Adopted Soldier

Everyone's attention was now on Alex who had stood up. Who was he going to pick? Will it be Rachel, Evangeline, or Emily. The tension in the room was on a sudden rise, and the silence was eerie. One could even hear a pin drop in this situation.

So when they saw Alex scanning the area everyone had different thoughts going through their minds. The only one who was truly calm at the moment was none other than Oliver, who felt that this wasn't really going to affect him.

Kei on the other hand was getting a bit excited as well as anxious. The atmosphere in the group right now, wasn't all that great, but Kei was still excited by the notion that some more information could be added on Alex's file.

Alex who stopped looking around was now seemingly looking at Rachel and Evangeline's path. The two girls seeing that look of his, felt their hearts beating faster than ever. Alex then walked towards the two, seeing this made Emily feel relieved. On the other hand the male members of the group were really getting excited to see who Alex would pick.

Alex was nearing the two girls, and then walked pass them, and headed towards the door of the dojo that leads to the house. Everyone was shocked by Alex sudden move, what was he doing? Wasn't he suppose to pick between the three girls? Why did he walked towards the door instead?

A lot of questions floated in the minds of the group, as they waited to see what Alex would do next. From beyond the door Alex could hear some sudden movement, he already noticed this presence ever since they went to get the futons.

Alex opened the door, and as expected Kumiko and her sons were there, having their ears against the door.

"Oh Alex we were-" Before Kumiko could say an excuse, Alex pulled her close, and kissed her on the cheek. Kumiko was surprised by this sudden kiss, but wasn't really that bothered by it, just surprised. To her, it was like getting kiss by one of her children nothing much to say about that.

On the other hand everybody else reacted in the same way, when they saw what Alex did. They first were stunned into silence, and then all of them started to tremble, then as in if they were in sync with each other, they all shouted in unison.

"WHAAAAAAT!!!"

"Alex what did you just do to my mom! Y-y-y-you kissed her! Why did you kiss her? Huh? Why my mom of all people?... Is it because she looks like an older, maturer version of me?" Rachel who saw something so shocking was unable to comprehend what she just saw. She wasn't able to think logically since the boy she likes actually kissed her mother. Many ideas popped into her head, but all of them were blown away by that image of Alex kissing her mom. Even though it was only on the cheek, it was still a kiss.

"So you're aiming for the mother first. That's a pretty good idea my comrade." Oliver who was clapping his hands was having fun watching things unfold. In his mind all he could think of was that, as usual Alex does things in such an abrupt way. It was like he didn't care what other might think.

"Huh? What the? Why the mom? Is Alex going to be killed?" Kei was also confused at the sudden event. Seeing Alex kiss Rachel's mom, made him fear for Alex's life. The reason for this fear was because, he had long ago gained information about Rachel's family, since the dojo was famous in the area. Kei was sure that the information regarding Rachel's mom states that she was a very violent person. It was said, that she beat up a man until his face wasn't recognizable, she did all this because she thought the man looked at her lewdly.

Kei was actually afraid that Rachel's mom would attack Alex, but fortunately that didn't happen. Rachel's mom simply looked at Alex, like it wasn't a big deal.

Emily who was watching the scene felt like what Alex did was within expectations. If he didn't pick her who was the closest to him, when the dare was initiated. That would only mean, Alex sensed danger in doing so, making the three girls present a threat. So he decided to pick a girl outside the three, but was also present. Emily was able to quickly see through Alex's thought process. If it was before, Alex would've picked the most efficient path despite the consequences, but now he was actually thinking about other people's feelings. This was proof that Alex was slowly maturing.

Evangeline also had a different take on the situation. She wasn't bothered by the fact Alex kissed Rachel's mom. She was more concerned by what led to the choice of choosing Rachel's mom to be the person that was kissed.

'Alex didn't choose Rachel from the get go, actually at first I noticed that he was going to pick Emily. Since his line of sight was on her, for the longest time... Still I guess that would be because of the efficiency that Alex likes so much, seeing Emily was the closest to him, he would think that it would be easier to finish the dare if she picked her. Then after that he didn't do it, he changed his focus and looked at Rachel then me. Alex actually hesitated, I haven't seen him do that before. Is Alex's feelings, actually wavering? Is this my chance?'

While everyone was having there own thoughts about the current situation. Alex who noticed them staring at him, was confused.

"Did I violate a rule? You did say that I could kiss any girl present. Kumiko was present so I thought she was eligible, but was I wrong?"

When all of them heard Alex's question, the group could only sigh. Of course that was to be expected of Alex. It was them who was being weird not him.

"No it's all good, you did the dare properly... But I guess, after that no would like to play truth or dare for awhile." Emily looked at the others wanting to hear their opinion.

While that was happening, seeing everyone was distracted Kumiko left the scene.

"Yeah I don't feel like playing anymore. That gave me a lot of mental damage." Rachel agreed with Emily, that they should stop playing truth or dare.

"Yeah, if I saw something like that again, I might actually have a heart attack." Kei who was usually so shy around them, was finally able to speak in a more casual manner.

"Whatever you guys decide, I will follow your decision." Oliver wasn't really bothered by the event, but still understood that the group doesn't want to play truth or dare anymore. Still to Oliver as long as the sleepover continues, everything was all good.

Alex and Evangeline just nodded their heads, without saying anything.

"Okay since we are all in agreement, will stop playing truth or dare... Let's see what time is it?.... Ten, twenty two, pm. I see, how about we tell some ghost stories before we got to sleep?"