MONSTERNEXTDOOR, Chapter 06: When you earn the trust of an introvert once, they will start trusting you.
I couldn’t sleep.
I don’t know if it was because I had coffee before bed or not, but I couldn’t sleep, tossing and turning, not even chanting or counting sheep helped, or maybe it was because I had pranked Phii Godt’s friends.
In the afternoon, I started to feel scared because the sound of the child crying I played was really terrifying.
I moved in the dark, turned on the light until the room was bright, looked at my phone screen showing it was 3 AM, and I got goosebumps all over. Waking up at any other time would have been fine, but at 3
AM?
Great timing!
Actually, I’m not afraid of ghosts. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to live alone. I can watch horror movies and sleep normally, but the sound of the crying I played to scare Phii Wan and Phii Bell stuck in my head and wouldn’t go away.
Ding, ding
Sitting at the edge of my bed, holding my head, I turned to look outside the balcony at 3 AM. The chime wasn’t ringing because of the wind; someone was deliberately shaking it. Someone who could see the light from my room…
Is the creature next door still not asleep?
Realizing this, I quickly scrambled to open the glass door with relief. The deep voice that followed made my heart feel at ease. At least, it was better than being alone right now. I really couldn’t handle it.
“Why aren’t you asleep?”
I sat down on the large cushion, almost merging with the balcony, letting out a weary sound into the cool, silent night. I felt grateful that he was up late tonight.
“I’m scared of ghosts.”
“Huh?”
“Well, Phii Wan…” I quickly shut my mouth, having accidentally let that slip. I didn’t know what Phii Godt had told Phii Wan and Phii Beert, especially Phii Beert, the quiet one who seems like he wouldn’t speak unless asked.
“What did Wan do?”
“Phii Wan, Phii Beert, and Phii Bell came over to your room.”
“He brought Bell along?”
“Yes.”
“And then what? Why can’t you sleep?”
“Phii Wan told Phii Bell there’s a child ghost in this room. So I played a crying sound for them.”
“Pfft,” laughter from the creature next door, “and then what?”
“They all ran out of the room.”
“And then why, after you pranked them, can’t you sleep?”
“The sound I played for Phii Wan was scary.”
“Then just come and talk to me until you’re sleepy, bring your pillow and blanket.”
“Uh-huh.” I grunted in my throat, then ran back inside to grab my pillow and blanket, arranging them beside me. Once everything was set, I called out because I didn’t want to be alone.
“What are you doing? Why aren’t you sleeping?”
“Reading.”
“Reading at this hour?”
“Yes. This is when no one bothers me.”
He’s reading at three in the morning? But if someone like Phii Godt reads at three a.m., I’m not really surprised; he’s busy all day, doing this and that, with lots of activities and friends.
Besides, my mother used to say that three a.m. is when your brain can memorize things best.
“Actually, I don’t really like reading, I’m practically a book-hater.”
“And aren’t the third year subjects heavy? You seem like an extracurricular kid.”
“It’s heavy, but I’m smart, you know.”
May I press the dislike button for self-absorption?
“You’ve never asked what I’m studying in the international program.” “Chemistry.”
“Hey, no way.”
What would lying to him get me?
“What about you, what do you study?” Since we met, I never asked what he was studying because I guessed engineering, but the creature next door is the hardest to predict I’ve ever met. He could be studying medicine for all I know.
“Chemical Engineering.”
See, I should have tried buying a lottery ticket, maybe I’d win once. But hearing he studies chemistry too, I actually got excited because I’m a chemistry guy myself.
“Do you like it?”
“I’ve liked it since high school. It’s something that gives clear results.
I don’t like things that are unclear.”
Things that are unclear…
“Like what, for example?”
“The brain and the heart.”
“…”
Why does the heart have to say something different from what the brain says?”
“That’s profound.”
“Well, isn’t it true? Think about it, when our brain tells us to do one thing, our heart insists on doing another. Like thinking this person isn’t worth it, but your heart says, ‘This is rare, why not give it another try? Make sure.’”
I laughed at his words. Phii Godt cleared his throat slightly.
“Good at making people laugh, huh?”
“You don’t seem like someone who would take relationships seriously.”
“Wow, you’re saying I’m not sincere?”
“No, no, don’t get upset. I mean, you don’t seem to be the type to take these things too seriously. You look like someone who’s already happy, with lots of friends, studying well, very much a social person.”
“Actually, I am serious about relationships.”
“Okay.”
“If I’m serious about someone, I definitely won’t let them go.”
And are you serious about anyone right now?” No, I meant to ask if he’s serious with anyone right now.
“I’m considering it.”
“You’re considering it?”
“Hang on, junior, saying that makes me sound bad.”
I laughed again, finding myself laughing more and more often these days. He’s naturally funny, but not the type to overthink before doing something. He seems like the kind of guy who just does what he wants without the fuss of decision-making, unlike me who always overanalyzes before acting.
“Are you sleepy? Should I read to you so you can fall asleep?”
“Uh-huh.”
The sound of flipping pages came through for a while before his deep, smooth voice drifted over.
“This fight, we’ve gained hope.”
“…”
“Go crush that guy!”
“…”
Rubber punch!”
I sat stunned for a minute before realizing that the book he was reading was a One Piece manga, not a textbook by any means. And he was reading with such emotion, as if he were Luffy himself.
Usually, he reads bedtime stories, now he’s reading One Piece as a bedtime story… it’s nice in its own way.
The cool night breeze brushing against my body, the chimes ringing softly, and his soothing voice, coming from the neighbor I’ve never met face-to-face, all this made my heart feel warm.
Even if his words were all about bullet punches and rubber kicks, it was still comforting.
I buried my face in the cushion, scratching my nose for a bit, listening to his deep voice until I started to doze off. The reason for my drowsiness was probably because I couldn’t understand a single thing Khun Godzilla was saying, which made my brain start to shut down, not processing anything anymore. I’ve never read One Piece before; I only read translated novels or English novels.
Now, my heavy eyes were slowly closing.
“Because I can’t do anything alone. That’s why I need others to help, right!”
Even though I like being alone, even though I’m happy being alone,
Khun Godzilla next door makes it impossible for me to refuse.
It’s really a joy to listen to his voice.
So sleepy… very…
I only got to sleep for three hours before I had to get up, shower, and get dressed. If it weren’t for the assignment due today, I would have skipped class and stayed in bed. Looking in the mirror, I sighed softly; my eyes were swollen like a panda’s.
No one to blame but myself, truly instant karma. Trying to prank others, and I end up not being able to sleep, and on top of that, I had to disturb my neighbor to keep me company.
After getting ready, I went to collect my stuff from the balcony, leaning my ear slightly towards the next balcony. I didn’t know if the creature next door had gone back to sleep in his bed or if he was reading One Piece on the balcony until morning, because all I heard was the chime ringing due to the wind.
Just as I was about to take the cushion back inside, I heard the yawn of the room’s owner, along with a slight sound of him moving.
Did he sleep on the balcony…
Watching over me…
No, he probably just fell asleep accidentally.
Shaking off the thought, I walked back into my room to feed
YoungMaster, watching the green turtle enjoying swimming in the water and smiling at him.
“I’ll be back soon, Young Master.”
I gently stroked Young Master’s shell and then turned to grab my notes from the table, stuffing them into my bag. I checked the room one last time before opening the door to leave. The first thing I encountered today wasn’t a Post-it from the creature next door, not a pink Pocky bag, and not a jasmine garland.
But instead,
“You are not a ghost.”
My lips were tightly pressed together as I looked up at the face of the person standing just three or four steps away. Judging from his voice, even though I had never seen him before, this man with light brown hair was definitely Phii Wan.
He was waiting for me…
I lowered my gaze, my eyes darting left and right in panic, my hands clenched so tight that my whole body tensed up. Although I had thought we would eventually meet since I had only made a pact with Phii Godt and not Phii Wan, I didn’t know what to say. Many worries swarmed my heart, and I didn’t even dare to step back into the room.
Phii Wan looked scary too. His face suggested he was ready for a fight.
“What’s your name?” Phii Wan’s voice sounded irritated, understandably so since I had pranked him so badly. If he wasn’t angry, I wouldn’t know what to say.
“Uh… Diewdai.”
Just facing a stranger made me unable to control my own voice; it came out broken like a radio losing signal.
“Why don’t you come out and face people, acting like a ghost?
Everyone has misunderstood you.”
Only one senior believed I was truly a ghost, even going as far as hanging a garland outside someone else’s door. Fortunately, the neighbor didn’t panic and tie a red cloth or three-colored cloth around, otherwise, this small matter would have escalated.
“And why don’t you look at someone when they talk to you? It’s rude.”
“It’s just that… I…”
“Wan!” Another voice interjected. I looked up to see a tall man running to join us. From his voice and gaze, this was Phii Beert.
“What are you doing?”
“I want to know what the kid’s intentions are, acting all secretive.”
“Wan, he’s afraid of socializing.”
“But he scared the hell out of me and Bell, almost making us freak out.”
“I… I’m sorry,” I said in a low voice, looking down at my feet, feeling guilty.
“It’s not his fault. You’re the one who thought he was a ghost and cursed him for no reason.”
“Well, Godt said he was a ghost, and he never left his room. Plus, he only talked to Godt.”
“And he has his reasons.”
“…”
“What does he need to talk to you about? You’re not even close, and I don’t know if him and Godt know each other.”
“Beert, so are you my friend or his friend?”
Sigh
If you guys are going to argue, let me go already. If I’m late, the professor might lock the classroom door, and I won’t be able to get in. I swear I’ll send young-master to bite your necks while you’re asleep.
“Sorry… I have to rush to class.”
Their conversation gave me a headache; since I had to hurry to class, I slightly bowed to both of them and was about to step away when the door beside the room opened. I jumped back in surprise.
Phii Godt…
“What’s all this noise? Show some consideration for the neighbors.”
Phii Beert and Phii Wan turned to look at the person in the room; only the door was slightly ajar. The room’s owner was still inside, so I couldn’t see his face.
“The boy next door is standing right in front of me.”
“Ha!” Khun Godzilla exclaimed in surprise at Phii Wan. At that moment, my heart raced, my hands were sweating so much I had to wipe them on my pants, feeling both fear and anxiety, a thousand thoughts rushing through my mind. I wanted to go back into my room so badly, but my legs felt stiff.
What if Phii Godt comes out…
Will we be able to talk like before…
Or will our agreement fall apart…
In that chaotic moment, I thought Phii Godt would peek out from the room and look at me. After that, everything would be over—our promise to talk before sleep, our simple conversations on the bedroom balcony, the One Piece he’d read to me when I couldn’t sleep, or even playing games together when we were bored… But nearly a minute passed, and he didn’t step out.
“So, what’s going on? Are you ambushing him or what?”
“Yes, I don’t like him being secretive.”
“Have you apologized to him yet?”
“Ha!” Phii Wan turned to exclaim in surprise at Phii Godt. I was also surprised to hear that.
I knew that Phii Wan was a close friend of Phii Godt, and I knew that
Phii Godt cared deeply about his friends. I thought he would side with his friend because there was no reason for him to endure not seeing someone he talks to daily. He didn’t know my true intentions. He might have easily believed Phii Wan that I was acting secretive because I wanted to be close to Phii Godt.
But when he spoke afterward, it completely changed my perception of this man.
“You’ve been yelling at him for a month, compared to him sitting quietly without saying anything. We’re the ones more at fault here.
Haven’t you apologized to him yet?”
I was about to say it was okay, that he didn’t need to apologize, even though I knew Phii Wan was afraid of ghosts, especially since Wan had pranked him like that.
“Sorry,” but Phii Wan easily apologized to me, “Sorry for being loud.”
“Yeah, and from now on, don’t come around waiting for him. Don’t knock on his door. Don’t you understand? Even sitting quietly in a room for five minutes feels uncomfortable for you, it’s the same for him when he has to face strangers.”
Phii Godt’s words said it all.
We all fell silent, as if nothing had happened just moments before, leaving only a tense atmosphere.
“And you don’t want to see him face-to-face?”
I looked up to meet Phii Wan’s beautiful eyes, but just for a moment before I had to look away. Phii Wan was just a bit taller than me, his sharp, distinctive eyes looked fierce, contrasting with his stubbornlooking nose, which my mother once said indicated stubbornness.
“What do you say, Godt?”
“I…” Khun Godzilla hesitated, “don’t want to,” he finally answered firmly.
“Really? The kid is so pale, with those round eyes and small mouth,” Phii Wan didn’t even finish his sentence before being interrupted.
“Shut up.”
“Don’t want to see him, huh?”
“Yeah!”
“Ha, my friend is totally smitten, he won’t yield to anyone, but he gives in to this little kid.”
Then Phii Wan walked away into his room with a loud, boisterous noise following him.
Sigh.
I let out a deep sigh, the tension from earlier slowly easing. The hands that were clasped tightly now relaxed, I looked up at Phii Beert who flashed a slight smile before I averted my gaze and gave a respectful wai, but instead, I received a large hand gently ruffling my hair.
“Sorry about that.”
“What the hell, Beert!”
“No, nothing.”
The door next to the room slowly closed, but Phii Godt’s deep voice shouted out before it did.
“One second.”
I froze in place. The door was opened again, under the weight of my growing curiosity, Phii Godt extended his hand from the room with a pink Pocky box and a Post-it note attached. I took the Pocky box in surprise.
“Study hard.”
The door closed. I smiled slightly at those words and looked down at the Post-it in my hand.
‘I might not seem like I care, but I actually do care a lot.’
That’s right… if he had followed his own whims, we wouldn’t be having these daily conversations.
Phii Godt’s actions made me feel good, and for a moment, I was proud of his commitment, knowing that if he broke the promise, I wouldn’t talk to him. So he didn’t come out to meet me, even though just a moment ago, we were only a short distance apart. Just leaning out would have been enough to see each other.
That’s why I’ve always trusted him. Even though he’s someone who can’t live without friends, someone who can’t handle silence for more than half an hour, he’s a person who is patient and never breaks promises.
Thank you for never trying to pull me out of my own world.
Thank you for trying to understand.
You, you’ve become my hero.