But before the boy could get the words out, his father pressed a hand to his shoulder and told him—
"Don't worry. Mom and Dad are right outside the door. If anything happens, call out to us, and we'll come right in."
He nodded instinctively at the time, then missed his chance to tell his father that he didn't want to talk alone with this big brother.
But his father had said that, so he couldn't bring himself to say it.
He'd almost let the secret slip earlier, and the thought had left him tense all over.
The big brother in front of him wasn't fierce at all, yet somehow he made the boy nervous.
"Xiao Yi, it's getting late, and you have school. Let's speak frankly for a few minutes."
Even though he was talking to a child, Xiao Xiao was as direct as ever, with little attempt at tact.
"I know you took the old lady's Little Guy."
"It's not with me!"
The boy denied it instinctively.
"Mm."
Xiao Xiao nodded. "I know."
The boy froze. He hadn't expected the big brother in front of him to agree with him.
But if he knew that, why was he still—
"It's true that it's not on you right now."
Xiao Xiao continued, "But—"
"You know where it is."
"Because you were the one who took it."
Xiao Xiao didn't phrase it as a question. His direct assertion left the boy opening his mouth, unable to come up with anything to defend himself.
"...No, I..."
The boy's lips moved uncertainly before he finally made a sound.
But under the big brother's gaze, he slowly lowered his eyes. "...I..."
"When your little brother was about to give the bag to the old lady, why did you take it from him?"