SOUTHBESIDETHESKY, Chapter 37: His cat

   Tonfah

   I glanced at the person walking ahead with happiness, Phoon in the white winter jacket I once bought for him, black jeans, and black sneakers. He might not notice it much himself, but Phoon usually dresses in black almost every day, so seeing him in white was a bit different but fitting.

It seems like the person who just got a new camera is very excited, especially since it’s Phoon. So, I didn’t have any other gift ideas besides the camera; it’s the one thing that the little one loves to the point of obsession, no matter how many cameras or lenses he has, it wouldn’t be enough.

Just like how I’m obsessed with Typhoon’s smile right now, his large, bright eyes blending perfectly with the morning air. I’ve heard that when people are with something they love deeply, they have a charm. I only understood this when I saw Phoon with his camera. I never thought someone could love photography this much. Whether it’s lifting the camera to shoot, checking the photos, or even editing them, it’s all captivating.

We were at Osaka Castle, the first place the younger ones said we had to visit, and it was fortunate because it was spring, and the cherry blossoms were in full bloom.

It was all so beautiful. From the pink cherry blossoms lining the path to the child with a big smile on his face with the camera in hand.    The gentle breeze blew, and the sweet-faced owner turned towards me, the same camera stopping in front of my face. The photographer paused for a moment before pressing the shutter. After taking the photo, Phoon lowered the camera and looked at the screen.

“How is it?” I asked.

“Take a look,” Phoon said before quickly approaching me, handing me the camera to see the picture he had just taken. It was a full-body shot of me standing in the middle of the path with cherry trees on both sides, with a few people walking in the background and sides, but the focus was solely on me.

It’s well known that this photographer takes the most beautiful pictures.

“What do you think?”

“The model is clear as day.”

“Anyone standing here would look good with this kind of shot.”

“That’s not true,” Phoon shook his head slightly, “It’s also because of the model. Since you are tall, the full-body shot looks good like this.”

“Hmm,” I raised my eyebrows a bit. I’m not one to compliment myself much, but I’m not completely lacking in confidence either, “If you say so.”

“Uh, you don’t often compliment yourself, huh?” The person next to me said playfully.

“Phoon is the same,” I replied, and he gave a broad smile.

“One more photo, please.”

“What should I do?” I asked because when Phoon takes photos of me, I usually don’t know what to do. It’s not just when Phoon takes photos; I generally don’t like having my picture taken, so I don’t know much about these things.

“Hmm, just walk normally,” Phoon said.

“Okay,” I agreed, then Phoon circled around to the back.

“Turn around a bit, but don’t look at the camera.”

“Then what should I look at?”

“Look…you can look at North.”

“Johan would have something to say about that.”    “Phii Jo won’t know,” he said.

I didn’t respond, instead, I turned to the side, looking at the cherry blossom trees. As the wind blew, my hair fluttered with it. After a moment, thinking it was enough, I turned to look at Phoon. Since the wind was blowing, I had to push my hair back to keep it from covering my face, before Phoon took another three rapid shots.

   “Wow, that’s beautiful,” the photographer said excitedly, quickly showing me the photos, “Phii Fah could be a model, really.”    “I’d rather not,” I smiled.

“Phoon,” I turned along with Phoon when we heard the call; it was Ter and Hill approaching. Now, all of us were out sightseeing together, except for Arthit, who never likes going anywhere with others, especially not with this group; he’s definitely not going to join, preferring to go off alone for a long time. I just hoped he wouldn’t forget the time we were supposed to meet back for our return to Thailand.

“How’s it going? Did you find any beautiful spots?” Phoon asked Ter. These two really get along well when it comes to photography, both enjoying it, but Ter doesn’t take it as seriously.

“That spot wasn’t bad, especially with the cherry blossoms.”

“Oh, just from this direction,” Phoon said, showing Ter the photos. The one who just saw them looked slightly amazed, “What do you think?”

“Stunning,” Ter said, “You should check this out first,” before showing Phoon his own camera.

“Hey, did you secretly take a picture of me?”

“It turned out nice, right, Phii Fah?” Then Ter showed me some pictures, ones he took of me and Phoon from not too far away, when we were walking together, smiling at each other while Phoon was taking my photo, “Here’s another behind-the-scenes shot.”

“It’s beautiful,” I answered, “Can you send it to me?”

“Sure,” Ter smiled. I like the pictures Ter took of me and Phoon. I can’t really put it into words, but they look natural, and I especially like how Phoon smiles when I’m not looking, that smile when he’s not focusing on the camera.

If he’s going to smile this cutely while taking pictures,    I wouldn’t want him to take photos of anyone else.

“The cherry blossoms are damn beautiful,” I said to Ter as the two of us walked slightly ahead of Phii Hill and Phii Fah, heading to capture the scenery around Osaka Castle. The soft sunlight slightly changed the tone of the photos, but I like it when the sun is out; for me, the pictures turn out even prettier.

I wanted to secretly take many photos of Phii Fah, but that would be difficult since he would notice even the slightest attempt.

I took a lot of landscape photos, especially of the cherry blossoms in full bloom, with angles looking up to the sky, making them look even more beautiful.

Walking along, I saw a moat around the castle with ducks in it, which I thought were cute, so I couldn’t help but stop to take photos.    “You can’t take pictures of everything, Phoon. We haven’t even reached the castle yet,” Ter said.

“Yeah, we’ve been here for almost twenty minutes, right?”    “Yeah, if you keep going like this, we won’t have time to see much, probably won’t even go inside.”

“Hmm,” I pouted in frustration before turning back when I felt someone approaching, “How are they?” I asked North, who had just arrived. Earlier, while taking photos with Phii Fah, I saw him not too far away.

“Looks good, the cherry blossoms are in perfect bloom, we’re damn lucky.”

“Aren’t you taking any photos?” Ter asked.

“I’m not good at it, I’ll just take the ones from you guys.”

“As expected, here, I secretly took some of you and Phii Jo too,” Ter said, showing the pictures from his camera to North, who immediately raised his eyebrows in curiosity.

“When did you sneak the photo?”

“It was slick, I could be a paparazzo,” Ter said with pride, especially since he had just sneakily taken a photo of me and Phii Fah, and it turned out to be a beautiful shot.

“Doctoring isn’t your thing anymore, huh?” North said.    “Yeah, I quit. Next time you’re sick, you won’t be able to come to me.”

“Damn, Ter,” and North gave Ter a piece of his mind. I glanced back at the three doctors chatting behind us. The scene before me seemed like something out of a movie, and I couldn’t resist lifting the camera hanging around my neck to take a picture. Of course, they must have noticed.

Maybe because they’re used to being photographed secretly.    Phii Fah looked at me, raising an eyebrow slightly. I made a face before lowering the camera.

   “Pretend you didn’t see,” I said with a pout; how could someone notice they’re being photographed secretly like that?

“Oh, okay,” Phii Fah laughed, then nudged Phii Jo and Phii Hill to act like they didn’t know. The other two looked slightly surprised before agreeing to play along, turning back to their conversation as before.

“How did you manage to sneak that shot, Ter?” I asked after I had taken photos of the three of them, scrolling through the images I’d just captured. I must say, they really are attractive, all three of them, even more so when they stand together like this, drawing everyone’s gaze.

No wonder it’s not just us looking at them right now.

“You have to do it when Phii Fah or Phii Jo are with you guys. They won’t pay attention to anything else then,” Ter said, making me feel a bit embarrassed, “But trying to sneak a photo any other time, you won’t get away with it.”

“Yeah, that’s true, I’ve never succeeded in catching Phii Jo off guard in a photo. He always knows. I don’t know why he’s so perceptive.”

“Maybe because he gets photographed a lot,” I said, “I’ve seen on the university page, there are many candid shots of him, right? While

Phii Fah and Phii Hill act like they don’t see it, Phii Jo mocks the camera with a smile.”

Speaking of the university page reminded me, because I’m not much into social media, only using it to keep in touch with friends. But after dating Phii Fah, he became somewhat of a celebrity at the university, even being the runner-up for the month. People comment a lot about us, but I don’t read them because I’m lazy, yet I want to say that the candid photos of Phii Fah are terrible, the angles are bad, and they’re even blurry!

I’m not angry because someone photographed Phii Fah secretly.

But if I knew who it was, I’d teach them how to take proper photos!

“Why are you making a cat face?”

“Huh, what cat?”

“When you’re sulky, you make a cat face, Phoon,” Ter explained, continuing from what North had just asked. I immediately looked at them with a surprised expression, “Like when you frown and squint your eyes, making a pouty face.”    “You mean me?” I pointed at myself.

“Yes, you, I’m talking to you.”

“No way, that’s impossible,” I shook my head rapidly, narrowing my eyes at them.

“You look even more like a cat now.”

“Enough,” I said to stop the teasing about me looking like a cat, before noticing a bridge ahead which probably led into the castle area. It was really a vast castle, making me tired from all the walking, and when we reached the bridge, I couldn’t help but stop to take more pictures.

“You’re so excited,” North teased.

“Of course, it’s a new camera, you bastard, I’ve gone mad over it.

This camera cost two hundred thousand! Who would’ve thought Phii Fah would buy it as a birthday gift? It’s the most expensive and best gift I’ve ever gotten, look at this…” I noticed Phii Jo watching.    “Stop,” North raised his hand to stop me, “I’m getting a headache from hearing you brag about your camera.”

“Come on, I’m just excited.”

“Yeah, yeah, my bad. I won’t tease anymore, go ahead and take your photos.”

“North, be a model for me.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, you. Phii Fah said it doesn’t matter who the model is,” I repeated what Phii Fah had told me earlier.

“What does he know? Do you think if it wasn’t him in that photo, it would have turned out that good?” North said with a slightly annoyed look but still agreed to stand by the bridge to be my model, “How should I pose?”

“Just act normal,” I said. Soon, North turned to smile at the camera. I searched for the right angle for a while before taking the shot, not realizing that the seniors had been standing behind me for who knows how long. North looked a bit embarrassed.

Come to think of it, Ter also often gets embarrassed around Phii Hill.

“I’m shy, or are the doctors just good at making me shy?

I think it’s the latter, because if it weren’t for Phii Fah, I wouldn’t get shy at all.

“Did you get a lot of photos?” Phii Fah asked. I nodded in response before stepping closer to show him the photos on the camera. It’s become a habit to show Phii Fah my photos first whenever I take any. “I like the one with the duck,” I said, pointing to the duck by the canal we just passed, then scrolling through until I reached the photo of the three doctors walking and chatting. This made Phii Fah raise an eyebrow slightly, “Why?”

“Nothing. Just that we don’t usually have photos together.”    “Let me see,” Phii Jo walked over. I handed him the camera, “Hill, look at this.”

“What?” Phii Hill asked, turning around.

“Our photo.”

“Come to think of it, we never go out together,” Phii Hill said to Phii Jo after seeing the photo.

“Yeah. Normally, these are candid shots, ah, but this one’s candid too. Didn’t even notice,” Phii Fah teased me a bit, which made me inadvertently frown at him.

“If Phii Arthit was here, it would be complete,” I said, “Why didn’t he come with us?”

“He’s not one for going out with a lot of people,” Phii Fah explained, “Especially when traveling, he prefers going alone.”

“Oh,” I nodded in understanding. Seems like he really values his freedom, huh, Phii Arthit. After spending some time taking photos at the bridge, I was suddenly holding hands with Phii Fah because I was too busy taking photos to notice everyone else had moved ahead.

Let’s sneak a photo of Ter and Phii Hill. That’s revenge for them taking candid shots of everyone else.

“We need to hurry a bit, because according to our plan, we’ve got several more places to go, right?” Phii Fah asked with a smile. I nodded in response, one hand still holding his, making me feel both shy and warm at the same time.

I remembered last time, when we held hands like this while sightseeing.

Going out with more people does make me tense, especially because of Ter and North; I still remember being teased about…about the morning kiss.

I picked up the camera with my free hand to take a photo of our joined hands, then slowly moved the camera up to capture the person next to me, up close, and seeing that Phii Fah wasn’t looking at the camera made me think…    Switch to video mode instead.

   “Phii Fah,” I called out, and the owner of the name slowly turned around just as a gentle breeze blew by.

“What is it?”

“I want to record a video.”

“What kind of video?”

“It’s a birthday memory of me in Osaka with you Phii Fah.”

“Oh,” before a beautiful smile gradually spread across his handsome face. I believe if that shot just now was edited into slow motion, it would definitely be amazing. “Are you going to edit it?”

“Yes.”

Phii Fah raised the hand that was holding mine, touching his lips to the back of my hand and glancing at the camera. At such close range, it made me freeze as if my heart had stopped for a moment, and when I came to my senses, my heart started beating strongly.

   “Don’t cut this part out, okay?”

“…Okay,” I said in a faint voice. The other seemed satisfied before lowering his hand. I stopped recording the video for now. If I included the shot where Phii Fah kissed my hand in the video…

It would look very sweet.

There’s no way I would cut that part out during editing because it’s our memory, after all.

Before we headed up to Osaka Castle, looked at the view from the top of the castle, we didn’t stay long before descending and planning to go elsewhere.

“Takoyaki!” Ter turned to see a takoyaki stall and spoke with interest. Of course, he was the first to rush over, followed immediately by Phii Hill.

“What are they doing?” North asked me.

“Probably eating, they must have walked by and smelled it,” I said, unable to suppress a chuckle.

“But it looks good, the original from Japan is like this.”

“Original again,” I hadn’t finished speaking when North followed Ter.

“Aren’t you going to buy any?”

“I am not hungry,” I turned to respond to Phii Fah.

“You can try some, eat a lot, come on, didn’t your mom say to eat more because you’re too skinny?” Phii Fah’s words forced me into the takoyaki shop, even though I thought I’d been eating a lot lately. But my mom still says I’m too thin.

After buying some, I poked one with a stick, blew on it, thinking it was cool enough, and tried it. It was delicious, but then I felt a sharp pain in my mouth.

“What’s wrong? Does your mouth hurt?”

“…” I didn’t respond, inadvertently frowning at him; the pain was from where my mouth had cracked that morning. I wanted to be sulky but decided to let it go. Better not to mention it. “Try it, Phii Fah, it’s really tasty.”

“Feed me one.”

I poked another piece of takoyaki and blew on it to cool it down before feeding it to Phii Fah. After we finished eating, we prepared to move on to another place.

“Hey,” Ter nudged me and showed me a photo on the camera, one where I was about to feed takoyaki to Phii Fah.

“Sneak photo again.”

“Is it nice? Phii Fah looks so handsome even with his mouth open to eat takoyaki.”

“Phii Hill will take it down later.”

“Phii Hill won’t mind.”

“Really?” I asked incredulously, thinking Ter shouldn’t be sulking if he gets scolded by Phii Hill. Then we continued walking to a nearby place where they sold goods. While we were buying ice cream, I noticed Phii Jo buying beer.

Come to think of it, I’ve never seen Phii Fah drink.

“Do you usually drink?”

“Beer?”

“Yes. Like, alcoholic drinks?”

“Not really. I don’t like them much.”

“Oh,” I nodded, thinking it wasn’t that surprising.

“What about you Phoon?”

“Huh, me? No, not anymore.”

“Didn’t you tell me that you used to drink a lot before?”

“Oh, that was a long time ago, back when I was rebellious,” I said, thinking back to those days when I was a naughty kid who often ran away from home, fought with Fan, and behaved badly while drinking with friends, “But now I don’t touch it at all.”

“That’s good, but if you feel like drinking, let Phii Fah know.”

“Will you drink with me?”

“No, I’ll keep an eye on you.”

“I can take care of myself, you know. When drinking.”

“I’m still worried,” Phii Fah said in a calm tone as if it were just a casual statement, but for me, it felt quite special. I couldn’t help but smile secretly when I heard that.

Initially, we had planned to go to the aquarium, but we thought it would be more beautiful at night because they have a light show. During the day, we decided to walk around and look at various things, then visit a temple to pray and make merit instead.

In the evening, we arrived at the pier where there’s the aquarium and a giant Ferris wheel. The first thing that caught my eye was the

Ferris wheel. From the information I gathered, it’s open until late. So, we headed to the aquarium first.

“Hey, what’s up?” I asked when I noticed Phii Fah kept looking at me.

“Nothing, just that you look so excited.”

“I am excited.”

“That’s good.”

The two of us held hands as we walked further in. The front of the aquarium indeed had the light display as I had read about, with a plaza full of blue lights giving the feeling that we were underwater or at the icy poles with the cold air and strong winds.

   Before we could look around more, the highlight was penguins walking along the path with a guard. Of course, I didn’t miss the chance to take a photo right there.

   “Looks familiar, ah, but I can’t remember what kind of penguin it is.”

“Emperor,” Phii Fah answered. I nodded slightly before turning my attention back to the little one in front, not forgetting to record a video. Today, I’ve got plenty of footage to edit for my birthday video in Osaka.

Walking inside, I found that it was decorated with the same color lighting as outside, in a blue tone, dark blue. The ceiling was full of bright blue lights, making it feel like we were under the deep sea. Even with the blue lights, the darkness inside made it hard to clearly see the person beside me.

While Phii Fah was scanning the surroundings, I took the opportunity to capture him, who was absorbed in the beautiful ambiance around us.

Looking through the lens, I realized that no matter what lighting, he always looked captivating.

“Can I borrow your camera for a moment?”

“Sure, are you going to take photos?”

“Yes, it’s so beautiful, I want to capture it.” Hearing that, I took off the camera and handed it to him. Without the camera in my hands, I started looking around, but when I saw Phii Fah holding the camera and taking photos, I paused.

I’ve noticed many times before, whenever Phii Fah holds a camera, he looks really good.

I wanted to take a photo of that moment, but I didn’t have my camera with me.

Wait…

“Phii Fah, are you taking photos of me?”

“Yes.”

“But didn’t you say you were going to take photos around here?”    “When did I say that? I just said it was so beautiful I wanted to capture it.”

“Then take the photos.”

“I am taking them.”

“…”

I froze when I understood what he meant. Saying it was so beautiful he wanted to capture it and then only taking photos of me meant he was talking about me, right? Realizing that, I protested to cover my embarrassment.

“Is this revenge?”

“Not at all, you don’t usually like taking photos of yourself, right?”

“Yes.”

“So, Phii Fah will take the photos instead. It would be such a pity if we didn’t capture this beauty.”

Phii Fah’s words left me speechless for a moment, then he handed the camera back to me. I took the camera and quickly looked at the photos, finding both moments when I was distracted, staring around, and when I turned to complain to the camera.

“Don’t delete them, okay?”

“Ugh.”

I pouted playfully; Phii Fah had taken really beautiful photos. Not because I was in them, but because of the angles and everything else in the shots, overall, they were very good.

We walked into the underwater tunnel, and somehow, we had gotten separated from the others. I didn’t know when, maybe from the entrance.

“Phii Fah, do you see the others?”

“We got separated at the entrance.”

“Oh, I didn’t even realize.”

“When you were looking at the penguins.”

“Oh, that’s bad, what should we do?”

“We can call them later when we’re back. It’ll be hard to find them now.”

“Okay.”

We continued through the underwater tunnel to the Japanese forest zone, which was like an ecosystem simulation. I took lots of cute animal photos, then we moved to the marine animal tanks. I didn’t know how long I spent in there, but by the time I realized it, I had seen everything. It seemed like it took quite a while, but Phii Fah didn’t complain, waiting patiently until I had taken enough photos.

“Was it fun?” Phii Fah asked after we left the aquarium. Outside, it was now completely dark. I checked the time; it was almost ten at night.

“Yes, the decorations were very beautiful.”

“Shall we go on the Ferris wheel?”

“Yes!” I said excitedly once more when I realized we were about to get on the Ferris wheel. I told you it was the first thing that caught my eye. After waiting in line for just a short while, we got into the gondola. I sat down, and Phii Fah sat opposite me. With the darkness, the view around us looked incredibly beautiful.

I gazed at the view outside as we gradually ascended, the lights below illuminating Osaka Bay, bridges visible in the distance. Since the Ferris wheel was so high, it felt like we could see the whole city of Osaka.

“Thank you for bringing me here.”

“Thank you again.”

“Really, thank you. Today was so much fun. I never thought I’d get to hang out with you and everyone, and get so many memorable photos and videos,” I said, turning to meet the eyes of the person sitting opposite me, only to find he was already looking at me.

With the dim light from below, I wasn’t so afraid of the darkness I was experiencing. Especially with Phii Fah here, there was nothing to be scared of. I reached out and held his hand, looking into those beautiful eyes with a heart beating strongly, filled with love for this person and gratitude beyond words.

“Have you ever thought about it, Phii Fah?”

“What?”

“About having a boyfriend, what it would be like.”

“Never,” he said softly, with a warm smile on his handsome face. “Why not?”

“Before, when I was alone, it was okay. I didn’t pay attention to anyone.”

“Really? Even though so many people like you, Phii Fah.”

“Well, I don’t like any of them.”

“But you like me, that’s strange.”

“Why?”

“…”

“Honestly, there are so many better people than me.”

“But there’s only one you, Phoon.”

“Then let me ask back, there are plenty of people better than me, why don’t you like them?”

“It’s been you from the start.”

“Phoon you is the type of person I like. If you showed me his true self, I would probably fall in love with you easily, maybe even from several years ago.”

“My true self…” I repeated his words, nodding to show I understood well, because I had asked Phii Fah once when we first started dating. I had never truly shown my real self to Phii Fah before that, “Who would dare?”    “Why not?”

“If I showed that I liked you and you rejected me, that would be bad.”

“But I didn’t reject you, did I?”

“Right, but because there was the letter, I got the courage. Back then, I was so scared that you wouldn’t be okay with me being the person from the letter,” I said truthfully.

“That’s good then. No matter what, as long as I got to know the real you, that’s enough.”

“What if I ran away back then, at the bridge?” I asked, referring to when Phii Fah asked me out.

“I told you, we would go back to where you feel comfortable, no matter how long it takes.”    “No matter how long? One year?”

“Yes.”

“Two years?”

“Yes.”

“Five years?”

“Yes.”

“Then, ten years?”

“Yes.”

“Wow, aren’t you exaggerating?”

“No, because back then, I decided that no matter what, it had to be you. As long as we could still talk like that, no matter how many years it took, while I finished his studies, worked as a doctor in the hospital,

I would come back to write letters to talk with you like before.”    “…Wow,” because those earnest eyes made me realize.

I was stunned because it made me understand that Phii Fah wasn’t lying at all.

“Phii Fah you could rush me, you know. You had the right not to be okay with the situation back then. Why didn’t you demand anything?” I said in a soft voice, feeling like something was stuck in my throat.

“But I am okay with it, why demand anything?”

“…” I pressed my lips together, feeling my heart swell with emotion. I let silence envelop us for a while because I didn’t know what to say to break this silence, until I remembered I hadn’t recorded a video. I started recording the night view of Osaka from over a hundred meters high, the colorful lights making me gaze in awe for a long time.

“Do you like the view from here?”

“Yeah, I love it, I want to come again.”

“When we come to visit your mom, we’ll come again.”

“Really, you promised,” I said, emphasizing it, and the other laughed a little.

“I already take you everywhere,” said the person opposite me, “In fact, I want to bring you out more often too, but Phii Fah doesn’t really have the time.”

“It’s okay.”

“…”

“I’m sorry for not having much time, even though I promised to take good care of you,” what Phii Fah said likely referred to the recent times when he was busy with studies and exams. He’s been studying hard, so it’s not surprising he doesn’t have much time. In fact, Phii Fah seemed somewhat worried about not having enough time for me.

   I shook my head immediately.

   “It’s really okay.”

“…”

“Besides, having a boyfriend who’s going to be a doctor isn’t bad.”    I said with a broad smile, and the other reached out to pinch my cheek lightly, with a playful grin.

“Besides, you have been taking good care of me too.”

“Really?”

“Wow, honestly, despite studying hard, Phii Fah you still do so much for me, and I’m very grateful,” I said. Actually, you take care of me too well. No matter where we go or what we do, I hardly have to do anything myself. Even during exam times when he was tired, he still tried to come see me, “Phoon should be the one taking care of you. I haven’t done much for you.”

“Being a good kid is enough.”

“I am a good kid. Never been rebellious.”

“Then who was it that brought coffee while I was studying, late at night, told to wait in the room but didn’t listen, and still came alone by car?”

“That’s right. Who knows,” I pretended, because when Phii Fah was studying outside. Initially, Phii Fah told me to wait in the room because he would study until the morning, so I wouldn’t have to go through trouble if I came to wait, but I stubbornly took coffee to him and ended up staying to keep watch.

I remember it was late that night, yet I still stubbornly went by car to find Phii Fah. Of course, I got scolded a lot for it. After that, Phii Fah didn’t let me stay in the room alone anymore because he didn’t trust me not to sneak out again.

Come to think of it, I’m quite clingy to Phii Fah like a leech.

“Must be a cat, then, number one in stubbornness.”

“Not stubborn.”

“Cats are stubborn.”

“Not a cat. Not stubborn either.”

“Cat.”

“Yes?”

“You just said you’re not a cat, why do you answer when I call you a cat?”

“Oh,” I frowned slightly, it’s just that I’m used to being called like that by them, “Fine, I’m a cat, but not stubborn.”

“Still stubborn.”

“Is that stubborn?”

“Hmm.”

“Phii Fah you always says I am stubborn, is I really that stubborn?”

“Not really. Just with this matter.”

“…Oh.”

“Feeling upset?”

“No. Just asking, if I’m too stubborn to the point where it’s bad, then I’ll adjust.”

“It’s fine, you being yourself is good enough.”

“Alright,” I smiled broadly at him, I wasn’t actually upset, I meant what I said.

“No matter how stubborn, you’re still my cat,” Phii Fah said while gently ruffling my hair.

“Hehe, this cat is very loyal, even dogs can’t compete.”

“Really?”

“Really, if I were a cat, and cats really have nine lives, I would give all nine lives to you, Phii Fah.”

“Hmm? All of them?”

“All of them, give everything, even stuff it into your hands,” I said with a slight chuckle.

“Okay, then Phii Fah will gladly accept them all.”

“…“

I love these moments when we talk like this. It might seem insignificant, but it’s sweet to me.

   Before I knew it, it was time to get off the Ferris wheel. Phii Fah called the others to meet up around here.

   “Where are we going next?” Phii Fah asked.

“To celebrate your birthday. I’ve looked at some places,” I answered while we were walking around Osaka Bay. Seeing our two shadows stretching ahead, I thought of something, and immediately took out my phone to take a picture.

I posted a photo of our two shadows walking together on Instagram.

With the caption:

‘You Have All My 9 Lives’

  SOUTHBESIDETHESKY CHAPTERS HOME