WHYARU, Chapter 16:
“Hey, Tor, Day, you guys came to this event too?” Zen asked as Tutor and Day reached the ticket booth. Today, the football club was holding a concert to raise funds to buy sports equipment for kids at a rural school.
“Yeah, Hwa invited me, and this guy next to me forced me to come,” Tutor replied with a bored expression. Normally, he wouldn’t attend an event this crowded.
“Man, you’re something else,” Day said, playfully shoving
Tutor’s head. “No one should have to force you to come to this. Your two friends, Zon and Saifah, are performing, and you wouldn’t show up to support them? That’s just too much.”
“I came because I knew they were performing,” Tutor muttered under his breath before turning to Zen and Tee again. “By the way, how much are the tickets?”
“A hundred each,” Natee answered. “But if you want to donate more, just drop it in this box.”
“Alright.” Tutor pulled out some cash, stuffed it into the donation box, and handed two hundred-baht bills to Tee. “So why are you and Zen selling tickets for the football club? I thought you two weren’t in it.”
“Blame Tai and Jia. They forced us to sell tickets. We were supposed to just enjoy the concert, but those guys made us work the booth.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yup. You two better head inside now. It’s getting crowded,” Tee said. Tutor nodded, took the tickets from Zen’s hand, and walked into the auditorium.
The place was starting to fill up with people claiming their spots. The dim, muted lighting made it hard to see clearly, and the chatter mixed with the microphone testing on stage was so loud they practically had to shout to talk.
“Have you seen Hwa?”
“Not yet. No idea where she’s at. Let’s call her,” Tutor and Day searched for Hwahwa for a while until they finally called and found out she was standing almost right in front of the stage. “You’re late, Day,” Hwahwa said with a slightly pouty tone.
“Sorry, the professor asked me and Tor to help clean up, so we got delayed a bit. Don’t be mad at me, okay?” Tutor watched the scene with a hint of surprise. Especially when Day placed a hand on Hwahwa’s head and gently ruffled her hair—it made him wonder if their relationship was more than ordinary.
With Day… Tutor had always known he felt something more than friendship for Hwahwa.
But with Hwahwa, he wasn’t sure when it started.
Until she caught his curious gaze and scrunched her nose in a cute way.
“Don’t tease me, Tor.”
“Not teasing,” Tutor shrugged casually. “Just curious when it started.”
“Feelings or the relationship?”
“Day! What are you saying?” Hwahwa said, playfully hitting Day, who laughed in response.
“I just wanted to know what Tor was curious about. If it’s feelings, that’s been there for a while. The relationship? Not that long.”
“So, you’re dating?”
“Yup, we’re dating,” Tutor nodded with a teasing grin, earning another playful smack from Hwahwa.
“What the heck? I can’t even nod?”
“Nope,” Hwahwa pouted, then turned to cling to the person beside her. “Tor’s bullying me, Day.”
Tutor looked at his two friends, now a couple, and couldn’t help but smile at the sight. Maybe because all he’d ever wanted for Hwahwa was her happiness. Seeing her smile so brightly made him happy too.
“Oh, that’s Phii Fai over there,” Tutor’s thoughts paused at
Hwahwa’s voice and her glance toward someone with a group of friends.
“Should we go say hi?”
“Nah,” Hwahwa replied to Day with a slight pout, making Day reach over and pinch her lips affectionately.
“Why not?”
“Just don’t feel like it. I’m over it.”
“Are you mad because he couldn’t give you a reason why he started pursuing you?”
“Not at all,” Hwahwa denied, looking straight at Fighter’s group. Suddenly, a woman walked up and clung to Fighter’s arm with familiarity, making Hwahwa huff in annoyance. It wasn’t that she felt anything, but she was just confused—was this really the woman Fighter liked? The one who made him so hesitant and confused?
Flash!
The lights in the auditorium went out, followed by excited murmurs from the crowd.
“Hello, everyone! Welcome to the football club’s charity concert!!!” The emcee’s voice from the stage drew everyone’s attention, including Tutor, Day, and Hwahwa. “As you all know, this is a charity event. Every baht and satang donated will go toward buying sports equipment for kids in rural areas, with no deductions whatsoever.”
The emcees on stage were Soda and Luktan. They began by explaining the objectives of the event. After their introduction, Soda and Luktan announced the duo voted to open the concert tonight.
Saifah and Zon.
Tutor watched the scene in front of him with disbelief. He couldn’t believe that Zon, who was usually engrossed in writing novels, could step up to play the guitar and sing so captivatingly. Zon was the type who didn’t like standing out in a crowd, didn’t enjoy performing, and generally avoided activities altogether. But today was different. Zon had stepped forward, embracing a new world that brought a smile to his face.
Maybe the guitar and music could become a new source of happiness for him.
Truthfully, Tutor wasn’t thrilled about Zon’s novel-writing. It stressed Zon out too much with view counts and an obsession with perfection. Especially lately, with Zon’s idea that they were both somehow trapped in a novel, Tutor wanted him to break free from that mindset.
“Look at that woman,” Hwahwa said, nodding toward Fighter’s group again. “So clingy. How could Phii Fai like someone like that?”
“Hwa,” Day, standing beside her, tugged at his girlfriend’s cheek. “Don’t judge other people’s preferences. Everyone’s likes and loves are different, so we shouldn’t look down on anyone for it, got it?”
“Okay, okay, I get it. Stop making that scary face already.”
Tutor no longer paid attention to what Hwahwa and Day were saying. His gaze was fixed on someone standing out among the crowd.
To say he felt nothing would be a lie.
Because the dull ache in his heart right now told him he was feeling… dislike.
“Hey, Tor, where you off to?”
“I’m heading back. Got a bit of a headache.”
“Want me and Hwa to drop you at your dorm?”
“Nah, you two enjoy the concert. I’ll catch you tomorrow,” Tutor said with a smile, giving Day a light pat on the shoulder before turning to walk away.
As that small back moved away from the auditorium, someone caught sight of Tutor just in time. In the split second Fighter spotted him, he noticed the calm, almost indifferent look in Tutor’s eyes. Fighter had to admit—he was scared.
Scared that Tutor might misunderstand.
Scared that everything he’d done so far would go to waste again.
In the end, all he could do was hurry out of there, pushing through the crowd blocking his way to catch up with the smaller figure walking further and further away.
“Tor!!” Fighter shouted at the top of his lungs, calling out to that familiar back. He wasn’t even sure if Tutor would stop, but when he did and turned around, a wave of relief washed over Fighter almost instantly.
Because in that moment, seeing Tutor’s slightly annoyed face and those displeased eyes, Fighter knew—Tutor was jealous. That sulky look screamed, I didn’t like what you did back there.
Those eyes were so much better than that indifferent gaze. Not feeling anything hurt far worse.
Maybe he shouldn’t feel this way, but honestly, Tutor’s reaction felt like confirmation that their hearts were aligned.
“What’s with that grin?” And yeah, Fighter hadn’t even realized he was smiling. It must’ve come from the mischievous thoughts that popped into his head just seconds ago.
Thoughts of taking Tutor somewhere.
Just the two of them. Just him and Tutor.
“I’ve got a bit of a headache, uh, don’t worry… If the professor hands out any sheets, grab one for me, okay? Yeah, see you,” Tutor let out a relieved sigh. It was the first time he’d lied to a friend about something so trivial, but what else could he do? When he thought about that sulky, pleading face from last night, he couldn’t help but soften.
“Who was that on the phone?” The person in his thoughts asked, after loading all the bags into the back of the car. Fighter walked up to stand in front of Tutor, taking off his expensive sunglasses and tucking them into his collar. His thick hand reached out to gently brush the hair covering Tutor’s eyes, a fond gesture.
“Day.”
“Calling about what?”
“You’ve got the nerve to ask? You already know what he was calling about,” Tutor said, and the guy in front of him broke into a grin almost instantly.
“Just tell him you’re out on a date with me.”
“Very funny. Who’s gonna say something like that?”
“Telling the truth isn’t funny at all.”
“But Day and Hwa still don’t know…”
“About us two, khrap?” Fighter smirked, his sly gaze completely untrustworthy. But more than that, it was the way he ended his sentence with “khrap.” Normally, when he spoke, it was in his usual teasing, playful tone as Phii Fai, but this time it felt different.
“Khrap, huh?”
“Yeah, doesn’t it sound cuter like this?”
“Nope.”
“Harsh, man.”
“I’m just not used to it. Go back to talking like you usually do.”
“It’s only been four days and three nights, Tutor. Can’t you get used to it for me, khrap?” Fighter placed his hand on Tutor’s head, gently ruffling it. His pleading expression seemed to beg for another chance to accept the new offer. If Tutor gave in again, his already racing heart might just overwork itself.
“No way.”
“Why not? Are you shy?”
“…”
“Holy crap, you are!” Fighter’s face lit up with disbelief as he moved his hand from ruffling Tutor’s head to softly brushing his cheek. “Shy because of me, khrap? Your face is all red and green.”
“…Phii Fai.”
“Yes, Nong Tor?”
“Stop messing around, seriously,” Tutor said, his face looking like he might cry. “If you don’t stop, I’m really going back to the dorm.”
“Okay, okay!” Fighter burst out laughing again at the sight of his little brother’s expression. “I’ll stop messing around. Let’s hurry up, or you’ll miss your flight.”
Tutor nodded and opened the car door. He let out a sigh, as if trying to slow down his racing heart. If only he’d turned down Phii Fai last night.
“What’s with that smile?”
“Nothing. I just want you to hear me out first. That person you saw? They’re nothing to me, Tor. Just a friend, that’s all.”
“Whether they’re something or not doesn’t really have anything to do with me, does it, Phii Fai?”
“Tor… you know damn well it does.”
“…”
“Don’t be mad, okay? I’ll make it up to you by taking you on a trip out of town.”
“What does a trip have to do with anything?”
“It’s to make up for it, plus it’ll prove how I feel.”
Prove what, Phii Fai? What exactly are you planning?”
“I’m not planning anything. I’m really confused. Don’t you remember when I said confused feelings need to be tested often? This time, it’ll probably give the clearest answer. If we’re really meant to be… we’ll just be together. But if not, we’ll go back to being like siblings.”
“…”
“Come on, Tor, let’s go together, please.”
“Fine.”
At that moment, Tutor agreed because of Phii Fai’s dejected expression. It was so sad and pleading that he couldn’t help but soften. But thinking back, he realized he’d overlooked that behind that pitiful look was a dangerously sly smile.
What a mistake, Tutor.
He really shouldn’t have fallen into his senior’s trap.
2:21 P.M.
“Finally here,” Tutor said, collapsing onto the bed in the middle of the room, exhausted.
The journey today had been so grueling that he swore he’d never pick a “beautiful” hotel based on Fighter’s recommendations again. The hotel they chose took nearly two hours to reach from the airport, and to top it off, the van’s tire blew out halfway. In the end, it took almost five to six hours to get to the place.
“You’re seriously going to sleep?” Fighter asked, even though it was obvious Tutor was about to crash. The way he burrowed into the blankets and rubbed his face against the soft pillow— did he really think Tutor was going to go for a stroll with him? “Tutor?”
“Ugh, yeah, I’m sleeping.”
“What the heck? We came all this way, and you’re just going to nap in an air-conditioned room?”
“I’m exhausted, Phii Fai, and sleepy.”
“So, is this my trip or yours?”
“Your trip,” Tutor mumbled to the guy now sitting on the bed. “But I’m still tired. Let’s talk about it later this evening.”
“Aren’t you being a bit too selfish?”
“Just indulge me a little.”
“What do I get for indulging you?”
“What do you want?” Tutor lifted his face from the pillow to meet the eyes of the person staring at him.
“You…” Fighter said with a smirk, looking at the guy lying on the bed. “What do you think I want, huh?”
The sound at the end came from Tutor throwing a pillow at Fighter’s face. An annoying guy will always be an annoying guy, day or night.
“Why’d you throw the pillow?”
“Because you’re being annoying,” Tutor replied.
“I wasn’t being annoying. I was just asking nicely what you think I want.”
“Who’s supposed to just know what you want?”
“Then ask me again.”
“Not asking again.”
“Ask again, please. This time I’ll answer for real. I swear I won’t mess around.”
“…”
“…”
“What do you want?”
“If I say I want you, no jokes, would you let me have you?” Tutor went silent. He didn’t say or respond at all, maybe because he was stunned and didn’t expect Fighter to pull that line again. In the end, he just buried his face in the blanket and closed his eyes, as if he hadn’t heard the laughter or the irritating voice of the guy.
“Gone quiet, huh?”
“I’m tired of talking to you.”
“Fine, no more talking then. But can I sleep here?”
“…”
“I’m sleepy too, Tor. Driving was tiring, carrying stuff was exhausting, and that damn camera was heavy as hell. Now that I want to sleep, someone’s hogging all the space.”
“You talk too much,” Tutor shifted and lifted the thick blanket, as if inviting Fighter into his space. “You gonna sleep or just sit there staring?”
“Feels like you’re flirting,” the taller guy teased, but he still slipped under the blanket.
“So you really do have a death wish, huh?” Tutor shot back, not backing down.
“Haha, just kidding,” Fighter said before moving even closer to Tutor.
It was so close that Tutor could feel the warm breath on his face. Honestly, they didn’t need to be this close—the bed was plenty big—but Tutor didn’t say anything.
“Tor,” a low voice spoke as fingertips gently brushed against his cheek. “What do you want to eat tonight?”
“I want to sleep.”
“I asked what you want to eat, not what you want to do.” “Well, right now I want to sleep first. We’ll figure out food later.”
“Man, you’re getting pretty cheeky these days, huh?”
“…”
“And whiny too.”
“I’m only like this with certain people, Phii Fai.”
“Certain people? Who’s on that list?”
“Well, there’s Dad, Mom, Phii Tong… and you,” Tutor mumbled into his pillow, instinctively scooting closer to the warmth of someone else. “Doesn’t that make you happy?”
“…”
“Because I’m really happy to have you as one of those people…” His voice trailed off, almost melting into the embrace he nestled into.
Fighter looked at the clingy guy, now seemingly half-asleep while still muttering. He was like a stubborn kitten—sometimes running in to play or cuddle, but when he got feisty, it was like he had claws and teeth ready to bite at any moment.
“I’m happy too,” Fighter said, pulling Tutor a little closer than before. “Really happy.”
Because Tutor letting himself be vulnerable like this meant their bond was growing stronger. Fighter reached out to ruffle the younger guy’s hair, a faint smile on his lips.
“Sweet dreams, Tutor.”
In his dream, Tutor felt the warm press of lips on his eyelids— light but firm, making his heart race even in sleep.
Sweet dreams to you too, Phii Fai.
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