The child hesitated.
"This is the place."
Xiao Xiao glanced at the fast-food restaurant behind the child. "We can sit by the window, so you'll still be able to see outside."
"And Xiao Yi's hungry, aren't you?"
"...Mm."
The child held his stomach. "Xiao Yi's really hungry."
The delicious smell drifting from the restaurant made his stomach feel even emptier.
"Then let's go."
Xiao Xiao held out his hand.
"But Mom—"
The child puffed out his cheeks and fell silent.
Then he jumped down from the chair and grabbed Xiao Xiao's finger.
Taking the lead, he tugged Xiao Xiao toward the restaurant.
That had been his intention all along, but Xiao Xiao raised an eyebrow and reminded him, "Xiao Yi, you shouldn't go off with a stranger just because you're angry."
"Huh?"
The child looked back at Xiao Xiao, his face puzzled.
What did he mean?
"...Oh."
The child answered, still looking confused.
"Let's go in."
Xiao Xiao took the child's hand in his.
Xiao Xiao seated the child by the window.
Through the glass in front of them, they could see the chair where the child had been sitting.
Xiao Xiao bought the child something to eat, then asked the server for a towel before returning to their seats.
"Big brother."
The child was clearly happy to see Xiao Xiao.
When he'd been left alone earlier, he'd felt restless and uneasy.
Even though he'd been alone when sitting outside on the chair before, too.
"Sorry I kept you waiting."
Xiao Xiao set down the tray and used the towel to dry the child's hair.
The child sat perfectly still.
"All right, eat up."
"Are you full?"
Seeing that the tray was empty, Xiao Xiao asked with a smile.
It seemed the child had been outside