◃◃ New Memory #5 pt. 2 ▹▹

Lee Jeno

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"It's all done hyung~"

"We finally finished~. Now we can eat at last~"

Jeno and I decided to eat together, just like we did years ago as kids.

He made two bowls of ramen, I made two Custard Puddings, and he poured the Sake he bought into two cups from a set that he owned.

"It's chow time~"

Jeno cheered, and we gave our thanks for the food before we started eating.

I noticed halfway through our meal that he wasn't eating as fast as he normally does, and that he wasn't using his right hand as much.

I assumed he was just resting that hand from when he was cooking the ramen, but if that was the case, then he'd be resting both hands. And even if he did rest both hands, he wouldn't be resting them as much as he resting his right hand right now.

He'd only wait a few minutes before he started eating, and then take a short break before continuing.

But, my point was proven when he finished his ramen.

He reached over to get his pudding, but he used his right hand to get it. It was then that I saw a zipper on his hand by his thumb.

"So you did hurt yourself again..."

"H-Huh??"

"The last time you made ramen for us when we were kids, you burned yourself and tried to hide it from me. Today, you hurt yourself again, but you cut yourself this time and tried to hide it from me again. You used Sticky Fingers to zip up the cut, and tried not to use your right hand in order to make it seem like nothing happened"

"...How'd you know it was a cut?"

He didn't deny the fact that he was trying to hide it.

"It's simple logic Jeno. There would be no reason for you to zip up a burn, or any other injury that doesn't separate the skin. Zipping up a cut is the only explanation, since a zipper can both separate and reconnected two parts of something, which includes a cut on the skin"

"..."

He didn't say a word, earning a sigh from me.

Instead of scolding him, I simply grabbed my chair and moved it next to his. I gently held his hand, and used my power to start healing his wound.

"...I'm sorry for not telling you hyung"

"There's no need to apologize. Just don't be afraid to ask for help next time~"

When I finished healing him, he made the zipper disappear from his hand.

But instead of moving back across the table, I stayed next to him and simply brought my pudding and my cup to me.

He was surprised, but he still looked happy that I stayed next to him.

"Thank you..., Zen Zen"

Even though I was surprised, I was happy that he called me by the nickname he used to call me when we were kids.

It's been so long since I've heard that name. So I decided to return the favor~.

"No problem, Nono~"

-

🐶🍜

'...'

'......'

'.........'

'Nono...'

'That's the nickname you used to call me...'

'After all these years...'

'I didn't think you'd still remember it...'

'...'

'All of the others used to called me No Jam back then'

'But not you'

'You always called me Nono'

'It was the special name that only you would call me'

'I loved it'

'I still do'

'But...'

'About today...'

'I'm sorry that I tried to hide my pain from you again...'

'Even though you found out about it anyway...'

'I still shouldn't have hid my cut from you...'

'It's not because I didn't want your help again...'

'And it's not that I felt like I didn't need your help...'

'I just let my pride get in the way...'

'But...'

'I'll ask you for help next time'

'Even if it hurts my pride, I'll ask for help'

'I promise'

'Thank you so much hyung'

'For caring about me as much as you do'

'...'

'......'

'Heh...'

'It felt so good to see my mom and dad again'

'They're both still the same as I remember them'

'Still so go-lucky and cheerful'

'I don't feel alone anymore'

'It's not that I didn't appreciate being around all of you'

'I just really missed my parents'

'I feel completely whole now'

'You helped me feel complete'

'Thank you Renjun'

'...'

'No......'

'.........'

'Thank you, Zen Zen'

'For helping me feel whole again'