Lately, It's Winter Season.

Chapter 4- Expired Betadine

"Is there no rice to eat at home?"

"I came to support your shop. Or should I go to another shop?"

“Just kidding. Come on in, customer,” I said with a smile and waved my hand to invite my team captain into the shop. It was a Saturday morning with no other customers. After more than a week of not attending practice due to an injury, I saw Tiger more often because he ate at my place for breakfast and dinner, including on a day off. I already told you that my shop is a high-quality, made-to-order restaurant.

"What do you want, Tiger?" Mom asked. She remembered all my friends. And because she was kind, she was fond of them, even those who liked to flirt with Dan. Those guys should have been hit on the head with a chopping board and killed. But they were treated with such affection that it was annoying.

“Chu Chee with fried eggs.”

“Yes,” mother replied.

"Nice car," I complimented after seeing his big bike parked in front of my Shop "Where have you been?"

"I came all the way from home."

"To eat at my restaurant?"

"Yes"

"I don't eat at home."

"choose"

“K,” I replied, throwing the spoon into the basket.

“Why did you throw the spoon?”

"More angry"

"Then go away. I thought you were mad at me."

“This is a hidden anger. So annoying. I should shove a foot in your mouth.”

"You're such a fucking idiot."

"Yes"

"Duen, don't throw the spoon," Dan warned softly. I didn't say anything. I saw Tiger secretly holding back his laughter and couldn't help but give him the middle finger.

"North, Nao gave us the middle finger. It was so rude, even though we didn't do anything," Tiger pretended to complain. Dan, who was washing dishes, turned to look at him and smiled without saying anything. "Oh, why didn't you scold him?"

"Dan wouldn't scold me for something like this. I'm normally rude. Oops!"

“Tch,” Tiger pouted in annoyance. After a while, his mother finished cooking and served it to him at the table. “It’s as delicious as ever.”

“Thank you.”

"Hey, my wound from falling down the stairs is healed now. I'll go to practice on Monday.

“Okay, that’s great. Everyone’s asking about you, Coach.”

"This is what it's like to be loved by everyone."

"Irritating, you animal," said Tiger, making a face of annoyance.

After eating, he paid the bill, said goodbye to Dan and me, bowed to my mother, and then got on his beautiful big bike and rode away quickly. I secretly felt a little envious of his height. Even though his legs could reach such a big bike, even though they were the same age, there was no fairness in height.

“He seems like a good kid, don’t you think, new friend Duen? You’re the captain of the football club, right?” Mom asked.

"Yes, but he's not a good boy." The last sentence was said softly, as if he were complaining to himself.

“It’s good to be close. We’ll be together for a long time,” said the mother. “And who is his father? Have you ever asked him?”

“No,” I shook my head, concentrating on washing the dishes. “I just know that his family must be well-off. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have the money to buy a big bike for their child to ride around.”

"Big bikes are dangerous," Dan said. "Plus, Tiger rides fast. It's easy for accidents to happen."

"People are born in a hurry and die in a hurry, that's what happens."

"You're good at teasing your friends."

Then, a typical Saturday passed. At around 10 p.m., Dan fell asleep, unlike me, who was so hungry that my stomach twisted in knots. I had to go outside to the night market near my house, which I usually go to.

After buying some food, I saw someone standing and smoking in a dark corner on my way back. At first, I intended to walk past quickly, but when I saw that he looked familiar, I stopped and looked.

“Hey!” I greeted him. The other party was so shocked that the cigarette fell from his hand.

“Xia! Animals are all shocked.” Tiger was so shocked that he jumped out of his skin. I burst out laughing because of his horrified face just now. “Haha ...

“Why are you so surprised? What are you doing here?”

"You're just riding around. What are you doing here?"

"What should I eat?" I said before, leaning against his motorbike.

"Let's do it." Then he took a bun from the bag and handed it to him. "Take it."

“Walking?”

"Yes"

"From the row of your shop."

“Ah ha.”

“It’s not even close. Are you on a pilgrimage?”

"No, but if it's a merit, it's okay."

“Damn it,” Tiger said, reaching out to put out his cigarette that had just fallen, then picking up the bun I had just given him and stuffing it into his mouth.

"What about you? Your house is around here?"

"No, I just said I was riding for fun, looking for victims."

“Victim,” I frowned in confusion. “Oh, like a punk kid.”

"Yes"

“Can I ask you something? I’m being nosy. Why did you do it?”

“Huh, it’s an ideology,” the person beside him said, raising his eyebrows irritably.

"You don't understand my path as a superhero. When everyone is asleep, I'm the one who keeps the peace in the country."

“Oh,” I nodded slightly. “The Dark Knight, I suppose.”

"Yes, everyone calls me that."

"Then why don't you wear a uniform? I think it's cool."

“Oh yeah,” Tiger thought. “Would that look cool?”

"Cool, trust me. At least just wear a mask. Because if you wear a mask, no one will know that Batman is Tony Stark."

"Oh, I don't know about that either. Where did you find that?" He picked up another cigarette and lit it. "Do you want one?"

“No, go ahead.”

"Don't smoke?"

“I just hate your cigarettes.”

"animal"

“Just kidding, I don’t smoke. Dan doesn’t like it.”

“Oh,” Tiger said, lighting a cigarette and holding it to the flame, putting the white and yellow stem to his lips and exhaling grey smoke. “Is that your brother, Dan?”

“Ah ha.”

“I love you so much.”

“Strange?”

“I don’t know,” he shrugged. I didn’t say anything more. I was beginning to think he might be in trouble. He was riding around so late at night, standing alone in a dark corner smoking a cigarette, and even picking fights with other people. “What are you doing standing there?”

"Hey, I'm afraid of being lonely, right?"

"Bring me another bun to snatch."

“Do heroes rob people like this?”

"Do heroes have to eat? I'm not full of food," Tiger said. I handed him the bag. We ate and chatted for a while before the bag was empty.

“Shit! I was going to save it for tomorrow,” I grumbled in annoyance. “I got mugged on the way. Where are you going next?”

"I don't know. I just ride my bike around."

“Does it feel good to ride a bike at night?”

"Let's try it."

“Okay.”

"Okay, I'll take you on a ride and make you a slut."

"Can I ride a motorcycle?"

"No, I'm protective of my bike," Tiger said as he climbed onto his beautiful red and black big bike. I immediately got on as a passenger.

“Go, son!” Then the big motorcycle sped off. This was the first time I had ridden on a big bike and the first time I had ridden at night. The road was empty, and the surroundings were quiet, with dim light from streetlights at intervals. The cool air hit my skin, making me feel refreshed indescribably. The faster he rode, the stronger the wind blew, making me feel even more comfortable.

“Wow, man, that’s great. The atmosphere is great,” I said. I never thought that riding around would make me feel this peaceful. “Can you go faster?”

"If you drop it, I won't return and pick it up."

“Okay,” I agreed, and Tiger revved the engine again. The calm wind blew hard against my face. I thought that driving a bike like this was… Not bad at all

We stopped at a bridge crossing a river not far from the city.

“The view is beautiful,” I said as I looked up, my eyes still on the view before me. Below was a bridge across a river. I could see a large moon and the river reflecting on it. “Is this unseen Thailand?”

"That's shit. Everyone comes here."

"Oh, really? I've never been here before. The view is so awesome."

“Just watch it.”

"Speaking of which, it's so romantic. Is it because you bring your girlfriend here so often?"

"My girlfriend?" Tiger asked me again.

"Yes"

"do not have"

"Serious?"

"I see that you are at your level," I said, according to my thoughts. I saw that the school's celebrity has many fans, so he probably has a girlfriend. But it's good that he doesn't. I feel sorry for your girlfriend."

"Let's have a punch right here," Tiger said. "What about you?"

"Not yet"

"deservedly"

"Fuck," I said, feeling annoyed. How could I have a girlfriend? I can barely make it myself. "Are you going back yet?"

“What are you going back for? It’s only 11 pm.”

"Let me rest and relax."

"You should go back yourself. I don't want to go back yet."

"Oh, you bastard."

"It's my bike. Do I have to give in to you?"

“Okay,” I shrugged. I wasn’t sleepy, but I thought I had been out of the house for a long time.

And that was it. I stayed here without complaining. Because, as it said, it was its bike. I was the one who asked to tag along. But the point is that two strong men in such a romantic place doesn't seem right. "Ger"

"What?"

“Don’t you feel like shit?”

"Why"

"It's like you're taking me on a date."

“Wow, I want to go back.”

"Okay, let's go back. It's no use watching Phra Jong Phra Chan. Bring your wife. Next time, you're so romantic that I don't know what to do."

"I've been here with my friends many times."

"Mick and Field, huh?"

“Yeah, just riding around, not knowing where to go, came here. It’s peaceful, not romantic at all.” Tiger sat on the grass, so I sat beside him.

“You,” it called.

“What?”

"nothing"

“Hey,” I frowned. I saw the person beside me looking absent-minded, so I thought of something to discuss. “How long have you known Mick and Field?”

"Why"

"You look so close."

“Since kindergarten, we’ve been together like this for a while.”

“That’s cool. The friendship is strong.”

"Oh, and you? I heard you're close with Jab."

“Don’t call it close. My relationship with him is not like a friendship. He’s a leader and a gang member.” I raised my eyebrows and said, “He’s a trustworthy right-hand man.

"Your gang is huge. Let me join your gang. I want to be your right-hand man, your boss."

"You have to defeat my subordinates first," I said seriously. "It's like gradually climbing the ranks. In the end, it's Jab. If you defeat Jab, you'll become my right-hand man."

"Hey, this gang has a system," Tiger teased. "No wonder the rumours spread to other places."

“The rumours are terrifying. Last time, kids from other schools wanted to come and test their skills with me. Ten of them came.”

“So, how is it?”

"I only have a scratch."

“You’re a beast,” Tiger said, dumbfounded. “You only have a scratch? You deserve the title of the great one.”

"I ran away and hid in a trash can. When the gun came out of the trash can, I fell and scraped my knee. That's all." I said. The other person burst out laughing.

"And then they go around saying that it's ten to one, and there's only a scratch?"

“Yes, it’s shitty. Even though I just stood there, was it my fault?” I sighed deeply. 

“And your team went and beat up some bikers. There’s no fucking news about it at all. I also see it as ten to one.”

"I don't know. It depends on people's karma.

"How long have you been doing this? That thing where you go and beat up the biker kids."

“Umm... I don’t remember. It must have been more than a year.”

“Your ideology is powerful,” I teased. “Isn’t it dangerous? Has the wound from the previous slash healed yet?”

“Good,” he held out his arm. “I don’t know. I never thought it would be dangerous.”

"You can use a knife or a gun, just say that."

"Yes"

"That's cool. Would you like to be the gang leader instead of me?"

"Is it that easy to give up the position of leader?"

"Oh, take my place. I can't take it anymore, you animals. Whenever they see me, they shout and bow their heads to pay respect to me. I'm so embarrassed, I want to bury myself in the ground," I complained in annoyance. Imagine walking past each other at school, shouting so loudly that everyone turned to look at me. It's so embarrassing.

"Isn't it good that your subordinates respect you?" Ger said, still holding back his laughter. Your life is so much fun."

“Sometimes I just want to live in peace.”

"How does it feel to have a twin? Like having another person who looks the same?" he suddenly asked.

“Well… I don’t know. I’ve had it since I was born, so I don’t think about it. If I don’t have it one day, I’ll feel weird.”

“Have you never been apart?”

“Something like that. At most, we just study in different classes. Otherwise, we’re together all the time, it's as if there's me, there must be a territory, until I'm used to it."

Tiger was silent for a moment before shaking his head slightly. "I can't think of a picture."

"Why? Do you want to have a twin?"

"I don't know."

"Do you have any siblings?"

“No,” he replied with a straight face. “Are you going back?”

Tiger stood up and gently brushed off the dirt and grass stuck to his pants.

"Oh, I've been waiting for you to come back for a long time," I said, waiting for the bike owner to get in first, then getting in after him. Not long after, we arrived home, said goodbye, and went our separate ways. Before I walked into the house, I saw Dan sitting and waiting at the marble table in front.

Woeful...

“Where have you been?” Dan asked with a slightly displeased tone. I smiled wryly and slowly moved closer. “Why did you come back with Tiger?”

“I went to the night market and saw it, so I rode with it.”

“The night market again,” Dan said, standing up, crossing his arms, and frowning at me. “How many times have I told you not to go? It’s dangerous.”

“It’s not dangerous. I’m used to it. I go there often.”

"It's not like the situation is the same every day. What if a bad person comes to live there?" Dan said with a serious face. As for me, who did something wrong, I could only smile wryly. "Come hit me."

“Are you going to hit me?”

“Yes.” After the order was given, I stretched out my hand. The force on my palm was weak, but I pouted and pretended to be coy.

"hurt"

“It's just this good.”

"I don't know. It hurts. Hug me."

"Don't hug naughty children"

"Hug, hug," I said, spreading my arms to hug him. Dan pouted a little before I hugged him back softly. "Let's go home," he said.

“Ugh, don’t sneak out again.”

"I won't promise," I said. Dan stopped walking immediately. I turned to look. "Come in quickly."

“Make a promise first.”

"Come on, let's go inside first. It's cold outside," I pleaded.

"Otherwise, I'll carry you." I bent down and stretched my arms out in front of me as if I were going to carry the other person up. Dan immediately moved away.

"No, don't carry me."

"Then go inside safely."

“...Oh, okay.”

Then we both held hands and walked into the house. While changing clothes and about to go to bed, I heard a commotion outside. I thought of the guy who liked to act like Batman and slowly opened the curtains to peek. I thought I was right. It's you again...

I hurried downstairs, being careful not to wake Dan. At first, I thought I was there to help, but when I got there, Tiger had already dealt with them all. Only those were left lying on the ground, groaning.

"Oh, you again?"

"I should speak," I replied. "Why are you fighting in my neighbourhood again?"

"They gathered around here. I met them at the intersection in front of the market and rode after them. They're coming."

“Shit, around my house is the gathering place?” I raised my eyebrows and asked uncomfortably. I started to worry about Mom and Dan.

“Then why are you here?”

"I'm going to be Batman's assistant."

“Want to be Jarvis?”

"Eh, you're a little out of the universe."

“Oh?” Tiger shrugged nonchalantly because there was only a lamp here. It was dim on the side of the road, making it very difficult to see clearly. But it was clear that there was blood on his arm.

“Are you free?”

"Why"

"Invite you to dress your wound."

“You talk like you're inviting me to go out.” He raised his eyebrows at me. "I won't do anything, it hurts. I'm lazy. I'd rather go find a place to sleep."

“Please do it.”

"No"

“How do I get infected?”

"Cut off your arm"

“Being a Tiger with an amputated front leg is not cool.”

“I couldn't make it in time to chase the deer.” Tiger slightly sighed but still confirmed his original statement that he didn't want to hurt his wound.

“There's some Betadine left at home.”

"You can stay here, it's very late." I have no problem with it if you can sleep on my old sofa.

"Aren't you afraid I'll steal your stuff?"

"What are you going to steal?" I said to him. Tiger looked around the house.

Mine has almost nothing.

“There are rumours that your house has an armoury of weapons. I’m going to take them to sell secretly"

“Okay, whatever you want, you animal.” I let out a deep sigh. “So what?”

"Won't you disturb me?"

"Not at all."

"Will your mother and Nuea not mind?"

"No matter what it is."

“Surely?”

"Yes"

"So are you going to sleep on the sofa?" I turned around immediately after hearing that.

"Wow, you shameless bastard. You're the one who has to sleep on the sofa."

"This sofa?"

"Oh, that sofa you're sitting on. You see, my house has many sofas.

“Okay, give me a pillow and a blanket.”

“Ah,” I walked over and got him a pillow and a blanket. “Then I’ll go to sleep already.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“Huh?”

“Thank you for giving me a place to sleep tonight. Field went home, too. I was still thinking about where I should sleep.”

"Does Field usually stay in the dorm?"

"Yes"

"What about Mick?"

"There are a lot of people in his house. I'm too shy to go and sleep there."

"Okay, Dreamer," I finished my sentence with a goodnight's greeting and turned around to walk up the stairs.

"Tiger"

“...” 

The words of the person lying on the sofa made me turn back to look. "You can call me Tiger. My other friends also call me Tiger."

“Um, good night, Tiger.”

“Good night, Winter.”