner. "Ah mom, thanks for... fixing my sweater for me today" he says quietly.
Matsuyo looks at him with confusion and a tilt of her head, maybe she didn't hear him?
"What are you talking about Ichimatsu? I haven't fixed any sweaters today though?"
"E-eh?" Now Ichimatsu was the one confused, "But Osomatsu-niisan said...?"
"Ah." Matsuyo smiles in understanding, "That makes sense now, he never really admits to it does he?"
Their mother laughs fondly at Ichimatsu's still confused expression before explaining, "Osomatsu was the one who fixed your sweater dear"
That confused Ichimatsu even more, his eyes widening at his mother's answer "E-EH!? Osomatsu can sew?!"
Matsuyo huffs proudly, "Of course he can! I taught him myself." She says plating some of the soup in a bowl and handing it to her fourth born. "He's known how since you were kids," she continues "I used to ask him to help me fix old curtains and futons around the house"
She places a hand on cheek, "He used to complain so much about being asked to do it but he'd never say no and finished it anyway." she continues, sighing fondly at the memory. "If you need to thank anyone, you should be thanking your brother. Honestly that boy could give to be a little more honest sometimes."
Ichimatsu feels like he's about to short circuit after taking in all this new information, since when had Osomatsu known how to sew? And why was he hiding it? Is there anything else he'd been hiding from them?
Matsuyo hands Ichimatsu another plate of food to bring to the table, and pats his head. "Don't think about it too much dear. Osomatsu doesn't tell you boys a lot of things, he's a bit stubborn that way you know." She laughs, "Now come on, let's gather everyone for dinner"
Despite the delicious food in front of him, Ichimatsu can only stare at Osomatsu laughing and chatting normally with everyone around the table.
All the while thinking, 'What else don't we know about you Osomatsu-niisan?'