"No one's bullying him," Yesung says.

He's returned. With an iced coffee. He sips from a straw.

"I don't have to beat anyone up?" Donghae asks.

"There is someone you can beat up."

"Who?"

"Yourself."

"What?"

"So... here's what I've gathered." Yesung takes a seat. Crosses one leg over the other. His eyes turn green. "A few girls asked him out. He turned them down. Then a... well-admired girl asked him out. He probably said yes. But then he seemed to backtrack. Everyone said he dumped her. She said that didn't happen. She's still upset. Now these kids are saying Hyukjae is rejecting everyone because he's already got someone. A wealthy guy. This guy keeps giving him money and buying him clothes and shoes and brand new phones. They say it's the man in the gray hoodie who drops him off at school and picks him up. Hyukjae denies it and says that's his cousin's friend just looking out for him. They say he's a liar and a . He was called to some... counselor's office."

Donghae's mouth is open. Guy in a gray hoodie? That's him!

"Those little s... they were feeling sorry for him less than six months ago! I got him one phone -- what the are they talking about?"

Yesung sips his coffee. "Hm. Oh, something else. I think Hyukjae noticed me."

"You materialized in front of him?" Donghae's shocked. Anger rises in him--

"No," Yesung says. "I was just floating through unseen. When they sent him to the counselor's office, I followed from a distance. It was just him in the hallway and he stopped and looked in my direction. He didn't see me, but maybe he felt something. Then he just ran like his life was in danger." Yesung smirks. "Maybe it was."

Donghae's displeased. "But he shouldn't have felt your presence if you didn't want him to..."

"Why would I want him to know I was there?" Yesung says. His eyes are black again. "I don't know the kid and I don't care about him. I'm just following your orders."

"Okay, thank you..."

Donghae rubs his chin. Steps to the windows. Mutters to himself.

"You should care about him though..."

"Good day, king," Yesung says. Leaves.

---

Hyukjae bursts through the door. Slams his back against it. His arms are out. He sees Donghae. Then instant relief washes over his face.

"Welcome back..." Donghae says.

The boy mumbles. Tries to appear normal. Like he didn't sprint here.

"Food will be ready soon. Go get changed."

Hyukjae mumbles again. Drops his bag. Drops himself. On the sofa. To catch his breath. A few long inhales... then he pulls his knees up. Hugs them.

Sighs.

He's even more upset now, Donghae thinks.

Hyukjae's not going to say it. Obviously. The annoying monkey. But it's clear. His mouth is curved down. His lips are in a fat pout. His brows are drawn together.

"Won't you be going to work?" Donghae asks.

He gets no answer.

Donghae fills a bowl with pasta. Grabs a spoon. Walks over.

There's a small change on the twig's face. From seeing food. It's nice. Hyukjae takes the bowl. Thanks him quietly. Cutely.

Donghae nods.

Feeding this boy is easy. Donghae just gives him carbs. Cheese. Grease. Sweets. Strawberries. Hyukjae will eat away like a hamster. Fill his cheeks up.

Donghae sits on the other end. States, "You're not going to work."

Hyukjae shakes his head.

"I got your little shrub another pot," Donghae says. Points out the balcony doors.

Hyukjae looks up. Notices it. Nods quickly. Happily. Then his brows furrow again. He eats more slowly.

"What?" Donghae says.

Honestly, he feels annoyed. Why can't this boy tell him? And why does Hyukjae have to give him orders? That make it impossible to find anything out?

Hyukjae shakes his head again.

Donghae gets up.

"Insufferable boy."

He goes out to the balcony. Slides the door shut. He kind of understands some humans' want of smoking a cigarette. 

But he's got nothing. There's just a plant. A t