The question caught the guy off guard as he had expected Ash to forget about him the moment this was over, as he had already heard rumors about Ash.
Ash was actually famous around the orphanage, though he knew none of this. He was pretty much one of the only loners here, even the other introvert had some company, but Ash? None. It was to the point where he had gotten a somewhat edgy nickname of The Lone Silver Wolf. He was famous for also lazing around as much as he could as if in this field there was competion.
Back to the question.
"My name is William, but people just call me Will."
Ash took and inner note and the turned to towards him and asked in a stern note.
"How do you know about the cave?"
A sense of danger overwhelmed Will, and without much thinking he aswered.
"I saw you by accident, during one of the deliveries. I wasn't gonna tell anyone, but this time I was really in a pinch and..."
Ash saw how flustered the guy was and chuckled a little in himself.
"No need to be so defensive, so long as you don't tell anyone I'm willing to let this little "mishap" go."
Hearing Ash's words Will let up and started talking.
"So like why are you such a loner? Is there a story there? Also what's with the cave?..."
Ash's face soon became grim as Will's face slowly overlapped with the guy from the town hall.
'Ohh, he's that type of person.'
Luckily Will was just another kid at the orphanage, not some business partner or some elder he had to respect.
"Never mind... I don't like you, please stay away from me."
The chatty Will stopped asking questions and looked at Ash.
"Did I make you upset?"
"As I said I don't like you don't talk to me."
Will had a sudden revelation, and immediately understood something.
"So there is no story, you are just a loner by nature...huuh."
Arriving at the bedrooms it was time for the two to part ways. As Will didn't have any intention of staying away from him Ash chose to just ignore him and head to his bed, but before he could he heard Will's voice from behind him.
"Goodnight Ash"
'Goodnight to you too I guess'
Ash thought to himself, though he would never say it out loud in a million years, in a way this was all his maturity amounted to.
Soon he arrived at this own bed and after climbing onto the bed he proceeded to drift to sleep.
'Hope... no... bad dream... this time.'
...
Morning came and it was time to do all the usual things, teeth washing, clothes changing and then breakfast in the cafeteria.
Looking around for a place to sit Ash sat down at one of the seats, but then he felt someone's presence on the seat next to him.
"Good morning Ash."
The one next to him was Will, looking at him with a large friendly smile.
Soon as he realised that the yapper was next to him he felt an impulse to leave, but chose against it as it took more effort to look for another seat than to just endure Will's presence.
"Haha... good morning to you too Will. But, I thought I asked you not to talk to me."
All that being said Ash wasn't just gonna let Will annoy him with his overfriendliness.
"I thought about it Ash, and I think you are just shy, you need to make friends and after thorough examination I realised I was the best candidate. So with that said, Ash let's be friends!"
"No."
I quick reply quickly shot down all of Will's advances, but he wasn't the type to give up so easily.
"Atleast give a reason. That's the least you could do."
Annoyed Ash wasn't gonna sugarcoat his word so he came out and said what he wanted.
"You talk too much, okay? I hate noisy people, I like peace and quiet, so you are disqualified."
"Am I really that annoying?"
"Yes."
To that he couldn't say anything back. Deciding to give up for now the both of them got around to getting their food and started eating.
Soon as the meal was finished Ash bolted out of the cafeteria trying to get to the job distribution point.
Arriving there he was given today's job, which was cleaning the local church.
The delivery job he got last time was one of the ones that allowed the most free time, but people can't always get lucky. Besides news are only distributed once a week, so this time delivery wasn't even an option.
The cleaning job was long as the church was rather large and even with there being several children assigned to do the cleaning it still took a noticable amount of time to do, still atleast lunch break was still a thing.
Arriving before the large church just next door Ash was shocked to find a familiar face among the group of participants.
Yes, it was none other than Will, he has returned once more.
"Are you here to pester me again."
"Listen the jobs are assigned at random so no way, but I guess now that you've said it I guess it's not such a bad idea."
By this point it could be said that Ash was somewhat used to Will's antics, but he still couldn't stop himself from physically recoiling hearing this statement.
...
As they all started cleaning there was naturally not much time for chatter as the temple was a place where silence was expected.
'So quiet, I guess I could come to the church more often.'
Only after experiecing hell can you truly know what heaven feels like or something. It was safe to say that only after hearing Will chatter for so long could Ash truly appreciate the church's silence.
'Not as good as the cave, but still pretty good.'
...
It was time for lunch, as everyone arrived at the cafeteria Ash wasn't even surprised that the seat next to him was occupied by Will.
"So what do you think today's lunch will be. I hope it meat."
As Will was happily talking about the prospect of eating meat Ash asked him.
"Why do you keep talking to me?"
An odd look appeared on Will's face, but it disappeared soon as he opened his mouth.
"As I've said before I want to be your friend."
"Okay, but why?"
By this point it was Will who was getting slightly annoyed.
"Do I really need a reason. You saved me, and I find you kinda interesting so I figured it would cool to be friends with The Lone Silver Wolf."
Ash's eyes perked up at the mention of an odd name.
"The silver what now?"
"Umm.. nothing."
Seeing as Will was avoiding the subject Ash decided to press further.
"No that was not nothing, what the hell is that name?"
Will seeing as Ash won't let this slide decided it was time to tell him.
"It's... your nickname."
"My nickname?"
Ash was more confused than ever, since as far as he knew nicknames were something to have among friends, but that was clearly not the case as he had no friends.
"Yes, it's what the people around the orphanage have nicknamed you."
"What was the nickname again?"
"The...Lone Silver Wolf."
Ash was somewhat flabbergasted hearing the nickname as it was clearly just lone wolf with silver lazily slapped onto middle to make it different.
"That's a pretty shit nickname."
Will was confused since Ash despite being the owner of this seemingly shit nickname didn't seems bothered in the slightest.
"Aren't you mad?"
"Huh? Why would I be mad? I don't care what others call me, I just think this nickname is pretty shit."
Suddenly a loud laughter could be heard across the whole cafeteria.
"Hahahaha...Ash you really don't care about anything so long as it isn't about resting, huh? I knew it we have to be friends."
"You won't give up?"
"I won't give up, no matter how many times you reject me I won't let up."
"I guess you leave me no choice then...hah...we can be friends."
Will felt as if he heard something wrong, as he had never expected this stubborn mule to ever give up on his resistance against interpersonal relationships, but it just happened.
"I look forward to it friend!"
Will extended his hand for a handshake and soon was met with Ash's hand.
"Why are we shaking hand like it's some sort of business meeting."
"I don't know it just felt appropriate."
Soon the food was shown and to everyone's surprise it was indeed meat, it was chicken breast. Meat was a rarity, it has been more than a month since the last serving of meat around here.
"Jackpot, it is meat just like I'd hoped, then let's get to eating, friend."
Ash was flustered hearing the word friend from Will's mouth, but soon got over it and replied with a monotone voice.
"Yeah...let's eat...friend."