The menus arrived.
Mochi barely saw them.
Words blurred.
Her eyes kept drifting.
Sideways.
To Laddu.
Sitting too close.
Her heart still loud.
After a long pause—
She gathered courage.
"H–hmm…""W–what do you… like to eat…?"
Laddu didn't open the menu.
Didn't look.
"Anything," he said."Except human."
Silence.
Mochi choked.
Tiny sound.
Across the table—
Candy stared.
Maya stared harder.
Candy whispered,"Is he safe for the public?"
"Barely," Maya replied.
Mochi looked down.
Then—
She smiled.
Just a little.
Trying again—
"N–noodles…" she told the waiter."F–for both of us…"
She turned back.
"H–how much chili…?"
Laddu leaned back.
Confident.
"I am Indian," he said."I eat chili like oxygen."
Mochi froze.
Candy whispered,"He might die."
"Let him," Maya said.
Mochi hesitated.
Then trusted him.
"E–extra spicy…?" she asked.
The waiter raised an eyebrow.
Nodded.
Left.
Silence settled.
Warm.
Awkward.
Mochi played with her scarf.
Laddu hummed.
No tune.
Maya observed.
Like a scientist.
Candy sipped water.
Like a detective.
The noodles arrived.
Steam rose.
Red oil shimmered.
Laddu grabbed chopsticks.
Confident.
Failed.
Immediately.
He poked the noodles.
Stabbed the bowl.
One stick fell.
Then the other.
Candy's eyebrow twitched.
Maya whispered,"This guy is unbelievable."
Mochi watched.
Quiet.
Then—
She moved.
Slow.
Careful.
"L–like this…" she murmured.
She demonstrated.
Hands shaking.
Laddu copied.
Failed.
Again.
She adjusted his fingers.
He dropped them.
A noodle escaped.
Flew.
Candy caught it.
Without blinking.
Maya put her face on the table.
"…I can't."
Mochi exhaled.
Soft.
"Okay…"
Pause.
"Okay…"
She lifted noodles.
Both hands.
Careful.
Sacred.
Leaned closer.
Laddu opened his mouth.
Obedient.
Like a baby bird.
Mochi's face burned.
Cheeks.
Ears.
Neck.
Shoulders.
Candy stared.
Wide-eyed.
"Unnie is feeding a stranger," she whispered."Is this allowed?"
Maya crossed her arms.
"This boy is weird."
"Very weird."
Mochi heard nothing.
She focused.
Don't drop.
Don't shake.
Laddu ate.
Smiling.
Like this was the best moment of his life.
After eating—
Laughing.
Choking on chili.
Spilling water.
Twice.
They stepped outside.
Seven p.m.
Sky deep blue.
Streetlights warm.
Cool air brushed Mochi's hair.
Maya and Candy followed.
As always.
Laddu walked beside Mochi.
Hands in pockets.
Relaxed.
Mochi walked stiff.
Bag of clothes held tight.
Eyes on the ground.
They entered a park.
Quiet.
Lamps glowing.
Leaves crunching.
Children leaving.
Peaceful.
Mochi glanced at him.
Quick.
Shy.
Why does he make me feel like this…?
Laddu looked back.
Same moment.
Smiled.
Their eyes met.
Mochi squeaked.
Silent.
Looked away instantly.
Behind them—
"They're awkward," Maya whispered.
Candy nodded.
"But cute awkward."
They walked deeper.
Night calm.
Air cold.
Feelings warm.
Something soft grew between them.
Slow.
Shy.
Beautiful.
And neither of them knew—
How much this night would matter.