Flashback…
It was lunch break. Navin sat across from a cute girl who was giggling and blushing as he smiled at her.
"Jane is really so sweet. You're a genius—the smartest in our batch—yet you're so simple-minded and easygoing," Navin said smoothly.
Jane blushed harder, tucking her hair behind her ear shyly. "Navin! You're speaking nonsense. I just like reading and studying."
Navin grinned, already knowing she was hooked.
"You're so smart, I feel helpless in front of you. Will I even be useful for this project? I'm scared I'll just mess it up," he added, flashing a guilty smile.
"Ah! Navin, it's okay. Leave it all to me. Just give me a couple of days and our project will be done," Jane replied quickly, worried by his "sad" expression.
"But that's not fair! I can't let you do everything. How about this—I'll buy everything we need for the project and treat you to dinner too. Okay? Please don't say no," Navin asked, his voice sweet and persuasive.
Jane's face lit up. She nodded eagerly, already picturing herself on a romantic date. Navin chuckled and even patted her head.
"Then I'll grab us something to drink. Meanwhile, you pick the project topic," he suggested and walked off.
Jane squealed softly the moment he was out of sight.
Navin smirked as he left. Perfect. No work for me, perfect score guaranteed.
He placed his order and checked his phone, when suddenly someone grabbed his hand. He looked up to see Kaew smiling brightly.
"Navin! Finally, I found you!" she said sweetly.
Navin quickly pulled his hand away. "Ah, Kaew. What are you doing here?"
Kaew pouted. "You said you'd text me, but it's been over a week. You didn't." Her sad eyes locked onto his.
People nearby began watching, whispering. Navin shifted uncomfortably—he was popular for flirting but never for hurting girls.
Kaew was also well-known, not just for her sweetness, but because of her brothers Kaeng and Weir, plus Sky—the "Ice Prince" drummer every girl admired.
Navin had only chosen Kaew as a partner out of convenience; no one else dared because of her brothers. And for three months, he'd pampered her enough to make her do all the project work alone.
"Navin? Are you listening?" Kaew asked softly, pulling him from his thoughts.
"Sorry, I was distracted," Navin answered politely.
"That's okay. Let's have lunch together, okay?" Kaew smiled.
The stall lady called Navin with his order. "Excuse me," he muttered, quickly paying.
When he returned, Kaew asked, "How have you been, Navin?"
"I'm fine?" Navin replied awkwardly.
Kaew hesitated, then said, "Do you want to hang out later? There's a new café nearby. My friends say it's really romantic. Can we go after class?"
Navin froze. Panic hit. He sighed and looked her in the eye.
"Listen, Kaew… I think you misunderstood something."
"Huh? What do you mean?" she asked, confused.
"I don't like you. Not in a romantic way," he blurted out.
Her face fell. "What? But… If you didn't like me, then why did you bring meals? Why wait outside my classes? Why spend time with me?" Tears pooled in her eyes.
Navin cursed himself. She wasn't wrong. For months he had pampered her allot—lunches, snacks, walking her home, even tying her hair when she was busy. Of course she'd misunderstood.
"I mean, you're amazing and beautiful, but—" Navin fumbled.
"But what? Am I not good enough?" Kaew asked softly, her voice breaking.
By now, several students had gathered, whispering among themselves. Phones were pointed their way. Navin felt the pressure building and snapped.
"No! You're good but… you're not my type," he said sharply.
Kaew flinched. "Why am I not your type?"
God, why won't she get the hint?! Navin's patience snapped.
"Because you're not my beauty standard!" he shouted.
The cafeteria went dead silent. Murmurs rippled immediately.
"Did he just say that?"
"Poor Kaew…"
"That's so cruel."
Kaew's eyes widened in disbelief. "W-what?"
"Yes! I mean, you're a Ayutthaya—your brothers are all handsome, perfect, admired. And then there's you. Not ugly, but… average." Navin's words cut like a blade.
Gasps echoed. Some students stared at Kaew with pity, others shook their heads at Navin in disgust.
Kaew trembled as whispers grew louder around her.
"Dating one of your brothers would make more sense than dating you!" Navin blurted harshly. "At least they match my standards! Look, I'm late for class—I have to go!"
He bolted toward another girl, desperate to escape.
"What was going on back there?" the girl asked curiously.
"Ah, nothing! Let's just go. Teachers are strict with timings," Navin lied quickly.
Kaew stood frozen, tears spilling. She wasn't just hurt by the rejection—she was crushed by the cruel words.
The murmurs and pitying stares around her burned worse than the rejection itself.
Back to the Present…
"Wait! Navin is Bi?!" Weir shouted in shock, his voice echoing through the room.
The others weren't shocked—they were furious.
"How dare he insult my sister!" Sky's voice was like thunder, his whole body trembling with rage. The younger ones gulped, their eyes flicking nervously to him. If Navin were standing there right now, Sky would have ripped him apart.
"He dared to flirt with our Kaew and now acts like she's not good enough?!" Kaeng growled, his tone dripping with hatred. "Does he think he can do as he pleases and just walk away?"
"That guy is BI!" Zar squealed in excitement, completely missing the mood—until Kaew pinched her hard, silencing her.
"Who the fuck even is this guy?!" Khem exploded, glaring at his brothers. "This all happened at college—and where were you three at that time?!"
Silence crashed over the room. No one dared to answer.
Khem's eyes burned with disappointment as he pulled out his phone. After a few rings, Pond picked up—screaming as always.
"What now?! Can't you let me die in peace?!"
"Working on the task I asked you?" Khem asked calmly.
"Yes, Master Khem!" Pond replied with biting sarcasm.
"Good. I've got another job for you."
There was a loud crash, files falling, followed by Pond's cursing.
"Listen, Khem! I don't have the time or mood for more work! Once I'm done with the current pile, I'll contact you!"
Khem's tone sharpened, cutting through Pond's rant. "Find out about a guy named Navin in Kaew's college. Do that, and you're free from all other tasks."
Dead silence. Then Pond's voice came back, stammering in shock. "You—you're not joking, right? Right?!"
"Yes," Khem said coldly. "One hour. I want everything on him."
"Fine! It's doneee! Bye!" Pond practically shouted with joy, hanging up before Khem could say another word.
Thirty minutes later, Pond sent the file.
Khem's frown deepened as he skimmed through it. There was barely anything—just Navin's name, age, and major. His parents weren't even in the country, apparently off on vacation, leaving their "hound" in someone else's care.
"Nothing useful," Khem muttered in disappointment.
"Maybe there isn't anything special about him," Kaeng suggested with a shrug. Sky gave a stiff nod.
Khem's patience snapped. He called Pond again and barked the moment the line connected. "What the hell is this garbage you sent me?! I asked you for everything on that guy!"
"There's nothing else to find!" Pond screamed back, making Khem jerk the phone away from his ear.
"Don't shout at me, Pond!" Khem warned, voice low and dangerous.
"So what?! You gonna fire me? Yes, Daddy, please! Put me out of my misery!" Pond shot back.
"Damn it, Pond—fuck off!"
"You fuck off, Khem!" Click.
The line went dead.
The others chuckled at the ridiculous exchange, but laughter died instantly when Khem turned to face them. His expression was ice.
"We can't let this go," he said firmly, his voice cutting through the room. "If we don't act, someone else will come in the future and dare to tarnish our Princess's reputation."
His words hung heavy in the air. No one doubted it—Navin's humiliation wouldn't be left unanswered