"Here, give this a taste,

" said Ernest, shoving a piece of candied fruit right at my mouth. Instinctively, I turned my head away, but he nudged it closer, determined that I take a bite., Reluctantly, I opened my mouth and bit into the candied fruit. It was a delightful mix of sweet and sour, truly authentic in its taste. Honestly, it wasn't bad, but it didn't quite match the subtle sweetness and fruity flavor of the candied fruit I had in my own hand., However, faced with Ernest's expectant gaze, I had no choice but to pretend it was the most delicious thing ever, mumbling through bites,

"It's really good.

",

"I'd like to try yours,

" Ernest said, not even touching his own but instead making this request., Instinctively, I hid my candied fruit behind my back, like a child afraid of having their candy stolen., Ernest laughed.

"I'm just asking for a bite, not the whole thing. Look at you, all scared. You're being a bit stingy.

", I had to admit, he had a point. It's just a candied fruit, right? I might as well share it., So, I brought out my candied fruit. I had picked a box with five different fruit flavors.

"Here, pick one.

", But Ernest wasn't looking at the box; he was eyeing the one in my hand.

"I want this one.

", I was speechless., That was the one I had already started eating., Before I could protest, Ernest leaned in and took a bite from my candied fruit, snatching up the piece of persimmon I had been savoring., It wasn't until he had finished his bite and swallowed that I looked down at my candied fruit, now with only one piece left-a green grape,. I couldn't bear to throw it away., So, I bit down on that last piece of candied fruit, ready to quickly chew and swallow, only to look up and see Ernest turning back. He was smiling in a way I had never seen before. I felt so embarrassed at that moment, my face heating up again...,

"It's too sweet. I need some water,

" Ernest pointed to a nearby soda stand, brilliantly easing the awkwardness.

"Let's buy one,

" I said, feeling generous., Learning from the earlier candied fruit incident, I didn't join him in choosing but simply paid after he made his selection.,

"Aren't you having one?

" Ernest seemed genuinely puzzled or maybe he was just pretending.,

"I'm not thirsty,

" I replied, paying and walking ahead., Ernest followed silently, maintaining a distance that made me feel like he might get lost, even though Seabreeze City was familiar territory. Every time I looked back, there he was, a steady presence behind me., Finally, I couldn't help but stop and ask,

"Why are you following me like this? We're in Seabreeze City, not like you're going to get lost.

", I almost laughed at my own words; he wasn't a little kid, after all.,

"I like watching over you,

" Ernest's response stopped me in my tracks and brought another flush to my face., Lately, my face seemed to turn red at the slightest thing. I heard that could be a condition; maybe I should see a doctor., But I didn't want Ernest to see my embarrassment, so I bluffed,

"Who needs you to watch over them? Come on, get up here. If you want to eat something, speak up now or go hungry.

" That's all he had so far, a candied fruit and some soda.,

"What do you feel like eating?

" Ernest suddenly asked me., Before I could answer, he added,

"Whatever you're having, I'll have the same.

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