CHAPTER 3
---
Later that night, Phuwin stood behind the counter, wiping it down slowly.
The café was quiet.
Chairs neatly arranged. Lights dimmer. The world outside softened by the dark.
Sammy walked past him, already slipping her shoulder bag on.
"I'll leave the café to you tonight, Phu," She said apologetically. "I'm so sorry, I really have an errand I have to go to."
Phuwin looked up and smiled.
"It's okay, Phi Sammy. I'll handle it."
Sammy nodded, relieved. "Thank you, Phu."
And with that-
She was gone.
The door closed.
Silence returned.
Phuwin exhaled softly and went back to cleaning the counter, movements steady, familiar.
Then-
The door opened again.
Phuwin looked up automatically.
"Sorry, we're clo-"
He paused.
Pond stood there.
Hands in his pockets.
Eyes fixed on him.
Cold.
Still.
Phuwin swallowed.
He didn't know why.
Pond spoke.
"Am I late?"
Phuwin exhaled quietly, steadying himself.
"It's fine," He said softly. "You can sit down. Just this once."
Pond nodded once.
Then walked in.
"One coffee," He said after a moment, voice low. "With whipped cream."
Phuwin nodded and turned away, focusing on the task.
Grinding. Pouring. Moving.
Routine.
Safe.
But then-
His eyes lifted.
Pond sat at one of the booths, slightly turned, his side profile lit softly by the warm café lights.
Quiet.
Still.
Phuwin looked down again.
His hand reached for it.
The cherry.
He placed it gently on top of the whipped cream.
Red against white.
Small.
Intentional.
Phuwin paused.
Then looked up again.
At Pond.
His throat tightened slightly.
He swallowed-
Without realizing it.
It wasn't fear.
Not because of the rumors.
Not because Pond fights.
It was something else.
Something quieter.
Something unfamiliar.
Phuwin picked up the cup and walked over, placing it in front of Pond.
Pond's gaze dropped.
He stared at it.
The cherry.
Again.
Phuwin didn't say anything.
He just turned-
And walked back to the counter.
Pond blinked.
Then slowly looked up.
His eyes followed Phuwin's back.
Something shifted.
Small.
Strange.
Unfamiliar.
His chest felt... Off.
He looked back at the drink.
At the cherry resting on top.
Was it because of that?
Because Phuwin kept adding it-
Like it meant something?
Like it was a gift?
Pond didn't know.
But for some reason-
He didn't remove it this time.
But he didn't eat it either.
The cherry stayed untouched.
---
Later that night, Phuwin returned home exhausted.
His steps were slow, heavy, like his body had finally caught up with everything he had been holding in.
He opened the door.
And froze.
His parents were there.
Sitting in the living room like they had always belonged there.
Like they hadn't been gone for so long.
Phuwin stepped inside.
His expression changed instantly.
Soft exhaustion disappeared.
Something colder took its place.
He closed the door behind him.
And took off his shoes slowly.
His father spoke first.
"Where have you been?"
Phuwin didn't look up.
"Welcome home," He muttered softly.
Flat.
Empty.
Then walked past them.
His mother stood slightly.
A gentle smile on her face.
"We were just checking if you guys-"
"Are alive?" Phuwin cut her off.
He stopped walking.
Turned slightly.
"Yeah," He said flatly. "We're completely alive. Very."
Then continued walking.
Silence.
His father's voice sharpened.
"Why are you talking to us like that?"
Phuwin froze.
Slowly turned around.
"Like what?" He asked.
His father frowned.
"Like we're strangers. Like we don't exist in this house. Like everything we do is wrong no matter what we try. We came back after a lot of work and this is how you greet us?"
Phuwin stared at him.
For a second-
Nothing.
Then he let out a quiet breath.
Almost a laugh, but not quite.
"And what exactly should I do?" He asked calmly.
His voice didn't rise.
That was worse.
His mother stepped forward slightly.
"Phuwin, we're just trying to-"
"To check on us?" He interrupted again.
His gaze flicked between them.
Sharp now.
Controlled, but cracking at the edges.
"You both disappeared for so long," He said slowly, "and you guys have a audacity to come back?"
His father's jaw tightened.
"That's not what this is."
"Then what is it?" Phuwin snapped.
A beat.
Then his voice rose slightly.
"You were never here anyway."
Silence hit the room harder than anything else.
He continued, voice shaking now, but still cold:
"So why come back now?"
He took a step forward.
"Because you miss us? Or because you just needed to make sure your responsibilities didn't rot away while you were gone?"
His mother looked stunned.
"Phuwin..."
But he didn't stop.
His voice broke slightly at the edges now.
"You don't get to disappear and come back like nothing happened," He said. "You don't get to act like a family when it's convenient for you."
His father's voice rose.
"We are your parents."
Phuwin laughed once- dry, sharp.
"Yeah," He said. "You are."
A pause.
Then quieter:
"Just not when it matters."
Silence again.
Heavy.
Unmoving.
Phuwin looked at them one last time.
Then turned away.
And walked upstairs.
Each step heavier than the last.
But he didn't look back.
---
The next day, Phuwin was asleep under a large tree on campus.
His back rested gently against the trunk.
Head tilted slightly to the side.
Mouth slightly open.
Glasses still on his face, slightly slipping down his nose.
His lap was full of papers.
Homework sheets- messy stacks.
Not his.
A pen loosely held in his hand, as if he had fallen asleep mid-sentence.
Footsteps approached.
Pond.
Fourth.
Louis.
They walked past casually, talking among themselves.
Until-
Pond stopped.
He froze.
His gaze locked onto Phuwin.
Fourth glanced back. "What's wrong?"
Pond didn't answer immediately.
Then-
"You guys go first. I'll follow," He said flatly.
Fourth and Louis exchanged a look, but shrugged.
"Alright," Louis said. "Don't take too long."
And they left.
Silence returned.
Pond slowly walked toward Phuwin.
Each step quieter than the last.
Until he stood beside him.
He looked down.
And froze again.
Phuwin's face.
Soft in sleep.
Lashes resting against his cheeks.
His lips slightly parted, relaxed- unguarded.
Completely different from the sharp, tired boy he usually saw awake.
Pond swallowed.
His heartbeat felt strange.
Too loud.
Too fast.
Without thinking-
He reached out.
Slowly.
Carefully.
And gently pushed a strand of hair behind Phuwin's ear.
His fingers barely touched him.
Like he was afraid he might disappear.
Phuwin stirred.
Pond's eyes widened instantly.
He pulled his hand back like it burned.
Stepping half a step away.
Phuwin blinked slowly, confused, adjusting to the light.
"...Pond?" He whispered.
Pond froze again.
Then looked away slightly.
Expression resetting.
Cold mask returning.
"I just found you sleeping here," He said flatly.
Phuwin sat up properly, still dazed.
He looked around for a second before focusing on the papers in his lap.
"Oh..." He murmured.
He tightened his grip on the pen.
Then started writing again, like nothing happened.
Pond's eyes stayed on him.
After a moment-
"Why do you have that many homework?" Pond asked.
Phuwin didn't look up immediately.
"These aren't mine," He said quietly.
"They're my friends'."
Pond blinked. "Why are you doing their homework?"
"They're busy," Phuwin replied simply.
A pause.
Pond stared at him longer now.
Like he was trying to understand something that didn't make sense.
"...Busy," Pond repeated slowly.
Phuwin nodded once.
"Yeah."
Then added softly, almost indifferent:
"And if I don't do it, they'll just fall behind."
Pond frowned slightly.
"That's not your responsibility," He said.
Phuwin finally looked up at him.
For a moment, he just stared.
Then he gave a small shrug.
"It doesn't matter."
Silence.
Pond sat down beside him without asking.
Not too close.
But close enough.
"You always do things like this?" Pond asked.
Phuwin went back to writing.
"Like what?"
"Fixing things that aren't yours," Pond said.
Phuwin paused for a second.
Then quietly:
"If I don't, no one will."
Pond didn't answer immediately.
His gaze stayed on Phuwin's hand moving across the page.
"...That's stupid," He said finally.
Phuwin let out a soft breath that almost sounded like a laugh.
"Yeah," He muttered.
Then added:
"Probably."
Silence again.
But it wasn't empty.
Not anymore.
Pond leaned back slightly against the tree.
Still watching him.
Still not leaving.
Then he hesitated.
His fingers curled slightly against his knee.
"...Wanna be friends?" He murmured.
Phuwin froze.
"...Friends?" He repeated softly.
Pond nodded once.
For a second, Phuwin just looked at him.
Then-
He smiled gently.
"Of course," He said quietly.
Pond blinked.
"...Well," He muttered under his breath, almost confused. "I thought that was going to be hard."
Phuwin's eyes softened- but something in them dulled at the same time.
"I'm just a person who accepts friendship a lot," He whispered.
Pond frowned slightly.
"That doesn't sound like a good thing," He said.
Phuwin shrugged lightly, already going back to writing.
"It depends," He said.
A pause settled between them.
The wind moved through the tree above, leaves shifting softly.
Pond tilted his head.
"You always do other people's work?" He asked again, quieter this time.
Phuwin didn't stop writing.
"Not always," He said.
Then added casually:
"Just when they ask."
Pond stared at him.
"...And they always ask you?"
Phuwin gave a small hum.
"Yeah."
Another pause.
Then Phuwin finally spoke again, softer this time.
"It's hard to say no to being friends with people who only think you're perfect... Popular... Rich... Or you have that handsome face."
His pen moved slowly across the paper.
"But it's not hard to say no if you think that person actually just needs to be your friend," He added.
"Nothing more."
Pond's eyes shifted slightly.
"...What does that mean?" He asked.
Phuwin finally looked up.
Just briefly.
Then back down.
"It means," He said quietly, "some people don't really want you. They just want what you look like."
Pond went still.
"...Then why do you still accept them?" He asked.
Phuwin hesitated for the first time.
The pen stopped.
Then he spoke, quieter.
"Because of my dad."
Pond blinked.
Phuwin exhaled slowly.
"He cares about reputation more than anything," He said. "Family image. Perfection. What people think. Everything has to look... Right."
His grip on the pen tightened slightly.
"So I learned early that I had to be perfect too."
Silence.
Pond's chest tightened.
But he didn't interrupt.
Didn't speak.
Just listened.
Phuwin continued softly.
"If people think I'm useful... Or nice... Or easy to approach, then it's easier to survive it."
A small pause.
"But if I say no too much..." He shrugged faintly. "It becomes a problem."
Pond's jaw clenched slightly.
Still silent.
After a moment, Phuwin added lightly, as if trying to soften it:
"But it's fine. I'm used to it."
That line-
Made something in Pond's expression shift.
He didn't say anything.
But his chest felt heavier.
Like something had settled there.
Phuwin suddenly tilted his head slightly.
"Anyway," He said, tone lighter again, "you don't really seem like the type who asks people to be friends."
Pond blinked.
"...What type am I?" He asked.
Phuwin hummed softly, thinking.
"Quiet," He said. "A bit scary. Looks like you'd fight someone for looking at you wrong."
Pond stared.
Then-
A small pause.
"...That's not wrong," He muttered.
Phuwin let out a soft laugh under his breath.
And for the first time-
Pond smiled.
Not the cold one.
Not the practiced one.
A real one.
Small.
Barely there.
But real.
Phuwin didn't notice.
He had already gone back to writing.
---
One evening-
Book was quietly sneaking toward the front door.
Careful steps.
Light movements.
Trying to disappear into the night.
Then-
He stopped.
Phuwin was standing right in front of him.
Mid-step.
Blocking his way completely.
"Where are you going, young man?" Phuwin muttered.
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
Eyes cold- but observant.
Curious.
Book froze.
Slowly looked up.
Then forced a laugh.
"Oh, Phi Phu! Didn't see you there!" He said quickly.
He scratched the back of his neck.
"You know when a person goes out, he has to, you know- go out of a door?"
Phuwin exhaled sharply.
Not amused.
"Where," He said.
A pause.
"Are. You. Going."
Book straightened slightly, realizing the joke wasn't working.
"...I'm going out with a friend," He admitted.
Phuwin's gaze sharpened instantly.
"In this time?" He said coldly.
Book sighed.
"Yeah... It's kind of important."
Phuwin crossed his arms.
"Important enough to sneak out?"
Book hesitated.
"...I wasn't sneaking," He said weakly.
Phuwin tilted his head slightly.
"You were tiptoeing," He corrected.
Book blinked.
"...That's just my walking style."
Silence.
Phuwin stared at him for a long moment.
Then sighed through his nose.
"You're going to get in trouble," He said flatly.
Book stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"Phi, I'm not a kid."
Phuwin didn't even blink.
"You still live in this house."
Book groaned.
"That's emotional blackmail."
"It's reality," Phuwin replied immediately.
Book rubbed his face.
"Okay, fine. I was sneaking out. Happy?"
Phuwin didn't answer right away.
Just looked at him.
Then, softer but still firm:
"At least tell me where you're going."
Book paused.
"...Just nearby," He said. "I'll come back late."
Phuwin studied him for a moment longer.
Then slowly stepped aside.
"Don't make noise when you come back," He muttered.
Book blinked.
"...That's it?"
Phuwin shrugged slightly.
"I don't have the energy to argue tonight."
Book exhaled in relief.
"Thanks, Phi Phu."
As he slipped out the door-
Phuwin called after him one last time.
"Book."
Book turned slightly.
"Yeah?"
Phuwin's eyes narrowed again.
"If you get kidnapped, I'm not paying ransom."
Book froze.
"...Noted."
Then ran.
Phuwin exhaled and walked over to the couch.
He sank into it slowly, letting the tension leave his shoulders in pieces.
"...Why is that kid always going out now?" He muttered under his breath.
The house was quiet again.
Too quiet.
He leaned back, staring at the ceiling for a second.
Then reached for his phone.
Unlocked.
Scrolled.
Nothing in particular.
Just passing time.
Trying not to think too much.
A few notifications popped up- group chats, random messages, nothing urgent.
He ignored them all.
Kept scrolling.
But his thoughts didn't stay quiet for long.
Book sneaking out.
The way he hesitated.
The way people always seemed to have somewhere to go-
Someone to meet-
Something to escape to.
Phuwin's thumb paused mid-scroll.
Then he sighed again, quieter this time.
"...At least he said he has a friend," He muttered to himself.
He tilted his phone slightly, light reflecting off his glasses.
Then resumed scrolling.
---
One morning-
The university building hallway was already alive with movement- students walking past, voices overlapping, footsteps echoing softly against the floor.
Phuwin sat off to the side.
Tucked near the wall.
Arms wrapped around his knees.
Head resting on them.
Small.
Quiet.
Like he was trying to disappear into the corner of the world.
Footsteps slowed nearby.
Then stopped.
A voice spoke.
"Are you okay?"
Phuwin lifted his head.
Pond was there.
Kneeling in front of him so their eyes were almost level.
Phuwin blinked.
Then gave a small, practiced smile.
"I am okay," He murmured.
Pond tilted his head slightly.
"...You don't look okay," He whispered.
Phuwin's smile stayed in place for a moment longer.
Then-
It faded.
His eyes caught something.
A bruise.
Fresh.
At the side of Pond's lip.
Phuwin's expression shifted instantly.
Without thinking, he reached out.
And gently touched it with his thumb.
Pond froze.
Completely still.
Eyes locked on Phuwin's face.
"...Did you have a fight again?" Phuwin asked softly.
Pond blinked once.
"Yeah," He said quietly.
Too quietly.
Before anything else could be said-
A burst of laughter echoed from nearby.
Too loud.
Too sharp.
Pulling reality back in.
Phuwin flinched slightly.
And in that split second-
His thumb pressed a little too hard against the bruise.
Pond let out a quiet groan, instinctively touching the spot.
Phuwin immediately pulled back.
Eyes widening.
"I'm so sorry," He said quickly.
Pond blinked at him.
Then noticed something else-
Phuwin's expression.
Worried.
Genuinely worried.
"...It's fine," Pond said softly.
Too soft.
Almost uncharacteristic for someone like him.
Silence settled between them.
Phuwin looked at him again.
Really looked.
Like he was trying to understand something he couldn't name.
Pond shifted slightly.
Then slowly stood up.
He held out his hand.
"...Wanna hang out?" He asked.
Quiet.
Simple.
Phuwin stared at the hand.
Then at Pond.
Then back at the hand again.
Like he wasn't sure if it was real.
Then-
A small smile formed on his face.
Soft.
Careful.
"Sure," He whispered.
He took Pond's hand.
And stood up.
---
Later, they eventually stopped by the large fountain at the center of the university.
Water shimmered under the soft morning light, falling in steady, calming streams.
Phuwin exhaled quietly and sat down at the edge of the fountain.
Letting his hands rest beside him.
For once- still.
Pond leaned against the edge nearby, watching the water for a moment before speaking.
"...I want to ask you something," He murmured.
Phuwin turned his head slightly.
"What is it?" He asked.
Pond hesitated for a second.
Then-
"Why are you working at a café?" He muttered.
Phuwin froze.
Just for a moment.
"...Nothing," He said quickly. "I just really want to work there."
His voice was light.
Too light.
Pond studied him carefully.
Quietly.
Like he was trying to find the part of the answer Phuwin wasn't saying out loud.
Then he nodded once.
"...Alright," He said simply.
No push.
No pressure.
Just acceptance.
He finally moved, sitting down beside Phuwin at the fountain's edge.
Silence settled between them.
Not uncomfortable.
Just... Present.
Pond's gaze drifted.
And landed on Phuwin's side profile.
His expression softened.
Eyes slower now.
Steadier.
Like he wasn't just looking-
But remembering.
Every line.
Every detail.
As if he was memorizing him without realizing it.
Phuwin noticed.
Slowly turned his head.
"...What?" He asked quietly.
Pond didn't look away.
For a second, he just stared back.
Then-
He blinked.
Like he had been caught doing something he didn't understand himself.
Phuwin held his gaze.
Longer than expected.
And something in his chest tightened.
Strange.
Warm.
Unfamiliar.
His ears felt slightly hot.
His cheeks too.
He looked away first.
Quickly.
Too quickly.
Pond shifted his gaze forward again, but his expression stayed different now.
Quieter.
Softer.
Like something had changed- without either of them naming it.
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