Choshi’s Neighborhood

was just wondering but then again...

Oh-Oku, The Women of the Inner PalaceSynopsis

It's over. Ah.. I really really love this series. above all else, it's one of the best series... and after i finished with the last episode, it's like fireworks are in my heart, making me smile mindlessly, and then it makes me sad.. It pains me so much that it already ended.. I want more. Really I want more. It's just soo good... <3

Here are some scenes that I would love to watch over and over again... and probably I will watch it again and again (the full drama)

I didn't put any of those super romantic cute scenes.. those are just pure spoilers <3

i've been thinking of what to write since this morning..i really don't know what to say anymore oniichan~

you've been a good leader although quite silent in your ways, your presence in itself is already comforting ne~

doumo arigatou for bringing us smiles and laughter and even tears...that's how effective you are and how great you are at your work.. Otsukaresama deshita...*bows*

thanks to you i have a lot of crazy and artsy and even weird but lovely friends~ i think its typical of those who love you so much... the quiet ones who are really happiest when you're just being yourself...

arigatou niichan...for so many things...i can't really count them since that would mean listing all of the fan in this world who care so much for you...

ja~ anou~ take good care of yourself.. don't overwork and do rest and put sunblock every so often not just once a day niichan! you'll get bad stuff under the sun ne?

Niichan daisuki♥

jamie

PS~ mah~ yamapair for minna~

Chiba 2~
Jiro knelt on the tatami floor and after a long deep breath, said what he came for, "May I please ask for your blessing to marry Sachiko-chan" Jiro bowed low, not raising his head at all. Sachiko was silent yet hopeful as they waited for the reply, head bent and eyes shut tight.

"N-nani?!" their Otousan was at a loss for words. He looked from Sachiko, now looking at her father intently, eyes seemingly pleading.

"Touchan.."the woman started but was interrupted by Jiro.  Sitting up straight, hands resting on his knees, he glanced at Sachiko before taking another breath and reasoning with their father.

"Like I said Otouchan.  It will be surprising but I have loved Sachiko more than a brother would his sister.  Sachiko is the only woman who understands me as a man and I will not leave her side as I do not want her to leave mine.  Please let us marry.  Please give us your blessing"  The young professor bowed again, hands on the tatami, forehead almost touching the floor as well.

"Otousan...  Jiro and I know what we're doing.  We're not children you need to protect.  Okasan wa~" Sachiko started to say when their father was startled to hear that word.  Mother.

"Did your mother know about this?" the old man asked.

"Anou~ I'm not sure Otousan...  But she said Jiro would always take good care of me.  I wasn't really sure what she meant but now that I look back, maybe she did know." the woman smiled at the memory.

"Sou ka.." the old man nodded, seemingly thinking it over.

"Touchan, I know its still too much for you to think of Okachan but please let me tell you that it was her who asked me to be truthful to Sachiko about my feelings.   I only wanted to follow her word.  I am being truthful right now with my intentions.  Truthful, pure and unconditional...I do love Sachiko-chan.  I have found a good job in Tokyo and we will move into an apartment come springtime but before that Otouchan,  I want to make an honest woman out of her.  Please let me marry Sachiko-chan" Jiro explained again before bowing yet again.

"This is not what I was expecting from the two of you.  Not my only girl, Sachiko and certainly not from you, Jiro..." their father said, sternly shaking his head.

"gomen ne.." Sachiko was almost in tears at his words.

"Sou desu kedo.." Jiro looked up from his stance and reached for his love's hands folded on her lap.  He was about to reason out a bit more when their father raised his hand.

"As this has happened, and I want you two to know that regardless if your Okachan agreed to this or hinted that she consented this or not, this is something I must take into consideration.  What with that man you were dating months ago, Sachiko?" their Otousan asked, crossing his arms across his chest.

"Ah...Mamoru-kun?"

The old man nodded in reply but was only answered with a fit of laughter from his daughter.  His confused stare and Jiro's hand squeezing her own made her stifle it and answer properly.

"Anou~ he's gay!  He's my good friend.  We always go out because he is having trouble telling his parents and wanted to ask me how to help him.  Minna thought....?" the giggles started again.

"Mah..mah..If that is the case then you're not trampling on his feelings then.  And what about that Mao-chan you went around with, Jiro-kun?"

"Ehhh?  That was back in middle school Otouchan!  She dumped me a gazillion times.  Never heard from her since Uni" the young professor blushed, scratching his hair.

"Naruhodo" their father nodded, "Alright then.  When do you plan to do this?"

"You agree Otousan?" Sachiko stopped giggling, eyes wide in surprise,

"How can I refuse my children happiness ne?" the old man gave a small smile and laughed heartily.  At that Sachiko jumped from her pillow and went around the low table to hug her father around the neck.  The woman was squealing in delight.

"Arigatou Otouchan" Jiro bowed and laughed at the scene after letting a heavy sigh of relief escape him.

"Mah..mah..we must tell your uncles and aunts and granpa Tamamori as well" their father said as his musume calmed down.  They nodded in reply and as the day wore on happy greetings were sent their way.  Soon preparations for the wedding were spoken of and the old women argued about where the ceremony would be done as well as everything else but one thing was sure.  That night under the blanket of darkness, stars rained and sent them well wishes as the two walked along the port nearby.  Hand in hand, they stared up as the heavens greeted them.

Jiro then pulled Sachiko closer, holding her in his strong arms,"finally you will always be mine.."

"I always was.." she whispered back before letting their lips touch.  The sweetness of it all lingering in their kiss.
~~~~

Back in Yokohama,  Goro got a call midday.

"Moshi moshi?  Ah...nande? D-doko?!  I'll be there in less than an hour" he grabbed his jacket and  was headed out the door before anyone was able to ask him anything.  He had to got there in time.  That was the only thing he had in his mind.

~~~
A/N: wheee~~ more to come!!!  Yoroshiku neeeeee~

pairing: SakurAiba..with a twist..hehe~ here aiba is a girl..soo~

Chiba 1~

Its a lovely morning, the funny-akward situation a few nights ago was all but forgotten.  Jiro woke up with a huge grin on his face.  He was going from their home in Yokohama to Tomosaki-ku in Chiba to see his Otousan, not alone but with Sachiko-chan.  It had been agreed a few weeks ago they they were getting married.  Why waste time ne?  They've known each other for such a long time, from childhood and growing up under one roof, only learning that they love each other dearly- more than siblings ever could.  It was funny since they weren't really blood related but the events of the past unravelled the tight knot that kept them restrained...That was till now.

Jiro was brushing his teeth and smiling like an idiot in the bathroom, leaving the door ajar.  Shiro came in and grabbed his towel from the rack and noticed the face he was making and hit his Niichan on the head.
"ARE!!! You look like some weirdo, Niichan!!" the younger one said before leaving the bath and heading to the dining table.  The young professor's brow furrowed in annoyance before returning the silly grin, a small squeak came from him as he continued with his task.

The rest of the house was already bustling yet today was busier than ever.  Sachiko was rushing to set the table for the men of the house, Goro was helping her as she left reminders to him.
"Gou-kun, please call me if you need anything ne?  Ahh... the money for the bills are in my drawer in my room ne?  Ask Saa-kun for them ne?  It's due tomorrow already." she rushed from the stove to the table a couple of times as the youngest nodded and mumbled to himself trying to remember what to do.

"Mah..Mah..Mah...Shinpai nai yo!  We'll take care of everything here Sachiko" Saburo put a hand on his twin's shoulder.

"That's why I'm worried." the woman pouted, setting the plateful of egg roll on the table as the men gathered around and started to sit down.  She took her usual place next to Saburo as Jiro came in.

"Ohayou!" He smiled brightly, greeting eveyone and glancing at his Sachiko.  This caused the woman to look away shyly.

"Ah.. sit down Jiro" Ichiro said, but stopped short, "Chotto...today we start changing the seating arrangement ne?"

"Eh?" everyone but Shiro said in unison.  It looks like the eldest and second youngest thought this one over, evil grins in place.

"Sou desu ne" Shiro agreed, "it has been some time already and Aniki and I thought Saburo and Jiro-nii should be changing places now, ne minna?"

Saburo, Jiro and Sachiko were suprised.  But Saburo thought it was a good idea," better get used to them next to each other from now on ne?" 

Sachiko wasn't sure but her blush deepened as Jiro sat next to her.  It was sort of too final but then again they would have to spend the rest of their lives this way anyway so it should be done.

"Are you ok with this,S-sachiko-chan?" Jiro asked her.  She trained her gaze up his concerned face, smiled and nodded.

"Yosh! Itadakimasu!!" Saburo grinned as he reached for the tamago and started eating like the rest.  Breakfast was nice as usual.  Goro and Shiro said they'll take care washing up since the couple was late for their trip.

"Mou~ you take care of yourselves you hear me?" Sachiko pouted and waived from the small car.

"Hai! Itterasshai!!!"

"Ja Itteki" Jiro said as he drove them off to Chiba prefecture.  A few hours of giggles and talk came the small village in Tomosaki-ku.

"Anou~ the directions say to turn here at the post office and a few houses to the left there is.... AH!! yatta!! The dango shop!" Sachiko pointed out.

"Were here!" Jiro turned off the engine and put on the handbreak to park.  They saw an elderly man, still handsome by all means coming out of the shop.  It was Otousan.

"Ahhh~ I was expecting the others when you called, Jiro.  Why is it only one of my twins here? Mah...Let's go in, your Obachan is here in the shop." the man put his arm protectively around his adopted daughter, steering her towards the dango shop.  Once inside, greetings were exchanged and tea and sweets were served.

"What brings you two here" their Otousan asked as they settled in.

"Anou~ I know this may come as a shock to you Otousan and it may not look right at all demou...I want to ask your permission." Jiro knelt on the tatami floor and after a long deep breath, said what he came for.

"May I please ask for your blessing to marry Sachiko-chan" Jiro bowed low, not raising his head at all.  Sachiko was silent yet hopeful as they waited for the reply.

My Girl~

It was a nice day to tidy up.  The sun was shining and the siblings were bursting with life.  Saburo was unscrewing the plaque tha hung outside next to the door.  Their names written next to the family name.  He can hear his brothers making a fuss about something.

"You're doing it too much! " Aniki sounded irritated.

Jiro chimes in,"Just do it!"

"Nani?" Goro asks

"Lets do it Aniki!" Shiro chimed in

"Warui yo" the youngest replied.

"Well if we don't do it now, we won't be able to at all" the second oldest reasoned out.

"No doubt about that.  Let's just do it" Shiro said.  The rest agreed and so they started moving the furniture and things they needed to pack up.  They were moving away from this house, moving on to better things in life after their Okasan had died.  Her cancer had gotten worse, she didn't even tell her family.  She kept the pain to herself and didn't want them to see her face pained.  Her children meant the world to her.  

Ichiro, the eldest, was a quiet but interesting boy since he was young.  He liked playing with watercolors and always went with his Otouchan on fishing trips.  He grew up to be a fine man, he may not have finished college but he was intelligent in his own way.  He suggested moving out since he was getting married soon anyway.  To that lovely young woman, Nana-chan from the grocers.  She was Sachiko's good friend.  It had turned out to be a good match, those two.  And he was planning to start a fishing school in the seaside.  It was a very promising thing and Nana-chan supported him in his plans.  They will start a new life together come springtime.

Jiro, the second son was wise and firm.  He did things after long considertaion and listened well. He had gotten a job as a professor in Keio University, nobody knew about it but his Okasan.  He was determined to do well in Tokyo with his younger brothers, Shiro and Goro.  And maybe come back for the one he loved.

Saburo and Sachiko, the twins.  They were adopted at a troubled time.  Saburo was a genki young boy and even into adulthood, he was lively and loved kidding around with eveyone.  He was inseparable from the silent Sachiko.  They may look alike but only a few people can tell them apart.  That would be their Okasan and Jiro-nii, whom they were very close to.  They always knew what the other was thinking before they even said or did anything, often completing each other's sentences.  Although, they stopped doing so as they got older.  Sachiko was bubbly in her own way, always smiled and was rowdy when with his brothers.  The move was a big thing yet the two didn't want to leave, especially Sachiko-chan.  She had clung to her twin and cried begging that they stay.

Shiro, the fourth-born, was quiet but a bit sneaky when he wanted to get his way with anything.  He had gotten a job as a konbini supervisor in Tokyo which was good since times are hard and he wanted to save for the future.  He wanted to ask Kim-chan if they could get married.  Not just yet but at least get engaged.  He had asked Sachiko her opinion once and his neesan agreed it would be good to plan ahead.

Goro, youngest and was the most OC.  He wanted things orderly and neat.  Often helped Okachan and his neechan in the house.  He was happy about the move to Tokyo, he will be a new architect of Jun Aoki & Associates.  He was going to start in spring, his koibito was working as a clerk in a nearby office.  They had kept correspondence and Chiaki-chan visited often.

Otousan had moved to Chiba, where their clan was originally from.  He felt like he couldn't stand the loss of Okasan even if we were around.  It was geed that his eldest was going to follow him there soon with his young bride.

Yes it was a fine day to tidy up and in the midst of the hubbub and happy smiles was a bit of tension in the air.  Ichiro was packing their Okachan's shrine, the others noticed and were touched by an unseen force.

"Ne ne ne~ Let's go gather stuff from our rooms.  Ones to throw away and those we can take as well" Goro suggested, the rest agreed and got busy.

Saburo was going through a picture album and saw their Okachan smiling up at him, almost causing to tear up.  He turned the page again and saw a white envelope addressed to him. He opened it and started reading:

Saburo-kun,

I know that you and Sachiko are not truly mine but I love you both as my own.  You and your brothers and sister were our children and one day you should all grow up and go on ahead to do what it is you love to do.
When that day comes, go.  I will be watching over you from this house.

Okachan

At that moment his brothers came into the dining room excitedly.

Jiro showed his old mask," Are! look at what I found!"

"Uwaaah! That's nothing compared to this aniki!" Shiro was proud of the find he had with Goro.

"Aniki, what's that?" Goro asked their eldest.

"My old button pin collection. I must take this ne~"

"Oi~ Oniichan! That's just junk!" Shiro smirked.

"To you it is!" Jiro laughed, trying to get his mask into a box.  They were still chattering when Saburo walked over.

"Anou sa~" the young musician started,"I found this in my things.  Okachan wrote to us...."
They gathered round and read the letter.  They could well hear their Okasan's voice as they did so.

"Anou~" Sachiko walked into the room and saw their faces as they read the letter.

"S-sachiko-chan..." his twin was surprised.  They were expecting her to be in the kitchen, busy with dinner.

"Etou~"

"Nani?  What's that you're reading?  Why is everyone so serious?!" she giggled and smiled at them.

"Sachiko-chan.... Imouto... Sit down will you?" Ichiro said softly.  The younger one nodded and sat next to his twin and was handed the letter.  She knew right away whose handwriting it was.  Soon tears fell silently.  Jiro knew what would happen next as she suddenly stood up and ran to the bathroom, door banging behind her.

At that Ichiro too stood up with the house plans for the move, the rest followed him as he tore the paper into pieces.  They knew it was the right thing to have done.

"Let's stay for a while ne?" Ichiro said calmly.

"Mou~ what about Oneesa...?" Shiro was about to ask when he noticed Saburo missing.  The older one was already knocking on the bathroom door.

"Sachiko-chan.  Please open the door imouto." the third-born pleaded.

"Mou... I'll let Otouchan know we're not moving" Goro took out his keitai and wrote: Otousan, we want to stay in this house with Okasana little longer.  So we've decided not to move.  The youngest smiled as he sent the message off and started putting things back in their place.  He noticed Jiro-nii walk to the fridge and take the keys from the top and walk over to where the twins were.  He smiled knowingly.

The keys jingled as they went into the doorknob.  Openind the door widely, Jiro saw Sachiko's figure in a corner near the shower.  He came forward and knelt beside her.

"Sachiko?" he said softly and took her into his arms.  There was no reply from the woman, just more silent tears.  She didn't refuse him either but was comforted by his presence.

"Mou~ Sachiko-chan.  Okasan is looking over us ne.  Let's smile for her.  She's not in pain anymore." Jiro soothed her and wiped her tears away.  At that she looked up and nodded.

"Mah..mah.. crybaby all these years ne!" Saburo chided her.  His twin smiled and giggled a little.

"ARE!! Shall we have dinner?  Okachan is all set-up back in her shrine." Shiro smiled.

"I turned the stove off now.  Imouto almost burned my favorite!" Ichiro chuckled as he turned away from the scene.

"Aiiiyaaaah!" the comment mobilized her and she stood up with the help of Jiro,"hontouni gomenasai Onii-chan!"

And they fussed over setting the table.  They were full of chatter again and the sad moment hours ago half-forgotten as Saburo screwed on the plaque again next to the door.  Then he noticed someone going to the garden, it was Sachiko.  He was going to follow when he also saw Jiro-niichan.  He smiled and decided not to bother them and went in, rousing the others to tidy up in the kitchen and their rooms so as not to bother the two in the garden.

"Its a beautiful night niichan!" Sachiko stared at the stars, not bothering to look at her brother.

"sou desu ne...like imo-...like Sachiko-chan.." he replied as he sat next to her on the wooden bench.

"Mou~ niichan is not funny..." she was glad the clouds hid the moon or she'd be seen with her cheeks tinged pink.

"Anou sa~  I want to tell you something, Sachiko-chan.  It may change many things but know what I say is true ne?"

"mou~ don't be so serious niichan!  You'll look old!" sachiko giggled ans was about to stand up.

"Anou~" Jiro grabbed her arm lightly.

"Nani?" she smiled and sat back down.  Jiro moved his hand down to her own hands, the girl was giddy but confused.

"Sachiko-chan.  I love you."

"Watashi mo.  Oniichan daisuki!" she replied, her heart beating wildly.

"No! Not like a sister.  Like a man loves a woman.  Mah.. how do I say this correctly?!" his face troubled.

"A-anou~ oniichan?"

"Please stop calling me that.  We know I'm really not your brother."

"D-demou~"

"I know its too much but I don't want to waste anymore time.  Okachan knew without my telling her and before she died she said I should be honest with you.  This is what i'm doing right now...I don't care if you hate me or get disgusted or whatever....I just want you to know.  I want the world to know.  I have always loved you Sachiko" Jiro looked into her eyes, cupping her face, his blood rushing through his body.  It felt good that he finally told her, now for the hard part...waiting for the reply...if there was one.

"Anou~ J-jiro?" Sachiko's face was flushed, emotions running wild in her but she was glad it wasn't a one way thing like she thought it was.  He loved her too.   At that she let his arms wound around her waist as hers went up his neck, pulling him closer.

"Watashi mo..." she whispered back.

Then all of a suddent the light of the moon shone down on them as the cloud passed.

"Finally!" Goro shouted.  The lovers disentangled themselves, surprised at the reactions.

"Omedetou Jiro-kun" Ichiro patted his otouto's shoulder.

The two were dumbfounded but happy to be accepted by their family this way.

"Seems I have another announcement for Otousan" Goro said.

Minna laughed but Jiro stopped, "Let Sachiko and myself do that ne?  We'll go to Chiba next week."

"EHHHH?! That fast?!" Saburo cried.

"Baka niichan! They've been together all their lives ne? What's there left to do?!" Shiro looked at his older brother dubiously.

"Sou desu kedo~"

And the family continued to live in the house where love and laughter dwelled.

HISASHIBURIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII~ :D

i've been on hiatus for a very long time

uwaaaah~ i missed ARASHI! ahuhuhu~ T.T

Jiro~

Months ago had been embarassing for me, I cried on Imouto's shoulder on the way home.  I didn't want to cry, it wasn't like me to do that.  But I knew only Sachiko-chan would understand.  Her face was already tearstained from crying herself.  She usually does when we came to see Okachan in the hospital.  That was the day before Okachan left us. She was wiping her face with her hanky, for someone who wasn't girly, she carried one all the time.  I wanted to smile at the thought but then imouto said something that hit a chord in me.  Those words that I will always remember my entire life.  I had wanted to say something soothing and genki but words failed me.  A highly unusual thing for me, I was always there to comfort her and Saburo-kun.  They came at a troubled time but we still accepted them.  Okasan made sure of that and I took to heart those words.  Take good care of them.  But now as my body leaned forward and held her, burrying my sobbing face in her hair, she was the one soothing me.  She didn't say anything, Sachiko-chan didn't have to.  She never had to say anything to make me smile, just a look from her was enough for me.  Her hand patted my back, it was something I would have done for her too.  I had been doing it since the twins came to us.  Many years or laughter and tears, Sachiko-chan was a bit of a crybaby and Saburo-kun was very loud at times but nothing unberable.  They looked alike but different.  It was easy to tell even when both had their hair cut the same way, well.... for me and Okachan that is.  I loved the twins, Okachan said to take care of them and I did.

The memory faded as I tidied up the house with my siblings, I was moving out with Shiro-kun and Goro-kun to Tokyo.  I had gotten a job at Keio to teach, nobody knew about it yet.  Aniki will be getting married soon, I think only I didn't have a koibito amongst my brothers.  Even Sachiko-chan was going out with someone, that made my heart heavy for some reason.  Shrugging it off, I finally pulled out the mask I used to play with as a child and ran to show it to the others.  But when I came into the living room, Saburo-kun was showing the others something.  It was a letter, I recognized the handwriting at once.  Okasan had written to us before she died.  I tried hard not to cry again as I finished reading.  It was what she wanted.  For us to move on.  She was watching over us she said.  I knew what would happen next as Sachiko cried silently over the letter, stood up and ran to the bathroom.  It was her way, I knew that.  Aniki took the plans we made and tore them, it was the right thing to do.  I knew we should stay a bit more to be with each other.  To be with Okasan in the house built on happiness and love.  I walked to the fridge and grabbed the keys on top on it, seeing that Saburo-kun was already trying to get his twin out of the bathroom.  I walked over and tapped his shoulder.  He moved away for me to unlock the door.  Like always, knelt down beside Sachiko. Took her into my arms as she wept soundlessly, tears streaming the way mine did months ago.  I wiped the tears away and told her Okachan was happy and isn't in pain anymore.  She nodded and hugged back, sobs dying down.  Saburo made a joke.  His twin smiled.  It will be fine.  Everything will be fine, my Sachiko-chan.  She looks up at me and smiles.  We move out of the bathroom and get dinner ready, we were a family again.  We won't be leaving for now.  I just hope I can talk to her again.  Say what I have always wanted to say, Okachan said I should have told her many years ago.
I love her.

Sachiko~

Its a busy busy day, I was preparing Ichiro-niichan's favorite for dinner.  With Okachan gone now, I had to do more of the house work while doing part-time as a piano teacher.  It was hard being in a house full of men.  Okachan used to say I was a bit rowdy myself but then again minna was overprotective, especially Jiro-niichan.  I smiled at the memory of him always there for me and Saa-kun.  Jiro-niichan knew how to stop me from crying or why Saa-kun was sad or angry or frustrated.  He listened to us and we did the same.  Well...more like me listening since Saa-kun was always hyper about something interesting.  Okachan once said, he was someone I can depend on just like Saa-kun.  Mou~ when Okachan was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, he was strong in front of everyone when I was crying.  But when I was walking with him one day from the hospital, he pulled me and hugged me.  Niichan just cried like a child.  I didn't know what to do.  He was the one who made me smile like Saa-chan so...I was at a loss for words.  I just held him and patted his hair, humming the lullaby that Okachan sang to us as children.  That was the only time I saw niichan cry.  I didn't tell Saa-kun, I don't even know why since I told him everything.  Mou~ I'm happy that this family has accepted us completely as their own.  It was hard in the convent orphanage but when Okachan and Otouchan took us home. We were happy.  It was home. A real home.

I was letting the curry simmer as Saburo called us over to show something.  It was a letter that Okachan had left for us.  I was last to read.  It said to move on and do what we wanted.  Okachan will always be with us she said in the letter.  I know I'm such a crybaby but reading something like that was unbearable.  Okachan knew she was at the end of her time.  My love for her has always been so much.  I took care of her till her last breath with us.  Heaven knows that we were still at a loss since she was gone a few months ago.  I can't bring myself to think of even leaving the home we all had with her.  Otouchan is in Chiba, it was good for him.  To try and move on, he was hurt most...i think.. his wife, friend and lifetime partner was gone.  I understood his leaving.  But Ichiro-niichan is engaged to Nana-chan and wanted to start anew in a fishing village somewhere.  Shiro-kun and Goro-kun have dragged Jiro-niichan and they decided to move to Tokyo.  The family is moving on Okachan.... But I can't bring myself to do that.  YADA!!

I stood from the table and ran to where I always did, the bathroom and locked myself in.  Slumping to the floor, the endless streams of tears fell.  Okachan.  Why did you leave?  Why didn't you fight harder?  I knew I was wrong to ask, this was what she wanted.  A final rest.  But the pain was unbearable.  Silent tears.  I could hear Saa-chan trying to get in but when the door clicked open...It was my Jiro-niichan who knelt down and held me tight, patting my hair like he always did when we were young and something was wrong.  I could depend on him.  I... no... I must just be confused...  But I love him... He wiped the tears away and smiled.  It will be fine.  Saa-kun made a joke, it made me smile.  Then the others looked in and chided us.  I remembered dinner, I stood up and got the table ready.  Glancing up at Jiro-niichan.  He smiled and patted my hair.  I love him.

Shiro

I never really liked sharing what I felt. But then when Okasan died recently, things changed.  In a way I, became closer to my siblings.  Well, Sachiko-neesan wasn't really much of a girl so it was easier to talk to her.  Minna didn't know but I talk to her when we're alone in the house.  She was kind and made Beef stew like Okasan did.  Mou~ even if she isn't really my older sister...her and Saburo-niisan, they were family.

Planning to move away with aniki and otouto, I was tidying up like everyone was.  The house was buzzing,aniki and otouto were moving to Edogawa-ku in Tokyo.  I'm the one who suggested it since we all wanted to move on and start anew.  Its just sad that Saburo-nii and neesan wanted to stay instead.  It would have been nice if Jiro-nii and neesan... mah... Its obvious anyway, how aniki looks at Sachiko-neesan.  I smirk as I was tidying up the room I shared with Goro-kun.  It brings back a lot of memories of how we all shared this house..no.. home with my siblings and the happy, sad and often crazy times with everyone.  Otousan would always be there, so was Okasan.  But that was not to be.  Otousan had moved to Chiba, where our clan was originally from.  He felt like he couldn't stand the loss of Okasan even if we were around.  I think its alright.  I was running away myself from the pain.  It was what was best for him.  I was woken from my reverie when Goro-kun showed me an old picture we had of the family.  We had to take that with us. This memory.  Smiles and laughter.  I wondered where neesan was.  Hmm..must be in the kitchen, it smell like curry today...Ichiro-niisan loved it a lot.

That's when Saburo-nii called our attention to a letter he held.  It was addressed to us, apparently from Okasan.  We all read it.  My heart was warmed yet I felt I couldn't just leave.  I couldn't just move to Tokyo.  Not just yet.  I had a good job waiting and so does aniki and otouto but...  Neesan was crying.  I wanted to reach out and talk to her as she did to me but something stopped me.

Ichiro-niisan took the plans we made and tore it.  I was glad he did.  I then noticed Sachiko-neesan rush to the bathroom.  Mou~ not again... Only Jiro-niisan can do anything now.  Saburo-niisan rushes to her but we all knew the obvious.  Aniki got the keys from the top of the fridge and walked to where Saburo was to open the bathroom door.  It will all be ok soon.  I smirk again as otouto said he'll let Otousan know we're staying a while.  I make jokes and chide neesan as she was led out of the room by Jiro-niisan.  Dinner would be fun again.  I smile and help with setting the table.

Maaah~ shoganai ne?  I love this family even if I don't say much.
They do mean a lot to me.

~~~~~

Goro

I sighed as Jiro-niichan insisted on keeping the big room while we laid plans for our move.  It was plainly irritating.  In spring, we'd be at our new jobs in Tokyo.  I will be an apprentice in an architectural firm.  Shiro-kun will be supervisor in a konbini near our place and Jiro-niisan....?  He hadn't told us yet but I knew he was called by a few law firms already.  The pain was unbeareable for all of us.  Most especially Sachiko-neechan.  She and Saburo-niichan aren't our blood brothers but we were raised to feel that they just the same.  Kazoku.  That was the most important thing to us.  Okachan said be there for one another even if things got hard.  But now that she's gone....most of us found no reason to stay.  Ichiro-niichan is engaged to marry soon and everyone had their lives ahead of them, it was only fair to do what's right and move out.

After tidying the room I shared with Shiro-kun, I found an old picture.  We had to keep it for the new place we were going to rent out in Tokyo.  All happy we showed it to the others but Saburo surprised us with something that almost tore my chest in pain.  Okachan had written to us before she died.  Move on and she will aways be there for us, to look after us.  I almost wasn't able to control the tears.  After a few deep breaths, I was calm enough.  But when I looked up, neechan was running to the bathroom already.  She was already crying, in her silent way.  It was painful to see.  I looked at Jiro-niichan, yappari, he stood up and went to her.  I always thought there was something between those two appart from the fact that niichan was close to the twins.  But as I saw that, I knew it will all be fine.  Neechan will be laughing in no time and we will be having her curry for dinner.  I looked on at Ichiro-niichan throwing away the plans he tore of the move.  Taking out my keitai, I told them I'd let Tochan know we won't be moving just yet.  We want to be together with Okachan a bit more.