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“You Rain, calm down first.”
“I am not calm and I won't be! If you won't help me, I'll find a way myself!”
Sky wanted to raise his hands to his temples. The thing he feared had happened... Rain's fuse had blown.
He didn't know what had happened between his close friend and the senior who had already graduated. But when VaRain returned, his face was flushed crimson, his body was red all over, his eyes were blazing as if there was a fire smoldering inside him. And then he stomped over, slapped the table, and declared that he would defeat Phîi Payu.
It was like last time, right? But no, this time..... he was serious.
Last time it was just hurt feelings. This time it was like a grudge.
When Rain asked if he would help find a way to get back at Phîi Payu, and he hesitated, not wanting it to go too far, the angry person made an angry face, then spun around and stomped out, until Sky had to run after him out of concern.
He had tried to calm him down, but it seemed like pouring oil on the fire.
“Who does he think he is, to dare speak as if I were an option!”
The listener couldn't make head or tail of it, but for sure, during the time they were apart, Phîi Payu must have done something serious enough to make Rain so furious that he barged into the senior's classroom. It was just as well that the professor hadn't arrived yet. Moreover, Sky himself couldn't grab his friend in time, and could only raise his hands in a wai to apologize to the other Phîi.
“Phîi Som, do you know what Phîi Payu's weak point is?”
“What the hell is with you, Rain?” Rain went straight to the person who revered Phîi Payu more than anyone and asked so directly that Sky made a horrified face.
“Just answer me, Phîi, please."
“How should I know? And even if I knew, I wouldn't tell you.” Phîi Som laughed, saying it jokingly. “I'm a fan club member. I have to protect my idol.”
“What damned shit-lizard idol?”
“Rain!”
Whoever said Phîi Som had an attractive face should see him now as he scolded with a displeased tone, until Sky quickly grabbed his friend's arm and raised his other hand in a gesture of apology.
“Sorry, Phîi. Sorry. Let's go, you damned animal.”
“I'm not going!” But the person with the blown fuse resisted with all his might, staring intently at the only senior he knew was acquainted with Phîi Payu. He had forgotten that this was a senior, and even more thoroughly forgotten that this was the older brother of the girl he liked. Right now, if he could learn about Phîi Payu, he was willing to give up everything. He'd be happy if someone would just spit out a little bit.
“So, do you know where Phîi Payu has his race?”
“What the hell? Phîi Payu races?”
“Yeah, right! You said you're his fan, Phîi. How can you not know Phîi Payu has a race this Friday!” Rain said firmly, not caring about the older person anymore, making Phîi Som's face tense up as he stood up to confront him.
“You Rain, speak properly. I'm your senior.”
“So what? Do you know or not?!!"
“That's going too far, Rain.” Phîi Som was also pulled by the sleeve seriously, but VaRain stared back with a dark red face, unwilling to yield, making the surrounding seniors start to pay attention to what was going on.
That scene made Sky see that the situation was bad, so he yanked his friend's collar back with full force.
“I'm sorry, Phîi Som. Rain just had some trouble, so he's a bit impatient. I know you're kind-hearted, you probably won't hold it against him, right? You apologize to Phîi Som, you damned animal.” The calm-tempered person tried to defuse the situation, but his pale-skinned friend didn't cooperate at all, until he had to use his ultimate move.
“I'll find out myself where Phîi Payu's race is.” Sky whispered close to his ear, making the listener turn his head sharply to meet his eyes.
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah. But you can apologize now.” This offer made Rain calm down considerably. He turned to look at Phîi Som and found the other's eyes were cloudy and confused.
“I'm sorry, Phîi. I was too heated.”
“Yeah! You Sky, take your friend away before he gets kicked!”
Without waiting for the senior to threaten a second time, Sky quickly dragged his friend out of the classroom, relieved that this time Rain followed obediently. Once he had dragged his pale friend out far enough that no senior could hear, the dragger turned back to look at him with a resentful expression.
“Do you realize what you just did? Picking a fight with a fourth-year?!”
“I was angry!”
“Then did you use your brain to think what would happen if you picked a fight with a senior? It's going to cause trouble for everyone!” When the calm-tempered person was the one who got heated, Rain calmed down. The more he looked into his close friend's blazing eyes, the more he could only lower his head to look at his toes, feeling remorseful.
“I'm sorry.”
“Yeah, you should have apologized earlier. So what happened?” When Sky asked, the slightly smaller person made a quivering mouth, his eyes red.
“I'm hurt.”
“About what?”
Breathe.
Rain didn't answer the question, just raised his hand to rub the back of his own neck. His already red face turned even redder. His sharp teeth bit his lower lip until it turned white, making a face like he was about to cry, a world away from his previous serious attitude, until Sky sighed.
This is exactly why, even though he can be annoying, in the end, he's still soft-hearted.
“Can I not tell?” The speaker reached out to grab the hem of his shirt. “Then how will I know what's going on between you and Phîi Payu?”
“You...” Sky wasn't used to the talkative person refusing to tell what exactly had happened. But when he made a face like a cowed child, so different from his attitude with Phîi Som earlier, he could only feel helpless. Anyway, he had already promised. And besides... he didn't want him to have trouble with the seniors either.
He's only this big. What does he have to fight with?
“Sigh! I'm not promising how much I can find out, but I'll try.”
Comparatively, Sky, who was quiet, knew the entire faculty twenty times better than Rain. Therefore, as soon as the class vice-president promised to help, Rain smiled immediately, and even rushed in to hug his shoulders.
“I love you so much, Sky.”
“Yeah, yeah. But help me out, stop putting your neck on the chopping block. I'm too lazy to keep cleaning up after you.” The listener nodded so hard his neck almost fell off, in a much better mood, because if someone like Sky promised to help, he would probably find a way to get back at Phîi Payu.
Finally, a way, perhaps.
“Sometimes I'm really afraid of your personality of not giving up easily.”
“My Mâe taught me that a real man must be determined.”
“So determined that you can't get a single girl to go out with you.”
“Sky!”
“Yeah, yeah, enough. No need to call. Let's go eat. I'm starving waiting for you, and I even had to run after you all over the building.”
Sky led the way to the cafeteria, followed by the little friend with a scheming smile. Rain didn't know that this unyielding personality of his would easily lead him right into the tiger's mouth.
At a little past two in the morning, while ordinary people were sleeping and resting, on one main road of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, several cars were blocking the middle of the road, leaving only the central lane as an entrance. Those who wanted to pass through to the special racetrack set up for two hours and which would disappear without a trace needed a pass.
A pass that wasn't a paper ticket, but only the "face" of regular members.
An inner-city racetrack that outsiders might think was just street racers, but insiders knew it was much more special. You could tell from the luxury cars continuously streaming into the event without pause. In fact, some cars parked here might only be seen here. As for the value, don't even mention it.
Of course, this wasn't an ordinary event, but an event hosted by an influential figure who loved speed more than life.
Right now, a large container truck was driving in to park, with the influential figure's personal mechanic standing with arms crossed, watching intently, not wanting anything to go wrong... a mechanic whose day job was an ordinary architect.
“What cars are there to choose from today?”
Payu turned to look at the questioner and raised a smirk.
“Just wait and see. Phîi Pakin just sent a new lot for me to check the engines a few days ago.”
“Wow! And you finished the boss's order just like that.” Phra Phai, a large-built, dark-skinned young man, asked jokingly.
“He gave the order. I just had to follow it.”
“This is exactly why Phîi Pakin doesn't trust anyone like you.”
Payu shook his head, slapping the other's shoulder forcefully.
“But now you're Phîi Pakin's favorite.”
While Payu had had the hobby of tuning million-baht superbike engines for this race event for several years, the other, who had only joined the competition a little over a year ago, had risen to become the event owner's favorite racer. That made Phra Phai laugh heartily.
“Because your friend quit racing, I suppose. I really want to race against you sometime.”
Several years ago, it wasn't just Payu who was regularly at this event; his twin was also one of the regular competitors. And the most skilled, more skilled than anyone, was the twins' close friend from the Faculty of Engineering. But due to heavy workload, and also being determined to chase after his beloved, that person had naturally quit. Only occasionally did he take his car to Pakin's fully legal, comprehensive racetrack.
As for this event, he hadn't competed for many years, so Phra Phai had taken the top spot without much difficulty.
“I'll tell you what.” Payu said only that, his eyes on the workers who were steadily unloading the powerful superbikes from the container.
“Not interested in anyone.” Suddenly, Phra Phai remarked, until Payu swept his gaze around the event that was starting to heat up because it was about to begin.
“Racing for money, for girls, or for thrills?”
“Thrills are definitely number one. But girls are indispensable too. It's a pity, I haven't found one I like. Otherwise, I'd challenge them to a race.” The speaker said regretfully, because this event could have bets to add fun, depending on the agreement between both parties. But there was no one he liked enough to want to defeat and win over.
“Isn't it easier to find one outside?” Payu laughed.
“Sounds like you've found one already.”
This time, Payu didn't answer, just raised a smirk, which made Phra Phai's eyes widen.
“So it's like that, is it?”
The listener laughed, thinking of calling to hear the "serious" voice of a certain child who had been defeated last time, feeling mischievous. But if he called now, he'd probably just get snarled at.
What can I do? He's just too cute and squishable.
“Are you sure it's here?”
Meanwhile, Rain could only ask his friend, who had come along, uncertainly, because the road Sky said was the location of the racetrack had construction workers blocking the way, along with signs saying the road was under repair and to detour to another route. The person sitting next to him also frowned, equally confused.
“The news said it's here.”
“And where did you get the news from?”
“Better you don't know. Let's just say he only said there's an event here tonight.” Rain admitted he was surprised ever since he found out from his friend that this race event was held on a road he was familiar with, not an official racetrack. But since his friend insisted this news wasn't false, he went to pick up Sky a little after 1 AM, then drove together here to find... no passage allowed!
Not to mention his close friend also said it was better not to know.
“Seriously, who did you hear it from?”
The other was silent for a moment before reluctantly telling the truth with an uncomfortable demeanor.
“An ex-romantic partner. He said it was here.”
“Hey! And you went to see an ex-romantic partner? If it's not okay, I can turn back and take you home first.” Rain also said with concern. Okay, he had never had a romantic partner because he could never get a date, but he kind of knew that facing an ex-romantic partner wasn't a joyful thing at all. So he felt even more guilty for being stubborn until his friend had to investigate for him.
But then... how did Sky's ex-romantic partner get to know Phîi Payu?
“It's not necessary. I'd be worried leaving you alone. Drive ahead. I suspect we'll have to walk now.” Since the workers wouldn't let the car drive to the location Sky had obtained, he told his friend to drive ahead and park on another road. Looking at his phone, it shouldn't be too far to walk.
“I can go alone.” Rain said, feeling bad, as it seemed he had dragged his friend into trouble. “It's fine. Let's go.” The speaker got out of the car first, in a way that even Rain could tell his friend was uncomfortable, until he began to hesitate whether he should really go investigate about Phîi Payu or just let it end. But the sentence "Phîi is choosy" flashed into his mind, igniting the fire of determination.
Since we've come this far, we have to go for it.
This thought made him quickly lock the car and follow his friend who was walking ahead.
They walked around the road repair workers and then looked at each other, because no matter how you looked, behind the 'no passage' sign there wasn't any construction at all. There were only the lights from cars parked in the distance. And if their eyes weren't playing tricks, they could see that they were parked blocking the middle of the road.
As they walked closer, they saw burly men controlling the entrance.
“Where does it say no vehicles allowed?”
Rain muttered, because a dark-colored sports car drove through the road where vehicles were forbidden to enter, heading straight to the man controlling the entrance. It slowed down, and when the window rolled down, he was let through.
“Do we need a pass or something?” Rain asked his friend, who also shook his head, equally unaware.
“What do you want to do? Go home?”
“A little longer, okay? I haven't seen Phîi Payu yet.” Sky was silent for a bit, but agreed to walk closer to the event, close enough to hear the cheering, music, and the roaring engine sounds. That only increased VaRain's suspicion enough to turn and say,
“You wait here. I'll just go in for a moment.”
“I'll go with you.”
“Wait here. I don't want you to get into trouble because of me.” Even though he didn't agree, the gaze that looked at him with guilt for dragging him into who-knows-what made the class vice-president sigh and nod in acceptance, watching his friend who ran, sneaking into the event, with concern.
“I just hope the people in the event aren't as damned as my ex.”
The more he thought, the more worried Sky became.
Rain hadn't thought as far as what he would do if he got hold of Payu's weak point. He just wanted to get back at him a little, that's all. He wanted the other to be surprised for once, not just have a still face, a wicked smile, bullying him alone. But when he sneaked into the racetrack filled with luxury cars worth millions, the little one blinked his eyes repeatedly, feeling he was in the wrong place, utterly wrong!
What the hell is this?!
He'd seen plenty of street racers; there were some in his neighborhood. But the people at this event definitely didn't look like ordinary street racers.
“Better find Phîi Payu quickly, then leave quickly.”
The youth thought simply, just that he wanted to take a picture of Payu, then send it to taunt him, "I know your secret too, Phîi." So, his wide eyes scanned the event. But besides seeing rich kids with beautiful, well-built girls clinging closely to them, there were only the racers about to hit the track.
Damn cool outfits!
“No, Phîi Payu, Phîi Payu.”
While he was fascinated by the scene in front of him, Rain didn't realize that his demeanor—a young man behind him looking at everything with wide-eyed wonder—had caught the attention of the event security who were staring intently in his direction, and they were starting to signal to each other.
Hey! I recognize that car!
The cool car that was being transported to the side of the track looked exactly like the ones he saw at Payu's garage.
Once he realized, he started to smile and immediately strode straight towards it.
The car is here, so the person must be here.
Whoosh!
“Excuse me, who are you with?” But he had only taken a few steps when a man walked over to block his path. When he looked up, he was met with a threatening demeanor, making him startle and inadvertently take a step back. But...
Thump!
Another person came up from behind to flank him.
“Uh.”
“What's up? Who are you with?” Rain could only swallow thick saliva, his palms sweaty, his heart beating fast with fear, because it meant he had been caught sneaking in. He couldn't say Payu's name; even though he came for information, he couldn't let his actions cause trouble for others.
“I... I live around here, and I was curious what event this was, so I came to look.” It might sound nonsensical, but there were houses lined up on the other side of the road. It wouldn't be strange if one person was curious.
The other looked him up and down.
“So that means no one brought you in.”
Damn!
But his answer wasn't what the other side wanted. And Rain was even more startled when the questioner directly grabbed his upper arm and signaled to his colleague, which the youth heard clearly with both ears.
“Caught a rat.”
That was when Rain knew that if he didn't run... he was screwed!
Thump!
“Hey! Stop!”
So, taking advantage of the moment when the two thought he had surrendered, he pushed the chest of the person holding his arm, then spun around and started running. He really didn't trust that if he let himself be caught easily, something good would happen. He definitely wouldn't be taken home to sleep. So the little one ran with his eyes shut, and as he ran, he heard shouting following him.
“Catch that youth!”
Wham!
Rain could swear he hadn't even run two hundred meters when he was caught by a strong arm, making him yell loudly and struggle with all his might. He looked back and saw that the guys chasing him had rushed up, so he decided to stomp his foot down on the instep of the person holding him.
“Ouch!”
The other cried out, but didn't let go. And what was worse...
“Waaahhh!” He was quickly hoisted over a shoulder, making him afraid to struggle. His eyes could only see the ground far away, and his hands switched to holding the waist of the person carrying him tightly, afraid of being dropped headfirst onto the ground.
“Let me go! Let me go!” Rain protested.
“What a fierce youth! Thank you very much, Khun Payu, for catching him for us.”
Huh! Payu!
Rain twisted his neck almost to the point of breaking to look at the person carrying him, but he only saw the jet-black hair tied loosely at the nape of his neck. But that was enough.
Damn it! Of all people to be caught by Phîi Payu!
“Hand him over. We'll handle the rest.”
“No need, Phîi. I'll handle it myself.”
Meanwhile, Payu was also quite startled. When he turned towards the sound of the protest and found a familiar-faced youth running away from the event security, he had to abandon all his work and rush to intercept the person who was running while looking back. He felt a wave of anger surge in his heart, and it became even more intense when the other stomped on his foot with full force.
This time, I'll make him cry rivers!
“This youth is with me.”
“Oh! But you said he was from around here.”
“He must have been startled. He's never been to this event before. I apologize on his behalf for causing a disturbance. How about you let it slide this time for my sake?” Payu negotiated, holding the little one's stiff body tightly. By now, he probably knew who was carrying him.
“But I have to report to the boss.”
“I'll tell him myself.”
Payu stared at the other with a smile, and it was enough to make the other sigh.
“Alright then. But later, settle it properly. If I had known from the start he was your youth, there wouldn't have been this mess.”
“Sorry, Phîi.” Payu smiled in lieu of thanks, watching the whole group disperse back to their duties. Then he quickly walked past Phra Phai, who was standing watching with interest.
“I'll call Sai-fah to take over. I'm heading back first.”
“Uh-huh. Good luck, friend. No, good luck to you.” The last part Phra Phai said to the person hanging upside down in shock over Payu's shoulder, because judging by the skilled mechanic's expression, he could guess what this little one was about to face.
Looks like a storm is coming!
At the same time, the person hiding outside the event grew more anxious by the minute. The more he heard some kind of protest coming from inside the event, the more he couldn't just stand still. In the end, he decided to follow in. And perhaps because everyone was focused on the commotion that had happened, they didn't notice him. But it turned out Sky was just as shocked.
The person on Phîi Payu's shoulder... is Rain!
I'm screwed!
The thought of the person who quickened his pace to follow, but it was too late, because Phîi Payu managed to stuff VaRain into the car, not letting him struggle free, slammed the door shut with a bang, then drove off swiftly, leaving the person who came with him gaping. And when he turned back...
“Is Nông here with Phîi Payu's youth?”
Gasp!
He saw a large-built, dark-skinned man smiling quite pleasantly, looking in his direction, while the other was shaking a key that he recognized as his friend's.
“Your friend dropped his car key.”
Sky composed himself and asked in the calmest tone.
“If I want it back, what do I have to exchange for it?”
“You can have it back.” The other offered the key directly. Sky held out his hand to receive it, relieved that he had been overly wary. But as he was about to pull his hand back...
Wham!
“But Nông knows, right, that this event requires a pass. Sneaking in like this isn't good.” Phra Phai held the young man's hand tightly, while still grinning widely like a good-natured adult, harmless, in contrast to the fingertips pressing meaningfully on his palm. That made Sky bite his lip.
“Then let me ask, what do I have to exchange to leave quietly?” he asked calmly, making the listener smile even wider.
“I think Nông knows what I want.”
That made Sky, who had indulged his friend, look at the other with cold eyes, a gaze that even Rain had never seen.
“Fine, then.” Then he replied coldly.
He was truly worried about his friend, but at least Rain was with someone familiar. As for him... he had to get out of here first.
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