CHAPTER 12
---
Phuwin blinked.
What did I even do to him...?
His grip on his pen loosened slightly.
I gave him cherries...
I was just... Being nice to him...
His brows furrowed.
I didn't do anything special.
His thoughts grew more tangled.
So why me?
Why does he look at me like that?
Why did he say... "Why are you making me feel like this, Phuwin"...?
Phuwin swallowed.
What does that even mean?
What am I making him feel?
His chest felt a little tight.
Unfamiliar.
Did I do something wrong...?
Or...
He paused.
...Am I the reason he's like this now?
Phuwin blinked again, staring down at his notes-
But not seeing a single word.
---
Pond stood in front of his basketball coach.
The office felt smaller than usual.
Too quiet.
His coach had his arms crossed, expression serious- disappointed, but controlled.
"...You already know why you're here," He said.
Pond didn't respond.
Just stood there.
The coach exhaled.
"...What you did crossed the line, Pond."
A pause.
"...Breaking someone's nose, sending them to the hospital, causing a scene like that- this isn't just a simple fight anymore."
Silence.
"...The university has made a decision," The coach continued, voice firm. "After the finals- no matter the result- you'll be suspended."
Pond didn't react.
"...You're only allowed to play the remaining games because the team needs you," The coach added. "But after that- you're out."
A long pause filled the room.
Pond finally gave a small nod.
"...Okay."
That was it.
No argument.
No explanation.
The coach watched him carefully, brows slightly furrowed.
"...That's all you're going to say?"
Pond stayed still.
Eyes lowered.
"...Yes."
---
Pond stepped out of the office.
The door hadn't even fully closed behind him when he saw-
Book.
Leaning against the wall beside it, arms crossed, glasses slightly slipping down his nose.
Pond's expression hardened instantly.
Book let out a mock sigh.
"Hah... Mr. Psychopath," He muttered, shaking his head. "Getting suspended because he has no brain cells left and went insane beating someone up."
His glasses shifted as he moved.
Pond's jaw tightened.
"...You never shut up, do you?"
Book straightened, placing a hand dramatically over his chest.
"Excuse you? I'm just here to tell you that your brother is going to have a heart attack someday because of all your brilliant decisions."
Pond's eyes darkened slightly.
"...Mind your own business."
Book scoffed.
"Oh, I would- if it didn't involve someone I care about."
He stepped closer now, tone sharper.
"Do you even realize what you're doing to him?"
Pond didn't answer.
Book continued, voice rising just a little.
"Force is trying to clean up your mess every single time! Every fight, every issue- you think it just disappears?"
He pointed at Pond.
"He's the one dealing with it. The stress, the consequences, the pressure."
Pond's fists clenched.
Book shook his head, frustration clear.
"I'm his boyfriend, Pond. I see it."
His voice lowered, more serious now.
"I see how tired he is. How stressed he gets every time your name gets dragged into something."
A pause.
"And now this?" Book added, gesturing toward the office. "Suspension? Hospital bills? Public mess?"
He scoffed again.
"You're not the only one getting hurt here."
Pond stayed silent.
But his expression didn't soften.
Book looked at him for a long second.
Then exhaled sharply.
"...Get your act together."
The hallway fell quiet again.
But the weight of his words stayed.
Book scoffed, shaking his head.
"I don't even know why my brother decided to be friends with you."
He let out a short, humorless laugh.
"At this point, Phi Phuwin must've lost a few brain cells or something- because I seriously don't get how he can stand someone as insanely psycho as you."
Silence.
Pond's eyes darkened instantly.
Cold.
Sharp.
"Don't," Pond said, voice low.
Dangerously calm.
Book raised a brow.
"...Don't what?"
Pond took a step forward.
"Don't bring up Phuwin in this."
The air between them tightened.
For once-
Book paused.
Then-
He blinked.
Then- let out a short laugh, crossing his arms.
"Oh wow, scary," He said sarcastically. "What are you gonna do? Punch me too? Break my nose and send me to the hospital? Should I start preparing my medical bills now?"
He tilted his head, smirking.
"Or wait- are you gonna glare at me until I magically disappear? Because, honestly, that might actually work better for you."
Pond's expression didn't change.
If anything-
It got colder.
"...If you keep talking," Pond said calmly, "I'll tell Phuwin you're dating my brother."
Silence.
Book froze.
"...You wouldn't."
Pond didn't even blink.
"...Try me."
A beat.
Then suddenly-
Book dropped to his knees.
He grabbed Pond's arm with both hands, looking up at him with the brightest, fakest smile imaginable.
"Pond~" he said sweetly, voice completely switching. "Let's not do anything rash, okay? We're all friends here."
Pond looked down at him, unimpressed.
Book tightened his grip, practically clinging now.
"Please don't tell him," He whispered urgently, still smiling like nothing was wrong. "I will literally shut up. I will become the quietest person alive. I will disappear if needed."
A pause.
"I'll even compliment you," Book added quickly. "You're... Very... Uh... Violent in a cool way."
Pond raised a brow.
Book's smile twitched.
"...Please."
Pond exhaled sharply and yanked his arm away.
"Whatever."
He walked past him without another glance.
The moment Pond's back was turned-
Book's bright smile dropped instantly.
He stood up from the floor, dusting off his pants.
Then-
He scrunched his face behind Pond's back, mimicking his cold expression in an exaggerated way.
"'Whatever,'" Book whispered mockingly, lowering his voice to imitate him. "So scary, wow."
He rolled his eyes dramatically.
"Psycho," He muttered under his breath.
"Hot-headed idiot."
He made another face- puffing his cheeks, narrowing his eyes like a villain- before sticking his tongue out slightly.
"Go punch a wall or something," He whispered again.
Then he huffed, turning the other way.
Still quietly cursing as he walked off.
---
The next evening, Phuwin stepped inside the house, tired from work-
-And stopped.
His father.
His mother.
Both sitting in the living room like nothing was wrong.
Phuwin's eyes turned cold instantly.
"...You're back," He said flatly.
They looked up.
Phuwin let out a short, humorless breath.
"Why don't you just stop coming back?" He added. "You're barely even here anyway."
His father's expression darkened immediately.
"Watch your mouth," He snapped.
Phuwin didn't flinch.
Then his father stood up, anger rising fast.
"And what the hell is this I'm hearing about?" He barked. "That video- Pond beating someone half to death- do you think I didn't see it?!"
Phuwin's jaw tightened slightly.
His father scoffed, pacing a step forward.
"People are talking, Phuwin. They're saying you're associated with some psycho who nearly killed someone!"
His voice grew harsher.
"Do you even understand how that reflects on you?! On this family?!"
Phuwin stayed silent.
But his eyes didn't soften.
Silence.
Something in Phuwin snapped.
"Don't," Phuwin said suddenly, voice sharp.
His father paused.
Phuwin looked straight at him now, eyes burning.
"Don't talk about him like that."
The room went still.
Phuwin's mother quickly stepped in, grabbing his father's arm.
"Please, stop-" she said softly, worry clear on her face.
But his father shook her off.
"No, I won't stop," He snapped, glaring at Phuwin. "Look at you- talking back now? Because of that guy?"
Phuwin didn't move.
Didn't blink.
His father stepped closer, voice harsher.
Phuwin's gaze stayed cold.
Unshaken.
"That bastard is dragging you down with him," His father continued, anger rising. "A violent, good-for-nothing troublemaker- and you think he's worth protecting?"
Silence.
Phuwin just stared at him.
Eyes distant.
Cold.
Like none of the words were reaching him anymore.
His father's voice rose even louder, echoing through the living room.
His chest heaved with anger.
"He goes around beating people like some rabid animal and you're defending him?!"
He pointed at Phuwin, furious.
"Are you out of your damn mind?! That psycho is going to ruin you! Drag you down with him until you're just like him!"
Phuwin didn't move.
Didn't speak.
But his eyes-
Remained cold.
Then- he turned away coldly, not wanting to hear another word.
But before he could walk off-
His father grabbed his wrist roughly.
Phuwin flinched.
"...Let go," He said sharply, trying to pull back. "It hurts."
But the grip only tightened.
"Don't you dare walk away from me when I'm talking to you!" His father snapped.
Phuwin's jaw clenched, struggling against his hold.
"I said let go-"
"STOP IT!" His mother suddenly screamed.
Her voice broke as she rushed forward, grabbing his father's arm.
"You're hurting him!" She cried. "He's your son- please, stop!"
The room filled with tension.
Her sobs.
His father's heavy breathing.
Phuwin trying to pull his wrist free-
Everything felt like it was about to break.
Phuwin's mother quickly pried his father's hand off Phuwin's wrist, her movements rough in her panic.
"Stop it!" She shouted, pulling Phuwin slightly behind her. "Get a grip on yourself! You're losing your mind over something that already happened- you can't fix it!"
His father's eyes widened in anger.
"I can fix it!" He yelled back immediately.
She shook her head, tears falling.
"No- you can't control everything!"
"Yes, I can!" He snapped, stepping forward. "Do you even know who I am?! I fix problems like this all the time! I've handled bigger messes than this- I've fixed things in this country!"
His voice rose with pride and anger.
"I'm a politician- I know how to make things disappear, how to control situations like this!"
Silence fell between them for a split second-
Before they started arguing again, voices overlapping, louder, sharper.
And in the middle of it-
Phuwin just stood there.
Watching.
Not saying anything.
His wrist still stinging.
His expression empty.
As his parents continued shouting at each other-
Like he wasn't even there anymore.
Then- he turned without another word.
And ran upstairs.
Footsteps quick, sharp against the stairs.
He didn't look back.
Didn't stop.
---
Book was peeking out from his room when it happened.
He froze the moment he saw Phuwin rush past.
Phuwin reached his room-
And slammed the door shut so hard the sound echoed through the hallway.
BANG.
Book swallowed.
Slowly, he lowered his head and stepped back into his room, quietly closing his door as well.
The house fell into uneasy silence.
---
Phuwin dropped onto his bed.
For a moment, he just lay there.
Still.
Silent.
Then his breath broke.
And the tears came.
Quiet at first- like he was trying to hold them back.
But they didn't stop.
His father's voice echoed in his mind.
"That guy is a monster."
"A freak."
"A psycho."
Then other voices followed.
His fake friends.
People who only came to him when they needed answers.
"Phuwin, can you do my homework?"
"You're so good at this, just help me this once."
"You always say yes anyway."
The words stacked on top of each other, louder and louder in his head.
And then-
The silence at home.
Empty dinners.
Parents arguing.
Or not even being there at all.
Phuwin suddenly sat up slightly, trembling.
He pressed both hands to his head, holding it from both sides like he was trying to stop everything from spilling out.
His breathing turned uneven.
His shoulders shook.
Everything felt too loud.
Too much.
And none of it would stop.
---
The next morning, Phuwin walked into the university feeling heavy.
Each step was slow, distant- like his body was moving but his mind wasn't fully there.
His eyes stayed on the ground as he kept walking.
And then-
He bumped into someone.
A firm presence stopped him.
"Phuwin."
That voice.
Phuwin froze instantly.
Slowly, he looked up.
Pond.
Pond tilted his head slightly, studying him.
"...Are you okay?" He asked, voice quieter than usual. His gaze flicked over Phuwin's face, noticing how unfocused he looked. "You weren't even looking where you were going."
Phuwin blinked once.
A beat of silence.
"I'm fine," He lied.
His voice came out steady, but empty.
Pond didn't answer right away.
Just kept looking at him- like he didn't fully believe it.
---
Later at the cafeteria, they sat across from each other.
The noise around them blurred into background chatter, trays clinking, people talking- but at their table, it felt quieter.
Heavier.
Phuwin kept his fingers wrapped around his cup for a moment before speaking.
"...Are you okay?" He asked softly. His eyes stayed on Pond. "How are you holding up?"
Pond looked at him.
For a second, he didn't answer.
Then he leaned back slightly, expression unreadable.
"I'm fine," He said.
But it didn't sound convincing.
Not with the way people nearby still glanced at him.
Not with the way whispers followed him even here.
Still, Pond continued.
"It's nothing serious."
A pause.
"They're just talking."
His jaw tightened slightly before he added, more quietly,
"I'll get suspended after the finals anyway."
Phuwin's grip on his cup tightened a little.
But he didn't interrupt.
Just watched him- like he wasn't sure what to say next.
Then Pond noticed Phuwin's wrist.
A faint redness marked it.
His brows slowly pulled together.
"What happened to your wrist?" He asked, voice sharpening slightly as his eyes stayed fixed on it.
Phuwin reacted a little too fast.
"It's nothing," He said quickly, pulling his hand back under the table. "I just- hit it somewhere. It's fine."
But the way he avoided Pond's gaze gave him away.
Pond stared at him for a moment longer.
He didn't look convinced.
But he also didn't push.
"...Right," He said quietly.
A pause.
Then he stood up.
"Wait here," Pond said, already turning away. "I'll go get something."
And before Phuwin could respond, Pond was already walking off.
---
Later, Pond came back with a bandage and an ice pack.
He sat down beside Phuwin without saying a word first.
Phuwin blinked, confused, then frowned slightly.
"...What are you doing?" He asked.
Pond looked at him.
Then he asked quietly, "Can I touch your arm?"
Phuwin froze.
His eyes widened a little, caught off guard by the question.
For a second, his heartbeat felt louder than everything else around them.
Then he gave a small, hesitant nod.
Pond gently took Phuwin's wrist.
Carefully- like he was afraid of hurting him.
He pressed the cold ice pack against the red mark.
"It's from the clinic," Pond said calmly as he worked. "I borrowed it."
A pause.
Then, quieter-
"If something's bothering you... You can tell me."
Phuwin didn't answer right away.
He just watched Pond.
The way he was being careful.
The way he didn't push.
The way he stayed there, quietly fixing something he didn't even cause.
Pond carefully adjusted the ice pack so it stayed in place.
"If there's something wrong," Pond began, pausing for a second, then continuing more firmly, "I don't want you to just keep it to yourself and act like it's nothing. You always do that. You always say you're fine even when you're not."
"I'm not good at a lot of things," He admitted quietly, still focused on his hands, "but I can at least do this. So if something is hurting you... Physically, or even if it's something you don't know how to say out loud..."
He finally glanced up at Phuwin.
"...You can tell me."
A beat of silence passed.
Then Pond gently took the bandage and began wrapping it around Phuwin's wrist, slow and careful, making sure it wasn't too tight. His fingers brushed lightly as he secured it, tying it neatly.
"There," He said softly when he finished, letting his hands fall back.
But he didn't move away immediately.
He just stayed there for a moment, like he was waiting- quietly, patiently- for Phuwin to respond.
Phuwin looked down at his wrist for a moment, the bandage neatly wrapped, the cold ice pack still gently pressing against his skin.
"...Thanks," He said quietly.
His voice was softer than usual.
Around them, the cafeteria noise shifted.
Not loud- but noticeable.
Whispers.
Eyes lingering a little too long.
People leaning closer to each other as they watched the two of them sit there.
"...They're really close now, huh?"
"...Isn't that the guy who fought someone?"
"...Why is Phuwin still with him?"
Pond noticed it too.
His gaze moved briefly around the room.
Then he exhaled through his nose, quiet and tired, like he didn't have the energy to care about what they were saying- but still aware of it.
He turned back to Phuwin.
"Your wrist needs to get better before the finals," Pond said calmly. "If it doesn't, you shouldn't play."
A pause.
His tone softened slightly, but stayed firm.
"I don't want you getting worse because of something like this."
Phuwin smiled gently.
"...It's okay."
Pond didn't respond immediately.
His eyes stayed on Phuwin's wrist for a moment longer, like he was still assessing it.
Then he looked up.
"...It's not," He said quietly.
Not harsh.
Just certain.
A brief pause settled between them again, softer this time.
Pond added, almost under his breath,
"Just... Take care of it."
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