Only Friends: Dream On.

The soft crunching sound of Raffy eating Korean corn dogs echoed as he happily munched on the snack amidst the warm afternoon sun of Siam Square. Rome, walking beside him, sighed softly and handed Raffy a tissue. Raffy had just helped Rome get a DJ gig at the annual Siam Square festival; his fee was in the high tens of thousands, so they needed to celebrate.

 

"Can you eat something to maintain your celebrity son's image?" Rome's voice was tinged with laughter. It seemed like a joke, which made Raffy glare at him.

 

"Are you hitting on my insecurities?"

 

"What's so bad about being a celebrity's child...?" Rome was completely bewildered before changing the subject. "Are you going to go back to school? You graduated from the drama faculty a long time ago."

 

"I was planning to go back soon, but I'm not sure. I'll be your full-time manager. It might be more successful than studying."

 

"What the hell are you talking about? Don't you dare drop out of school because of me, okay? Your mom will kill me if she finds out," Rome said, making a terrified face. "But if you come back to school, you'll be okay, right? Because I'm not sure if people in the faculty will still be gossiping about you."

 

Raffy shrugged indifferently. "Let them think whatever they want. I've done everything I can. I can't control their thoughts. No one else can do it."

"And what if you run into Jack again?" Rome asked secretly, feeling worried. Raffy smiled knowingly. "I don't know. If you keep hesitating and dragging your feet, I might go back to him."

 

"You idiot!!"

 

Before the conversation could finish, a group of teenagers, led by a man dressed in Y2K style, approached. The outspoken one rushed in with a portable microphone in his hand.

 

"Handsome sir! Can we interview you?" The crew quickly surrounded the two. Rome looked at Ralph for a moment before they both nodded for the cameras to start filming. The crew handed Rome a microphone and began with a question that was both playful and serious.

 

"I'm going to ask some fun questions, but first...are you guys dating?" Rome answered immediately.

 

"No, we're just friends."

 

That answer made Raffy, who was standing next to him, chewing on a corn dog, roll his eyes. Before he could speak up, he interrupted immediately without any fear or anxiety.

 

"Yes."

 

"Huh? When did I become your boyfriend?"

 

"Maybe not now, but it will be soon," Raffy said with a straight face, unfazed. 

 

"Are you crazy?! We're not! We're just friends."

The team members exchanged glances, confused about what exactly was going on.

 

"So, is it a yes or a no?"

 

"No, we're friends."

 

Raffy snatched the microphone, then turned to speak directly into the camera.

"We won't be friends for much longer. Come for an interview next month. Soon we'll know who's telling the truth."

 

"You...."

 

"He used to flirt with me, but I wasn't interested back then. Now that I'm ready, he's playing hard to get. Look at him, everyone!" Raffy made a pleading face at the person next to him, "I've been pursuing you for so long. Will you finally give in?"

 

"Wow!" the interview crew exclaimed, creating excitement. The host waited anxiously to see how Rome would respond, but the young DJ quickly snatched the microphone back, speaking angrily to the camera, his ears turning red.

 

"I've got the answer."

 

"How's it going, brother?!"

 

Rome pulled off a build-up game, but ultimately shook his head in a teasing, feigned expression. I'm extremely disappointed.

 

"Well, I don't really like being in the media spotlight. I'd rather save this to answer the person next to me when I'm alone."

 

"Let's just do it together, just the two of us."

 

Rome returned the microphone to the crew, then put his arm around Raffy and left. The interview circle spoke softly, with a slightly hesitant tone.

 

"Don't talk so easily. If you're serious, you have to be patient. Raffy"

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Jack really wanted to throw a wrap-up party at the end of the term to let everyone get through their thesis crisis, but Timmy insisted he didn't want to wait. After all, they'd already secured sponsorship money, and being bedridden and unable to help himself for several days had left him craving beer.

 

Timmy chose an unexpected location: his father's amusement park. The kind father agreed to close off the activity area for a private celebration, and they even got the popular, busy DJ Rome to play for free. This left Timmy with plenty of money to spend on beer, liquor, and snacks.

 

The evening atmosphere inside the amusement park was incredibly beautiful. Many people gathered to take photos before the light faded. Some who were already drunk got up and danced wildly until Timmy limped over to the DJ booth, Rome turned down the music, and handed him the mic.

 

"Okay, okay, before I get drunk like a dog, I must ask permission to officially open the event and thank everyone who came today. On behalf of the elders, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has worked so hard, sacrificing sleep for our troupe's play. Let's give ourselves a round of applause!"

 

Loud applause erupted. The cast and crew of the Yoy Theatre Company gathered in front of the DJ booth, including Arnold, who had to use a cane to support himself because of his injured foot, with someone assisting him.

 

"But we wouldn't have been able to create such a wonderful theatrical performance together without him..."Please invite Jack, the director of 'Brutal Horror,' to come up and say a few words."

 

Jack walked out through the crowd, looking a little embarrassed. He took the microphone from Timmy. Then spoke to everyone.

 

"This play, we've been through so much together. Some people say the behind-the-scenes drama might even be more intense than the show itself," Jack joked, making the others burst into laughter. "Thank you guys so much. Timmy and I thought for a long time about throwing a celebratory party to thank everyone, but after the play ended, the atmosphere just wasn't right. But I'm so glad it's finally happening. Let's go all out! Consider this our final release before graduating and leaving the university to face real life and achieve our dreams."

 

The earlier uproar gradually faded, replaced by a profound silence. Everyone embraced their friends affectionately, offering each other support and encouragement. Some listening, openly shared tears, for they all knew that what Jack had said was an undeniable truth.

 

"Phu is rooting for all of you to succeed, my fellow fourth-year students and all the younger students. I've seen how strong you all are," Jack wished. "Remember, I'm always here to support you."

 

Dean, hiding in the swarm of fur, smiled. He looked at the person in front of him. He felt proud, and deep down, he wished Jack the same good luck.

 

"Thanks to you, too, DJ."

 

"Huh?" Rome pointed to himself, confused. "Why are you thanking me?"

 

"You're part of our theatre family too, you know. If it weren't for the sound engineer..."

 

"What you did couldn't have been this perfect. You're a true genius." Rome was stunned, unprepared for such direct praise from his older brother. He smiled awkwardly and shrugged playfully.

 

"Well, you're not the only talented one, are you?"

 

"But let's admit it, sometimes I'm better than you."

 

"Hey, you bastard!"

 

Jack laughed before handing the mic to the DJ, and then played an EDM track from his mix. The sounds of Rome erupted again, accompanied by the screams of the drunkards.

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"Where are you going? Let me help you."

 

"I'm just going to the bathroom. I can take care of myself," Arnold shook his head. He'd been clinging to him like a shadow for days. 

 

"Look at Timmy, he's even worse than me, but still dancing enthusiastically."

 

"If something else happens, the doctor will scold you."

 

"Trust me, I can take care of myself," Arnold emphasised again. "You've taken care of me enough already. And stop making that guilty face all the time. It makes me uncomfortable."

 

Hearing that, Tuo allowed Arnold to go to the restroom alone, but still kept a watchful eye on him until he disappeared from sight.

 

"Is Arnold alright?" A familiar voice rang out. Tua knew who it was without even turning around. Dean had his hands in his pockets, looking at his friend with a sad expression. Tua struck a pose before walking away to get a drink at the bar, but Dean still followed him.

 

"Are you really not going to talk to me at all?"

 

"You must have a lot of people to talk to, right?"

 

"Tua, why are you saying this?" The trembling voice made Tua stop. "I don't need anyone else. I need a friend, and you're my only close friend." Tua turned to face the speaker, only to see Dean’s face wet with tears, a pitiful sight, devoid of the dignified Prince of Fine Arts that he once possessed.

 

"I've already shown you my sincerity, but I understand that you've been hurt a lot because of me. But I don't want things to be like this between us. Phu misses you."

 

"Didn't you say things like this take time? You haven't rushed Jack yet."

 

"...For some things, it might be possible, but between you and me, it's been too long. I can't wait," Dean's voice was pleading. "I'd rather be a stranger to any number of people, but with you... to a friend, I can't imagine how I could endure it. I don't want us to be like this, because I know that soon we'll forget the feelings, the good memories we've shared. Until one day we'll walk past each other like we're invisible, looking into each other's eyes and seeing only emptiness, coldness, and no connection. I've been through that before, I understand. It hurts, you know."

 

"In my life, I've never asked anyone for forgiveness for something I didn't do, but I will."

 

"Just for you," Tua decided, walking towards the person in front of him. "If you still really think I betrayed you, or disappointed you deeply... please forgive me." Dean sobbed before hugging the person in front of him completely. This caused Tua to shed tears as well. He decided to hug back even tighter, stroking the trembling head and whispering words of comfort.

 

"It's okay...it's okay, Dean. It's perfectly fine. I'm here."

 

"Please forgive me, hmph."

 

"Didn't you insist you didn't do it?!" Tua wiped away his friend's tears. Without hesitation, he said, "Okay then, I believe you. Is that alright?"

 

"Thanks, Tua. *sniff*"

 

"You're my best friend too, Dean. Remember that."

"No," Dean tried to explain, "You're the friend who changed my life. Without you, I might not be who I am today. I'd rather lose anyone else than you. You're a part of my life now."

 

Dean and Tua embraced again, strengthening their once-fragmented friendship. They decided to forget the past, as if it had never happened. This wasn't forgiveness, but a new beginning, a step forward filled with smiles, leading to new memories that awaited them.

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At the front of the DJ booth, the high-energy music was still blasting! Throughout the amusement park's activity area at night, illuminated by colourful lights, Rome swayed to the rhythm in a good mood. His smile attracted the attention of many, including a younger girl who couldn't take her eyes off him. But before she could move closer to the DJ, Raffy blocked her way, his eyes glaring at her with displeasure, completely ruining Rome’s mood.

 

"Can you stop doing this already? Every time we go out, you two get completely drunk."

 

"This is going to ruin all the fun," Rome said in a low voice as Raffy, drunk, walked over to the DJ booth, looking at him with a weary expression.

 

"Haa-Mee, I'm your manager now, forgot?" Raffy grinned mischievously.

 

"If you don't screen the people who approach you first, they might end up doing something bad together."

 

"Cleaning up after them again."

 

"Are you sure?" Rome wanted to laugh. "It's not because you're jealous, is it?"

 

"Maybe."

 

"The only person who can be possessive of me is my Boyfriend," Rome smirked. "Right now, I'm single."

 

"The mountain has the right to have fun with whoever it wants."

 

"So when are you going to be my boyfriend? I've been pursuing you for so long, when will you finally get tired of you too?"

 

Rome coldly observed Raffy's defiant, irritated expression and thought to himself.

Just review it. Are you giving up already? Raffy is still sulking.

 

"I guess you and I will probably end up as lovers in our next life."

 

"Do you dare ask me to be your boyfriend in front of everyone?"

 

"What did you say?" Raffy, who hadn't expected the other person to say that.

 

"If you don't dare..." Rome threatened with his eyes, "Then don't even hope!" Raffy, who usually didn't like to gamble, finally reached for the DJ console and turned off the music. The whole party fell silent abruptly. All eyes turned sharply, frozen as if the world had stopped spinning. Raffy picked up the microphone and climbed onto the DJ booth, standing fearlessly in front of everyone, making Rome recoil and turn pale.

 

"Everyone, listen up. I have something to tell you," Raffy's voice boomed from the loudspeaker. "I've agreed to be Rome's boyfriend, starting from today."

 

The art students were all shocked. "You guys need to be witnesses to this love," Raffy said. Everyone was silent for so long that Raffy started to feel uneasy. Everyone stood still, as if their souls had left their bodies, until Timmy was the first to scream. The theatre producer snapped back to reality and was the first to applaud. 

 

"W-w-wow! Congratulations! May your love last forever!" Then came a chorus of teasing cheers from their friends who weren't really into the show.

This love too.

 

"It's your problem, guys."

 

"Now that you're done talking, play that stupid song!"

 

"Can we save the lovey-dovey moments for another time? We want to dance!" It turned out everyone was completely uninterested. Rome, seeing Raffy's stunned expression, burst into laughter, then picked up the music again and got everyone back on track. The fun atmosphere continued as normal, just like before.

 

"What the hell? They don't care about each other at all!" The celebrity's child was angry at their friends. However…

"But I care."

 

Raffy turned to look at Rome, raising his eyebrows high.

 

"Really"

 

"I didn't think you'd actually dare to do it."

 

"So, is that clear enough?" Raffy asked defiantly. "I'm putting my reputation on the line...All that effort has been building up since my first year, all for the humiliation I just experienced."

 

Rome chuckled softly before reaching out to help the other person who had climbed down from the DJ booth to stand beside him. The young DJ whispered in his ear, his voice louder than the music playing in the background.

 

"It's so clear... I'm your boyfriend now."

Raffy's face turned bright red, but Rome continued to tease him.

 

"But can you say it again? I want to record it to listen to when I miss you."

 

"No way!" Raffy tried to push him away, but Rome grabbed his arm, pulled him in, and kissed him openly in front of their friends for the first time. But it seems like someone actually cares about this relationship.

 

"Yikes! Holy shit! They're kissing, you guys!!" Timmy screamed in ecstasy, shaking his head and urging everyone around him to look. When everyone saw what happened, they all reacted exactly like Timmy. The two pulled away, bursting into laughter, before exchanging knowing glances. Still not satisfied, Rome grabbed Raffy and kissed him again, this time as lovers, with the DJ equipment—another important thing in their lives—as a witness... along with the dozens of eyes of their friends watching.

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Jack, smoking a cigarette, stood watching the Ferris wheel spin amidst the colourful lights. The thin night air created an atmosphere in the amusement park that made him feel a pang of emptiness in his chest. The young director saw couples holding hands, riding the Ferris wheel together, and all he could do was wish them long-lasting love.

 

"Jack...."

A voice called his name, so he turned to look. Dean was standing there with A smile and a face as bright as ever.

 

"Do you want to ride?" The Prince of Fine Arts pointed to the Ferris wheel. Jack paused, seemingly thinking for a long time, but finally nodded slightly. The two didn't speak until an attendant invited them to board a gondola while waiting in line. It was a plain white gondola, not as vibrant as the others that other couples had specifically chosen to create a romantic atmosphere for the evening. Dean raised an eyebrow when he caught sight of something reflecting the headlights on the person in front of him, then smiled faintly. "You're wearing our necklace again."

 

"Oh, yeah. When I saw it lying there, I just put it on."

 

"The other day, when I moved rooms, I found our mailbox," Dean said. The other person asked, "Do you remember?"

 

"I remember, but... are you really going to keep it?" the young director asked.

 

"I'm not sure," he said. "You can give it back to me if you don't want it anymore."

 

"Are you going to give me back the necklace?"

 

Jack glanced down at the necklace around his neck and thought, "No."

 

"Then I'll keep the mailbox too," Dean replied.

 

"I'm glad I got my Tua."

 

"Congratulations. To be honest, I didn't want to see you two arguing."

 

"And what about us?"

 

"Dean..."

 

"I just want to be sure, Jack." Dean’s voice was hoarse, then paused for a moment as if something was stuck in his throat. "I don't want to leave our feelings hanging. At least I'll know how to deal with myself." Jack felt a gentle squeeze in his heart. He wanted to reply, wanted to say something clear and get it over with, but was afraid...

He was afraid he might not be thinking enough. afraid that what he’d been reviewing in his head isn't good enough. afraid that the words that come out of his mouth will change everything. They are gone forever.

Fearing that their fond memories would become mere relics of the past, he chose the most appropriate answer for the situation. Jack took a deep breath before looking up and meeting Dean's gaze.

 

"So...how about we try being real friends again? I'll still be here, a friend who always wishes you well, someone who still feels happy every time you laugh, even if I'm not standing beside you like before."

 

Deaning paused for a long, seemingly endless moment, then finally smiled, nodding slowly, a mixture of acceptance, understanding, and a hint of relief in the eyes

 

"It would be great to be friends," the Prince of Fine Arts said, feeling pleased and proud of himself. I didn't cry hysterically like I initially thought. 

 

"It's good enough to be your friend; at least I didn't get killed or anything."

 

"Thank you for understanding. Thank you for all the time we've spent together. I'm confident. Our lives are more fun than any roller coaster at an amusement park."

 

"Yeah," Dean agreed with that. Go ahead and reread the synopsis of your next play.

 

"I can't take it anymore!"

 

"Thank you so much for still being in my life, Dean."

 

"I'll be your friend forever, Jack!"

 

The amusement park's fireworks lit up with a deafening roar, followed by a dazzling display of colours against the night sky. The two watched the fireworks from the Ferris wheel, the vibrant colours painting their faces like a work of art on a canvas, while their friends laughed in the activity area below. After a short while, Dean asked..."Do you remember what the fortune teller said, that we were soulmates?"

 

"I can remember"

 

"I don't think it's accurate," the Prince of Fine Arts wrinkled his nose. "Just now, for a split second, I thought I was going to get my fortune told, but then I changed my mind and decided against it. I'll just ask GPS via chat instead."

 

"Nonsense"

In that short time, their love transformed into the beautiful thing about a relationship called 'friendship'.