North: How much is your love?

Chapter 13: Slot Out.

[>> North <<]

And all my debt, two hundred thousand?

 

"No," I said.

“…”

"Are you... Are you listening to me?"

"No," Johan replied softly, leaning closer again. I quickly turned my face away, but he held my chin with his hand, forcing me back to face him. His soft lips pressed against mine again, a light, fleeting kiss before he pulled away.

 

I pursed my lips tightly, my eyes meeting theirs with a mixture of embarrassment and fear, but I had to avert my gaze when I couldn't face them any longer. Why is it so embarrassing...?

 

"T-this is a thousand?" I asked, frowning.

"YES."

"What about just now?"

"Not counting."

"Huh!?"

Even though my lips are cracked!!

"Because I didn't say anything just now."

 

“…”

"No way, I can't repay the debt this way," I said seriously, my expression equally serious. 

 

"Like this... like I have to pay it off with my body..."

"They're not the same."

"Because I like you."

 

“...”

"The kiss just now was the same. If you really refused, I wouldn't have done it."

“…”

"So you're starting to open up to me now, right?"

!!!

"Older brother!!"

“…”

"You're so annoying," I muttered, pouting, and turned away. Johan lay down beside me, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me close. I struggled slightly, but he tightened his grip, as if he knew where I was injured and always avoided hugging that spot. Moreover, he also knows that I’ve opened up to him.

Huhu, I'm so embarrassed I want to cry...

“…”

"Are you asleep?"

 

Wait a minute, you can't just drop an emotional bomb and then go to sleep soundly like that!

 

“I’ll transfer a thousand dong to you in advance. If you think I’m slow in paying back the debt… but I’ll definitely pay it back! Just not that way 😭,” I said. “I only have a little money left in savings, I’ll transfer it to Prang right away. Please don’t make me pay it back that way.”

 

"Move. But I'm not planning on that."

"Oh, why is that?"

"I already said I don't accept money from other sources."

"I mean… I don't think that's right. I'll actually pay off the debt, and you don't need the money urgently, do you?"

"Are you trying to bargain with me?"

"It's pretty much the same."

"Do you think just because I like you, you can bargain with me?"

“…”

“You don’t need to say much,” I mumbled, my face flushed bright red with embarrassment. I’m still not used to hearing the word “like” from Johan’s mouth. Normally, I’d be embarrassed if someone said they liked me, but when Johan said it… I was so embarrassed I wanted to cry. I didn’t know what to do, especially with him hugging me like this.

 

He was silent for a moment, and his warm breath on my neck felt strange. I lay stiffly, certain he was asleep and very tired. It's not easy for a normal person to fall asleep so quickly. I wasn't fully awake last night, so I don't remember anything, but Johan must be exhausted. And he stayed up all night watching over me.

I really like his gentleness, but if he keeps acting like this, I can’t handle it. My heart will break. As I said, I don’t hate him, but oh my god, it’s happening too fast, you two aren’t even a couple yet!

 

"Brother", I whispered.

"Johan."

"Hmm." He seemed to be awake, and he slightly moved his arm before hugging me tightly again.

"I... I have something I want to ask."

"We're not lovers... so how can we do that?"

"So, you want to be my boyfriend?"

“…”

"That's not what I meant. What I meant was it would be strange if we did that when we're not a couple, right?"

 

"Then let's be lovers."

!!!

"Hey! Are you crazy? How could you say that!" I exclaimed, my voice so loud it hurt my wound a little. I couldn't believe he said it so calmly. Be lovers? At least we should get to know each other first, and we're nothing like that.

"Then let's not make a fuss."

Huh!? So I'm being called a troublemaker again!?

 

I fell silent because I didn't know what else to say, and I had no reason to argue. Johan didn't even bother listening to me, let alone being my boyfriend? How could that be? We'd only just met, we hadn't even had a proper conversation yet. I had opened up to him, but it wasn't to the point of saying I liked him or loved him!

"Noisy."

"Huh?"

"Me? I didn't say anything!"

"Your heart is beating too fast. Do you want to have a heart attack and die?"

!!!

“…”

Hey, this thing can't be controlled! I could only scream inwardly out of sheer embarrassment; I didn't dare utter a word. Right now, I want to disappear from this place.

"Ah!" I cried out in surprise when I suddenly felt a light bite on the back of my neck.

"Hey! What is it?"

"Well, as I said, this is counted by the number of times. You count them yourself and then tell Prang."

“…” I unconsciously frowned, thinking about what Johan had said. Does that mean no matter what he does, I have to count it myself?

 

"So what should I tell Prang?"

Johan didn't answer.

"Brother." I tried calling again.

Are you asleep, or are you deliberately ignoring me? And how am I supposed to count? How am I supposed to remember how many times he hugged me, how many times he kissed me? Damn it. I'll die of embarrassment if I keep doing that! No, I shouldn't have paid off the debt this way in the first place.

 

I fumbled to get my phone out of my pocket, struggling so much that even moving was difficult. Why was he holding me so tightly?

Just thinking about being hugged by Johan right now makes my heart race. Who wouldn't be embarrassed?!

 

North♣︎: It's so cold, I'm going to die!
North♣︎: Emergency red code, save me, I'm about to die!!!
North♣︎: Duen Nao, my dear friend!
North♣︎: Answer me!
North♣︎: #$%^&&^%$#@#$%^&**&^%^&

🌛: What's wrong with you?
🌛: I'm studying!

North♣︎: ….

North♣︎: My love… I can't take it anymore.
North♣︎: Oh, are you studying?

🌛 : If you can't stand it, die.

🌛 : What are you texting all the time, you "lovey-dovey" thing? 

🌛: Yeah, I'm studying. And you, you don't even bother to go to school. 

🌛: But I've already asked for time off for you. Your husband told me.
North♣︎: Why aren't you any gentler?
North♣︎: …
North♣︎: Husband, my ass! Watch your words. Do you want lunch or a punch this afternoon? Choose!

🌛: You get angry so easily, huh?
🌛: I said your husband, and you already know who he is without me having to say his name, right?
🌛: Oh my god.

North♣︎: Don't tease me! My heart is fragile!
North♣︎: You jerk! I told you not to tease me!

🌛: Calm down.
🌛: I didn't even get a chance to tease you yet
🌛: Why are you texting so much
🌛? 

🌛: Don't tell me nothing's wrong
🌛: I'll flick your forehead off

North♣︎: Nothing…
North♣︎: Oh, I didn't have time to send it.
North♣︎: The internet is very weak at the end of the month…

🌛: Utter nonsense
🌛: I'm going back to studying

North♣︎: Just kidding, actually, there's something
North♣︎: Let me ask you, if there's someone who never listens to you, no matter what you say, and you can't argue with them... what should you do?

🌛: Accept it.

North♣︎: Is there a better way?

🌛: So what do you want to do now? Figure it out yourself. And why can't we argue?

North♣︎: There's no arguing with that.

🌛: Then forget about it.

🌛: Even the shelf won't work anymore.

🌛: You're crazy
🌛: Forget about it, let fate take care of it.

North♣︎: You can't give up, you can't, you can't.

🌛: What's wrong with you? Nothing's working; it's so complicated.

North♣︎: I'm in trouble!!

🌛: Yeah, what's wrong with you? Normally, you wouldn't care at all if someone didn't listen to you.

North♣︎: This isn't right! This is a huge deal, a very, very big deal!

🌛: So what?

North♣︎: Well… yeah.

🌛: Santin
🌛: It's your turn to worry
🌛: I'm studying, remember to go to the afternoon class

🌛: Someone else has already requested leave for him, so he won't be able to take any more time off.

North♣︎: Ah, I understand.
North♣︎: I can go too, you devil!

🌛: Why be so harsh?

 

I locked my phone, set it down beside me, and sighed. As Nao said, I really couldn't do anything. I couldn't just stand by because I was hundreds of thousands in debt. But if I just left things as they were… would that be okay? In the end, I was overthinking things for nothing. As Ger used to say, if he makes me think, I'll think all day. Believe me, I'll definitely think all day. I can't just give up and say 'Whatever you want' like before. It's already past eleven o'clock, and I have to go to school at one in the afternoon.

 

But who can I confide in about this? Nobody. Not even Ter… like, it’s too embarrassing, so I don’t dare tell anyone. So what should I do now? I’ve been thinking about it so much my head hurts, maybe… Should I stop thinking about it? But thinking about it again and again, it's pointless. Anyway, I can't do anything because he won't listen to me.

 

I picked up my phone and texted Nao one more time.

 

North♣︎: So there's really nothing we can do about it, huh?

🌛: What else is this for you?

North♣︎: Should I really give up?

🌛: wtf
🌛: What's that? Talking to yourself?

North♣︎: What should we do now?

🌛: Go to sleep
🌛: And never wake up again
🌛: So annoying.

North♣︎: Okay!
North♣︎: Good night

🌛: “…”

🌛: Uh uh, sleep well

North♣︎: send sticker

🌛: That sticker is so rude!

North♣︎: I bought it all for 100 cents.

🌛What kind of person are you to spend money on those damn things?

North♣︎: sending sticker
North♣︎: sending sticker
North♣︎: sending sticker
North♣︎: sending sticker

🌛: That's enough!!

North♣︎: By the way, what are we studying this afternoon?

🌛: It's an elective course, Kyu registered for it
🌛 : You have to come, there's a group project.

North♣︎: What elective course?
North♣︎: I don't know anything at all.

🌛: Come on, I'm waiting at the department, let's go together later.

 

The room was cool, so being held like this made me feel warmer. I drifted off to sleep, feeling like I had only just dozed off when my alarm clock went off.

 

“Jo, sir,” I called softly, gently shaking his arm. Johan stirred slightly, seemingly about to wake up. “I have a class at one o’clock in the afternoon.”

 

"No need to go."

 

“…”

 

"No, I can't take time off."

 

“…”

 

"If I take a break, I'm doomed. Nao said there's still group work to do," I said. Johan released his arms; perhaps because he'd been holding me for so long, I could still feel the warmth of his body. I slowly propped myself up because if I sat up quickly like last time, I would hurt my wound. Before I could say anything more, Johan's phone rang. He sat up, winced slightly at the screen, and pressed the answer button.

 

"What?" Johan replied on the phone.

 

“…” I couldn’t hear what the person on the other end of the line was saying.

 

"Are not."

 

“…”

 

"Hill, I'm lazy."

 

“…”

 

"Okay, alright," he replied before hanging up. I wonder if it was Hill calling? It seems like that call made Johan even more upset. I saw the confusion on his face, but he didn't say anything; he just got out of bed, tapped on his phone for a while, and then put it down.

 

"Um... I have classes this afternoon."

 

"I know."

 

"So how am I going to get there now? Oh, and where's my motorbike?" I asked, suddenly remembering that I had ridden my motorbike to work yesterday.

 

"At the repair shop."

 

“The shop? Why is it there?” I fell silent, deep in thought. Damn it, Day must have done this; they must have deliberately prevented me from escaping. Just then, there was a knock on the door.

 

"Young master, may I come in?" Aunt Da's voice rang out.

 

"Yes," Johan replied, then went to open the door. Aunt Da came in, carrying a pile of things – student uniforms.

 

"What size should you wear, dear? I wasn't sure, so I brought several sets," Aunt Da said, placing a pile of uniforms on the table. I walked closer. What? Had she already prepared my uniforms?

 

"Actually, I could go back to the dorm to change my clothes."

 

"I have classes in the afternoon too, so I don't have time to go back there," Johan said.

 

"Oh... but I'm so embarrassed," I whispered, just loud enough for Aunt Da to hear, with a forced smile because I really was embarrassed.

 

"Don't be shy. What size do you wear?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"What about pants?"

 

"This set should be fine." I chose the pants that seemed to fit me best.

 

"Your shoes are ready downstairs. Do you want to eat here or go out?" Aunt Da turned to ask. I nodded instinctively without thinking.

 

"Okay, let's go with me first," Aunt Da said, then pulled me out of the room, taking me back to the same room I was in earlier, looking bewildered. I took a shower and changed clothes, and only then did I notice the bruise on my stomach, a whole area turning purple. Damn it, just thinking about it makes me angry. Speaking of which, I haven't asked Johan if he's okay yet.

 

"Put this on," Aunt Da handed me a jacket and a face mask.

 

"Yes?"

 

"Wearing it to cover… Um," Aunt Da stammered, pointing to her neck, her eyes glancing at mine.

 

“...”

 

The traces that Johan left behind…

It couldn't possibly be an insect bite; the mark is so obvious...

 

I quickly covered my neck with my hand out of embarrassment. While showering earlier, I was only paying attention to the wound on my stomach and completely forgot to look at my neck.

 

"What about the face mask?" I asked, zipping my jacket up to my neck to make sure no one could see the mark.

 

"Well… Um, you can tell at a glance," Aunt Da said shyly, as if afraid I'd be embarrassed. And I really was embarrassed. I looked in the mirror again and noticed that, besides my cracked lips, my lips were also slightly swollen. This is going too far…😭I sighed and put on my mask.

 

"The young master has never brought anyone home before," Aunt Da said as she led me to eat. On the way, several family members walked back and forth; some smiled, others whispered. I overheard snippets: "That's him, the one who knocked over the master's wine cabinet." Oh no, I've got a bad reputation now! 😭

 

"Perhaps you're the first boyfriend of the young master that I've ever known."

 

"Yes... Huh?"

 

"Huh? Did I say something wrong? Why the surprised look?"

 

"Um... well." We're not lovers—that's what I wanted to say, but Aunt Da probably already knows everything, both the kissing and the hickey on my neck prove it. If I said we weren't lovers now, nobody would believe me.

 

"Has he really never brought anyone home before?"

 

"Yes, I heard that they don't allow anyone to come to the apartment building either."

 

"Oh... Oh, really..."

 

"I heard that the young master is a bit of a ladies' man, so I was a little worried. But it's good that he stopped. No matter how capable someone is, in the end, everyone needs someone by their side, right?"

 

"Yes... Yes." I could only respond perfunctorily. Everyone says Johan is a ladies' man, but since I've known him, I haven't really seen that clearly.

 

After finishing lunch at home, I went to university with Johan. We were both silent on the way, and I didn't know what to say. When I secretly glanced at the person sitting next to me, my mind involuntarily drifted back to what happened this morning.

 

No! Don't think about it anymore! Forbidden! Absolutely! You need to stay calm before going into class!

 

I took a deep breath and then quietly exhaled.

The notification sound from my phone made me quickly take it out to check a message.

 

Tg: Where are you?
North♣: What?
Tg: Buy some snacks for Duen Nao.
Tg: He hasn't had breakfast yet.
Tg: I guess he probably won't have time for lunch either.
North♣: Why?
Tg: Look at the schedule. He probably won't have time to eat.
Tg: You don't have morning classes, right? Buy some for him.
North♣: Transfer the money.
North♣: I don't have any money.
Tg: Pfft, you're asking for money for snacks?
Tg: You have a rich boyfriend...
North♣: Then why don't you buy it yourself?
Tg: Where would I buy it?
North♣: Coward.
North♣: Afraid Nao will suspect something, coward.
Tg: Shut up. I've transferred it.
North♣: Okay.
North♣: Give me the change.
Tg: Yeah, take it—just the change.
North♣: How come you're so rich?
North♣: Or maybe… Is it just the nature of a rich person?
Tg: Do you like people with rich personalities?
North♣: Of course, who wouldn't? =))
Tg: Your boyfriend, Johan?
Tg: He's even richer than I am.
North♣: …
North♣: I'm not talking to you anymore.
Tg: He got shy and ran away.

 

"Who is it?" Johan asked when he turned and saw me texting Tiger.

 

"Tiger," I said, "He asked me to buy some snacks for his friend because he has a crush on him."

 

Oh no…

I accidentally blurted it out again.

Tiger, I'm sorry! 😭

 

For some reason, every time Johan asks, I end up giving such detailed explanations. Probably because I'm afraid he'll get angry.

 

"Is that the person named Duen Nao?" Jo asked.

 

"Yes... You know that, too?"

 

"Oh, he told me when he went to see him." I breathed a sigh of relief. It turned out Tiger had already told me—probably when he went to see Jo to sort things out with Temp and his friends.

 

Soon after, the beautiful Audi pulled up in front of the Engineering department. I thanked Johan for bringing me there and reached for the car door handle. But my arm was pulled back before I could open the door. Johan pulled me close, his other hand pulling down my mask, then suddenly pressed his lips against mine. My eyes widened in shock at the unexpected kiss.

 

I closed my eyes tightly, and my heart, which had just calmed down, started racing again. This kiss was gentle and tender, not as intense as before. Because of its gentleness, I unconsciously accepted the kiss. But… that wasn't gentle with my heart at all.

 

"Um..." By the time I realised it, Johan had let go of me. I looked at him, confused. Why was my face so hot? I didn't even know if my face was red...

 

"If only I had known this..."

"I didn't reduce your debt in the first place."

“...”

Johan said it with a smirk, and it took me almost ten seconds to fully understand what he meant. When I finally did, I wanted to yell in protest, but I couldn't say anything and could only quickly open the door and get out of the car.

He…

Who permitted you to laugh like that?

The phrase "we shouldn't have reduced the debt in the first place" is because he initially saw that I owed more, but then reduced it to 200,000. If he hadn't reduced it from the beginning, he would have meant letting me accumulate more debt so that he could...

How did it turn out like this?!

 

════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

 

"Here you go." I walked over to where Duen Nao, Sket, and Ikkyu were sitting at the table in front of the department and set the large bag of pastries on it. Tiger gave me 1,000 baht. Thinking it over, buying only for Nao would be a bit strange since Sket and Ikkyu hadn't eaten yet, so I bought for everyone, which would also reduce suspicion. And the few hundred extra coins are mine.

 

"He's handsome and chivalrous, too. Buying us snacks like this, he must have cast some spell on us."

"Are you using your brain or your heels to think?" I cursed at Sket, saying it would be better to give him poison.

 

"Are you sick?" Ikkyu asked. "Are you very cold? Why are you wearing a jacket that covers your neck?"

"Yeah, I'm cold."

"Isn't that North?"

"Are you up to that silly game again?" Nao chimed in, choosing a pastry while saying, "Sket, you take the red bean paste one."

"No, I want chocolate filling."

"I want a chocolate filling too!"

"North, you're so careless with your shopping, that's why we're fighting like this. Fighting? It's like kids fighting over candy," Ikkyu said. Well, I didn't think about it when I bought it; I just grabbed whatever I could find. My mind was completely muddled.

 

"So you're not taking the chocolate filling, Kyu?" Nao asked.

"Yes! Give me the chocolate bar."

"Damn, I'm not giving it."

"Let's play rock-paper-scissors!" Ikkyu suggested.

 

"Is that how adults divide food?" I asked. Just a moment ago, they were fighting like kids, then ended up playing rock-paper-scissors to decide, because neither would give up the chocolate filling. The result of the rock-paper-scissors game to divide the cake: In the end, I had to eat the red bean paste...

 

"Damn, you guys." I muttered, "I'm the one who bought it!"

"You're just a coward, that's why you can't argue. In the end, the chocolate filling still belongs to me," Sket said proudly.

Actually, the one who should get the best part is Duen Nao because this is the money Tiger sent to buy it for him. Just ignore it. If he wants Nao to eat delicious food, he should stop acting silly and buy it himself.

 

"Let's go, we'll be late for school if we don't hurry," Kyu said, munching on a cookie. 

 

"North, you give Nao a ride."

"Okay." I agreed.

 

"You're always making my life miserable. If you have a boyfriend, let him pick you up and drop you off. My motorbike is always parked in the dorm, so it's covered in spiderwebs now. If you're not going to use it, tell your mom to sell it already," Nao said.

"It sounds like you're really jealous of me," I replied.

"Of course I'm jealous! My face was all red after I got out of that Audi. Hmmm... what were you doing in the car? And the windows were tinted black, I couldn't even peek inside."

 

"Okay, don't get too excited."

I forgot that other people could see me sitting in the car, but when Nao said the tinted windows meant no one could see inside, I secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Even though I was wearing a mask, I was still seen blushing, probably because I was in a hurry to get out of the car and didn't have time to cover myself properly.

 

"I'm so jealous! I wish I could sit in an Audi too, to feel so fortunate."

"Really?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. Maybe I should tell Tiger that Nao wants to ride in an Audi.

"I wanted to see if it was luxurious inside."

"It's so luxurious that I don't even dare breathe. I'm afraid of polluting the car."

"That's terrible!"

"That's awful," I said as the four of us walked toward the parking lot.

 

"How much does that Audi cost?" Sket asked.

"I don't know," I replied.

"It depends on the model. Jo's is probably around ten million baht. Maybe twenty. Why would someone so rich cling to their friend?" Ikkyu said.

 

"You can compete in rowing, but you can't compete in luck. — A quote from North," Sket said, his face beaming with pride.

"When did I ever say that?"

 

"So, in short, are you two a couple? Why did he bring you all the way to the science department?"

"That's right, I was about to ask the same thing."

"And why was your face red when you got out of the car?"

"They spend the mornings together, too."

"Really!?"

 

"Yeah, I called North and wondered why he hadn't come to class yet. Unexpectedly, Jo answered and said he was there. What does that mean?"

 

"Why are you two together? Or did you spend the night together?"

 

"You're not even a couple yet, and it's already like this. Wait... maybe you are already a couple?"

 

"Stop it all," I said, interrupting them. It wasn't that I didn't want to tell them; I didn't know where to begin. These bastards just kept pushing the story further and further.

 

"Wow, you're cursing at us, and your face is all red. Even with a mask on, you can still see it's red."

 

I glared at them warily and pulled my mask up higher. Those nosy people, trying to peek inside my mask too?

 

Finally, we arrived at class. At first, I wondered which elective course Nao was talking about, and he just said Kyu had registered me for it. Home economics...

 

"Damn it, what the hell is the point of taking home economics classes, Kyu?! I dragged myself all the way from the engineering department to study this?!" I yelled, unable to bear it any longer. Why would he choose home economics as an elective? What was he thinking? Was he too stressed out after those engineering courses and decided to try baking instead?

 

"I told you so, that's just stupid. They even used our student IDs to register, what a devil."

 

"Hey, my friend said it was fun," Ikkyu said. 

 

"It's a way to relieve stress after studying calculus, that's all."

 

"I'm even more stressed than you!"

 

"North, you know how to cook, right?" Ikkyu asked.

 

"I can cook, but I can't bake!"

 

"Oh no, I might fail the elective course," Sket said, looking dejected. "Failing an elective course is the most embarrassing thing because people usually choose them to boost their grades."

 

"If we fail, blame it on Kyu! I'm about to yell at him!"

 

"Nao has been yelling at me since last night. My heart is breaking. North, save me, please comfort me!" Ikkyu said, clinging to my shoulder.

 

"I'm going to comfort myself with my feet right now."

 

"Even North isn't defending you anymore."

 

"Why are you guys so mean to me?"

 

"You're the worst one, Kyu," I said, sighing. I'm still stuck even after finishing high school. This course appears to be from a culinary arts department, and I'm not sure which one; I know it's in the home economics building. I sighed again, and soon students from other departments came in. The teacher said we should split into pairs to make simple pastries. It sounds easy, but when I had to do it with Nao, I knew it wouldn't be easy at all.

 

"Why isn't Kyu paired with me?" I exclaimed a little loudly because Kyu was the best in the group at cooking and baking.

 

"Because that would unbalance the team, North," Sket said, helping Kyu sift the flour.

 

"Sket and I don't know how to do it, but you and Kyu do. This division is correct, the team is balanced," Nao said, "Should we pour in the flour now?"

 

"Go sift it first, you devil! Didn't you hear what I just said?"

 

"What's wrong with the sieve?"

 

"Let me do it. Get out of the way."

[Incoming call: Ms Pan]

 

"Nao, you keep working for a little while longer. I need to take this call," I said. Nao nodded and went in to take over. I excused myself from the teacher to answer the phone.

 

"Yes, Ms. Pan?"

(Are you studying? Can we talk?)

 

"I was studying, but I excused myself. What's the matter?"

 

(Day is off, so we're short on staff now, and Chain is complaining a lot.)

 

"Oh, really?... Actually, I was planning to quit anyway. I'm sorry, but I probably won't be working at the bar anymore."

 

(Oh, I was just about to call and ask you to work a few more days because we're short on staff.)

 

"But I've made my decision, sister, I'm sorry."

 

(Please, I beg you. We were short-staffed from the start, so if you don't work, you won't get paid. Consider the past few days as working for free.)

 

"It's okay, sister. I really do want to quit," I said apologetically. I hate it when people beg me like that because I always give in.

 

(Why do you want to quit? Can you tell me?)

 

"There are many reasons, too... I feel like I don't have enough energy anymore, and I finish work late too..."

 

(Oh my god, you've been working here for so long, and now you're complaining about working late? Couldn't you work a little longer? I haven't even found a replacement yet.)

 

"Sister Pan... what you said makes me feel so awkward."

 

(I don't want to make things awkward for you, but things are really difficult here. You're worried Day will harass you, right? He's already left, hasn't he?)

 

"But... I can't continue like this anymore."

 

(Please, please, I beg you. Don't leave me halfway through. If we're running late, I can take you back to the dorm.)

 

"Oh my... I'm bothering you again."

 

(No problem at all! There really aren't enough people... Come on, can we go tonight?)

 

"Sister Pan... I really can't go anymore." 

 

Besides my unwillingness to do it, the people around me, like Ter, also told me to quit, and Jo absolutely forbade it. I didn't want to lie or make him worry anymore.

 

(Northhhh, please… Just tell me if there’s anything, okay? Please…)

 

"It's not for any particular reason. I really can't go anymore." I tried to refuse. Pan really is persistent.

 

(So ​​you won't see me anymore? Who will you chat with now...? I'm so sad...)

 

"Don't say that, Pan. Someone new will eventually replace me."

(Are you really not coming back to work here?)

"Yes."

(But you need the owner's permission before you can take time off.) Chain probably won't allow it, as you said, they're really short on staff.)

"Oh my god, sis... Well, I can talk to Chain later then."

(Don't rush, think it over carefully. I'll call you back this afternoon and plead with you again.)

"Why are you begging me, sister? I'm not angry at all."

Okay, I'm hanging up now. I'll call you back this afternoon.

"Ah... yes."

 

I hung up and sighed. Why did it have to be this complicated? 😭 I just wanted to quit my job.

Pan's persistent persuasion made me feel awkward. Perhaps the shop really was short of staff; there would be no need to insist so much. I wonder if I should ask Johan for his opinion?

 

North♣︎: Yes.
North♣︎: The bar called me, saying they're short on staff and want me to come back.
North♣︎: But I don't intend to come back.
North♣︎: And it seems like the owner won't let me quit.
North♣︎: My colleague keeps calling and begging me to come back. 😭

(Read)

The message has been read, but there's no reply yet...

I put my phone in my pocket and went back to the home economics class.

 

"North, the egg yolk is broken."

"It'll probably be alright."

“...”

"North, the eggshell fell in."

"Take it out."

"How do I get this?"

"Then pick it out."

"But I blended it with the other ingredients already..."

“...”

"Damn it!!!"

 

"How many points did your group get?" Sket came over and asked me while I was sitting there dazed, like someone about to die in front of the building. After my group finished, I gave the cakes to the instructor to grade and then went outside to wait for Sket and Ikkyu.

 

"Nao, tell Sket about this, he'll be so proud."

"My team and North got it! Two points! Out of fifteen!"

"You devil!" Sket said, bursting into laughter.

 

"What the hell are you laughing at, you devil!" I retorted, "The lecturer even asked, 'Did the students put poison in the lecturer's food?' and I was speechless, too late to even ask for a redo. They even gave the lecturer crushed eggshells to eat, that's just… awful."

"Everyone makes mistakes, right, North?" Nao said, patting me on the shoulder in a comforting tone. It's all your fault, and you dare pat me on the shoulder like that!

 

"Who in their right mind would grind eggshells in a blender? Luckily, the blender didn't break; you'd have to pay for the damage. Honestly, what were you thinking? Why didn't you pick the eggshells out?"

"Actually, I forgot to look closely, so I thought it was... some new type of texture. The 'crunch' sound when I bite into it later will be fun."

"What about your father?! That cake, you devil!"

"It's both pitiful and funny." Sket and Ikkyu sat there laughing gleefully, watching Nao and me argue.

 

"What are you laughing at? How many members does your group have?"

"Fourteen. Deducted for being a little slow."

"That's awesome, share some points with me."

"I'm so proud of you, North. Let's work together again next time."

"Just this once! Next time I'd rather do it alone."

 

I was arguing with Nao when I didn't realise someone had been standing next to me for some time.

"Is everything alright?" a girl asked me, smiling. It was Khaofang, the baker at the table next to mine. I often borrowed her supplies and asked her how to make things because Ikkyu was assigned to a table further away.

 

"Well... If ground eggshells taste good, then it's probably okay."

"North actually handed that cake over?" Khaofang asked, raising his eyebrows and trying to suppress a laugh.

"That's true."

"Next time, you can borrow my cake to submit as a gift."

"No way, what if the lecturer finds out?"

"No one will notice, I've seen other people do it all the time."

"It's okay. Even the lecturer said that the cake was delicious. 'Make some more, students, the lecturer will be waiting to eat the crushed eggshells.'"

"North, you're a real devil!" Sket said, then burst into laughter. They look so happy, don't they?

 

"Why is North so funny?" Khaofang laughed, "Are these people your friends?"

"Yeah, yeah, this is Sket and Ikkyu. They were at the other table earlier."

"You're calling us 'this'?"

"Oh, I'm Khaofang. I was sitting at the table near North earlier. Are you all from the Faculty of Engineering?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Wow, that's amazing. You must all be really good at Physics. Please teach me!"

"What major is Khao studying?" I asked. Khaofang said just calling him "Khao" would be fine.

"The Architecture department... In the first year, they even have to study basic physics. I was like... it gave me a headache, I couldn't escape it no matter how hard I tried."

"I can't escape either," I said.

"That's because you're studying engineering," Duen Nao chimed in.

"Are you going home yet? We're about to leave," I asked.

"Going home. How are you going to get home?"

"We came by car."

"So, are we going straight to the parking lot?"

Okay.

 

So we all went to the parking lot, with Khaofang coming along. She walked beside me because she wasn't very close to the others. Khao and I weren't that close either.

 

"Hey, North."

"Huh?"

"Do you have a girlfriend/boyfriend?"

"No, why?"

"It's nothing. I find North really funny, and I feel very comfortable around you."

"Ah..." I nodded.

"What about Khao?" I asked politely.

"Me? I don't have one either. So, could I have North's Line ID? Maybe we'll even end up in the same class."

"Uh, well... maybe next time? Nao said he wants to go home quickly." I quickly interrupted, then climbed onto the back of Duen Nao's motorbike, waved goodbye to Khaofang, and we sped away.

 

"Khao asked for my Line ID earlier," I said as Duen Nao drove me.

"So you're giving it away for free?"

"No. I told you I'm in a hurry."

"They're using me as an excuse. Making me look like the bad guy."

"It'll probably be fine. We'll see each other again in the next class anyway."

"You're pretty good, you have quite a few admirers. Do you practice any magic?"

"What? She just asked for my Line ID."

"If she didn't like you, she wouldn't have walked home with you. She kept glancing at you while she was baking. Did she say anything else?"

"Tell me I'm funny."

"Yeah, you're a really funny person."

"But it would probably be more fun if we were lovers."

"Don't tell me you're flirting with people like that?"

"No. I was thinking it in my head; I wouldn't dare joke about it."

"What's up?"

"Well... I don't have any feelings for her, so it wouldn't be a good idea to flirt with her."

"It's probably not... that you already have someone in your heart and don't want to give anyone hope, right?" Duen Nao said as he stopped the bike in front of a cafe behind the school. I was a little surprised because he hadn't told me he was coming.

"I have something important to tell you."

Huh?

Duen Nao said he had something important to tell me!!

 

"Wow, the way you're talking is making me nervous," I said, then followed him into the cafe.

"What's wrong? Is it serious? I'm starting to worry," I asked, frowning at the person sitting opposite me.

"It's an important matter. I've been thinking about it for a while now."

"Uh... can you tell me the topic beforehand? Let me prepare myself a bit."

"It's about Ger."

“...”

Wow, that's so embarrassing. Duen Nao asked me to talk about something important, but then that "important thing" turned out to be about Tiger. Or maybe...

 

"Wow, really?!" I exclaimed excitedly, my heart racing. Could Nao be about to ask me something like, 'I think I like Ger, what do you think I should do?'

 

"I'm thinking..."

“…”

"Does Ger like you?"

“...”

 

"North, why do you look like that?"

"Look at my mouth."

"YES?"

"Damn."

"Hey, why are you cursing at me?"

"Are you thinking with your feet? There's no way that jerk likes me!" Oh my god, open your eyes and look!! That jerk likes you! He likes you! Ger likes youyyyy! I want to grab you, shake you hard, and yell in your face: "He likes you, you idiot!!"

 

"Well, I see you two talking to each other all the time, and he often mentions you to me too."

"How many times?"

"Not much, but you did talk."

"Damn, that's true."

 

But Tiger keeps mentioning you morning, noon, afternoon, night, and even before he goes to sleep!!!

 

"I think he’s acting like he already has a boyfriend. So many people are trying to woo him, and he’s rejecting them all. I asked him why he doesn't try getting to know someone, and he said he doesn't want to. I think he probably has someone in his heart, and that person is probably you."

"How could this be... Why me?" I clutched my head, my brain aching. How on earth did they conclude it was me? Didn't they question themselves at all?

 

Actually, it's understandable that Nao didn't realise it, because Tiger is incredibly timid. He wouldn't even dare buy food as a gift in person, let alone give it to him directly...

 

"Seriously. Maybe he really likes you."

"No way."

"Are you sure?"

“…”

"See, you're not even sure anymore."

HE LIKES YOU!!!

 

"That's why I wanted to talk to you about this."

"Okay, go ahead."

"I'm not forcing you, but... Ger is the kind of person who, when he likes someone, likes them a lot. That's why I want..."

"Want?"

"I want you to try opening up to him and see what happens."

"Damn."

"I know you're starting to develop feelings for Johan."

"Wait, wait."

"Really? Otherwise, we wouldn't be so close. But... think about Ger for a moment. We've been friends since high school, so I don't want to see him sad. Besides, he's a good person."

 

Tiger must be crying his eyes out.

I'm completely stuck in this friend zone.

 

"Maybe I'm being too nosy?" Nao said sadly. I wanted to yell, "Yeah! You're being incredibly nosy!" But I couldn't...

 

Damn, this friendzone thing is really… And Nao is making such a serious face, like he genuinely wants me to think about Tiger.

 

"That's not it. I understand you mean well."

 

"I'm good to all my friends too."

 

How heartbreaking… I don't know if Tiger feels the pain, but I feel it for him.

 

"But... he doesn't like me. Really."

"Why do you think so?"

"Well, I should be asking you that instead. Why do you think so? He doesn't like me. I'm telling you the truth. Believe me."

"Really? But I've noticed you two have been talking a lot lately. You even text and call each other in your room."

"We're friends."

"Tiger likes you, but you only see him as a friend? That's heartbreaking."

“...”

Yeah, that's heartbreaking.

"He doesn't like me. I can tell."

"Really?"

"Yeah, trust me."

"Should I go and discreetly ask him about it?"

"Don't be foolish. It's not a good idea." Don't crush their friend zone any further. You might end up becoming a real "crying tiger."

 

"So I misunderstood? I thought you had feelings for Johan… I was just afraid Ger would cry."

"Crying again?"

"Yeah. He may look strong, but he's actually very soft-hearted."

"Really?" I asked, raising my eyebrows, my scepticism evident. Someone like Tiger? The kind who breaks people's arms as easily as breaking toothpicks? "When did he cry?"

 

"At the graduation farewell ceremony, he said he missed his friends so much that he cried."

"Really?"

"Real."

"And then you didn't cry?"

"I'm almost in tears."

"Why aren't you crying?"

"I almost cried, but then a junior came up and confessed his feelings. I was too shy to cry that day, afraid of embarrassing myself in front of him."

"Really? What happened after they confessed their feelings for you?"

"I also tried talking to them for a while."

"Does Tiger know?"

"He knew that for sure."

"Did you tell him that?"

"Yeah."

"What did you say?"

"I told him I thought he was cute and that we might get to know each other seriously. I've grown up now, so I don't want a casual relationship."

 

Um...

I think that…

He wasn't crying because he missed his friends...

 

"And where has Tiger been all this time?"

"We talked for over a month, then he stopped contacting me completely. Probably because we lived far apart. I've already started university."

"Ah... I see."

 

That little boy is probably lying deep at the bottom of the sea right now…

 

"So, was I just being delusional?"

"That's definitely just wishful thinking. Let's not talk about this anymore." I was truly shocked. I couldn't take it anymore.

"Let me treat you to a meal."

"Wow, my friend is so rich."

"Go ahead and call as much as you want. Tiger gave me the money to cover your expenses."

"Okay, let's go!"

 

I looked at the person opposite me, beaming with joy at the prospect of getting a free meal, and all I could think was: Tiger, I can't help you anymore... All I can do is pray for you, my friend.

 

I ordered some snacks with Duen Nao. School ended early today, so I didn't feel like going back to the dorm to lie around.

 

"Why are your lips so swollen?" Nao looked up from his honey toast and asked me. I forgot to cover my mouth, but how could I eat without taking off my mask?

 

"A bee sting."

"Damn."

"I'm telling the truth."

"No, but a bee stung your mouth?"

"Yes, why?"

"That's ridiculous. I've been stung by bees before, but it didn't swell up like this."

"That one only pricked lightly."

"Ah, a light prick because it doesn't get much exercise, right?"

"That's right, I called the bees to practice stinging this morning, but this one refused to go, so now its stinging is very weak."

"Haven't you practised stinging enough?"

"YES."

"Idiot. Seriously, what's wrong with you?"

"Well, it was a bee sting."

"Still not stopping? Or should I sting you instead of the bees?"

"He's so fierce," I said because Nao was cornering me too much 😭

"Damn it, I'm not saying anything. Even if you tried to pry my mouth open with a crowbar, I wouldn't say anything!"

"Trying to hide something but ending up revealing it. There are just some things that can't be said."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Did Johan kiss you?"

“…”

"Oh my god, I just guessed it, and it actually came true?"

"When did I say it was right?"

"You look so suspicious. Oh my God, you kissed already???" Nao's eyes widened in surprise, as if he couldn't believe his own words. It was useless for me to deny it now.

"Can't you just not say anything?"

"But I want to know."

"Mind your own business!"

"So, you two are a couple now?"

"Not yet."

 

"Oh, and what about the kiss?"

"Well... damn it, what can I do? The thing I asked you this morning was, what should you do if someone won't listen to you?" I said, then took a big gulp of cold cocoa to cool down the anger inside me.

 

"Really? You mean you were forced?"

“…It wasn’t that bad. He said that if I really forbade it seriously, he wouldn’t do it.” I’m telling the truth, even though I feel embarrassed saying it.

 

"So you agree?"

"Not exactly... but if I did it... I wouldn't feel bad about it."

 

"Ah... so you have feelings for him, right? And he probably wouldn't be messing with you."

"He said he... likes me," I whispered the last part. Every time I have to talk about these things, I feel incredibly embarrassed.

 

"Oh my god, it's so straight, like a ruler. I'm even embarrassed by it. And why do you like it—can we say you like it?"

"As for me… I’ve opened up quite a lot."

 

"Why did you open up?"

"He treated me well... very well. It's human nature to be touched by someone who treats you well, right?"

 

"If the person is really good, then that's fine... but it's clear you have feelings for him too, otherwise you wouldn't have let him do that," Duen Nao said, his expression thoughtful.

"I believe if you didn't feel anything, you wouldn't let it go."

 

He's absolutely right. Like when Day kissed me, I felt truly disgusted.

 

"Johan said that if you forbid him, he won't do it, right?"

"Yeah, roughly so."

 

"So it's clear he's paying attention to your feelings, right? If you didn't agree, he wouldn't do it."

"Probably."

 

"But kissing you until your lips are bruised like that is really something… Right there?" Duen Nao pointed to the edge of my lower lip.

 

"Calling it cruel might be a more accurate description."

"To be honest, someone like you can't be wooed in the usual way."

 

"What's up?"

"You keep thinking you're not thinking anything at all, and then you slowly push people away. You never pay attention to anyone, you never let your empty mind contain them, but with Johan, it's different. See? You can't stop thinking anymore."

 

"Really? So you call that 'sacking' me?"

"Yeah, I'm the one who's trying to woo you!"

"What kind of sawing technique is that?!"

 

While chatting with Duen Nao, I suddenly remembered Pan – the girl who had said she would call me back. Pan was incredibly persistent, so if I hadn't been so traumatised by Day's incident, I probably would have gone back to working with her. Even though Day has left... It was a big lesson for me: I should be more protective of myself. While I was still racking my brain trying to figure out how to refuse Pan…

And then, at that very moment, the call actually came.

I took a deep breath to compose myself, then pressed the listen button.

 

"Yes, Pan, it's... I really don't want to do it anymore. I'm sorry, sir. No matter how many times you call me, it won't make a difference..."

 

(Yeah, honey. I just called to say it's okay, you don't need to come anymore.)

 

"Huh? Why is it so easy this time?"

(That's how it is.)

"Didn't the shop owner say anything?"

(Uh... to be honest, you got fired.)

"Huh? He's kicking me out?"

(Okay, no need anymore. Bye then.)

“…Yes…” Before I could finish my sentence, Pan hung up.

What the hell is this?

Oh well, that's fine too. Let me let Johan know first.

North♣︎: Brother, they said I got fired.
North♣︎: I'm shocked.

(Read)

 

Johan: Really?
North♣︎: Yes, at first, they wouldn't let me take time off. But now they're saying I've been fired.
Johan: Is that good?
North♣︎: It's good. I'm not being 'bought' anymore, haha.
Johan: Hmm.
Johan: That's good then.

.…….

MaPrang: Jo.
MaPrang: “What’s all that paperwork you sent?
MaPrang: Buying another shop?
MaPrang: Buying a bar this time?
Johan: Yes.
MaPrang: “That’s enough. How much do you plan to buy?”

MaPrang: You're not planning on buying any more shops, are you?
Johan: Yes, I am.
Johan: I want a cafe and a Japanese restaurant.