Man, Saburo was hilarious. 

Of course Hifumi knew this kid was trying to be mean, trying to find a way to break him down and put himself in a higher position. It wasn’t like he had never been bullied before - but the concept of a fourteen year old trying to get a rise out of someone fifteen years older? That was pretty much comedy gold. 

Those guys in that new division should be taking notes.

“Well, don’t we all just take up space? That’s kinda the point of existing, haha! Plus nobody really needs anything ‘cept for food and water and whatever!” Taking this route was honestly bound to rile up the teenager more - he knew he had a mean streak, if his skills during the DRB had anything to say about that, alongside the interactions the two of them had before with that whole drug bust thing all four of the first groups got dragged into.

Still, he couldn’t help but have a little moment to be smug.

“I guess you know everything that’s going on here already then, huh?~ No worries then, you can find nii-chan one and two in this huuuuge big city all on your own then without any help from the guy who already knows his way around.”

Hifumi isn’t wrong, but it irritates Saburo further anyway. By pointing out the obvious, the most basic thing in an attempt to make the child feel like an idiot for saying what he had before did not serve to humble him in any way. Rather, one of his eyes twitch and he grinds his teeth. “What a bleak outlook.” He retorts, a strange smile playing on his lips. “Is that all your life is for? Existing by taking up space.” ‘Whatever’ isn’t half as clever has Hifumi might think it is. 

What flips in a person’s head from when they’re a teen to when they become an adult that turns them into one of the worst people, he doesn’t know. How all adults are so similar, lording themselves over anything smaller, the staunch belief that there’s no kid who could ever match them. The mere reminder of it does nothing to quell the growing anger. 

“I missed you too, bud.”

He didn’t know how long had passed here, or if there was a difference between how time moved here versus back home in Ikebukuro. How long was he gone? A day? A week? A year? Regardless, the thought mortified him. Any amount of time spent without his brothers, not knowing where he is, or when he’ll be back, scared the shit out of him.

Maybe it was from being on their own at such a young age that made Ichiro deathly afraid of losing them.

Granted, didn’t he kind of make it that way? Wasn’t it him who took them and ran?

He rubbed calming circles into his youngest brothers back, soothing him from his hiccupping breaths. 

“Where have you been housed?” he asked after a moment, pulling away slightly, but remaining close regardless. He wouldn’t let go until Saburo was ready to.

As much as Saburo needed it, Ichiro did too.

Saburo knew Ichiro wouldn’t leave them behind. Even if he isn’t around one moment - he will be the next. It’s rare to see him away lest he’s out on a job and even then. All of them run around Ikebukuro and tend to run into each other at some point anyway. He hates the idea of simply not knowing where either of his brothers are. The only constant in his life that’s good, something that’s awfully comforting. 

“Nyaha! Well, you can call me that if y’want, but it’s the truth!” 

Hearing he was full of himself…well, that really wasn’t anything new for him. But he wasn’t. He just…worked very hard to learn to love himself, and was confident about that. Not to mention he just liked to joke around - he’d never charge anyone to spend some time with him outside of his job. Especially not a fourteen year old.

…did a fourteen year old even have money like that anyways? He probably just had, like…a couple of bills and coins to go buy snacks after school, right? Or, well…he did back home, before they were brought to this new place. 

“Duh, I know their names! Ichirocchi and Jiro-chan. But back in Ikebukuro…if that’s the case, it must be kinda lonely for you, huh? You three are like peas in a pod, after all!”

Well…it’s not that he wasn’t lonely too. Especially after what had happened right before he got here. But if he thought about it, it was probably harder for Saburo. He was just a kid, after all, dropped into this weird new world and probably one of the first guys he met was…well, him. And it was pretty obvious the teen didn’t like him.

“Hm…I thought it’d just be good to check and see! It’s important to figure out who’s here that we know so we can bounce ideas around and get an idea for what’s happening, right?”

Hifumi’s probably one of the harder adults to read- He can’t tell if Hifumi really is stupid or if he acts like this to get other people to drop their guard. This exchange isn’t very helpful in figuring that one out. The concept any adult genuinely acts like this is a baffling one, and he never ponders on it for long. 

Rosho holds in a small sigh. He feels bad for Saburo, he truly does, but he expects that the boy doesn’t want his pity. Finding yourself in a strange place surrounded by strangers has to be taking a toll on him, even if he’s doing his best not to show it.

Rosho knows. He’s only just managing to hold himself together as well.

“I’m sorry I can’t be of more help,” he continues, and he truly is. If there were more he could do to offer Saburo any kind of comfort, he would offer it, but as it stands, he’s in the dark.

“…Are you on your own here?” he asks tentatively, knowing it’s likely a touchy subject. “I understand you probably don’t trust me much, but if you’re by yourself, I want you to know you can contact me should you need anything. I’m trying to learn what I can about this place, and even if we don’t know each other very well, something is better than nothing, yes?”

This particular old man better be sorry. He doesn’t even know the base of being an adult, then again-knowledge isn’t what puts one there. It’s time and cruelty, the notion one’s above all others. That consequences won’t reach them and children are to be stepped on eventually - no matter how nice they seem, it’s a ruse. It’s easier to catch someone off guard if they care about you. 

Good thing Saburo doesn’t give a single shit about Rosho. 

“Hey, hey, it’s okay,” he says, voice only cracking slightly, holding his littlest brother close. He had to keep himself from breaking down right there in the middle of the goddamn street, the passersby passing quick glances as they walked faster away. 

Tears still fell in streams. He had to hold it together at least a bit. For Saburo. Saburo needed him right now.

“I’m sorry I didn’t find you sooner, but you’re okay now, Saburo..”

Ichiro had a brotherly instinct– he could reasonably tell how his brothers were feeling from just a glance, from the tone in their voice: He’d been able to notice such minute things from an incredibly young age. He remembers, soft memories with fuzzy edges, his brothers as young babies calling for him as opposed to their parents when they cried. He remembers them wanting to go with him to school, he remembers every band-aid stuck onto scraped knees and bear hug when they needed it. 

Man, it was a relief to have at least one of them back.

He had so many questions for Saburo, but he’d wait until he was more well put together to do so. For now, he holds onto his youngest brother in a hug unwavering, as if either of them would disappear if he let go.

It’s okay, Yeah-yeah. He can believe it when it comes from someone he trusts so much, who he knows would do anything for him. Saburo knows he should let go- he’s older now, he’s stronger, he doesn’t need to hold unto his older brother like this. Yet it’s comforting, and from Ichiro - it’s not something he has many memories off. There’s time to be caught up on so it’s...alright. Besides, he can’t deny that this?

Feels nice. 

“It’s not your fault.” Comes out of his mouth immediately after the other apologizes. Ichiro hasn’t done anything wrong here - why would he apologize? He’s someone who can stand on his own so easily, who’s respected and admired and everything Saburo isn’t. “I missed you.” It hasn’t been long, but being without either of his brothers sets his nerves on end, a constant state of search he hasn’t felt in years. He was able to finish what he meant to say moments ago and that’s enough…He tries to slow his breathing, though he still hiccups and his hands bundled in Ichiro’s shirt as though he’ll disappear once Saburo lets go. 

Rosho doesn’t know much about the Yamada brothers, only what Sasara has told him from his time as Mad Comic Dialogue. And, he’s only met the eldest, Ichiro, once before. But from just a quick observation, he can tell what sort of child Saburo is. He’s seen his type before, defensive and untrusting of people like himself, people in authority positions. They’re difficult to work with, but they are the sort of students Rosho has always wanted to help the most.

So, even as Saburo ignores his questions and speaks to him with an utter lack of care in his voice, Rosho keeps up a neutral expression, remaining unperturbed. 

“Unfortunately, not much. I’ve learned only a little since arriving, and it might be things you already know. Like how this place is made of four different wards, or how the phones we’ve been given seem to have contacts for everyone who lives here.”

Augh! Rosho really doesn’t know anything. So much for being a teacher. That helps exactly nothing, meaning he’s just wasted his time in talking to this guy. A deep sigh leaves the teen’s mouth. “Yep - that’s the equivalency of nothing. Great teaching moment there.” What helps with finding information back home is that he can comb through and easily get his way into any part of the internet, even searching the darker side if he must. Best way to get information on people. 

Yet no matter how hard he’s tried - he can’t seem to get into what runs around Radiale. Whereas something that looks completely different would be an interesting challenge, everytime he thinks he has a portion of it figured out it seems to...shift. A complex program that he refuses to acknowledge is beyond him. If those he sorta knows know nothing, that leaves gathering information by watching or...talking to strangers. Which he has no problem with back in Ikebukuro but talking to them to find information for a job is more up Jiro’s alley who...isn’t here. 

The irritation in Saburo’s voice goes completely over Hifumi’s head, a laugh spilling over the host’s lips as the teen spoke. “Y’know, you should consider yourself lucky! People spend a looooooot of money for some time with me, after all, and here I am giving it to you for free!” 

His smile never left his face, the blond just…entirely oblivious to the entire situation they were in. Of course, that probably wasn’t shocking for anyone from his world to see. They only knew him like this, or knew him with his jacket on. There was…pretty much no inbetween, in their minds.

“Ehh? You mean Doc and Doppochin?” There was a small hum of thought before he bounced right back into the conversation. “No clue! If they’re here, I totes haven’t seen them yet. So it’s probably just good ol’ Hifumin here since I’ve got a great sense for scoping out those two!”

Well…that wasn’t entirely a lie. He was good at finding Doppo and Jakurai, but that was usually just because he knew their schedules pretty well or he had good luck at crossing paths with them. Here, in this new world…his chances of knowing exactly where they could be here very low. If they were here, maybe Doppo was just sleeping since he didn’t have work. Maybe Jakurai was off on a hunt for some mystical creature to study or, like, a bear to punch.

“What about you, huh? Where’s onii-chan one and two?” 

Lucky???? To run into this guy? It’s so hard to imagine people actually pay real money to spend time with him, but adults are beyond his comprehension, and he wants it to stay that way. There’s nothing good about them. He’s seen first hand what they can be capable of, he won’t ever let his guard down again. He’s older, and smarter than he was. “Only someone so full of themselves can say that with such confidence. Is that all you’re worth?” Putting money on one’s time, sickening. 

Plus this guy’s just Really Annoying. 

“Yeah, those two.” He blinks at the...nonchalance in Hifumi’s voice. He doesn’t seem to...mind being away from his teammates. Well, being related to one’s teammates probably makes a huge difference. Still, with how Ichi-nii used to talk about the groups he’d been in previously, he’d figure there’s at least Some bond there. He’s never been able to understand the blonde, and he’s certainly not going to figure out how, now. 

Glaring at the other’s follow-up question, he waits a moment before he says anything. He’d love to know the answer to that question, other than just a rough idea. To be able to text them, or even make fun of Jiro. To be able to walk around Ikebukuro, and run into one of them on a job - or walk into the living room and see them excited about an anime he doesn’t care about. “They’re in Ikebukuro. And their names are Ichiro and Jiro - not one and two. What’s the damned point in asking.” 

Another day without being able to fly. This place was abysmal.

Ain sighed grumpily as he strolled on a pebbled path, hopping from one large stone to another. He found that, even if the days toiled endlessly on and he missed the array of strange and interesting people he talked to, at least there was the fact he could make up silly little games to keep himself entertained, like stone jumping.

Of course, that became a secondary interest when he noticed a child walking not too far ahead of him.

The sheer uniqueness of his face lent a massive amount of intrigue. Left eye blue, right eye green– and, from where Ain was standing, he could see three moles on his face. That one-of-a-kind face reminded him somewhat of his angsty roommate. Maybe he could introduce the two and they could laugh at how silly their faces were.

Ah, but that was until the child noticed him and began speaking. He called him old! How funny! “Me? Old? How did you know that?” he asked with a smile, cocking his head slightly. “I thought that, to all you humans, I looked about twenty-three years of age. Is that so old?”

Why the hell is he speaking like that. Like Humans exclude him. That’s only in fiction, the real world works very differently. He wonders if this adult is lacking more brain power than he expected, which was already pretty low. “Just because I’m a teenager doesn’t mean you have to play games like that with me, like a kid.” Adults always look down on those younger than them, and it agitates Saburo to no end. 

So he’s 23, then. Great! He doesn’t care. “Doesn’t matter, you’re still old.” he sneers, and sticks his tongue out for good measure. All adults are old in his eyes, and this one’s already starting to infuriate him. “Neither are you any less creepy.” Dodging mundane questions sure seems like a bad sign to him - there’s something up with this man, but his curiosity is unfortunately - insatiable.

It’d been a few days, and he was fruitless in his search for…well, anything. A way out, his brothers, any sort of familiarity…

He was scared, as much as he refused to admit it.

He’d pretty much searched Archimedes as much as he could, keeping his eyes peeled for any familiarity. Since seeing Hifumi in the Star Trail, his hopes were raised that maybe, maybe he’d also find Jiro or Saburo here. He would not rest until he had.

But he’d been growing weary. His sleep schedule was already so much more fucked than it was back in Ikebukuro– his anxieties and fears crept upon him more and more. In some way, it showed: Over time, people approached him less and less.

How are they doing? He finds himself asking that question a lot. He hopes they’re okay. Between Jiro and Saburo, they can take care of themselves pretty well. He didn’t need to be there. But what were they doing right now? Searching endlessly for him in Ikebukuro? Preparing for the Division Rap Battle without him? How would they even fight in that? He knew they could hold their own, but would they be dropped from the competition because their team leader wasn’t there?

His stomach was tying and turning into knots.

He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. Deep breaths, Ichiro, just…breathe… “Ichi-nii!”

He could recognize that voice from absolutely anywhere.

Ichiro had never turned quicker in his life. Before he could even think, before he said anything, he pulled Saburo to him, holding him as close as he possibly could.

And he cried. Tears welled in his eyes. Finally, finally he had found one of his brothers. He didn’t need words to let his baby brother know how much it meant to see him.

Warmth came from arms that quickly wrapped him up, and tears began to fall freely as he leaned into the touch, grabbing at the back of his brother’s jacket. It feels so nice to have his eldest brother at his side once more, to not be here completely alone amongst strangers. Whereas he’s fairly sure he could have figured things out...he’d rather simply have this, rather than being away for so long. He opens his mouth to speak, to break the silence in between tears. 

But all that comes out is a strangled noise, and a hiccup. He grits his teeth together for a second, but quickly relaxes. The frustration that comes with crying this hard lessens as the relaxation that comes from simply having one of his brothers here. Having Ichi-nii to hold him like this, there’s no way he could get out - but he also doesn’t want to. He’s holding unto the back of the other’s jacket so harshly his hand is in a fist. 

“I-Ichi-nii, I-” missed him? Searched for him? Worried for him? There’s so many things that could come after that, catching in his throat before any of them can thrust their way out.

As the day goes by, reality has started to set in. 

Rosho is somewhere alone, surrounded by people he doesn’t know. 

It’s a heavy burden to accept. He doesn’t want to accept it, not when he’s finally found such great happiness back home. Sasara was in his life again, and together they were chasing a dream once more. But even after looking over the contacts in the phone given to him once, twice, three times, he doesn’t see Sasara’s name. He doesn’t even see Rei’s name, though he won’t admit out loud that he looked for him, too. The bastard was suspicious at best, but all three of them were a team in the end, and Rosho would be lying if he said he had never enjoyed his company.

There’s not a lot he can do. Well, that’s probably not true. This city he’s found himself in is, admittedly, beautiful, and there seems to be quite a thriving economy. Rosho’s just not sure what to do.

He decides to take a walk, if only to familiarize himself with his surroundings. If not for the strange circumstances, this is a place Rosho wouldn’t mind living, if given the choice. But as it stands now, it’s hard to appreciate his surroundings when anxiety sits in his chest so heavily.

He’s trying to quell said anxiety when a voice speaks, and he turns to see a child approach him. He’s likely in his early teens, and Rosho is certain he’s seen him before. There’s a moment where it’s obvious he’s searching his memory before his brows raise in recognition. 

“…Saburo Yamada?” The youngest of the three members of Ikebukero’s Buster Bros, who Dotsuitare Hompo are meant to face in the first round of the Division Rap Battle. What is he doing here? Does that mean all three of them are here? Seeing as Rosho is alone, though, there’s a high chance Saburo is, as well. Worry replaces anxiety in his chest. The thought of children being here alone doesn’t sit right with him - his roommate is a student as well. Just how many young people are here with no one to help them?

“…Ah, I’m… I’m sorry, I probably know just as much as you do. I’m assuming you suddenly woke up here as well…?”

“Who else looks like me.” He states pointedly, whereas most of his features are common - his eyes assuredly aren’t. He hasn’t seen eyes like his brothers upon anyone else. Well, there goes that idea, if Tsusujimori doesn’t know anything there’s no real reason to press upon it. Then again, he could be lying - adults had such nasty habits after all. Hiding their real face behind innocence, or care. 

He doesn’t bother acknowledging the others' question - why should he? Why does the man in front of him want to know? There’s a glaring unknown, a dangerous thing, that he won’t risk again. Never again. 

“Humor me.” He says dryly. “How much do you know about Radiale.” He hates having to repeat himself to adults who find it so easily to look down on children. 

@buriedrequiem​ // starter !

This new world sure was something else. Towering buildings, lots of housing, people from all over the place - not to mention that huge hole in the center of it all. Maybe he should be more concerned and maybe he should actually care that he was pulled from his own world but…honestly, location didn’t quite matter to him. What mattered was Jakurai and Doppo, who he wondered if they even missed him being around.

He wasn’t quite alone here - though he certainly felt it - and the area his new housing was in was actually really fun seeming! There was a beach and honestly, that alone was enough to excite him. He had always loved going down to the beaches in places like Yokohama and Chiba and just watching the waves roll by, no matter what the weather was like.

Now was no different, as Hifumi found himself being pulled down to the beach in the Golden Ward, jacket draped over his arm as he went out onto the sand, just to see all he could see. And…there was definitely something to see here, being a familiar person in a yellow hoodie and blue jacket.

“Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!”

The blond sprinted across the beach, calling out as he did until he made it over to the teenager, slapping a hand across his back - probably a bit too hard - as a greeting. A wide grin grew on his face, shifting to poke his head out into the boy’s gaze.

“I never thought I’d see one of the schoolboys here! How’s it goin’ widdle man? You here all by yourself?”

Despite those he’d bothered himself to speak to thus far, and the observations he’s made - he’s no closer to getting back to Ikebukuro than he was when he first got here. It eases him a little to have...some grasp on this place though, to not be walking around completely blind. It’s too strange though, to return to his accommodations and be met with an unfamiliar face - to see no trace of his brothers anywhere. It sets him more on edge than he’d ever outwardly admit.

A voice disturbs his thoughts, and irritation spikes within him. Ugh, Hifumi. Out of everyone that he knows of he could possibly be stuck here with, it’s this happy-go-lucky adult. In the next moment, he lurches forward a hand having pushed him with too much force. He turns around with a glare set in his eyes. “And I wouldn’t have expected a host like you to be here, but we can’t always have what we want.” His tone portraying his anger with the man - granted, he knows there’s no reasoning with Hifumi. Which is why he doesn’t want to be around him any longer than he must. “Do you think you’re any better? Where’s the rest of Matenrou?”

Other people who lie in this...strange place, he obviously doesn’t know. He can’t help but think about that one line on the pamphlet, ‘welcome to reality’ he’s always in reality, but the phrasing being one of the few things on that parchment seems odd. Whoever, or whatever brought him here had a very sick sense of humor. Still hung up on trying to get a better idea on his surroundings, his eyes move side to side as he walks slowly. Buildings and more buildings, the architecture of this place isn’t too spectacularly different, just enough to give him an odd feeling. 

He wonders if there’s anything interesting to do here-but that worry comes secondary to finding his brothers. He still needs to finish his internal map of this place, to continue to see even if he ends up walking through the same corner or so over and over again. Somewhere, anywhere - he refuses to accept he’s completely alone here. There’s more, he knows it. Thrumming just beneath the surface. 

He’s not the only one, trying to watch. He turns around after getting a strange feeling, and found a white haired man not too far behind. He seemed to be looking this way, now- “How creepy, don’t you have anything better to do, old man?” 

Disorientation spun around the child’s head - recalling when he woke up on the edge of a hole he cannot see the bottom of. It wasn’t sucking anything in or spitting out somehow- Hardly time to process what was in front of him out of fear of actually falling in, the traffic that spun around. This isn’t Ikebukuro - nor was it any of the other divisions. He’d know if something like this lied there. He’d remember something that important. The pamphlet told him a bit on where he was, but not enough. Not enough to satiate his curiosity. 

Which leaves him where he is now. Walking around, trying to get a feel for where he was. Dropped off at his accomodations earlier - but sitting there didn’t feel right. There’s no noise, Jiro’s making no ruckus and Ichiro isn’t sitting in the living room. If he closed his eyes, he could almost imagine they were out on jobs, but the layout of the room wasn’t even the same. He recognizes nothing, and it makes him nauseous. Typing either of their numbers on the phone he’d been given did absolutely nothing. 

Saburo has never been alone like this before. There’s such a little basis to go off of, and in an attempt to push away the dreaded feeling that threatened to overtake him, he tried to muster up anger. Hide despair with anger, shield yourself with it. Always works. He does happen to catch sight of someone he recognizes - not that they’ve ever met in person. The sick feeling in his stomach doesn’t shift, it’s Rosho Tsutsujimori - a member of Dosuitare Hompo. A member of His team. Who likely treats someone so utterly disgusting like a friend. 

He approaches him anyway - it’s a familiar face, even if he doesn’t like it. He has to get his bearings, has to figure out what it is he can do here - and what it is he needs to do to get back home. To his brothers. He walks toward him, “Surely a teacher would know more about this place.” He says loudly, there’s a sarcastic drawl to his voice when he said it. “So, might as well spit it out.” He finishes as he gets close enough to the man.

Solitude is not something Saburo is familiar with. 

Loneliness? Sure, he sits in his room most of the time, doesn’t exactly make friends easily. But that’s a different sensation, a temporary, yearning one. This? This doesn’t have a noticable end, he doesn’t know what to do with something that tugs at his heart so strongly and the only identification he can give it is he really wants to see either of his brothers. Jiro, who always stood up for him when they were younger, who held close to him so nothing would ever hit him. Ichiro, who stood further away, who tried to make things easier for them. Who had grown so much more loving as the years went on. Even as he argues and derides Jiro now, it doesn’t change the fact he still loves him. The most important thing to Saburo would happen to be his family. 

Which aren’t here. 

Nowhere to be found, though he hasn’t looked every where just yet. There’s still plenty of places to check, more corners and crannies to search in. Somewhere, anywhere he has to find one of them. There’s no way it’s just him, there’s no...way. He runs his thumb over his fingers. His mother’s ring isn’t with him right now - it’s safer, with Ichiro, away from here. If he thinks like that, he’ll be fine. Best that they stay home, that they continue to aid Ikebukuro, and prepare for the Division Rap Battle. 

A red jacket catches his eye though, and he whips around so fast - already walking towards them before he realizes his legs are even moving. He wants to stop himself from hoping, aware hopes can be dashed so quickly. From behind, anyone with black hair could wear a red jacket. Yet his heart still burns, and his pace picks up. Please be…!

“Ichi-nii!” He cries out, his facade cracking as hope and desperation play on his face.