“I do not like the Sun. It is bright, useless, and unnecessary. Just like unsliced cheese. Who has time for that in this day and age, anyway.

The Sun beats down upon me, outside of Shopkeep’s store. The street is less busy than expected - it’s right before the lunchtime rush.

“Hey!”

A voice calls out to me and I see her, walking down the concrete path. She has two popsicles; one in each hand. “You took too long, so I bought ice cream.” She gestures to the one in her right hand. “This is yours. It’s red bean.”

“I don’t like red beans.”

“Then more for me.”

My stomach grumbles.

“I now like red beans.”

“Then this is yours.”

My hand shoots out to take the frozen treat, but I am foiled.

“This is yours after you thank me.”

“A king does not thank.”

“Good thing you’re not a king.”

My eyes narrow. She’s playing dirty. “I was one, though.”

“But now you’re not. You’re just you. So what do you say…?”

“...”

“More ice cream for me.”

“T-Th… Tha….”

“BOY, this is melting real fast. I better eat it soon.” She raises the popsicle to her lips and I fight back a curse.

“You are such a…”

“Man,” she huffs. “You like making things difficult, don’t you?” She hands me the confection and I devour it as soon as I can. I mumble a thank you between bites. I’m assuming she didn’t hear me, but the upturned corners of her mouth say otherwise.