You(r) Tuber Vol 1.

12 Chop-khun and Fancy's First Meeting

 

'It's delicious.'

 

"Tsk," Tewit muttered with a scowl as he watched Chop-khun's latest video. The cameraman's voice grated on his nerves, and what annoyed him even more was how Chop-khun seemed slightly flustered, but still noticeable to Tewit. 

 

He'd disliked this cameraman ever since the Suan Phueng video. There was something between them, and he could feel it. That kitchen Chop-khun once wanted to practice baking for him there. Now, it was being used by someone else. That house, too, was designed with him in mind. He knew because he'd seen all the Post-it notes Chop-khun had stuck in his design notebook when he packed it away. 

 

They were so close to living together in that house, but he'd ruined everything with his own hands. All Tewit wanted to know was who this cameraman was and why he seemed so close to Chop-khun.

 

Tewit took off his headphones and glanced at someone who still kept in touch with his ex. Khim had recently posted an Instagram story with Chop-khun. Maybe she knew something.

 

"P'Khim, do you know who the cameraman for Chop-khun's channel is?" Tewit asked, walking over to her desk. The room had three or four other workstations occupied by team members, but Pluem wasn't there since he had his own full-time job.

 

"I don't know. How would I know?" Khim replied, her voice rising defensively as she paused her typing. She glanced at Tewit briefly before returning her focus to her screen.

 

"He never mentioned anything to you?"

 

"I've never talked to him about it. Why are you asking?" Khim's expression turned serious, curious about Tewit's sudden interest in Chop-khun again.

 

"Nothing. I'm just curious." Realising he wouldn't get an answer, Tewit began thinking of other ways to find out.

 

A small piece of paper with the alias IN my eyes written on it was placed on the desk of the channel's cameraman.

 

"Tae, find out who uses this alias," Tewit instructed.

 

"IN my eyes? Doesn't ring a bell, P'Te," the young man with glasses replied after reading the name. "Ask your friends. Maybe someone knows."

 

"Got it," Tae replied.

 

[2 AM]

 

A black planner with a crescent moon and tiny stars on the cover lay open on a light wooden desk. Chop-khun smiled in satisfaction as he looked at the calendar page. Most of the tightly packed schedule for the month had been crossed out in black ink. He picked up a marker and crossed off another task he'd just completed, which was a drawing project. Only two more tasks remained. His freedom was near!

 

This month's schedule had been overwhelming, unlike the empty calendar for the next month. For the past three or four days, Chop-khun had been staying up until morning, turning into a walking zombie. It reminded him of his university days, when he'd stay up all night to finish drawings for his professors. But his body wasn't the same anymore. Frequent sleepless nights were taking a toll on him. 

 

He decided to put aside drawing projects for now, wanting to rest his body and mind before he completely lost his passion for art. Somewhere along the way, he'd stopped enjoying drawing. Every time he picked up a brush, it was accompanied by stress and pressure to meet deadlines. His happiness came from crossing tasks off his to-do list rather than creating art. It was his own fault for taking on too much work, a valuable lesson he wouldn't repeat. 

 

With today's tasks completed, Chop-khun turned his attention to tomorrow's schedule. His brown eyes focused on the planner.

 

‘Meet Fancy at In's condo.'

 

That was what he'd written, along with a small doodle of a cat's head.

 

It'd been almost a week since Intouch had called to invite him to meet Fancy. Besides meeting the cat, they also planned to discuss ideas for their next video. The ASMR cooking video had been uploaded two days ago, but he hadn't checked the feedback yet. Now that he had time, he decided to take a look.

 

Chop-khun got up from his large work chair, grabbed his phone, and tapped on the latest video. He called Kati, who was chewing on a toy, to follow him to the living room. He flopped onto the soft sofa, placing Kati on his chest. With his left hand, he petted the small dog, while his right hand scrolled through the comments. 

 

‘I really love the colour tones and editing. Even though this video is simple, it's clear that a lot of thought went into it. It's smooth and easy on the eyes. The sound is pleasant too. This channel is one of my favourites: Keep it up!'

 

‘The sound makes me sleepy, but watching the video makes me hungry. I can't decide whether to eat or sleep first.'

 

'Looks yum! It'd be great if you could show how to marinate the meat and how to make the dipping sauce.'

 

‘Thank you for making another ASMR video. I usually can't sleep, but your voice helps me relax. I listen to it on repeat.'

 

'When's the next travel vlog? I can't wait!'

 

'Goshhhh. I'm blushing because of the cameraman's voice. I'm going nuts right now!’

 

'Awwwwww. The voice is so soothing. I fell asleep listening to your voice.'

 

'Next time, can you tell us stories while drawing?'

 

As he read through the comments, he found both helpful suggestions and heartwarming compliments. But there were also a few that made him frown.

 

‘What's with the whispering? Why not speak normally? It's so annoying.'

 

‘I don't get these kinds of videos. It's just silly.'

 

Chop-khun usually welcomed constructive criticism, but comments like these, which appeared occasionally, didn't bother him much. He considered them rude. Everyone had the right to like or dislike something, but there should be boundaries when expressing opinions. Besides, he'd clearly labelled the video and its description. If you don't like it, why click on it in the first place?

 

Chop-khun shook his head, scrolling through more comments. But as he read the latest one, his phone slipped from his hand and hit his face.

 

"Ouch! That hurts!" he exclaimed, wincing. Kati, startled by his cry, tilted his head and looked at Chop-khun as he rubbed his sore lip. 

 

‘Oh my, feeding each other again? So cute! We heard the cameraman's voice this time. Will we see his face next time? P.S. Someone's blushing. :) '

 

It was the same commenter as last time. This person was really good at teasing. Come to think of it, he should talk to Intouch about this comment. If Intouch knew people thought they were a couple, he might feel uncomfortable.

 

Glancing at the clock, which was nearing 3 AM, Chop-khun stood up, carrying Kati against his chest, and headed upstairs to his bedroom. He couldn't afford to stay up any later since he had to drive to Intouch's condo early in the morning. With tomorrow being a weekday, traffic would undoubtedly be terrible. He'd have to wake up early to buy a few things on the way.

 

After mentally planning his day, he touched his slightly swollen lips. It hurts! Next time he read comments, Chop-khun swore he wouldn't lie down like that again.

 

The sound of honking and the chaos of morning traffic jolted him awake. Chop-khun had expected the usual rush-hour congestion but hadn't anticipated being stuck in a complete standstill. Thankfully, he'd allowed plenty of time and arrived at Intouch's downtown condo right at 10 AM. His silver Benz was parked on the fifth floor of the garage, and he stepped out with his hands full of items.

 

His brown eyes scanned the parking lot for the person he was meeting. Soon, he spotted Intouch approaching in long jeans and a plain white T-shirt that fit his body like a glove. His jet-black hair, unstyled, fell slightly over his face.

 

"Morning. Need help carrying anything?" Intouch asked, noticing the tiredness in Chop-khun's eyes, though his bright smile remained.

 

"Morning, In. Here, this is for you," Chop-khun said, handing him an iced Americano first, followed by a tote bag. "And this is for Fancy."

 

"Thanks. You didn't have to," Intouch said, accepting both items.

 

"It's no trouble. Let me treat you for once, or I'll feel bad."

 

Intouch nodded. "Alright. Let's head up. It's hot here."

 

Inside the private elevator, now brightly lit, Intouch noticed Chop-khun's slightly swollen lip as he reached to press the button for the 30th floor.

 

"What happened to your lip?" he asked, curious.

 

"Oh, this?" Chop-khun touched his lip lightly. "I accidentally dropped my phone on it."

 

"Did it split?"

 

"No, luckily it's just a little swollen."

 

Chop-khun sipped his iced chocolate, recalling the reason for the phone accident. Deciding to address it, he turned to Intouch.

 

"Have you read the comments?"

 

"I have."

 

"All of them?" Chop-khun glanced at his typically stoic face.

 

"Almost all. Why?" Intouch asked, sipping his coffee and meeting Chop-khun's gaze. Seeing Intouch waiting for an explanation, Chop-khun rubbed the back of his neck and looked down. 

 

"Well, I saw a comment that thought we, um..." He gestured between them with his finger.

 

"..are boyfriends?" Intouch continued the sentence, breaking the silence when he noticed Chop-khun hesitating to finish his thought. It seemed Intouch had seen the comment too. Chop-khun, who'd been avoiding eye contact, finally looked up again.

 

"Yeah. Does it make you uncomfortable? If so, I can explain it to the viewers," Chop-khun offered sincerely. Even though it was just one person misunderstanding, he was ready to address it if Intouch felt uneasy.

 

"Not at all. Are you uncomfortable?"

 

"No, I'm not. I'm just worried it might bother you," Chop-khun replied. He wanted Intouch to feel completely at ease working with him.

 

"Don't worry. It doesn't bother me at all."

 

Before they could continue, the private elevator doors opened. As they stepped out, Chop-khun noticed a small hallway with only one door, Intouch's apartment. Across from the door was a shoe cabinet and a row of large Star Wars Bearbrick figures neatly lined up. Following Intouch into the apartment marked 3001, the first thing Chop-khun noticed was how spacious it was. The condo felt more like a house. The decor was simple, with dark tones that didn't feel gloomy, likely thanks to the furniture choices and the natural light streaming in through the large glass windows, giving the space a warm atmosphere. 

 

In front of Chop-khun was a high-ceilinged living room adjacent to a massive glass window that offered a clear view of the city and sky. To the left was a staircase leading to the second floor, and beneath the loft was a glass-enclosed workspace. Through the glass, Chop-khun could see why the room was sealed off. It had a desk, shelves filled with cameras and lenses of various models, and other neatly arranged equipment.

 

"That's Fancy," Intouch said. Chop-khun followed his finger and saw a cream-colored Siamese kitten with light brown spots. She looked friendlier than in the photos Intouch had sent. The kitten was drinking from a cat fountain. The area under the stairs was clearly Fancy's domain, complete with a cat condo, various toys, and wall-mounted climbing structures. It seemed like a dedicated zone for the kitten, with items Chop-khun couldn't even identify.

 

"How old is Fancy?"

 

"Six months."

 

"Younger than Kati, huh? Can I play with her? Will she bite?"

 

"You can. She's not aggressive, but it's better to let her get used to you first." Intouch sat down on the light brown carpet in the living room, leaning against a large black sofa bed. 

 

The kitten, having finished drinking, ran toward her owner but paused upon noticing the unfamiliar guest. Tentatively, she approached Chop-khun, sniffing him curiously before retreating to rub against Intouch again. Chop-khun couldn't help but find her behaviour adorable.

 

"She's probably starting to recognise Kati's scent on me, but she's not familiar with you yet. Try this," Intouch said, handing Chop-khun a cat teaser. Chop-khun took the stick and dangled the feathered end in front of the kitten. Fancy couldn't resist the lure, pouncing and chasing it around, her little bottom wiggling with excitement.

 

Wearing a white rolled-up shirt and brown chino shorts, Chop-khun knelt on the floor, waving the stick back and forth. His eyes crinkled with joy as the kitten stood on her hind legs, batting at the toy with her front paws.

 

"In, she's so cute," Chop-khun said, his gaze fixed on the playful kitten. Intouch, meanwhile, watched Chop-khun with the same intensity. 

 

"Yes, she is," Intouch replied.

 

"I get it now. I understand why you're such a cat person. But when will Fancy let me touch her? Chop-khun finally looked up at Intouch after playing for a while, still unable to pet the kitten.

 

"She probably needs to see you more often. You might have to come here regularly."

 

Chop-khun nodded. "I think so too. Maybe next time, she'll let me pet her."

 

Intouch smiled faintly at his response. After some more playtime, Fancy darted into a round device under the stairs.

 

"What's that?" Chop-khun asked, curious about the kitten sitting inside it.

 

"An automatic litter box."

 

"Oh, that's neat," Chop-khun noted how clean the apartment smelled. There wasn't even a hint of pet odour, and the air was pleasantly fresh. He suddenly remembered the toy he'd brought for Fancy and wondered if she already had something similar, given how well-equipped Intouch's kitten seemed to be.

 

"I brought a flopping fish toy for her. Has she ever played with one?"

 

"Not yet."

 

"Let's see if she likes it." Chop-khun got up to unbox the toy and placed it on the floor.

 

"Fancy, come play! P'Khun brought you a toy. Look, it moves! Meow, meow!"

 

Intouch chuckled at Chop-khun's attempt to mimic a kitten's meow. His sharp eyes watched as Chop-khun enthusiastically waved at Fancy, trying to get her attention. The kitten cautiously approached the new toy, her eyes locked on it like a predator stalking prey. She pounced, biting the fish's head and shaking it vigorously. Fancy likes my toy!

 

Chop-khun sat down, watching the kitten play for a while before slowly reaching out his hand.

 

"Wait, don't. She's still playing. She might bite you," Intouch warned. Chop-khun pulled his hand back, settling for watching the kitten, who eventually returned to Intouch, rubbing her small head against his knee before hopping onto his lap.

 

I wish Fancy would cuddle me like that, Chop-khun thought.

 

"Want to try petting her again?" Intouch asked, noticing Chop-khun's longing gaze as he scratched the kitten's neck.

 

"Can I? Won't she get startled?" Despite his words, Chop-khun eagerly sat cross-legged beside Intouch.

 

"No, she's relaxed now. Go ahead."

 

Encouraged by Intouch, Chop-khun cautiously reached out again. This time, his hand successfully touched the kitten's head. Fancy opened her eyes briefly before nuzzling against his hand. Well, that was easier than I thought.

 

"She's letting me pet her now!" Chop-khun beamed at Intouch, growing bolder as he gently stroked the kitten's head. "You can scratch her neck and pet her head, but don't touch her tail. She doesn't like that," Intouch advised.

 

Chop-khun nodded, carefully scratching Fancy's neck. The gentle touch lulled the kitten to sleep, prompting Intouch to lift her and place her on Chop-khun's lap.

 

"Let her get used to your scent."

 

"Oh, okay. What do you do with Fancy when you're out?" Chop-khun adjusted his position to make the kitten more comfortable.

 

"If it's just a short trip, I leave her in her room. I've set up a small space for her. But if I'm gone for a long time, I leave her with my sister. Sometimes, Ing sneaks her into her room to play, so Fancy's quite familiar with her. Ing lives downstairs. What about Kati? What do you do when you're not home?"

 

"Pretty much the same as you. I once watched a documentary about dogs. It said that if a dog is overly attached to its owner and isn't trained, it can become stressed waiting for their human to come home. I didn't want Kati to feel that way, so I trained him to be okay on his own. But if I'm gone for a long time, I leave him with my parents so someone can look after him. When I was a kid, I begged my dad for my first dog. He told me that dogs see their owners as their whole world. If I wanted one, I had to give it my all. I didn't understand back then, but when I saw the way my dog looked at me, I realised..."

 

Intouch met his gaze as he trailed off.

 

"He just wanted a treat," Chop-khun finished with a mirthful glint in his eye.

 

Intouch chuckled softly, his dimples showing. Seeing that Intouch got his joke, Chop-khun smiled slightly.

 

"But seriously, the way he looked at me, it was full of love. I really was his whole world, just like my dad said. When we miss someone, we can call them, right? When we're lonely, we can talk to someone. But they can't do that. If they miss us and can't see us, they can do nothing. Just thinking about Kati waiting for me all day, unhappy, makes me sad."

 

Intouch listened quietly as Chop-khun continued in a calm tone.

 

"Did you know Kati has friends? A Golden Retriever named Mantou and a Chihuahua named... Kaitun."

 

Intouch noticed a fleeting sadness in Chop-khun's eyes when he mentioned Kaitun, but it quickly disappeared as if nothing had happened.

 

"...But he's never had a cat friend. I think Kati would get along with Fancy just fine."

 

Chop-khun looked down at the kitten curled up on his lap, trying to push away the pang of sadness. He still missed Kaitun.

 

"If they meet while they're young, they should bond easily. Fancy's never met another animal, so I'm not sure how she'll react," Intouch said "I think she'll be excited. I'm excited too. We should introduce them soon," Chop-khun said, stroking the kitten. He hoped Kati would be as gentle with Fancy as he was with Mantou and Kaitun....

 

As they leaned back on the sofa, their conversation continued. The iced Americano and chocolate on the table gradually disappeared. Noticing Fancy fast asleep and Chop-khun shifting uncomfortably, Intouch figured the other man must be getting tired.

 

"Hand Fancy over to me. I'll take her to her bed," Intouch said. Chop-khun carefully handed the kitten over to her owner. Once Intouch had placed Fancy on her bed, he

disappeared into a part of the apartment that his guest couldn't see. 

 

Feeling a bit stiff, Chop-khun stood up and stretched. His eyes wandered to one of the walls, where five medium-sized black frames were neatly arranged in a row. Curious, he walked closer and noticed that instead of photos, the frames contained text: 'Day 1' in the first frame, progressing to Day 5' in the last. How strange. Maybe he's still looking for the right pictures to put in them.

 

After staring at the frames for a moment, Chop-khun returned to the large sofa bed. Soon, Intouch reappeared, carrying a bottle of water and two glasses.

 

"What kind of content do you want to do for your next video?" Intouch inquired as he set a glass down and poured water into it for Chop-khun.

 

"Thanks. I'm planning to do a video about getting a tattoo," Chop-khun replied, taking a sip of water. His throat felt a bit dry. He guessed he'd been talking too much earlier.

 

"Are you getting the tattoo, Khun?"

 

"Yeah. I've wanted one for a long time, but never had the chance. So, for this video, I thought I'd document my first tattoo experience, choosing the design, sketching it out, and the actual tattooing process. What do you think?"

 

"Sounds interesting. Have you done any research yet?"

 

"I've looked into how to prepare for a tattoo, but I'm stuck on two things: I haven't decided on a shop or a design. I can't decide whether to get just text or an image."

 

"I know a shop run by a senior I know. He's skilled and very clean. If you're interested, I can send you his Instagram so you can check out his work. I got my tattoo there, too."

 

"Oh, right! You also have a tattoo. Please send me the shop's contact info."

 

"You knew about my tattoo?" Intouch asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise. His tattoo was on his side and had never been posted anywhere. "Oh, yeah. Remember when you got caught in the rain at my place? I caught a glimpse of it. What does it say?"

 

"It's a phrase I like. Want to see it up close?"