The Secret Neighbor's
II. Night

Upon arriving at her apartment, Caramel does her routine of cleaning herself up before going to bed. However, this time he was going to sleep late because he had other tasks to complete.

Caramel opened her window wide, making her room curtain move in the wind. With a steaming cup of Moccacino, Caramel does his job with great concentration. The time showed just midnight when Caramel finished his English essay. The girl then prepared her school needs, then immediately climbed her favorite single-size bed to dreamland.

♡♡♡

"Hi, Neighbor," said someone from a distance.

Caramel who was locking the door turned to the direction of the sound. He smiled awkwardly at Taehyung's handsome presence with a sporty appearance.

"Eum, hi, brother Taehyung," he replied kindly.

"The air here is very fresh, so I'm interested in a morning run. Oh yeah, where are you going?" Taehyung smiled, one eyebrow raised and his head tilted slightly.

'It's very handsome.'

"I want to shop, brother," replied Caramel.

Taehyung nodded with raised eyebrows. "Can I come?"

Caramel nodded spontaneously before noticing Taehyung's question and screeched, "Sorry?"

The man shrugged his shoulders in a joke. "I'd like to get to know my new home, Neighbor, if you don't mind."

Of course, Caramel couldn't possibly object. It was just that the girl did not expect that this handsome new neighbor brought her first.

"Of course, I don't mind. Taehyung wants to come with me or-?"

There was a pause that Caramel gave. Maybe Taehyung wants to change clothes first because his clothes are now very wet with sweat. Oh, the man in front of her was sweating when he was even reluctant to take a morning shower.

"Am I not worthy enough to walk next to you with this look of mine?"

Caramel nodded quickly. "No, it's not that. You, err, sweat, so I-"

"You're thinking that I'm handsome?" taehyung asked while grinning with one eyebrow raised.

Caramel's face turned red. Taehyung managed to tease him easily. The man's laughter broke just like that, leaving behind a beautiful melody that made Caramel's morning even more vibrant.

"I'm kidding. Are you sick? Why is your face flushed?" Taehyung halted his laughter and brought his face closer to Caramel, watching the hoodie-wearing girl closely.

'How handsome. Why did Taehyung suddenly tease me like this? Ugh, sucks.'

"Stop teasing me like that, brother Taehyung. Let's go now," said Caramel by displaying his fierce face which was actually reciprocated with a ignorant expression Taehyung.

Caramel went back to walking followed Taehyung. Along the way to the supermarket, Taehyung seemed to enjoy the scenery.

"Neighbor, where did you go to school?"

Caramel turned his head and looked up, in his heart he admired Taehyung's height and regretted his height which was only limited to the man's shoulder.

"I went to school in Jeguk, brother," answered Caramel.

Taehyung looked startled and Caramel was used to that kind of response. Anyone would be surprised to know Jeguk High School students live in apartments far from the word elite.

"I got a scholarship there" Caramel added grimacingly.

"Heol. It turns out you're my underclassman" replied Taehyung, who made Caramel sneer in disbelief.

"To be more precise, I'm an alumnus. You're apparently an exemplary student there," teased Taehyung.

Caramel held back her sudden smile that wanted to appear. "N-not really, I'm just lucky."

Taehyung laughs. "Look, you're blushing again, Neighbor."

Caramel laughed with Taehyung. It's the first time Caramel's had such a nice morning. Taehyung's presence made him no longer lonely.

Arriving at the supermarket, Caramel takes everything she needs and puts it in a trolley. Taehyung just followed him from behind, holding the vegetables but putting them back.

"Why don't you buy it brother?" ask Caramel.

Caramel nodded. "Do you cook?"

Taehyung nodded at Caramel.

"Then you just pick what you like, instead of coming back here, right?"

Taehyung shook his head, his gaze showing that the man was sulking. Caramel bit her lips to avoid smiling.

"What's up, hm?" caramel asked who could not stand Taehyung's cute attitude.

"I can't buy groceries, because I can't cook."

Caramel laughed and invited the attention of other visitors. Without waiting for long, Taehyung moved to cover Caramel's line of sight. The girl immediately shut up. Taehyung rested his hands on Caramel's shoulders.

The look of their eyes met. Taehyung was speechless enjoying Caramel's shocked gaze.

"Ssttt, you attract attention" whispered Taehyung.

"What's? Me?" caramel asked who was only replied by Taehyung's nod.

Caramel, who wanted to speak, fell silent when Taehyung suddenly put on a mask and put on his hoodie hat.

'Why did Taehyung suddenly act strange like this?'

"We have to go back now. Come on," Taehyung said as he took over the trolley and pulled Caramel's wrist to follow him immediately.

Everything happened so fast. Now, Taehyung and Caramel are staring at each other between the doors of their apartment. Caramel wanted to ask him something that had been bothering her mind since earlier. While Taehyung, the man looked at Caramel with a flat expression.

"Sir Taehyung-"

"Hm?"

"I'm sorry if I was presumptuous, but what was it? Why are you suddenly wearing glasses, a hat, and a mask? What's more, you suddenly stood pat in front of me," said Caramel puzzled.

Taehyung tilted his head. "You've never seen me?"

Both of Caramel's eyebrows shot up in an incomprehensible manner. "you mean? Have we met before? Were you one of my childhood friends?"

Taehyung gave a small smile hearing all sorts of questions from the girl before him.

"Forget it" Taehyung said.

"Huh?"

"Let's keep your groceries in the fridge" Taehyung asked.

As if awakened from her daydream, Caramel nodded and immediately entered her apartment.

"Sit down, sister" said Caramel, taking over his shopping bag and putting it in the freezer.

"What do you want to drink? Have you had breakfast?"

"Hei Neighbor, can you ask one by one? I haven't had breakfast yet" Taehyung replied.

Taehyung sat his body on the brown sofa in Caramel's living room. His gaze swept across the entire Caramel room.

"Well, I'll prepare breakfast for us. Have you ever eaten fried rice?" caramel asked while struggling with the ingredients.

"Fried rice?" repeat Taehyung with his funny-sounding accent.

"That's one of the special foods in Indonesia. I'll make it special for my neighbors" Caramel said.

Taehyung smiled slightly and nodded. "All right, I'll be waiting for you, Neighbor."

It did not take long, Caramel-made fried rice was ready on the dining table. See Taehyung who fell asleep while leaning his head on the back of the sofa. Caramel approached the man with a look of admiration. However, Taehyung apparently heard the sound of Caramel's footsteps. The man opened his eyes, making Caramel stop his steps instantly.

"Sorry Neighbor, I seem to be asleep," Taehyung said with an awkward smile.

Caramel smiled gently. "It's okay, maybe you're exhausted. Oh yes, the fried rice is cooked. Let's eat," he asked Taehyung.