Just when Richie thought they would never find a cave to shelter from the rain, the wind and rain stopped battering his little face.
Richie wriggled out from under Si Ang's arm and looked curiously around the cave they had entered.
It was pitch-black inside. The two children only dared to stand at the entrance, afraid to venture deeper. After all, the unknown was even more frightening.
Although it was only early autumn, the icy rain had soaked their clothes. The wet fabric clung to their skin, making them terribly uncomfortable.
Without worrying about Si Ang watching, Richie began taking off his wet clothes.
After removing his wet jacket, Richie kept going and took off the shirt underneath.
Si Ang watched him undress, his eyes narrowing dangerously at how completely unguarded Richie was.
Just as Richie began taking off his trousers, Si Ang grabbed his little arm.
"Richie, I'm still here! How can you just take your clothes off like that?
"If it weren't me here today, but a girl, would you strip just as readily?"
"Huh?" Richie said in confusion, then muttered,
"We're both boys. Why are you being so bashful? You're acting just like a girl, Si Ang.
"If there were a girl here, of course I'd...
"Ask her to turn around before I undressed. Obviously, I wouldn't just let a girl look."
Si Ang's gaze sharpened at Richie's words, but he could not keep his face from turning red.
Without a word, he let go of Richie and silently turned away.
Right! We're both boys anyway. What's wrong with looking?
But Si Ang felt that he would be furious if anyone else saw Richie.
If Richie let only him look, though, he would be very happy.
Out of Si Ang's sight, Richie took off all his clothes,