I was lost in my thoughts.
Everything that had happened still felt unreal.
Like something I shouldn't believe…
but couldn't ignore.
"Hey… hey… little boy."
I blinked.
"Huh?… yeah… I'm listening," I said quickly.
"Sorry… I was thinking."
"I noticed," Ken replied calmly.
"You tend to disappear even while sitting right in front of me."
"...That's not true."
"It is."
He leaned slightly closer.
"I want to ask you something."
"...Go ahead."
He looked at me for a second—
then suddenly smiled.
"Hmm… such a cute, obedient little boy."
Before I could react—
he gently messed up my hair.
"How many times do I have to say this?!" I snapped.
"I'm not a kid! And stop calling me 'little boy'!"
"I will call you that," he said calmly.
A pause.
"As many times as I wish."
"...You're doing this on purpose."
"Yes."
I sighed.
"Just ask your question…"
"What do you like to eat?" he asked.
I blinked.
"...That's your question?"
"Yes."
A small pause.
"I like sakura rice cakes."
For some reason—
he looked… genuinely happy saying that.
"Hmm…" I thought for a moment.
"I don't really know… I like a lot of things…"
"It's hard to choose one."
He nodded slightly.
"So you are confused."
"...I guess."
"I understand."
A pause.
"I will help you decide."
"...Why?"
"Because you look like someone who cannot decide anything alone."
"...Hey."
"I am not wrong."
I looked away.
"...Fine. Do whatever you want."
i don't know...he changes his mood very fast and i can't predict what he will do next or what he will ask...
He suddenly leaned back, looking thoughtful.
"You know… mochi comes in many colors."
"Flavors too."
"Shapes as well."
Hmm..
"It is similar to people," he continued.
"They show different sides."
"Different 'flavors' depending on who they are with."
A pause.
"Some appear sweet…"
"But are not."
His voice became quieter.
"And some… hide what they truly are."
I looked at him.
For a moment—
his expression changed.
Just a little.
"...So?" I asked.
"So," he said, returning to his usual calm tone,
"which flavor do you like?"
"...Chocolate, I guess."
He nodded.
"Then next time, try strawberry."
Why?..
Because you have to try different things also..it's interesting.. isn't it...
Hmm..
He suddenly stood..."The train is here."
"Come," he said, already walking.
"You are too slow, little boy."
"Hey—wait!"
I quickly stood up and followed him.
It was still raining....
Ken looked at the train.
Then at me.
We got in the train...it was crowded... We was standing near the door...
It is the normal train... yesterday it was the old Japanese train which has seats and traditional vibe....
Ken was looking out the window.
Raindrops sliding across the glass.
"You know…" he said softly.
"I like rain."
I looked at him.
"...I like it too."
For a moment—
our eyes met.
Something felt… similar.
Then—
the train reached my stop.
We got down.
The rain stopped.....We reached my house...
So should we go inside? Why not, this is your house after all.
The moment I opened the door—
I froze.
Oh no…
The house was a mess.
Books everywhere.
Clothes on the chair.
Dust on the table.
Before I could say anything—
Ken walked in.
Looked around once.
Then sighed.
"As expected."
"...Don't start."
"You cannot even keep your house clean."
"I just moved here!" I said quickly.
"I didn't have time to clean properly!"
He looked at me.
Calm.
"You had time to overthink."
"...That's different."
"It is not."
"...You're really annoying."
"I know."
I pointed toward a room.
"That one is yours."
"It's next to mine."
He walked inside.
Looked around.
"This is also messy."
"...I said I just moved!"
"It is fine," he said.
"I will clean it."
"...You don't have to."
"I know."
A pause.
"I will do it anyway."
"...Why?"
He looked at me.
"Because you won't."
"...That hurts."
"I am being honest."
I sighed.
"Go freshen up," he said.
"I will handle this."
"...You sound like my mother."
"I have been called worse."
I almost smiled.
After taking a bath—
I came back to my room.
Everything felt calmer.
I sat on my bed and opened my laptop.
I started searching.
About that train.
Old models.
Lost trains.
Anything.
"...Why does it feel familiar…?"
Then—
a smell reached me.
I froze.
"...Food?"
I walked out slowly.
Ken was in the kitchen.
Cooking.
"...You can cook?" I asked.
"I can survive."
"...That's not an answer."
"It is enough you ask too many questions."
He placed food on the table.
Simple.
But warm.
"...You made this… for me?"
"For us."
I sat down slowly.
"...You didn't have to do all this."
"I know."
"...Then why?"
"You forget to take care of yourself."
A pause.
"So I will do it."
My chest felt… strange.
"...Thank you," I said quietly.
He didn't reply.
But I noticed—
a small, quiet smile.
That night—
for the first time in a long time—
I didn't feel completely alone.
But still…
One question remained.
Ken…
Who are you really…?
After that we were going to sleep...
"Hmm?...Ken..?.....why are you in my room with that pillow in your hand??..
"If you think I will let you sleep here then you are wrong"...
Ahmm...pls i don't want to sleep alone...
But you are not even a human then why you need to sleep with me??..
Whether I am a ghost or human...i don't remember i told you anything about it...
Huhh...it means I can think you are afraid of sleeping alone...
No, I mean without me i think you will get scared little kid...
I will not I am used to it...
Anyways I will sleep here...
He jumped and slept on the bed.....
Huh?....get up ken...wake up...huh he selpt...how??..he can sleep this fast...
I think now I have to sleep in his room....wait a minute he told me he will clean his room but it is still the same...and he called me irresponsible..
I came back to my room and slept on the sofa near the bed...
Chapter 6—A Quiet Kind of Warmth