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Title: Tsunderella
Chapter: 3 - Please Show Me That Smile
Characters: NEWS members, Tackey
Fandom: Johnny's Entertainment
Rating: PG15
Summary: A single smile. Heaven knows how one smile could brighten up a whole day...
A/N: Somehow... right now I've found a pattern to my chapter naming conventions. With Orthros, it was the Greek mythology. With this piece, it was...
---------
Ryo smiled, somehow today felt a lot better than yesterday. Perhaps it was because of the medicine he took last night, perhaps it was because of the porridge he ate before that; something... it lightened his mood somehow. Perhaps because it had been a while since he felt himself being loved. No, that was not true. Even when his father or brother was no longer beside him, there was always those people he had passed by in the neighbourhood or at the market that made him feel that he was not alone in this world. No, it was more a feeling that he thought he had lost. The feeling of him being loved and cared for inside his own home. It really was such a longed for emotion.
And today, the day had not start as badly too. His stepmother had gone out early. After finishing all of the chores in the house, Ryo had left to the market as he noticed a note with some money left behind; telling him to restock the groceries. Even if it was only another errand given by his stepmother, Ryo did not mind it. Restocking the groceries meant that he could go out of the house and that was the very thing that he liked to do. He disliked first and foremost to remain in the house with his stepmother around, even worse when he was alone by himself. It scared him, being alone.
If people called him a sissy because of this, he could not be bothered about it. It was not as if those people would understand his circumstances.
“What happened to your forehead, Ryo-chan?” A young man named Shibutani greeted him as Ryo looked into his shop.
Ryo was checking over one of the cabbages as he shrugged and looked up towards him.
“I slipped,” was the short reply.
Shibutani nodded his head at that reply. “You sure had a lot of accidents. Here...” he picked up some of the freshest spinach he had as he stuffed them alongside the other vegetables Ryo had picked. Ryo looked at him in surprise.
“What accident—eh, Suba-san... you don’t have to... I still have other things to buy—“ Ryo stuttered as Shibutani shrugged it away.
“It’s on me, honestly... you needed to have more food stuffed into your little tummy,” he said as he patted Ryo’s head. “And don’t give me that kind of reply, I’m not that unconcerned over my favourite customers...” he said again as he nodded towards his right arm.
Ryo almost cried out as he hastily adjusted his sleeves to cover the burn mark on his arm.
“Err... here’s the money for the vegetables,” he said as Shibutani took it and gave him his change. Just as Ryo was about to leave, Shibutani stopped him.
“Ryo-chan, tell me honestly. Did you have any problem at home?”
Ryo blinked at him, before slowly shaking his head. He smiled before bowing at him politely.
“I’m fine. Thank you for your concern though... and the spinach.”
“I’m telling you... Ryo-chan, there are people around here that cares about you... you know.”
Ryo-chan bit his lips to prevent them from quivering as he nodded. “I know,” he said simply before excusing himself.
Watching the young lad leave, Shibutani Subaru could not help but worry...
xxx
Along the way through the market, Ryo encountered almost similar things. Luckily, because of Suba-san... he had been more careful of accidentally showing the burn mark on his right arm. But he could do nothing about the bandage over his right eye, which because of the position it had been; made his left eye to have that permanent squint. So aside from the grocery stuffs that he intended to get for the day, he ended up bringing home double the amount due to the fact many of the sellers and shopkeepers there were very concerned about his health. Somehow, he was glad to have at least a bit of strength in his heart. Or else, he could have just broken down at the market and might as well blurt everything to everyone. It's not that he did not need some help to make his life better but first and foremost, he did not want to have been forced to leave the house. He could face much injustice in his life, suffer even more hurt on his body—but he could not stand the thought of losing the house that had so many memories. A bit selfish of him, but he did not want to be saved so easily just like that. He was not after all, some kind of damsel-in-distress waiting for some prince to come save him...
Ryo heaved a sigh of relief when he returned home. His stepmother did not seem to be home just yet so he could at least relax for a while. He slowly headed towards the kitchen to stuff some of the groceries as he heard hurried steps coming from behind him.
“Ryo!”
Ryo jumped as he let out the most girlish cry. He turned around in alarm to find Shige looking at him warily. Shige swore aloud as he walked towards him. Instinctively, Ryo backed away from him before Shige grabbed his arm to not let him escape. Ryo froze as he dropped the plastic bag he was holding and closed his eyes in fear. Just when he thought he was safe from his stepmother today...
“My god! That was a big gash! Why didn’t you make a report to the police? I know that she’s your stepmother but—"
His older stepbrother came by a few moments later as Keiichiro shook his head.
“Shige! Can’t you at least be more gentle? God... you probably scared him to bits!” exclaimed the older brother as he brushed by and gently ushered Ryo out of the kitchen.
“You didn’t tell me that his injuries was THAT bad—” Shige started as Keiichiro ignored him. Ryo turned around to get the groceries that had been dropped to the floor as Keiichiro stopped him.
“It’s all right, you don’t have to worry about that. We’ll take care of the dinner ourselves, you just sit tight over here...” Kei said as Ryo stared at him blankly.
“Eeh?” was the only thing that Ryo could say as Shige popped his head out of the kitchen.
“No ‘eeeh!’ on us! How long did you want to be mum’s punching bag?”
Keiichiro stood up, glaring at him.
“Oi Shige! Shut your flaps up and stuff those groceries into the fridge. And figure out what we’re having for dinner...” he cried as he returned his attention towards Ryo.
“Uwahh! These are a LOT of groceries! How much money did mum left you?” Shige cried again from the kitchen as Ryo muttered softly.
“Some of the shop owners and stall owners gave them to me for free...”
“Did you hear that? He got them for free because everyone was worried sick about this kid. Now shut up and do your work!” Kei turned back towards Ryo as he inspected the wound on Ryo’s forehead. “Ah, I see you haven’t changed the bandage yet. Wait here... I’ll get the kit.” Kei said softly before heading back upstairs. Ryo just silently watch his stepbrother walk away as he stayed put on the sofa.
So the person who had taken care of him last night was Keii-nicchan? But... didn’t they hate him and his brother so much?
Kei returned with the kit as he started to take off the bandages on Ryo’s forehead. He flinched as Kei started dabbing the antiseptics all over the wound above his left eye.
“Why? Didn’t both of you hate us so much? Why... do so much... for me?”
Kei glanced back towards Ryo as he gave him his kind look.
“We didn’t hate you. We only acted like that because mum told us to. But back then, Hide was still around so we thought it’s okay for the time being. And then... that happened. We couldn’t do much openly in front of mother... so the only thing we could do was to take care of you secretly. Here...” Kei gently placed long gauze over the wound as he secured it in place.
“Now you’re good as new...” he started to say as Ryo suddenly burst into tears. He sighed as he pulled Ryo into an embrace and patted his back. “Now, now... everything’s all right now...”
xxx
“Honestly... this has gone too far! Regardless of everything... we’re still the ones that had arrived into his family. Not the other way around! But now... he’s like a prisoner inside his own home that was rightfully his. If there’s anyone to be blamed for this, it should have been us. Yet... the one being punished was him.”
Keiichiro shook his head at his brother. “Hush... he might hear us, and mum might come home. Honestly... this was why I preferred to leave you out of this—“
“Like hell you would! I don’t want to lose out to you—“
“Heee—is that why you’ve secretly given Ryo your old guitar and school books? How admirable—“
“Aaa! Shut up, Ryo would hear!”
Keiichiro peeked his head out into the dining hall as he smiled.
“No... he wouldn’t. Poor thing had exhausted himself out. I guess you’d have to carry that box by yourself, Shige—“
“Eeeeh?” Shige exclaimed as he walked out of the kitchen, carrying the box filled with the ‘extra’ groceries Ryo had brought home. Most of it was fresh fruits or cakes and bread, foodstuffs that you can practically keep it outside without worrying that it gets spoiled. Those people at the market district sure adored his stepbrother. Somehow he felt jealous about it.
Kei sighed as he watched Ryo asleep on the dining table, his empty bowl sat not far from his head. Perhaps he—no, they—had overestimated this young man to be able to take care of himself. He slowly lifted Ryo up as the young lad started to stir.
“Unn?” he moaned before realizing that Kei had carried him on his back. “Keii-nicchan? Uh... I’m awake now. You can put me down...”
“It’s all right. You’re still sleepy, aren’t you? Just relax...” Keii said as Ryo wrapped his arm around his neck. He felt his heart clenched at that gesture. Despite Ryo’s appearance and him acting strong and grown up, right now... it felt like Ryo was still a small boy. As if his mind had remained a child while he physically had grown to be a young man. Having that kind of thought suddenly, old guilt started to gnaw into his conscience for not being able to stand up against his mother for Ryo’s sake.
He blinked as he saw a hand waving in front of him.
“Earth to K, earth to K—honestly, where did you go inside your head?” Shige scolded as he dropped the box into one corner. “We’re already inside Ryo’s room. You can drop him now, you know?” he added as Keii gasped aloud and lowered Ryo onto the bed.
“Ah, sorry... I was a bit distracted.” he explained as Shige continued musing.
“The room’s a bit cluttered here... even if you can say it was pretty neat. I guess we had a lot to do if we have to hide this food stash inside this room—"
“Ah! I have to agree on that—“
Ryo blinked at both of them as he watched his two stepbrothers ran around his room to reorganize his things even more neatly. Before he could think about it much, the room had become a bit more spacious—some of his things had been stacked neatly in racks (that used to belong in Keii’s room)—with enough room for other things. Somehow, Ryo felt as if he was still in a dream...
Keiichiro re-entered the room right after as he told them that their mother (Ryo’s stepmother) had finally came home. Shige shrugged to himself before walking out to greet his mother as Keiichiro walked up towards Ryo.
“Lock the door after this. I’ll tell mum that you had gone to bed early because we made you overworked or something. Just rest, okay? Don’t you worry about the other things... let us handle the rest.” he said as he walked out of the room.
Ryo did as told as he sighed. He walked up to his desk and pulled out an old exercise book from one of the drawers as he sat on his chair to write.
xxx
Nii...
Something incredible happened today.
I’ve found out who was it that had been watching over me all these while.
Keii-nii and Shige were still so kind... they hadn’t changed one bit.
Somehow...
Somehow nii...
It felt as if you’re still right here beside me.
xxx
Setting aside his pen and diary, Ryo got back to his bed as he closed his eyes to sleep for the night.
“Oyasumi...”
Chapter: 3 - Please Show Me That Smile
Characters: NEWS members, Tackey
Fandom: Johnny's Entertainment
Rating: PG15
Summary: A single smile. Heaven knows how one smile could brighten up a whole day...
A/N: Somehow... right now I've found a pattern to my chapter naming conventions. With Orthros, it was the Greek mythology. With this piece, it was...
---------
Ryo smiled, somehow today felt a lot better than yesterday. Perhaps it was because of the medicine he took last night, perhaps it was because of the porridge he ate before that; something... it lightened his mood somehow. Perhaps because it had been a while since he felt himself being loved. No, that was not true. Even when his father or brother was no longer beside him, there was always those people he had passed by in the neighbourhood or at the market that made him feel that he was not alone in this world. No, it was more a feeling that he thought he had lost. The feeling of him being loved and cared for inside his own home. It really was such a longed for emotion.
And today, the day had not start as badly too. His stepmother had gone out early. After finishing all of the chores in the house, Ryo had left to the market as he noticed a note with some money left behind; telling him to restock the groceries. Even if it was only another errand given by his stepmother, Ryo did not mind it. Restocking the groceries meant that he could go out of the house and that was the very thing that he liked to do. He disliked first and foremost to remain in the house with his stepmother around, even worse when he was alone by himself. It scared him, being alone.
If people called him a sissy because of this, he could not be bothered about it. It was not as if those people would understand his circumstances.
“What happened to your forehead, Ryo-chan?” A young man named Shibutani greeted him as Ryo looked into his shop.
Ryo was checking over one of the cabbages as he shrugged and looked up towards him.
“I slipped,” was the short reply.
Shibutani nodded his head at that reply. “You sure had a lot of accidents. Here...” he picked up some of the freshest spinach he had as he stuffed them alongside the other vegetables Ryo had picked. Ryo looked at him in surprise.
“What accident—eh, Suba-san... you don’t have to... I still have other things to buy—“ Ryo stuttered as Shibutani shrugged it away.
“It’s on me, honestly... you needed to have more food stuffed into your little tummy,” he said as he patted Ryo’s head. “And don’t give me that kind of reply, I’m not that unconcerned over my favourite customers...” he said again as he nodded towards his right arm.
Ryo almost cried out as he hastily adjusted his sleeves to cover the burn mark on his arm.
“Err... here’s the money for the vegetables,” he said as Shibutani took it and gave him his change. Just as Ryo was about to leave, Shibutani stopped him.
“Ryo-chan, tell me honestly. Did you have any problem at home?”
Ryo blinked at him, before slowly shaking his head. He smiled before bowing at him politely.
“I’m fine. Thank you for your concern though... and the spinach.”
“I’m telling you... Ryo-chan, there are people around here that cares about you... you know.”
Ryo-chan bit his lips to prevent them from quivering as he nodded. “I know,” he said simply before excusing himself.
Watching the young lad leave, Shibutani Subaru could not help but worry...
xxx
Along the way through the market, Ryo encountered almost similar things. Luckily, because of Suba-san... he had been more careful of accidentally showing the burn mark on his right arm. But he could do nothing about the bandage over his right eye, which because of the position it had been; made his left eye to have that permanent squint. So aside from the grocery stuffs that he intended to get for the day, he ended up bringing home double the amount due to the fact many of the sellers and shopkeepers there were very concerned about his health. Somehow, he was glad to have at least a bit of strength in his heart. Or else, he could have just broken down at the market and might as well blurt everything to everyone. It's not that he did not need some help to make his life better but first and foremost, he did not want to have been forced to leave the house. He could face much injustice in his life, suffer even more hurt on his body—but he could not stand the thought of losing the house that had so many memories. A bit selfish of him, but he did not want to be saved so easily just like that. He was not after all, some kind of damsel-in-distress waiting for some prince to come save him...
Ryo heaved a sigh of relief when he returned home. His stepmother did not seem to be home just yet so he could at least relax for a while. He slowly headed towards the kitchen to stuff some of the groceries as he heard hurried steps coming from behind him.
“Ryo!”
Ryo jumped as he let out the most girlish cry. He turned around in alarm to find Shige looking at him warily. Shige swore aloud as he walked towards him. Instinctively, Ryo backed away from him before Shige grabbed his arm to not let him escape. Ryo froze as he dropped the plastic bag he was holding and closed his eyes in fear. Just when he thought he was safe from his stepmother today...
“My god! That was a big gash! Why didn’t you make a report to the police? I know that she’s your stepmother but—"
His older stepbrother came by a few moments later as Keiichiro shook his head.
“Shige! Can’t you at least be more gentle? God... you probably scared him to bits!” exclaimed the older brother as he brushed by and gently ushered Ryo out of the kitchen.
“You didn’t tell me that his injuries was THAT bad—” Shige started as Keiichiro ignored him. Ryo turned around to get the groceries that had been dropped to the floor as Keiichiro stopped him.
“It’s all right, you don’t have to worry about that. We’ll take care of the dinner ourselves, you just sit tight over here...” Kei said as Ryo stared at him blankly.
“Eeh?” was the only thing that Ryo could say as Shige popped his head out of the kitchen.
“No ‘eeeh!’ on us! How long did you want to be mum’s punching bag?”
Keiichiro stood up, glaring at him.
“Oi Shige! Shut your flaps up and stuff those groceries into the fridge. And figure out what we’re having for dinner...” he cried as he returned his attention towards Ryo.
“Uwahh! These are a LOT of groceries! How much money did mum left you?” Shige cried again from the kitchen as Ryo muttered softly.
“Some of the shop owners and stall owners gave them to me for free...”
“Did you hear that? He got them for free because everyone was worried sick about this kid. Now shut up and do your work!” Kei turned back towards Ryo as he inspected the wound on Ryo’s forehead. “Ah, I see you haven’t changed the bandage yet. Wait here... I’ll get the kit.” Kei said softly before heading back upstairs. Ryo just silently watch his stepbrother walk away as he stayed put on the sofa.
So the person who had taken care of him last night was Keii-nicchan? But... didn’t they hate him and his brother so much?
Kei returned with the kit as he started to take off the bandages on Ryo’s forehead. He flinched as Kei started dabbing the antiseptics all over the wound above his left eye.
“Why? Didn’t both of you hate us so much? Why... do so much... for me?”
Kei glanced back towards Ryo as he gave him his kind look.
“We didn’t hate you. We only acted like that because mum told us to. But back then, Hide was still around so we thought it’s okay for the time being. And then... that happened. We couldn’t do much openly in front of mother... so the only thing we could do was to take care of you secretly. Here...” Kei gently placed long gauze over the wound as he secured it in place.
“Now you’re good as new...” he started to say as Ryo suddenly burst into tears. He sighed as he pulled Ryo into an embrace and patted his back. “Now, now... everything’s all right now...”
xxx
“Honestly... this has gone too far! Regardless of everything... we’re still the ones that had arrived into his family. Not the other way around! But now... he’s like a prisoner inside his own home that was rightfully his. If there’s anyone to be blamed for this, it should have been us. Yet... the one being punished was him.”
Keiichiro shook his head at his brother. “Hush... he might hear us, and mum might come home. Honestly... this was why I preferred to leave you out of this—“
“Like hell you would! I don’t want to lose out to you—“
“Heee—is that why you’ve secretly given Ryo your old guitar and school books? How admirable—“
“Aaa! Shut up, Ryo would hear!”
Keiichiro peeked his head out into the dining hall as he smiled.
“No... he wouldn’t. Poor thing had exhausted himself out. I guess you’d have to carry that box by yourself, Shige—“
“Eeeeh?” Shige exclaimed as he walked out of the kitchen, carrying the box filled with the ‘extra’ groceries Ryo had brought home. Most of it was fresh fruits or cakes and bread, foodstuffs that you can practically keep it outside without worrying that it gets spoiled. Those people at the market district sure adored his stepbrother. Somehow he felt jealous about it.
Kei sighed as he watched Ryo asleep on the dining table, his empty bowl sat not far from his head. Perhaps he—no, they—had overestimated this young man to be able to take care of himself. He slowly lifted Ryo up as the young lad started to stir.
“Unn?” he moaned before realizing that Kei had carried him on his back. “Keii-nicchan? Uh... I’m awake now. You can put me down...”
“It’s all right. You’re still sleepy, aren’t you? Just relax...” Keii said as Ryo wrapped his arm around his neck. He felt his heart clenched at that gesture. Despite Ryo’s appearance and him acting strong and grown up, right now... it felt like Ryo was still a small boy. As if his mind had remained a child while he physically had grown to be a young man. Having that kind of thought suddenly, old guilt started to gnaw into his conscience for not being able to stand up against his mother for Ryo’s sake.
He blinked as he saw a hand waving in front of him.
“Earth to K, earth to K—honestly, where did you go inside your head?” Shige scolded as he dropped the box into one corner. “We’re already inside Ryo’s room. You can drop him now, you know?” he added as Keii gasped aloud and lowered Ryo onto the bed.
“Ah, sorry... I was a bit distracted.” he explained as Shige continued musing.
“The room’s a bit cluttered here... even if you can say it was pretty neat. I guess we had a lot to do if we have to hide this food stash inside this room—"
“Ah! I have to agree on that—“
Ryo blinked at both of them as he watched his two stepbrothers ran around his room to reorganize his things even more neatly. Before he could think about it much, the room had become a bit more spacious—some of his things had been stacked neatly in racks (that used to belong in Keii’s room)—with enough room for other things. Somehow, Ryo felt as if he was still in a dream...
Keiichiro re-entered the room right after as he told them that their mother (Ryo’s stepmother) had finally came home. Shige shrugged to himself before walking out to greet his mother as Keiichiro walked up towards Ryo.
“Lock the door after this. I’ll tell mum that you had gone to bed early because we made you overworked or something. Just rest, okay? Don’t you worry about the other things... let us handle the rest.” he said as he walked out of the room.
Ryo did as told as he sighed. He walked up to his desk and pulled out an old exercise book from one of the drawers as he sat on his chair to write.
xxx
Nii...
Something incredible happened today.
I’ve found out who was it that had been watching over me all these while.
Keii-nii and Shige were still so kind... they hadn’t changed one bit.
Somehow...
Somehow nii...
It felt as if you’re still right here beside me.
xxx
Setting aside his pen and diary, Ryo got back to his bed as he closed his eyes to sleep for the night.
“Oyasumi...”
