Several hours later....

Jyushimatsu stared out the car window, watch the trees fly by as he kicked his feet back and forth nervously.

He snuggled down in his yellow winter coat, hiding his face so he didn't feel compelled to smile.

Craning his neck, Jyushimatsu looked behind he seat, relieved to find that Ichimatsu was fast asleep, a tiny bit of drool running out of the corner of his mouth.

Karamatsu looked in the mirror in the van, raising his eyebrows at Jyushimatsu. He knew his youngest brother was worried, but he had no idea how worried he actually was.

"Hey," Karamatsu said, just quiet enough not to wake Ichimatsu. Luckily, the teen was a sound sleeper, so it really didn't matter. "you know why Ichimatsu is sick, don't you?"

Jyushimatsu nodded his head sadly, turning back around, slumping down in his carseat, eyes focused on his shoes.

"You said a witch cursed him," Jyushimatsu said quietly, still kicking his feet lightly back and fourth. "You said so last month."

"But do you know why Ichimatsu was cursed?" Karamatsu asked with a sigh.

Jyushimatsu shook his head no.

"I see..." Karamatsu sighed again, focusing on the street ahead of them. "I guess I'll tell you when everything is fine again."

Jyushimatsu didn't say anything for several minutes, so the three just rode in complete silence. Every now and then, Ichimatsu would let out a small snore, but it was hardly audible.

"Uncle Karamatsu...?" Jyushimatsu whimpered suddenly, looking up, though he still kept most of his face hidden in his coat. "Is Ichimatsu nii-san going to be okay...?"

"I-I..." Karamatsu said, stumbling over his words anxiously, "I h-honestly do n-not know anymore...I want to reassure you both that everything will be just fine. That's all I ever wanted to do. I wanted to be with you, for us to all be happy as a family...maybe something more than family..."

Jyushimatsu lowered his head again, tears welling up in his eyes.

"I keep feeling very lightweight today," Jyushimatsu said without context.

"What do you mean?" Karamatsu asked, hoping Jyushimatsu was just trying to lighten the mood.

"I feel like I could just take off into the sky and fly with the birds and..." Jyushimatsu's speech began to slur.
"Angerrlrrreeeeeesueee"

"Are you feeling alright?" Karamatsu asked worriedly. "Now that you mention it, you do look a little pa-"

Jyushimatsu let out a quiet snore, giving off evidence that he had merely fallen asleep.