violet velvet masquerade. ch5The neon lights of the pachinko parlor blinked and flashed, their relentless glow illuminating the bustling crowd inside. The air was thick with the sounds of clattering metal balls, the hum of machines, and the occasional shout of triumph or groan of defeat. Amidst the chaos, Osomatsu and Karamatsu made their way through the rows of pachinko machines, both eager for a night of gambling and relaxation.

Osomatsu was in high spirits, his usual carefree grin plastered across his face as he scoped out a good machine to try his luck. Karamatsu, meanwhile, was doing his best to maintain an air of "cool" nonchalance, even as his eyes darted around, trying to find the perfect spot where he could both play and be admired.

"Ah, the electric buzz of a pachinko parlor," Karamatsu mused, striking a dramatic pose as he adjusted his sunglasses. "Truly, it is the symphony of life's random fortunes But fear not, for Karamatsu will surely conquer these machines and emerge victorious"

Osomatsu barely suppressed a laugh as he nudged his brother. "You're so full of it, Karamatsu. Just find a machine and let's see how much money we can lose tonight"

The brothers wandered deeper into the parlor, eventually finding themselves near the arcade section. As they passed by the rows of claw machines and old-school games, Osomatsu's eyes caught sight of someone familiar — a young man with dark hair, dressed casually in jeans and a jacket, standing by one of the arcade games.

He was focused on the screen, but something about his posture, the way he leaned slightly forward, caught Osomatsu's attention.

"Hey, Karamatsu," Osomatsu whispered, pointing toward the guy. "Isn't that Ruri, that host from the gay club"

Karamatsu turned his head, and for a moment, his expression shifted from his usual practiced coolness to one of surprise. But before he could say anything, Minori, having sensed someone staring at him, looked up and locked eyes with Karamatsu.

For a brief second, confusion flickered across Minori's face as he took in Karamatsu's features.

"Ichimatsu" Minori murmured, almost to himself, as he straightened up. But the confusion quickly faded as he realized his mistake. The man in front of him wasn't Ichimatsu — it was someone else, someone who bore a striking resemblance but carried himself with an entirely different demeanor.

Minori's eyes narrowed slightly as he took in the over-the-top attire, the exaggerated coolness of Karamatsu's stance. This wasn't the quiet, brooding brother he'd encountered before. No, this guy was something else entirely — loud, flamboyant, and far too "cool" for his own good.

Karamatsu, noticing Minori's attention, immediately struck what he thought was a suave pose, flashing his most dazzling smile. "Ah, I see my reputation precedes me You must be drawn to my aura of undeniable coolness, yes I am Karamatsu, the star that lights the darkest night"

Minori blinked, taken aback by the sheer intensity of Karamatsu's act. This guy, he thought, is definitely not Ichimatsu. The resemblance was there, sure, but the personalities couldn't be more different. Ichimatsu had been quiet, awkward, and flustered. This guy was... well, trying way too hard.

But as Minori took a drag from his cigarette, a thought crossed his mind. If this guy was one of Ichimatsu's brothers, then maybe he could be just as profitable — if not more so. They seemed to be close, after all, and Minori had a way of getting what he wanted from people who were a little too eager to impress.

Maybe I should try extorting these two instead, Minori mused. They look like they've got money to burn, and I could probably get them to cough up some cash without much effort.

They certainly didn't seem as wary as their quieter brother.

Minori's expression shifted into a practiced smile as he walked over to the two brothers, taking a drag from his cigarette before speaking. "Well, if it isn't the Matsuno brothers. Fancy seeing you here."

Osomatsu grinned back at him, clearly pleased with the chance encounter. "What're you doing here, Ruri-san Taking a break from the host club life"

Minori chuckled, the sound smooth and casual. "Something like that. Needed a change of scenery. And you two Come to try your luck at pachinko"

"Of course" Osomatsu replied, his voice full of enthusiasm. "Nothing like the thrill of gambling, right Though it's more about the fun than the money, you know"

Karamatsu, who had been trying to stand just the right way to look "cool," cleared his throat and joined the conversation with an overly dramatic flair. "Indeed Life is a game, and we are but players in its endless amusement. We seek not just fortune, but the experience — the thrill that sets our hearts ablaze"

Minori had to suppress a smirk. This one was even more ridiculous than he remembered. He turned his attention back to Osomatsu, who was clearly the more grounded of the two, and decided to play along. "Sounds like you've got the right attitude. But I have to say, I'm surprised to see you two here. I figured you'd be back at the club, enjoying the company of your favorite hosts."

Osomatsu laughed, waving a hand dismissively. "Nah, that was just a one-time thing. Fun, but a bit too rich for our blood, if you know what I mean."

Minori's interest piqued at the mention of money, and he considered his options. If these two were as carefree with their spending as they seemed, maybe he could find a way to make this encounter profitable.

He leaned in slightly, adopting a more casual tone. "You know, if you ever feel like indulging again, I could make sure you have an even better time. Special treatment, just for you two."

Karamatsu, misinterpreting Minori's intentions, flashed a toothy grin and struck a pose. "Ah, Ruri-san, you flatter us But fear not, for we are men of the world, seeking adventure in all its forms. Perhaps we shall return to your establishment one day, when the stars align and the call of the night beckons us once more"

Minori suppressed the urge to roll his eyes at Karamatsu's over-the-top performance. This guy was laying it on thick, but there was something endearing about his earnestness — something Minori could definitely work with. He was so painfully earnest in his attempts to be "cool" that it was almost endearing. Almost.

Minori chuckled softly, flicking ash from his cigarette. "It's Minori, actually. Ruri's just my work name. What brings you two to a place like this"

Osomatsu shrugged, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Just blowing off some steam, you know Thought we'd try our luck at the pachinko machines. What about you Taking a break from charming people out of their money"

Minori smirked, appreciating the candidness. "Something like that. Everyone needs a break from work now and then, right"

Karamatsu, who had been eagerly waiting for his turn to speak, stepped forward, trying his best to look mysterious and alluring. "Ah, Minori... what an intriguing name for such an enigmatic individual. But tell me, do you often frequent places like this Or is today a special occasion"

"Just a bit of downtime," Minori replied smoothly, turning his attention to Karamatsu. "Though I can't say I expected to run into you two here. Small world, huh"

Osomatsu chuckled, crossing his arms as he leaned against the arcade machine beside Minori. "Yeah, no kidding. So, how's business at The Velvet Masquerade I bet you get all kinds of customers, huh"

Minori nodded, taking another drag from his cigarette before answering. "You could say that. The work's not bad — keeps me on my toes, and the pay's decent if you know how to play your cards right."

"Hmm Is that a trade secret I hear" Osomatsu hummed.

"Something like that." Minori smiled. "You'd have to pay me dearly for any further secrets."

Karamatsu, still determined to impress, flashed another grin. "A man of many talents, I see It must be quite the life, surrounded by adoring fans, each one vying for your attention. I can relate, of course — it's hard being this cool."

Minori raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by Karamatsu's antics. This guy's a real piece of work, he thought, but maybe I can get something out of him.

Still, the idea of trying to extort these two for money was tempting. They seemed a lot easier to manipulate than Ichimatsu, and Minori could already see how he might play them — especially Karamatsu, who was practically begging to be taken advantage of with his naive enthusiasm.

But then Minori caught himself, the thought of Ichimatsu surfacing in his mind again. There was something about Ichimatsu that still intrigued him, something that made him want to push just a little harder, to see where the boundaries were. And as much as he was tempted to make a quick buck off these two, he knew that Ichimatsu was the real prize.

For now, though, he decided to play it cool. No need to rush things. He could still enjoy the banter, and maybe plant a few seeds for later.

Minori turned his attention back towards his pachinko game, seeing as he won a couple tickets.

Osomatsu on the other hand, ever the opportunist, couldn't help but see this chance encounter with Minori as a potential windfall.

Karamatsu, on the other hand, was still trying to maintain his aura of coolness, though his attention kept drifting to Minori, who had lingered near the arcade.

There was something about the host that made Karamatsu uneasy, a sense that this man was not as casual and carefree as he seemed. But he wasn't sure how to voice his concerns without coming off as paranoid — or worse, uncool.

Osomatsu had no such reservations. He sauntered over to Minori, a confident grin on his face. "Hey, Ruri-san Before you go, I've got a little something to share — about our dear brother, Ichimatsu." He winked, clearly fishing for something, perhaps hoping that a juicy tidbit might earn him another night of free drinks.

Minori perked up at the mention of Ichimatsu. He turned to Osomatsu, one eyebrow raised in interest. "Oh Ichimatsu, huh I remember him. Seemed a bit out of place, though. Not really the clubbing type, is he"

Karamatsu very quickly realized where Osomatsu was going with this and felt a pang of worry.

With an exaggerated, dramatic flourish, Karamatsu stepped in, trying to steer the conversation away from dangerous territory. "Ah, yes, Ichimatsu A man of mystery, shrouded in the depths of his own thoughts. But perhaps the night was too much for him, yes After all, the allure of the club can be overwhelming to those unaccustomed to its charms."

"You know, Ruri-san," Osomatsu continued, ignoring Karamatsu's pointed glares, "Ichi-nii talked about you a lot after that night. Kept saying how ‘nice' you were. I think he might've been sweet on you. So, what do you say Any chance of scoring us another coupon for some free drinks Maybe we could help you get closer to him, huh"

Minori chuckled, though the amusement didn't quite reach his eyes. The mention of Ichimatsu had definitely piqued his interest, but he wasn't about to let Osomatsu's blatant attempt at manipulation slide so easily. Minori was nothing if not adaptable.

He leaned in slightly, his expression shifting into one of hospitable curiosity. "You're telling me Ichimatsu's been thinking about me, huh That's interesting. But you know, I'm not so sure about you guys coming back to the club. You all seemed pretty uncomfortable last time — like you didn't really belong there."

Osomatsu's grin faltered slightly as Minori's words hit home. He had to admit, the atmosphere at the club had been a bit overwhelming, especially once they realized what kind of place it was. Still, he wasn't about to back down now. "Nah, it was just a surprise, that's all. We're not used to that kind of thing, but hey, we're open-minded. Besides, it was fun Right, Karamatsu"

Karamatsu, who had been trying to distance himself from the conversation, reluctantly nodded. "Y-yeah, sure. It was... an experience."

Minori smiled, though there was a sharpness to it that made Karamatsu even more uneasy. "That's good to hear. But let's be honest — wouldn't you two rather be around girls You didn't exactly seem comfortable at a gay host club. Maybe you'd have more fun somewhere else, where you don't have to worry about things getting too... intimate."

Osomatsu hesitated, suddenly unsure of how to respond. While they'd made the best of the situation, it hadn't exactly been what they were planning.

Karamatsu, sensing that this conversation was heading into dangerous territory, stepped in once more with a bit more urgency. "Ah, yes, Ruri-san, you make a good point. We're always up for new experiences, but perhaps that night was more of a one-time adventure for us. As much as we enjoyed the atmosphere, it's not exactly our usual scene."

Minori's gaze flicked between the two brothers, reading the unease in Karamatsu's eyes and the conflicted expression on Osomatsu's face. If they were going to be this skittish, maybe they weren't worth the trouble after all. So, by process of elimination, the only thing he wanted to break was Ichimatsu.

Still, there was one thing he wanted to know. "So, how's Ichimatsu been since that night He really didn't seem like the type to frequent clubs, so I couldn't help but notice he bolted out faster than the rest of you."

Osomatsu perked up at the question, eager to steer the conversation back to Ichimatsu and away from their own discomfort. "Oh, he's been... well, the same as always, I guess. Quiet, brooding, you know the type. But yeah, he did talk about you. Said you were different from the other hosts — kinder, I think he put it. I wouldn't be surprised if he came back, actually."

Karamatsu winced, but before he could say anything to stop Osomatsu from revealing too much, Minori let out a low, thoughtful hum. "Is that so Well, I'll have to keep an eye out for him, then. Sounds like he could use someone to show him a good time — something he's not used to."

Osomatsu, sensing that the conversation was shifting in a way that might benefit him, decided to push his luck. "Yeah, definitely So, about that coupon..."

Minori laughed, but it was clear that the humor in his voice was more for show than anything else. He wasn't about to hand out freebies to these two, especially not when they were practically stumbling over themselves with discomfort. Still, there was something about Ichimatsu that intrigued him, and he wasn't ready to let go of that just yet.

"Tell you what," Minori said, his tone smooth and slightly teasing, "why don't you let me handle Ichimatsu I'm sure I can get him to loosen up a bit more, maybe even get him to come back for another visit. As for you two... well, we'll see about that coupon. Maybe if you're really nice to me."

Karamatsu felt a surge of relief at the change in subject, but Osomatsu, ever the opportunist, couldn't resist one last attempt. "You got it, Ruri-san We'll be on our best behavior. Right, Karamatsu"

Karamatsu nodded stiffly, more than ready for this conversation to end. "Of course, Osomatsu. Always."

Minori flashed them one last smile, though his thoughts were already elsewhere. He'd learned what he needed to know — Ichimatsu was still on the fence, still uncertain, but definitely interested. And that was something Minori could work with.

As he turned to leave, he tossed a casual wave over his shoulder. "See you around, boys. And don't forget — if you ever decide to come back, just ask for Ruri. I'll make sure you have a good time."

Osomatsu grinned, clearly pleased with himself, while Karamatsu let out a quiet sigh of relief. As Minori walked away, disappearing into the crowd outside the pachinko parlor, Karamatsu shot Osomatsu a disapproving look.

"You really need to learn when to shut up," Karamatsu muttered, the tension in his voice unmistakable. "That guy's not someone we should be messing with."

Osomatsu shrugged, still riding the high of his perceived victory. "Relax, Karamatsu. We got what we wanted, didn't we Besides, what's the worst that could happen"

Karamatsu frowned, but he didn't press the issue.