That Midsummer, Our Song

That year the setting sun lengthened the shadow of the old street, and also lengthened our steps in tandem. He held up a pack of red-oiled spicy sticks, as if holding an invincible flag. And I, the greedy little green plum behind him, was willingly "deceived" by him to go home just for the temptation of this spicy mouthful of fresh sesame. It was only after many years that I realized that the path he and I took was not just a pack of spicy chips, but was clearly heading for the whole future.