The morning sun was bright when Pond parked his car outside the engineering building. He had driven Boom to campus and, before leaving, leaned over with an affectionate smile.
"Have a nice day, baby," Pond said warmly, pressing a quick kiss to Boom's forehead.
Boom smiled softly, wishing him a good day back as he got down. He watched Pond's car disappear into the distance, unaware that a pair of sharp eyes had witnese the exchange.
Standing at the entrance, Aau froze. His heart pounded, his fists clenched. Pond had called Boom "baby." He had kissed him—openly. That single moment was enough to ignite a firestorm of rage inside Aau.
At the SOTUS training field later that morning, Aau grew restless when he couldn't find Boom anywhere among the hazers. His instincts pushed him to search, and soon he found himself approaching the hazers' tent.
Boom sat alone on a bench, elbows on his knees, his expression unreadable. Something about his silence carried a heavy sadness.
"Who was he?" Aau's voice cut through the stillness before he could stop himself.
Boom looked up sharply. "What are you doing here?"
"I asked the question first." Aau's voice was low but firm. "Tell me—who was he, and why did he call you babe? And why are you crying ? "
Boom's eyes widened in shock. "And who the hell are you to ask me that? Why should I answer you?"
"Because I like you," Aau declared without hesitation. His chest tightened, but his words were steady. "And you have to give me a chance. I like you more than anyone ever could."
For a moment, Boom just stared. Then he rose from the bench, his eyes narrowing. "Ten laps for entering this tent without permission. Another ten for failing to introduce yourself properly. Ten more for disrespecting your senior. And ten for leaving the field during training. Forty laps total. Start running."
"I'll do fifty," Aau shot back. "But tell me—what's your problem?" He could see the storm behind Boom's eyes, the kind of turmoil he'd never noticed in him before.
Boom's patience snapped. "Fifty plus ten makes sixty. Sixty laps for disobeying your hazer." His voice was sharp, though Aau could sense the anger wasn't truly directed at him. Still, Boom was in no mood to deal with a stubborn junior chasing him relentlessly, especially when his own emotions were already a mess.
"Vikk!" Boom called.
One of the hazers ran in at once. "Yes, Boom?"
"Take him. Make sure he finishes his sixty laps today."
Vikk's eyes widened. "But sixty laps? Boom—"
"I said now." Boom's tone cut off any protest.
Aau glanced back once at him before running out. He didn't wait for Vikk.
By afternoon, the tension had shifted elsewhere. At lunch, Mix came downstairs with his usual careless grin, though it didn't last long.
"I heard what you did," Forth said, his voice heavy with disapproval.
"Forth, let the kid eat first," Beam intervened gently.
"I'm not stopping him from eating. But it's time he grows up," Forth pressed.
Mix put down his spoon, meeting Forth's stare. "It's okay, Uncle Beam. Let's talk. What happened?"
"What happened?" Forth's voice rose. "Have you even looked at yourself last night? What do you think you're doing?"
"I guess I drank too much," Mix replied lightly, brushing it off.
"Mix, I'm not Max. I won't tolerate your tantrums."
"I know," Mix retorted. "That's why you're stuck babysitting your kids instead."
The words cut deeper than he realized. Forth fell silent, speechless.
Mix stood, pushing his chair back. "I'm done. Thanks for lunch."
Just then Dunk walked in, smirking. "This is what happens when you take responsibility for someone else's children," he taunted Lam.
"Dunk..." Lam's voice warned.
"Stop it, Dunk," Beam interjected, frowning.
"Why are you all glaring at me?" Dunk stuffed food into his mouth. "Mix was drunk to the point he couldn't walk. Now he's mouthing off at Uncle Forth, forgetting how you raised him."
"Stop there," Forth said sharply.
"But, Uncle—"
"I said stop." Forth's voice broke no argument.
Mix, standing by the stairs, heard it all. He turned back, his voice calm but laced with pain. "See? Even Dunk noticed. Next time when my dad calls, just give him the phone. Let him remind them directly how you're wasting your efforts on someone else's kids."
Before anyone could react, Mix walked away.
The dining room fell into a tense silence.
"You shouldn't have said that," Lam scolded Dunk. "And don't you dare call him 'other.' He's family. Your cousin—your father's brother's son."
"But he back answers you and Uncle Forth," Dunk protested, feigning sadness. "I was just reminding him of all you've done. And now I'm the one being scolded."
"Next time, don't speak unless asked," Forth's voice was cold. "Maybe Lam is right—we're pampering you too much."
He left for his room without another word.
Dunk smirked faintly. "Happy now?" he sneered at Lam.
Before Lam could respond, Nani arrived.
"Pa, I'm leaving," Nani said quickly, not wanting to linger.
"There comes another attention seeker," Dunk muttered.
"Nani!" Lam's face lit up as he went to him. "Honey, you're back after so many days. Have lunch with us—and your brother."
"Dad, I—"
But Park silenced Dunk with a single look before turning to Nani. "When did you come home? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because he doesn't care," Dunk muttered again.
Nani ignored him. "I came to your room, but you were busy feeding someone else, so you didn't notice."
Park reached for his hand. "Dad's sorry. Have lunch with us."
"I'm late. I have to return. P'Mix will drop me," Nani said flatly.
"He knew?" Park asked softly.
Nani nodded. "He brought me here yesterday evening. We had dinner together. Then he left when someone called."
"Oh, so you're here to defend him now?" Dunk scoffed. "Can't you see how he talks to Dad in this house?"
Park ignored him. "Don't go. Dad wants to talk. You didn't even pick up my calls."
"Thanks for the invitation," Nani said firmly. "But I'll have lunch with my brother and my family. He's waiting outside. Goodbye."
He hugged Lam quickly, gave Park a small nod, and left.
Dunk's face twisted with anger. "You ignore me for that brat—"
"Enough, Dunk!" Lam snapped. "Go to your room."
Stomping his foot, Dunk stormed off.
Outside, Nani slipped into Mix's car.
"You don't have to argue with them for me," Mix said quietly.
"What I did, I did for my brother," Nani replied with a bright smile. "I mean it, P'Mix. You're my brother. You're my family. When I grow up and get married, I want you to walk me down the aisle."
Mix blinked, startled, before chuckling. "You're too cute. I can't stay angry when you're around. Come on—let's stop for lunch somewhere nice."
And with that, the car drove away, leaving behind a house full of tension and unsaid truths.