At a rented house by the railroad tracks, Dung sat on the bed, dreamily folding clothes into a suitcase.
"Let's see… for the beach—swim trunks, that floral shirt, a tank top, and…"
He paused mid-thought, realizing he was absent-mindedly folding a pair of trousers into the case. Clicking his tongue in annoyance, he shoved the pile aside and flopped onto the bed.
"Should I even go on this trip?" he muttered. "Better make the most of it. Once that pampered brat comes back from military training, there won't be another chance. Yep, now or never…"
Dung might've made up his mind, but his body had other plans—restless, twitchy, refusing to settle. He placed a hand on his chest.
"What the hell am I so nervous about? I'm not skipping out on work—hell, they're the ones who told me to take a break."
He sat up and glanced at the clock.
"Ten o'clock. Should be in class by now…"
Still half-lost in thought, Dung suddenly snapped back to life. He rapped himself on the forehead.
"Damn it! Why the hell am I even worried? Do one damn favor and all I get is grief! That kid's all attitude and sulking—who gives a shit?"
He sat up straight and yanked the suitcase closer.
"Gotta take this damn trip and pamper myself for once!"
Back to packing, though his mood kept flipping every five seconds. In the end, he ditched the big suitcase and grabbed a smaller bag—less hassle. He headed to the wardrobe, planning to borrow one of Hiền's tote bags.
"Where does that guy stash his stuff anyway? And where the hell has he been since yesterday? Said he wasn't going to training…"
That thought stopped Dung cold. The restlessness stirred again in his chest, tight and uneasy. He yanked the closet doors wide open—only to find two measly outfits left behind.
"Damn it!"
He bolted outside, jumped the tracks, and pounded on the neighbor's door.
"An! An! Open up!"
"Uh… what's wrong, bro?"
A teenage boy—maybe sixteen, seventeen—poked his head out, looking spooked.
"Have you seen Hiền since yesterday?"
"Oh shoot, you're looking for him? I thought something serious had happened. He already left for school—said he'd be gone for, like, two weeks or something."
"That kid went to military training?"
"Yeah, that's it—military training. I totally forgot. But… wait, didn't he tell you?"
"Damn it," Dung muttered, then kept grilling him. "Did Hiền take anything weird with him when he left?"
"Weird? Nah, just had his backpack, that's all."
"Anyone been coming to my place these past few days?"
"Yeah. A few of Hiền's buddies, those guys he usually hangs with."
Dung cursed under his breath again.
"Hey uh, bro… I got a question. Is it true people have to shower together during military training?"
"Shower together? What the hell are you talking about? That's a thing?"
"I dunno, that's what I heard. Just asking so I don't freak out when it's my turn. Oh, and also, people say if you're pale and good-looking, you're dead meat—wait, bro? Where're you going?"
Before An could finish, Dung had already stormed back inside. Moments later, he came out dragging a suitcase, locked the door behind him, and barked,
"Watch the place for me, alright? I'll be back in two weeks."
"Where you going, bro?"
"Vacation. Damn it!"
And with that, Dung stomped off, suitcase in tow, and vanished down the street.
.
"Strip down, ya twig!"
Hưng's thick accent filled the room, all river-town mischief and sass.
"Hell yeah, who am I scared of?"
Phú shot back, chin raised in defiance. He yanked off his tank top and tossed it onto the bed. The moment his patchy, sun-damaged skin stretched over his ribs, Hưng burst out laughing.
"Dude's just a skeleton pretending to be human."
"Born to serve. Raised on rice and regret," Phú said proudly, pointing at his scrawny ribcage.
"Well hey, we're all skin and bones here—no one's gonna notice us. But if you're pale and smooth, good luck not getting teased to death," Hưng said, peeling off his own tank top. "Hey Phú, check me out next to Hiền!"
Hưng scooted over to Hiền, clearly wanting to show the contrast between the two bodies: one lean and dark, the other broad and fair.
"Just look at Hiền—smooth skin, tight bod. He's fresh meat for the showers, I'm telling you. And the others? They'll just stand there and let it happen," Phú said.
"Quit worryin'. Hiền's got the shoulders, the bulk—no one's touching that," Hưng cut in.
While the three of them chatted and chuckled away, Đông Anh stayed quiet, sitting at the edge of his bed.
"Sir, what're you doing? Aren't you gonna change for the shower?" Hưng asked.
Đông Anh looked at the new friend with hesitation in his eyes.
"What's wrong, sir? Pretty boy like you must be shy," Phú teased.
"I'm not!"
Đông Anh quickly took off his uniform shirt, revealing two pale arms.
"Damn! Skin that smooth? Man, someone better tease you or it'd be a waste!"
Phú gave Đông Anh's thigh a loud slap.
Hưng's booming laughter joined in, and a blush crept up Đông Anh's cheeks.
"Cut it out, you clowns. We're all guys here," Hiền said, pushing Phú away from Đông Anh.
"Damn, I swear—since the day I was born, I've never seen a girl with skin as smooth as his." Phú snorted.
"Enough!" Hiền snapped, then turned to Đông Anh and said gently, "Don't mind those two idiots. Just shower like normal. If anyone tries anything, I'll break their damn neck."
That earned Hiền a round of hoots and fake retching from the other two.
"No need. I mean… it's nothing to be shy about," Đông Anh said, rising to his feet. He took a deep breath, reached for his tank top—just as a soldier stepped into the room.
"Kim Đông Anh."
"Here."
"Pack your stuff and come with me. Now."
"What for?" Đông Anh asked.
"Commander's orders. Move it."
The soldier said his piece and walked out the door. Phú and Hưng exchanged glances, whispering:
"Damn, commander's already calling for him?"
"Better watch your wallet, Út."
"Do you know the commander?" Hiền asked.
"No."
Đông Anh shook his head, stuffing a few things into a bag and slinging it over his shoulder.
"If anything happens, just come to me," Hiền said in a low voice.
Đông Anh patted him on the shoulder in thanks, then gave the two others a polite nod before straightening up and heading out. Truth was, he had no idea what was waiting for him out there.
"Well, look who's playing big brother now," Phú muttered, elbowing Hiền. "Trying to get in good with the little prince, huh?"
"Go shower, and brush your damn teeth while you're at it—your breath's killing me," Hiền shot back.
"The hell did you say—?"
"Alright, alright, quit it."
Hưng pulled Phú back, then turned to Hiền with a smirk:
"If you're gonna hang around a guy like that, you better understand—kids from families like his? Not just anyone can touch 'em. Don't sweat it. Come on, let's hit the showers."
Once the other two had left the room, Hiền quietly followed after Đông Anh.