The Rise of Poison

Chapter 10: Time for Bed

Sora looked over at her mother, who sat on the couch. She began to slowly nod her head, as if she was falling asleep.

"Mother," Sora said with a bit of concern. Their mother snapped her head back up and stared at the wall.

"Yes?" 

She gazed at the wall. Sora sighed and walked up to her mother. She placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Mother, I think it's time for you to go to bed."

 Their mother nodded her head and slowly got up. Her husband put the last dish away and went to help her get up. 

"Suki, are you alright," her mother asked her daughter. Suki nodded her head and stumbled forward. She fell onto her husband. 

"I don't feel well. Going to sleep would be wise," she muttered.

She brought her hand to her forehead and leaned on her husband for support. Yuuto's father rubbed Suki's shoulder.

 "Lii, what's wrong?"

"Nothing Caden, I just feel really exhausted."

 They continued down the hallway to disappear to their rooms. The boys and Sora waited in silence. Yuuto scratched the back of his neck.

"So," Yuuto said to end the awkward silence.

 "Oh yeah!-" Yuuto turned to Kenta "- Kenta, happy-"

"Happy belated birthday, Kenta," Sora said with a smile.

She was happy to beat Yuuto to it.

"Dammit, Sora! Happy late birthday, Kenta!"

Kenta's cheeks got a little bit rosy when they brought up his birthday, "Thanks, guys."

"Kenta, I'm so sorry, today has been so busy. I can't believe I forgot your birthday."

 He gave him a hug.

 "Please forgive me," Yuuto begged. He looked at Kenta with watery puppy dog eyes. "Please? I'm so sorry!" 

He put his head in his chest.

Sora uncrossed her arms and looked at her brother. She raised an eyebrow. Kenta, caught off guard and slightly uncomfortable, decided it was better to forgive Yuuto. Since if he didn't, Yuuto wouldn't stop until he did.

"Heh, heh. Okay Yuuto, I forgive you. Now get off!" Kenta tried to wiggle a hand free so he could pry off the clingy friend, but he was unsuccessful.

Yuuto looked up at him, "You do? Do you really mean it?" 

He smiled at him and squeezed him tighter.

"Yes! Now get off!"  He could feel his ribs being crushed.

 "Yuuto."

Yuuto shook his head, "Nope!"

"Yuuto, you are going to break his ribs if you don't stop," Sora shouted at him as she watched Kenta's face go blue.

Kenta, in a final act of desperation, brought his hands up to Yuuto's side and then tickled him under his armpits. Yuuto's embrace immediately loosened up on him.

 "Hey," Yuuto shouted as he tried to suppress his laughter.

 Kenta took several deep breathes of freedom. His ribs hurt. However, he recovered. A devious grin appeared on his face. He then tackled Yuuto into the wooden floor.

"Woah, Kenta! I promise I wasn't trying to kill you!" Yuuto laughed as they wrestled on the floor. Sora remained where she was and watched the two roll around.