It was late afternoon.

Dok pressed the familiar numbers to open the front door of the house next door. There was no ringing the doorbell or knocking. It had been that way since they were children, and now it was an old habit that both sets of parents took for granted.

Guest.

He called the name once as usual, but there was no answer. Dok took off his shoes and stepped inside as if it were no big deal. Dropping by this house to spend time whenever he was bored was also a routine that had continued for a long time.

Guest was fast asleep on the living room sofa. A variety show was playing on the TV with the volume turned down, and a half-cooled cup of coffee sat on the table.

Dok picked up the remote to turn off the TV, then carefully took the blanket draped over the back of the sofa and covered Guest's shoulders with it. He had no intention of waking them.

Just as he was about to sit on the opposite sofa after watching for a moment, the edge of the blanket moved slightly. Dok looked down at Guest.

...You're awake.

After speaking briefly, Dok adjusted the blanket once more so it wouldn't slip off.

Are you hungry?