"Hey, twigboy. I never see you taking lunch to school."

Do they feed you there?

Donghae doesn't say that. He's not allowed to ask anything.

Hyukjae has this afternoon off. So he is sweeping the floors. He has his long bangs up. They're gathered in a yellow hair scrunchie. It's bright. Massive. It looks funny to Donghae. Cute.

"So?" Hyukjae pauses.

"You don't eat lunch."

"I do. Most of the time."

"The school gives you food."

"No..." Hyukjae's confused. "Who told you that?"

Does the idiot not remember?

"No one," Donghae says. "There's no one to tell me. You forbid me from asking questions, Hyukjae. So I'm just... assuming."

"Ooohh," Hyukjae says. Nods. "Then don't." He goes back to sweeping.

this boy. Donghae walks to him. Lifts the couch. Hyukjae is trying to sweep under it. The boy gives him a  surprised look. Hurriedly sweeps on.

"Um... my friends share their food with me when they can."

"You have friends."

Donghae feels a bit of a relief. Hyukjae's fed. However, Hyukjae looks offended. He pouts angrily.

"Yes. I have many friends. I'm very popular. The girls love me!"

"You're popular," Donghae repeats. "The girls love your skinny ."

Hyukjae turns his back. Continues sweeping.

"Yes! I'm -- I'm a growing boy! And I'm talented and I'm nice! So they like me!"

Donghae smiles. Puts the couch down. "Well, that's good to know."

Hyukjae whips around. Glares at him. His cheeks are red. Then he sweeps off towards his bedroom. Donghae watches him. Follows after a moment.

"Hey kid, throw away your useless couch."

"W-Why? It's a good couch!"

"No... it's not."

"But then where would you sleep?"

"You actually think I sleep on that."

"You don't?"

"Hyukjae, you never even sit on it. Go sit on it first."

"I don't need to."

Donghae sighs. Lifts up Hyukjae's bed. It makes the boy scream. Drop his broom. Drop himself. To hide.. a selections of... magazines?

"Don't look!" Hyukjae yelps.

Donghae has to close his eyes. His hand's still holding the bed up. He hears the boy in a haste. Hyukjae's shoving the magazines into a plastic bag. Then Donghae hears the broom again. 

"I'm hoping that you didn't spend your money on that," Donghae says. 

"I d-didn't -- it's none of your business! Don't touch my stuff!"

"Oh, I'm not interested in pictures of people."

There's silence. Except for Hyukjae's broom sweeping around.

"Y-You can... put the bed down now."

Donghae lowers it. His eyes are still closed.

"Sorry... you can look..." Hyukjae mumbles. "B-But don't laugh at me!"

Donghae bites his cheeks. Holds back his smile. His laugh. Hyukjae's clutching the broom. In both hands. His entire face is red. His neck. The tips of his ears. Donghae extends his hand to his head. Pats it. Carefully. He shouldn't ruin his cute little hairdo.

Hyukjae still steps back. Makes sure his hair tie is in place. 

"So, master," Donghae says. "About that couch."

"B-But... it's for you."

"If it's for me, then let me throw it out and get another one."

"With... your money?"

"Yes."

Why would he take a child's bus and food money? He's not a monster.

"Oh... okay..." Hyukjae appears sad. "But can you do it when I'm at school?"

Donghae tilts his head. Observes him. Yet he can't understand what he's missing.

If only the boy lets him ask questions... and answer his questions. 

"Sure," Donghae says. "I'll have