Tino Shouldn't be Asleep

 In the early years of his life, Tino is used to be awake and wary. If his aunt is out, he shouldn't be asleep. If his aunt is home, he shouldn't be asleep without making sure that she is asleep. In another special occasion, he could fall asleep after he made sure she was having a good mood.

So why shouldn't it be different this time?

He swung his legs on the sofa. The clock is pointing at 8 PM. Jojo's awfully late today. He usually would be home by now.

Tino hummed. Did the bakery need some help again? It's not like it's rarely happen... just it's rare of Jojo not telling him beforehand.

Well, whether he told him or not, Tino still wouldn't shut his eyes before his arrival. Who knows what he could do when he was asleep—

Tino looked at the floor.

Who knows what he could do when he was—

...Huh.

He waited. And waited. And waited. And it's 1 AM.

No sign of Jojo's arrival.

Tino yawned. He shouldn't be asleep...

Is Jojo okay? Should he report to the police?

Five hours feel like eternity.

He shouldn't be asleep...

Knack, knack, creaaaakk...

Tino shook his head and looked at the now-opened door. Jojo stood there with the same jacket he used when he went out.

Jojo's focus shifted from the door handle to Tino who's limply walked towards him. "I am home. You're still awake?"

"...You weren't home"

"Didn't I tell you that I need to work overtime in the bakery?"

"No, you didn't" Tino glanced at the left-over bread Jojo brought from the bakery, "What happened?"

"A big order. We need to prepare the base quickly. We were short of staff so we ended up working overtime" Jojo locked the door, "You should just go to sleep even if I hasn't get home yet. This is likely what happened" he put off his shoes to the rack.

Tino's eyes followed his every movement. "I am used to waiting for everyone to be asleep first"

"That's a weird habit" Jojo patted his shoulder, "It's not good to stay up late for kids in their growth phase. It might stunt their growth"

Tino scowled. "Yeah, yeah, keep scolding me" he yawned. "You are not going to sleep yet?" his eyes followed as Jojo walked into the kitchen, "What are you doing?"

"I haven't eaten dinner yet. All the stalls been closed so I couldn't eat on the way home" Jojo pulled the serving lid and found an empty plate with only chilis left on it "I see that you have ate." Tino nodded and grinned, "Well, I can always cook a meal for myself. It's okay. At least you left me some rice, right?"

"I did not."

Jojo looked at Tino and sighed, "Okay..." he grabbed the clean rice cooker jar and filled it with rice, "I will cook it. You can go to sleep, Tino"

I should not.

Who knows what he could do when he was asleep?

"Let me help"

"Since when were you so willing to help?" quipped Jojo, but he gave the bowl anyway, "I will make omelette then, while you are making the rice. Are you hungry too?"

"Yep" Tino said while he washed the rice, "Make two for me"

"...Can you even finish it?" Jojo paused, "We can save it for breakfast, I guess"

Tino putted the bowl to the rice cooker and pushed the cook button. "Is there anything else I can help with?"

"...Why are you so willing to help?" Jojo's frowned. What an unfamiliar sight, "You can cut down the celeries then"

Tino opened the fridge and pulled out some celeries, he cleaned them out in running water and grabbed a cutting board and a knife.

He yawned. Cursing himself to be used to sleep early since Jojo usually come home by 5 and forced him to sleep at 10 PM. Now he can't even hold his sleepiness.

He should always be awake when Jojo's awake. Who knows what he could do when he was asleep?

Jojo had finished preparing the other ingredients and cracked three eggs into a bowl, he then heated up the oil. "Have you finished cutting the celeries, Tino? Please bring it to me" He asked, since the chopping sound has stopped for a while.

No answer.

"Tino?"

He looked back, and found the young boy has fallen asleep on the chair with half-chopped celeries and a held knife in front of him.

Jojo turned off the stove. And approached the boy. He gently let the knife go from the boy's hand. He looked at the boy's palm to check for wounds, fortunately, there were none "Well, that's dangerous"

He picked the young boy from the chair and carried him to bed.

He sighed, "I guess it's my fault to let a sleepy person to chopped something" a faint smile appeared on his face when he looked at the boy once again, "and the other two omelettes need to wait until tomorrow before getting eaten"

He walked back to the kitchen, and continued cooking their meal.