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~~~
Perspective - Third Person
After exhibiting a ruthless role without realizing it during the initiation ceremony last week, Inthach is now pulled into the senior training group. Although he does not yet have to enter the actual field, standing behind in front of hundreds of people makes him both irritated and dissatisfied. However, he can do nothing because... Senior Bandit, who has graduated, ordered it.
Senior Bandit... the code grandparent... is a former strict senior who is not close at all. However, when he orders it, one must comply because... having been a senior first, then a friend, and finally a junior... is a system that exists in any university.
Having been in the welfare department (or more politely referred to as miscellaneous, but in layman's terms, eternally a lackey), the young football player must be transferred to the senior training group. Of course, transferring departments means attending meetings. Thus, instead of returning with his juniors at 8 PM, now the short young man exits the building at nearly 10 PM every day.
It is incredibly frustrating!
Ae thinks to himself while cycling on the road that now has only trucks and streetlights leading to his sweetheart's dormitory.
At first, the young man thought about returning to his own dormitory first. However, since he could not contact Pete until cheering was over, he decided it was better to cycle out to find his sweetheart right away. As for the card to enter the room... Pete gave it to him a long time ago.
Arriving, Ae cycles up to the luxurious dormitory, greets the familiar security guard, parks his bicycle, and uses the card for entering the room to scan at the elevator. Ae thinks this system is quite good because if one does not have this card, do not hope that the elevator will open.
When he steps up to the entrance of his lover's room, he uses the same card to open the door.
"Pete, I am already back."
"Ai'Pete?" the person who has just returned to the room throws his belongings onto the table in the kitchen, calling out for his partner. However, the silence that responds makes Ae frown. He glances at the bedroom door and finds it firmly shut, but when he turns... it is locked.
Knock knock knock.
"Ai'Pete, it is me. Why did you lock the room?" Inthach knocks forcefully, appearing as though he will have to change it to banging. Otherwise, if the other party does not open the door, he will have to sleep in this sweat-drenched state. Moreover, he fears returning to his dormitory so late and missing the curfew.
"Are you already asleep?" the short young man mumbles to himself. "Well, at least I can wash my face." Saying this, he intends to walk to wash his face at the sink.
But at that moment, Creek.
"Ae... is it you...." The bedroom door cracks open, accompanied by a small voice from within, which makes the listener smile in amusement.
"Of course, it is me. Who do you think it is?"
Creek.
Grab.
"Ae, Ae! He is calling... He called me... Ae, I am scared..."
Once he is sure who has come in, Pete pushes the door wide open and rushes to hug his partner tightly, almost causing the recipient to stagger, while speaking in a trembling voice, as one who has been engulfed in fear for several hours.
"Hey, you are crying!!!" As soon as the short young man sees his partner's face, Ae exclaims loudly, grasping both shoulders and pushing him back to see each other's faces clearly.
At this moment, the handsome, clean face of Khun-chai appears smeared with tears, making him look disheveled. His hair is tousled as if he had been gripping his head with both hands. His face is pale, nearly devoid of blood, and his short stature makes the observer's heart skip a beat. Negative thoughts flood into his mind.
Grab.
"Who did something to you! Tell me, who hurt you!!!"
Two hands grip his shoulders tightly as piercing eyes blaze with the fury of someone overtaken by anger.
Just the thought that Ai'Pete was harmed is unbearable!
"N-no, no one did anything to me... He just called... just called," Pete stammers, trying to shake his head, fearful of the phone call that he had to turn off, sitting in a corner of the room, recalling the terrible things that man had done, causing his heart to race with fear. He keeps calling out for when Ae would return, but he is too scared to turn on the phone and call.
"Who! Who called you!!!" Inthach asks in a heavy voice, causing the person in his embrace to look like he is about to cry.
"P'Trump... P'Trump called."
The listener falls silent, recalling the fucking bitch-faced loser who had previously harmed his beloved, stealing not insignificant amounts of money and valuables, leaving Ai'Pete to lie injured by the roadside... and upon reaching this thought, his hands tighten into fists with rage.
Back then, he could do nothing because Ai'Pete was just a friend. Now though, if that fucking bitch-faced loser shows his face, he will be the one to stomp him into the ground!
"Ae, I am in pain."
Gulp.
Then, a soft cry causes the listener to quickly release his hands and move both hands to cup the cheeks, asking in a deep voice filled with concern.
"Did he do anything to you?"
Swish, swish, swish.
Pete shakes his head vigorously, even as the rough touch of the one holding his cheeks tightly drives away the fear from the past several hours, convincing himself that... he is safe now.
Ae is here now. I am safe now.
"He did not do anything, just called. He called ten times, but I did not answer. When I answered, he hung up. When he called again, he asked if I remembered my ex... that's it. Then I hung up, turned off my phone... I am sorry for making you worry. I know I am overreacting, but when I think about what happened last year, I am afraid he will break into my room. I..."
Grab.
"It's okay Ai'Pete, it's okay. I am here now. Nothing will happen to you, absolutely!"
Then, the one who is stammering everything is pulled down to lean on the shoulder. Even though it is not gentle and not filled with tenderness, it is instead full of concern shown through the actions and firm words saying... It is okay now.
Thus, the one who has cried once already starts to tear up again, both hands that had dropped beside his body tightly hugging the waist of the short one.
"I... Ae, I am scared... I am scared..."
The listener clenches the fist behind Pete tightly, grinding his jaw when feeling the coldness of the tears hitting his shoulder. Ai'Pete has not cried in fear like this for a whole year, but now he must cry because of a bloody fucking cur like you... I will not let you do anything to Ai'Pete. No way will I allow it!!!
Pete focuses his thoughts on the one who rubs his back, rubs his shoulder, rubs his head to comfort, and then whispers only...
"It is okay. I am here. It is okay."
Yet even though there is someone holding and hugging him throughout the night, for someone who has experienced such a terrible event, peace of mind cannot be found at all. Pete can only bury his face against the warm chest, not caring how much taller he is than Ae. He only knows that this man can protect and safeguard him.
Then, the nightmare that he thought had ended returns to Pitchaya once again.
While Inthach is also pondering throughout the night.
He is not panicking, but he... will not allow history to repeat itself.
~~~
"Are you saying that Ai'Pete is being targeted or what!?!"
The next morning, the first thing Ae does is call as many members of the football team as possible. Now, during the lunch break, everyone who is free gathers by the football field, listening to the plea of someone who has never bowed his head to plead with anyone, and then turns to look at the handsome man who overshadows everyone on the football team in disbelief, because everyone knows well that Pete... is not someone who gets into trouble with anyone.
"Yeah, that is why I am asking all of you and the seniors." Ae responds to the questions and scans the members of the team.
"I know, brother, that I may be asking something that seems inconsiderate, but recently, could anyone help take turns picking up and dropping off Ai'Pete? I do not want to disturb everyone every day, just on the days I cannot pick him up myself. Right now, I am resigning from being the elder in charge, but there are still times when my class schedule does not match with Ai'Pete's." The short young man tells the seniors.
He knows that both sides have their own affairs, but because their schedules do not match at all...
He has classes for two hours at a time, while Pete's are three or four hours, depending on the subject. Therefore, during the time that he is alone, Ae honestly admits that he is worried.
"Do we really have to go that far, Ai'Ae?" Senior New, a third-year student, asks.
Before Inthach has the chance to respond, this voice sounds out.
"Hey, hey, hey, I remember this. I remember that a year ago, Ai'Pete got punched down on the ground during the freshman orientation. My friends saw it, too. His phone, watch, and wallet were all taken. I got to know him because of that… Don't tell me he still hasn't stopped pestering you all… Should we gather a group to beat him up?"
Khaen talks quickly, feeling anger for what happened last year, while Ae himself speaks in a strong voice.
"If I knew where he was, I wouldn't let him go. I don't know though...
Speaking of which, he glances at the person sitting quietly, too afraid to speak up.
Ai'Pete told him that he doesn't want to bother others, but if bothering others makes him safe, even if he has to kneel and beg, Ai'Ae will do it!!!
"Can't you help at all, bro? This year I'm taking almost all the same subjects as Ai'Ae, so I probably won't be much help." Even Pond himself speaks up with a serious expression because he learned from friends about why Ai'Khun-chai was troubled last year.
Last year, he hadn't revealed that he was gay, but now they all share everything with the selected people.
Phew.
"I'll help myself!" And it is Khaen who raises his hand first, adding...
"I'll tell Ai'Tinn as well. From now on, don't walk alone, Ai'Pete. I'll tell him to keep an eye on you. Yeah, that jerk over there, Ai'Pete. One punch, and that big guy will probably go down. I'll go ask him for help too." Kirakorn speaks in a serious tone, and without wasting time, he quickly contacts his partner.
Pete can only express his thanks while...
"I'll help keep an eye out too... After all, Ai'Pete is like a younger brother on the team. I consider him as my younger brother too." Champ, a senior in his fifth year who hasn't graduated because of his own foolishness in failing one elective subject and therefore didn't graduate with the Techno and Type crew, says with a smile.
"This semester, I am extremely free. I will be your romantic partner's bodyguard!" Champ says with a knowing tone, while nodding toward the stunned person.
"Thank you, brother," Ae does not refuse, as teammates begin to tease.
"Hey, admit it! Finally, you open up. I've been so curious that I could burst!"
"What is there to hide? I think everyone knows what those two are to each other."
"Why do men nowadays like to be with each other…? Well, that's good. With looks like that, not liking women reduces the competition quite a bit."
"Congratulations! You have come out, right? Why not do like Khaen's pair and kiss passionately?"
Various voices chime in excitedly about a couple that no one can help but wonder about.
Considering that during heavy practice, they have been seeing each other every evening, walking home together, always showing up as a pair, and cheering for each other at competitions, Chomphu comes to scream, while Ai'Ae is uninterested.
Turns out… They are together.
"I have never hidden it."
However, Inthach frowns sharply, speaking with a look of surprise as if asking, "Did you all just find out?"
"Oh, but you never said anything, Ai'Ae," New teases humorously, then speaks earnestly.
"Alright, team members are family. If the partner of a team member has problems, I am ready to help... I will call P'Type as well. He has not come today because there are no classes, but he will probably show up in the afternoon." Saying this, he mentions the senior who has graduated and chose to continue his master's degree at the same university. Therefore, Type also still hangs around here.
"Yeah, let's take turns. Pete, bring the class schedule. We'll arrange the shifts for you," Champ says with a wide smile, prompting everyone to look at the handsome young man who can only stand there dumbfounded.
Then, Pete can do only one thing… raise his hands in a wai and say with a trembling voice, "Thank you very much, brother. Thank you, everyone. I truly appreciate it. I apologize for causing all this trouble…"
"Wow, what a fuss! You are my friend, no way! I cannot let you be in danger. I do not want to see Ai'Ae in demon-queen mode. I think he is scary as it is. If he goes into that mode, it would be bloody fucking terrifying!" Khaen says cheerfully, volunteering to escort Pete while Pond nods in agreement.
"Yeah, you do not want to see Ai'Ae when he is angry. Just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine. So, let us help prevent that bloody fucking jerk from being beaten by Ai'Ae instead."
Even though everyone says it is fine, Pete still feels stuck, even as he feels warmth in his eyes.
He had never thought there would be so many people ready to help.
Thud.
But then, a warm touch rests on his shoulder, making him turn back to see the sharp eyes filled with determination.
"You will be safe… trust me."
A promise that Pete wishes to believe with all his heart.
~~~
"Right now, Nong Pete seems to have... many kinds of friends."
Today marks how many days–they do not know–that Money has seen their beloved junior walking with a strange young man who is rather... not handsome... making them unable to refrain from speaking up.
Manophop understands that Nong Pete is dating a short, muscular, dark-skinned guy, but what makes their handsome junior mostly walk with a dark-skinned young man? While the skin color might not matter much, the physique does not count either, but in terms of looks... um, is he even less attractive than Ae?
It's a question that makes the listeners, including the male classmate who walks him to the classroom, turn to smile at him.
"He is a friend of Ae's on the football team."
"Oh wow, oh my, you've got it all, huh, little brother!"
"Excuse me?!"
"Uh, not that, not that! I mean... like, you seem to be close, huh? Lately, I haven't seen Nong Pete walking alone at all. Just yesterday and the day before, I saw someone walk Nong Pete back to the dorm. Here, I have so many questions, and in the end, it circles back to... have you really broken up with Ae to date someone else? I wonder where Nong Ae has gone."
"Actually, Ae is busy lately, dealing with the orientation, so he doesn't want me to go back alone."
"Ohhh, I wouldn't have guessed that a guy could be this loving. He didn't come himself; he sent a bodyguard along. I need to keep an eye on that guy!" Manophop nods, while the younger student smiles since he hasn't yet told the upperclassman about someone possibly attempting to harm him, not wanting them to worry more than necessary.
Just from the football team, Ae's friends are already asking who that is and who this is.
"And why are you meddling in his business?"
Gulp.
"Here comes the pretty-faced guy, but with a bad mouth." At that moment, Tinn steps in and speaks nonchalantly in his usual way, making Manophop subtly pout and murmur to himself, but he feels too lazy to argue back.
Meanwhile, the newcomer sits down next to his friend.
"Khaen told me about it." Pete turns to make eye contact and sees that the person who used to ignore everyone is now looking at him with a concerned expression.
"This semester, I will walk you to your car."
"Thank you, Tinn." The thank you that the listener nods to, while Money also slightly pouts, unable to suppress their curiosity.
The atmosphere feels strangely tense.
~~~
The thoughts of the person witnessing such scenes continue for several weeks, even though summer ends and the new term for the international students begins. Thus, at this moment, aside from Ae moving his belongings to stay as a companion...
In the morning, Pete goes out with Ae.
At lunch, someone comes to take him to eat with Ae.
In the evening, someone walks him to the car.
After that, someone sits with him until they reach the dorm... and then Ae returns... going around in this manner.
The tight protection prevents those with malicious intentions... from doing anything.
At this time, Trump stands behind a building, looking at his ex, who is a source of wealth, along with a large group of friends, feeling irritated. He cannot believe that someone as quiet as Pete has someone by his side almost all the time now. His gaze shifts to the person sitting next to Pete with resentment.
You are the one destroying my source of income!!!
The thoughts of this person acting alone, while the gambling debts only continue to increase, make Trump think he must act quickly, leading him to call someone he believes can help.
"I have work for you. I assure you the pay is good."
~~~
"No, thank you, Ae. Today, I know that everyone is gathering at the field... I can return with him."
One evening after the orientation activities end, the person who has been surrounded by many for the past month is talking on the phone with his romantic partner, looking much less anxious than the previous month, because he noticed that the perpetrator has gone silent, without even receiving any strange phone calls.
However, today in allowing Pitchaya to return alone, it is not because familiarity makes Ae careless, but rather due to the necessity of the football team gathering. The seniors who graduate are returning, and they are welcoming the new first-year students, which causes all the bodyguards to gather at the field. As for Khun-chai Pete, he is occupied himself with a project due tomorrow. Otherwise, he would go to watch as well.
"If anything happens, just call me."
"Sure, I am fine. I am almost at the dorm now."
"Wow, so sweet! You really won't let him return to his room alone, will you?" At that moment, Manophop, who rides back in the car, teases playfully, making the driver feel embarrassed.
"Well, I have to go now," Pete hurriedly says and corrects himself.
"It's not sweet at all, brother. It does not seem sweet."
"Really? It doesn't seem sweet at all? What you two are talking about is not sweet at all!"
The listener can only laugh to cover his embarrassment as the car turns into the regular parking lot.
"By the way, Nong Pete, about the wristband, I got a new model. I'll bring it to your room to show you." Suddenly, Manophop mentions, recalling that the younger student asked about the wristband he previously made as a gift for the short one last year, wondering if there are other styles available.
It seems he wants to make a couple's set now.
The thought of someone makes Money toss a glance at Pete with jealousy.
"Okay. Are you coming up to my dorm, Money, or should I go down to yours?"
"Better for me to come up. Oh, but I want to stop and grab a shirt from downstairs first. I forget to send it for laundry. Nong Pete can go up first." As they walk inside later that evening, Money points to the laundry shop located under the adjacent building.
"Do you want me to go with you?"
"Ooh, no need, no need, not much at all. You should just go up first," Manophop says.
Hearing this, Pitchaya nods, heading up in the elevator first, while Money walks the other way to collect their laundry. At that moment… three men approach the elevator, waiting...and watching.
"O chalala lala—finally alone with Nong Pete! Should I bring up a special drink?" Money hums, carrying a large pile of clothes back toward the elevator.
"You forgot to bring your keycard? Are you crazy?"
"I forgot! It's fine, I'll just ask someone to let me up. I know where his room is; I can knock."
What is going on here?
Manophop turns to look at the men by the elevator, noticing them arguing. He doesn't recognize their faces, but one of them, a bit annoyed...has striking good looks, though somewhat lean.
A handsome man with a problem? I must help!
Tap.
"Would you like to come up with me, Nong?" Money offers, extending their hand to scan their card. She looks up, blinking flirtatiously, their voice hoarse yet sensual, causing two of the three men to flinch, unlike the handsome one, who grins widely in return.
"Yes, yes, thank you so much, beautiful."
"Oh my, handsome and smooth-talking too! So charming." She coos, squealing playfully as they all step into the elevator and press their floor.
"Oh! Same floor as my friend's. Which room, handsome?"
"903."
"Right next to my friend's room~" Manophop replies, feeling a bit disappointed they have to drop their things off first, or they'd stay to admire the handsome guy for a bit longer.
"Bye-bye, beautiful," the handsome man says, as he bids farewell once they reach their floor. Flattered, Money twirls a little in front of the elevator, standing there in a slight daze as they watches the three men… ride up to the real target's room.
902.
The room number comes into view, prompting the three to exchange looks.
"You're sure, Trump, that he won't dare report it?" asks one of the men, with a low chuckle from the handsome man in response.
"He has too much pride, especially with his family involved. He wouldn't make a fuss and humiliate himself… besides, all we have to do is make sure he wouldn't dare report it," he finishes with a wicked grin as he raises his hand to knock.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Yes, coming, P'Money, just a moment!" calls the voice from inside.
Inside the room, the person, who has just opened his beloved laptop, quickly gets up, responding to the call as he heads to the door. Knowing full well who should be on the other side, he still checks through the peephole but sees...only an empty hallway.
"What's P'Money playing at?" he murmurs, but opens the door anyway, assuming it to be a prank.
Click.
"Are you hungry, P'Money? I was about to order—"
Thud!
However, before Pete can finish his sentence, a heavy fist connects squarely with his face, leaving him too stunned to scream as he collapses to the floor, wide-eyed, snapping his gaze back to see...three men advancing steadily toward him.
"Hello, love...been a while, hasn't it?"
"P'Trump!!!"
Grab.
"Ow!!!" Pete senses the danger as he scrambles to his feet, making to dash into his bedroom. Before he can escape though, the man yanks his hair with brutal force, snapping his head back, forcing a cry of pain. He hardly has a chance to call for help before—
Fwoosh.
"If you scream...I'll gut you," hisses one of the men, pressing a sharp object against his back. Pete freezes, cold sweat soaking his body, his frame trembling as fear takes hold.
"Good-looking face like yours...worth a try. Thought you were as crude as that buffalo-trans down there," sneers another man, reaching out to stroke Pete's cheek.
The unsettling gaze sends a surge of panic through Pete, and he swats the hand away.
Smack!
"Ouch!"
Pete's reaction only prompts a sharp slap to his cheek, turning his head and drawing blood that starts trickling from his nose. Inside, he's silently begging for help from anyone, and just then—
Thud!
"What on earth is going on here?!?"
Everyone turns toward the door to see Manophop standing there, stunned, their wristband-making supplies scattering across the floor. The newcomer's gaze focuses solely on Pete's bruised, blood-streaked face. Their dear Nong Pete suffering?!?
"What the hell are you doing to my little brother?!?" Manophop's shout rings out as they point accusingly at the three men they'd seen earlier at the elevator.
Trump turns and gives them a charming smile.
"And what's it to you, beautiful? Stay out of my damn business!"
Wham.
"Aaahhh!" Manophop shrieks as one of the men, acting on Trump's cue, swings his fist into their face. Pete tries to dash over to help, only to have his hair yanked back before he can reach P'Money.
"I think we need a new location."
"First though, let me enjoy pounding on this one a bit," Trump's friend sneers, pointing at Manophop, who stands holding their bruised cheek, as the thugs laugh cruelly.
Money's gaze, however, sharpens, fists clenching tightly. "You put a mark on my pretty face, so you're dead!!!"
Crash!
At that, Manophop lunges at the nearest man with a piercing scream, throwing themself into the brawl with the two men as crashing noises fill the air. One person against these hardened criminals though isn't enough. Soon, the defiant fighter lies on the floor, and Pete is left helpless, his arms wrenched painfully behind him, face pressed to the ground. At that moment, Pete's thoughts focus on one person alone… Ae.
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