Forth stood silently at the upstairs balcony, his hand resting on the railing as he overheard the clash downstairs. Dunk's sharp words, Mix's quiet pain, and Nani's strained loyalty had filled the house with bitterness. He had witnessed every moment—the way Mix's shoulders slumped, the way Dunk's taunts pierced deeper than they should have.
His phone buzzed, shaking him out of thought.
"P'Bom," he greeted softly.
"Forth, when are you going to call me? I've been waiting," Bom asked lightly, though his tone shifted quickly. "Is Kengkla with you? His cell's unreachable."
Forth frowned. "No. I haven't seen him for days."
"Then ask Mix," Bom suggested.
"Mix..." Forth hesitated, then realization struck him. "So that's it. Mix has been home for days, drowning himself in drinks. Kla isn't in town—that explains everything."
"Is something wrong?" Bom's voice grew concerned.
"Nothing new," Forth lied. "Same as always with Max. I'll let you know if I hear from Kla." He ended the call, jaw tightening.
Fighting between cousins was common—teasing, bickering, pushing boundaries. But this... this was not simple quarrel. What simmered within the Jamornham household was more than disagreement. It was war in its infancy, and if he didn't act soon, Forth feared the next generation would bathe in their own blood.
At the university dormitory, Vikk sprinted down the hall, panting heavily. He banged on Boom's door.
"Boom! Open up!"
"Vikk, I told you—I'm not in the mood!" Boom shouted from inside.
"Open the damn door!"
Boom swung it open, irritation etched on his face. But Vikk's words drained the anger away.
"That stupid junior has been running on the field since afternoon. He's actually completing the sixty laps you ordered."
Boom froze. Aau? Still running? His chest tightened with guilt. Without another word, he rushed outside.
There he was—sweat-soaked, gasping, his steps dragging, yet still circling the track stubbornly.
"Stop it!" Boom shouted, stepping into his path. "Are you crazy?"
"I'm completing my punishment," Aau replied simply, determination burning in his eyes.
"Your head hazer is ordering you to stop—right now!" Boom's voice thundered.
At once, Aau halted. The rest of the students who had gathered to watch scattered when Boom barked, "Everyone out. The show's over."
He turned back to Aau, frustration laced with something else—something more fragile. "What is your problem? Why are you bothering me?"
"My problem," Aau said quietly, "is that something is bothering you."
Boom opened his mouth to retort, but Aau cut him off.
"No, you listen. I know I was wrong barging into the tent this morning. I had no right to ask about that man. But you were crying, Boom." His voice trembled with urgency. "You're sad. And I can't stand it. I don't care about anyone else—but with you, it's different. I admitted it at the freshers' party. My way to express my feelings might have been wrong but I like you. You don't want me? Fine. But at least let me be near you when you're falling apart. Your sadness hurts me... and I don't like pain."
Boom stared, stunned. Not even Pond, Mix, Kla, or First—his closest—had ever read his heart this clearly. They showered him with affection, yes, but none understood what he truly wanted. Yet here stood this loud, stubborn junior, stripping him bare with a single declaration.
"You want to stop my pain?" Boom asked softly.
Aau nodded.
"And you think you know what I want?"
Another nod.
"Then tell me," Boom challenged, "can you drive with those legs?"
Aau winced. "No."
"Then I'll drive. You tell me the route." Boom snatched the keys from his hand. "This is your first and last chance. After tonight, stay out of my business. Stay far away."
But Aau only grinned, relief and joy flooding his face. "You won't regret giving me this chance, P'. I promise."
Boom didn't reply. He simply led him to the car.
Minutes later, the city lights spread beneath them as they lay on the rooftop of a luxurious hotel. The wind cooled the sweat on their skin, and for the first time all day, Boom's laughter rang free.
"You said your legs hurt," Boom teased, arching an eyebrow.
"They do," Aau groaned dramatically. "And it's your fault."
"Really??? If your legs do hurt then shut up and rest."
"Awww, heartless. My legs are dying because of you, and you still scold me? That's mean!"
"If you don't shut up, your face will hurt more." Boom threatened lightly, turning his head.
Aau met his gaze with a cheeky grin. "If it makes you happy, go ahead. But punch me in the stomach, not the face. I like my face too much."
Boom burst out laughing, a sound so genuine it startled even himself. Aau watched, captivated. He loved that smile—he wanted to protect it, no matter the cost.
But his father's warning echoed in his mind: a man in their business must not fall in love. Aau clenched his fists. Was he already crossing that line?
"P', there's a restaurant downstairs. Can we have dinner? You've already killed me with running," Aau pouted.
Boom rolled his eyes but nodded.
While Boom was going down, Aau quickly dialed his father. "Hello, Dad?"
"Aau? You call me at this hour?" Kongpob's voice carried suspicion.
"What happens if I... fall for someone? And still continue in our business?"
There was a pause. "Don't tell me you're actually in love?"
"You didn't answer me," Aau pressed.
"It's dangerous. If the person is the right one, you'll fall so hard they'll become your weakness. In our world, that's fatal."
"So you're telling me... Paa is your weakness?" Aau challenged.
Kongpob chuckled faintly. "Yes. He is stubborn, infuriating. But I loved him the first moment I saw him. Enough to die for him... enough to kill for him."
"How do you know when it's love?" Aau asked softly.
"You're scaring me, son. Are you in love?"
Aau swallowed. "Just advice, Dad. Nothing serious. We'll talk this weekend about the deal." He hung up before Kongpob could probe further.
When he returned, Boom was on a video call, laughing.
"Bro, I'm fine now. You don't have to worry," Boom told Pond.
"What's wrong with me taking my baby brother to dinner? Come down, I'm waiting outside your dorm."
"That's the problem. I'm already at a restaurant. My junior's treating me for helping him."
"Ohhh, so Nong is ditching his darling brother for a junior. That hurts," Pond whined theatrically.
"P'! You're mean. I'll tell Dad Forth—you'll be punished."
"He won't punish me. I'm his favorite now," Pond whispered conspiratorially.
"Then I'll tell P'First," Boom countered, laughing again.
"Meanie!" Pond groaned before ending the call.
Boom turned to find Aau waiting, smiling his brightest. "So, P', can we have dinner now?"
And for once, Boom didn't have the heart to say no.
After hearing yes from Boom, Aau moved forward to kiss and with a quick refelect Boom push himself back.
" What do you think, what are you doing?" Boom asked.
Aau pulled himself back, pouting his lips. " I thaught you are going to compile all my wishes today."
" You really think high of your self." Boom said, a sweet smile on his face. " Anyway I heard you said no for the campus star and moon competition."
Aau sighted. " It's not for me P'. It's a beautiful boy contest."
Boom looked at him stoping in midway. " I am the Moon of the University when I was in my first year."
The smile wipes from Aau's face. Boom started walking again and Aau followed him. " Okey. Okey. I will be the Moon of engineering only for you." Boom smile again. " But... I want something in return."
Boom raised his eyebrows, " What do you mean? Campus Moon becomes most famous boy of University. He gets all the royal treatment from other faculties. Girls throws themselves on him. What else you want?"
Aau looked at him and Boom knew he shouldn't have ask this question. " Who cares about those things. I only want you." He said with intence eyes.
Boom got all red, " You won't get anything if you don't win." He said still maintaining his posture.
" It means if I win you will be mine." Aau said.
" I never said yes and you don't have any talent." Boom smirk.
Aau's eyes sparkle, " I am taking it as a challenge P'." He said in a deep voice which gave goosebumps to Boom. "Trust me, next time when I move forward to kiss you, you won't pull back."