Lately, It's Winter Season.
Chapter 33- If his cuteness were as vast as the world
“North, are you coming home soon?”
“Not in a hurry, why?”
“Ger will be here in half an hour to pick you up, sit and wait with me for a bit.”
"Okay."
We packed our bags in the classroom as everyone was leaving since the teacher had just finished class. We left a few minutes before the end of the class. After we finished packing, we went to the cafeteria downstairs in the faculty building.
I ordered a soft drink and some pastries. Having some snacks helped me feel a little better after being upset by Tiger's big surprise. Thinking back, it was just like North said, he wasn't good at flirting, didn't know what to do, so he just tried to impress me. We need to sit down and talk to better understand each other.
“When Johan was courting you, he didn't make a billboard as big as a building, right?”
“Definitely not,” North replied. “By the way, Tiger paid for these cookies, right? I don't have enough money.”
“He will pay.” I nodded. He would pay whether I asked or not; there was no point in fighting over it.
"You usually ask him for money, don't you?"
“What? Just a little!” North choked on his water.
“A faucet is a faucet, a little or a lot, it doesn't matter. But what kind of faucet are you?”
“I secretly took your picture and asked for ransom. Sometimes I got annoyed because he kept delaying my confession, so I pretended to tell him, and then he had to give me money to keep it a secret.”
“I can't say anything.” I muttered, “My boyfriend is rich, but he still has the nerve to ask you for money.”
“It’s just a little extra income. I’m tired too, having to listen to him talk about you all day, and helping him keep other people from approaching you. It’s not easy to keep things natural without anyone suspecting anything.”
“Is he that into me?”
North turned to look at me seriously: “You don't know anything? Even Mick and Fuse said it was lucky I was there to share the burden because they had to listen to him complain for three years.”
“Why do you support it so much?” I asked curiously.
“Because he loves you.”
“Just that?”
“Hey, it's been six years! I also want my friend to be with someone who truly loves him.”
“You always support others, don't you? If I remember correctly, you've successfully paired up two couples, right? One is your friend, the other is your lover's friend.”
“That’s right. Phoon and Phi Phung Tai’s couple. But no matter which couple it is, it’s not as difficult as yours.” North sighed,
Fortunately, the two previous couples were the doctors who dared to take the initiative when they realised their feelings. As for that Tiger guy, he knew he liked you since 10th grade, but he waited until now to confess. If he hadn’t said it, he might have only been able to be your best man in the future.”
“Why didn't he confess sooner?”
“Because he doesn't dare. Why do you ask?”
“No… it’s just…” I was silent for a moment, “If he had said so earlier, he probably wouldn’t have been heartbroken seeing me talking to someone else.”
“…”
“I mean… even if he had said it a little earlier, my answer would still be the same.”
“Oh shit.” North covered his mouth with his hand, “Why don’t you two just fall in love? What are you waiting for? It’s already this obvious.”
“No, no, I was just thinking. If Ger had confessed in 11th or 12th grade, I probably would have chosen to open my heart too.”
“Wow, I feel embarrassed for Tiger when I hear that.” North chuckled, “But I like this result, you can finally see him as a normal guy, not just a best friend.”
“I also have to thank Nuea and you. That day I asked you two what you would do if you were me.”
“Well, I’m the type of person who jumps headfirst into love.” North crossed his arms proudly, “Why worry about losing our friendship? The moment one of us has special feelings, the friendship is already gone.”
“Yeah.” I nodded, “But I still can't imagine us being in love.”
“Try to love and you will imagine it.”
“Pfft.” I laughed, “Ger is probably like that too. Just don't overdo it, I have a headache.”
“He's crazy in love to the point of losing his mind. And since he's here, you'll probably talk about today's surprise, right?”
“Yeah, I have to say it. It’s not your lover’s fault for suggesting the idea. Everyone has different interpretations.” I sighed softly, “I have to be careful with my words too, if he sees that I’m soft-hearted, he’ll cry right away. And I can’t stand his tears.”
“No, I don't think he cried on purpose to soften your heart. It's just that he's been crying inside for a long time.”
When Tiger arrived, the first thing he did was look at North with a reproachful look, like: 'Why did you tell Nao about my plan?' North didn't say anything but just turned to look at me and blinked as if asking for help, asking me to explain.
“Don't look at North like that. What if he pees himself?”
“Yeah, will you wipe it for me?”
“…”
Tiger didn’t reply, but just narrowed his eyes at me suspiciously, as if wondering why I was defending North. “You don’t like my surprise plan that much?”
Then, that hard gaze gradually softened, mixed with a bit of grievance.
“No.” I took a deep breath, “It's not that I don't like it, it's just that I don't think it suits me very well.”
Tiger looks sad.
“I’m really happy that you thought of me and wanted to do something for me,” I said sincerely. Of course, you’d feel happy when someone goes out of their way to do something for you, “But really, those kinds of surprise plans don’t suit me. I prefer simple things.”
“But… I bought the candy company you like and prepared five truckloads of cookies to deliver to you. You can swim in all that candy!”
Bought the whole company…? What else? Swimming in candy?
“What kind of cake? I like many kinds.”
"All."
Can I say that again? That's the way of the rich…
“No, don’t bring me here, it’s tiring to clean up. Buying the company would be good, maybe you can make money from it.” I smiled lightly, “Do you have any other surprise plans? Tell me.”
“No! I won't tell; otherwise it wouldn't be a surprise.”
“Come on, you don't do any of that anyway,” I said. Tiger pouted and sighed.
“I haven't thought about it yet, but I want to try rappelling down from a helicopter and giving you flowers.”
“…Fuck.” I cursed softly, holding my forehead. North sat next to me, trying not to laugh.
“No way? Or should it be more spectacular?”
“Enough.” I stopped him, “What did I just say? I like simplicity.”
“Then I'm no different from everyone else.”
"Huh?"
“If someone else wants to pursue you, then I'm no different from them.”
“If someone else flirts with me, can you handle it?”
"Can't stand it!"
“Then why think about competing with anyone else? Right now, there is only you.”
“…”
“Hey… don't be quiet.” I stuttered a little unconsciously, probably out of embarrassment.
“You let me chase you alone?”
“It's not that I allow it, it's that I don't let others flirt with me,” I argued.
“It's not that you won't allow it, but if you agree with someone else, there's nothing I can do.” Tiger said softly, “Does that mean you won't let anyone else flirt with you, except me?”
“Uh… Uh… I guess so.” Hearing Tiger say that made me realise that it was true. It wasn’t that Tiger didn’t accept it; it was me, “I won’t let anyone else pursue me but you.”
“…”
We both fell into such silence that we forgot another person was sitting next to us. I glanced at North and saw that he was frozen, unsure of what to do. Then I heard him mumble to himself:
“Why do I have to be in this scene again? How many couples have there been? Damn, I don't know what to do.”
(Did you really say that?)
"YES."
(Haha, why are you so embarrassed?)
Nuea burst out laughing while we were on a video call. I sat on the bed, covered in blankets, hugging my pillow, and placed my front-facing camera phone on the nightstand. I sighed unconsciously as I saw Nuea continuing to laugh.
“Come on, what are you laughing at? Is it that funny?”
(Not because I find it funny, but because I love you. It's rare to see you blushing and flustered like this.)
Nuea smiled. It was afternoon in Boston, and it was a holiday, so that he could talk to me longer than usual.
(Hey, where's Tiger? Don't tell me he got too embarrassed and ran away.)
“He said he had something to do,” I replied. After I accidentally said that, we both felt awkward, and neither of us said anything else until I got to my room. I tried to think of something to say next, but at that moment, Tiger’s phone rang again,
“Not sure when he’ll be back, and he said he doesn’t need to wait.”
(So will you wait?)
“Yes.” I nodded. Even though it said it didn’t need to wait, I still looked for something to do while waiting for it to come back: “Wait to see if it’s injured so that I can bandage it.”
(Worried about him?)
“Um… Wait! Are you teasing me?”
I frowned in suspicion. I had been obsessed with North pairing me up with Tiger all day. Actually, Nuea supported Tiger as well. At first, I thought Nuea wouldn’t care about it, but he said that Tiger really loved me, so there was no reason to object. Besides, with Tiger by my side, Nuea could go to Boston without worrying about me.
(What pairing?)
Nuea probably doesn't understand what I mean… but that's fine.
“It's nothing. Just been paired up so much that it's become an obsession.”
(Huh?) Nuea raised her eyebrows in confusion.
“Okay, let's change the subject.”
(Okay. So when are you two officially dating?)
“What!?” I was reaching for something when I suddenly turned back to look at the screen.
(I'm just curious. You're starting to have feelings for Tiger, I can tell.)
“Oh my god…” I could only say that because I was actually a little embarrassed to admit that I was starting to feel, “It’s only been two weeks… Oh yeah, I didn’t tell you about his surprise plan.”
(What's wrong?)
It was 2:30 in the morning. I was still on a video call with Nuea while reading a book in bed. I was starting to feel sleepy, but I still tried to keep my eyes open. A moment later, I heard the door open and immediately turned my head to look.
It was Tiger. He was wearing a black jacket, jeans, and sneakers, just like he had when he went out.
“You're not sleeping yet?”
“Talking to Nuea.”
“Ah.” He nodded and took off his jacket. Seeing that, I quickly turned back to look at my phone.
“Aren't you waiting for me?”
“I'm not waiting,” I replied, but I didn't really understand why I said that.
“Oh, that hurts.” He climbed onto the bed, scooted closer to me, and rested his head on my shoulder, “Hi Nuea.”
(Hello.) Nuea smiled.
“Wait! Why are you shirtless in front of Nuea!?” I yelled, immediately turning off the camera. Tiger laughed.
“Are you jealous?”
“No! I just feel sorry for Nuea's eyes.”
“You abandoned me.” He still smiled, emphasising that sentence. I unconsciously glanced at him, seeing that there were no wounds, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
“Are you worried about me?”
“Go take a shower.” I pushed him away, but he didn't budge.
“You said I smell like sweat?”
“Yes, it stinks.”
“It doesn't stink.”
“Stinks,” I repeated, even though there was no actual smell. “It stinks.”
“Okay, okay, I’ll go take a shower.” Tiger pouted, looking unhappy, but still got up to take a shower as I asked. I reached out to turn the camera back on so we could continue talking to Nhea. Hopefully, this time, he wouldn’t appear naked on screen again.
(Oh, someone is blushing)
“No,” I mumbled, hugging the pillow tightly, feeling the heat rising to my ears. It wasn’t the first time I saw Tiger take off his shirt, so why was my heart beating so fast…
And then there was the time I hurriedly covered the screen with my hand. I said I loved Nuea, but in reality, I didn’t want him to see it… Haa, damn it, could it be that I like him a little more?
—————————-
It’s been almost three weeks since I started pursuing Nao, but I feel like our relationship hasn’t progressed much. The only difference is that Nao said that he won’t let anyone else pursue him, except me. Otherwise, everything is the same. We’re still together as roommates. When I say I love you or do things for Nao, he doesn’t react much.
All the surprise plans I came up with failed miserably because Nao said they didn't suit him. I couldn't understand. Why couldn't something grand and impressive suit someone as cute as him? I should have bought a whole country and named it after him.
Nao said he likes simple things. Is it like taking care of each other every day like this? But how is that any different from before? We've always been together like this. So what exactly is flirting supposed to be like?
I started to worry about this and suddenly thought of asking Nuea for help. Actually, Nuea should have been the first person I went to for advice on this.
I waited until Nao fell asleep before going to the balcony to call. It was already past 5 a.m., probably around 4 p.m. over there. I wasn't sure if Nuea was free, so I texted him first. And as I expected, Nuea called back not long after.
(What's wrong, Tiger?) Nuea's voice was the same as always. (What's wrong?)
“I’ll get straight to the point,” I said. There was no need to ask because we occasionally talked on the phone with Nao, “You know I’m pursuing Nao, right? But I don’t see any progress. It’s been almost a month.”
(Hmm? Why does it feel like that?)
“Because everything is the same as before,” I said, “There are just a few little things added. In the morning, I prepare Nao’s things, take him to school, text him, pick him up in the afternoon, have dinner together, and go to bed. And then I get pushed down to sleep on the floor.”
(So what do you think is the right way to flirt with someone?)
“There must be more to it than that, right? I don’t know… For example, when I said I loved Nao, Nao didn’t react at all. Sometimes he even cursed at me.”
(What are you cursing about?)
“Idiot.”
(Hahaha~) Nuea laughed. (Do you often curse like this?)
“More and more.” I pouted.
“Has Nao ever mentioned anything about me?” I asked because every time Nao called Nuea, he would come out to the balcony, saying it was so I wouldn’t be bothered. But I think the real reason was that he didn’t want me to hear.
(Yes.) Nuea said. (But I won't know it.)
“What? You said you supported me.”
(Well, I support it, but saying it out loud would be a spoiler.)
“Why? Or is it because it’s so bad that you don’t want to talk about it?” I started to worry, “Or maybe Nao feels uncomfortable, he doesn’t like me, right?”
(Don't panic like that.) Nuea said in a calm voice, (If you don't want this situation to continue, then what are you going to do?)
“Actually, I have a surprise plan,” I replied, “But Nao said he doesn’t like it, that it’s not suitable for him. I don’t understand.”
(What plan?)
“Has Nao told you yet?”
(Okay, but tell me again. I want to hear it from your perspective.)
“I originally planned to make a banner as big as the entire faculty building.” I began to tell the story according to Nuea's wishes.
(That… Um, it's still shocking every time I hear it.) Nuea coughed softly. (Isn't that a bit too loud?)
“You think it’s too much, too? But for me, nothing is too much, as long as it’s for him.” I spoke with my true feelings, “I really want to do it, but Nao doesn’t seem happy.”
(Well, I'll guess what Nao thinks about your surprise plan. Um… You know Nao's frugal, right? Nao would find what you're doing a bit wasteful. Sure, you might be rich, but Nao probably thinks you'd be better off spending your money on something else.)
“Really?” I unconsciously pursed my lips, “Oh, right, Nao also said that it would be better to buy the company because at least it could make a profit, considering it an investment.”
(Yes, that's right.)
“But if I pursue him normally, what difference does it make? If someone else does it, it’ll be the same. For example, taking care of Nao every day, anyone can do it.”
(I don't know about that.) Nuea was silent for a moment and then said. (But didn't Nao give you the only chance to pursue him?)
“Yeah, that's good too.” I leaned my arm on the balcony railing.
(Let me ask you this.) Nuea spoke up. (What do you want to do?)
“…How about saying it?” I felt embarrassed. Was it okay to say this directly in front of Nao’s brother?
(No, I mean, how do you want to pursue Nao?)
“For me, only grand things suit him.” I said honestly, “Because his cuteness covers the whole world, I should buy him the whole world.”
(Then go ahead.)
“Really? But Nao said he didn't like it.”
(Just do it in moderation.)
"For example?"
(Then…)
So Nuea and I talked for a while longer. Nuea should be the first person I would ask. As soon as the call ended, I felt full of confidence.
I returned to my sleeping place – a blanket spread on the floor. This had become my permanent sleeping place ever since I confessed to Nao because he said he no longer trusted me.
Humph! I'll be back in that bed soon! As I was about to sleep, my phone vibrated with an incoming message.
Dan: Oh, I forgot to tell you something.
Dan: That "stupid" thing Nao always says.
Dan: It's because he’s shy.
Tg: Aaaaaa!!!
Dan: ??
Tg: Sorry, forgot.
Tg: I thought I was chatting with you.
Dan: Oh.