YOURSKY, Chapter 10
“Is this really ‘nothing going on’?”
“Normally, seniors and juniors can just sniff each other’s heads in the middle of the university, right? Totally normal…”
“Super normal, huh, you jerk Ball—your voice is so high-pitched…”
“See? And you guys accused me of spreading fake news just to get chewed out by Fah. See? I told you there’s something going on.”
“Well, Fah denied there’s anything between them. So what are we supposed to think? We’ve got to believe the guy who never lies over a braggart like you, right?”
“I say we keep an eye on this. Muenfah might just be tight-lipped.”
“Alright, enough—your friend Fah is walking over here.”
The conversation among his friends at the smoking area looped back into Muenfah’s mind as he ran his fingers over the creased, crumpled white cigarette. They probably didn’t think he’d overhear them debating his relationship with Theerak with such gusto. For the first time, Muenfah didn’t feel annoyed that his friends were trying to dig into his personal life. Instead, he felt guilty for not being able to explain anything to them yet.
Everything was still uncertain.
‘Just wait a bit, guys.
I’m trying…’
Muenfah knew his friends understood him well enough that they didn’t bother asking questions after he quietly joined them at the smoking spot. They all just glanced at the three battered cigarettes in his hand—except for Dom, who sat there with a smirk and nudged him, asking if he wanted a fresh one. Once Dom dared to break the ice, the others followed suit, offering him their pristine cigarettes. But he shook his head, refusing, and instead smoothed out the creases on the crumpled ones with his fingers.
They could probably guess how he felt about his junior from his obvious actions. Muenfah felt a little less guilty when he realized this was a way to confirm what his friends were curious about, even if he couldn’t say it outright. His actions likely conveyed enough for them to understand something, and since they picked up on it, they stayed quiet, not pressing further. Some sighed and just watched him instead.
Like Real, who had just sat down across from him and stared silently.
“Rich as you are, and you’re smoking cigarettes you picked up from the trash?”
“Keep running your mouth, and I’ll leave you to run the restaurant alone.” “…” Real grinned, amused. He stared at the crumpled cigarettes in his close friend’s hand. Real didn’t know where Muenfah had gotten them, but if he had to guess, he’d bet they came from that chubby-cheeked junior. He was certain that anything his friend received from that person would always hold value, no matter its condition. “Is this what you meant yesterday when I asked where your cigarettes went, and you said you left them with someone?”
Muenfah gave a slight nod before lifting one of the barely usable white sticks to his lips, lighting it while thinking he’d smoked plenty of cigarettes in his life, but no pack had ever made him as happy as these three he’d just gotten back. A faint smile crept onto his face as he realized what made the difference.
“You left them with Nong Rak, huh?”
“Yeah.”
“And he gave them back today, right? That’s why you’re in such a good mood. Yesterday, you were grumpy as hell—like a rabid dog. I even offered to share mine, and you wouldn’t take it.”
“…”
“It’s probably because I’ve already decided to give all my time to him. That’s why I don’t feel like it’s been long at all… whether it’s slow or fast, in the end, I’m still in the same place. Time doesn’t matter as much as his peace of mind.”
“Man, Fah… I never thought you’d actually think so deeply about someone again. Ever since you broke up with Yam, it’s like you couldn’t love anyone anymore.”
Muenfah gave a faint smile. “But after this one… I probably won’t be able to love anyone else again.”
It was a truth that echoed loudly in his heart…
The real truth that loving someone with all your heart feels like this.
LINE ~
Muenfah glanced at his phone as it buzzed with a notification. A message from someone he was thinking about made him let out a soft chuckle. His long fingers swiped the screen to open the chat.
Theerak: At this hour, I don’t know if you made it home yet.
Theerak: But I bet you is still working at the restaurant for sure.
Theerak: I just wanted to say it’d be good to change your clothes first, okay? You might catch a cold. Washing your hair would be even better.
Theerak: I’m not saying you head stinks or anything… don’t get the wrong idea, okay?
Theerak: I’m heading off now, okay? Won’t bug you anymore.
Muenfah didn’t reply. He figured the little one had probably turned off his phone and tossed it somewhere after saying goodbye. He tapped his fingers on the keyboard, preparing to wish him goodnight even though he wasn’t sure if he’d get a response.
But he wanted him to know it was still the same.
Still in the same place.
Theerak: Before I really go Without expecting that someone would be waiting here too Waiting for him the same way… not going anywhere.
Muenfah deleted the “goodnight” that would’ve ended the conversation and replaced it with something to keep the person in the chat lingering a bit longer.
M.FAH: I changed clothes already, okay? But I’ll probably have to wash my hair back at the condo.
Theerak: Oh… so you really haven’t gone back to the condo yet.
M.FAH: Does the stubborn one have anything to say to me before heading off?
Theerak: I want to tell you to drive carefully, okay? It’s dangerous at night.
M.FAH: I will be careful.
Theerak: That’s all, okay? M.FAH: Okay.
Theerak: Oh, but one more thing, okay? M.FAH: What’s that?
Theerak: Since you’re still working right now… want to hear the sound of the sea?
The one being asked let out a soft laugh in his throat.
M.FAH: I do, okay? I want to know if the sea sounds different at night compared to the daytime.
Theerak: send a voice
Muenfah tapped to play the voice message from the kind-hearted person who’d sent the sound of the sea as encouragement.
‘Phii Fah ~’
He burst out laughing when he heard the small guy’s voice mixed with a yawn, slightly distorting his name. Still, he could guess that the little one was calling him. Muenfah listened intently to the next sentence Theerak said after finishing his yawn.
“Heh, sorry about that, I’m so sleepy my eyes are closing, and I ended up yawning right when I called you, Phii Fah.”
“The sound of the sea at midnight is kinda slow, you know… shoo ~~~, shoo ~~~, right?”
As soon as he heard it, Muenfah typed a message back. M.FAH: Thank you ocean, you can go to sleep now.
Theerak: Okay.
M.FAH: Good night, naughty one.
Theerak: Night, sweet dreams, Fah’s ocean.
Theerak:
“Not cute just a little… so cute it makes my heart race, damn cute,” Real, who’d been watching for a while, chimed in.
“True.”
And that symbol he sent…
It makes him as cute as the ocean and the sky combined.
#However Many Thousand Skies
“Hey, Type, slow down a bit, you jerk! The chubby-cheeked guy can’t keep up with you!”
“Then feed him yourself, damn it, he’s too busy laughing with Panli…” “Rak… hold on, turn around and eat first, quick, Type’s about to devour it all!”
The one being called tore his eyes away from the phone screen, where Panli was holding it to show funny clips, to eat bingsu. He loved eating desserts, but he enjoyed watching the clips Panli found for him just as much.
“Eat up, you lot. If it runs out, I’ll buy more… I like watching him laugh, and you guys keep interrupting.”
“Panli… find a wife already, trust me, you can’t keep doting on your friend like this,” Joy said while spooning a mix of Ovaltine powder and condensed milk into the chubby-cheeked guy’s mouth.
“I’ve tried… but no one’s as endearing as him.”
“Before you tell Panli to find a wife, how about you find a husband and have a kid already… so you don’t have to dote on your friend like he’s your child?”
“Hey, Type!”
Theerak laughed while scooping bingsu. “Chill out, this Theerak can be everything for you… even the ocean.”
“What? Ocean what?”
Type’s question snapped Theerak back to his senses, making him realize what he’d just said. The one being questioned could only offer a sheepish smile. Theerak was now wondering how to answer the three friends waiting for an explanation. Truthfully, he could explain what he meant by that slipup, but they’d definitely tease him until he was embarrassed.
Because the word “ocean” came from Muenfah.
Muenfah made him the ocean.
You know, a place to rest… if anyone’s feeling down or needs encouragement, they can come to this Theerak. I’ve always got support to give… shoo ~ shoo ~ like the sound of the sea, haven’t you ever heard it?”
“Nope, just heard it from you, you chubby-cheeked goof.”
“I think everyone’s going to lose it because of your ‘shoo ~ shoo ~’ sounds more than anything else.”
Theerak furrowed his brow before asking, “Why, Li?”
“Because it’s so cute it makes my heart melt.” Panli said, reaching out to pinch those chubby-cheeks.
“You adore me so much, don’t you, huh ~”
“Stop being cute right now, chubby-cheeks! I’m going to squish your face!”
Theerak laughed until his mouth trembled as Joy raised both hands, pretending she was about to squish his cheeks. But she held back, afraid he’d run off again. After yesterday’s incident, no one dared pinch his cheeks too hard anymore.
They’d said it before—if they didn’t have this chubby-cheeked guy, they wouldn’t survive.
“So, why did Phii Fah stop by to see you at the cafeteria earlier?” Panli asked, as if he’d just remembered.
“He came to get his cigarettes, because he ate breakfast this morning.”
“Wait… didn’t you give Phii Fah the whole pack back yesterday?” Type asked.
Nope. I’m holding onto them. I give him two or three a day… If I gave them all back, that stubborn Muenfah definitely wouldn’t wake up to eat breakfast again.”
Panli burst out laughing, giving his best friend a thumb-up. “Brilliant, chubby-cheeks! You’ve got to be this sneaky to handle Phii Fah.”
The one being praised seemed to swell with pride, smiling until his cheeks nearly burst, nodding eagerly. “I believe it won’t be long before stubborn
Muenfah turns into good boy Muenfah.”
“Aww… ~ Chubby-cheeks, calling him that… Do you adore him that much?”
Theerak turned to Joy, reflecting on his own words. Then, images of moments with Muenfah floated back into his mind.
There were so many instances that made him feel even stubborn Muenfah had his cute sides too.
Like…
When he admitted his mistake… “That day, Phii Fah was really naughty. Phii Fah accepts it.”
When he whined in his typical Muenfah way… “I’m hungry.”
When he was scared of being mad at him and ending their closeness… “Hit me as many times as you want. Phii Fah will let you smack my hand.”
When he bowed his head to let him wipe his hair…
The little guy, with so many thoughts swirling in his head, closed his eyes and took a slow breath before asking himself again. The answer he got had to be shared because his friends were waiting for it.
“It feels like I’m starting to adore him more and more…”
Eek ~ I want to scream… Why am I so flustered? More flustered than when my boyfriend asked me out!”
Panli smirked before saying, “If you adore him, don’t stop, okay? You’ve got to keep adoring him forever.”
“Can people even stop adoring someone, Li?…No way.”
“Who knows? What if you get tired of my brother and stop adoring him… No one can tell.”
“How could that ever happen? That’d be like asking for my feelings back from him… No chance. I’ve never done that with anyone. Once I give my feelings, they’re given for good.”
“You said it, alright…” Panli emphasized.
“Yep! I’ll keep adoring him. I’ll keep cheering him on. That’s it.”
Panli nodded slightly, thinking to himself…
‘It’s close now, Phii Fah… Chubby-cheeks have started looking back a little.’
“Yeah, the third-years called our second-year group for another meeting today about the open house. They said it’s to discuss changing the venue.” Type said, looking down at his phone to check the group LINE chat.
“They messaged it in the group chat?”
“Yeah…”
“When?”
“This evening, after we finished class. They’re waiting at the fifth-floor library. They said they’ve booked a big meeting room so it’ll be private.”
Right then, everyone’s phones started buzzing with notifications, competing for attention until they all picked them up to check. Theerak scrolled through the messages Type had already mentioned, rereading them before closing the chat since he’d already replied. But then the group LINE with both third years and second years popped up too. A second-year friend messaged about a photography assignment the professor had given a few days ago.
Lay: Seniors, can we consult you about the assignment?
Ball: Go ahead, tell us.
Lay: The professor just assigned a photo project to shoot the sky.
Ball: The one where you have to shoot the sky every half hour, right?
Lay: Yes, and we’re supposed to take the photos of the sky as it changes over time and arrange them into a single image.
Ball: That project’s about showing the changes in the sky, like from bright to dark, right?
Lay: Yes, exactly!
Ball: Isn’t it from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.?
Lay: Yes, that’s right.
Ball: What do you want to consult about? Go ahead…
Lay: Are there any techniques or tips? We’ve heard some from the professor and kind of get it, but we’d like some extra advice from you seniors to minimize mistakes.
Ball: Honestly, there’s a lot to explain. Did anyone bring a camera today? I can go over it with you.
Lay: Yes, we’ve got one! We’re meeting today about the open house anyway.
Ball: Alright, we’ll come find you.
Lay: Thank you so much, Phii Ball!
Theerak was about to close the chat after seeing that the seniors agreed to come explain the assignment to them this evening. But then Type told him to ask the seniors something.
“You can just ask when they get here, right…?”
“Ask now, just in case we forget.”
“Then why don’t you ask yourself?” Joy piped up.
“Am I as adorable as Rak?”
Theerak ignored his two bickering friends and typed out the question they wanted to know.
Theerak: Phii, is the best spot for this project a tall building? M.FAH: Yes, like the rooftop of a building.
M.FAH: Find a spot with the least obstructed view.
Ploy24: Ploy was just about to ask the seniors about this, actually. I heard the same advice from the professor too, just like Phii Fah said, but I asked again in case the seniors could recommend some extra good spots.
DomBabe: The rooftop of the dorm or condo for you guys works well too, as long as you can see the sky widely without anything blocking it.
Ploy24: Oh, thank you, Phii Dom!
After seeing the female friend thank Phii Dom, Theerak immediately realized he should thank the senior who gave advice too. Since joining this group, he’d never seen Muenfah respond to anyone—
Until…
Theerak: Thank you, Phii Fah.
M.FAH: Are you meeting with the others this evening too?
Theerak: Yes.
M.FAH: After I finish class, I’ll come find you, okay?
Ploy24: Okay!
JaJa: Yes!
Teman: Okay!
“He didn’t even mention me…”
“Yeah, well… they still don’t realize it.”
“Right, maybe it’s a mistype? Just reading this, you can tell he’s only talking to his chubby-cheeked buddy.”
“I get Phii Fah now. The reason he doesn’t reply much in the group is because he gets swarmed like this…”
Theerak looked up at Joy and Type, who were chatting excitedly back and forth, before glancing down at the text he’d left unsent. The words ‘Okay, Phii Fah’ were still lingering on the screen, unposted, because so many friends kept replying to Muenfah nonstop. Theerak wanted to wait for things to calm down first, but it didn’t seem like that’d happen easily. He considered messaging Muenfah privately instead, but the question that popped up next made him decide to stay in the group chat for now.
M.FAH: Are you okay, stubborn one?
M.FAH: I am waiting for your reply, okay?
Theerak: Okay, Phii Fah. M.FAH: Okay.
Ball: Hey, hey, no need for the others to feel left out! I’m telling you, Phii Tim, Phii Run, Phii Dom—they’re all still available to give advice, okay? Plus, Phii Babe, Phii Dom’s girlfriend, is another option.
DomBabe: But Babe didn’t come today because she’s sick.
Run: Everyone sticks to their own crew, got it? Anyone who wants to join my group, split up and wait this evening. I’m only tutoring five people.
Tim: If you’re in Phii Run’s group, the info won’t be as solid as it is with Phii Tim.
Once Theerak saw there wasn’t anything important left in the group chat, he locked his phone screen and turned his attention back to the zoo movie.
But a LINE notification buzzed again, pulling his focus back. M.FAH: Stubborn one…
Theerak picked up his phone to reply to Muenfah.
Theerak: Yes, Phii Fah.
M.FAH: Dom told me that you’re looking for a place to shoot the project, right?
Theerak: Yeah, at first I was going to shoot at home, but that didn’t work. Then I thought about shooting at Babe’s friend’s condo, but that fell through too because her friend moved out. Phii Dom’s place isn’t okay either since there are too many trees.
M.FAH: So where did Panli go to shoot?
Theerak: Yesterday, Panli said he’d shoot at an old friend’s condo. M.FAH: What about the others?
Theerak: They’re shooting at their own dorms, friends’ condos, or their partners’ condos, pretty much. But it’s fine, Phii Fah. Last night, Phii Dom said he’d ask a friend today. That friend’s condo is perfect for this project. We’re waiting for an answer this evening about whether it’s okay.
M.FAH: It’s okay.
Wait… hold on a second.
M.FAH: Naughty one, you can come shoot at at a rooftop—my place. I’m allowing it.
For real…?
Because he wasn’t sure, Theerak left Muenfah hanging in the chat and immediately called Phii Dom. It didn’t take long for Phii Dom to pick up. The sound of third-year seniors chatting lively leaked through the line, making Theerak hesitate to ask about it right away. But Phii Dom probably sensed it and stepped away to a quieter spot before asking him
[What’s up?]
“Phii Dom, last night you said you’d ask a friend about a place to shoot the project… is it… Phii Fah’s condo?”
[Yeah, has Fah messaged you already?]
T___T, Oh man… Phii Dom, seriously. If you’d told me from the start, I wouldn’t be feeling this flustered right now.
“Y-Yes, he messaged me already.”
[Then sort out the date and time yourselves, okay?]
“There’s no other option, right, Phii Dom?”
[Fah’s condo is the best. When he did this project, even the professor praised how great the location was. I’ve been thinking for a while that when it’s your turn, I would tell you to ask to shoot at Fah’s condo.]
“O-Okay. If Phii Dom says it’s good, then I think it’s good too.”
[Then see you this evening, chubby-cheeks. I’ll come by the meeting room too. We’ll head back together later, and I’ll drop you off at home since I’m getting porridge for Babe too.]
“Okay…”
After hanging up, he instantly became the target of his friends’ stares. They must’ve overheard him asking Phii Dom and were now looking at him with curious faces—except Panli, who seemed slightly less interested than the others.
“What’s going on… what’s this about, chubby-cheeks?”
“Ohhh, so the reason you refused to shoot at my dorm was because of this…”
“It’s not what you think, Type… I saw that your department already has a ton of friends going to shoot there. How could I squeeze in with them?”
“Enough, you guys, stop teasing him already. If he gets too shy and refuses to go to my brother’s condo, there’ll be no project submission—and it’ll be your fault.”
“Exactly! This time, I’m dragging all of you with me!”
“Shooting at my brother’s condo is a good idea, Rak. You shouldn’t say no, because Phii Fah doesn’t let just anyone go there. Even me, his little brother, had to beg over and over. This time, consider it Phii Fah being extra nice to you.”
“You’re not cute enough, Li…” Joy said.
“Fine, I’ll admit it. But if I’m not handsome, Joy, you’d better call your engineering boyfriend to come fight me. I won’t let it slide.”
Theerak, who had been listening to his friend’s bicker, decided to open Muenfah’s chat again. He typed a few sentences, preparing to send them, but ended up deleting everything until not a single letter remained. He did this several times but finally mustered the courage to ask.
Theerak: Phii Fah, hi! M.FAH: Hi.
Theerak: When is your condo free?
Theerak: I mean, when can I come over to shoot?
M.FAH: Anytime you want. My condo’s free every day.
Theerak: Then how about the day after tomorrow? I saw my friends are all starting to shoot soon, so I don’t think I’d be starting too early, right?
M.FAH: Not at all. Finishing this kind of project ahead of time is best since it’s not something you can whip up with a program.
Theerak: Okay, Phii Fah! Then we’ve got a plan for the day after tomorrow at your condo, right?
M.FAH: Yep, but we’ve got to meet at the meeting room this evening first.
Theerak: Right, I almost forgot!
M.FAH: I’ve got class now. See you later!
Theerak: Okay!
#However Many Thousand Skies
After finishing their last class, Theerak and his friends gathered in the meeting room. While waiting for the third-year seniors to come explain the photography project, they sorted out the open house preparations in the meantime. Switching to a larger venue meant they had to rework nearly the entire plan and even form new teams to handle the additional tasks that came up.
And those new teams needed leaders.
“We need a team leader for the art department…”
“Who’s the art team leader? Handling the signs and booths.”
“Me, me…!”
Theerak tried raising his hand as high as he could, but the two friends taking notes couldn’t see him because he was blocked by other classmates sitting in front. So, he shouted loudly, competing with the dozen other friends chatting about unrelated topics.
“Who was that just now? The art team leader?”
“My friend, sir… Rak Niran.”
The person jotting down names, preparing to stand up and find the head of the art department, nodded to acknowledge their own faculty year. Panli’s voice made everyone sitting at the front pause their conversations and glance over briefly before returning to their usual state.
This meeting room was a large space with no tables or chairs, so everyone had to sit on the floor. The only convenience was a big projector screen for displaying slides.
The room could hold up to thirty people, but since everyone’s builds varied, it was already starting to feel cramped with just twenty-five secondyear students present.
If five third-years joined it’d be packed like sardines in a can.
Theerak had been to this room as a freshman. He remembered it being his favorite because it was spacious, open, and perfect for lying down, plus the air conditioning was refreshingly cool. But now, he was starting to feel a bit claustrophobic and slightly warm.
“Is that the third-years?”
“Yeah, Phii Ball!”
“Phii Fah too… Phii Fah’s walking behind them.”
It seemed the topic of conversation in the meeting room shifted to the third-years who had just arrived. Earlier, everyone had been chatting amongst themselves without paying much attention to anything else.
“Have you been waiting long, kids? Today we had class with the strict professor—he loves letting us out late.”
“Not long, Phii Ball. We just finished our meeting.”
The large door was held open by Phii Dom, waiting for his friends to come inside. The last one to take over closing the door was Muenfah. The five seniors plopped down at the front. Theerak, sitting at the back of the row, craned his neck to see how far the seniors had gotten in explaining the photography assignment. Truthfully, he’d already gotten a lot of techniques and advice from Phii Babe, but Theerak was the type who loved learning, so he wanted to hear what the other seniors had to say too.
“Honestly, this assignment isn’t hard, and the professor for this class is nice too.”
Theerak nodded while listening to Phii Ball speak.
“The point of this assignment is that the professor wants us to learn more about camera functions—how to use shutter speed, set the aperture, stops, and a bunch of other stuff. Because at first, we studied the theory, right?”
“…”
“After that, it’s all about practice… So I’ll start by explaining the basics of how to use it. You’ve probably heard some of this from the professor already, but we’ll go over it again. Split up into groups now, and we’ll spread out to help you so we can wrap up faster.”
Once Phii Ball finished speaking, everyone started scattering into circles, forming groups as they pleased. Theerak stayed at the back of the room with his usual friends.
Theerak flashed a smile at Phii Dom, who was walking toward his group, and waved, making Phii Dom burst out laughing. But then, the voices of the group next to them grew slightly louder. Theerak turned toward the sound, only to find that group staring at him for a moment before shifting their gaze to something above his head.
The small guy, sensing something odd was happening around him, quickly turned back around. The first thing Theerak noticed as he lowered his eyes to the floor was a familiar pair of black Vans sneakers. He swallowed hard before looking up at the person standing in front of him.
That smile, like morning sunlight, was so clear in that moment it made his heart race uncontrollably.
“Phii Fah.”
“Yes, it’s I myself…”
“…”
Theerak didn’t respond. He just blinked rapidly, staring at Muenfah, who looked handsomer than ever. Whenever Muenfah was at this angle, it seemed to make his heart beat irregularly.
“Is there any space next to you for me?”
“Phii Fah, sit down! I will move his butt myself.” Type said before getting up to squeeze in next to Joy on the opposite side.
The tall, fairly large-bodied man slowly lowered himself to sit beside him. Theerak had to shift over a bit to make room, feeling a little sorry for the effort it took. Luckily, the other side of Muenfah was a male junior. If it had been a girl, she’d have been pitifully squashed flat under him. All the juniors willingly squeezed together, knees overlapping, to leave enough space in the middle for the senior to sit comfortably.
But look at what Muenfah did…
A stubborn Muenfah is just that—stubborn. He can’t stay a good boy for long.
“Phii Fah! I am getting cramped over here…” Panli, sitting on Theerak’s other side, complained loudly, drawing the attention of everyone in the group to the two Pisut siblings.
“Then move to the middle.”
“But that’s the senior’s spot…”
“The senior’s allowing it, isn’t he?”
“But why do you have to squeeze in here…”
“Because I want to sit next to the stubborn one.”
Panli shook his head in exasperation before moving to the middle in
Muenfah’s place. Soon after, Phii Ball came over and sat next to Panli. Theerak furrowed his brows in confusion before turning to look at Muenfah, who sat with a blank face, watching his friend start explaining the project to the juniors. He figured everyone must be puzzled and wondering the same thing, but out of respect for Senior Ball, who was earnestly giving advice, they all had to let Muenfah’s odd behavior slide for now.
But…
He couldn’t help it and whispered, “Phii Fah… why aren’t you helping Phii
Ball?”
“Because I have something he wants to do more than that…”
“…”
“I want to sit next to the stubborn one more.”
“Phii Fah, you can’t act spoiled like this, okay? You have to help your friends too, you know?”
Muenfah shook his head before resting his heavy head on Theerak’s shoulder. At that moment, Theerak’s soul practically left his body, overwhelmed by the strong, pleasant scent of Muenfah hitting him so hard it felt like he’d been flung out of the meeting room.
And he wasn’t the only one barely holding it together. Even Phii Ball, Panli, and the others seemed thrown off by Muenfah’s actions. But the man himself lay there calmly, completely unfazed. Phii Ball, usually so eloquent, was now stammering. Panli lowered his head and clutched his temples, while Joy, trying to keep her composure, signaled to him that… Muenfah was currently asleep.
Theerak knew full well that Muenfah, the stubborn one, wasn’t sleepy.
… Not asleep.
So he had to say something to make the other realize he’d been caught…
“Phii Fah… don’t act cute after being scolded, okay?”
“…”
“I won’t go soft on you…”
“Does I really have to go out and explain?” the stubborn Muenfah asked, still in the same position.
“Did you prepare anything?”
“No, but I remember everything.”
“Then why not give it a try? A lot of the juniors are waiting for the talented
Phii Fah to give them some advice.”
“No one can coax me as well as little naughty you.”
“Just a little, huh…” Theerak leaned down and whispered softly, wanting only Muenfah to hear, “So everyone can see how great Muenfah is…”
And it seemed like what Theerak said worked, because Muenfah finally lifted his head off his shoulder. He ran a hand through his chocolate-brown hair, casually fixing it after resting on him. Muenfah got up from the cramped spot they’d been squeezed into and walked over to sit next to Ball. Meanwhile, Panli moved back to take Muenfah’s former spot.
“How far did we get with the explanation earlier, Ball?”
“Resting on… wait! What the hell am I? I can’t unsee it now…” “…”
“Up to shutter speed…”
“Then I’ll go over it again for you all…”
Theerak listened carefully to what Muenfah was explaining. His tone and expression were calm and steady as usual, but no matter how he presented himself, Muenfah still managed to draw everyone’s attention effortlessly.
Theerak couldn’t deny that Muenfah really did look impressive.
“That’s all for now… If you want to know more, you can ask Ball.”
Muenfah stood up from the middle seat and came back to reclaim his original spot from Panli. Theerak glanced at his close friend, who willingly returned to sitting next to Ball as before.
“Phii Fah is amazing!”
“How did little naughty you convince me to go explain? When you praise me, you should do it the same way.”
Theerak frowned and stared at the tall guy. “I just spoke normally.”
Muenfah shook his head before leaning his face slightly closer and pointing to his ear. “Didn’t little naughty you whisper in my ear back then?”
Back then, he didn’t realize it…
But now he did… What should he do?
“C-Can’t I just praise normally?…When I praise someone, one should say it loud so they feel proud. Whispering wouldn’t make them proud since only one person hears it.”
Muenfah smirked, leaning in a little closer before whispering softly,
“Planning to be sneaky, huh, troublemaker?”
Theerak immediately shook his head in denial as Muenfah pulled back. The one who’d successfully teased him into embarrassment chuckled low in his throat before ruffling his hair and standing up to follow Phii Dom, who’d invited him to grab some drinks.
“Damn it… the whole department probably knows by now that Phii Fah is close with that Rak.” Type said.
“Too close, even. So close I’ve had to switch seats two or three times already. My brother’s giving me a real headache.” Panli added.
The listener felt his face flush hot all over. Theerak wasn’t embarrassed by what his friends said—it was the deep voice that had hummed near his ear and the warm breath that had brushed against his cheek just moments ago that did it.
That naughty Muenfah! Always teasing him like this, T___T
TBC
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