Chapter Text
The first thing you noticed about Osomatsu was his impressive vocal range.
A short walk away from your home was the local pachinko parlor. You usually went there on days you got your paycheck or were just bored. Of course, you make sure not to spend too much on gambling. The man sitting at the machine next to you didn't seem to understand moderation.
As you usually keep to yourself, you didn't notice the young man in a red hoodie sit down and start dropping balls one by one. But a sudden yell and a slam makes you jump as you look to see the man, his face becoming as red as his shirt.
“Are you kidding!? Is this rigged!? Why won't it let me win??” He kneels down as if begging. “Come on, just one time. Just one time!”
You roll your eyes. You cannot believe how much of a sore loser this guy is. You turn back to your machine just as a tap on the shoulder brings you back to the man's face.
“Hey, can you do me a favor?”
You sigh and ask what he wants from you. He points to the machine he was just complaining to.
“Can you use that one for a second? Just put a few balls in. I wanna check something.”
Reluctantly, you get up to use the other one. The man watches intently as you pour some balls into the game. But despite everything, you cannot seem to win anything. The man laughs.
“I knew it! Everybody says it's just my shitty luck, but it's only because I play on the rigged machines! That's why I always lose!”
You turn and suggest that maybe it's a combination of both. He scoffs.
“Listen, if you get me a good machine, I can get an amazing winning streak going.”
You can't help but laugh at his claim, especially after seeing how pathetic he is when things don't go his way. The sore loser frowns.
“Huh? You don't believe me, do you?”
Besides, it's all based on luck, isn't it? At your remark, a mischievous smile creeps across his face.
“Alright, how about this?” He leans forward. “You and me are moving to the machines by the entrance. Those are the ones I'm best at. 50 balls each. Whoever loses all of them first has to buy the other one a drink.”
That sounds interesting. But wait, you don't drink alcohol. The challenger rolls his eyes and shrugs.
“Then I'll get you orange juice or something. Do we have a deal?” He holds his hand towards you. Hesitating just for a moment, you grab his hand and shake it.
“No take backs!” Still holding onto your hand, he forces you out of your seat and towards his games of choice. Caught by surprise, you quickly remark how you don't even know this guy's name.
“Really? That's what you have a problem with? Fine, my name is Osomatsu. And what would yours be?”
You take this time to introduce yourself.
“Sorry, even if I think your name is cute, I'm not gonna go easy on you!”
After taking a big gulp from his can, Osomatsu releases a sigh of satisfaction.
“Ah, there's nothing like a nice, cold beer after putting someone back in their place.”
Dragging your feet along the ground, you curse the amount of luck you've had with money today. Osomatsu shrugs.
“We've all had our bad days. I wouldn't worry about it.”
That's easy for him to say. He got a free beer out of this deal.
“True, but can't I feel lucky that I got to meet someone like you?”
You frown as you ask him what he means by that.
“Well, I actually have someone other than my brothers to place bets with. They're alright, but it gets boring playing with the same people every day, you know?”
You're still wrapping your head around the fact this guy has brothers. You shudder to think what they are like, and pray to never meet them. You turn to the gate of your home to unlock it.
“Wow, is this where you live?”
Shit. You just instinctively turned to where you lived. Nothing can stop Osomatsu from 'visiting' you now.
“I guess it is getting late,” he mumbles. He takes one last gulp of his beer before handing the empty can to you. “Can you throw this out for me? I think I'll start heading home now, too.”
Without hearing your objections, Osomatsu turns and walks off. He absentmindedly waves as he heads to his home.
“Let's play again soon, okay? Catch you later!”
Your frustration knows no bounds. How does he know he'll see you again? This is the first time you've ever met the guy. He probably didn't know you existed until tonight. If anything, he was just looking for someone to get him a free drink after throwing a fit. As you unlock the gate, an ugly taste goes through your mouth as you look at the can.
How can anyone drink this stuff?
Despite how much lemonade you drink the next day at your favorite cafe, you still feel sick whenever you see a can. It doesn't even have to be the brand Osomatsu had to make you curse his name. It's his fault you spent more money than you meant to last night. Anyone could have dealt with his shit; why did it have to be you?
“Hey!”
That voice grates on your every nerve. If you didn't know any better, you would say you were hearing it right now. That voice calling your name almost sounds like that jackass that sucked money out of your wallet.
Oh god.
It is him.
Osomatsu makes his way over to your table, cheerfully walking and sitting down on the chair across from you. His smile, etched in your mind and associated with trickery, glows as he looks at you.
“Isn't this funny? The very next day after our little adventure, I run into you again! What are the odds of that?”
You groan. He shouldn't talk to you about odds. Osomatsu laughs.
“Aw, you still salty about my win? But I told you I was the best at the machines by the entrance. But whatever,” he sings, “that's all in the past. But if you're looking for revenge,” he suggests, “I would be more than happy to take you up on a revenge match.”
You shake your head. You've had enough pachinko for a while. Osomatsu shrugs and leans back in his chair.
“Alright, suit yourself. But if you change your mind...”
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a slip of paper, which he slides over the table to you. Unsurprisingly, he's written his phone number on it. You ask if he wrote that down and put it in his pocket because he secretly wanted to see you again. He waves his hand dismissively.
“You can never be too prepared.”
Your conversation is interrupted by what sounds like a ringing phone. Osomatsu puts a hand in his pocket again to take out his phone. Upon seeing the caller ID, he frowns.
“Sorry, I gotta take this.”
He starts the call and brings the phone up to his ear.
“What's up, Choromatsu?” Osomatsu asks cheerfully. As he listens to 'Choromatsu', his face drops suddenly. “What!? Why? The show doesn't start in forty five minutes!” He frowns and grits his teeth as he listens more. Finally, he sighs. “Fine, I'll be right there.” He hangs up and stands up as he puts the phone back in his pocket.
“Sorry, I gotta go. But,” Osomatsu points to the paper laying the table. “Think about it! My offer's always open.” He quickly gives a wink before hurriedly walking away.
As you see him go, your curiosity goes back to the paper he gave you. It's so clear he's flirting with you. It's so obvious, you almost feel sorry for him. Your will finally breaks as you take your phone out and begin adding his contact info.