Radit elbowed him with a grin. "Call your girlfriend too, Bro. Make it fair."
Laughter spilled through the twilight air. Amid sweat, gold, and fatigue, there was a warmth no coin could buy, friendship. And quietly, love.
Felicia's lips curved in a thin smile as she stayed by Kaivan's side. "Come on. Time to train," she said softly, yet firm. Not the type to let a chance slip away.
Kaivan glanced at her, weary and puzzled. "Now? I just finished a whole day's work," he groaned. But deep down he knew, resisting Felicia only delayed the inevitable.
Without another word, Felicia seized his hand and pulled him to his feet. "We don't have time to slack off," she said, dragging him out before he could even think of an excuse.
Radit chuckled at the sight. "Look at that, being dragged away. Want the same treatment, Frans?"
Frans sighed, feigning ease. "Nah, I'm fine being myself," he replied, masking the faint envy he refused to admit.
On the upper floor of the old building turned training space, the glow of twilight carved long shadows across the worn-out boards. Felicia stood tall before Kaivan, finally releasing his hand.
"Push-ups. Now," she ordered firmly, her eyes leaving no room for refusal.
Kaivan groaned and lowered himself to the floor. Felicia watched closely, cold yet attentive. After a few counts, she stepped forward, and sat squarely on his back.
"Hey! Too heavy! This is insane!" Kaivan gasped, struggling for breath.
Felicia laughed, her cheeks tinged red. "Am I really that heavy?"
"It's not you... I'm just not used to push-ups with the weight of life itself," he panted, half-serious.
Felicia rose, still smiling in embarrassment. "Fine, take a break. I'll bring you something to drink," she said, descending the stairs and leaving him sprawled on the floor, chest heaving and silence pressing against his heart.
Kaivan lay there, eyes fixed on the ceiling, breaths shallow. To him, Felicia's care was no more than kindness between friends. He never once imagined there might be something deeper quietly blooming within her.
Her steps down the staircase were steady, yet halted midway. At the far window, Radit sat perched on the sill, a cigarette glowing faintly in his fingers. The dying light painted his face in somber hues, contrasting his usual carefree air.
"Radit, back then… when you attacked Julian's place, who went in with you besides Kaivan?" Felicia's tone was calm, but curiosity lingered beneath.
Radit raised a brow, exhaling a slow stream of smoke. "It was just me and Kaivan. Thivi and Frans stayed outside, but they rushed in and got caught. So yeah, only the two of us actually went inside," he answered casually, as if it were nothing.
Felicia nodded faintly, her eyes distant. "So it was only the two of you, huh," she murmured, almost inaudible.
Radit narrowed his eyes, catching the shift in her expression. "Why do you ask?"
Before he could press further, Felicia moved suddenly, faster than he expected. She grabbed his collar with one hand and yanked him forward. His eyes widened, body dragged despite his strength.
"Hey! What the hell?!" Radit barked, his voice echoing in the empty room. Felicia said nothing. Her face remained calm, as though her decision was already made.
From the corner, Frans lowered his magazine with a crooked smirk. "Good luck, Radit," he muttered, waving lazily, his chuckle sharp and mocking.
By the doorway, Thivi and Zinnia paused mid-conversation, eyes widening at the sight of Felicia hauling Radit like a sack of rice. They exchanged baffled glances.
"What's going on?" Thivi whispered.
"No idea," Zinnia replied flatly. "She must have her reasons."
Felicia finally stopped when they reached the upper floor. She let go of Radit, leaving him standing stiff, his body tense from being dragged so roughly. He glared at her, irritation clear.