Senseless [Golden Gemini]

We became what the eyes see us as. Not us. Not real.

***

\"Try this.\"

Yuki lifted his gaze to see a fish ball skewered on a stick, held close to his mouth. The hand offering it belonged to none other than the striking stranger standing beside him. He wore a blue and white uniform, a black bag slung over one shoulder.

Yuki’s eyes landed on the stranger’s face again. Even now, he still wasn’t used to seeing someone like him—a face that seemed completely out of place in their small, ordinary town. There was no doubt he was an outsider.

\"Yuki.\"

Yuki was startled when the stranger moved the skewer even closer to his lips. He could smell the warm, spicy sauce, and without thinking, he quickly flicked his tongue over it. His brows furrowed in surprise—it was unexpectedly delicious. Instead of reprimanding the stranger, he found himself praising him.

\"Mm, this is good!\"

He opened his mouth to take a bite of the fish ball—only for it to vanish into thin air.

\"Huh?\"

Confused, he looked up, but the stranger was already busy selecting more street food. Yuki’s cheeks suddenly burned, and with clenched fists, he moved closer to him.

\"What’s your problem?\"

Even the elderly vendor glanced at them, observing how the stranger completely ignored Yuki. His face flushed with frustration, as if ready to pick a fight.

The vendor quickly intervened. \"Alright, alright, no fighting! Son, just choose what you want.\" He nudged Yuki toward the food stall.

\"No, thank you.\" Yuki muttered before walking away from the kiosk.

The old vendor watched him leave, staring in silence until he disappeared from sight.

\"One more order of that, please. And make it to-go.\" The stranger finally spoke.

\"Ah, sure, son.\"

When the vendor handed him the food, the young man left without another word. Hands in his pockets, he walked in the same direction Yuki had gone, the plastic bag of fish balls dangling from his fingers.

The vendor sighed and sat down, shaking his head.

\"Kids these days.\"

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