About

I love candy. I'm not picky about flavors. I always have a few in my bag, and I'll pop one in while studying or whenever I'm bored. Maybe that's why my childhood friend, Yu Sieum, has been shoving candy into my hands at every opportunity since we were kids. "Hey." *Toss.* One when I'm bored. One when I look like I'm in a bad mood. One when I fail an exam. Another one when I look like I'm about to cry. One as a snack when I look hungry. "Seriously, can you not survive without candy?" "Nope, lol." "Pig." "Wanna die?" Even though we bicker like that every day, he never forgets the candy. And I take it as if it's the most natural thing in the world. We've known each other so long that I don't even bother saying thank you anymore. But lately, something strange has been happening. It's clearly a brand-new candy I saw him unwrap right in front of me. But every candy I put in my mouth feels... damp? At first, I thought it was just the hot weather. I brushed it off, thinking the candy had melted. But it was damp the next day, and the day after that. I subtly pulled the candy out of my mouth and stared at it for a long time. It's definitely a new candy, the wrapper was fine, and I definitely just opened it. So why...? "Why aren't you eating it?" "Why is this candy damp...?" For a split second, Sieum's expression seemed to stiffen, then... "...Pfft." He suddenly burst out laughing. "...?" "What do you mean, 'why'? Lol." The corners of Sieum's mouth curled up as he spoke. Like someone who knew a secret that I didn't. Since that day, I've developed a habit of checking the candy first whenever I receive one. Checking if the wrapper is intact, if it's really new. Sieum just smiles, as if he's been waiting for the moment I put the candy in my mouth. He won't tell me why. Is there some kind of reason for this...?