"What do you do in the day time?"

I ask Asahi who walk behind me. Knowing that we are the same age and he isn't in school, I figure he dropped out.

"Work"

He simply replied. I also figure that he isn't someone into conversation so we began our silent tour again.

Yes, instead of going home I walk around a lake and he silently followed. I took a few photos of the scenarios but never his. I wanted to but I was scared...no more like shy, no, what am I even saying?

He never complaints or ask where I am headed but never stops following me either. I am finally used to this life now.

"Its getting late, you should go home now"

He spoke by himself for the first time, without me actually asking him a question.

"Okay, just one more time"

I said and skip towards a food stall. I drool just by watching the red visual street foods and sit on an empty chair.

"Ahjumma, can we have two serving of tteokbokki and four fishcake?"

Asahi quietly stood behind me and stare at the ground.

"What are you doing Sahi? Come here"

I gesture towards the seat next to me and pat the empty chair. At first, he emptily look at the chair, hesitating if he should take a seat.

I pull his hand lightly and he finally sat down, not knowing what to do as foods were served in front of us.

I sigh and put a toothpick for tteokbokki in his hand while feeding him the fishcake nudging him to take the fishcake and feed himself.

"Gosh you're such a baby!", I tease and laugh at him.

"I get that you're shy, but you should've just approach me to be your friend instead of creeping me out like that you know"

I joke again and see him almost choking on the spicy tteokbokki.

"Young lady, you should go home hurrily after this. Dont forget to let this boyfriend of yours to drop you home by the way. There's a Japanese serial killer on the loose and girls your age are his target"

"Oh..."

I thank her for her concern but could feel Asahi tensing on his ground. Without a second thought, I grab his hand and press my thumbs on his back hand lightly.

After finishing the foods almost by myself since Asahi couldn't eat anything after hearing the old lady, we stood up and leave without looking back.

I never let go of his warm hands and look down at our intertwined hands before giving him a reassuring smile.

"You know you dont have to feel bad about the old lady mentioning Jap..."

"She called me your boyfriend"

"anese...wait what are you saying?"

"She called me your boyfriend"

He repeated more like to himself and I swear I saw his dimples.