The canteen buzzed with noise—students chatting, trays clinking, chairs scraping against the floor—but at Jai's table, an unusual silence lingered.
Jai, Van, Kim, and Krit sat together, yet the tension between Jai and Krit was impossible to miss. Neither of them had spoken to each other since what happened the night before at the apartment.
Jai sat quietly, eyes fixed on his phone, scrolling absentmindedly as if he were reading something important—though in truth, nothing was really holding his attention. His mind was elsewhere.
Across from him, Krit leaned back in his chair, eyes closed for a moment, as if shutting the world out completely. His expression remained unreadable, but the cold distance between them was enough to shift the mood of the entire table.
Kim and Van noticed it immediately. The two exchanged glances, silently questioning what had gone wrong. The tension was too thick to ignore.
Van couldn't take it anymore.
"Uh… are you guys hungry?" he asked, looking around, trying to sound casual.
"Yes," Jai answered immediately.
"No," Krit replied at the exact same time.
The table fell silent again.
Van scratched the back of his head, forcing an awkward smile. He clearly didn't expect them to answer together—let alone give completely opposite responses. Trying to salvage the situation, Kim quickly jumped in.
"Did you put the note in the book, Jai?"
Krit's eyes opened at once, curiosity flickering across his face as he glanced at them.
"Ah… yeah, I already put it." Jai replied with a small nod.
Krit frowned slightly, confused, but chose not to ask further. Before the silence could return, Van suddenly leaned forward, as if struck by a brilliant idea.
"Hey—later tonight, let's go to Drift Lounge!"
All three turned to him. Van grinned, clearly excited.
"It's been a while since we hung out. Come on, just something chill!" he added enthusiastically. "So? You guys in?"
Kim and Van exchanged another glance—this time more deliberate. A silent agreement passed between them, and Van subtly gestured with his eyes, as if telling Kim to help convince the other two.
"Come with us, Jai!" Kim said, smiling brightly.
"I'll pass," Jai replied, shaking his head. "I need to review for the exam."
"Oii! Come on, Jai," Van insisted, nudging him lightly. "Don't stress too much about the exam. We're all taking it anyway."
"Exactly," Kim added. "And it's still a few days away, let's relax for a bit. We can review together later."
"Come on, okay?" Van pressed again, his tone almost pleading now.
"You too, Krit!" Kim added, turning toward him.
Krit let out a quiet sigh, clearly irritated by the noise.
"Do whatever you want. I'll go ahead first—I have something to finish," he said flatly before standing up.
Without another word, he walked away from the table.
"Hey! You better come later!" Van shouted after him. "I'll punch you if you don't!"
But Krit didn't even look back. He just kept walking.
The moment he was gone, the atmosphere shifted again—this time filled with unspoken questions. Van leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.
"Oi… what happened?"
Jai rolled his eyes before answering.
"How could he not get mad? He scolded me just because P'Pete came into my apartment," he said, irritation still evident in his voice.
"What? Why would he get mad about that?" Van asked, genuinely confused.
"He said I shouldn't let just anyone come into my place," Jai explained. "I already told him why Pete was there, but he still got angry."
"Maybe he's jealous," Kim suddenly said.
Both Jai and Van turned to him instantly.
"Jealous? Krit?" Jai repeated, disbelief written all over his face.
"Mm… it's possible," Kim shrugged. "That could be why he reacted like that."
"No way," Jai dismissed immediately. "We grew up together. Why would he be jealous?"
Van leaned back slightly, studying him.
"Are you sure you're just childhood friends?"
"Of course," Jai answered without hesitation. "So there's no reason for him to be jealous—if that's what you're thinking."
Kim and Van exchanged another look—this time slower, more meaningful.
"Mmm…" they both nodded at the same time, but the smiles on their faces suggested they weren't entirely convinced.
Across the campus, at another table, Thorn sat with his friends—Way, Yujin, and Art. The group was scattered in their own little worlds. One scrolling through their phone, another chatting lazily, someone flipping through a book.
But Thorn…
He sat quietly, holding a small sticky note in his hand. His gaze lingered on it, a soft smile forming on his lips as if the tiny piece of paper held something far more valuable than it looked.
It didn't go unnoticed.
Way nudged Art and tilted his head toward Thorn. "Hey… look at that."
Yujin followed their gaze, and soon all three of them were watching Thorn—watching the way he smiled at something so small. They exchanged knowing looks. Slowly, Art leaned closer, peeking at what Thorn was holding.
"Ohooo… what's that?" he teased, his voice dripping with mischief.
Thorn immediately snapped his attention toward them.
"Nothing," he said quickly, trying to hide the note.
"Then why are you hiding it?" Way asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Is that a love letter?" Art added with a grin.
Thorn shook his head, attempting to appear calm—but the smile on his lips betrayed him.
"No."
"Oh really?" Art laughed. "Then why do you look so happy?"
The three of them burst into laughter, teasing him even more as Thorn struggled to keep the note out of sight.
"Who's it from?" Yujin asked, curious.
"There's no name," Thorn replied, lifting the sticky note slightly.
"You've received tons of gifts before," Way pointed out, "but this? A sticky note? And they even know which book you always read."
Thorn looked at it again, his expression softening.
"I don't know…" he admitted quietly, his gaze lingering on it. "But every time I read it, something in me just… softens. Like the weight I didn't realize I was carrying disappears, even just for a moment."
Art leaned in, intrigued. "So… does that means your letter sender has a chance?"
"A chance?" Thorn echoed.
"Yeah. A chance that you might actually like him back."
Thorn paused.
"Maybe…?"
"Hey! Seriously?" Art exclaimed, surprised.
"I don't know," Thorn added, his voice softer now. "I haven't even seen him… but I like the way he writes to me."
"Then find a way to meet him," Yujin chimed in, leaning forward with interest.
Thorn fell silent, considering the idea.
A few seconds passed.
Then—slowly—he smiled.
"Yeah… you're right."
And just like that, an idea began to form in his mind.
As night fell, Jai and his friends—Van, Kim, and eventually Krit, who ended up joining them after all—made their way to a bar near the university.
The place was alive the moment they stepped inside. Music pulsed through the air, loud and rhythmic, blending with the flashing lights that painted the room in shifting colors. Laughter, chatter, and the clinking of glasses filled every corner. It was the kind of place where everything felt fast, overwhelming… and strangely freeing.
What they didn't know was that, on the other side of the bar, Thorn and his friends were there too.
The moment Jai's group entered, Van's eyes immediately caught something—or rather, someone—familiar near the counter. His face lit up instantly.
"Oiiiee! P'Jaidee!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the noise.
Jai, Kim, and Krit all turned toward him in surprise as he waved enthusiastically.
The man at the counter looked up, scanning the crowd for a second before his expression broke into a wide smile.
"Van!"
It was Jaidee—someone Van knew well, and apparently the one managing the bar tonight. He quickly made his way over to them, greeting the group with an easy, welcoming energy.
"It's been a while since you showed up," Jaidee teased, slinging an arm casually around Van's shoulder as he guided them toward a table.
"I've been busy, P'Jaidee," Van replied with a grin. "So you're the one running this place now?"
"Yeah. No one else could watch over it, so I took over for now," Jaidee answered.
"Nice, nice!" Van said, clearly impressed.
The group settled into their seats, the noise of the bar wrapping around them like a constant hum. The flashing lights reflected faintly in Jai's eyes as he took everything in, though a part of him still felt oddly distant—like he hadn't fully stepped into the moment yet.
Across the bar, Yujin happened to glance toward the entrance.
Her gaze lingered.
For a second, she went still, as if something had caught her completely off guard. Then slowly… a knowing smile curved on her lips.
"Meung…" she murmured, lightly tapping Thorn's arm.
He turned to her, slightly puzzled. "What?"
Yujin tilted her head subtly toward the direction of the entrance.
"Isn't that… Jai?"
Thorn followed her gaze, and just like that—everything else faded. The music, the lights, the noise… all of it blurred into the background.
There he was. Jai.
Standing among his friends, illuminated by shifting lights, completely unaware of the eyes now fixed on him.
Thorn didn't say a word. He just stared.
Inside the bar, Jai and his friends were completely immersed in their own little world, their laughter blending effortlessly with the loud music that echoed through the room. The place was alive—flashing lights dancing across the walls, glasses clinking, voices overlapping—but none of it seemed to matter as long as they were together at that table.
Van, as expected, was the loudest among them, raising his glass every now and then as he exaggerated his stories, making Kim burst into laughter while Jai tried—and failed—to hold back his own amusement. Even Krit, who sat quietly at the side, couldn't fully hide the small smiles that occasionally slipped through, his usual guarded expression softening for just a moment whenever Van became too ridiculous to ignore.
After a while, Jai pushed himself up from his seat, brushing his hands lightly against his jeans as he glanced at his friends.
"I'll just go to the restroom for a bit," he said casually, his tone light enough that no one questioned it.
The others simply nodded, already drifting back into their conversation as if nothing had changed, while Jai began weaving his way through the crowded space, carefully avoiding people and tables as he made his way toward the quieter side of the bar.
At the opposite end of the room, Thorn had also stood from his seat, briefly excusing himself from his group with a simple.
"I'll be back."
His friends barely paid attention, too caught up in their own conversation, unaware that his steps were unknowingly leading him toward the same destination as Jai. There was no intention behind it, no awareness—just coincidence quietly setting the stage.
The moment Jai stepped into the restroom, the atmosphere shifted completely. The noise from outside became distant, muffled by the closed door, leaving behind a strange kind of stillness that felt almost isolating.
He approached the sink and turned on the faucet, letting the cool water run over his hands as he stared at his reflection, his thoughts momentarily drifting, trying to steady himself without really knowing why.
Then the door opened.
Jai's eyes instinctively lifted toward the mirror, and there—reflected behind him—was Thorn. For a brief moment, neither of them moved. Their gazes met through the glass, and something about that simple reflection made the air feel heavier, like time itself had slowed down just enough for them to notice each other in a way they hadn't before. There were no dramatic gestures, no sudden movements—just silence, stretched thin between them.
"So… you're here," Thorn said, his voice calm and careful, as if he was testing the space between them, unsure of how Jai would react.
Jai, however, found himself unable to respond immediately. His throat felt tight, his thoughts scattered in a way that made even the simplest words feel out of reach.
"I didn't know you'd be here. Are you with your friends?" Thorn asked again, his tone still gentle, trying to keep things light despite the quiet tension lingering in the room.
This time, Jai managed to move. He turned slightly, facing Thorn just enough to give a small nod in response, his movements subtle but enough to acknowledge him. Thorn's lips curved into a faint smile, something soft and almost relieved.
"That's good," he murmured, though the words felt like they carried more meaning than they should have.
Jai nodded once more, but instead of staying, he chose to leave. Without another word, he walked past Thorn, his shoulder brushing slightly against the air between them, and stepped out of the restroom as if escaping something he couldn't quite explain.
Thorn remained where he stood, watching the space Jai had just left, a strange heaviness settling in his chest. No matter how much he tried, it felt like he couldn't reach him—not like this.
The moment Jai stepped back into the noise of the bar, everything felt overwhelming again, but his mind was elsewhere. His steps faltered slightly, his balance slipping just enough to make him stumble forward. Before he could hit the ground, a hand caught his arm, steadying him.
"Hey, careful," the man said, his grip firm as he held Jai in place.
Jai muttered a quick apology, attempting to pull away, but the man didn't let go. Instead, his hold tightened just enough to make Jai uneasy.
"Wait… not yet. You might get hurt," the man added, but something about the way he said it didn't sit right.
There was an edge in his tone that made Jai's chest tighten with discomfort.
"I said let go," Jai insisted, his voice sharper now as he tried to free himself, but the man only held on tighter, refusing to release him.
At that exact moment, Thorn stepped out of the restroom—and what he saw made his entire expression change. Jai, being held by someone else, clearly struggling. The shift in his chest was immediate, sharp and undeniable.
"What's going on?" Thorn demanded as he approached, his voice firm, his gaze locked on the man's grip.
"P'Thorn…" Jai called out, his voice strained, and that alone was enough to push Thorn forward.
"Let him go," Thorn said, his tone dropping into something colder, something that didn't invite negotiation.
But the man didn't listen, and that was all it took. The tension snapped.
Thorn shoved him hard enough to make him stumble, and when the man tried to retaliate with a punch, Thorn moved instinctively—dodging, then striking back with a force that sent the man crashing to the ground. The sudden commotion drew attention, the noise of the bar shifting as people began to notice the fight unfolding.
From across the room, Jai's friends saw the chaos and rushed toward them, their voices overlapping as they called out his name. Thorn's friends weren't far behind either, closing in as the situation escalated.
The man tried to attack again but was quickly restrained by others, while Thorn, still fueled by adrenaline, was ready to strike once more—but before he could, arms suddenly wrapped around him.
He froze.
Jai.
The contact caught him off guard, the sudden closeness breaking through the tension in an instant. Thorn looked down, confusion flickering in his eyes, only to feel Jai's weight shift—his body weakening, collapsing against him.
"J-Jai!"
Thorn reacted immediately, catching him before he could fall completely, his arms tightening around him as panic replaced the anger in his expression. The noise around them seemed to fade, the energy of the room shifting into something quieter, heavier, as people realized what had just happened.
Jai was unconscious.
Thorn held him carefully, almost too carefully, as if afraid that even the slightest mistake would make things worse. His grip was firm but gentle, his focus entirely on the boy in his arms—but not everyone could stand the sight.
Krit pushed through the crowd, his expression dark, his chest tight with emotions he couldn't even sort out. The moment he saw Jai being held by Thorn, something in him snapped. He stepped forward, ready to take Jai away, but Thorn stopped him.
"What are you doing?" Thorn asked, his voice firm, almost defensive.
"I'm taking him home," Krit shot back, his tone sharp, leaving no room for argument.
"I'll take him," Thorn insisted, his hold tightening just slightly, unwilling to let go so easily.
Krit scoffed, his irritation obvious. "The nerve. Let him go."
"Krit, I said I'll handle it," Thorn repeated, but this time, the tension between them was undeniable, thick enough to be felt by everyone around them.
It wasn't just about Jai anymore—it felt like something deeper, something neither of them was willing to admit. The moment stretched, both of them refusing to back down, until finally—
"Thorn… let him."
Yujin's voice cut through the tension, calm yet firm enough to break the standoff. Thorn hesitated, his gaze shifting between Yujin and Jai, who remained unconscious in his arms. After a few seconds, he let out a quiet breath and slowly loosened his grip.
Krit didn't waste a second. He immediately took Jai into his arms, holding him close, almost protectively, before turning away without another word. Thorn stayed where he was, unmoving, watching as Krit carried Jai away, his figure growing smaller with every step until he disappeared completely from sight.
And just like that, something heavy settled in Thorn's chest—something unfamiliar, something he couldn't quite name, but strong enough to linger.
———
Two days later, Jai returned to campus, his steps leading him straight to the library without hesitation. It was the first place he thought of, the one place that held a quiet connection he couldn't ignore.
As he searched for the book Thorn always borrowed, his fingers paused the moment he found it. There, tucked carefully inside, was a sticky note—held in place by a familiar purple paper clip.
His heart skipped.
Slowly, he pulled it out and read the message written on it, "I appreciate your note. Thank you, my little sender."
A soft warmth spread through his chest, the kind that made his lips curve into a small but genuine smile. It wasn't grand or dramatic, but it was enough—enough to make everything feel lighter, even if just for a moment.
Carefully, he placed another note inside the book, making sure it was positioned just right, as if the smallest detail mattered. It was his quiet way of responding, of continuing something unspoken between them.
When he finished, he lingered for a moment, glancing around the silent library before stepping away, a faint smile still resting on his lips. Even without words, even without acknowledgment, there was something there—a connection neither of them fully understood yet.
And somewhere nearby, Thorn arrived—just in time to almost see him again.
Purple paper clip.