"Ichimatsu?" Jyushimatsu asked, clinging to his brother. "Why did you leave?"

"I didn't do it on purpose, Jyushimatsu!" Ichimatsu spat. "It was all an accident..."

"How can trying to kill yourself be an accident?!" Jyushimatsu cried. "After all you've been through, would it really be worth it, nii-san?!"

"Something overcame me when I was sitting on that rock, Jyushimatsu..." Ichimatsu said. "Those five birds were behind me. I think it was them. I started to hear you guy's voices...then my entire body went limp. I was completely out of it. Just like my entire world was fading into darkness. I couldn't control anything, Jyushimatsu..."

Jyushimatsu clung even harder to Ichimatsu.

"Will you be able to come back,
nii-san?" he asked, trembling in fear.

"I-I..." Ichimatsu mumbled. "I don't know..."

"Those five birds have something to do with us, don't they?" Jyushimatsu asked.

Ichimatsu nodded his head.

"I think they're our second selves. Maybe even...past or future versions of us. Wherever one of us goes, I always see those birds watching us. It's almost like they're trying to take care of us...but at the same time, they're only birds."

"Why are there only five birds then?" Jyushimatsu asked. "I noticed one was a peachy red color, one was blue, one was light green, one was yellow, and one was a light pink. They all match our hoodies. How come there isn't a purple one, nii-san?"

"The purple one died, Jyushimatsu. He died the very day I came home. It's hard to believe...that it was only two days ago when that happened...I sure am a screw up...to already be back in a hospital."

Jyushimatsu buried his face in Ichimatsu's hoodie.

"Promise me you'll come back, Ichimatsu!" he cried. "Please come back again!"

"I can't make a promise when I don't know if I'll be able to keep it true..." Ichimatsu spat.

"You said that to Choromatsu too..." Jyushimatsu said sadly. "What's your problem with promises?"

"I don't like them..." Ichimatsu mumbled. "What's the point in saying something to make someone the slightest bit happier...if you can't keep it that way?"

Jyushimatsu didn't reply. He just looked at his brother, pity in his eyes.

"Don't give up, nii-san...please come back...we've missed you more than you even know..."

"Then take care of the birds, Jyushimatsu..." Ichimatsu mumbled. "Never let them out of your sight. Don't let a single one die..."

"I will, Ichimatsu! But why?" Jyushimatsu asked.

"Because, they're the key to everything now..." Ichimatsu muttered.

Jyushimatsu awoke.

It was the next morning already. Sunlight poured through the bedroom window as the four other brothers slept on their futon.

Jyushimatsu stood up, careful not to bump anyone and wake them up, and sat down by the window.

"Ichimatsu? Are you going to be okay?" he said quietly. "I hope so. You have to promise me you'll be okay. You have to be okay..."

"Hey, Jyushimatsu?" Osomatsu yawned sleepily. "What are you going up so early?"

"I want to go visit Ichimatsu!" Jyushimatsu exclaimed more loudly than he had expected two. The other three brothers yawned somewhat angrily and sat up.

"Ichimatsu?" Osomatsu yawned like he didn't know recognize the name.

"Yes! Ichimatsu nii-san!" Jyushimatsu said, forcing himself to sound excited and happy.

"Jyushimatsu, go back to bed. It's early still," Todomatsu mumbled, rolling over in the futon.

Karamatsu put his pillow over his head and began to snore loudly.

Osomatsu got back in bed as well.

"I don't care how late I sleep today," Osomatsu yawned, immediately falling back asleep.

Jyushimatsu was started to feel strongly ticked off at his brothers.

"I'm going to go by myself then," Jyushimatsu said whileleaving the room, but nobody heard him.

Quickly, Jyushimatsu slipped on his yellow hoodie, shorts, and his yellow slippers. And at that, he left the house without another word.