When the high school student said the words “next time”, Shou panicked and thought: Next time…… Why is there a next time? Why will there be a next time?
The words ”next time” were very subtle; it meant that even if the lotus roots between people were broken, the fiber remained joined[footnote]apparently separated but in fact still connected[/footnote]. And it was full of countless possibilities.
Shou felt a little uneasy.
The person in front of him was a high school student, and shou vaguely felt that he was approaching him with some intentions. But with this thought, he felt that he was overthinking and was even being sentimental.
What was such a person doing being close to him? Shou was terrified and couldn’t think of a reason.
In the middle of summer, the evening breeze blew away the heat of the scorching heat. Perhaps the shou was influenced by the atmosphere, and he ate a few skewers of barbecue. The spicy food made his cheeks red, and he was sweating profusely. He poured the mung bean paste into his mouth to relieve the spice.
The mung bean soup was simmered until thick and sandy, the kelp finely chopped. It was cold, sweet, and extremely spicy. And a cold drink made you feel inexplicably satisfied and relaxed.
Shou licked his red and numb lips. He then reached out and picked up another skewer of barbecue.
This plate were all slightly spicy. So the high school student asked the boss to roast some fresh. Looking at the high school student looking sideways and talking to the boss, Shou was flattered and said quickly, “Don’t, don’t bother. These are enough, and we won’t be able to finish it if we order more.”
The high school student explained to the boss first and then said to the shou, “It’s no trouble.”
Shou unconsciously rubbed the armrests of the plastic chair with his palms. No one had ever cared about his feelings this much before. Shou stared at the high school student in a daze. When the high school student met his gaze, he was also taken aback and looked away hastily, as if he had been burnt.
Neither of them spoke. There was a lively atmosphere of fireworks all around them, and their hearts were floating as if they were caught in the wind.
By the time they had both finished eating, the table was piled with several dozen wooden skewers, a complete mess.
While Shou went to get drinks, he paid the bill.
The high school student frowned, and he said unhappily, “I told you that I am treating you to dinner.”
Shou looked at the high school student’s expression, forced himself to raise his head, and said, “You…… You are still a student. I can pay for it. But I can’t let you pay for it.”
The high school student was even more unhappy. He pursed his lips. He was so tall, and when he looked at people with his eyes lowered, the pressure was palpable.
Shou squeezed the plastic armrest of the chair nervously. The high school student looked at his cautious and timid look and went silent in an instant, saying, “Forget it.”
But then as soon as he breathed a sigh of relief, he heard the high school student say, “Next time I will treat you to something else.”
Shou, “……”
The high school student asked, “Going back home?”
Shou was dumbfounded, “…… Ah, going back, going back — —-” He repeated the word several times. It was such an ordinary word, yet after the high schooler had said it once and he echoed it, it somehow felt more intimate, and he simply couldn’t say it out loud.
The road back followed along a river, the water’s surface sparkling, rippling with the moonlight.
There were people walking in twos and threes by the river.
Suddenly, the high school student said, “I have money.”
Shou was stunned for a few seconds before he reacted. But then he remembered that the high school student’s parents had passed away. How could he, a student, go to school and make money too?
Shou was afraid that he would hurt the face of the big boy, so he nodded like pounding garlic, “Okay…… Okay.”
The high school student turned his head and glanced at shou. Shou’s lips were still red, and his appearance showed an eye-catching elegance under the dim light. The little bit of worry in his heart disappeared in an instant.
Turning around the alley and passing by the undulating residential buildings, the old-fashioned tube-shaped apartment was right in front of them.
Someone’s dog barked a few times, breaking the silence of the night.
The corridor was narrow, and the high school student opened the old door. Shou hesitated and stepped on the stairs first.
As soon as he went upstairs, the broken light in the corridor lit up. Shou looked up and saw a brand new light bulb.
Shou looked back at the high school student. The high school student was leaning against the stairs, looking at him quietly.
Shou said in a low voice, “I’m going back.”
The high school student hummed and said, “See you tomorrow.”
Shou put the key in the lock but then stopped what he was doing. The high school student remained still, watching him closely. The light from the lamp cast his shadow on the door, making it seem as if they were embracing.
Shou’s heart jumped, and his palms were sweating. So he hurriedly opened the door and ran into the house as if fleeing.
Translator’s corner
Thank you so much for reading the chapter. If you liked my translation and wanna support me, you can comment down your thoughts or send me a Kofi.
KO-FI
Don’t feel shy to let me know in the comment section or in the discord of Knoxt if you find any mistakes~
