CHAPTER 7
The group hesitated for a moment longer.
One of them clicked his tongue.
"Whatever. Let's go."
Murmurs followed.
Low curses.
Unhappy footsteps.
They backed off slowly at first-
Then turned and walked away down the street, still muttering insults under their breath.
But they didn't come back.
Silence settled immediately.
Fourth and Louis stood frozen in place for a second longer, still processing what just happened.
Then slowly-
Both of them turned to Phuwin.
"...Why did you help us?" Fourth asked quietly.
Louis nodded slightly, still shocked.
"You could've just walked away..."
Phuwin exhaled.
The tension finally leaving his shoulders now that they were gone.
He looked at them for a second.
Then shrugged slightly.
"...Because I know Pond is close to you both," He said simply.
Fourth blinked.
Phuwin continued, a little more honest now.
"And I can't just let freshmen get bullied in front of me."
A pause.
Louis looked at him carefully.
"...You know what people will say, right?" He asked.
Phuwin let out a small, tired breath.
"Yeah," He said. "They already talk anyway."
Fourth frowned slightly.
"But still- Pond's situation, your situation... This will get mixed up again."
Phuwin shrugged again, softer this time.
"...Then let it," He said.
For a moment-
Neither Fourth nor Louis don't know what to say.
Because Phuwin didn't sound confident.
He sounded tired.
But firm in a way that didn't leave room for argument.
Louis finally nodded slowly.
"...Thanks," He said quietly.
Fourth added, a bit softer too.
"Seriously... Thank you."
Phuwin gave a small nod.
Then glanced in the direction the group had left.
His expression tightened slightly again.
Not fear this time.
Just awareness.
Because he already knew-
This wasn't going to stay simple for long.
---
Later that day, Phuwin walked through the university hallway alone.
The noise around him blurred- footsteps, laughter, chatter- like it wasn't fully reaching him anymore.
He adjusted the strap of his bag, trying to keep his expression neutral.
Trying to act like nothing had happened earlier.
"Phuwin!"
A voice called out.
He slowed down.
Not fully stopping.
Just enough.
A small group approached him- his so-called "friends."
The same ones who always appeared when they needed something.
One of them immediately shoved a stack of papers toward him.
"Hey, can you do this for me? It's due tonight."
Another leaned in casually.
"Mine too. I forgot everything."
A third laughed.
"You're good at this anyway, right?"
Phuwin stared at the papers.
Silent.
His fingers twitched slightly at his side.
He hesitated.
Just for a second.
And in that second-
Pond's voice echoed in his mind.
"Why are you letting people use you?"
"Are you not tired?"
Phuwin swallowed.
His grip tightened.
But then-
He slowly reached out and took the papers anyway.
"...Okay," He said softly.
The group immediately brightened.
"Nice, thanks!"
"You're a lifesaver."
"We owe you."
Phuwin forced a small smile.
It didn't reach his eyes.
As they walked off, laughing like nothing mattered, Phuwin stood there a moment longer.
Looking down at the stack in his hands.
His shoulders dropped slightly.
Just a little.
"...I'm tired," He whispered under his breath.
Then he exhaled.
And kept walking.
---
Later at lunch, the cafeteria was loud and full of movement- trays clattering, people laughing, chairs scraping against the floor.
But Phuwin sat in a quieter corner.
Alone.
His notebook was open in front of him, pen moving steadily across the pages.
Beside it were the same stack of assignments from earlier- creased, messy, already marked with names that weren't his.
He didn't look up.
Just kept writing.
A shadow fell over the table.
"Phuwin."
He paused.
Slowly lifted his gaze.
Gemini stood there, holding his drink, eyes narrowing the moment he saw what was in front of Phuwin.
"...What is that?" Gemini asked.
Phuwin blinked once.
Then looked back down like it was nothing.
"Homework."
Gemini frowned immediately.
"No," He said. "I mean that. Why are you doing another one?"
Phuwin didn't answer right away.
His pen moved again.
Smaller now.
Slower.
"It's fine," He muttered.
Gemini scoffed and pulled out the chair across from him, sitting down like he refused to leave.
"Phuwin," He said more firmly. "This is not fine."
Phuwin exhaled softly.
Still not looking up.
"They asked me," He said simply.
"And you just said yes again?" Gemini snapped.
That made Phuwin pause.
Just for a second.
Gemini leaned forward slightly.
"Do you even hear yourself? You're literally doing everyone's work again. You just got kicked from your team for missing practice, people are already talking, and now this?"
Phuwin's grip on the pen tightened.
Gemini lowered his voice, but it was still sharp.
"You're letting them use you."
A beat.
Phuwin finally looked up.
Tired eyes.
Quiet voice.
"...I know."
Gemini stared at him.
Waiting.
But Phuwin didn't continue.
Just looked back down at the papers.
Like he didn't know how to stop even if he wanted to.
Gemini exhaled sharply.
"This is exactly what I was worried about," He muttered.
Phuwin's pen moved again.
But slower this time.
He didn't argue.
Didn't deny it.
Just kept writing- like stopping wasn't an option he had learned how to use yet.
Gemini exhaled through his nose, like he was trying to keep himself calm.
"I know you just got kicked out of the basketball team," He said, eyes narrowing slightly, "but I heard you're in Pond's team now."
Phuwin paused.
Just for a second.
Then nodded.
"...Yeah."
No explanation. No extra detail.
Just that.
Gemini stared at him for a moment longer, like he was trying to read between the lines.
Then he sighed again, softer this time.
"Just... Be careful," He muttered. "That's all I'm saying."
Phuwin gave a small, tired nod.
---
Later that day.
The café was warm and busy like always.
The sound of cups clinking, machines humming, quiet conversations filling the air.
Phuwin stood behind the counter, sleeves slightly rolled up, hair a little messy from the long day.
He moved automatically now.
Like his body was working faster than his thoughts.
"Phu! Order table three!"
"Got it," He replied quickly.
He turned, grabbed the drink, and slid it onto the tray.
Smile.
Polite.
Perfect.
But behind his eyes-
There was nothing calm.
Just exhaustion sitting quietly under his expression, like it had made a home there.
The bell above the café door rang again.
Another customer.
Another order.
Another moment to not think too much.
Phuwin lowered his gaze slightly as he wiped the counter.
And for a second-
Just a second-
His hand slowed.
Because everything suddenly felt like it was moving too fast again.
And too loud.
And too much.
But he still kept working.
---
Later that evening, the café had slowly started to empty out.
The last few customers had left, leaving behind softer silence- cups being stacked, chairs being wiped, the faint smell of coffee still lingering in the air.
Phuwin stood behind the counter, sleeves slightly pushed up, finishing the last bits of cleanup.
Sammy glanced at the clock.
"You sure you can close alone?" She asked, tilting her head.
Phuwin nodded without looking up.
"It's okay. I'll manage, Phi."
Sammy hesitated for a second, then smiled gratefully.
"Alright then... Thank you, Phu. Seriously."
Phuwin gave a small polite smile.
"No problem."
She grabbed her bag and waved lightly.
"Don't stay too late."
Then she stepped out.
The bell chimed softly as the door closed behind her.
Silence settled.
Just the café lights.
The counter.
And Phuwin.
He exhaled slowly, leaning slightly on the counter for a moment.
Tired.
But still moving.
Still working.
Then-
Ding.
The bell rang again.
Phuwin straightened slightly.
"...We're closing-" he started automatically.
But stopped.
Because he looked up.
And saw Pond standing at the entrance.
Still.
Quiet.
Hands in his pockets.
Like he wasn't sure if he should be there, but came anyway.
Phuwin blinked.
"...Pond?"
Pond glanced around the empty café, then back at him.
"Is it still open?" He asked casually.
A pause.
Phuwin stared at him for a second longer than he meant to.
Then shook his head slightly.
"...No," He said. "I was just closing.
Pond nodded once.
But didn't leave.
Instead, he stepped inside anyway.
Slowly.
Like he had already decided he was staying.
Phuwin went back to his routine without much reaction, as if Pond's presence was just another part of the café now.
He wiped down the counter again, checked the register, stacked a few remaining cups.
The quiet between them wasn't uncomfortable.
Just... Heavy in a different way.
Pond stayed where he was near the counter.
Just watching.
Watching Phuwin work like he always did.
Focused. Quiet. Careful.
Phuwin didn't look up at first.
But after a moment, he spoke without turning.
"...Do you want to order something?"
Pond blinked slightly.
Then shook his head.
"No," He said. "It's late. I don't want to bother you."
Phuwin paused.
His hands slowed for a second.
Then he gave a small nod.
"...Okay."
Silence again.
---
A few seconds passed.
Then Phuwin hesitated.
Just barely.
Like he was debating something small.
He reached into the counter area, picked up a cherry from the garnish tray, and walked over.
He stopped in front of Pond.
And held it out.
"You can eat this," Phuwin said quietly.
Pond blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Like he wasn't sure if it was serious.
Then slowly-
Carefully-
He took it from Phuwin's hand.
Their fingers brushed for a brief moment.
Pond didn't say anything.
He just looked down at the cherry in his palm.
Like it meant more than it should.
Phuwin already turned away after that.
Back to work.
Like it was nothing important.
Like it didn't matter.
But Pond stayed still.
Still holding the cherry.
Still staring at it.
Not eating it.
Not moving.
Just watching it in silence while Phuwin's soft movements filled the café again.
Then-
Pond finally broke the silence, still staring at the cherry in his hand.
"...Why do you keep giving me this?"
Phuwin froze.
His hand, which had just been wiping the counter, stopped mid-motion.
For a moment, the only sound in the café was the faint hum of the fridge and the soft ticking of the wall clock.
Pond looked up at him now, more direct.
"Every time," He said quietly. "You just... Give me this. Why?"
Phuwin didn't answer immediately.
His gaze lowered slightly, like he was searching for words he wasn't used to saying out loud.
Then he exhaled.
Softly.
"...When you first came here," He began, voice quieter than usual, "you looked like you were having a bad day."
He paused.
"I don't know why," Phuwin continued, "but I just... Did it without thinking."
A small shrug.
"Since then, it kind of became a habit."
Pond blinked.
Still holding the cherry.
Phuwin glanced at him briefly, then added more honestly, "I don't really know what's always bothering you... Or why you keep getting into fights, or trouble."
Another pause.
"But I know you're kind."
That sentence landed quietly between them.
Pond went still.
Completely still.
Then his ears turned visibly red.
Slowly.
Like he couldn't stop it.
His grip on the cherry tightened just slightly as his mind tried- and failed- to process what Phuwin had just said.
Phuwin, unaware of the effect, had already turned back toward the counter, resuming his work like it was nothing important.
Like he hadn't just said something that changed the air in the room.
Pond stood there in silence.
Cherry in hand.
Face warm.
Heart beating too loud in his chest.
And for once-
He didn't know what to say at all.
Out of all the people around Pond, no one had ever said that to him.
Not once.
Girls always looked at him like he was something polished- something pretty to admire from a distance, something to talk about when he walked past.
People in his university either avoided him completely...
Or judged him before he even opened his mouth.
To them, he was always one of three things.
His looks.
His fights.
Or his reputation.
Nothing in between.
Nothing real.
Even when someone got close, it was never him they were seeing.
Just the version of him they expected.
The "troublemaker."
The "fighter."
The "Pond who always causes problems."
But Phuwin-
Phuwin didn't look at him like that.
Phuwin didn't flinch at his reputation.
Didn't stare at him like a rumor.
Didn't treat him like a story people told in hallways.
He just... Saw him.
Not the guy girls talked about.
Not the guy people warned each other about.
Not the guy who showed up with bruises after fights he never explained.
Just Pond.
And that was what made it worse.
Or better.
Pond wasn't sure yet.
Because Phuwin saying "you're kind" wasn't loud.
It wasn't dramatic.
It wasn't even something he seemed to think was a big deal.
But it stuck.
Deep.
Quietly.
Unfairly.
Pond stood there still, the cherry resting in his hand, forgotten for a second.
His ears were still warm.
His chest felt too tight.
And for once-
He couldn't hide it behind a smirk, or a fight, or silence that pushed people away.
Because Phuwin hadn't said it like a joke.
Or a challenge.
Or a rumor.
He said it like it was obvious.
Like Pond had always been that way.
And only Phuwin had bothered to notice.
---
The next day-
Phuwin sat at the cafeteria with Gemini and Book.
Trays of food in front of them, the usual noise of students filling the space.
Book was busy eating, as usual- fast, careless, already halfway through his meal.
Gemini leaned back in his chair, sipping his drink before glancing at the two of them.
"...You guys heard?" He asked.
Phuwin looked up slightly.
"Heard what?"
Gemini raised a brow.
"Sports Day," He said. "It's coming up."
Book paused mid-bite.
"Already?" He mumbled, mouth half full.
Gemini nodded.
"Yeah. Announcements just dropped this morning," he added. "Inter-department games, performances, all that stuff."
Phuwin blinked.
"...That soon?"
Gemini shrugged.
"Guess they want to make it a big deal this year," He said. "Especially after all the tension between universities lately."
Book swallowed quickly.
"Wait- does that mean basketball too?"
Gemini nodded again.
"Of course," He said. "That's like the main event."
Phuwin went quiet.
Gemini noticed immediately.
"...You're playing this time," He added, looking at him. "With Pond's team."
Phuwin's fingers tightened slightly around his fork.
"...Yeah," He said softly.
Book's eyes lit up a little.
"Oh- then I'm watching," He said. "I wanna see this."
Gemini smirked faintly.
"Same," He muttered. "This is gonna be interesting."
Phuwin didn't respond.
He just looked down at his food again.
Because suddenly-
Sports Day didn't feel exciting.
It felt like something else entirely.
---
Later that day-
The fountain at the center of the campus shimmered under the afternoon light.
Water rippled softly, catching the sun.
Phuwin sat at the edge, elbows resting on his knees.
Quiet.
Distant.
He wasn't really looking at anything.
Just... Thinking.
Too much.
"Hey."
Phuwin blinked.
Before he could even react-
A hand grabbed his wrist.
Pond.
"Come on," Pond muttered.
Phuwin frowned slightly, caught off guard.
"...What are you doing?"
Pond didn't answer.
He just pulled him up gently- not rough, not forceful- just enough to get him moving.
"Walk," Pond said.
Phuwin sighed softly but followed anyway.
"...Where?"
Pond shrugged.
"No idea."
They walked past the fountain, through a quieter part of campus where fewer people passed by.
The noise faded.
The air felt lighter.
---
After a few steps, Pond slowed down.
Then suddenly-
He stopped.
Phuwin almost bumped into him.
"...What now?"
Pond didn't look at him immediately.
Instead, he glanced at the ground for a second-
Then nudged a small stone lightly with his foot.
It rolled forward.
Pond kicked it again.
A little farther this time.
Phuwin blinked.
Watching.
Then Pond kicked it toward him.
"...Your turn," He said.
Phuwin stared at the small stone.
Then at Pond.
"...Seriously?"
Pond just shrugged.
Phuwin exhaled softly.
But still-
He tapped it lightly with his shoe.
The stone rolled back toward Pond.
And just like that-
They kept going.
No rules.
No goal.
Just kicking the small stone back and forth as they walked.
Pond didn't talk much.
Didn't force anything.
Just stayed beside him.
Matching his pace.
Every now and then, he'd kick the stone a little too far on purpose-
Then glance at Phuwin like he was waiting.
Phuwin found himself walking faster to catch it.
"...You did that on purpose," He muttered.
Pond smirked faintly.
"Maybe."
Phuwin huffed.
But there was no real annoyance in it.
---
Later that afternoon-
Phuwin walked along the street, heading toward the café again.
The sun was starting to lower, casting long shadows across the pavement.
He adjusted his bag slightly, mind still lingering on earlier.
The fountain.
The quiet.
That small, unexpected moment of peace.
"Phuwin."
He stopped.
Slowly turned.
Derek stood a few steps away.
Hands in his pockets.
Expression smug.
Phuwin blinked once.
"...Derek."
Derek let out a small laugh.
"Didn't think I'd see you around here," He said casually, though his tone carried something else.
Something sharper.
Phuwin didn't respond.
Just waited.
Derek stepped closer.
Tilting his head slightly.
"I heard you joined another team," He added. "That fast, huh?"
Phuwin's grip on his bag tightened slightly.
"...Yeah."
Derek hummed.
Eyes scanning him up and down.
"Funny," He said. "You disappear from practices, get kicked out... And suddenly you're back on court again."
Phuwin stayed quiet.
Face unreadable.
Inside his head, though-
His thoughts were far from calm.
Just because I got replaced by you...
Now you're acting like you're something special?
Derek continued.
"You know," He added, "coach said I've been doing great."
Phuwin's jaw tightened just slightly.
"I guess some people just... Fit better," Derek said with a faint smile.
Oh, here we go, Phuwin thought.
The chosen one speech.
He stared at Derek.
Still calm on the outside.
You got one chance and suddenly you think you're the main character.
Derek crossed his arms now.
"Honestly, I don't even know how you were on the team before," He went on. "You don't even show up properly."
Phuwin's fingers curled slightly.
Right, He thought.
Because you totally know everything.
Derek leaned in just a little.
Voice lower now.
"You should just stick to whatever you're doing now," He said. "Leave the real games to people who actually show up."
Silence.
Phuwin looked at him.
Really looked at him this time.
And for a second-
He almost laughed.
All this... Just because I got replaced by you?
That's it?
Phuwin exhaled softly.
"...Are you done?" He asked.
Derek blinked.
Caught off guard.
Phuwin adjusted his bag again.
Expression calm.
Voice steady.
"If you are," He added, "then I have somewhere to be."
Derek frowned slightly.
"...That's it?"
Phuwin tilted his head just a little.
"...What were you expecting?" He asked quietly.
A pause.
Derek didn't answer immediately.
Phuwin gave a small, polite smile.
The same one everyone knew.
But this time-
It felt different.
"Congratulations, by the way," He added. "For being the 'chosen one.'"
The way he said it-
Light.
But not sincere.
Then-
He walked past him.
Leaving Derek standing there.
And for once-
Phuwin didn't look back.
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