CHAPTER 20
---
Book smiled gently, but there was something more grounded in his expression now- like he wasn't just comforting, he was trying to reach Phuwin where he actually was.
"...And what about this?" He said softly. "Just let the 'perfect Phuwin' go."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Being perfect doesn't mean you can't like someone. Or date someone. Or even love someone the way you're feeling right now."
A pause.
"...Maybe you're not actually confused about him."
His voice lowered a little.
"...Maybe you're just scared because you've been 'perfect' for too long."
Phuwin didn't speak.
But his eyes stayed on Book now, listening more closely.
Book exhaled slowly.
"...And maybe it's also because you've never done this before. Never dated. Never had to figure out what your heart actually wants instead of what people expect from you."
He gave a small, almost sad smile.
"...That messes with you more than you think."
He leaned back slightly.
"...To be honest, I just want to tell you this, Phi."
His tone softened.
"...Let go of that 'perfect Phuwin' inside your head."
A pause.
"...He's not protecting you anymore. He's just holding you back."
Book glanced down for a moment, then back up.
"...I've been there too."
His voice quieted.
"...I used to think I had to be perfect to be worth something. To be loved properly. To be accepted."
A pause.
"...But my boyfriend changed me."
Phuwin blinked slightly at that.
Book continued, more steady now.
"...He didn't fix me. He didn't magically make everything okay."
A small breath.
"...He just stayed. Even when I was being too much. Even when I didn't know how to be normal about anything."
He looked at Phuwin more seriously now.
"...And slowly, I realized I didn't have to perform to be kept."
A pause.
"...I just had to be real."
His voice softened again.
"...And I promise you, Phi."
"...Nobody's perfect. We all mess up. We all say things too late. We all misunderstand each other."
A beat.
"...That's not what breaks things."
He leaned slightly forward now, more direct.
"...What breaks things is not saying what you actually feel when it matters."
A pause.
"...And if you really love Pond..."
His gaze held Phuwin's.
"...You should fix that before it becomes something you can't fix anymore."
Silence settled between them again.
But this time, it wasn't heavy.
It was like a door had been left slightly open.
Phuwin's eyes turned glossy, but he nodded slowly.
A small, quiet acknowledgment.
Book noticed it immediately and gave a soft smile, letting the moment settle instead of pushing it further.
Then he tilted his head slightly.
"...So," He said gently, "what do you even like about Pond anyway?"
Phuwin blinked.
For a second, he looked like he didn't know where to start.
Then he exhaled softly.
"...He's... Kind."
Book raised a brow almost instantly.
"...Kind?" He repeated, a faint skeptical tone slipping in.
Phuwin nodded slightly, more certain now.
"...To me," He added quietly.
A pause.
"...He talks to me gently. Even when I don't understand myself."
His fingers tightened faintly in his lap.
"...He doesn't... Force me. He waits. Even when I push him away."
Book stared at him for a second longer.
Then let out a small, amused breath.
"...That's Pond?" He said flatly.
A pause.
"...The same guy who sends people flying across hallways?"
Phuwin glanced at him.
Not denying it.
Book shook his head slowly, smirking a little.
"...So he's a 'gentle monster' now?"
Phuwin didn't answer, but the corner of his lips twitched slightly- almost a smile.
Book leaned back into the couch.
"...You really do see a different version of him than everyone else, huh."
A pause.
"...Honestly, if I didn't know better, I'd think you were talking about two different people."
Phuwin lowered his gaze again, quieter now.
"...Maybe he is different... When it's me."
Book's expression softened again, the teasing fading.
"...Then that says something, doesn't it?" He said gently.
A pause.
"...About both of you."
Phuwin exhaled slowly.
"...I promise you," He said quietly, almost like he was remembering it in real time. "His eyes are really pretty."
He paused.
"...Like a puppy's. When they soften."
His gaze lowered slightly.
"...And when he cries... They turn a little red. But they're still... Beautiful."
Book's eyes widened immediately.
"...Pond cries?" He blurted out. "I thought he was only the cold type."
Phuwin tilted his head slightly, as if the answer was obvious.
"...He's human too, you know."
Book blinked.
"...But really," He pressed, leaning forward a little, "did he actually cry?"
Phuwin nodded.
"...In front of me."
That made Book freeze for a second.
Then his expression shifted into something half disbelief, half sarcasm.
"...Wow," He muttered. "Pond. Crying. In front of all people."
A pause.
"...Next thing you're gonna tell me is he apologizes politely after punching someone."
Phuwin didn't respond, but his lips twitched faintly again.
Book leaned back, crossing his arms.
"...So let me get this straight, Phi." He said slowly. "The terrifying, violent, 'I'll break your bones' Pond-"
He glanced at Phuwin.
"...Is actually a soft puppy-eyed guy who cries in front of you and talks gently?"
Phuwin looked away slightly.
"...When it's me," He said softly.
Book stared at him for a moment.
Then smirked.
"...Yeah, okay."
A pause.
"...You definitely have a favorite part of him."
Phuwin blinked.
"...What?"
Book tilted his head, amused.
"...His eyes."
He nodded once like it was obvious.
"...Don't deny it. You basically described them like poetry."
Phuwin went quiet.
Then looked down.
Not denying it.
Book chuckled under his breath.
"...Yeah. You're done for."
Phuwin lightly pushed Book on the shoulder, trying to pull him back from teasing.
"...Stop it now," He muttered, a little embarrassed.
Then, after a pause, he looked at him again.
"...When are you going to introduce your boyfriend to me?"
Book smirked immediately, like he'd been waiting for that question.
"...You'll see him soon."
Phuwin blinked.
"...When?"
Book leaned back comfortably, grin still there.
"...At the food fair."
Silence.
Phuwin slowly nodded.
"...Okay."
He didn't ask more.
But his mind quietly stored it away anyway.
---
Next week, the food fair was loud, crowded, and full of movement- booths flashing colors, students laughing, calling out, music mixing with the smell of different foods.
Phuwin stood in the middle of it all, fingers lightly holding the strap of his shoulder bag.
He exhaled slowly, eyes scanning around.
"Phu!!"
Gemini's voice cut through the noise.
He was waving from a short distance, the other hand holding Fourth's.
Fourth stood beside him, slightly shy.
And next to Fourth was Louis, looking bright and excited like always.
Phuwin raised his eyebrows slightly.
Then walked over.
They met halfway.
Gemini scratched the back of his neck, suddenly a little awkward.
"...Phu," He murmured. "Can Fourth and Louis come with us?"
Louis immediately nodded.
"Please, Phi Phuwin! These two are officially dating now."
Phuwin's eyes widened slightly.
Gemini and Fourth both went red instantly.
Phuwin blinked once.
Then laughed softly under his breath.
"...Alright. Alright," He said calmly. "Come along."
Before they could move-
"PHI!!!"
Book's voice again.
Phuwin turned.
Book was there, dragging Force with him, smiling brightly like he had been waiting for this moment.
Force looked a little shy, scratching the side of his head.
Book stopped in front of them.
"...Phi! Meet my boyfriend- Force!"
Phuwin blinked.
Then nodded politely.
"...Nice to meet you."
Force gave a small, slightly awkward smile.
"...Nice to meet you too," He said, still a little shy.
Phuwin's eyes shifted slightly.
Past them.
To the person standing just behind Force.
Pond.
He was there.
Quiet.
Still.
Expression unreadable, like he wasn't reacting to anything around him.
But his eyes-
Were already on Phuwin.
Phuwin's breath caught slightly.
Not dramatic.
Not obvious.
Just a small pause inside him.
They stared at each other.
No words.
No movement.
Just the noise of the food fair continuing around them-
Like the world refused to notice what had just gone still between the two of them.
Book glanced between Pond and Phuwin a couple of times, as if finally putting the pieces together for everyone.
Then he spoke casually, like it was obvious.
"...Oh right. I forgot to tell you. Pond's coming with us."
He pointed lightly toward Pond.
"... Because he's actually Force's younger brother."
Silence.
Phuwin's eyes widened immediately.
"...What?"
His gaze snapped back to Pond, then Force, then back again, trying to process it.
Gemini blinked.
Book shrugged a little, still calm.
"...Yeah. Same family."
Phuwin stood there frozen for a second longer, eyes still wide, like his brain was catching up too slowly to what he just heard.
Then he looked at Pond again.
Pond didn't move.
Still just watching him.
Quiet.
Unreadable.
And Phuwin's expression stayed stuck between shock and something softer he couldn't explain yet.
Louis noticed the awkward silence quickly, his bright energy cutting through it.
He clapped his hands once and beamed.
"...Let's go before all the food stalls get finished!"
That snapped everyone out of it.
Gemini nodded immediately.
"...Yeah, alright."
Fourth followed quickly, a little shy but smiling.
"...Okay."
Book grinned.
"Food time."
Force gave a small nod too.
"...Sure."
Phuwin hesitated for only a second longer.
Then nodded as well.
"...Alright."
And just like that, the group started moving through the crowd together, merging into the lively chaos of the food fair- stalls calling out, music playing louder as they walked deeper in, the tension slowly fading into noise and movement around them.
As they moved through the food fair together, the crowd thickening as they went deeper into the rows of stalls.
Louis led the way like he had a mission.
"...This one first!" He said, already pointing at a stall selling skewers.
Everyone followed.
Soon, they were eating almost everywhere they stopped.
Skewers, fries, desserts, drinks- passing things around, trying bites from each other's plates without much hesitation anymore.
Gemini and Fourth ended up sharing food naturally, laughing quietly when Fourth accidentally took too much from Gemini's plate.
Book kept dragging Force from stall to stall, insisting he try "everything," while Force just followed with a resigned but soft expression.
Phuwin stayed a little quieter at first.
But he still ate.
Still tried things when Louis or Book pushed a plate toward him.
And every now and then-
He would feel it.
Pond.
Not close.
Not speaking.
Just there in the group.
Sometimes ahead.
Sometimes slightly behind.
Always within reach of his sight if he dared to look.
But Phuwin didn't say anything.
He just kept walking with them.
Eating.
Listening.
Letting himself exist in the moment-
Even with Pond quietly there, like a presence he couldn't fully ignore.
---
Later, after grabbing another round of food, the group had drifted ahead- voices louder in the distance, laughter mixing into the fair's constant noise.
Phuwin and Pond ended up slightly behind them.
Walking side by side, but not quite together.
Phuwin chewed quietly, eyes forward.
Then- just for a second- he side glanced at Pond.
Pond was already looking at him.
Their eyes met briefly.
Pond immediately looked away.
Hands still in his pockets.
Expression neutral again, like nothing had happened.
Phuwin turned his gaze forward too, pretending the moment didn't matter.
But his fingers shifted slightly.
Without saying anything, he slowly lifted a stick of food from his hand and held it out toward Pond.
Pond blinked.
Looked at it.
Then at Phuwin.
A pause.
Hesitation.
Then he quietly took it.
No words exchanged.
He simply brought it up and took a bite.
Phuwin continued walking, still chewing.
Pond walked beside him, chewing too.
Silence settled between them.
Not uncomfortable.
Not easy.
Just quiet.
And for a few steps-
They didn't speak at all.
But they didn't move away either.
---
Later, they stopped near a quieter stall area, still holding food in their hands while the crowd moved around them in waves of noise and color.
Everyone slowed down a bit, finally catching their breath.
Gemini stretched slightly.
"...So what do we do next?" He asked, glancing around. "There's still like half the stalls we haven't tried."
Louis immediately pointed ahead.
"...That dessert booth looked insane earlier."
Fourth nodded quickly.
"...Yeah, and I saw a game stall too."
Book grinned.
"...We're definitely going there."
Force, still holding something he barely started eating, looked between them.
"...Just don't drag me into anything embarrassing," He murmured.
Pond stood slightly apart from them, hands in his pockets, listening but not really adding much.
His gaze occasionally drifted- briefly, almost unconsciously- toward Phuwin.
Phuwin was quiet too, eating slowly, but still present.
Gemini tilted his head.
"...What about you, Phu?"
Phuwin paused.
"...Anywhere is fine."
Book groaned.
"...That's not an answer."
Louis laughed.
"...Then let's just walk and see what we find!"
Pond suddenly whispered at Force.
"...I'm going to the bathroom."
He turned slightly.
"...I'll be back."
And then he walked off.
Silence.
Everyone blinked.
Book slapped Force's arm lightly. "...Where is he going?" He asked immediately.
Force blinked, rubbing his arm slightly.
"...He said he's going to the bathroom."
A pause.
Book's eyes suddenly sharpened.
Then he turned-
Straight to Phuwin.
Before Phuwin could react-
Book pushed him back slightly.
"...Go."
Phuwin froze.
"...What?"
Book pointed in the direction Pond left.
"...Go after him."
Phuwin frowned immediately.
"...Why?"
Book leaned in, lowering his voice but still firm.
"...Because you're not fooling anyone anymore."
A pause.
"...You like him. He likes you. And you two are walking around acting like idiots."
Phuwin's ears turned slightly red.
"...Book-"
Book cut him off, pushing him again.
"...If you don't confess, you can't come eat with us after this, Phi."
Phuwin blinked.
"...That's not fair."
Book nodded immediately.
"...It's not supposed to be fair. It's supposed to work."
Force looked slightly awkward but didn't interrupt.
Gemini, Fourth, and Louis just watched, not interfering.
Book pointed again, more serious now.
"...You need to fix it. Tell the truth."
A pause.
"...Before you lose your chance again."
Phuwin stood there for a moment.
Hesitating.
Heart already starting to race.
Then Book gave him one final push on the shoulder.
"...Go."
And that was enough.
Phuwin turned.
And ran in the direction Pond had gone.
---
Pond was just about to head toward the bathroom direction when he stopped abruptly.
Footsteps.
A group appeared in front of him.
Derek.
And his few friends behind him.
They formed a loose barrier in the walkway, intentionally blocking his path.
Pond's expression didn't change.
But the air around him did.
Colder.
He stared at Derek for a moment, then spoke flatly.
"...Get out of the way."
Derek let out a short laugh, tilting his head like he was amused.
"...Still acting like that, huh?"
He took a step closer, deliberately invading space.
"...You really think you can just walk around like nothing happened?"
Pond didn't move.
Didn't react.
Just watched him.
Derek's smile sharpened.
"...You almost beat me to death that time."
A pause.
"...And you still act like you're in control?"
He gestured vaguely toward his face.
"...Look at me. You think I forgot that?"
Pond's gaze dropped slightly- then lifted again.
Still calm.
Still unreadable.
Derek continued, voice getting louder now.
"...You're a psycho. Everyone knows it."
He leaned forward slightly.
"...And yet you're still here, walking around like you didn't ruin anything."
His eyes locked on Pond's.
"...And don't act like I don't know why you're here."
A pause.
"...Phuwin."
Pond's jaw tightened slightly.
Barely noticeable.
Derek smiled like he'd hit something.
"...Yeah. Him."
He pointed slightly, like the name alone was enough.
"...You stole him from me."
Silence.
Pond stared at him.
Not angry.
Not surprised.
Just... Still.
Derek scoffed.
"...You think I don't see it? The way he looks at you? The way you act like you own him?"
He shook his head slightly.
"...You don't get to decide that."
Pond finally spoke again, voice lower.
"...Move."
Derek didn't.
Instead, he stepped even closer.
"...You don't get to tell me what to do."
A pause.
Then, more sharply-
"...I like Phuwin."
That statement hung in the air.
Derek watched Pond closely, waiting for a reaction.
Waiting for anger.
Waiting for anything.
But Pond didn't give him one.
He just stared.
Cold.
Still.
Like Derek's words didn't reach him at all.
After a long silence, Pond finally spoke again.
Quiet.
Controlled.
"...You're done talking."
Then-
Phuwin arrived from a distance.
"Pond!" He shouted, voice cutting through the noise, like he was already ready to say something important.
Pond turned abruptly.
Without realizing it, behind him, Derek gestured sharply to his friends.
A bat was passed into his hand.
Time didn't even feel like it properly moved after that.
Derek's face twisted in anger-
And then he swung.
Hard.
The bat struck Pond's head with a sickening impact.
Pond's eyes widened instantly.
He went still.
Like his body forgot what to do next.
The bat now had blood on it.
And then more.
Blood began to pool at Pond's head, slowly spreading, staining the ground beneath him.
Then Pond dropped backward.
His body hit the ground.
And his eyes slowly, helplessly, began to close.
"POND!!!!"
Phuwin's eyes went wide.
Everything seemed to slow down.
Sound faded. Movement blurred.
Like the world itself couldn't process what just happened.
Then Phuwin screamed again.
"POND!!!!"
Louder this time- broken, panicked, unreal.
He rushed forward immediately.
Derek stood frozen, shock flashing across his face when he saw Phuwin there.
Phuwin dropped to his knees beside Pond instantly.
His hands went to Pond's face.
He patted his cheek hard.
"Wake up- wake up, please-"
He shook him, rougher now, panic taking over every movement.
"Pond-!"
But Pond didn't respond.
Phuwin's hands trembled violently.
He grabbed Pond's head carefully, pulling it into his arms.
And then he saw it properly.
Blood.
Dripping.
Too much.
Too real.
Phuwin's breath broke.
His eyes filled instantly.
And then he cried.
Hard.
"Pond- don't do this to me-"
His voice cracked completely.
"You can't- you can't leave me like this- I haven't even told you yet-"
His grip tightened around Pond as he sobbed.
"I haven't confessed- I love you- I love you, okay?!"
His voice rose, desperate and shaking.
"I'm sorry- I'm sorry for making you wait- I'm sorry- please-"
Derek stood there, staring in shock.
His hand loosened.
And the bat slipped from his grip, clattering onto the ground.
He stumbled slightly toward Phuwin, like he couldn't understand what he was seeing.
"...Phuwin-"
Phuwin's head snapped up instantly, tears still falling.
"Don't come closer to him."
His voice turned sharp- broken but dangerous.
"Don't you dare come closer or I'll tear you down myself."
He pulled Pond closer into his arms again, holding him protectively as he cried over him.
Then Phuwin shouted, voice breaking completely.
"CALL AN AMBULANCE!"
Two people who had just been passing by near the bathroom froze in place at the scene.
Their phones immediately came out shaking.
"I-I'm calling! I'm calling!"
Phuwin kept sobbing uncontrollably.
His hands wouldn't stop trembling.
His voice kept breaking as he whispered over and over-
"Stay with me... Please... stay with me..."