CHAPTER 5
---
The next day-
Phuwin walked into the lecture hall.
Something felt... Off.
People were glancing at him.
Whispers.
Eyes that lingered a little too long.
Phuwin swallowed.
Confused.
Uncomfortable.
But he didn't stop.
He walked to his seat and sat down quietly, placing his things on the table like everything was normal.
It wasn't.
Then-
Footsteps rushed up the stairs.
"Phu-"
Phuwin looked up.
Gemini.
Gemini stopped in front of him, slightly out of breath.
Eyes serious.
"...Are you friends with Pond or what?" He asked.
Phuwin froze.
"...What?" He said quietly.
Gemini exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.
"Someone posted about it," He said. "On social media."
Phuwin's brows slowly furrowed.
"They said you were with Pond yesterday," Gemini continued. "And that he fought someone because of you."
Phuwin's chest tightened.
Gemini leaned closer, lowering his voice.
"And The guy he fought? He also posted it was true. Said you're backing Pond up now. That you're... Involved with him."
Silence.
Phuwin's fingers slowly curled on the table.
Gemini continued, more frustrated now:
"It's spreading fast. People are talking. Saying you've been hanging out with him... That you're on his side."
Phuwin frowned deeply.
His jaw tightened.
That wasn't just a rumor.
That was a problem.
Because Pond-
Was known.
Fighting.
Getting into trouble.
Using his fists before anything else.
Some people admired him.
Some avoided him.
Some hated him.
And now-
Phuwin's name was being placed beside his.
Phuwin exhaled slowly.
Trying to steady himself.
"...That's not true," He muttered.
But even as he said it-
He knew it didn't matter.
Because once people started talking-
Truth wasn't what spread.
Reputation was.
And his-
Was starting to crack.
Gemini exhaled, crossing his arms slightly.
"You don't have to lie to me, you know?" He said.
Phuwin stayed quiet for a moment.
His eyes dropped to the table.
Then he let out a small breath.
"...I'm not lying," He murmured.
Gemini raised a brow.
Phuwin hesitated.
Just for a second.
Then he looked up.
And said it.
Quietly.
"...We're friends."
Gemini froze.
"...You're serious?" He asked.
Phuwin nodded once.
Gemini stared at him, trying to process it.
"With Pond?" He added.
Phuwin let out a small breath.
"...Yeah."
Silence stretched between them.
Gemini ran a hand through his hair again.
"...Since when?"
Phuwin thought for a second.
"...Not that long," He said.
Gemini frowned slightly.
"And you didn't think to tell me?"
Phuwin's gaze softened a bit.
"I didn't think it was a big deal," He admitted.
Gemini huffed.
"Phu... It is a big deal," He said. "You know how people see him."
Phuwin looked away for a moment.
"...I know," He said quietly.
Gemini studied his face.
Then asked, more carefully:
"...Then why?"
Phuwin paused.
His mind flickered-
To the café.
The cherry.
The fountain.
The way Pond looked at him-
Like he actually saw him.
"...Because he's not what they say," Phuwin murmured.
Gemini didn't respond immediately.
Phuwin added softly:
"And... He's also the one who told me to stop letting people use me."
That made Gemini go quiet.
He looked at Phuwin again.
Really looked this time.
"...Are you sure about this?" He asked.
Phuwin didn't answer right away.
Then-
"...Yeah," He said.
Soft.
But certain.
But even as Phuwin said it-
Certainty didn't settle in his chest the way it was supposed to.
Because no matter how sure he was about Pond...
He still couldn't stop the rest of it.
People.
Rumors.
Eyes that judged before they understood.
If he refused them-
They wouldn't just stop.
They'd grow louder.
Sharper.
More creative.
And worse-
They'd spread.
Phuwin's fingers tightened slightly on the edge of the table.
His gaze dropped.
What if his father found out?
That thought hit harder than the rest.
Not just disappointment.
Not just anger.
Reputation.
Image.
Everything carefully built over years.
Phuwin swallowed.
Hard.
He could already imagine it.
The quiet disappointment.
The way his name would be said differently.
Like something had shifted.
Broken.
He exhaled slowly through his nose.
Trying to steady himself.
He was tired.
So tired.
Tired of smiling when he didn't feel like it.
Tired of agreeing when he wanted to say no.
Tired of being easy for everyone else's lives.
Tired of being "perfect."
His shoulders lowered slightly, just for a second-
Like the weight nearly slipped off.
But then-
He swallowed it back down again.
Because he couldn't let it fall apart.
Not now.
Not because of him.
Not because of Pond.
Not because of anything.
So he lifted his head again.
Expression smoothing over.
Controlled.
Familiar.
And stayed quiet.
---
Later that afternoon, Phuwin walked along the street toward the café.
The air was warm, but his thoughts were heavier than usual.
Then-
A voice stopped him.
"Phuwin."
He froze.
Slowly turned.
Pond.
Standing a few steps behind him.
Hands at his sides.
Not his usual cold or aggressive posture-
Just... Still.
Phuwin hesitated for a second, then faced him fully.
"...Pond?"
Pond stepped closer.
Not rushing.
Not forcing.
Just closing the distance a little.
"I came to say something," Pond said.
A pause.
Then-
"...I'm sorry."
Phuwin blinked slightly.
Pond continued, voice lower now.
"I shouldn't have raised my voice at you yesterday."
A beat.
"And I shouldn't have used violence."
His jaw tightened briefly, like he didn't like admitting it out loud.
"It caused you trouble," He added. "That wasn't my intention."
Silence settled between them.
Phuwin exhaled softly.
"...It's fine," He said quietly.
Pond looked at him immediately.
Phuwin continued, softer:
"You were just... Protecting me."
That made Pond pause. His ears turning bright red- like a cherry.
Then his expression shifted-
Not satisfied.
Not relieved.
Still unsettled.
"...That's not the point," Pond said.
Phuwin looked at him.
Pond stepped closer again.
This time, his voice was sharper- but not angry.
Frustrated.
Concerned.
"Why are you letting people use you?" He asked.
A beat.
"Are you not tired?"
Phuwin frowned slightly.
Pond continued, words coming more firmly now.
"All I hear you say is 'yes.'"
"'Fine.'"
"'Sure.'"
"'Okay.'"
"'Alright.'"
He shook his head slightly.
"Don't you get tired of that?"
Silence.
Phuwin stared at him.
Something in his expression flickered.
Just for a moment.
Then he let out a small breath.
"...It's not that simple," He said.
Pond didn't back off.
"Then explain it to me," He replied.
Phuwin's fingers curled slightly at his side.
"I can't just say no," He said quietly.
Pond frowned.
"Why not?"
Phuwin hesitated.
Longer this time.
Then he looked away for a second.
"...Because if I do," He admitted softly, "it becomes worse."
A pause.
"They don't stop," Phuwin continued. "They just find another way."
His voice lowered even more.
"And if it spreads... It doesn't just affect me."
He swallowed.
"It affects my father."
That name made the air shift slightly.
Phuwin's expression tightened.
"I can't risk that," He said.
Quiet.
Final.
Pond stood still.
Watching him.
Really watching him.
And for once-
He didn't have an immediate answer.
Then- he walked past him.
"...Let's go to the café," He murmured.
Phuwin blinked.
The words didn't fully register at first.
Like his mind needed a second to catch up.
He stood there for a moment.
Watching Pond's back as he continued walking.
Then-
Slowly-
Phuwin exhaled.
And followed.
A few steps behind at first.
Then matching his pace.
The street noise filled the silence between them.
Cars passing.
People talking.
Life continuing like nothing had shifted.
But something had.
Even if neither of them said it out loud.
Phuwin glanced at Pond's side profile for a second.
Then looked forward again.
And kept walking.
---
They arrived at the café.
The familiar bell above the door chimed softly as they stepped inside.
Warm light. Quiet hum of conversation. The smell of coffee and sugar in the air.
Pond walked in first.
Phuwin followed a step behind.
Without much explanation, Pond glanced at the menu board and then at Phuwin.
"Cake," He said simply.
Phuwin blinked.
Then nodded.
"...Okay."
He set his bag down behind the counter and moved automatically into work mode.
Hands washing, apron straightening, posture shifting like he belonged there more than anywhere else.
After a few minutes-
He made the cake.
Careful.
Quiet.
Familiar rhythm in every movement.
When it was done, Phuwin carried it out.
Placing it in front of Pond gently.
And then-
Just like before-
He set a single cherry on the top of the cake.
Pond looked at it immediately.
Phuwin didn't say anything.
Just gave a small, brief glance.
Then turned away.
He went back behind the counter.
Back to work.
Taking orders.
Serving customers.
Smiling when needed.
Moving like everything was normal again.
Pond stayed seated.
He didn't touch the cake right away.
His eyes stayed on the cherry.
Still.
Red.
Small.
Simple.
Like it meant something he hadn't fully understood yet.
---
A few seconds passed.
Then a few more.
Phuwin called out an order from the counter, voice steady as he handed drinks to customers.
Pond finally moved.
Slowly.
Carefully.
He picked up the cherry.
Looked at it once more.
Then-
Ate it.
Sweet.
Familiar.
His gaze drifted back toward Phuwin behind the counter.
Watching him work.
Watching him smile for strangers.
And for a moment-
Pond didn't look away.
---
Later that evening, the café had slowly emptied out.
Chairs were wiped down. Lights dimmed slightly. The outside street had turned darker, softer, quieter.
And Pond-
Hadn't left.
Not once.
He sat in the same spot for hours.
Watching.
Not eating.
Not moving much either.
Just... There.
Eyes following Phuwin every time he walked past.
Every time he took an order.
Every time he smiled.
Four hours passed like that.
Phuwin could feel it.
Even without looking directly at him every second.
That presence.
Steady.
Unmoving.
By the time closing approached, Phuwin's patience finally cracked.
He finished wiping the counter.
Exhaled sharply.
And turned toward Pond.
"Go home."
Pond blinked.
Phuwin's voice tightened slightly.
"You've been sitting here for four hours."
A pause.
"Just go home."
Pond didn't even hesitate.
"No," He said.
Simple.
Flat.
Final.
Phuwin stared at him.
"...What do you mean 'no'?"
Pond leaned back slightly in his chair.
Still calm.
Still stubborn.
"Means I'm not leaving."
Phuwin let out a frustrated breath.
"You don't have anything to do here."
Pond's eyes stayed on him.
"I do."
Phuwin frowned.
"What?"
Pond didn't answer immediately.
Just looked at him.
Like the answer was obvious.
Phuwin shook his head slightly.
"This is my workplace," He said. "You can't just sit here all night."
Pond blinked slowly.
"I can."
That-
Made Phuwin pause.
A beat of silence.
The café hum softer now.
Almost empty.
Phuwin's voice dropped.
"...Why are you doing this?"
Pond didn't look away.
"Because you're still here," He said simply.
Phuwin's expression tightened.
"That's not an answer."
Pond finally stood up.
Slowly.
Not aggressive.
Just closer now.
"Then don't make it complicated," He said.
Phuwin looked up at him.
Pond's voice lowered slightly.
"I'm staying."
Silence.
Phuwin's hands clenched lightly at his sides.
"...You're impossible," He muttered.
Pond's expression didn't change.
"Yeah," He said.
A pause.
Then-
"Still not leaving."
And for the first time that night-
Phuwin had no quick reply.
Then- he exhaled slowly.
Like he was giving up on arguing.
He stepped out from behind the counter.
And walked over to Pond's table.
Then he sat down.
Right in Pond's usual spot.
Pond blinked once.
Then walked back, sitting down across Phuwin instead.
Silence settled between them for a moment.
Phuwin looked at him directly.
"...What's wrong with you?" He asked quietly.
Pond didn't even hesitate.
"What do you mean?" He replied.
Phuwin frowned slightly.
"You've been sitting here for hours. Watching me. Waiting. Now you won't even go home."
Pond leaned back.
"...Let's have fun," He said.
Phuwin blinked.
"...What?"
Pond repeated it, like it was obvious.
"Have fun."
Phuwin stared at him.
"...What kind of fun?"
Pond tilted his head slightly, thinking for half a second.
Then-
"We hang out," He said. "University hallways. Make noise. Walk around instead of being quiet all the time."
A pause.
"Eat something random. Skip plans. Do whatever."
Phuwin's brows slowly furrowed.
Pond continued, a bit more casually now.
"Scream if you want. Run in the hallway. Go somewhere without thinking so much."
Phuwin stared at him like he couldn't tell if he was serious.
"...That sounds like chaos," He said.
Pond shrugged.
"It is."
A beat.
Phuwin shook his head slightly.
"I can't do that."
Pond's eyes sharpened a little.
"Why not?"
Phuwin hesitated.
Then answered honestly.
"...My reputation."
Pond let out a small, almost annoyed breath.
"That again."
Phuwin looked at him.
"It's not just 'that again.' It matters."
Pond leaned forward slightly.
"I don't care about your reputation," He said.
Phuwin blinked.
Pond's voice stayed steady.
"I don't care what people say about you."
A pause.
"Do you?"
Phuwin didn't answer immediately.
His gaze dropped to the table for a second.
Then back up.
"...I have to," He said quietly.
Pond frowned.
"No, you don't."
Phuwin's fingers tightened slightly together.
"If I don't," He said, "it gets worse."
Pond shook his head.
"You're just scared of what happens if you stop saying yes."
That hit a little too close.
Phuwin's expression tightened.
"I'm not scared," He said quickly.
Pond didn't react.
Just watched him.
Waiting.
Phuwin's voice lowered.
"...I just can't afford to lose control of it."
Silence.
Pond leaned back again, exhaling.
Then asked, more softly this time:
"...Do you even want to be happy?"
That question lingered.
Heavy.
Simple.
Phuwin froze slightly.
His mouth opened a little-
Then closed again.
For once, there was no immediate answer.
Only hesitation.
Longer than comfortable.
And in that pause-
It was clear he didn't know how to answer without everything else falling apart.
Pond watched him for a moment longer.
Then he leaned forward slightly again, voice softer- but more insistent.
"Phuwin," He said.
A pause.
"...The Phuwin inside you must be tired."
Phuwin's eyes flickered slightly.
But he didn't speak.
Pond continued.
"You're always doing what people want. Always thinking first about what they'll say, what they'll think, what it will do to your name."
His jaw tightened a little.
"Don't you ever get tired of that version of you?"
Silence.
Phuwin stayed still.
Hands resting lightly on the table.
Eyes lowered now.
Pond didn't stop.
"I don't know what people expect from you," He said. "But I know it's not fair."
A beat.
"And I know you don't look happy doing it."
Phuwin's fingers twitched slightly.
Pond's voice dropped even softer.
"So why can't we change that?"
Phuwin finally looked up.
But still didn't speak.
Pond met his gaze directly.
"We don't have to do anything big," He added. "Just small things. Saying no once. Leaving when you want to leave. Laughing when you actually feel like it."
A pause.
"I can help you with that," Pond said.
More quietly now.
Not demanding.
Just certain.
Phuwin's throat moved slightly as he swallowed.
But he still said nothing.
Pond exhaled slowly.
Leaning back again, but keeping his eyes on him.
"...You don't have to answer now," He said.
Silence settled between them again.
And Phuwin stayed quiet.
Not agreeing.
Not disagreeing.
Just listening-
To something he wasn't used to hearing for himself.
Then-
He exhaled slowly.
"...What fun do you want to do tomorrow?"
Pond blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Like his brain needed a moment to process that Phuwin actually asked it.
Then-
A small smile appeared on his face.
Not teasing.
Not cold.
Just... Real surprise mixed with something lighter.
"...You're serious?" Pond asked.
Phuwin looked at him.
Waiting.
Pond's smile widened slightly.
"...Okay," He said. "Tomorrow."
And for the first time that night-
The tension between them didn't feel as heavy.
---
The next morning
The university hallway was already alive with noise.
Students walking in groups, talking, laughing, rushing to class.
And right in the middle of it-
Pond.
"MOVE- WE'RE WALKING HERE."
A few students turned immediately.
Staring.
Confused.
Behind him, Phuwin stood frozen for half a second.
"...Pond," He hissed. "Lower your voice."
Pond didn't listen.
Instead, he walked backwards dramatically in the hallway.
"Why is everyone walking so slow?" He called out again.
A student almost bumped into him.
Pond didn't even move out of the way fast enough.
"Hey- watch it," He said casually.
Phuwin rushed forward.
Grabbing Pond lightly by the sleeve.
"Stop. You're going to cause trouble."
Pond looked at him.
Smirking slightly.
"Too late."
Then-
He suddenly pointed at a vending machine.
"FOOD."
Phuwin blinked.
"...That's not-"
Pond was already walking toward it.
Pressing buttons randomly.
"Let's see what we get," He said.
Phuwin sighed deeply.
"This is exactly what I meant by chaos."
Pond grabbed whatever snack dropped.
Held it up like a trophy.
"See? Fun."
Phuwin stared at him.
"...You're unbelievable."
Pond just shrugged.
"And you're too quiet."
A group of students nearby whispered.
Some laughed.
Some stared.
Some clearly recognized Pond.
Phuwin noticed.
His expression tightened slightly.
But before he could say anything-
Pond suddenly shoved the snack into his hands.
"Eat," He said.
Phuwin froze.
"...What?"
"Eat it," Pond repeated. "No thinking. Just eat."
Phuwin hesitated.
Then slowly opened it.
Took a small bite.
Pond watched him closely.
Like he was checking something.
"...Good?" Pond asked.
Phuwin paused.
Then-
"...It's okay," He said.
Pond nodded like that was a victory.
"See?" He said. "That's already better."
Phuwin didn't reply.
But this time-
He smiled.
Soft.
Real.
The hallway noise shifted. Loud.
Whispers started to slip in.
Not loud enough to fully hear- but enough to feel.
Eyes turned.
Students slowed their steps.
Some stared openly.
"...Isn't that Pond?"
"...Why is he with Phuwin?"
"...He's gonna get dragged into trouble too..."
Phuwin's fingers tightened slightly around the snack in his hand.
His gaze flicked around.
Just for a second.
Then again.
Longer this time.
His breathing became quieter.
Smaller.
Like he was trying not to take up space.
Pond noticed immediately.
His expression changed.
Not angry.
But... Sharp.
Focused.
He stepped closer.
And before Phuwin could even react-
Pond raised his hands and gently covered Phuwin's ears.
"Don't listen," Pond said.
Low voice.
Direct.
Phuwin froze completely.
Eyes widening.
Pond didn't let go.
Just leaned slightly closer so his voice would cut through everything else.
"Look at me," He said. "Not them."
Phuwin's heart stuttered.
Too close.
Too sudden.
Too loud inside his chest now, like it didn't know where to go.
The hallway voices blurred into nothing.
Everything felt far away except Pond.
Except his hands.
Except his eyes right in front of him.
Phuwin swallowed.
His lips parted slightly, but no sound came out.
Pond's voice softened just a little.
"You're here with me, okay?"
Phuwin blinked.
Once.
Slowly.
His chest felt tight.
Like something was trying to break through but didn't know how.
Pond finally lowered his hands slightly- but didn't fully pull away.
Still close enough that Phuwin couldn't ignore him.
"...Breathe," Pond said quietly.
Phuwin did.
Shaky at first.
Then a little steadier.
The whispers around them didn't stop.
But they didn't feel as close anymore.
Phuwin's gaze stayed on Pond.
And for a moment-
He forgot to be afraid of everything else.
—————————————————————————