Content Warning: This work is intended for mature (NC17) audiences. If you are younger, please kindly leave this site.
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“Phii Ae! Phii Pete! Over here! Over here!!!”
For students, there are many significant days in university life—orientation day, freshman welcoming day, the day they meet new friends, the day they take their place in the cheer stand. Yet, one day holds particular importance…
Graduation Day.
The day that signifies that years of effort have finally borne fruit.
Today is that important day.
However, it is not an important day for the seniors. Rather, it is the important day of a young woman dearly loved by many of them—Chomphu.
And on this day, two young men who graduated years ago are walking toward the long-haired young woman in her gown of pride, their arms full of bouquets. She is jumping up and down, waving excitedly at them, her face beaming with happiness.
“Congratulations, Nong Chomphu.”
“Thank you, Phii Pete! I’m so happy you came! I missed you so, so much!” The young woman smiles sweetly as she hugs the large bouquet tightly, exclaiming in delight before turning to her close senior. She grins widely and cheerfully says—
“Thank you so much, Phii Ae! Let me give you a hug!"
Gasp!
“You idiot! Phii Pete is standing right here, you know!”
At that moment, Lemon, now a fifth-year medical student, knocks her friend on the head with full force, making the graduate yelp and pout.
“I was just joking!”
“A joke, my ass! And look at your romantic partner for a second.”
Lemon, who has taken time out of her valuable schedule to attend her friend’s graduation, points across Chomphu’s shoulder at the handsome woman holding a professional camera. She is staring with piercing intensity, making Chomphu quickly flash her two fingers in a peace sign.
“Chomphu knows that Phii understands.”
“Oh, you’re definitely just making her understand by force.”
The way the two young women interact is exactly the same as it has been all these years, making Pete chuckle in amusement. “Today, I’ll allow it.”
“Hmm?” Chomphu, who had only meant to tease, widens her eyes immediately.
Meanwhile, Pete continues with a mischievous smirk.
“Today, I grant special permission. You may hug him, Nong Chomphu. But on any other day, I won’t allow it.”
Both young women widen their eyes at once. Having not seen Phii Pete in so long, does this mean that he now holds authority over Phii Ae?
The one standing as stiff as a ruler, like a fellow older brother, speaks in a tone of utter disbelief—
“Phii Ae is afraid of his Mia now?”
“Shh! Don’t say that, Ai Chomphu! We should know, but we must not speak. Otherwise, Phii Ae will lose face.”
Lemon leans in and whispers softly, making the man who fears his Mia shake his head. He looks at the younger students and his romantic partner, who are all crowding around him, before finally handing the large gift box to Chomphu.
"Yeah, I’m afraid of my Mia right now. So don’t hug me—I’m too lazy to deal with the fallout." But despite his words, he still plays along with the joke, making the first person to tease him blush red.
How did I end up being the strict Mia here?
“Hahaha! Understood! Thank you so much, Phii Ae and Phii Pete, for coming! Let’s take a photo, let’s go!” Chomphu exclaims, switching gears immediately, inviting them all to take a picture.
Meanwhile, Pete turns to ask the medical student who has now become the designated item carrier for her friend. "What about Khaen, Nong Le? I heard he was coming to his juniors’ graduation today."
“No idea where he is, Phii Pete. I heard he dragged Phii Tinn here too. By now, Tinn’s probably complaining about the heat over and over,” Lemon says knowingly.
She’s well aware of her older brother’s romantic partner’s habits, making those listening chuckle softly. Given the massive crowd today, there’s little chance they’ll find their two close friends.
Once the photos are taken, Chomphu turns back with a bright smile.
“Aren’t you two going to walk down memory lane? How many years has it been since you last came back to the university?” she suggests, glancing around before plucking a single pink rose from the bouquet Pete gave her.
She hands it to her most beloved older brother with a wide grin.“In case Phii Ae feels like being romantic—maybe kneeling to present a flower in front of the international faculty building or something.”
“You want a fist as your graduation gift?” Ae’s voice turns sharp as he raises his fist, making the others laugh before turning their attention back to the large group of friends. The two men glance at each other.
“A walk around sounds good, Ae… It’s been a long time,” Pete says casually. The former football player agrees easily, his gaze sweeping over the bustling atmosphere.
Years ago, he never felt a connection to this scene. Not at all.
If he had graduated alongside Pete, it wouldn’t have been so bad…
“If we had graduated together back then, it would have been nice.”
Thud.
Pete’s words make Ae halt, turning to see his romantic partner’s smile as he reminisces about their time at university.
Grab.
“Hey, Ae, there are a lot of people around.”
“I don’t care. I just want to hold my romantic partner’s hand.”
Inthach’s voice is firm as he intertwines their fingers, walking forward without hesitation. He doesn’t care how many students turn to look. He doesn’t care that some juniors recognize him and offer polite greetings. Because to everyone he introduces, the person beside him… is his one and only romantic partner.
The person he has loved since their first year.
The university is the place where their love began.
“The parking lot still looks the same.”
“But the bike paths have increased. If we were still students, it would have been easier for me to cut across and pick you up,” Ae remarks, scanning the familiar lot filled with memories.
“That coffee shop is still here.”
“Oh, that ridiculously bitter blended cocoa?”
“You still remember that?”
“Anything about you—I never forget,” Ae says with a chuckle, looking toward the coffee shop where they used to meet. He recalls the childish pranks of their friend Pond, making Pete smile widely.
“The cafeteria now looks like a food court in a shopping mall.”
"Well, back then, curry rice was only a few dozen baht per plate."
“And Ae also treated me to meals often.”
“If the prices were the same as now, you might have had to pay for it yourself,” Inthach says, laughing to make the listener laugh as well, because, in reality, there are people around here who would pay anyway, even though the total amount is not small.
The two of them continue talking, reminiscing about their student days, until they reach the football field.
“A place full of memories,” Ae speaks first, turning to look at the person beside him, who smiles back and tightens his grip on his large hand.
“Actually, I have something to confess, Ae.”
“Huh?” The listener raises an eyebrow and looks at the person whose hand he is holding, swinging it lightly.
“Actually, when you played football, I used to be jealous of the field, I used to be possessive of the football, I was envious of the competition that you put everything into, I was envious of why football received so much of your love,” Pitchaya confesses with a smile, taking a step closer and then speaking in a tone full of happiness.
“But I also loved the way you played football so much that I couldn't say anything. It’s not just outside the field where you made me fall in love again and again; even on the field, when I watched you run after the football, you made my heart race, always.” Inthach feels that this isn’t a confession of guilt but rather a confession of love, causing the dark-skinned person to start blushing.
“If you ask how many times I’ve fallen in love, I would say I don’t remember because it’s a lot,” the listener still listens quietly, before Pete smiles widely.
“But if you ask how many people I’ve fallen in love with, the answer is…”
Tap.
Pete points his finger to the middle of his chest and then says...
"One person."
That alone makes the listener's heart swell, wanting to hug the other tightly, but knowing they were still on campus, he decides to do something else that someone had urged him to do.
Thud.
Ae kneels down on the grass field and then holds out a rose in his hand.
“Pete IC, are you here? Someone has sent love for you,” he then speaks with a sentence that makes Pete not know whether to laugh or feel shy.
“Yes, yes, I’m here,” Pete answers, prompting the larger person to continue.
“Pete IC, someone has sent love for you... he also says it’s not because the university is big that the person next to you matters, but because there are so many people in this world, the person by your side is more important than anyone else.” Ae speaks firmly as he hands the rose to Pete, though feeling quite shy himself.
"Trying to be romantic, Ae?" Pete teases.
“Is that enough?” The question made the listener laugh as he nods.
“Do you want to see me cry again?”
“Haha, I’d rather see you on the bed.”
“Your figure shows it, Ae.”
“Well, you should be used to it by now.”
Amid the evening atmosphere, as the sun changes color, two people walk hand-in-hand, laughing together beside the football field, reminiscing about the past years and remembering how they started and how they will maintain their relationship as best as they can.
~~~
At the same time, on the other side of the university—
"Ai'Tinn, let's go for a walk! Stop just sitting there. Are you trying to act like an old man or what?!"
Another pair of romantic partners is still arguing without end, as one insists on sitting and waiting in the international program building while the other wants to roam around the entire university—fitting, since they have not visited in years. Naturally, in this hot and stifling weather... Tinn refuses.
"Old man? I've already been walking around with you for an hour. And why do you still know so many juniors even after graduating three or four years ago?" Tinn says in a disgruntled tone.
He really should not have let himself get roped into this. Since they came for a junior's graduation ceremony, who would have thought that Khaen still has dozens of juniors to greet? Even after making one full round, they have yet to find them all.
"Hmph. No stamina at all."
"Yes, I have no stamina."
Khaen pouts like a sulky Gucci dog before suddenly getting an idea.
"Fine, I’ll go by myself. But if I run into any beautiful junior girls, you can’t complain!" Kirakorn declares, confident that this trick will work. Surely, that would make a jealous person follow.
However, the one playing on his tablet simply raises an eyebrow, glances over, and shakes his head.
"Go ahead—if you still think you can be with a woman."
Gasp.
Damn it. Just damn it. Why say something so brutally true? It's not like I can be with a woman. I never have in my life!
"You're a terrible person."
"And just the other day, you said you loved me the most."
…Oof. No comeback for that one.
Khaen only grimaces. He cannot argue because it is true. He glares at the coldly-aloof Khun-chai sitting with his legs crossed, still playing on his tablet, before finally asking:
"Seven years ago, what did I even see in you, Ai'Tinn?"
"What do you mean?"
This time, Tinn turns to him with an expression that demands an explanation, making Khaen quickly elaborate.
"Not that there's anything wrong with you! I’m just wondering why I fell for you. I really have no idea. All I know is that I love you."
Pheuak Monkey speaks his mind, causing the listener to let go of a small bit of displeasure. But as for making him say it outright—that is not happening. Tinn knows why Khaen fell for him.
It was because of his own wretchedness.
The insults, the scorn, the way he let his own weakness show until Khaen finally turned his attention toward him... However, even if it kills him, he will never admit that Khaen started loving him out of pity.
"Because you bought me food? No, wait, it’s not just that. I remember you being awful, but before I knew it, I was already telling people they weren’t allowed to insult you in front of me."
Well, back then, he had been luring Khaen in little by little. By the time Khaen realized it, he had already fallen.
Tinn thinks.
"But I know why I love you."
"Why?!" Khaen immediately asks with curiosity, leaning in closer—only for Tinn to give him a slight smile.
"Because you are so oddly surprising!"
"Whoa, should we fight now? What’s so odd about me? Did you like me because I’m bizarre or something? The attitude! How can you talk to your romantic partner like this!" Khaen starts yelling, while Tinn just shrugs because... Khaen is not odd, but it is Khaen who makes his own heart feel odd. Again though, even if he dies, he will not say that out loud to avoid embarrassment.
"Where we start doesn’t matter. What matters is that we love each other."
The listener falls silent before breaking into a wide smile.
"Yeah, that’s right. That’s all that matters. I love you, Tinn..." Khaen says, moving to sit next to him, giving a sweet smile and speaking in what he thinks is a cute voice.
"So, Tinn, will you walk around with me?"
"No!"
"You heartless person!" Yet today, Tinn remains firm, allowing Khaen the Pheuak Monkey to scream loudly, drawing the attention of those passing by who are looking to drink water.
"Hey, Khaen!"
"Khaen, Chae-em! What are you two doing here?" The shout makes Khaen look over and see the couple walking toward them. Pond takes long strides toward them.
"We came for Em’s brother's ceremony. He is graduating this year, too... How about you, are you visiting your juniors?"
"Yes," Khaen immediately responds, preparing to continue the conversation if it weren’t for...
"Pond!!!!" A sharp, ear-piercing voice cuts through the air, causing everyone to turn and see... a beautiful, well-shaped woman walking arm-in-arm with a foreigner with golden hair.
"Who’s that?" Pond asks, confused, causing the other side to frown, and then...
"Manophop, beautiful enough to conquer every world on their own."
"Whoa!!!" At that moment, everyone is left agape, staring at the stunning woman, with skin the color of honey and a figure like a model, speaking in a deep, husky voice that even men would be embarrassed by. Because, of course, this name belongs to only one person.
"It's Money!"
"Yes, it’s me!" That’s when everyone is stunned as the senior walks confidently in.
"Wow, today we’re all together. You came to the graduation ceremony for the kids, right? So, where’s the short, muscular man? With all of us here, we should celebrate!" Money exclaims with a sharp, high-pitched voice. And then, unexpectedly, the two guys, reminiscing around the university, decide to walk to the international building as the last faculty to visit, which happens to perfectly coincide with...
"Speaking of men, here they come. And there, scream! Ahhhhhh! It’s my junior, Pete!!!" Manophop screams loudly, running gracefully to hug the junior, giving him a strong kiss on both cheeks. Ae steps back three full steps, signaling, "Don’t kiss me. If you do, I’ll punch you."
The scene brings laughter from everyone, and they decide that such a reunion deserves a celebration.
Now, amidst the laughter of everyone, they return to the starting point of many relationships, thinking, recalling, and yearning for those times.
This may be the beginning, but it is not the end of the journey.
From here on, they still have many paths in life to choose from. But this place is where they choose to hold someone’s hand and walk together.
A place that gave them love by chance and taught them to keep it... forever.
***
Here ends My Accidental Love Is You by MAME. I end with the deepest appreciation for MAME's work. Yaoi and especially Thai BL has many fixed norms and tropes, laying those tropes bare and even turning them on their side... I began this translation having read many things about her, and my understanding is now much different. I also began with much love for a fictional character named for a fruit. That love has only grown. Goodbye for now... ~ Your Translator
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