The fifth day.
Shuo could hardly be called used to having another person hidden inside him. He simply had no choice. He could not drive him out or shake him off, so he could only let him be.
The guy was more punctual than the rooster at the village entrance. At the first light of dawn, he urged, "Candy."
As soon as lunchtime came, he called again, "Candy." And toward evening, he still remembered to nag, "Candy."
Shuo could not be bothered to argue with him. He took out a candy, unwrapped it, and tossed it into his mouth to chew slowly. The moment the sweetness spread, the faint black light in his chest flickered gently.
"One more."
Isshiki's voice rang out in his head, utterly matter-of-fact.
"None left," Shuo mumbled around the candy.
"You still have two in your pocket. Don't pretend."
"Those are for tomorrow. Hands off."
"Eat them today first. Worry about tomorrow when it comes."
His head went quiet for three seconds, then a curse drifted through. "You're so fucking stingy."
Shuo froze for a moment, then could not help laughing. He swore back, "Fuck, you've even learned to curse?"
There was a hint of laughter in that lazy voice, too. "I've spent five days inside your body. I learned from you."
Shuo took the two candies out of his pocket, pinched an orange chestnut candy between his fingers, and waved it. "Last one. You get half. No more."
He peeled off the wrapper, bit off half, chewed it up, and swallowed, then carefully tucked the remaining half back into his pocket.
The black light in his chest brightened again, and the voice sounded satisfied. "Sweet."
Shuo took out the half candy and glanced at it. Its edges had already melted a little, but he put