[Completed!] Osomatsu-san: Our 7th Brother?! (Fanfiction Story Movie)

Chapter 26: Second Chance

The group's return to the Matsuno household was slow and careful, the kind of walk that felt heavier than distance should allow. Haruto moved at a sluggish pace, drained and weighed down by both exhaustion and the tight bandages encasing his arms and legs. Every few steps, he wavered slightly, forcing Osomatsu and Karamatsu to adjust their grip to keep him steady. Neither one of them said much. The teasing and bickering that usually colored their every moment was nowhere to be found. Tonight, all that mattered was helping Haruto get home.

Behind them, Totoko followed in solemn silence, her arms crossed loosely over her chest, her sharp tongue replaced by a protective stillness. Her eyes never left Haruto-not even for a second. She watched every shift in his balance, every subtle wince. She had seen him endure so much in such a short time, and though she admired his strength, she knew he was running on fumes. His small body was battered. His spirit was still trembling. And now more than ever, he needed support.

As they turned the final corner of their neighborhood, the gentle glow of the porch light came into view. Their home-familiar and still-stood ahead like a beacon. In front of the door, Matsuyo and Matsuzō were waiting. The warm light from the windows behind them barely softened the tension carved into their expressions. They had been standing there for a while, side by side, frozen in a blend of hope and worry.

The moment Matsuyo spotted the group approaching, her breath caught in her throat.

Matsuyo (relieved): "There they are!"

Haruto instinctively tried to stand taller, summoning every bit of strength left in him. He wanted to walk on his own, wanted to look presentable in front of the people who had taken him in. But his legs betrayed him the moment he pulled away from his brothers' support. He took two shaky steps-then his knees buckled.

Haruto (strained): "Ah-!"

Before he could collapse, Osomatsu lunged forward, catching Haruto just in time. One arm wrapped around Haruto's chest while the other steadied his weight. Karamatsu moved in beside him, gripping Haruto's other arm in case he slipped again.

Osomatsu (worried): "Whoa, whoa-easy, Haruto! I've got you."

Haruto blinked rapidly, his face flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and dizziness. But he didn't resist. The warmth of Osomatsu's grip, the steadiness of Karamatsu beside him-it was something solid to hold onto.

Matsuyo rushed to meet them, her hands trembling as they reached out and pulled Haruto into a gentle embrace. She didn't care that he was dirty or bandaged. She didn't care how heavy he felt in her arms. She just needed to feel him there-alive.

Matsuyo (emotional): "Haruto, thank goodness you're alright. We were so worried."

Haruto's body went still, his weight falling completely into her hug. For a long moment, he didn't speak. His lips quivered, and his eyes stung. This warmth... this simple feeling of being held by someone who cared-it nearly undid him. A shaky breath escaped his throat.

Haruto (weakly): "I'm sorry..."

Matsuyo leaned back just slightly, her hands cupping his face as if to prove to herself that he was truly in front of her. Her own eyes shimmered with tears, but her voice was steady, strong.

Matsuyo (firm): "You don't have to apologize."

She brushed a tear from his cheek and smiled, soft but resolute.

Matsuyo (gently): "You've been through enough. All that matters is that you're home."

That word-home-landed in Haruto's chest like a soft drumbeat. It echoed deep, settling into a place that had never been filled before.