CHAPTER 6
---
The next day came quietly.
Too quietly.
Like nothing had changed- but somehow everything had.
Phuwin walked into the hallway first this time.
A little slower.
A little unsure.
And then-
A loud voice echoed behind him.
"MOVE, you're blocking the path of destiny!"
Phuwin closed his eyes for a second.
"...Please don't start," He muttered.
Pond appeared beside him instantly, walking like he owned the entire hallway.
He was carrying a drink in one hand and something like a random snack in the other.
He tilted his head at a group of students passing by.
"Why are you all walking like NPCs?" He said.
A few students stopped.
Confused.
Offended.
One of them whispered, "Is he serious?"
Phuwin immediately grabbed Pond's sleeve.
"Pond."
Pond looked at him.
"Oh? You're here."
Phuwin stared.
"...We walked here together."
Pond nodded like it was new information.
"Right. Good memory."
Then, without warning-
Pond suddenly pointed at the stairs.
"Race."
Phuwin blinked.
"...What?"
Pond already stepped back.
"I said race. First one to the top wins nothing but emotional satisfaction."
Phuwin exhaled sharply.
"You are going to make people think you're insane."
Pond shrugged.
"They already think that."
Then he took off.
"HEY-" Phuwin rushed after him immediately.
"POND, STOP-!"
Students turned as the two of them suddenly ran up the stairs.
Pond didn't even try to be subtle.
He was laughing.
Not loud like before.
But real.
Phuwin caught up halfway, breath slightly uneven.
"You're going to get us in trouble!"
Pond glanced at him mid-run.
"Then get in trouble with me."
Phuwin froze for half a second.
Then-
He ran faster.
At the top of the stairs, Pond stopped first, arms slightly raised like he won something important.
"I WIN," He announced.
Phuwin stared at him.
Then-
Despite himself-
He let out a small breath of laughter.
Pond noticed immediately.
And for a second, he just looked at him.
Like he was quietly confirming something.
Then he smirked.
"See?" He said. "Being fun is better."
Phuwin looked away quickly, pretending to fix his bag.
"...You're still annoying," He muttered.
Pond leaned slightly closer.
"Yeah," He said. "But you're here anyway."
And this time-
Phuwin didn't step away.
Suddenly-
"Phi Phu-!"
Phuwin turned instinctively.
Book stood there.
A few steps away.
Then he froze.
His eyes landed on Pond.
And stayed there.
Slowly-
Book's gaze moved.
Head to toe.
Once.
Twice.
Again.
Measuring.
Judging.
Trying to piece something together.
"...Why are you with this guy?" Book asked.
Silence.
Phuwin blinked.
Caught off guard.
"Book-"
But before he could explain-
Pond's expression shifted.
The lightness from before disappeared.
Gone.
His posture straightened slightly.
His gaze turned cold.
Quiet.
Not loud.
Not aggressive.
Just... Closed off.
He didn't say anything.
But the air around him changed.
Book noticed.
His brows furrowed slightly.
Still staring.
Still unsure.
Phuwin stepped in slightly.
"Book, this is-"
"Pond," Book cut in flatly.
Phuwin paused.
Book crossed his arms a little.
Eyes still on Pond.
"I know who he is, and you do know that." He added.
Pond didn't react.
Didn't argue.
Didn't defend himself.
He just looked back at Book-
Equally silent.
Tension.
Sharp.
Immediate.
Phuwin exhaled softly.
Trying to ease it.
"...He's my friend," Phuwin said.
Book's eyes flicked to him.
"...Friend?" He repeated.
Then back to Pond.
Another long look.
And somehow-
The silence between the three of them felt heavier than before.
Phuwin swallowed.
Trying to ease the tension before it got worse.
"Uh... Pond," He said, a little unsure, "this is my younger brother. Book."
Then he reached over-
Grabbing Book lightly by the arm.
A silent warning.
"Be polite," Phuwin muttered under his breath.
Book didn't look convinced.
But he straightened anyway.
Barely.
"...Nice to meet you," Book said.
Flat.
Then added-
With a thin, sarcastic smile:
"You're pretty famous. You know... For always fighting."
Silence.
Pond blinked.
Once.
Offended.
His jaw tightened slightly.
Eyes narrowing just a bit.
"...That's what you think?" Pond said quietly.
Book shrugged.
"Isn't that what everyone says?"
Phuwin immediately stepped in.
"Book-"
But Book didn't stop.
"Videos, posts, people talking..." He continued. "Kind of hard to miss."
Pond exhaled through his nose.
Not loud.
But controlled.
"People talk a lot," He said.
Book tilted his head.
"Yeah. Usually for a reason."
The tension snapped tight again.
Phuwin's grip on Book's arm tightened slightly.
"That's enough," He said quietly.
Book glanced at him.
Then sighed.
"...Fine."
But his eyes went back to Pond.
Still cautious.
Still judging.
Pond didn't look away.
And for a moment-
It felt like neither of them was willing to back down.
Book suddenly exhaled.
Then-
Like a switch flipped-
He smiled brightly.
Too brightly.
"Anyway," He said quickly, "I'm going out with a friend."
Pond blinked.
Brows lifting slightly.
"With who?" He asked. "My bro-"
"ANYWAY!" Book cut in immediately.
Too fast.
Too loud.
Silence.
Phuwin flinched slightly at the sudden interruption.
Book let out an awkward laugh, scratching the back of his neck.
"...I'm gonna go now," He said quickly.
Without waiting-
He turned.
And walked off.
A little too fast.
Phuwin stared after him.
Confused.
"...What was that?" He muttered.
Pond's eyes narrowed slightly.
Watching Book's retreating figure.
Like he caught something-
But didn't say it yet.
"...Nothing," Pond said after a second.
But his tone didn't match the word.
And Phuwin-
Felt like he just missed something important.
---
The next day-
Phuwin and Gemini sat on a bench just outside the campus.
Colorful drinks in their hands.
Ice clinking softly as they moved the cups.
The afternoon was calm.
Too calm compared to everything else.
Gemini took a sip, then glanced at Phuwin from the side.
"...You and Pond are getting closer," He said.
Phuwin blinked.
"...What?"
Gemini shrugged slightly.
"People notice," He added. "You're always seen together now."
Phuwin looked down at his drink.
Gemini continued, more serious this time.
"And it's not just that."
A pause.
"You've been causing a lot of attention because of him."
Phuwin frowned slightly.
Gemini leaned back against the bench.
"People are talking again," He said. "Not just rumors this time. They're watching you."
Phuwin's grip tightened around his cup.
Gemini looked at him.
"...You okay with that?"
Phuwin didn't answer immediately.
His eyes stayed on the drink in his hand.
"...I don't know," He admitted quietly.
Gemini sighed.
"Phu... You know how this works," He said. "The more people see you with him, the more they'll connect you to everything he does."
Phuwin swallowed.
"And you know what that means," Gemini added.
Reputation.
Image.
Expectations.
All of it-
On the line.
Phuwin leaned back slightly.
Exhaling.
"...I know," He said.
But this time-
It didn't sound as certain.
Gemini sighed softly.
Then shook his head a little.
"...I'm not saying you should stop being friends with him," He added.
Phuwin looked up.
Gemini met his gaze.
Serious now.
"I mean it," He continued. "If he's good to you... Then that's your choice."
A pause.
"But I'm worried," Gemini admitted.
Phuwin's brows knit slightly.
Gemini looked away for a second, then back at him.
"...If the rumors keep getting bigger," He said quietly, "you might not be able to handle it."
Phuwin froze.
Gemini's voice softened.
"I know you, Phu."
A beat.
"You keep everything in," He added. "You smile, you say it's fine... Even when it's not."
Phuwin's grip on his drink tightened slightly.
Gemini leaned forward a little.
"...And I'm scared that one day," He said, "it's all just gonna pile up..."
He hesitated.
Then finished it anyway.
"...And you'll break."
Silence.
The noise around them faded again.
Phuwin didn't respond.
But this time-
His smile didn't come back right away.
---
Later that afternoon-
The sound of sneakers squeaking against the court echoed through the gym.
Basketballs bounced.
Voices called out.
Energy filled the space.
Phuwin stood near the three-point line, adjusting his grip on the ball.
Still getting used to this.
To them.
"Phuwin- pass!"
He snapped out of it.
Quickly throwing the ball toward Pond.
Pond caught it smoothly.
No hesitation.
No effort.
"Focus," Pond called out, not harsh- but firm.
Phuwin nodded slightly.
The coach blew the whistle.
"Run it again!"
They reset.
Positions shifting.
Shoes sliding against the polished floor.
Pond dribbled forward this time, fast.
Sharp.
Like everything else in his life- direct.
Two defenders closed in.
Without warning-
He passed.
Phuwin caught it.
Eyes widening slightly.
"Shoot!" Someone shouted.
For a second-
Phuwin hesitated.
Then-
He jumped.
The ball left his hands.
Spinning.
Cutting through the air-
Swish.
The net moved cleanly.
Silence for half a second.
Then-
"Nice shot!" One of the teammates called out.
Phuwin blinked.
A little surprised himself.
Pond jogged past him.
Glancing at him briefly.
"...Not bad," He muttered.
Phuwin huffed lightly.
"...That sounded like a compliment."
Pond shrugged.
"Don't get used to it."
But his tone wasn't cold.
Practice continued.
Faster now.
More intense.
Sweat dripped.
Breathing got heavier.
At one point, Phuwin stumbled slightly while defending.
Pond immediately stepped in.
Blocking the other player with ease.
"Watch your footing," He said under his breath.
Phuwin steadied himself.
"...Thanks."
Pond didn't respond.
But he didn't move far either.
Like he was keeping an eye on him.
From the sidelines, a few students watched.
Whispering again.
"...That's Phuwin, right?"
"...He's really playing with them now..."
"...He's gotten closer to Pond..."
Phuwin heard it.
Just barely.
His chest tightened for a second-
Then-
"Phuwin!"
He looked up.
Pond tossed him the ball again.
"Play," Pond said.
Simple.
Grounding.
Phuwin caught it.
And this time-
He didn't hesitate.
---
Later that night-
Phuwin stepped inside the house quietly.
The lights were already on.
And there-
In the living room-
Sat his father.
Still.
Waiting.
Phuwin froze for a second.
Then continued walking in.
Closing the door behind him.
"...You're late," His father said.
Phuwin didn't answer that.
He already knew-
This wasn't about the time.
His father stood up slowly.
Eyes sharp.
Expression tight.
"What is this I'm hearing?" He asked.
Phuwin's fingers curled slightly at his sides.
"...What do you mean?"
His father's voice hardened.
"Don't act like you don't know."
A step closer.
"Rumors," He continued. "About you being involved with someone who's known for fighting. Causing trouble. Getting arrested."
Phuwin's jaw tightened.
"Pond," His father said flatly.
Silence.
"You're being seen with him everywhere," His father went on. "People are talking. Do you understand what that does to our name?"
Phuwin swallowed.
But didn't look away.
His father's tone sharpened further.
"I did not raise you to associate with people like that."
Something in Phuwin snapped.
"I wasn't raised by you." He said.
The room went still.
His father's expression darkened.
"...Watch your tone."
Phuwin laughed softly.
But there was no humor in it.
"No, you watch yours," He said.
His father took another step forward.
"You think this is a joke? Do you know how much damage this could cause? To me? To our family?"
Phuwin's eyes hardened.
"It's always about you," He said.
Silence.
Sharp.
His father's voice dropped.
Dangerously calm.
"Everything I do is for this family."
Phuwin shook his head.
"No," He said. "You work for your image. Then throw money at us and call it responsibility."
"Phuwin-"
"You weren't there," Phuwin cut in.
Voice shaking now- but not stopping.
"When Book was a baby- you weren't there."
"When we needed someone- you weren't there."
A breath.
Shaky.
"And now suddenly you care?" He asked. "Because people are talking?"
His father's fists clenched.
"That is enough."
But Phuwin didn't stop.
"You don't get to come back and decide who I can and can't be friends with," He said.
His voice dropped.
Quieter.
But heavier.
"You don't even know me."
Silence filled the room again.
His father stared at him.
Eyes filled with anger-
But something else too.
Something unspoken.
Phuwin exhaled sharply.
"I'm tired," He said.
And for once-
He didn't try to fix it.
He turned-
And walked away.
---
Phuwin walked upstairs quietly.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
He passed by his room-
But stopped.
At Book's door.
He hesitated for a second.
Then gently pushed it open.
The room was dim.
Soft.
Book was already asleep.
Sprawled on the bed.
Drooling slightly like a kid who didn't have a care in the world.
Phuwin let out a small breath.
A faint smile forming on his lips.
"...Still the same," He murmured.
He stepped inside carefully.
Closing the door just enough to keep the light low.
Walking over, he sat at the edge of the bed.
Book shifted a little in his sleep.
But didn't wake.
Phuwin reached out.
Gently pulling the blanket up to his chest.
Then his fingers moved-
Brushing Book's hair softly away from his forehead.
The smile stayed.
But it wasn't light anymore.
It hurt.
Because this-
This was the only place he didn't have to pretend.
His smile trembled slightly.
Then slowly-
It faded.
Gone.
His hand stilled.
Resting for a second longer before pulling away.
It was exhausting.
Smiling like everything was okay.
When it wasn't.
Then-
His eyes caught something.
A red rose.
Sitting in a small vase by the bedside.
Phuwin frowned.
Slowly, he stood up.
Walking over to it.
He picked it up carefully.
Inspecting it.
Fresh.
Deliberate.
Not something randomly bought.
His brows furrowed deeper.
Then he glanced back at Book.
Still asleep.
Peaceful.
"...Who gave you this?" Phuwin murmured under his breath.
Because Book-
Never liked flowers.
Which meant-
He didn't buy this.
Phuwin looked back at the rose.
Turning it slightly between his fingers.
Something about it felt...
Intentional.
And suddenly-
That uneasy feeling from before came back.
Quieter.
But sharper.
Like there was something he didn't know yet.
---
The next morning-
Phuwin walked along the street toward the university.
The sunlight felt a little too bright.
The air a little too loud.
He rubbed the back of his head, eyes half-lidded.
Still tired.
Still heavy.
He barely slept.
His steps were slower than usual.
Less careful.
Less... Perfect.
"...Damn it," He muttered under his breath.
His jaw tightened slightly.
"...Why now..." He added quietly.
His mind replayed everything from last night.
His father's voice.
The way he looked at him-
Like he was something to fix.
Phuwin scoffed softly.
"Shows up once and suddenly acts like he knows everything..." He muttered.
He kicked a small pebble on the road absentmindedly.
"...Wasn't there for years," He continued under his breath, "but now he cares about who I talk to?"
A bitter laugh slipped out.
"Unbelievable."
He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply.
"...I'm not a kid anymore," He whispered.
But the weight in his chest didn't ease.
If anything-
It sat heavier.
Phuwin lowered his hand slowly.
Eyes fixed ahead.
And kept walking.
Then-
A sharp sound cut through the morning air.
Shouting.
Rough voices.
"Please- let us go!"
Phuwin froze.
His head turned slowly toward the corner of the street.
A small group had gathered near the side walkway.
Blocking it.
Two figures stood in the middle.
Fourth.
Louis.
Both looked tense.
Cornered.
And in front of them-
Students from another university.
Stronger voices.
Harder expressions.
The same group people whispered about.
The ones linked to Pond's old viral fight.
One of them grabbed Fourth's collar slightly.
Not enough to throw him-
But enough to show control.
"Still talking back?" One of them mocked.
Louis stepped forward.
"Leave us alone," He said, voice shaking but trying to stay firm.
A laugh.
Cold.
Phuwin's breath caught in his throat.
His fingers curled slightly at his sides.
He recognized them.
He knew what people said about them.
What they did.
And for a second-
He couldn't move.
Fourth looked up-
Eyes flicking around desperately.
"Someone- please-" he started.
Phuwin flinched at the sound.
His body felt stuck.
Like his feet had rooted into the ground.
His mind screamed to leave.
To walk away.
To not get involved.
But his chest tightened harder instead.
Because all he could think was-
Pond would never walk away from this.
Phuwin swallowed hard.
His breathing uneven now.
The shouting continued ahead.
Getting louder.
Closer.
And Phuwin stood there-
frozen between fear...
And something he didn't know how to name.
Then-
He didn't realize he moved.
His feet just... Stepped forward.
Then again.
Until he was right there.
Between them.
The air changed instantly.
The group from the other university turned their heads slowly.
One by one.
Like they didn't expect anyone to interrupt.
"Who's this?" One of them muttered.
Phuwin exhaled.
Slow.
Controlled.
But his eyes were sharp.
"Oh wow," He said flatly. "You guys are really doing this in broad daylight?"
A pause.
Then he tilted his head slightly, looking them over.
"Are you all crazy," He added, voice dripping with sarcasm, "or just completely missing brain cells?"
Silence.
Fourth's eyes widened.
Louis froze.
Neither of them spoke.
They just stared at Phuwin like they couldn't believe what they were seeing.
One of them scoffed.
"...And you are?"
Phuwin laughed once.
Short.
Unimpressed.
"Wrong question," He said.
He stepped forward slightly.
Not backing down.
"What I want to know is- did your leader again order you all to do this?"
That made a few of them shift uncomfortably.
Phuwin's gaze flicked to Fourth and Louis for a split second.
They still looked shocked.
Completely silent.
Then back to the group.
"Because seriously," He continued, voice rising slightly, "bullying students from another university- who are literally freshmen- this is what you do now?"
He clicked his tongue.
"That's insane."
A beat.
"Like actually insane."
One of them stepped forward.
"Watch your mouth."
Phuwin didn't even flinch.
"Oh?" He said. "Or what?"
Silence.
Then he scoffed again.
"You're all standing here acting tough over what? Because you've got nothing better to do than pick on people who can't fight back?"
His eyes narrowed.
"Pathetic."
A tense shift.
One of them moved slightly like he wanted to step forward-
But hesitated.
Phuwin noticed.
And let out another cold laugh.
"What, now you're quiet?" He muttered. "You were just loud a second ago."
He shook his head slightly.
"Seriously... What a bunch of-"
He paused, then cursed under his breath anyway.
"-Useless idiots."
Fourth finally whispered.
"...Phu-"
But Phuwin didn't turn.
Not yet.
His eyes stayed locked on them.
Unmoving.
"You done?" He asked calmly.
No one answered immediately.
And in that silence-
It was suddenly very clear:
They weren't sure what to do with him standing there.
—————————————————————————