Lava approached the Stranger with concern etched on her face, her voice gentle as she inquired, "Kao, is there something you need?"His frustration and anger flared as he responded with a terse edge in his voice, "Will you all please leave me alone? There's no point in explaining to any of you. I'm leaving."Lava attempted to reach out, calling his name, "But, Kao..."However, her pleas fell on deaf ears as the Stranger disregarded her and swiftly departed. He took the wheel of his car, and as the engine roared to life, a torrent of questions swirled in his mind.Suddenly, Stranger's attention was seized by a troubling sight. Nil was walking down the road, pursued by three menacing young men who seemed to revel in their cruelty, relentlessly taunting him. With each step, Nil pressed forward, determined to ignore their presence.However, the situation took a sinister turn as one of the tormentors seized Nil's hand, his intentions clearly sinister. He advanced, attempting to touch Nil inappropriately. In a desperate act of self-defense, Nil raised his hand to ward off the aggressor. But, just as he did, another one of the thugs lunged and successfully immobilized Nil's arm.Stranger's temper flared, and he approached the scene with the air of a protective hero. Confronting the bullies, they dared to challenge him, their demeanor a mix of arrogance and menace.One of the goons sneered, "If you want to live, you'd better back off."Stranger, his voice firm and laced with an underlying warning, retorted, "If I were to make the same offer to you, I doubt it would be in your best interest."With an unwavering determination, Stranger held Nil's hand and led him towards the car, resolute in his protective stance. But one of the aggressors, undeterred and fueled by their collective arrogance, attempted to snatch Nil's hand once more. This time, however, Stranger didn't hesitate; he unleashed a swift punch and sternly declared, "How dare you touch him again."The blows rained down, and a fierce altercation ensued. During the scuffle, Stranger's previously injured hand began to bleed once more, and his car sustained damage from the confrontation. The chaos continued as one of the assailants tried to launch a surprise attack from behind, but Nil intervened, using a large stone to fend off the attacker. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Nil, despite his reservations, placed a call to the police.As the siren of approaching police vehicles grew louder, the attackers fled in haste. Nil turned to Stranger, puzzled and concerned, and inquired, "Why did you feel the need to get involved with them on my behalf?" Nil's handkerchief was now bound tightly around Stranger's injured hand, and he gazed at Nil, his thoughts a whirlwind. He muttered to himself, "I always try to distance myself from you, but you keep finding a way back into my life, again and again. Why, Nil? Why do you make this so difficult for me?"Nil, sensing Stranger's internal turmoil, communicated silently through his eyes, questioning what had transpired. Stranger responded in the same silent language, revealing nothing.As they waited for a taxi, Nil suggested they walk to the café since it wasn't too far. The two of them strolled down the dimly lit road beneath a starry sky, the brisk night air occasionally brushing against their skin. The cold gnawed at Nil, causing him to shiver, but Stranger, without hesitation, offered his blazer to provide warmth.With the gentle ambiance surrounding them, Stranger ventured to ask, "Are you okay?"Nil responded with a simple, "Mm-hmm."Stranger continued, "And how's your girlfriend?"This unexpected question caught Nil off guard, and he couldn't help but giggle. "What?"Stranger, his expression unyielding, pressed further, "Why are you laughing?"Nil clarified with amusement, "No, I'm not laughing at you. I'm laughing at your question. And who told you that I have a girlfriend?"Stranger, undeterred, observed, "Don't you need to lie? I saw Mary was hugging you."Nil chuckled and replied, "Oh, that? I was just really down after facing so many rejections. She was consoling me. By the way, why are you asking about this?"Stranger's tone took on a contented note as he explained, "No, I was just concerned about her. I wanted to make sure she's in the right hand."Nil, seemingly playful, probed, "You're concerned about Marry? Do you like her, Stranger?"Quick to divert the conversation, Stranger responded, "No, I don't."Despite his elation, he concealed his emotions from Nil. As they continued walking, Nil suddenly shouted, "Strangerrr!" and knelt on the ground, placing his hands beneath Stranger's shoes.Startled, the Stranger quickly removed his shoes and sat down, taking Nil's hand. He asked, "Nil, are you mad? What are you doing now?"Nil unveiled a small bug he had found in his palm and smiled as he held it up for Stranger to see. Stranger, somewhat taken aback, inquired, "Just for this little bug, you put your hands under my shoes?"Nil continued to smile and explained, "Ahh, Stranger, perhaps it's just a little bug, but it possesses the gift of life bestowed by God. If we cannot grant life, we have no right to take any life, even that of this tiny creature. Don't you think he's adorable?"Stranger couldn't help but be moved by Nil's simple yet profound perspective on life and the value he placed on even the smallest beings.Stranger gazed at Nil, his thoughts a labyrinth of emotions. He muttered to himself, "There's something inside you, Nil, that compels me to come to you."Noticing Stranger's contemplative expression, Nil couldn't help but inquire, "Stranger, what's on your mind?"Stranger offered a brief response, "Nothing, let's go."They both rose to their feet, placing the small bug gently on the leaves of a nearby tree. Nil addressed the tiny creature, "Hey, little bug, be careful this time, okay? Good night."As they resumed their walk, Stranger continued to smile while watching Nil. Nil, curious about Stranger's contemplative look, asked, "What's on your mind?"Stranger decided to change the topic and asked, "By the way, why have all accidents happened to you?"Nil, humorously, responded, "I don't know, maybe they found me cute."Stranger disagreed with a playful tone, saying, "May be..."Playfully, Nil prodded him, "So, you tell me. Come on, come on."Stranger, with a sly grin, teased, "Maybe you've got a big a***s or something."Caught off guard by the comment, Nil awkwardly placed his hand behind his backside. "Ummm, no," he responded.Stranger persisted, "Nope, what? You do have, Nil.""Ummm, can I touch it?"Nil, feeling self-conscious, retorted, "No, and don't you think you're getting too clingy with me."Stranger, with a hint of playfulness, continued, "Please, please, just this once. Now that we're friends, right?"Firmly, Nil reiterated, "I said no."Stranger, feigning disappointment, playfully pouted.As they approached the café, Stranger's driver awaited them with a new car. Nil extended an invitation for the Stranger to join him inside. However, the Stranger, without uttering a word, entered the car and drove away.Left standing outside the café, Nil watched the car depart and murmured to himself, "I shouldn't have refused Stranger."