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Perspective - Third Person
Chomphu…
[[Translator's Note: Chomphu means pink.]]
In Chomphu's eyes, the man standing next to her is like a dream guy... Well, not exactly.
Even though this man isn't tall, doesn't have a model-like appearance, and doesn't fit the typical standards of beauty, ever since the day he sacrificed himself, getting his pants dirty to retrieve a file for her, Chomphu has felt that it is as if a prince from a fairy tale had appeared before her.
Since then, she has not forgotten about the man who helped her. Every time she looks at the pink file, her mind drifts to the person who smiled faintly and kindly said he would help. After finishing, he disappeared like Cinderella. The more she thinks about it, the more she wants to see him, so she begins to wander around the college dormitory area every morning. Instead of waking up just before class, she starts waking up early to have breakfast at the university cafeteria.
Meeting him today must be fate. It must be destiny that she has found her hero, who is unlocking his bicycle. She rushes over and asks...
"Do you, Khun, remember me?"
He seems puzzled, so Chomphu quickly recounts the incident. Although he says it was no problem and that he is glad she managed to submit her work on time, she can't help but ask to join him for a meal at the cafeteria, pleading with her eyes and offering to treat him as a thank you.
She wants to stay and chat a bit longer.
In the end, he softens and agrees to come with her. She is left sitting across from him, smiling broadly, having learned from his friend (who she didn't know had followed them) that her hero's name is P'Ae. She is grateful because when P'Ae's phone rings, he mentions he will pick up another friend, and his friend Pond volunteers to pick him up instead.
"I'll pick him up myself. YOU, Pond, don't need to get involved."
"How could you, friend? It's not gentlemanly. Nong Chomphu came to see you, so stay and talk with her. I'll pick up Khun-chai Pete myself."
After P'Pond (so it seems his name is) leaves, Chomphu tries to strike up a conversation with P'Ae. However, P'Ae seems quiet, responding to questions with only a faint smile. When she asks why he isn't buying any rice, he smiles widely for the first time, causing her to blush.
"Not yet. I'm waiting for a friend. I need to buy rice for him too."
What friend buys rice for a friend? And why the big smile? Chomphu puzzles.
At first, Chomphu wonders if the friend is a woman, but when P'Pond brings his friend in, she nearly sighs with relief. However, Chomphu can't shake the strange feeling that when this handsome guy walks in, P'Ae seems so relieved and even quickly stands up to pull out a chair for him.
Maybe I'm putting too much thought into it? Chomphu questions.
As P'Ae goes to buy rice though, something compels Chomphu to blurt out immediately.
"I really want to thank you, P'Ae. And... I really like you. Can I be your girlfriend?" Even as she says it, she realizes... She really wants this heroic Phii Ae to be her partner.
At this time, the whole table falls silent, contrasting sharply with the usually noisy cafeteria. When the cute girl makes such a serious confession, everyone is left speechless. It is P'Pond who regains his composure first because... he laughs until he is doubled over.
"Gak, haha! Ai'Ae? Ai'Ae! Haha, oh, I'm laughing so hard... Ai'Ae... your spring season... haha... has arrived..." Pond laughs uncontrollably.
Now, this short guy has such a bewildered expression on his face. Yeah, yeah, Ae is looking dumbfounded, and Pond can't help laughing at the group's usual cool guy.
It's hilarious. Really hilarious. Ai'Ae being confessed to— This needs to be shared. Pond thinks.
Bang!
"You Pond, shut up, you jerk!"
"It hurts, but I don't mind. I'm just laughing so much... haha, really laughing... turn your face here, I want to take a picture... haha." Pond continues to laugh, even as his friend kicks him and knocks him off balance.
What can he do though? It is too funny. Looking at Nong Chomphu, she is cute too—her bangs, short shoulder-length hair, big eyes, and rosy cheeks. Plus, her petite frame matches Ai'Ae perfectly.
Who came up with this to tease Ai'Ae?
"Why are you, Khun, laughing? I'm serious. Why make it into a joke!" Chomphu objects.
…
"Wait a minute. Nong, are you, Chomphu, serious?" Pond, who is laughing hysterically, suddenly stops and stares at the girl with a puzzled expression.
He asks again, giving the listener a disbelieving look.
"It's true! I really like P'Ae. When I said let's be boyfriend and girlfriend, I meant it. Why would you think I'm joking!" Chomphu says with a slightly displeased tone.
At this moment, Pond, who really thought the girl to be joking, glances at the person he had picked up on the bike and then shuts his mouth abruptly. It seems like trouble is brewing.
P'Pete looks as pale as a boiled chicken.
"I'm sorry. It seems I've made a mistake in timing." The young man mutters softly, taking a step back as if he has made a blunder, but Ai'Ae yanks him—yes, yanks his shirt nearly tearing it—and glares at him with a fierce look that makes him hesitate to move.
"Nong, are you playing a prank on me? Who told you, Chomphu, to prank me?"
See? Even Ai'Ae doesn't believe it. It's not surprising then, really, that Pond doesn't believe it either.
Pond thinks… I don't look down on Ai'Ae, but in eighteen years, he's never been a hot guy. Besides, he's only interested in football. With Pete entering his life, I'm surprised enough that Khun-chai is lacking vitamin A, making him so short-sighted. Now, there's a cute girl who likes him, without looking at me... oh, no matter how you think about it, it's just not possible!
"P'Ae, there's no prank here. I really like you. Since that day, I've wanted to see you very much." Chomphu pouts before smiling brightly, speaking eagerly, making Ae feel even more embarrassed and uncomfortable.
"So, what do you, Khun Ae, say? Will you be my partner?" The direct question leaves Ai'Ae at a loss.
"Um..."
However, the girl's phone rings loudly, prompting her to quickly answer.
"Uh, just a moment... Let me see... Hey, really? I'm leaving now, I'm leaving right away. See you later."
Her eyes widen as she glances at her watch, hurriedly grabbing her bag and turning to speak rapidly.
"My friend is calling. I'll come back to get your answer later, okay? Bye now, Khun Ae, goodbye." Chomphu says regretfully, waving her hand in farewell before running off in the other direction, leaving behind an awkward atmosphere at the table.
Swish
"You're playing a trick on me, aren't you?" Ae turns abruptly to glare at his friend, causing Pond to quickly shake his head. Although he wants to tease, he wouldn't joke about matters of the heart. Not to mention, he didn't even know the girl that well.
"It's not me."
"Then who is it?" Ae asks with a fierce tone. He remembers helping the girl, but it makes no sense that the girl likes him. Therefore, it must be some mischievous friend who has asked the girl to play a prank.
"Don't you, Ae, think that maybe she really likes you?" Pete asks.
Thud..
This time, the two close friends turn to look at Pete with one gaze, noticing that Ai'Khun-chai is clearly forcing a smile, speaking in a soft voice that makes Pond quickly remove his hand from his short friend's shoulder.
"Uh... family issues, I'm staying out of it. Oh, I just remembered I have an appointment with Piing. By the way, can I borrow your bicycle?" Pond says, laughing nervously as he backs away.
Then, he dashes off in the opposite direction. His motto, "survival is key" (he has several mottos), guides his escape this time too. He wants to stay, but seeing Ai'Ae's face makes him fear getting punched.
With only the two of them left, each is silent until Khun Ae suddenly speaks up.
"Why do you, Pete, think that?"
In truth, Ae has wanted to meet Ai'Khun-chai since yesterday, but Pete said he was busy rehearsing for the cheerleading songs and had promised to walk to the car with P'Money. So, Ae didn't bother, but today, the urge to see him and find out how Pete will react is overwhelming. However, now Pete won't meet his eyes at all.
Pete hasn't done anything wrong. He is only trying to say that the girl genuinely likes Ae, but that doesn't make Ae happy in the slightest. On the contrary, it makes him irritated.
Irritated that Pete seems to be pushing him toward the girl.
Ae is so annoyed that he wants to shake Pete and demand to know why he spoke like that. However, his subconscious knows it isn't right. They have kissed twice, but that doesn't mean Pete is his... not at all. In reality, he might be imagining that Pete likes him.
The blushing and the cute behavior might just be embarrassment from their kisses.
After that, the normally pleasant atmosphere between the two turns gloomy and tense. The meal, which is usually happy with the handsome guy's shy smile and the short guy stuffing his face, happens in silence as each sink into their own thoughts.
Even though Ae is annoyed, he still takes the tram to drop Pete off at his faculty, though without the usual farewell.
~~~
Since that day, Pete has found going to the cafeteria difficult. What used to be an eagerly anticipated time to see the person he likes has turned into an unbearable situation whenever the girl, Chomphu, joins them.
The girl with the cute smiling face is there only for Khun Ae. Despite hoping Chomphu will notice Pond's good looks and playfulness, this girl only ever says she likes Khun Ae.
These are words Pete doesn't want to hear, and his reaction is mixed with envy.
Why doesn't he have the courage to say he likes Ae like Chomphu does? Why was he born a boy? If he were a girl, everything would be easier, right?
In the end... he keeps finding excuses to avoid seeing Ae.
"Really, I'm just an envious person," Pete mutters to himself, lying on his bed and staring at his phone screen with someone's name displayed.
He wants to call but fears the person is talking to that girl instead of him.
Thud.
"Ugh."
The handsome face buries into the pillow in exhaustion. Closing his eyes, he reflects on his turbulent feelings. He has understood his feelings for days now. The day Ae asked, and he chose to avoid answering, it was because... he was hurt.
He is hurt that Ae shows kindness to others.
Why does the girl have to like him? Why can't Ae be kind only to him?
When did he become so selfish that he can't accept his own selfishness?
I don't want Ae to know how selfish I am. That I want Ae to see only me. That I want Ae to only be confused about me. I'm so wicked. Even though Ae should be with a sweet girl like this. He should be a normal guy. I just keep wishing Chomphu didn't really like Ae... I'm so awful.
It is the first time Pete has felt this way... love has made him so selfish, and he doesn't want Ae to know how selfish he really is.
Then though, the phone rings, making Pete quickly grab it, his heart racing, only to feel even more guilty when he sees the number.
Since when did he become like this? Seeing that it isn't Ae calling makes him so disappointed.
"Hello, P'Money."
"Nong Pete, I'm calling to confirm that you're going to join us in the stands, right? Last week you forgot to answer my question..."
Pete had completely forgotten about helping cheer in the stands, and can only manage a dry smile.
"Yes, yes, I'll be there..."
Thud.
That day, Ae will be at the engineering stand. Should he go... but he wants to see, to see how his practice has paid off.
"What's with the unsure tone, Nong Pete? Don't worry, our stand is cheerful and lively, unlike other faculties. For sure," Money says with a bright voice, making the overly sensitive person force a faint smile into his voice.
"Alright, I'll go."
"Okay, then that's it. Good night, おやすみなさい, Fais de beaux rêves, gut schlafen, ฝันดี, and good night to the most handsome one. Kiss, kiss!"
The cheerful voice of the senior manages to make the person who has been down for days break into a genuine smile.
"Good night."
After ending the call with Money, the handsome young man pauses for a moment. He wants to call someone else to say good night, but fear keeps him from doing so. He finds himself quite annoyed and jumps when he hears the notification sound.
"I forgot to tell you, Nong Yim asked me to say thank you..."
A short message along with a photo of a chubby-cheeked girl holding several pieces of candy and smiling brightly at the camera is received. This makes the viewer stare blankly, unable to help himself.
Actually, I haven't talked to Ae for several days, Pete thinks. Even though Ae might be angry with his foolishness, Ae still hasn't forgotten to send a thank you note. Pete can only press his lips tightly.
I really miss Ae... I miss him.
In the end, all he can do is send a "good night" sticker back and hug his phone tightly, not daring to say anything more.
~~~
"Ae, today I have some good news for you!" Pond shouts.
"Guess what? Do you remember Nong Chae-em, the one who scolded me? Today, when I used your bicycle, I fell down, and Chae-em saw it. At first, I thought she would laugh at me, but instead, she came over with a bandage and told me... ‘You're clumsy and foolish.'"
In the dormitory, Ae remains silent, resting his hands behind his head, staring at the gray ceiling. Meanwhile, his roommate excitedly recounts the story. Even though Ae doesn't respond, for Pond, being able to talk about it is quite the skill.
"You must be wondering why I could smile even after being scolded. I've never seen her smile before, and her smile was so sweet when she scolded me. It was so sweet that my heart raced, so I pretended my arm hurt. Not only did she use a handkerchief to clean the wound, but she also put on a bandage. When she was close, she smelled so good." Pond says happily, looking at the wound on his elbow and smiling before glancing at his shorter friend.
"Can't you, Ae, just be happy for me?"
"Hmm."
Damn, just one word.
Pond pouts, keeping his positive mood in check as he squats next to the bed of his short friend, noticing his absent-mindedness, which contrasts sharply with the usual excitement one would expect from someone who has an attractive girl interested in them.
"Stop sulking about Pete."
"..."
Ae remains silent for several minutes before turning to face the wall and speaking in a flat tone.
"I'm not sulking."
"Oh, really? You're so glum and still deny it. It's because he's avoiding you, and that's why you're upset."
Pond says this with a rueful chuckle. It is the first time he's seen Ae like this, and again Ae remains silent, prompting Pond to channel his experience into the conversation.
"As someone with high experience and many flight hours, I'll tell you that what you're experiencing is the beginning of sulking... When Pete doesn't come to see you, you get bored, frustrated, and annoyed, right? At the same time though, you feel that if you start talking to him first, you'll be the one who loses, as if you shouldn't have to grovel when you didn't do anything wrong... I don't know what's going on between you and Pete, but I'll tell you that if neither side apologizes first... it's going to drag on."
"Shut up. I'm not sulking about anything."
Ae interjects quickly, growing increasingly irritated with the chatterbox beside him.
"Is this how you act when you're not sulking?"
Crash!!!
Ae doesn't say anything more, only grabbing a pillow and throwing it at Pond's face, who clutches his face and groans.
"I was trying to give you advice, Ae."
"I didn't ask for it... I'm going to 7-Eleven."
With that, Ae gets up from the bed and walks out of the room, leaving Pond with a frown, mumbling to himself.
"Stop being stubborn. Sitting around staring at your phone like this, you inexperienced first-love fool!"
Pond is confident that Ae is definitely feeling something for Pete. He would have preferred to support Nong Chomphu, but his friend shows no interest in her.
It isn't likely that he is blushing because of a first love confession. Ae eyes are constantly scanning for someone... Never underestimate Pond's nosy eyes.
It is the same with Pete. Seeing him from the tram yesterday, he was walking with a downcast look that was clearly a sign of heartache.
"Oh, will this first love of theirs survive?"
After leaving the dormitory, instead of going to 7-Eleven as he told his friend, Ae sits on a bench, looking up at the tree swaying in the wind and sighs heavily.
Missing him.
"I miss you so much it's killing me." Ae murmurs to himself.
The longing makes him even more irritable. He doesn't really understand his feelings right now. He is so anxious. At first, when he called, Pete said he was busy. Later, he started sending messages saying he didn't need a ride, oversleeping, having afternoon classes, or canceled classes.
No matter how foolish he is, Ae knows Pete is avoiding him.
‘...but I'll tell you that if neither side apologizes first... it's going to drag on.'
"Why are you sulking, Pete?"
His friend's words make Ae start questioning himself. As Pond said, he feels that if he calls first, it means he is at fault, even though he has no idea what has suddenly happened. They haven't called each other. All he can say is that since Chomphu came into his life, everything has been chaotic.
So, should he blame Chomphu?
He doesn't think anything of Chomphu. Even though a girl has come into his life, and it should make him happy, he doesn't feel that way at all.
"Drag on..." Ae says to himself.
Right now, his mind is thinking of the worst-case scenario. He is afraid that Pete will keep drifting away from him, especially since they are in different faculties and might never see each other again. Ae tries to tell himself that it is because he cares, and if he isn't around, he wonders what will happen. In the end though, that is just an excuse.
"I'm afraid you won't come to see me again."
Yes, this was the real reason. If Pete keeps avoiding him like this, it could indeed drag on, just as Pond said. So, in a moment of worry, Ae picks up his phone and decides to send a short message.
The time it takes for Pete to read the message and remain silent feels so long that Ae, the short guy, feels an indescribable fear. He had never realized how terrifying it is to wait for someone to reply to a message. With other friends, it has always been fine if they read and didn't reply, but with Pete, it is different. If he reads it and doesn't reply, Ae will feel terrible.
When his phone buzzes, he flinches a little. Even though it is just a single sticker, the waiting heart feels.. relieved.
Grip.
I need to clear this up with you, Pete.
Yes, regardless of who is right or wrong or what the sulking is about, he won't let things drag on as Pond predicted. Whether he's wrong for apologizing first or not, he has to talk to Pete and resolve this!
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