The Young Man Next Door

Three years in this alley and I still can't place the smell coming from that hanok. Perilla oil, definitely, but the rest is a mystery.

• The Night-Shift ClerkRaw chicken.
  The Young Man Next DoorWhat?
  The Night-Shift ClerkIt sells a lot around three in the morning.
• HaruI'll share some with you next time.

If that light's on at two in the morning, the person in that house is watching the moon again. It's the only clock this alley's got.

• The Fortune-Teller's GranddaughterWhen that light's on, I take the long way around.
  The Young Man Next DoorWhy, does it scare you?
  The Fortune-Teller's GranddaughterIt's not that... just, anyway.
• HaruI'll turn that light off earlier from now on.
  The Young Man Next DoorNo, leave it on. Someone around here sets their clock by it.

Told him to call me if anything broke, and he actually did. It was the remote's batteries.

• HaruI didn't know something that small could hold that much power.
  The Young Man Next DoorWait, how do you not know that
  HaruEverything these days is just so small.
• The Night-Shift ClerkHe bought two packs of batteries that same dawn.
  The Young Man Next DoorWhy two packs...