Happy Birthday

"Mom! Can we please get something for Yohei?", Joki begged as he tugged on his mother's arm. Yoko gave a defeated sigh and shut the math book she had open for her youngest son. The sigh echoed throughout the library of the Song family estate. He had been asking over and over again during a period of a few hours about getting his older brother a gift. She was worried that Yohei might lash out if they approached him, even with good intentions. There was no predicting what Yohei could do to his own family. At the same time it was difficult to say no to Joki. Yoko leaned down to kiss her son on the forehead.

"Did you forget what he did to you...?", Yoko said softly. She placed her hand gently onto the other's right shoulder, being as careful as can be to not hurt him. She knew the wound had healed long ago, but she'd rather not cause Joki anymore pain. In the back of her mind she still blamed herself for how Yohei turned out and for Joki's injury. No, she knew it was her fault. Had she been a better mother this wouldn't have happened.

"Its okay. I forgive him. Yohei didn't mean it!", Joki retorted. Though it did bring up some fear for his brother he didn't let that get to him. The brother he was able to spend time with he loved the most. Surely he is and always will be that brother he grew up with. It was just an accident. Yohei would never hurt him on purpose, is what Joki firmly believed.

Later in the day Yoko and Joki return home from a day of shopping. Joki clutched a small box that was wrapped with a shark themed wrapping paper. For some reason he felt nervous as he and his mother stood outside the doors of Yohei's room. The younger Song brother glared up at the guard standing watch outside of the room. Joki wasn't very happy with his family locking away his brother like that, but there was nothing he could do about it. The guard opened the door for the two of them to enter and he too entered behind them.

The room was silent. Only breathing could be heard and the air around the room was just unsettling. Yoko stood back, unable to bring herself to move her legs. Pathetic of her to fear her own flesh and blood. A wave of panic rushed over her when she couldn't feel Joki within arms reach. It seems that Joki had already approached Yohei who sat on his bed, the usual spot to find him these days.

"Happy birthday Yohei!", Joki cheered holding the small box up to his brother's face. The other didn't speak a word, only looked at Joki with a questioning look. Yohei grabbed the box, took a look and tossed it across the room.

"Leave me alone." Was all Yohei could mutter before the guard escorted the two family members out. Joki wiped away tears, but he refused to believe that Yohei wanted to be alone. He and Yoko continue down the hall. Their footsteps can be heard fading with each step.

Yohei bent down to pick up the box he tossed earlier. He looked over the choice of wrapping paper causing the corner of his lips to twitch. He almost wanted to laugh. Joki always loved shark themed everything and just thinking about his younger brother's room brought out a sad smile. Yohei tore the box open, revealing a plain circular shaped locket necklace. It wasn't anything special, but as he popped open the locket his vision began to blur. It was a photo of him and Joki before their family fell apart.

"What the hell. I don't...deserve this.."