Content Warning: This work is intended for mature (NC17) audiences. If you are younger, please kindly leave this site.
~~~
Today, Dear felt that those around him were behaving oddly surprising. Since morning, Âi Shin, the artistic young man, had approached and declared simply, as if he had never made those resolute, life-or-death refusals before, "...This evening, I shall join the cheer assembly." His hand was wrapped in bandages. When Dear inquired about it, Shin replied...
"Oh, I wished to ascertain the roughness and durability of a concrete curb. Thus, I sacrificed my hand to test it."
Then there was Dear's close friend, who lately had been acting like a giraffe, constantly stretching his neck to search for someone during the luncheon break. When Dear questioned him, he retorted...
"A short fellow like you should not meddle in the affairs of a tall person like me."
"Indeed, Âi-lofty-one!" Ptooey!
And the peculiarities did not stop. At the evening cheer assembly, why did Dear's spine tingle with unease? He felt as though the Phîi wáks were singling him out, particularly Âi black-jacketed senior, whose bag and shop shirt Dear had assisted in carrying. Each time Dear glanced up, he sensed that the bearded, grim-faced fellow, resembling a bandit chieftain, was staring at him incessantly.
What manner of confounded day is this, Khrap?
Thus, the moment Dear stepped into the condominium at eight o'clock precisely, his round eyes scanned left and right, wary of encountering another bizarre person. Yet, the entire room was utterly dark, a clear indication that his roommate had not yet returned.
"Safe at last! I shall play games to my heart's delight, heh heh," Dear declared. With that, the young man, weary from the cheer assembly, dashed merrily into the bedroom, hurriedly bathed and changed attire, then claimed the area before the television, boldly seizing the most splendid game to play without regard for its owner.
Since I am already a dog with an owner, the owner surely will not mind if I borrow this for amusement.
"These days, I am quite bold, Âi Dear. If Phîi Porsche decrees I am a dog, then I shall consent to be a dog," Dear mused. He tilted his head slightly, then dismissed the matter of boldness when he recalled the hundreds of games on his roommate's console yet unexplored. He resolved to play whilst awaiting his roommate's return, intending to switch off the game and retire to bed when the other arrived.
But, exhausted from a full day of studies, tormented by his Âi-despicable friends, and unsettled by the bizarre, oppressive gazes of the Phîi wáks, Nai Dranphat finally succumbed, collapsing asleep before the television.
The clock's short hand had passed midnight when Purin opened the door and entered. The bright light flooding the room caused the man, who had been drinking with close friends, to frown sharply. His long legs removed his shoes, and he stepped inside, only to observe the television screen displaying the main menu of an adventure game.
"Why leave it on after playing?" the young man murmured softly, tossing his document case and suit jacket onto the sofa. But as he walked around, he beheld... the little one, curled up in a ball before the television.
He spoke no exaggeration. The little one with red lips was curled up asleep, chilled by the excessively cold air conditioner. Dear wore only a thin white tank top and oversized basketball shorts. Purin could see the young man clutching his own pale arms. His tousled head, with jet-black hair falling across his cheeks, rested on a fine cushion. He slept so soundly it was enviable, yet also pitiable.
"Why slumber here? You will catch a cold," Purin shook his head, crouching to remove the game controller and shut down the console. He slid the entire game set into a drawer, then turned to regard the little one.
That red-lipped little one, today, seemed inexplicably alluring and captivating.
"Are you still inebriated, Âi Porsche?" The young man shook his head, striving to regain clarity, but his eyes lingered on those fair lips peeking from dark locks of hair. His gaze then wandered to the pale arms clad only in a thin tank top. He could not help but think this Âi-little-one was so very small.
I could likely carry him. His frame is probably akin to Dream's.
Purin dismissed the notion once more. His junior was a young man, and a grown one at that. He would likely shout loudly enough to rouse the entire room if he knew someone had attempted to carry him to bed like a young woman. Moreover, Purin would have to chase after him to explain the misunderstanding. Thus, Purin reached out and gently nudged Dear's upper arm.
"Dear, awaken. Why are you sleeping here?"
"Buy... Mâa-Máa, ah. I will sleep," Dear mumbled. Instead of rising, the young man pulled his shoulder away, murmured faintly, and nestled his face deeper into the soft cushion. Purin nearly burst into laughter.
"Then go slumber in your room."
"Dear, I said awaken and go slumber in your room." Seeing that his junior remained still, seemingly sunk back into deep sleep, Purin shook his arm more firmly. He felt the biting chill from the air conditioner's breeze on the young man's fair skin. It was so cold that he grasped Dear's arm and rubbed it lightly, as if to impart warmth.
Soft.
Indeed, the first sensation from touching his Nong-next-door's skin was its softness. Though cold, the skin was remarkably smooth and soft.
"Ugh... Jae Dream, I beg five minutes... jep jep," Dear murmured. This time, he was not muttering about his Mâe but calling for his elder sister. Purin shook his head wearily, withdrawing his hand from the young man's arm before an oddly surprising feeling could cloud his judgment further. Gazing at those fair cheeks, Purin felt that Dear was... perhaps charming.
"Not your Mâe, nor your elder sister... awaken, you troublesome lad," Purin insisted. Yet, the young man persisted in rousing his junior. Seeing Dear's unyielding posture, Purin paused briefly. Then his keen eyes gleamed. A thought flashed unbidden into his mind.
Would this rouse him? It is worth an attempt.
"Awaken, Khrap, Nong puppy. Your master has returned. Hasten, go to bed with your master," Purin said, not in his usual tone, but leaning down to whisper close to Dear's ear. He intended to tease his Nong, who would surely protest loudly upon waking. Purin found the master-and-puppy role they shared indescribably amusing.
Indeed, Dear is as endearing as a little pup.
"Ugh..." But then, Dear, who had resisted all efforts to wake, blearily opened his eyes. He mumbled in his throat.
"Master or..." His drowsy, half-awake demeanor caused Purin to chuckle fondly. He intended to reach out and ruffle Dear's head affectionately, had it not been for...
Thump
Kiss... smack
Had it not been for the young man throwing both arms around Purin's sturdy neck, gazing up with bleary eyes, and leaning in to press a kiss upon his well-formed lips. This caused Purin's eyes to widen in astonishment. That was not all. The little one then drew back and flicked his fresh pink tongue to lightly lick Purin's lips, as a pup might shower affection upon its master.
"Dear..." Purin groaned in disbelief. His heart nearly ceased at the young man who had initiated the kiss. A moment later, the red-lipped little one smiled, eyes closed, and said in a drowsy voice,
"Master's returned, Khrap?"
Thud
With that, Dear released his hold on Purin's neck, stood, and staggered like a sleep-drunken man toward his own bedroom, muttering words Purin heard clearly with both ears.
"Umm, sleep, sleep with master... sleep..."
Bang!
The little one, sleepwalking, vanished into his small bedroom, leaving only the teasing elder man sitting motionless. His heart, which had faltered, now pounded so fiercely that he felt it. A large hand gently touched his own lips. Though he had kissed Dear many times before, those were naught compared to the sensation of that soft mouth touching his just now.
It felt as though... he were being enticed.
"Confound it, have you been so long without a woman that you fancy a sleep-talking junior is enticing you? Moreover, how could Dear entice anyone thus?" Purin shook his head swiftly, raising a hand to rub his temples. He blamed himself for kissing his junior so oft that he now fancied the drowsy, bleary-eyed manner and that clear voice...
Was uncommonly alluring.
Your junior is a young man; how can he be alluring?
Purin vigorously rubbed his head, seized his suit jacket, and entered his room, hoping a bath would clear his mind, all while pondering one question...
"Am I truly being enticed by that pup?"
Bang
Thump
"Aaaahhhhh!"
The instant the door clicked shut, the young man who had sleepwalked as a pup licking his master's mouth snapped awake. All drowsiness vanished. Dear leapt onto his bed, pulled a pillow over his mouth, and screamed at the top of his lungs. Every hair on his body stood erect in horror at his own deeds. Merely thinking of licking Phîi Porsche's mouth with his tongue...
"Confound it! How could I do such a thing, Âi-rad Dear? How could you do it!" Dear wailed in a whisper, burying himself in his bed. He confessed he had awakened when Phîi Porsche began rubbing his arm. He knew not what bloody fucking devil had inspired such a perverse thought.
It was Phîi Porsche's teasing whisper in his ear that caused Âi-Sailor-Moon team's words to flash into his mind.
If he kisses, then kiss him back. Since Phîi initiated it... I merely enticed him in return! What fault is there in that?
Thus, as soon as Phîi Porsche finished speaking, Dear swiftly turned and planted a full kiss upon his mouth. Moreover, he feigned sleepwalking! Licked his lips as a pup loving its master once more! And then... fled! Why remain to be caught?
"Janjao... Bulan, you wished me to be all aflutter. Now I am more than aflutter; I am more stunned and confounded than in any novels you read... how could I do such a thing?" Dear could only ask himself whence came such boldness. His cheeks burned; he could only bury his face motionlessly in the pillow, recalling Phîi Porsche's gaze.
Thump
The thought caused Dear to collapse onto his back on the bed. He gazed at the ceiling. And his mouth... chose to smile.
"Just you wait!"
"Who knows? Phîi gave me hope himself... henceforth, if Phîi flirts, I shall flirt in return."
But the young man who declared he would flirt in return fled to the university before the room's master had even risen.
"Âi Dear, do you desire a Phûa who is the Faculty Moon?"
"Hmm, Phîi Porsche..."
Thud
Confound it, Âi Dranphat! What did you let slip?
Dear, engrossed in tapping his iPhone, blurted it out the moment his friend inquired. But the instant his roommate's name escaped, his hands froze. He turned swiftly to regard his two close friends (whom he was, perforce, close to), who stared at him intently. And he truly wished not to admit... their gazes were exceedingly suspicious.
"Eek, what manner of foolish question is that? I have no Phûa or any such thing!" Once he regained composure, Dear hastily spoke in a trembling voice, his tongue nearly tangled. His demeanor was highly suspicious, prompting Âi Shin, arms crossed and stroking his chin, to smirk wickedly, while Âi Sun widened his eyes and leaned closer.
"I wager, Âi Sun, your Mia has a lover. Since when does one ask if you desire a Phûa as Faculty Moon, and you reply with another man's name?" Âi Shin elbowed his friend seated beside him, awaiting class. Âi Sun adopted a pensive expression before... letting his mouth gape.
Charming to death, alas, friend.
"Are you unfaithful to me?"
I wish not to say that your gaping mouth alone makes me wish to retch. Cease that pouting tone, as if your Mia went and offered herself to another! Horrifying, truly.
"Cease, you two! There is naught amiss. Behold, I was playing a racing game, was I not? Thus, I called out 'Porsche, Porsche,' see, I crashed into the curb, confound it, game over, and it is your fault!" Dear hurriedly concocted excuses, facing the stares of Âi-these-two as if he were a felon in a heinous crime.
If they stare, I shall stare back. Bring it on. I fear not.
Dear could only think thus, his large eyes darting about, as Âi Shin turned to Âi Sun and spoke as if Dear were not present.
"Have you ever cautioned a friend against thievery? The constables would apprehend him the moment he entered the bank."
"I wager he would not reach the bank. The guard at the building's entrance likely knows he is suspicious."
Very well, I am a poor dissembler. I cannot deceive others. What of it? What right have you to judge me, Âi bunch of fresh mushrooms?
"Enough, you two! I sit here solitary..."
"Oh, is he present? Âi Shin, look lower. Indeed, he sits here too..."
Whap
"Ouch! Hahaha, do not harm me, Khrap, good sir. Ouch, I am afeared, hahaha!" Âi Sun's dog-mouth was not enough; he reached out to rub Dear's head, causing the recipient to grit his teeth fiercely. Dear seized a textbook thick as a buffalo and struck him full on the head. Âi-close-friend cried out loudly while laughing uproariously, drawing all eyes. But might he inquire, did Âi-these-two hot guys care? Not in the least.
"Cease jesting about my stature! Speak, what did you ask me?" Dear could only heave a great sigh before turning to inquire what they discussed. He was loath to admit that moments ago, his thoughts were filled with the person whose name he had let slip.
"Oh, know you not that Âi Sun is our room's representative for the Faculty Moon contest?" Shin, now unwrapping Lay's to consume (and pardon, Khrap, the gentlemanly young master's slight eyebrow raise), provoked irritation in the listener.
Besides being artistic, can you not cease posing? All the maidens in the room gaze at you as if they would offer themselves.
"I knew not. And whether he wins matters not to me," Dear shrugged, indifferent. He had anticipated the room would vote for Âi Sun, who was veritably Father Sunshine, known to all. Moreover, his visage was undeniably fair. It would be oddly surprising if he were not chosen.
"Oh, I merely inquired, lest his Mia desires a Phûa who is Faculty Moon. Âi Sun might gain greater resolve to compete," Shin said with a shrug, then turned to regard his other friend, who sat with chin in hand, observing the maidens in the room, waving back to any who waved at him.
"Then inquire of his Mia. Fortunately, you and I have never been thus entwined. Are we concluded, Khrap, friend?" Having spoken, Dear pushed the head of Âi Shin, the half-breed with a Korean drama hero's visage, once more. Âi Shin merely smoothed his hair back into place. Yet, his friend's remark piqued his interest slightly.
"Indeed, but I advise you to seize it—that Faculty Moon title. Then I may boast that my friend is the Moon. And I warrant half the faculty's maidens will secretly fancy you," Shin declared. It was nearly a complete triumph already; rumor had it that half their year already admired him.
Thud
"Âi Dear, repeat that. You said if I become the Moon, will others fancy me more?" But then, Âi Sun, who had been gazing absently, turned swiftly to face his friend. Dear, about to resume his racing game, turned back, perplexed, and beheld Sun's eyes gleaming with a bizarre hope.
"Well... perhaps... indeed, so. What maiden would not be delighted to have a romantic partner with the prestige of Faculty Moon?" Dear could only reply, bemused. The listener nodded vigorously to himself, so Dear let him continue his wild notions while he bent to peruse Facebook statuses to pass the time.
"Indeed, Âi Shin, I visited your Facebook yestereve. Who is this lad?" But then, Dear recalled—Âi Shin, the supremely artistic Âi Khun-chai half-breed (his title lengthened daily, did it not?) had finally accepted his friend request, and those of others too. When queried, he had said...
Oh, I deemed my friend count inauspicious, so I accepted more.
Dear had just seen a photograph of Shin with a young man. His appearance could only be described as charming. Like a protagonist from a Yaoi tale that the Sailor Moon partners favored.
Dear opened it. The question seemed to cause Shin to pause briefly before he leaned to view the photograph his friend displayed. "What, who is that? Your younger brother? Very fair. Quite charming too. Makes me wish for a younger brother..." The questioner failed to note his friend's reaction, asking curiously and scrolling through the images, prompting Shin to sigh heavily.
"This fellow, fa..."
"I SHALL BE THE FACULTY MOON!"
Swish
Ask not, Khrap, who uttered that supremely confident declaration. For before Âi Shin could finish, Âi Sun, who had been lost in thought, proclaimed it loudly, causing all to turn in unison toward Âi Sun, who grinned broadly with resolute eyes. Those who knew him intimately could tell... that smile betokened a certain wicked scheme!
"Hear me, you two! I shall become the Faculty Moon for you to witness!" The two friends exchanged a fleeting glance. Âi Shin returned to consuming his Lay's, disinterested, while Dear intended to pursue questioning about the person in the photograph.
Thump
"Hey! My telephone!"
"Come now, lend it to me... as penance for intending to be unfaithful to me, Dear. And for striking me with a textbook. I shall borrow it briefly," Sun declared. With that, Âi Sun, who had just proclaimed his intent to be the faculty's fairest, bent and tapped fervently at his friend's iPhone. The device's owner sighed long.
"Âi Shin, may I borrow..."
Thwack!
"Take it. And be silent. I cannot concentrate on consuming my Lay's."
Someday I shall slay you both and conceal you in the woods behind the faculty!
Dear could only gnash his teeth as he caught the splendid black iPhone 5S, which he had seen Âi Shin recently acquire. And the gentlemanly young master had flung it at his face! Not handed it courteously! Feared not that it might fall and break! And then he says... 'no concentration to consume snacks.'
In all my days, you are the sole person I have met who requires concentration to eat snacks.
Meanwhile, Sun navigated his friend's telephone to the contacts list. Soon, the name he sought, 'Thief,' appeared before him.
Scroll...
Heh heh, I have a splendid notion now, Khrap, fair Phîi Ryu.
"Greetings, Khrap."
Ryu sat beneath the department building, awaiting his groupmates who had gone to see the professor. His telephone rang in his pocket. An unfamiliar number prompted its owner to offer a courteous greeting.
"Hello, who is this, Khrap?" But the caller's silence caused Ryu to draw the telephone away slightly and frown sharply.
"If you will not speak, I shall disconnect..."
"It is I."
Which 'I,' Âi Sun? How should I know?
Ryu, quick to vexation, cursed inwardly before speaking sharply again.
"And which 'I' might that be, Khrap?"
"Just I, Khrap. I, Khrap."
Fuck it. Âi-damned-nuisance vexes me again.
Ryu's face betrayed frustration, true to his fiery nature, ready to disconnect, confound it. But the caller seemed to sense it, as laughter sounded immediately.
"Ah, do not disconnect yet, Khrap, Phîi. Merely jesting. Khee khee..."
Khee your father.
Ryu thought to himself, though a premonition suggested this familiar voice belonged to... Pray, say it is not...
"It is Sun, Khrap, fair Phîi Ryu."
"Âi XXX" The moment that vexing introduction concluded, Ryu unleashed a torrent of profanity unfit for public ears (lest he be censored). The caller laughed heartily.
"Ouch, should I rejoice that Phîi speaks to me better than to others?"
"What did you call for? Are you so idle? If you are so idle, return home and till a field, Âi—"
"Oh, Phîi Ryu, Khrap. Nay, I called with a proposal."
Thud
Ryu paused briefly. He considered asking how Sun obtained his number but deemed it a dim-witted question—his friend was also his junior by student code; acquiring his number would not be difficult. Thus, he waited to see what ploy this lad, who had recently acted courteously and carried his bag, intended.
"What is it? My time is valuable."
"I called to challenge you, Phîi."
What is his scheme?
It seemed Sun knew his thoughts, as he promptly elaborated.
"I know you would never speak kindly to me otherwise. Thus, my challenge... if I become the Faculty Moon, you must agree to speak kindly to me... kindly, meaning call me 'Sun,' address yourself as 'Phîi,' and refrain from cursing me. Agreed?"
"Are you mad? As if I would consent. Confounded nerve," Ryu retorted. What sensible person would accept such a bizarre wager? What gain was there for him? Naught.
Ryu shook his head, thinking, This lad must have lost his wits since I struck his chest. The other day he carried Ryu's bag; today he spouts this folly.
"Coward, I say."
Thud
"What did you say?!"
"Coward, Khrap. Utter coward. Exceedingly cowardly. Refusing the challenge. Doh, I thought you were formidable," Sun taunted. Immediately, Ryu's temper flared, his face reddening. He rolled up his sleeve, gripping the telephone tightly, striving to maintain composure. This is plainly a trap.
"Âi-damned-nuisance! Where am I cowardly? Why should I accept? I gain naught but the burden of not cursing you. You must think me quite dim-witted..."
"If I fail to become Faculty Moon, I shall be your servant for a full month. You may command me for any task," Sun interjected with a laugh. Ryu, about to curse, fell silent. Before he could respond, Sun continued swiftly.
"What say you, Khrap? Does Khun-nŭu Ryu dare not accept the challenge? Truly cowardly..."
"Who says I dare not? FINE! You desire a wager so keenly? Prepare to be my punching bag!"
The words erupted, laced with disdain. Ryu shouted into the telephone, all restraint gone. How many times had he been called cowardly since this junior began speaking?
He disconnected abruptly, furious. So enraged that when his friends descended to meet him, he stormed from beneath the building.
Wait and see. I shall employ you as a true servant, Âi Sun.
Concurrently, the instigator, who had needlessly courted trouble, laughed with glee. He even pressed a kiss to his telephone. He knew Phîi Ryu must be enraged by now. Yet he knew not why he acted thus. Dear's words—that all would admire a Faculty Moon—had sparked inspiration.
Inspiration from the voice he had secretly longed to hear oft.
"Sun... tell Phîi, what is your room number?"
Thus. Merely Phîi Ryu speaking kindly for a few words. Yet he knew not... he yearned to hear it again so deeply that he resorted to such madness.
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