Chapter 11.1: Practicing for the Color Sports Day—Why Are You Just Telling Me Now?
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Suddenly, a voice spoke from right behind me:
"Quite the good boy… young man."
Hoarse, like someone suffering from a throat infection.
Jeez… me again…
My feet felt rooted to the ground, unable to move. My hands trembled as I gripped James' arm tightly. James, realizing there was no way out, grabbed Jan's arm. Jan reached for Maria's, and Maria linked to Thomas, forming a safety chain—if no one could escape, then no one could escape.
I whispered, my voice shaking:
"Is it… a ghost?"
"N-No…"
Wow… that voice… candy isn't gonna help now; better go see a doctor.
"B-But I think it is," I argued, trying to boost my own courage, though my heart pounded like it might explode.
He looked at me, eyes gleaming mischievously as if teasing.
"Don't believe me? Then turn and look."
God… is this some horror movie trick? Turn around and—BANG!
Suddenly, a strong grip landed on my shoulder.
I jumped, heart hammering as if a crocodile had whacked my head. The other party took the full force.
"Holy shit!?" I shouted.
Thomas quickly stepped forward, pale, voice trembling.
"Is he… dead?"
Then, the person I had just struck suddenly leapt up. Thomas panicked, swinging his arms in reflex, and knocked him out again.
And then… silence fell.
The forest around us held only the whisper of wind and our heavy breaths. No one dared even a loud exhale.
After a while, a middle-aged man, long hair tied back, with a wild beard, slowly regained consciousness. His face was battered and bruised. When he finally lifted his gaze to us, Thomas and I exchanged a brief, blinking glance. I pressed my lips tight and quickly turned my face away, pretending not to notice.
But the old man… sat up, staring at me with piercing eyes, his face flushed with anger, his gaze dark and threatening.
"You damn kids!" His hoarse voice reverberated through the forest. "Who do you think you are, attacking me? Damn it! I could've had my neck broken—and I'd break yours back, you little hellspawn!"
He breathed heavily, trembling fingers pointing alternately at me and Thomas. "And you, blondie, you punched me so hard I almost blacked out!"
Thomas scratched his head sheepishly, like a child being scolded, while I let out a quiet chuckle, then tilted my chin, trying to sound cheeky yet slightly respectful.
"Whoa… sorry, sir!" I raised both hands in a mock Thai gesture of apology. "I thought you were a ghost! You just appeared behind us, your voice so eerie… who wouldn't be scared? Any normal person would jump!"
I spoke with a half-teasing, half-frightened expression, shrugging lightly as if it weren't entirely my fault.
The old man gritted his teeth; veins popped visibly on his temples. Our friends around us were split between stifled laughter and covering their faces, wishing they could vanish.
The atmosphere became simultaneously tense, comical, and uncomfortable.
After scolding us to his satisfaction, the old man sat panting for a moment before glaring rigidly in our direction.
"And you… what are you doing here?" he asked in a low voice, full of suspicion.
Thomas stepped forward cautiously.
"We… came to see you, sir… Uncle Jan."
The old man chuckled dryly, a knowing sound.
"That's me… Jan."
Silence fell. We all immediately realized he knew why we had come.
I tried to sound sweet, fluttering my eyes.
"Oh, sir… we even made the effort to come all this way."
But he shook his head, voice firm as if cutting us off mid-scene.
"No! I won't do it."
I narrowed my eyes, raising an eyebrow, replying instantly,
"Even if I pay you, sir?"
"No!" His voice was short and even firmer.
I exhaled sharply, muttering while swatting at mosquitoes.
"Come on, sir… help us out. We came all this way, got chased by countless animals… if you don't help, it's all wasted!"
I blinked innocently, trying to look pleading, but he still didn't budge. He turned to walk away. I grit my teeth and decided to provoke him a little more.
"Or has your skill slipped with age?"
His steps faltered slightly at that.
I pressed on, teasing:
"I get it, age and all… and nowadays, there are plenty of skilled boat makers. You probably can't keep up anymore. I guess the stories about Uncle Jan, 'The Thunder Axe,' are just old tales… or maybe just bragging."
"You brat!" The old man snapped, turning sharply, eyes blazing. "Shut your mouth and follow me!"
I couldn't help but smirk, turning to wink at my friends. Jan chuckled, giving me a thumbs-up, and we followed the old man down the path to an old stilted wooden house. Despite its age-stained exterior, the structure was still sturdy and dignified.
He led us to sit on the wooden platform under the house. The air was calm, broken only by the soft chirping of crickets. I wasted no time getting to the point.
"Uncle… we want a longboat, one unlike any other. We'll use it for the sports event."
I teased lightly, "All the skilled craftsmen are already hired. You're the last one left… do you dare take the challenge?"
He let out a low chuckle, his eyes glinting, "A man like me… fears only one thing."
James tilted his head innocently, "And what's that, Uncle?"
"Wives!"
We froze. My eyes went wide, mouth falling open. "Wait… you have a wife?"
The old man smiled proudly, raising his eyebrows, "Of course, a man this handsome wouldn't be without one. But today she's away, otherwise you'd have met her already."
We exchanged glances and laughed softly almost simultaneously.
I continued, "Okay, Uncle. Design it however you like. Just make it unique."
Thomas chimed in immediately, "As for materials and payment, we'll handle everything ourselves."
After discussing the commission for a while, the old man narrowed his eyes and asked, "So… you can row, can't you?"
I frowned in surprise. "Why do you ask that? Do we look like we can't row?"
His voice was flat, "Hmm…"
I raised an eyebrow, replying confidently, "Of course we can!"
A thin smile spread across his face, "Ah… of course you can, right?"
I nodded vigorously, smirking, "Yes, you're right… because actually, we can't row at all. We can't do anything."
He exhaled heavily, pressing a hand to his forehead as if to stop himself from banging it.
We talked for quite some time. Finally, he relented, promising to help build the boat and even teach us to row.
On the way back, he accompanied us to the forest's edge. The dry, crisp sound of fallen wood underfoot created a rhythm, making our steps feel lighter, as if carrying hope with each stride.
Back at home, everyone scattered to their own tasks and prepared clothes to stay at my house. I returned to my small quarters as usual. The moment I stepped onto the porch, a servant approached.
"Khun Warun… Khun Theer has come to see you today."
I froze, heart racing slightly, but quickly put on a pouty face.
"Tell him I'm not here. I'm unavailable. I don't want to see him." I answered firmly and spun around, leaving the servant frozen in place.
Heavy footsteps approached from behind, followed by a familiar voice.
"Warun! Where have you been… hmm?"
I didn't answer, quickening my pace to escape. Suddenly, a tall figure swooped from behind, wrapping his arms around me tightly. The warmth and strength held me still for a moment.
"Warun… are you mad at me?" His voice wavered slightly, laced with concern.
I bit my lip, turning my face, then asked sharply, "When exactly did you start liking me?"
He paused for a moment but answered immediately, his gaze sincere.
"From the first time… we met."
"Oh, really?" I laughed bitterly in my throat, voice icy. "Then please… let me go."
He didn't release me. Instead, he held me tighter.
"Warun… tell me, what's wrong? Why do you feel this way?"
I took a deep breath, speaking directly, eyes starting to glisten,
"I don't want to see or talk to a fickle… stupid person who trusts everyone else more than me."
I pushed him with all my strength, breaking free, and ran, heart pounding with confusion and pain.
Before I could go far, his strong arms grabbed me again, lifting me effortlessly, ignoring my struggle and protests.
"Let me go! Now!" I shouted, kicking as much as I could, but he didn't listen.
Theer carried me straight to the wooden pavilion in the garden, setting me down on a chair. He sank to the floor beside me, wrapping his arms around my legs. One hand held mine, pressing his cheek against it, pleading silently.
"My love…" His voice trembled, "I've always loved you, Warun… tell me, why… why do you think this way?"
I froze, heart thudding at his direct words and imploring gaze. The warmth of his cheek against my hand made my body tense, instinctively wanting to pull away.
I gritted my teeth, voice low but quivering,
"There are… many reasons…"
Then silence fell, broken only by our shared breaths in the quiet pavilion.
I pressed my lips together, holding back sobs, voice shaky:
"Even though I come from the present… memories from the past keep flooding back to me…"
I paused, looking up at him, eyes red-rimmed.
"Why does someone always act cold toward me… but whenever there's trouble with KwanKhao, you rush to help, glaring at me as if I'm always wrong…"
My lips trembled, voice breaking,
"Last night… I remember clearly. Behind someone's house, KwanKhao and I were arguing… and you appeared, tears streaming down your face. I was about to explain but froze… then went silent. The moment I met your gaze, everything stopped, and I couldn't speak anymore…"
I turned away, voice choked with pain,
"I just don't understand why you always make me feel like I'm the only one at fault. Do you know… it hurts so much? Every time these memories come back… my heart aches so much I can barely breathe."
Theer sat silently, face full of anguish. He took my hand tightly, lips trembling.
"My love… it's not what you think."
"Not what I think?" I looked up at him, eyes brimming with tears. "Sometimes I even wonder… how could I like someone so cruel? How could I like you at all?"
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The words felt like knives cutting deep into my heart. He trembled, tears spilling down his face immediately. He grabbed both of my hands, pressing them against his face, lips murmuring kisses without stopping, his voice shaking.
"It's not like that… It's never been like that…"
He took a deep breath, then spoke again, voice quivering but firm.
"Every time KwanKhao cried in front of me… he said he was insulted by you. I asked directly if he did anything to provoke you first. Because I believed… my child would never say something like that unless the other started it."
He closed his eyes tightly before continuing, tears still brimming.
"After that… I searched everywhere for you, but I couldn't find you at all. And every time there was a misunderstanding, I stayed there… to explain for you… so no one would think ill of you."
He looked straight into my eyes, voice filled with pain.
"I never thought that the one I loved most… would misunderstand that I was never by your side."
My heart trembled, my shaking hands loosening as I listened to his explanation. Tears welled up, but I stubbornly tried to continue.
"And do you know… what KwanKhao said to me in the garden that day?"
He went silent, eyes full of concern. I took a deep breath and spoke through my pain.
"He said I liked you… no, I loved you! And if I didn't stop interfering with you… he swore he would do everything to remove me from this path."
He froze, eyes wide, clearly startled. I didn't wait for him to question, hurriedly confessing, voice trembling.
"And those words… reminded me that before the past version of me died… I heard something outside the house. I went to check the pavilion, but was struck in the head and fell into the water… the memories became clearer piece by piece…"
I panted, voice breaking.
"At that moment, I wasn't dead yet. Just hurt, unable to move. But someone followed… and stabbed my arm with a sharp object, then let me sink…"
My eyes widened as if waking from a nightmare. My heart pounded violently.
But this time it was different… When I returned, I was in the water with my past self… and a whirlpool formed. The perpetrator must have thought I had been sucked away…
I gritted my teeth, thoughts racing. That's why… when I first met KwanKhao, she was expressionless, but her eyes were different…
"Warun!!"
His shout echoed, making my body shudder. My heart nearly stopped as he lunged toward me, hands trembling slightly as he held my face firmly. Eyes red with tears, yet ablaze with a fury ready to consume anyone who dared harm me.
"Why… why didn't you tell me from the start!" His voice broke, as if swallowing a lump in his throat.
His hands shook more, voice filled with both pain and self-blame.
"I should have been there… I should have protected you… but I let you suffer, face death like that…"
He clenched his jaw, body shaking with rage and overflowing love.
"I'll deal with them myself! Whoever they are… I will never forgive them!"
I reached up, lightly touching his arm to stop him from rushing off.
"P'Theer… we need proof first." My voice trembled, but I forced it out.
"Sigh… I'm sorry I got angry, but… I can't help feeling hurt. When those memories flood back, it… it hurts… it hurts my heart."
Immediately, he hugged me tighter, as if afraid I'd vanish before him. The tears he tried to hold back streamed down, soaking my shoulders.
"Warun… I love you." His voice shook, yet every word was heavy and full of certainty.
"I only love you. I promise… I will take care, protect, and never let you be hurt again."
The tight embrace almost made it hard to breathe, but it was overwhelmingly warm… as if my shattered heart was being gently cradled and healed.
I lifted my hands to hug him back, resting my forehead against his shoulder, letting tears flow freely without hiding them.
"I… every time I speak like this, I melt every single time…" I whispered, voice choked with sobs and a bitter smile.
He hugged me even tighter, sobbing softly, repeating the words.
"No matter what happens, I will never let go… never."
After we reconciled, he leaned down, resting against my lap completely exhausted. His sharp face now looked gentle, so unlike the old memories. I stroked his hair softly, running my fingers through it as if to soothe him to sleep.
Soon, his breathing softened. He truly fell asleep…
Until my friends appeared. I raised a hand, signaling them to be quiet. Everyone froze, eyes wide at the scene — "P'Theer," usually so cold, was now lying in my lap like a spoiled child!
I nodded to Jan to handle them. She pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh, and dragged the others to put away their things, leaving only the quiet between me and him.
I sat like that for a while, until he slowly opened his eyes, gaze tinged with fear.
"Warun…" His deep voice came softly. "…I was scared."
I furrowed my brow, confused.
"A nightmare?" I asked.
He shook his head gently, gripping my hand tightly.
"Afraid that when I wake… you won't be there." His voice trembled. "Afraid that when I wake… you're gone from me."
My heart skipped a beat at that confession. I leaned close to whisper,
"Don't worry. I'm right here, with you."
He exhaled as if lifting a mountain off his chest, yet kept holding my hand. I teased lightly,
"My friends are here. You can get up now."
I handed him a glass of water. He sipped, then looked back at me, eyes glowing with something that made my heart race.
"I don't want to be apart from you… not even for a second."
My body froze at those words, heart pounding. Before I could recover, he spoke again… sweet enough to nearly shatter me.
"All the dreams… they're gone." His voice was soft but resolute.
"Because you are the only reality I want."
My eyes widened, face burning. I felt completely undone by him.
"Wow… I surrender. Fully defeated."
But he didn't stop…
He lifted my hand to his lips, reciting softly but clearly:
"Once I chased the stars across the sky
Once I sought the dazzling light in the dark
But when I found you, eternal and true
All other stars lost their meaning…"
"P…P'Theer!" I called, voice trembling, face red as if it might explode.
He smiled faintly, brushing my cheek gently, whispering again,
"In my heart… it's never empty, because you've always been there."
"P…please stop!" I covered my face, body feeling like it might melt, overwhelmed with embarrassment.
Yet he chuckled softly, eyes full of love… still not letting go of my hand at all. I kept my hands over my face, not daring to look at him, feeling like I might combust on the spot.
"Stop… I really can't take it." My voice trembled, barely understandable.
He didn't listen, of course. Instead, he reached out, gently grasping my wrist, and slowly guided my hand away from my face. His sharp eyes held mine with a tender smile that seemed to swallow my entire heart.
Then he leaned in slowly, pressing a light, fleeting kiss to my forehead—
warm, gentle, and filled with unspoken promises.
My heart fluttered violently through my chest.
Before I could even take a full breath, he lifted my hand again, pressing a soft kiss onto the back of it. It lingered far longer than any words could, imprinting deeply into me.
His lips felt like they didn't want to let go.
"I promise…" His deep voice whispered against the back of my hand. "I will love and protect you until my very last breath."
My face burned crimson, my gaze wavering, my heart pounding like war drums.
"P…P'Theer…"
He raised a brow slightly, smiling fondly, but his eyes were deadly serious.
"What is it, my love?"
"Enough… I really can't take it." I lowered my gaze, whispering as if I might break apart.
He chuckled softly again, then pulled me into a firm embrace. His warm scent wrapped around me, as if the entire world whispered that—no matter how cruel tomorrow might be—in these arms, I would fear nothing.
We walked back to the small house.
Before I could step inside, Jan and the others were already there waiting.
"Whoa… you're back already?" Jan raised a hand, making a teasing face.
"Looks like someone just got all their pampering out, huh?" Thomas added, raising an eyebrow.
I gritted my teeth and walked past them, but the teasing didn't stop.
"Oh-ho, didn't you say you couldn't take it… looks like you're surviving just fine!" Maria laughed, her cheeks flushed.
I scowled, trying to suppress a laugh, nodding reluctantly.
"Alright, alright! Enough! I'm about to go crazy!" I said loudly, clutching my head.
James chuckled softly.
"Hey, don't scowl like that, man. I'm blushing on your behalf."
I shot him a glare, but a tiny smirk escaped me… even trying to look fierce, I lost to their mischievous smiles.
The night passed with us planning and practicing. We started with music practice, diving straight in until we had almost memorized every note and melody. The violin and piano blended seamlessly with the saxophone and Thai khim (a hammered dulcimer), until nearly dawn.
My house had transformed into a small recording studio. Instruments filled every corner, leaving barely any space to move. I carefully stepped around scattered sheet music, lips pressed together as I sighed quietly.
"Ugh… you guys are insane," I muttered softly, rubbing my face.
Jan giggled. "Hey, don't complain! It's fun, isn't it?"
Thomas raised an eyebrow. "Exactly. You look all serious, but secretly enjoying it, right?"
I flushed, nodding slightly, unable to hide a smile.
The next morning, we woke late, washed, brushed, dressed, and ate quickly to get ready.
"Alright, today we need to check the training cars," I said, eyes shining with excitement.
"Yeah! Let's go before it gets too hot," Maria added eagerly, holding Thomas' hand for emphasis.
At the miniature car field, cars painted in meticulous colors and structures were lined up neatly. We walked around, examining each one from every angle.
I circled one particular car like a durian seller checking the fruit's ripeness (durian: tropical spiky fruit), eyes scanning from front to back, before smirking.
"Wow… this one is badass."
Its matte black body reflected the afternoon sun with a muted shine, yet looked more menacing than any car I had seen. Red lightning stripes ran from front to back, making it feel like a black tiger leaping from a storm.
I crouched slightly to inspect the chrome wheels, tapping them softly with my knuckles.
"Click, click"—testing the firmness.
"The wheels look cooler than my face, seriously."
My hand brushed over the polished wooden steering wheel, wrapped tightly in black leather. I imagined sweating, gripping it tightly, trying not to lose control.
"Whoa… fits perfectly, like hugging a girl's waist."
I glanced at the hood, a raised sharp line running across like a predator's muscle. Pride sparkled in my eyes as I whispered under my breath:
"You were made for me, huh?"
At the back, the number "08" was painted on the spare tire. I leaned back, hands on hips, raising a brow before chuckling softly.
"A lucky number… a beautiful number… take me to the finish line."
I walked back, stopping at the front, touching the round headlights covered with metal grates. They looked like wild animal eyes, staring at prey. I twitched a mischievous smile.
"Alright, this color and design… perfect." I gestured to the side.
James nodded. "Yeah! Looks great to drive and safe for practice too."
I inspected the seat, steering, and pedal layout, twisting and turning to test comfort. Jan ran around, checking alongside Thomas and Maria.
"Hey, sit in it!" Jan laughed, the sound echoing across the lot.
I raised an eyebrow, then sat in the driver's seat, gripping the wheel seriously like a pro racer.
Even though it was just a miniature car, excitement and joy filled the air. We laughed, ran inspections, and talked constantly, almost forgetting we still had many music practice rounds ahead.
⸻
I drove the matte gray car we'd tuned to feel as close to a racing machine as possible to the practice field—honestly, even stepping on the pedals, I could smell the dry earth mixed with floating dust instantly.
The field wasn't glamorous like anyone imagined. No towering stands, no neon lights like in fancy racing movies. It was a packed dirt lot, wide and open, surrounded by low wooden fences that looked more suitable for keeping cows in than people. The track was scattered with gravel mixed with sand, its color faded as if trampled for decades.
Tall poles lined both sides, ropes strung between them holding pale, tattered flags fluttering in the wind. Some were so torn they were just fragments, swaying with a constant "fwoosh fwoosh" like flapping bird wings.
The big curve had been carved into a deep groove. Anyone hitting it too hard could easily flip the car. Red dust clung thickly to the surface, forming a thin mist whenever the wind blew. Spectators had to cover their faces just to breathe.
Alongside the track, a long wooden shed stored spare parts and fuel. Next to it were benches arranged for practice participants or spectators to rest. Rusty metal and tools lay scattered, the smell of oil mixed with rust stinging the nose.
I glanced at Maria's uncle leaning against a post, wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat and holding a pipe. His sharp eyes seemed to monitor every move, missing nothing. That gaze… was terrifyingly pressuring.
I looked at my friends sitting pale and tense, then asked flatly,
"Ready?"
Before anyone could answer, I narrowed my eyes and smirked, "I'm not asking. I'm telling—just to prepare yourselves mentally."
Silence blanketed the car. My words had instantly made the atmosphere heavier. Every pair of eyes turned to me, practically cursing me with their gaze.
James, sitting beside me, looked as pale as a boiled chicken, gripping a large crucifix like a priest about to exorcise a demon. I glanced at him and chuckled.
"What the hell is that for, James?"
"For…for protection! You're scary enough when you drive normally, and this is a race car!" he protested, his voice shaking.
In the back, Thomas clutched his crucifix so tightly the string almost snapped. Jan in the middle held up a Buddha amulet, pressing it to her chest while closing her eyes as if praying nonstop. And Maria… she hugged a small statue of the Virgin Mary, mumbling Bible verses in solemn tones.
I laughed and shook my head. "You guys really go all out!"
James pointed at me. "You leave no choice! You drive like a maniac every time, Ray!"
I pretended not to care, speaking in a flat tone. "Alright… listen up. As friends—friends who eat together, stay together, die together…"
Thomas cut in immediately, "Enough, don't go dying on us, man!"
"Fine… then I guess I'll take you all to meet God myself," I said.
The car fell silent. Nobody dared speak.
I turned the key—clickkk… GRRRRAAAHHH!!!
The engine roared like a beast awakened from slumber, shaking the ground and sending dust flying.
"Oooohhhh!" James screamed as the engine roared.
Thomas grabbed his face. "God… help me!"
Jan shut her eyes tight, praying rapidly.
Maria hugged the Virgin Mary so tightly she almost disappeared into it.
I lifted the gear lever confidently, gripping the steering wheel firmly. My right foot pressed the gas—BRRROOOOMMM!!!
The car shot forward, wheels crunching gravel—SCREEEEECH! Red dust enveloped everything, almost blinding. James's head nearly hit the seat with a shriek.
"Rayyy! I'm not ready to dieee!!!"
I laughed, steering sharply left—SCREEEEECH! The car swerved dangerously toward the curve.
Thomas screamed, "Shitttttttt! Slow down! Slow down!!!"
Jan shouted prayers loudly, "Namo tassa… Namo tassa!!!" (Thai Buddhist chant)
Maria continued mumbling Bible verses, her voice trembling almost incomprehensibly.
I gritted my teeth, pressed the gas harder—BRRROOOOMMM!!! The engine thundered across the field like it wanted to tear the air apart.
"Step on it, Ray!!!" Jan, who had been praying, now yelled excitedly, eyes wide. Damn, she was enjoying it with me!
The next corner was a hairpin. I turned the wheel full force—SCREEEEEEECH! The car slid in a long drift, dust thick around us.
James screamed, "I'm gonna puke!!!"
Thomas banged the seat, "Enough already!!!"
Maria clutched her statue, "Ave Mariaaaa…!!!"
I laughed but kept control, pressing the brake—SCREEEECH! The car shuddered violently, heads bumping together—THUD!!!
Breathing hard, I smiled. Eyes forward, "How's that? This is just practice."
Everyone looked at me, pale, sweaty, breathing hard, eyes wide as if surviving a war.
James croaked, "I swear… next time, I'm hitting you with this crucifix before getting in the car."
Thomas added, "If you drive like this in the actual race, I'm not getting in, period!"
Jan shouted, "Hell yeah! That was insane! Do it again!!!"
Maria kissed her Virgin Mary statue, "Thank God… I survived…"
I laughed loudly. "Hahaha! You guys are too much." I gripped the wheel again, ready to tackle the next curve.
After getting out, everyone looked like walking corpses—legs shaking, drenched in sweat. James's hair frizzed as if electrocuted. Jan's hair stuck straight up like a peacock spreading its feathers. They glanced at each other, chuckled weakly, utterly exhausted.
Across the field, Maria's uncle and the mechanics applauded heartily.
"Outstanding!"
"This kid really knows how to drive!"
I exhaled, wiping sweat from my forehead, shaking my head. "This is just practice, people…"
But it wasn't over. After the car session, we had to practice rowing—real tough stuff. I had no clue what I was doing, but somehow ended up at the front of the boat, steering, and signaling. I could already imagine myself failing miserably.
I drove my friends out of the field, heading straight to Thomas's house.
Thomas's house… arriving there, it was clear why he was the "real western gentleman." A large white plastered brick mansion, columns aligned neatly, tall windows with wooden golden frames, dark pointed tile roof. The surrounding stone pavement was spotless, a marble fountain in the center. Inside, a vast hall with a chandelier hanging in the middle. We froze just looking at it.
The lawn stretched endlessly, round-trimmed trees lined up along the edges. Passing through to the back, a wide river appeared, stretching to the horizon. At the riverbank, a wooden pavilion was set up as a dedicated rowing practice area.
As soon as we parked, Thomas's parents came out to greet us, polite yet with proud and slightly worried eyes. After brief greetings, we walked to the riverside.
There were elderly monks and community elders waiting by the water. They looked extremely skilled at rowing longboats. Some held paddles, others pressed hands together, smiling as if ready to test these city kids.
I glanced at my friends and exhaled slowly. "…Shit."
⸻
The monk explained everything with utmost seriousness —
I was to be the front of the boat, responsible for signaling the paddle strokes and keeping the direction steady.
Thomas was assigned to the rear, using his paddle to steer the back.
The rest? Normally, there would be dozens of paddlers and a caller to keep the rhythm.
The problem was… we had only five people.
We looked at each other, nodding with resigned expressions, before dividing positions into what could only be described as a "half-baked version."
I took the front position — in charge of steering and setting the rhythm. I'd never done this before, but there was no escaping it.
Thomas was at the rear — controlling the back seemed like it should be cool, but his expression as he gripped the paddle screamed utter uncertainty.
James and Jan became the middle paddlers, seated together. They were supposed to keep up the rhythm with their strokes, but judging by their expressions, their strength would probably run out after the first ten strokes.
Maria was the caller — standing up, shouting encouragement, and keeping the beat. Her high-pitched voice would either motivate us… or give us a migraine.
It was, without exaggeration, the most dysfunctional longboat team anyone had ever seen.
To be honest… it was going to be a total disaster —