West: The Sun From Another Star

While everyone was still sitting and playing together, I went outside when I heard the rain, and after a while, it got heavier, like a storm was coming. Mew, sitting next to me, moved closer, causing me to turn and look at it. It seemed like it didn't realise it had automatically moved closer to me. Mew is very afraid of thunder and darkness, and both of those things often come together on rainy days. When it rains heavily, thunder and lightning will come, and the power will go out.

!!

Thunder and lightning roared, causing Mew to immediately jump and hug me tightly. Both my hands were trembling. At that moment, Mew's boyfriend stood up, picked Mew up, and sat down to comfort her. I watched the heart warming scene for a while before turning away, realising I was being impolite.

 

"Phi Phung Tai!"

"What?"

"Are you afraid of anything?"

"Why are you suddenly asking that?"

"Just curious. You look like you don't care about anything in the world."

"I'm not telling," I replied. "If I do, North will definitely tease me about it."

"Why are you thinking so negatively?" North pouted, looking quite displeased. "You know I'm afraid of ghosts, yet you still like to tease me by telling ghost stories."

"Hey, aren't you into ghost stories? I had to listen to tons of ghost shows to pick out the scariest ones to tell you!" I said, very seriously. There was a time when North was obsessed with ghost stories, addicted to listening to them. But he often complained that none of them was scary, so I helped him listen along.

 

"Yeah, I think so too. Everything you tell is amazing. But hey, why don't you use 'you' and 'I' with me anymore?"

"Do you want me to call you that?"

"There was a time you used 'you' and 'me' (informal pronouns), then suddenly you switched to 'we' or 'us,' it sounded so polite I couldn't get used to it. Seriously!" North said, making me laugh; I couldn't help but find him adorable.

"Really, Mr North?" I deliberately teased him, which only made North more annoyed.

"Just call me North!"

"Don't force him," Ter interjected. I turned to look at him. "Because he's never been used to using foul language. Asking him to change now sounds a bit strange, and honestly, I'm not used to it either."

"Why didn't you say that before?" North wondered. "Or is your family so strict that they don't allow you to say those kinds of words?"

"No, that's not it." I shook my head slightly. "It's just that I don't use it. Actually, if I wanted to, I could have said it."

"Let's give it a try!"

"That damn North!"

"That's not right," North shook his head. "It doesn't sound right at all. You're cursing in such a gentle tone, like you're being hit in the face with flowers instead of being cursed at. You need to be more aggressive."

"Really? That's terrible. Maybe I should try saying it more often; it'll probably work better that way."

"Don't even try!" Ter interrupted, sighing, "Just be yourself. Why would you suddenly want to imitate North's rudeness?"

"Oh, by the way... are things okay with your ex?"

"It's alright," I nodded. "As long as Uncle Jeon is here, I have the motivation to keep going."

"Wow, you're so determined," North teased. "But hey, there's something I want to tell you."

"What is it?"

"This is what my friend reminded me of when I was planning to talk to my ex: Don't forget what they did to you. Don't forget how much pain and sadness you felt."

 

“Um… honestly, I don’t even know if I can forgive them anymore. I don’t know.” I sighed a little as I tried to remember everything. “I’m so angry, really angry at what they did. Not just that person, but the friend who betrayed me, too. Now they’re apologising, but do they know how terrible I was back then?”

 

“…”

"I was incredibly sad at the time, my spirits plummeted. So now I'm slowing down..."

"Reduce the size of those damn pants!"

 

North burst out laughing, and Ter laughed just as hard. Their laughter made me laugh too.

"What the hell? I was being serious, I thought you were going to tell me something really important!"

"Is that 'slowdown' just now okay?" I asked.

"Okay, that's exactly the lesson my teacher taught me," North said, patting me on the shoulder so hard it hurt.

 

"No way, Dao. It's not good for Dao to pull these stunts," Ter said, shaking her head, though still laughing uncontrollably. "Just North alone is enough. He's a real mood killer; he looks so serious at first."

"Stop laughing, North. I don't even find this funny," I said when I saw North laughing hysterically, even falling backwards.

"I laugh so easily, you have to give me more time!" North said, trying to wipe away tears from his still unfinished laughter. "The funny thing is, you're playing this game with such a serious face."

"Why do you laugh so easily, North?"

"I don't know. It just happens. Everything seems funny. I once sat watching birds and laughed for an hour." North's words made me frown; I couldn't understand.
"Looking at birds? What's so funny about that?"

"Birds are really funny. They have some ridiculously strange behaviours. Just sit and observe them, and you'll see."

"Okay, I'll try looking at birds when I have some free time," I replied.

"Don't ever do that, Dao. I think it's a waste of time. Don't believe anything he says."

"You always get in my way, don't you?" North turned to look at Ter with a displeased expression.

 

════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

 

~Arthit~

On a night of torrential rain, at around 3 a.m., at my usual coffee shop, I passed away peacefully at the age of 22. I almost died of exhaustion from studying twice, but I came back to life to continue because otherwise I would definitely have failed the subject.

Has my life reached a point where I have to sacrifice my life for grades? Damn it!

Don't even mention me; Fah and Hill are giving up, too. I remember back in their freshman year, no matter how good they were, they didn't have to study to the point of death like this. Now, even if they study until their eyes ache, they still can't get it right. How incredibly difficult is this subject? It's unbelievably hard, so difficult that it's not even meant for human study anymore.

 

Why didn't I realise it and withdraw earlier in my freshman year? Now I'm in my fourth year, and it's too late to turn back. Initially, I only intended to study medicine because I mentioned it to my mother when I was little. But now I think she understands, right? She understands. Actually, she didn't force me back then; it was just me who was stubborn.

 

Why be so stubborn, Thit? If only I had listened to Direk from the beginning, things would have been fine. Direk warned me that studying medicine was extremely difficult, but I refused to listen. At the time, I just thought, "It'll be alright, I can handle it!" What the hell am I supposed to endure? I'm about to die! You idiot!

 

"Fah? Huh, where did Fah go?" I looked up to find Fah had disappeared from the table.

"He's with Phoon," Jo replied. I looked around the room and saw Fah sitting in the corner, studying and hugging his wife. They seemed to be living in their own world. How incredibly affectionate they were!

"What about Hill?"

"There it is."

“I have something I want to ask you,” I said, then stood up and sat down in Fah’s seat next to Hill. Then Hill began to explain to me. Actually, we learned this way: Fah taught me, and Hill taught Jo. Their explanations were also different.

 

“I understand now," Fah explained further, while Jo found Hill's explanation easier to grasp.

 

Another half hour passed, and we started to feel overwhelmed. "Overwhelmed" here means we were on the verge of collapse. Not to mention the lack of sleep and the excessive mental strain. We were exhausted, and we had to go to the department again tomorrow. Damn it, and with all these exams piling up like this, it's killing us!

Time to go home.

Looking out the window, it was still raining incessantly and showed no sign of stopping; it would probably rain until next year. We started packing our things.

"Mr Thit," Jo's wife called me.

"What's wrong?"

"Could you please help me take my friend home?"

 

"Huh?"

"Yeah, he lives in the same apartment building as you. He came by motorbike, but it's raining heavily right now."

"Yeah, yeah," I replied casually, then went downstairs with them, and we all headed to the parking lot. The kid with the blue hair from the next room didn't say anything, just silently followed me.

"Do you know how to drive?"

“…?”

"Answer me."

"Know."

"Drive for me, I'm so tired."

 

I handed him the keys, and he took them blankly. Without waiting for him to say anything more, I opened the driver's side door and climbed in. I was really tired at that point; it wasn't that I couldn't drive, but if I could, I just wanted to sleep. I adjusted the seat to a comfortable position and prepared to lie down.

"Drive carefully, my car isn't cheap," I said. Actually, I really love my car, because I enjoy modifying and driving it, but I'm not so obsessed with it that I won't let anyone touch it. I have quite a few cars, so it's not that important, just don't use it to hit someone. Everyone would get into trouble for that.

"YES.”

 

════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

 

I looked at the owner of the black sports car, somewhat confused. He seemed to have easily dozed off in the passenger seat. Looking back at the keys in my hand, I got into the driver's seat before North came and knocked on the window. I rolled down the window and looked out.

"Why did he let you drive?"

"He said he was tired."

"Oh, so can you drive then?"

"Maybe."

"Be careful, Thit's car is very powerful, so go easy on it."

"YES."

"It's getting dark and raining, drive carefully."

"Okay, see you later."

“See you later,” North replied. I rolled up my window and saw North return to her boyfriend’s car as usual. I slowly adjusted my seat and mirrors to my liking, fastened my seatbelt securely, and started the engine. Before driving, I never forget to turn on some music. I connect my phone to the car and select a playlist that I usually listen to while driving.

After putting on my favourite song, I started driving and realised the car was just as powerful as North had warned. At first, I was a little nervous, but then I got used to it. I still drove at around 30-40 km/h because it was raining and dark, so there was no need to drive fast.

Although I was still a little confused, driving and listening to my favourite music on a deserted road in the rain wasn't bad at all. No, it wasn't just bad, I really liked it.

"What music is that?"

“…” 

I didn’t answer the question. He seemed to have just woken up and wasn’t very happy. Or maybe he didn’t like the music I was playing?

"Want to trade?" I asked. After all, it was his car.

"No need."

"Ah."

"I'm just surprised, it's an old song, I didn't think anyone would still listen to it."

"Do you know?"

"Yeah," he replied, then shifted slightly and went back to sleep. I was surprised he said he knew the song, even though it was old. I continued driving, letting the gentle music blend with the sound of the rain outside the window.

Initially, I thought turning right ahead would lead me to the apartment building, but I unexpectedly got lost. This made me realise I had taken the wrong route. Perhaps it was because I rarely drive at night. I pulled over to the side of the road and used my phone to find my way back to the apartment building.

"Are we there?" the person sitting next to me asked, opening his eyes. Perhaps because the bus had stopped, he thought we'd arrived. But when he looked around and saw we hadn't, he was surprised.

 

"Where are we?"

"I'm lost."

"Huh, what?"

"Do you know the way?"

He didn't answer, just adjusted his seat and leaned back, rubbing his face vigorously as if trying to wake himself up.

"Go around to the front."

"Okay." That's all I replied, then put the phone down and continued driving. "Don't fall asleep, give me directions first," I said that because I wasn't familiar with the roads here, and it would be very difficult without someone to guide me.

"You're driving too slowly," the person sitting next to him complained. "Oh my God, 40 km/h! I've never driven this slow before."

"Yeah."

"Let me drive, or we'll never get there in our lifetime."

"Are not."

"Huh?"

I didn't say anything more. The reason I didn't let him drive was that I thought it would be too dangerous. Looking at his condition, I thought it looked a bit risky. Besides, he was driving too fast. I used to say I wasn't afraid of dying or something, but now I don't think that way anymore. I forgot that I still have Uncle Jeon, so I can't die, absolutely not.

I drove to the U-turn and turned back onto the old road.

“Turn left at the second traffic light.” That’s all he said, then he fell back asleep. Finally, I drove back to the apartment building. It took quite a while, but the rain still hadn’t stopped. I parked the car downstairs and woke the person next to me.

"We've arrived," I said.

 

He slowly opened his eyes, opened the car door, and stepped out. Then, we took the elevator up to the seventh floor and into the room. I quickly took a shower and went to bed, preparing to welcome Uncle Jeon in a few hours.

 

I woke up early, excited to know that Uncle Jeon would be visiting. I tidied my room and waited. Dad called to say he was coming soon, which only made me more nervous. Soon after, there was a knock on the door, and I quickly opened it.

 

"Hello," the man at the door said with a smile. I looked up at him and smiled back, rushing to give him a gentle hug out of longing. I glanced at the box in my father's hand and immediately took it.

Uncle Jeonnnnnnnnn~

I looked at Jeon in the box, walked into the room, and put the box down. I opened the lid to take Jeon out. I didn't pay much attention when he sat down on the floor next to me.

"Uncle Jeon, are you tired from your journey?" I asked softly, watching Uncle Jeon slowly step out of the box and look around the room. "This is our new room. I bought it so Uncle Jeon could live with me."

"Have you forgotten about Dad?" Dad asked. I turned to look at him. I was used to speaking English with Dad because he wasn't very good at Thai. "Uncle Jeon has gained half a kilo."

 

"Was it Dad or Uncle who made Mr Jeon gain weight?" I asked.

"It's Phai, Dad doesn't have time," Dad replied. Phai is my uncle's name. Dad usually calls him by his first name, just like my uncle, who only calls Dad by his first name. And rightly so, since they're partners.

"How many days will Dad be in Chiang Mai?"

"Two or three days. Do you have any restaurants you'd like to recommend? I'd like to try the food here."

"I rarely eat out. Dad, you should try to find something yourself."

"She's refusing to eat again," Dad started complaining. "Just like Phai, why won't she listen to anyone?" Dad said, then got up and walked around my room. I noticed Mr Jeon again. Mr Jeon is so gentle.

"It's really spacious, and tall too," Dad said, his hand touching the bathroom door. "You'd almost hit your head on it."

"Dad always seems to have a problem with his height, doesn't he?" I said. Because Dad is very tall, and Uncle is also tall, but when he's next to Dad, Uncle looks a little smaller.

As I mentioned, Dad is British. If you ask about his appearance or personality, I think he's very handsome and has a great demeanour. Dad goes to the gym and has a branch in Thailand. My uncle is a legal consultant specialising in business-related issues and transaction verification. Dad works in software system design, leading the software team at a large company.

 

I told everyone about my dad having a new boyfriend, a man. We talked about family, and I felt comfortable sharing. Everyone said it was sweet. I don't care what other people think of my family, but if they don't find it strange, I'd be very grateful because my aunt is quite sensitive.

 

If you ask about my mother, she also married a good man. My mother and father divorced because they understood that their love couldn't continue, but they are both still good parents. Although each has started a new life with someone else, my mother and father still keep in touch to take care of me.

 

I chose to live with my dad when my parents divorced because I wanted to be with him and thought it might be difficult for my mom to live with her new family if she took me along. I lived with my dad for a long time, until my uncle came along. I know my dad must have been very worried during that time, afraid that I wouldn't accept him having a new boyfriend. But when we opened up and talked, everything worked out. I respected my dad's love, opened my heart to my uncle as a part of my life, and eventually, he became another dad in my life. He's a wonderful, kind dad who loves me like his own child.

 

Dad recounted that he first met the man in a café in central London. They happened to sit near each other, and Dad immediately realised he only had a few minutes to strike up a conversation before he wouldn't have another chance. Initially, the man didn't like Dad at all. He refused, saying he already had a son. But eventually, after a year, he softened his stance.

 

This story sounds quite romantic. It's about first love at first sight in a London café one morning, when the place was full of people. It's strange, though, despite the many people in the café, why was he the first person Dad saw at first sight, even though Dad had had the chance to see so many people in such a big city?

“Michael,” Dad called. I told Dad my name was Michael because, as I’d mentioned before, that’s how I usually introduce myself to people, and it was easier to pronounce.

 

"Yes?"

"Should I say that Khram is about to return?"

"Oh, yes. Is there anything I can help with?"

"Dad doesn't believe it."

"…Yes."

 

"Yes, Phai already told you, right? That you shouldn't go alone when you meet him?"

"Yes."

 

"Are you sure you'll go with your friend?"

"Not you… but the person in the next room, we have a little deal," I said, and my words made Dad frown slightly.

 

"Ah."

"What's wrong?"

 

"I'll go to California if I have some free time, maybe in about a month, during the summer break."

"Going on a trip?"

 

"No, that's an agreement with the guy in the next room, I'm just going to help him out a bit." I tried to explain, "Dad knows I can communicate with spirits, right? Like with the dead."

 

"Ah, yes, I know."

"Please help him find his deceased mother."

 

"Hmm, surely we can trust that person, right?" Dad asked, his face showing worry again. That's not surprising, since Dad doesn't believe in spirits or ghosts.

 

"California? Why there?"

"That's his hometown."

 

"Where? LA or San Francisco?"

"I don't know, and I didn't ask."

"Remember to ask. Dad knows you can take care of yourself, but Phai will probably be worried. Do you understand?"

 

"Yes," I nodded, "I'll tell you later."

 

I sat in the room playing with Uncle Jeon and chatting happily with Dad like old friends. Dad sat in the room waiting for lunchtime.

 

════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

 

I woke up with difficulty to the alarm clock. It felt like I'd only just fallen asleep, but I already felt a little more awake as my body adjusted. I got out of bed, took a shower, and got dressed. But as I was packing up to leave, I realised my car keys from yesterday were missing. Where did it go?

 

Ah, I remember now, last night… no, early this morning, I asked the green-haired kid from the next room to drive me, and he even got lost. How could he get lost? There's only one road. But he drove very smoothly, maybe because he drove slowly. I dozed off the whole trip, but not to the point of falling into a deep sleep; I just woke up occasionally when the car stopped or the song changed. Another thing is that the songs he plays while driving are all songs I like. I enjoy classical music and don't often meet people who listen to that genre, so I was a little surprised to meet someone who enjoys the same music as me, especially the songs I often listen to. And another genre I like is indie rock.

 

I stopped by and knocked on his door to ask for the car keys before heading to the department. Shortly after, the door opened, but the person who opened it wasn't someone I knew, which surprised me a little. Judging by their build, they definitely weren't Thai, and they were about my height. Oh, what should I say? And what's that kid's name?

 

"What can I do for you?" the person in front of me asked in English with a genuine British accent. Just as I was about to answer, another voice interrupted.

 

"Dad, who is it?" Then the green-haired boy came out, carrying a cat in his arms. He looked at me standing in the doorway, "Ah, the key, right?"

 

"YES."

 

"Sorry, I was too tired yesterday and forgot to return it," he said, then went to get the keys and gave them to me. I took them and was about to go outside. Dad?

Moreover, he was British, wasn't he?

Is he mixed race? Then he must be the father...

Is "Dad" just another way of saying "father"?

Hey, never mind, it's not a small matter, this kid isn't simple.