CHAPTER 23
---
Two weeks later, Phuwin was sneaking toward a corner at the university.
Pond followed behind him, hands in his pockets, freshly out of the hospital- still a little pale, a little slower than usual.
Phuwin stopped at another corner and peeked carefully.
Pond stopped right behind him.
"...What are you doing..." He asked, voice low and sleepy.
Then, without hesitation, he rested his chin on Phuwin's shoulder, head tilting slightly toward his neck.
"One of my fake friends has a birthday today," Phuwin whispered, eyes still focused ahead.
"...So I prepared a little surprise."
Pond closed his eyes, still leaning against him, clearly not fully awake.
Phuwin blinked, then reached back without looking and gently patted Pond's cheek.
"...Are you sleepy?" He asked.
Pond hummed softly.
"...Mhm."
Phuwin glanced back slightly and pressed a quick kiss to Pond's cheek before turning forward again to keep watching.
Pond's arm slipped around Phuwin's waist, holding him loosely.
Then suddenly-
Phuwin beamed.
"Look."
Pond opened his eyes and peeked too.
It was Fourth and Louis, both trying so hard not to laugh, carrying a big cake box toward Phuwin's so-called friends.
Pond blinked.
"...Fourth and Louis? What are they doing?"
Phuwin smirked.
"...Just watch."
Fourth and Louis handed over the cake box, quickly muttering something before turning and running off- barely holding in their laughter.
Phuwin's fake friends frowned, confused.
They opened the box.
Then-
BOOM.
The cake exploded right into their faces.
Cream splattered everywhere.
Inside the box, written in messy icing:
"Happy birthday, hope you guys like my surprise.
- Phuwin. (Anyway, I'm not doing your homeworks anymore.)"
For a split second-
Silence.
Then-
Phuwin burst out laughing.
Loud.
Unrestrained.
Pond's eyes went wide.
Then he grinned- wide, amused, almost impressed.
"...That's evil," He muttered.
Phuwin was still laughing, leaning slightly back into Pond's hold.
"...They deserve it."
Pond chuckled softly, tightening his arm around Phuwin's waist.
"...I like this version of you."
Then-
"PHUWIN!!!"
His fake friends screamed his name from across the corner, voices loud and furious, faces still covered in cake.
Phuwin's laughter instantly cut off.
His eyes widened.
"...Oh-"
Pond blinked once.
Then slowly looked at him.
"...You're dead."
Phuwin didn't hesitate.
He grabbed Pond's wrist.
"RUN!"
And just like that-
They both took off.
And the two of them disappeared down the corridor-
Laughing, running-
Finally free from the version of Phuwin that used to stay.
---
The next day-
Phuwin didn't stay quiet anymore.
He posted.
Not something vague.
Not something soft.
Something direct.
Clear.
A statement defending himself.
Calling out everything.
He addressed the rumors about him and Pond- the kiss during the finals, the whispers, the judgment.
He didn't deny it.
He didn't hide it.
Instead, he wrote that what happened between him and Pond was real, and no one had the right to twist it, mock it, or use it as entertainment.
He spoke about the bullying.
About how people had watched, laughed, and spread things without thinking.
About how long it had been happening.
And then-
He made it clear.
He was taking legal action.
Against the people who harassed him.
Against those who spread rumors.
Against those who crossed the line.
He mentioned the incident at the café-
How people took pictures of him without consent.
How his privacy was invaded while he was just trying to work.
And then-
The line that made everything go silent.
He brought up the photo.
The one people secretly took of Book and Force.
He called it out as well.
Said it was disgusting.
Said no one had the right to expose someone else's private life like that.
And ended it with something simple.
No more being "perfect."
No more being used.
No more pretending everything was okay.
Just Phuwin.
Standing up for himself-
And everyone dragged into it with him.
At the end of his post, his words turned even sharper.
Clear.
Unapologetic.
He addressed the people directly.
Those who took the photos.
Those who posted the videos.
Those who shared them like it was nothing.
He made it known-
They would be held accountable.
Anyone who uploaded, spread, or kept circulating those images and clips would be included.
No exceptions.
And then came the line that spread fast.
They should start preparing.
Find a lawyer.
Because he wasn't backing down this time.
No more silence.
No more letting it pass.
Phuwin meant every word.
And for the first time-
Everyone knew it.
---
One week later, the rumors around Phuwin had finally died down.
Not completely gone-
But quieter.
Faded.
For the first time in months, he could breathe.
He had suffered through whispers, stares, judgment, and pressure for so long-
But now...
It was finally easing.
He exhaled softly as he walked through the campus.
Beside him, Pond walked at the same pace-
His hand holding Phuwin's tightly, like he wasn't letting go again.
Phuwin yawned, slow and unguarded, eyes half-lidded like a sleepy child.
Pond glanced at him and smirked faintly.
"...You look like a baby."
Phuwin frowned slightly, still mid-yawn.
"...Shut up."
Pond's grip on his hand tightened just a little, thumb brushing over his skin absentmindedly.
"...Did you even sleep?"
Phuwin shrugged lazily.
"...A little."
Pond gave him a look.
"...That's not convincing."
Phuwin leaned slightly closer as they walked, not even realizing it.
"...I'm fine."
Pond didn't argue.
He just kept holding his hand.
Walking beside him.
And for once-
Phuwin didn't feel like he had to look over his shoulder anymore.
Then suddenly, he spoke.
"...By the way, about Derek..."
He paused for a second, gaze lowering slightly.
"...Let's deal with him tomorrow."
Pond didn't even hesitate.
He just nodded once.
"...Okay."
No shock.
No questions.
Just acceptance.
Phuwin exhaled slowly, still holding Pond's hand tighter this time.
"...I'm serious this time."
Pond glanced at him briefly, expression calm but firm.
"...I know."
A short silence passed between them.
The kind that didn't feel heavy anymore.
Then Pond added, almost casually-
"...We'll finish it properly."
Phuwin looked at him for a moment.
Then nodded.
"...Yeah."
And they kept walking.
Hand in hand.
No rush.
No fear.
Just forward.
---
The next morning, Phuwin walked down the hallway.
Pond followed behind him like nothing in the world was urgent-
A punnet of cherries balanced in one hand, casually eating from it with the other, calm and unbothered, like he wasn't even heading into something serious.
Phuwin stopped right in front of Derek.
Derek was talking to someone when he turned and saw him.
He smiled immediately.
That same smile.
Like nothing had happened.
Like everything was normal.
Pond stopped slightly behind Phuwin, still eating cherries.
Crunch.
Calm.
Watching.
Phuwin's voice came out steady.
"...Hey, Derek."
Derek tilted his head.
"Phuwin. Long time no see."
Phuwin didn't smile back.
His expression stayed cold.
"...I just want to tell you something."
Derek raised an eyebrow, still acting relaxed.
"Oh? Go ahead."
Phuwin took a small breath.
"...I'm suing you."
The hallway went quieter.
Derek blinked.
"...What?"
Phuwin's gaze didn't move.
"For attempted murder."
A pause.
"For hitting Pond in the head with a bat."
Derek scoffed, shaking his head like it was a joke.
Pond finally spoke from behind Phuwin, voice calm as ever.
"...That wasn't an accident."
He popped another cherry into his mouth.
Derek's eyes flicked to Pond, irritation flashing.
"You should've died that day, honestly. You're just lucky-"
Phuwin stepped forward slightly.
"Finish that sentence again."
Derek clicked his tongue.
"Oh what? You think you can scare me now? You really think a lawsuit is going to-"
Phuwin cut him off, voice sharper.
"It's already filed."
"...And there are witnesses."
"...And hospital records."
A beat.
Phuwin leaned in just slightly.
"...So yeah. You better start talking to a lawyer too."
Derek's smile finally twitched.
Just for a second.
Pond calmly ate another cherry behind him.
"...You talk too much," He said lazily.
Derek snapped.
"Shut up, you-"
Phuwin raised a hand slightly.
Not touching him.
Just stopping him.
"...Don't."
His voice was low.
Controlled.
Silence dropped again.
Pond finally stepped forward a little, still holding the cherries.
"...You're done here," He said simply.
Not loud.
Not angry.
Just final.
Derek suddenly snapped.
His calm expression cracked as his voice rose.
"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND- I LIKE YOU, PHUWIN!"
Phuwin's didn't blink.
"...You like me?"
He let out a short, humorless breath.
"...After everything you did?"
Derek stepped closer, shaking his head like he was desperate to make him understand.
"I never meant to hurt you. I just- Pond stole you from me."
Phuwin's expression hardened.
"...Stole me?"
He gave a sharp laugh.
"No one stole anything."
His eyes narrowed.
"You bullied me."
"You humiliated me."
"You called it whatever you wanted so you wouldn't feel guilty."
Derek's jaw tightened.
"I did it because I care about you!"
Phuwin tilted his head slightly, voice cold.
"...You're obsessed."
A beat.
Then he frowned.
"...Maybe Pond isn't the psycho one."
His gaze sharpened.
"...Maybe it's you."
A collective gasp went through the students nearby.
Derek froze.
"...What did you just say?"
Before anyone could react-
He suddenly grabbed both of Phuwin's shoulders.
His grip tight.
His eyes too intense.
Almost shaking.
"I LIKE YOU," He repeated, louder this time. "I really do. You don't get it-"
Phuwin didn't even hesitate.
He snapped his knee up hard.
Derek immediately doubled over, coughing out a sharp sound, stumbling backward and dropping toward the floor.
Silence hit the hallway again.
Another wave of gasps followed.
Phuwin stood there, breathing steady, expression unreadable.
"...Don't touch me."
Behind him-
Pond calmly finished another cherry.
Crunch.
He didn't move.
Didn't react loudly.
Eyes half-lidded, like he was watching something mildly annoying unfold.
Derek stayed bent over on the ground, face twisted in pain.
And Pond, still calm as ever, finally spoke-
"...You talk a lot for someone on the floor."
Derek slowly straightened up, face twisted in pain and rage.
His breathing turned sharp.
His eyes locked onto Pond.
"...You."
Without warning, he stood up and lunged forward-
Aiming straight at him.
But Pond barely even looked up.
He simply stepped to the side.
Casual.
Effortless.
One cherry still in his hand.
Derek stumbled past him, missing completely.
Pond popped the cherry into his mouth.
Crunch.
"...You're slow," He muttered.
Derek turned back immediately, furious, and charged again.
Pond sidestepped again.
Like it was nothing.
Like he was just avoiding someone in a crowded hallway.
Still eating.
Still calm.
Derek swung again-
Pond leaned back slightly.
Miss.
Another swing-
Pond took one small step to the right.
Miss again.
Every movement Derek made only met empty air.
And every time-
Pond just kept eating cherries.
Phuwin stood nearby, watching in silence as Derek kept failing over and over.
Derek snapped.
"STOP MOVING!"
Pond finally glanced at him, chewing slowly.
"...Then stop attacking."
He popped another cherry into his mouth.
Crunch.
"...You're wasting my snack time."
Derek suddenly slammed his hand forward.
The punnet of cherries in Pond's hand was knocked clean out.
It hit the floor with a soft, devastating scatter- red fruit rolling across the tiles.
Pond froze.
His gaze dropped slowly.
"...My..."
A pause.
"...My cherries."
Phuwin's eyes widened immediately.
"Wait- calm down, I'll buy you another one-"
Too late.
Pond moved.
Fast.
A single, clean kick landed straight into Derek's stomach.
The impact sent Derek flying backward, crashing hard onto the ground.
Phuwin blinked in shock.
His face scrunched instinctively, flinching at how fast it happened.
"...Oh."
Derek groaned on the floor, then spat out a curse at Pond, trying to push himself up.
But before he could fully stand-
Footsteps approached from behind.
Pond's group arrived.
Along with Fourth and Louis.
Derek looked up- and froze.
His confidence drained instantly.
Phuwin exhaled sharply, stepping forward.
"...Wait."
His voice was calm, but firm.
"...Before you go-"
He looked down at Derek.
"...Better get your lawyer ready."
A beat.
"...Because in no time, you're going to be rotting in jail."
Derek's eyes widened.
For the first time, real fear flashed across his face.
He scrambled up.
And ran.
Silence returned to the hallway.
Phuwin slowly turned around.
Pond was still standing there.
Still staring at the floor.
At the scattered cherries.
Phuwin blinked.
Then walked over carefully.
He touched Pond's arm gently.
"...Pond."
Pond didn't look up.
"...You just bought it," He said quietly.
Phuwin softened immediately.
"...I'll buy you another one."
A pause.
Pond finally exhaled, voice quieter.
"...It was your gift."
Phuwin shook his head slightly.
"...I can get you more. It's fine."
He gave a small, gentle tug on Pond's arm.
"...Come on."
Pond stayed still for a second longer.
Then slowly nodded.
"...Okay."
And Phuwin didn't let go of his hand as they left the scattered cherries behind.
---
Later that evening, Pond walked beside Phuwin along the quiet street.
A fresh punnet of cherries was in Pond's hand again.
He ate them calmly, one by one, like nothing in the world could really shake him anymore.
Phuwin, walking beside him, wasn't really looking ahead.
His eyes were on his phone.
On the screen-
His father appeared in a news interview.
Reporters were asking questions.
About Phuwin.
About the lawsuits.
About the bullying, rumors, and the unauthorized posts that had spread online.
"Sir, your son has taken legal action against multiple individuals- what is your comment on this?"
Phuwin's father didn't respond.
He avoided the question entirely.
His expression stayed stiff, distant, and he walked away from the reporters without answering.
Phuwin lowered his phone slowly.
Then shook his head once.
Pond glanced at him.
"...Why don't you talk to your father about everything?"
Phuwin didn't answer immediately.
His grip on the phone tightened slightly.
Then he shook his head again.
"...He won't listen."
A pause.
His voice dropped quieter.
"...He doesn't accept us being into boys."
That sentence lingered in the air longer than the others.
Pond's expression shifted slightly.
Not dramatic.
But something in his chest tightened.
He slowed his steps a little.
"...You should still talk to him," He said quietly.
Phuwin gave a small, tired exhale.
"...It won't change anything."
Pond looked ahead for a moment, chewing slowly.
Then spoke again, softer this time.
"...Even if it doesn't change him..."
He glanced at Phuwin.
"...It might change what you carry alone."
Phuwin didn't respond.
The wind passed between them.
And for once, even the sound of Pond eating cherries felt quieter.
---
They arrived in front of the gates of Phuwin's house.
The streetlights cast a soft glow over them, quiet and still.
Phuwin stopped first.
He shifted slightly, hesitating for a moment before speaking.
"...Alright, I've gotta go now."
His voice was softer than usual.
"...Be careful on your way home, okay?"
Pond smiled faintly.
He stepped closer without saying anything else, then gently kissed Phuwin's cheek.
"...Good night," He said.
Phuwin froze for a split second.
Then his ears turned slightly red.
He looked away quickly, trying to hide it.
"...Night," He murmured.
A small, shy smile slipped through anyway.
He turned toward the gate and walked inside.
Pond stayed there for a moment longer, watching him disappear into the house.
Then he slowly turned away too-
Still calm.
Still quiet.
Still holding the warmth of the moment like it wasn't something he wanted to let go of just yet.
---
Phuwin stepped inside and closed the gate behind him quietly.
The house was calm.
In the living room, Book was already there- sitting on the couch, watching something on the TV.
Phuwin walked over and sat beside him.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Phuwin turned his head slightly.
"...How are you?" He asked softly.
His voice was careful, like he already knew the answer might not be simple.
"...Since that day. When the picture got leaked."
Book blinked once.
His expression didn't change much at first.
Then he leaned back slightly against the couch.
"...I don't care anymore, Phi."
Phuwin studied him for a second, quiet.
Book exhaled, shrugging a little.
"It already happened. People talked, then they got bored."
A small pause.
"I can't live my life stopping every rumor."
Phuwin nodded slowly.
"...Force?"
Book's eyes flickered for a moment at the name.
Then he gave a small, almost tired smile.
"...He panicked more than I did. But he's good now."
Phuwin let out a soft breath through his nose, something between a sigh and a laugh.
Book glanced at him.
"You're okay too, right?"
Phuwin hesitated for a second.
Then nodded.
"...Yeah."
A pause.
"...Just tired."
Book shifted slightly, bumping Phuwin's shoulder lightly with his.
"...Same."
For a moment, they just sat there- watching the TV, not really watching it at all.
But the silence between them felt more less heavy than before.
---
The next morning, Phuwin walked through the university hallway alone.
His steps were steady, face calm.
Then he saw them.
A group blocking the path.
His so-called fake friends.
One of them smirked immediately.
"Wow. Look who it is."
Another laughed softly. "You really thought that cake stunt was funny, huh?"
Phuwin stopped.
He didn't step back.
He just looked at them.
"I didn't think it was funny," He said quietly.
"...I know it was."
Their expressions shifted slightly.
One scoffed. "You humiliated us in front of everyone."
Phuwin exhaled.
Something in his gaze sharpened-bnot angry, but finally honest.
"...Humiliated you?" He repeated.
Then he shook his head once.
"...You used me."
A pause.
"...For assignments. For notes. For connections. For everything you needed."
Silence hit the group for a second.
Phuwin continued, voice still calm but firmer now.
"...And every time I needed something back, you ignored me."
He looked at each of them.
"...So don't act like I ruined something real."
One of them opened their mouth, but no words came out immediately.
Phuwin stepped forward slightly.
Not aggressive.
Just final.
"...We were never friends."
That sentence landed harder than anything else.
He looked away first, breaking the moment.
"...So if you're done," He added quietly, "...Move."
The group hesitated.
Then slowly, awkwardly, they stepped aside.
Phuwin walked past them without looking back.
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