Childhood Friend of the Zenith

A honey cookie, placed on a large hand.

Gu Ryun held it out to me, grinning, as if this was a completely normal thing to do.

“What do you think?”

What did he even expect me to say? I had no idea how to react, so I just stared at the honey cookie in silence.

After a long pause, I frowned and asked,

“……What is this?”

What the hell?

Why was he suddenly handing me a honey cookie out of nowhere? It was already ridiculous enough that he had appeared out of nowhere, but the things he was saying were even stranger.

“Why? Do you not like honey cookies?”
“……No, this isn’t about whether I like them or not.”

Did he really not get that the problem wasn’t the damn cookie?

Gu Ryun looked genuinely confused by my response.

“Huh…… I’ve never seen someone who doesn’t like them before.”

As if disappointed, he slipped it back into his sleeve. Seeing that, I couldn’t help but recall the past.

‘He really did carry those around every day.’

That was how Elder Il had always been in my memories. Even while scolding me, he’d still hand me a honey cookie. Even when it wasn’t necessary, he’d always find a reason to give one.

And the funniest part?

‘The old man didn’t even like honey cookies. He always said, “You eat it instead.”’

Elder Il himself never liked honey cookies. In fact, he didn’t like sweets at all.

“Uh, Elder Il—no, Great Hero.”
“What is it?”
“Why do you carry those around?”

Why would someone like him even bother carrying honey cookies? Given the situation, I decided to ask.

“Oh, this?”

Gu Ryun smiled brightly at my question and answered.

“The stone-faced bastard at my house likes them.”