See the end of chapter for author notes.
Inside the room of a particular Japanese young man lies a study table like any other. Wooden in structure aside from the nails that support it, it provides ample leg room for the occupant and possesses three stacked drawers on its right side.
One of these drawers has a false bottom that contains a particular book.
[Private Journal of Kousaku Sakamoto] it reads, so none can dispute its ownership.
From a cursory inspection, it could have been like any other hidden record of young boys going through puberty. When the onset of new embarrassing desires or secrets requires writing down without the scrutiny of prying eyes, primarily those that belong to people related to the young boys.
Yet if someone were to actually read the first page, they would discover this journal contains writings most peculiar.
If you are reading this for the first time, then I hope for our sake that you are Kousaku Sakamoto, the original personality of your body. Barring a miracle, should you not have recollection of the days between the day you moved to Tokyo and the latest entry of this journal then hopefully these records may clear any discrepancies that have arisen in your absence.
For simplicity's sake I am ☐☐☐☐☐☐ your split personality. Hard to imagine I know, but my other suspicion would have been even more Unbelievably Chuuni. So we'll stick with that.
Moving on, Kousaku that day on the train while you were still in the midst of mourning over mother's passing. For one reason or another, I was given control of your body from that point on. It was as frightfully confusing to me as it may sound to you now.
In your place, I had continued along the plan of moving into the home of Ibari Oozora as mother had requested of him on her deathbed. Despite our…your previous hesitation of living with a stranger in Tokyo.
We..or at least I have found our new living situation quite agreeable. Ibari Ojisan and his daughters treated us like kin instead of a lingering house guest. The time I spent with them are an invaluable treasure to my -hopefully not- short existence.
So don't be surprised if 3 gorgeous women and 1 adorable little girl start displaying concern over your well-being. Oh, and do try to not to immediately initiate romantic gestures with them, it would be awkward for everyone involved especially little Suzume.
After you have fully understood the gravity of this preface, I suggest you turn to the next page and start getting to know of the life we have experienced as well as the people we have met.
Let us start at the beginning.
Meeting our new benefactor.
Ibari Oozora remembered how Kousaku-kun had looked when he arrived at the train station, nervousness was understatement. The poor lad's movements were incredibly stiff as he disembarked, eyes darting back and forth, not necessarily to catch sight of Ibari's welcome wagon.
No, Ibari had seen eyes like that before, during the dangerous times in his youth, it was the look of someone so panicked that they'd eye their surroundings for the slightest hints of danger. He felt a pang of pity of Harue-san, gods bless her soul, that her boy was in such a bad state
Luckily the poor boy didn't high-tail it when he called out to him. He flashed his most cordial smile before having Sabu and Seiji help escort him to the car. There was a brief period of silence in the car after Ibari had explained the short specifics of Kousaku's move here. The boy didn't say much besides short replies like 'ok' and 'uh huh'.
Ibari didn't really know what else to say to to the boy. His fingers were idly tapping his knees before Kousaku showed he wasn't so closed off by asking a simple question.
"Ibari-san….i'm not your secret love child am I?" Kousaku asked reluctantly.
The three grown men in the car who were currently performing a simultaneous spit take, had not expected that to be Kousaku's way to break the ice. The boy had understandably try to put some distance between himself and the spittle.
"I hop- I mean yes- I mean, not you are not." Ibari floundered, before steadying himself with a cough to his hand. "Ahem, what gave you that idea?"
The boy took some time to form his words. "It kind of confused me that some long-time friend of mom's who I hadn't met before is amiable to let me live under their roof."
"Well..it was your mother's dying request after all." he defended.
"Which I am very grateful that you've taken steps to fulfill it so thoroughly. I'm just curious, that's all. Most sudden guardianship of a young teen would entail just finding them a place to rent and pass on the occasional allowance." At the sight of Ibari's widened eyes, the boy hastily added. "So, I've been told."
Oozora Ibari ruminates on his next choice of words. "You're not wrong, but as Harue-san's son. I feel like you deserve much more than that."
The boy was visibly stunned by Ibari's 'cool' declaration if he did say so himself.
"That means a lot to me, thank you Ibari-ojisan."
"Think nothing of it." He said, then the two lapsed into a comfortable silence. Which didn't last very long.
"….So how do you know my mother anyway?" Kousaku-kun asked.
"To me, Harue-san was..the definition of youth." He said, clasping his hands at a nostalgic memory. Which was interrupted by Seiji's chuckle from the front seat, Ibari's boot put a stop to that.
"Youth?" Kousaku asked one eyebrow raised.
"Yes, youth." Ibari side-eyed the boy.
"So, you two had a fling back in the day?"
"Well, no she dumped me when I confessed. But I still have some beautiful memories." Aaaaaah, Ibari felt that he was reliving those good old days, when Harue-san was still young and healthy, wearing that form fitting sundress and hat combo.
Unfortunately, his recollections were interrupted again by a chuckle, this time from Suba. A new haircut courtesy of a speeding bullet helped stop that this time.
"JEEZUS MAN! What the hell?!" Evidently Kousaku was not used to casual displays of violence.
"Ah, worry not, everything's fine lad." Ibari said, tucking the still smoking barrel into his coat.
"Ya we'd be in a car crash if we weren't!" Kousaku yelled, Ibari wasn't sure what was the matter, it was only one gunshot. "What if we got reported to the police!"
"We'll just say one of tire's popped." he said confidently.
"...and that works?"
"More often than you'd think, kid." answered Suba, who kept his cool despite the new furrow in his hairdo.
Kousaku-kun didn't really seem to have a response to that and opted to stare out the car window. "….So, you were a Simp then?"
"What is that? Some sort of Kyushu Dialect?" Ibari asked.
Unbeknownst to Ibari, the boy had hidden a most devilish smirk with his hand in order to appear contemplative "...Ya sure, it's a new regional slang. It means a loyal romantic admirer."
"Is that so? Then I suppose by that definition then yes, I am a Simp for your mother. Did I say that right?" Ibari thought, what better way to connect to his new ward by familiarizing himself with their lingo.
"Textbook." Kousaku-kun choked out. "Were there others that also felt that way about mom?"
Ibari pondered. "Not that I wouldn't rightly know, Harue-san was a very desirable woman, but I was without a doubt, the biggest Simp for her." and that got him nostalgic again.
Kousaku-kun was lucky he was Harue-san's son, overwise Ibari would have struck him the throat to stop the incessant chuckling that came from the boy's mouth.
So we were taken in by someone that still held a flame for mother. Kinda strange but at least he's not being too weird about it. But really? We can't be too picky about a new home. Even if it is the home of a lovestruck Yakuza Boss.
Yes that's right, Yakuza.
If the black shades, suits and the gun didn't clue us in enough, the sign that blatantly says KANTO OOZORA GROUP OF THE KANTO YAKUZA ALLIANCE at the front his home certainly made Ibari Ojisan's profession very clear.
Luckily, we didn't have to join his group to be a part of his household. I even asked him about it. Although he did float the idea that we could exchange sakazuki cups when we came of age, if we wanted.
Nice of him to offer but rest assured we didn't agree to the idea, I'd like to avoid a future of being involved in organized crime. That being said, from our time with the Oozora's, Ojisan had mostly managed to separate the questionable legal activities of his work from his home life so we weren't in too much danger.
Anyway, after that we were told to wait in the Chasitsu while he prepared for a feast that night. It was unfortunate you missed out on it, the sushi offered by Yakuza really tasted better than anything we've had before.
This was also when we first met -with the exception of one- Ibari Ojisan's daughters.
'Good to see the boy loosen up a bit more.' thought Ibari as he saw his Kousaku sitting at the dinner table. Shoulders no longer tensed up like a coiled spring. High grade sashimi can do that to a man.
"Bwahahaha, You really won't drink Kousaku-kun?" Ibari asked, half-way to being plastered. Despite only just starting the feast.
"I'll have to decline Ojisan, I'm not old enough to drink." Kousaku-kun said in an apologetic tone. "Besides, after dad's ... .incident, I've had a bad view on drinking."
Incident what was..? Oh right, the paddy field. Suddenly Ibari felt a slight tinge of shame for offering. "My bad, sorry my boy."
Fortunately, one of his daughter's perhaps sensing the change in Ibari's mood, had expertly changed the subject. "Why don't you introduce us father?"
"Oh yeah, that's right I'll introduce you all to him." The Oozora patriarch laughed and began gesturing to each of his daughters.
First to the young woman with long black hair wearing a white dress shirt "My eldest daughter Tsugumi, she works as an illustrator. "
"It's nice to meet you." said the eldest Oozora sibling.
"Likewise, Tsugumi-san, it would be my pleasure to see some of your work if you'd let me."
"Maybe when I'm not too busy." she smiled.
Second, he pointed to the young woman with shoulder length red hair who wore a light blue striped polo shirt. "My second daughter Tsubame, she's in her third year of highschool."
"You'll probably be going to the same school as me, Kousaku-kun, It's nice to meet you." Tsubame said, all casual-like.
"Then I will be in your care, both at school and at home. Nice to meet you too."
Lastly, Ibari pointed at the small sweater wearing blue-haired girl to Kousaku's side. "The one sitting next to you is my youngest daughter Suzume."
"It's nice to meet you Kousaku-san."
Kousaku physically recoiled at the words to the shock of those present. "I don't think I've ever been greeted by such an adorable well-mannered little girl." he said, in a dramatic fashion.
The Oozora's at the table sans a blushing Suzume laughed at Kousaku's declaration. Good, the boy was opening up better than Ibari hoped.
Kousaku was the first to recover and looked around the room. "Is your last daughter not joining us?"
That question certainly put a lid on the good cheer half the table was experiencing if the sudden silence was anything to go by. Tsumugi and Tsubame were sharing quick glances between themselves.
Ibari stared down his drink with a complex expression before downing it in one go. "I have no other daughter." muttered Ibari, his expression grave.
Fate really knew how to crap on Ibari Oozora's life as his not other-daughter chose that moment to come into the room.The blonde-haired blue eyed youth was wearing a comfy shirt and shorts combo, the addition of a pair of black leggings really pulled the outfit together into something fashionable.
"Oh, Hi Hibari." The boy greeted pleasantly.
"Hi Kousaku." replied the stunning blonde in equal warmness.
It was Tsubame that cut into the casual exchange between the duo. "You two met each other already?"
"Met him in the Chasitsu earlier, we introduced ourselves after I stopped him from committing seppuku." Hibari explained as she sat down at the far end of the table between Tsumugi and Suzume.
"He WHAT!?" the other sides of the table erupted.
Kousaku gave a sheepish response "I was only examining the blade."
"With the hilt facing away and the tip pointed at your gut?" Hibari questioned with a smirk.
"I was examining it…..closely? that aside Ojisan, since Hibari's here, who is she if not your daughter?" The question was innocent enough without context. Yet the uncomfortable mood had returned to the table.
Ibari took a large swing of his sake bottle before answering. "He's my son."
"Son?" realization dawning on Kousaku's face.
"That's right," Ibari replied, ignorant of how that made Hibari's face frown. "My son and heir, Hibari Oozora."
"I see." Kousaku said almost sympathetically and his expression turned into…a smile? "Then you are quite the lucky man Ojisan, to have fathered 4 beautiful children." His tone was genuine.
"Indeed I'm quite a lucky man." Ibari laughed, his head metaphorically and literally swelling with pride. Though it takes him half a second to fully process Kousaku's words. "I MEAN NO! What part of this pervert son of mine is beautiful!?"
"I'm not a pervert." Hibari answered calmly.
"A GUY WEARING A SKIRT IS A FULL-BLOWN PERVERT." her father, not so much. "PERVERT PERVE-"
"Everything." Kousaku answered in the midst of Ibari's recriminations.
While the rest of the room seemed to have heard him, it was Suzume who was sitting right next to him that asked for clarification. "What's everything?"
"Oh, the answer to your father's question earlier." Kousaku replied the young bluenette.
It suddenly landed in everyone's heads what Ibari's earlier question was and connected that to what Kousaku had said.
The two oldest daughters had their jaws open, it was rare for someone to actually know about Hibari's ….habits, it was something entirely different for them to still compliment him despite that.
Suzume was smiling, another person in their house agreed with her that her older sibling was pretty.
Hibari was looking at Kousaku with barely contained glee.
And Ibari……his face was as white as a ghost.
"Ah, apologies, that was too fast of an assessment." Kousaku stated, the bottom of his fist slamming on his palm as he noticed his blunder. He faced Hibari to continue his words. "I should have said your appearance is beautiful, I have yet to know you better as a person so I cannot correctly say everything about you is beautiful. No offense."
"None taken." Hibari smiled, his tone joyous. "I won't mind getting to know you better either."
"That sounds lovely." Kousku calmly replied.
Ibari's face went from being drained of a color to having his eyes at risk of popping out of his skull.
"Kousaku my boy." the Oozora patriarch pani- pleaded with his arms on Kousaku's shoulders. "please don't tell me that you….you're…..gay?" surely Harue-san wouldn't have had the misfortune of raising a deviant like he had, right?
Kousaku tilted his head. "I don't think so? Do I have to be one to want to know more about a boy?"
"Well, no but…" Ibari muttered, he was tongue tied, the answer was obvious, there was nothing wrong with boys just getting to know each other and Kousaku didn't precisely say anything that suggested…ulterior motives.
"So why do you sound concerned?"
"He thinks you're coming on to me." Hibari casually replied in his father's stead.
"Is that so? Then you can lay those worries to rest Ojisan." Oh good he wasn't gay th- "In the event that does happen, I'll be sure to ask for your permission." Kousaku finished before helping himself to a mouth-watering piece of otoro.
Ibari meanwhile went cross-eyed at the mere thought that Harue's son and Hibari being..involved.
Ojisan had a heart attack after that, then a drug induced hallucination when his two aids tried to treat him. Tsubame promptly escorted us out of there when her father started talking about white alligators.
Hibari's reveal was an intriguing surprise. An heir to a Yakuza group, a crossdresser? You may not share my enthusiasm Kousaku as we both possess differing personalities but at the risk of sounding like a mad scientist staring down his first dissected frog. I find Hibari's…..condition/fashion sense/Hibari-ness? fascinating.
Also, they seem like a fun person.
From a cosmetic standpoint, they possess a naturally lithe body build, a high-pitched voice and perfectly soft facial features with minimal makeup. All of this while going through the onset of puberty? With Ibari Ojisan's genetics?
Either they've put a lot of work into their look or are blessed by the gods themselves. Newhalfs around the world would cry rivers of blood if they heard of them.
Understanding the reason for their lifestyle would be interesting as well. At the very least it would help us avoid offending them. Tsubame speculates that it's because he was surrounded by sisters his whole life that he desired to be like them.
Perhaps the only good role models in his life were his mother and elder sisters? Curious.
Ah, I rambled quite a bit there didn't I and it's getting late.
That concludes the first day with the Oozora's.
The first of many interesting days to come.
"Were you disappointed?" Hibari asked.
"No?" Kousaku, still facing the front door right after Tsubame left his room. "I was surprised but not disappointed" He answered her without missing a beat. Privately, Hibari was disappointed that he wasn't shocked when she entered from the side door that only connected to both of their rooms.
She let out an appreciative hum. Contrary to her expectations, expectations which Kousaku seems to have a habit of breaking. His response was not apprehension when faced with the truth about her.
He fully turned to her and then stared at the side door.
"So, our rooms are connected then?" Kousaku asked.
"Yup." Hibari replied.
"And the door has no locks."
"Nope."
"Doesn't seem very good for privacy."
"Oh? did you have something to hide from me?" Hibari said with faux innocence.
"I am a healthy young man, which means I tend to do unspeakable things when I'm alone in my room." Kousaku played along.
"Oh my." Hibari said, scandalized. "Can I watch?"
"Suggesting voyeurism so soon?" Kousaku countered with his own scandalized tone, covering this torso to further sell the act. "I fear that my chastity is in jeopardy, Oozora."
"Don't worry, I'll be gentle."
Kousaku looked at her with a deadpan expression to Hibari's own sultry wink. Both of their faces gave nothing away, until it did and the two of them started laughing.
It was in the midst of a dwindling giggle that Hibari Oozora decided then and there that Kousaku Sakamoto was going to be a fine addition to the family.
"I think I'm looking forward to going to school tomorrow with you Kousaku." She stepped back to her room and slowly pulled on the side door. "Goodnight Kousaku"
"Good Night, Hibari." she heard before the door that lead to her new housemate closed shut.
First foray into full writing in a long while, Honestly conflicted about this work since the premise was basically "wouldn't be cool if I could hangout it X character?" that's like the cringe-st kiddie reason for a fic.
But on the advice of the discord server i frequet and to satisfy my ego (plus sharping my skills or something) i decided to unleash this fic based on a manga/anime that's half a century old. Hope you enjoyed it.
