The Difference Between Love & Lust 《Corpsekkuno》

Chapter One

I make my way into the store, my messy black hair hidden beneath the hood of my jacket. I don all black - black hoodie featuring the game Among Us, a denim jacket and ripped jeans, with metal chains hanging from my pants and neck. I fidget with one of my many rings as I enter the store, preparing myself for the inevitable social interaction.

As I walk past people, I look around - anxiety has my nerves strung like a live wire.

What are they saying? A little voice in the back of my head asks. What do they think of you?

I walk past the fruit isle, discreetly sliding smaller-sized food items into my pockets and up my sleeves. Lacking the money to buy proper groceries but needing to eat, I chose the only option I saw possible. Until I get a job, I would do what I needed to survive.

"Can I help you with anything?" A kind voice sounded from behind me. I jumped, quickly turning around to see a worker from the store. His nametag read Sykkuno.

"No, thank you." I said, unable to look him in the eyes. He caught me stealing, I think, panicked. He knows.

"I like your hoodie," he says. I look at my hoodie, not taking my hands out of my pockets.

"I take it you play Among Us?" he notes softly.

Go away, I think bitterly. My stomach growled, and hunger overcame me. I needed to eat something.

Sykkuno rocked on his feet as he glanced at me. "I genuinely do not want to be rude, at all. But... I happen to know that there's all sorts of things in your pockets right now, and I also know that security is everywhere today. So, I'm gonna pay for your stuff okay?" He carefully held a basket out, waiting for me to drop my items in. "What's your name by the way?"

"Corpse," I said quietly as I dropped the items into the cart. "Why are you doing this?" I felt suspicious of his kindness, sure that this was some sort of sick joke.

"Because I can tell you don't really wanna do this, so I'm assuming you don't have any other choice. If not, you have me completely fooled," he said, smiling. "Nice to meet you, Corpse. I'm Sykkuno."

I nodded, still unwilling to look at him.

"Do you need anything else?" He asked softly.

I shifted uncomfortably. I had no idea how to react to the sudden kindness I found myself face to face with, and my anxiety would not let me speak. I raised a shaky finger to point towards the canned food aisle.

"Lead the way," Sykkuno said softly. I shoved my hands into my pockets as I walked, hands trembling as I debated just running. This had to be some kind of joke, right? There's no way someone would do this for a stranger. But what could I do? He had the food I so desperately needed.

I lead him to the isle, looking to him for permission to grab anything. He nodded. "Go ahead," he said kindly. "Take as much as you need."

Fuck it, I thought, as I grabbed five cans of the cheapest foods available. If he chose to incarcerate me, I was fucked either way. I might as well go for it. I grabbed one more can, as I still had no idea when my next meal would be after these ran out, before starting in the direction of the cashier.

"Wait," Sykkuno called out. "Are you sure that's enough?"

I stopped. No, I'm not. I thought, but I didn't tell him that.

He seemed to read the expression on my face, so he grabbed a few more cans and put them in the basket. "Do you need anything else? Milk, or eggs?" he asked me. I shook my head.

"Okay," he said. "If you're sure, I need to go get my wallet," he told me. Warning bells went off in my head as I followed him to the employee's door, hands trembling. I watched as he disappeared behind the door. This is it, I thought. My only chance to run. I debated staying, but I couldn't trust him. I took a step in towards the door, but Sykkuno was already coming out from the employee's only door. I looked at him, panicked. I expected to see security, but he was still alone, clutching his wallet.

"Alright," He smiled shyly, "Let's go."

I follow him to the cash, waiting in line. The cashier eyed me warily.

"New friend, Sykkuno?" The cash asked. Sykkuno blushed.

I put my hands in my pocket, staring at the floor. I watched as the cash scanned each and every item. Anxiety rose as the last few items scanned. This is it, I think. He's going to tell them I don't have money, and they're going to arrest me.

I wait with bated breath as I wait for him to speak, but he didn't. I watched as he swiped his card and typed in his pin. I exhaled a sigh of relief when the machine beeped. The purchase was accepted.

"Here, let me carry these," Sykkuno said. The red tinge has not left his cheeks.

"No, it's fine," I said quietly, reaching for the bags, "I can carry it." We reached towards the bag at the same time, and our fingers brushed. I jerked my hand back, anxiety swelling in my chest as we made eye contact. His eyes carried sympathy and concern, something I never got used to.

He takes a bag anyway. I knew I couldn't carry all of them, but I felt awful asking him to help. He smiled at me reassuringly. "Where is your car?" He asked.

"I took the bus," I tell him.

"Okay. Do you want me to wait with you?" He asked shyly.

"I don't know."

"I'll go with you, then. I want to make sure you're okay."

"Okay."

We stood in silence for a moment, before Sykkuno said, "I don't know what your situation is, but if you ever need food, please come find me. I will pay for you. You don't need to steal."

I felt his eyes bore into me, and I shifted uncomfortably.

"I mean it," he said. "I work Monday to Friday, 9 to 5. Just ask for me."

"Okay," I replied. The bus pulled up beside me, and I turned to look at him, making actual eye contact for the first time.

"Do you want my number?" He asked. "You know, in case of emergencies..." His cheeks were bright red.

I think about it

"Thank you, Sykkuno."

"You're welcome Corpse," He said kindly. "Any time."