#mod ai

Karamatsu always learned many new things about his eldest brother every day, even though he had lived with him for his entire life. Osomatsu liked this, disliked that, Karamatsu thought he knew everything.

He was being proved wrong in the most brutal of ways when he found himself trying to keep Osomatsu from throwing up inside a bathroom of the cruise ship the entire family had booked for a holiday.

Osomatsu had gone out of his way to convince Karamatsu that he wasn’t, in fact, getting seasick. Karamatsu, although he had his doubts, wanted to believe that Osomatsu wouldn’t throw up this time.

He should have known better. Halfway through the journey, which was about four hours, Osomatsu had gone uncharacteristically quiet. The rest of the brothers either couldn’t be bothered to deal with Osomatsu, or had gone away to enjoy their trip.

Osomatsu was hugging his knees, perched on a couch by the window. He had most likely thought that looking outside would make him feel better, but it didn’t seem to apply to cruises as it did to cars; if anything, Karamatsu noticed Osomatsu’s face becoming paler.

“Osomatsu-” “I’m fine, Karamatsu.” Osomatsu interjected, only further deepening Karamatsu’s suspicion. He didn’t look fine, contrary to his statement. The ship bobbed up and down mercilessly, further adding to Osomatsu’s discomfort.

Karamatsu debated on whether to take his brother to the bathroom. If, by some miracle, Osomatsu was able to feel better just by sitting down with his hands around his middle, Karamatsu would let him sit around.

However, a muffled hiccup from the elder brother proved that Karamatsu would have to take him away from the couch before it would be covered in vomit. “That’s it, Osomatsu. You’re going to the bathroom.”

Osomatsu looked absolutely mortified, to say the least. His hands were clamped tightly against his mouth, and his throat moving dangerously upwards indicated that he may not even make it as far as the bathrooms.

Karamatsu took Osomatsu’s arm firmly, practically dragging him away from where he sat. There was one thing Karamatsu was sure of, and that was the fact that he wasn’t paying for any cleaning bills.

The distance to the bathrooms seemed to be twice as long when Karamatsu was helping Osomatsu try to walk in a straight line towards it, especially when the ship rocked so much that even Karamatsu found himself struggling to stand still. On top of that, Osomatsu was leaning into him with almost his full weight.

“Almost there, Osomatsu. Can you hold on for a few more minutes?” Osomatsu could barely manage a nod, at this stage. His cheeks expanded once or twice throughout the ordeal of a trip, making Karamatsu’s heart jump in his chest.

Karamatsu finally reached the bathroom door, while Osomatsu scrambled to open it. A wave of relief washed over Karamatsu, which was extremely short-lived after the ship swayed, hard. That had been the last straw for Osomatsu’s stomach, which revolted against him mercilessly.

“Osomatsu, hold it in!” Karamatsu’s desperate yells proved futile when a gush of brown vomit spilled past Osomatsu’s lips, escaping between his fingers and onto the tiled floor.

Karamatsu yanked Osomatsu into a stall with immense force, narrowly avoiding slipping in the puddle of sick beside his feet. As Karamatsu used every swear word he could think of, Osomatsu fell onto his knees in front of the bathroom, heaving up another thick stream of vomit.

As Osomatsu emptied his stomach into the porcelain bowl, Karamatsu’s eyes desperately darted around the bathroom to see if there was anyone watching them in horror. To his relief, it was just him and his currently throwing up brother.

Karamatsu knelt behind his brother, laying a hand on his shoulder awkwardly as Osomatsu retches for a third time, leaving Karamatsu feel powerless. Should he have been more gentle with his brother, or firmer? Could he have done anything to prevent it?

Osomatsu shuddered, coughing weakly and spitting into the bowl. With all his energy sapped, he swayed forwards when Karamatsu lifted him to his feet. The front of his hoodie was dripping wet, and he would have to return to his room to change his clothes.

“Alright.” Karamatsu broke the silence, grabbing Osomatsu’s arm more gently than he had done a while ago. “We’re going back, and you’re changing.” Although Karamatsu was near-exasperated by his brother, he felt bad for what he had just experienced.

“Please don’t tell the other guys.” Osomatsu pleaded quietly, his sense of shame hitting hard. Karamatsu gave a sincere nod, mentally apologizing to whoever had to use the bathroom next.