Chapter 136: Stray Cat Protocol: Engage
Clyde found the food street easily. The stalls were all lined up under bright yellow lights, some blinking, some streaming with the scent of frying oil and sugar. People were everywhere, eating, laughing, chatting with their mouths full. It was noisy, lively, and crowded. He didn’t even have to look hard.
There, just past the takoyaki cart, stood Micah.
The boy was hunched over a food stall, stuffing one fish ball into his mouth with one hand while the other carefully packed things into a luxurious container.
He looked a bit flushed, chewing quickly and avoiding eye contact with anyone around.
Clyde narrowed his eyes. That was Jacklin’s container.
Then Micah moved to several stalls, buying different snacks while popping one into his mouth like it was candy.
The audacity of this kid!
He had been in the hospital just yesterday! Pale, tired, hooked up with an IV. Now here he was, jumping from one stall to another like he hadn’t nearly collapsed not long ago. And why the hell was he filling Jacklin’s container?!
Clyde placed his hands into his pockets, standing at a distance, just watching. His eyes followed Micah as the boy made his way to another stall and pointed at something fried with dipping sauce. Micah didn’t even look around. He seemed lost in his own world, mood down, face tired, his shoulder slumped. His hair looked like it hadn’t been brushed, and his eyes, usually full of liveliness, were dull, almost hollow.
That wasn’t right.
Clyde knew Micah wouldn’t be able to change into his girl disguise back at the dorm. No privacy, too risky. He thought the boy had returned from somewhere out in his Asena disguise and probably would change in a nearby place before returning to the dorm.