Content Warning: This work is intended for mature (NC17) audiences. If you are younger, please kindly leave this site.
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Âi-despicable-person!
Krittithee had been counting down the days, waiting for Saturday to arrive. When it finally came, he dressed meticulously in what he was confident was a stylish outfit, then had the family driver take him to Pakin’s race track. He hoped with all his heart that the older person would be waiting for him there already. But everything he hoped for came crashing down when...
“This person will be your instructor today, Khun Graph.”
“Hey, Âi-youth who dares to challenge the dark powers.”
“Phîi...Sai-fah.”
The person standing next to Panchai was someone the young man was very familiar with...Phîi Sai-fah.
A large man in somewhat faded jeans and a dark shirt, with a broad, overly friendly smile that didn’t match his bearded and mustachioed face. The moment he saw him, the other man raised his hand in a friendly greeting, forcing Krittithee to say his name in disbelief.
And where the bloody fucking hell had Phîi Pakin disappeared to!
“Yep, it’s me, Phîi Sai-fah, the one and only ultimate handsome guy,” Sai-fah said, looking at the attractive young man dressed in a dark leather jacket, seemingly ready to learn to ride a super bike, but his expression… didn’t look happy to see him one bit. So he had to joke to make the youth trust him. But...
“Do you and I look alike?” His twin Phîi, who rode a cool super bike with a blue propeller emblem, interrupted, making him laugh out loud, true to his name.
“Alike where? My Phîi is the prince of architecture, while I’m the Âi-despicable-person of engineering. We’re polar opposites,” Sai-fah retorted to his Phîi jokingly. The older brother had shaved clean, leaving only his shoulder-length hair that was bloody fucking not feminine at all but was super cool, super fitting when he wandered around the architecture faculty. As for him, his hair was cut short, almost buzzed, and he kept a beard for coolness, though the girls said it looked downright dirty.
“But I think if you had the same hairstyle, it could work. Back in freshman year, you couldn’t be told apart,” Panchai said, having known these two for a long time.
“And Phîi Pakin?” Krittithee asked.
Thud.
While the guys were bantering about the twins’ differences, the one who had been standing quietly for a while asked in a strong voice, drawing all three pairs of eyes back to him. And all the older people felt the same thing.
This youth was disappointed...very much so.
“He’ll probably be in soon, Khrap,” Panchai replied.
“‘Probably,’ Phîi? He said he’d teach me himself!” Krittithee said. Even though the close subordinate of the person in question was the one answering, Krittithee couldn’t hide his disappointment. He pulled out his mobile phone, intending to call and complain about why Pakin wasn’t keeping his promise. Krittithee had struggled, counting the days eagerly, only to be disappointed like this again.
Thump.
“Don’t be stubborn,” Payu said.
Thud.
But before he could do that, Payu grabbed Graph’s phone first. The young man looked up at him, ready for a fight.
“Phîi doesn’t need to interfere,” Krittithee said. Payu let out a long sigh, glanced at Panchai for a moment before turning back to look at the youth who looked bloody fucking stubborn. But well… bloody fucking pitiful at the same time.
What was I thinking, following around someone like Phîi Pakin so closely? Krittithee thought.
“I don’t want to interfere. I just want to warn you that calling will only annoy Phîi Pakin for no reason,” Payu said.
“Then what do you want me to do! Phîi Pakin broke his promise to me first. He said he’d teach me, didn’t he? He told me to come find him on Saturday. So why isn’t he here? Why did he leave me standing here looking like a dim-witted buffalo alone!” Krittithee was disappointed, and that disappointment exploded onto an outsider, something he himself didn’t want to happen. But he couldn’t stop the feeling of being hurt, of having been so crazily happy alone.
He should know how many times Phîi Pakin has done this. So why did I get my hopes up so high only to fall and get hurt like this? Krittithee thought.
This made the three older people look at each other, and Sai-fah was the first to raise his hand in surrender. He couldn’t handle youths like this.
Sigh. So, Pakin’s genius mechanic pressed the hand holding that phone down again and said simply, “It’s time for the lesson. Any later and it will be too hot to bear.”
“I’m not g—”
“Phîi Pakin likes people who are good at riding,” Payu interrupted.
Thud.
Suddenly, Payu said calmly, but it made Krittithee shut his mouth, turning sharply to look at him in oddly surprising fashion. That made the older, rather stern twin smile.
“Ride well. Ride skillfully. So the great one will have nothing to say. At the very least, if you can get these Phîi to accept you, even Phîi Pakin won’t be able to say anything if you come here. Okay?” Payu’s words taught the stubborn youth that being obstinate wouldn’t make everything go his way. Sometimes, stepping back to regroup and learning to overcome might bring a greater victory than ever before.
Phîi Pakin likes people who are good at riding. If I can make these three people here accept me, the chance of that someone turning to look at me is not small, Graph thought.
Payu’s words made Graph slowly lower his hand from the phone. He looked down at the ground, then took a deep breath.
“What do I need to do?” Graph asked softly, making Sai-fah smile a little immediately.
Thump.
“Come here, Âi Nong. Call me Instructor Sai-fah, the racer. This way, this way. I’ve got the equipment all ready. Who knows, after this course you might even be better than Âi Oat. Let’s hit the track.” Once his older brother had cleared the way, Sai-fah took over, grabbing Graph’s shoulder and pulling him into a thump of a friendly hug, then almost carrying him by the waist to another area where protective gear was prepared.
Once only the two young men remained, Panchai smiled. “You’re good at handling young people.”
“This junior isn’t that stubborn. You just have to find the right pressure point, and he softens up. Why can’t Phîi Pakin handle him?” Payu turned to make eye contact, asking, not understanding how someone who managed hundreds of people like Nai Pakin couldn’t handle one junior, letting him cause a ruckus even though he showed he didn’t like it. This was only Payu’s third time meeting him, and he already knew how to make Graph meek.
The question made Panchai just smile slightly. “That’s right, Khrap. I also want to know why the boss won’t deal with it.”
Perhaps ‘can’t handle’ is different from ‘won’t handle.’ Something that Pakin let slide, even if he acted annoyed, he still didn’t intend to do anything about it.
Payu just shook his head. “This should be fun from now on.”
“That’s what I say. This matter will be a long one to watch.”
Payu lifted the corner of his mouth. “And how many years has Phîi been watching?”
The question made the stern-faced but kind-looking man laugh softly, but it sounded quite nasty.
“Phîi’s been observing for several years now. Still waiting to see the conclusion.” Having been Pakin’s subordinate for many years, it wouldn’t be fitting if he didn’t have some nastiness in him, right?
“Hey, Âi Nong, I told you not to slip the clutch!” Sai-fah shouted.
“I’m just not used to it. If I don’t do it, the bike jerks,” Graph replied.
“It’s because you’re impatient. Practice properly, and you’ll be able to open the throttle and release the clutch smoothly,” Sai-fah said.
After a rigorous training session, Sai-fah found that this youth had more guts than he looked. Whether it was balancing the bike, accelerating, or cornering, Graph could do it at a level like someone who had been riding for quite a while. But he had one problem: slipping the clutch every time he started.
Slipping the clutch means revving the throttle while squeezing the clutch, not releasing it fully. It gives the engine more power, solving issues like lack of power or bike jerking, but it comes with problems: the clutch plate wears out faster.
“I don’t see anything wrong with it,” Graph said.
“Wow, Âi Nong. If you had an older brother who modifies bikes, and a twin brother who’s bloody fucking close at that, you’d definitely get kicked. Slipping the clutch, burning the clutch, it’s not wrong, but doing it often will cause engine problems later. Fixing this habit will be better for Âi-handsome here,” Sai-fah said, patting the handlebars pat pat, as if this super bike was his own handsome son.
“Look at its face. It’s not that hard. Practice often, and you’ll fix the habit,” the older person said, making Graph look down at the bike and think: What the hell am I doing here?
It’s not that Phîi Sai-fah isn’t a fun teacher. It’s not that he isn’t skilled. But I can’t stop the disappointment that someone else stood me up. But as Phîi Payu said, if I do well, Phîi Pakin might accept me more, Graph thought.
“Phîi Sai-fah, does Phîi Pakin come here often?” Graph asked.
“Not often. It depends on his mood. Mostly, if he has something, he goes to the workshop at our house. No, wait, mostly he calls Âi Payu to order him around. But when he’s bored, he zips off to find him. Last time, he went to tease Âi Oat for fun. Phîi Pakin says it’s fun to tease him because my friend is too serious,” Sai-fah replied.
“And does he bring anyone with him?” Having started a conversation and gotten an answer, Graph seized the opportunity to ask. Even though he had known Pakin for a long time, Graph actually knew almost nothing about the other’s personal life.
The question made Sai-fah smile widely. “No. But if he comes by himself, that’s another story.” Graph almost smiled, if not for the answer at the end that made his face fall more and more.
“Right. Someone like Phîi Pakin,” Graph said. It seemed the words “Phîi Pakin” made the listener understand without needing further explanation. Meanwhile, Graph felt a little irritated and had to divert his attention to another matter.
“Then does Phîi know when Phîi Pakin will organize another race?” Graph asked.
“Ah, that’s beyond what I can answer,” Sai-fah said, falling completely silent, raising his hands to shoulder level, and speaking in a dry voice.
Graph turned to look at him. “Can’t you tell me, Phîi?”
“Can’t. Phîi Pakin will kill me. Last time, he announced it loudly,” Sai-fah replied.
“Come on, Phîi. I’ll go in quietly. I won’t cause Phîi any trouble,” Graph persisted. The engine was off now, and he turned to look fully, almost grabbing Sai-fah’s arm to shake it, making Sai-fah’s heart soften more and more.
Phîi Pakin says that damned Graph is annoying about this and that, but how come I feel that he’s like a Pomeranian, sort of like even though he barks damn well, but when I look into his eyes, then my heart melts, Sai-fah thought.
“I really can’t tell you, Graph,” Sai-fah said.
“Please, Phîi Sai-fah. No, please, Instructor Sai-fah,” Graph pleaded.
Thud.
As soon as Graph blurted out “Instructor Sai-fah,” Sai-fah froze, and his straight lips rose higher and higher. This wasn’t flattery or being overly fond, but hearing the words Graph refused to say at first...
Bloody fucking effective.
“One more time,” Sai-fah said.
“Instructor Sai-fah,” Graph repeated.
Thump.
The moment Graph finished speaking, Sai-fah grabbed the young man’s neck in a lock, pulled his face close, glanced left and right to make sure no one would interrupt, then turned back to meet the waiting eyes. He made a hesitant face, even though his heart had softened since hearing the word “instructor.” Come on, tell him. It’s not like I could sneak into the event anyway, Graph thought.
“Phîi Pakin has already announced that he’ll organize an event...” Sai-fah began.
“What are you doing?!” Pakin shouted.
Gasp!
Not only did Sai-fah startle, Krittithee was startled to the core when Pakin’s familiar voice sounded from behind, making the two young men turn to look sharply at the same time, until they met the man who had been the subject of gossip for quite a while.
Wow, does Phîi keep a haunted doll or something? Perfect timing, Phîi, Sai-fah thought.
Sai-fah quickly put on a smile as a front, glancing at Graph, whose face had paled, clearly guilty.
“Sai-fah, what did you tell this youth?” Pakin asked. Graph’s face bloody fucking couldn’t lie. Just one glance from Phîi Pakin, and he knew they were talking about something secretly.
“General things, Phîi,” Sai-fah replied. Pakin looked silently before smirking.
A scary smile that made the younger twin unable to smile anymore, knowing only that he was screwed.
“What business is it of yours what I talk about with Phîi Sai-fah? You broke your promise to me!” Graph interjected immediately, making the scary gaze change direction.
“When did I break my promise?” Pakin asked.
“You told me to come find you on Saturday, but you weren’t here,” Graph said stubbornly, making Pakin cross his arms.
“Just being late doesn’t mean breaking a promise,” Pakin replied.
Thud.
This time, Krittithee fell silent immediately. He looked into the pair of sharp eyes that clearly showed superiority and gritted his teeth.
He’s right. Phîi Pakin coming late didn’t mean he broke his promise, Graph thought.
“But you promised to teach me. But you pawned me off on Phîi Sai-fah,” Graph argued.
“Pawned off? When did I pawn you off?” Pakin retorted.
“Phîi Chai told Phîi Sai-fah to teach me,” Graph said. Once again, Pakin smiled, but it was a nasty smile as he retorted.
“That was Chai telling you. Not me,” Pakin said.
“But—”
“Therefore, I haven’t broken a single promise to you. I made an appointment to be here on Saturday. I came. It’s just that you came early on your own. And about saying I’d teach, I intended to teach you myself. But when I got here, I saw you were with Sai-fah."
"Oh, Sai-fah,” Pakin said.
“Yes, Phîi!” Sai-fah, who was about to sneak away, thinking he had survived, froze upon hearing his name, answering in a heavy voice, as Pakin smirked while his sharp eyes remained locked with Graph’s stubborn gaze.
“Have you taught him everything?” Pakin asked.
“Yes, Phîi,” Sai-fah replied.
“And does he have any problems?” Pakin asked.
“No, Khrap. Except when starting, but that he needs to practice often to get used to it himself,” Sai-fah answered.
Pakin spread both hands out in the air, smiled just a little, and said words that made Graph want to punch him in the face.
“See? When did I break my promise to you?” Pakin asked.
Graph clenched his fists, gritting his teeth, seeing that he couldn’t argue with the man in front of him at all. He also thought back and realized he had fallen into a trap the moment he arrived here. Because he believed Phîi Chai had received orders from Phîi Pakin, he was confident he had been stood up. But it turned out Pakin said he didn’t give the order. And even if Graph pressed Phîi Chai to death, he would never know the truth of whether it was really Phîi Pakin’s order or not.
Good Lord! Krittithee swore inwardly, looking at Pakin with hatred, which seemed not to affect Pakin in the slightest, besides saying simply,
“Now I’ve paid off all my debts to you, right?” Pakin said. The words made Graph’s face pale a little because it meant there was no necessary reason for this Graph to show his face for Pakin to see again. He could only lower his head and look at his own feet.
I can’t win. I’ve never been able to win, Graph thought.
“But I think, since Nong has been good, Phîi should give him a reward, right, Phîi Pakin?” Payu said.
At the moment Krittithee was feeling defeat once again, Payu stepped in with a sentence like a blessing from an angel.
“Phîi Payu,” Graph groaned softly.
Pakin turned to look at his personal mechanic, who gave a small, slightly amused smile. “Just giving a reward to one high school youth probably isn’t too much for Phîi, is it? What do you think, Âi Sai-fah?”
“Hey, don’t throw the shit to me,” Payu said, throwing it to his Nong, who gasped and shook his head sharply but couldn’t win against Payu’s gaze, forcing him to give a dry smile.
“Ah, I think Graph is a top-notch student. Phîi should give the good youth a reward,” Sai-fah said. Usually, Graph disliked the word “youth,” but this time he knew that staying silent and acting like a well mannered youth was the best way out of this situation. Meanwhile, all pairs of eyes turned to look at Pakin in unison, making the one who held the highest card roll his eyes.
“What did he bribe you guys with?” Pakin asked in a weary tone, making the two brothers think in unison.
Pity, of course.
Pity for me, whose face fell the moment I realized I could do nothing, Graph thought.
“So Phîi will give Graph a reward? Well, what are you waiting for? Ask for it,” Payu said concisely, turning to look at Graph, who was stunned because he didn’t think everything would be this fast. If I had known even a little that I could ask Phîi Pakin for one thing, I would have thought it through carefully, Graph thought.
But he wasn’t fast enough for Pakin, who said in a flat tone, wiping away all traces of a smile, “I’ll return the bike later.” Pakin continued, “I’ll have someone deliver that bike to your house. Consider it a reward for being good today. Are you satisfied now, Âi-hellish-twins?” Pakin said only that, as if ending the conversation. Then he turned and walked away in another direction, not intending to listen to any complaints that would give him a headache, leaving Graph standing frozen, unable to react.
Vroom vroom.
“Sigh. Graph, oh Graph. You should have thought faster. Like, Phîi should take me out for snacks or take me to an amusement park or something,” Sai-fah said, patting the shoulder of the still-frozen youth to comfort him, while Payu shook his head.
Pakin’s out of my life, Graph thought. “Next time, Phîi can bring him to play at Phîi’s shop,” Payu said, comforting the still-frozen youth. But Graph didn’t hear any comforting words, only feeling something. Phîi Pakin gave in too easily, as if trying to cut ties.
He didn’t break the promise. Didn’t stand me up. He’s returning the bike. Doing everything as if trying to ensure we have nothing connecting us anymore. Until my little heart aches sharply, Graph thought.
Does Phîi dislike seeing my face this much? Or maybe I should stop here, Graph thought.
It was one of the few times he started thinking about this more seriously.
***
“Mâe, Janjao is leaving now,” Janjao said.
“Okay. Will you be back late today? So I can make dinner for you,” Khun Mâe replied.
“Please do! I’ll definitely be back on time,” Janjao said.
Within a house surrounded by a beautiful garden, Janjao was slinging a cloth bag filled to the brim with study sheets over her shoulder, then went to tell her mother, who was busy in the kitchen. Then she walked over to look at her younger sister, who was rolling around reading (yaoi) manga, feeling envious.
“Phîi’s leaving now,” Janjao said.
As soon as Janjao told her younger sister, Bulan sat up, reached into her shorts, and gave her older sister a list of new manga titles. “Yeah, Phîi Janjao. Buy me the new manga, please. The comic shop at the mall probably has it in stock,” Bulan said.
“We’ll split the book cost,” Janjao said.
“We’ll split it, we’ll split it. Come back soon. I want to read Sabato Sama next,” Bulan said before lying back down to roll around and read manga, making Janjao pout a little.
“Just wait. Once I’m done with university entrance exams, I’m going to binge-read all the manga on the web!” Janjao said, but could only walk out of the house feeling frustrated. But then the frustration had to change to shock when...
“Graph!” When Janjao saw the attractive young man sitting astride a super bike waiting in front of the house, she had to look back at the house, then quickly ran whoosh over to her friend.
“How did you get here? Weren’t you grounded?” Janjao asked.
“Hah, it’s just words. Phô won’t care if I’ve completed the grounding or not,” Graph said while making a face, making Janjao look at him sympathetically.
“Forget about the grounding. I’m just bored, didn’t want to stay home. And I remembered Janjao had to go to tutoring, so I came to pick you up and drop you off,” Graph said. If it were anyone else, they might have blushed a little at suddenly having an attractive young man on a bike worth millions come pick them up at home and even offer to take them to tutoring. But for Janjao, she could only tilt her head in suspicion.
“Is something wrong?” Janjao asked.
If Graph was bored, what he would do wasn’t coming to find her, but going out to have fun with friends from other classes, sometimes even getting into trouble with other schools. But he came on purpose, meaning there was a problem.
“No...maybe...I don’t know. I don’t bloody fucking know anything anymore,” Graph said, rubbing his head vigorously in frustration, making Janjao sigh.
This means things aren’t going well with that Phîi, right? Janjao thought.
“Then let’s go. If Graph takes me, we’ll probably arrive almost an hour before class. Let’s go get something to eat, and then Graph can tell me what happened...okay?” Seeing her friend was in a bad mood, Janjao smiled to comfort him, saying softly, making Graph nod a few times, then bend down to pick up a helmet and hand it to her.
“The bike is cool, but you have no mercy for a young woman like me,” Janjao said.
Janjao put on the helmet skillfully. Of course, she had ridden pillion countless times, but she still wasn’t used to having to spread her legs wide to get on the back. Moreover, it was an extremely large bike. The distance from the seat to the handlebars was huge.
Screech.
“Hey, Janjao, who told you to do that!” Sun shouted.
“Wah, go fast, Graph! Phîi Sun will scold me,” Janjao said. A second-floor window opened wide, and a meddlesome young man in a not-fully-awake state stuck his head out to complain, making Janjao quickly pat Graph’s shoulder hard, saying to go, before her overprotective older brother could come down to stop them. Graph himself just laughed amusingly.
“Still so overprotective of your younger sister, huh?” Graph shouted conversationally as he moved the bike out of the alley, making Janjao shout back.
“More overprotective of his romantic partner than his sister!” Janjao replied.
Then, the large bike maneuvered out of the alley skillfully, until they were about to reach the main road...
Screech!
“Hey!” Graph shouted.
Suddenly, a sedan drove in to block the path of the two young people, making Krittithee almost brake too late, while Janjao almost face-planted.
“Are you driving in your Phô’s language?” Graph cursed immediately.
“Watch your language a bit, Âi Nong,” the driver said.
Thud.
But Graph had to stop short when he found that behind them, several large super bikes had also parked, blocking the rear.
“Graph, what is this?” Janjao whispered in a startled voice, making Graph’s face tense.
“I don’t know either,” Graph said.
Krittithee was sure he hadn’t had any trouble lately, and even if he had, it wouldn’t be with these older people who looked like born thugs.
“Are you Khun Graph? Come with us for a moment,” the person in the car said, stepping out with a smile that was irritating, making Krittithee narrow his eyes.
“Go be dim-wit! Move aside!” Graph said harshly, afraid of no one, even though he was worried about his close friend.
He had been in many fights, and each time it was with people on Phîi Pakin’s level. So these guys didn’t scare him one bit, unlike Janjao.
“Does Âi Pakin’s youth have no manners like this?” the man asked.
Thud.
“What does it have to do with Phîi Pakin!” Graph retorted immediately when they mentioned the name he least wanted to hear, making Krittithee freeze.
The leader smiled widely. “Come with us, and I’ll tell you how it’s related.”
“I’m not going! To hell with Phîi Pakin!” Graph said angrily, holding his trembling friend’s hand tightly.
“Alright then. If Khun Graph won’t come, taking this young woman instead will do,” the man said. They stepped forward, surrounding Graph’s bike more closely, making Krittithee quickly think whether he should crash through them or what to do. But it seemed Janjao was trembling even more.
“Graph...” Janjao whispered.
“Don’t touch this young woman!” As they stepped forward, making a move to grab Janjao, Graph shifted to knock that damned nuisance’s hand away, saying firmly, then turned to look the leader in the eye.
“I’ll go with you. But don’t mess with my friend,” Graph said.
“Yes, sir. Well, you can get off the bike now. Khun Graph has business with us,” the man said, turning to look at Janjao, who was holding onto Graph’s waist tightly, forcing Graph to say to comfort her.
“It’s okay, Janjao. We’ll be fine. We’ll settle this,” Graph whispered softly, nodding slowly to confirm it was okay, while Janjao hesitated but got off the bike, not without fear.
I have to call the police! Janjao thought, gripping her cloth bag strap tightly.
“Well, let’s go. Or is Âi Pakin’s youth going to break his promise?” the man said, making Graph clench his fists tightly.
“Yeah, wherever you’re going, lead the way, asshole!” Graph said. Right now, he had to get these guys as far away from his friend as possible.
Krittithee started the engine again, his hands on the handlebars, nodding with a look that said, You lead, asshole, making them smile, then get back on their bikes.
“Don’t think about running away. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee the safety of this young woman,” the man said before revving the engine and leading out onto the main road, with two other super bikes flanking him. Graph could only glance worriedly at his friend, but it seemed if he complied with them, Janjao would be safer.
Once the several vehicles had driven away, Janjao could only take off her helmet and hold it, grabbing her phone with trembling hands.
“I have to report this! Report it!” Janjao said.
Brring.
But before she could dial the police, a BMW turning in honked its horn lightly, making her startle and jump, turning sharply to look, afraid they had come back. But looking up made Janjao call out joyfully, “Phîi Shin!”
“Is something wrong?” Shin, her older brother’s close friend, asked, making Janjao feel relieved beyond words.
“Phîi Shin! Graph, Graph, my friend, was taken away by someone, I don’t know who!” Janjao ran to cling to the car door, crying out frantically, making Shin frown.
“Graph?” Shin asked.
“Yes! Graph, my friend. Just now, suddenly, a car and big motorcycles came and blocked the way, then took my friend away. I knew that Phîi Pakin was scary, and he has even brought scary trouble to Graph. What should I do, Phîi Shin?” Even though Janjao was talking almost incoherently, several familiar names made Shin grab his phone immediately.
“Calm down, Janjao. I think I know someone who can help,” Shin said.
The image of her older brother’s friend calling someone made Janjao clench her hands anxiously.
Please, no trouble. Please, let there be no trouble! Janjao thought.
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