You(r) Tuber Vol 1.

23 Chop-khun's Journey Through His Memories

 

[Eight Years Ago, Faculty of Fine Arts]

 

"Mr Jirakan Suphawarakorn," the professor called out.

 

"Yes," Chop-khun responded with a pounding heart. He walked up to stand beside his artwork, feeling a mix of anxiety and anticipation. If it'd been any other professor reviewing his work, he wouldn't have been so nervous. But this particular professor had a reputation for harsh critiques, and Chop-khun couldn't help but feel uneasy.

 

He glanced briefly at his classmates before starting to explain his piece with determination. However, he'd barely spoken a few sentences when the professor interrupted him.

 

"Alright, that's enough. Your concept is plain and boring. Did you forget to add beauty to it? My kindergarten-aged nephew could do better than this. Are you sure you used your hands to draw this?"

 

The words hit Chop-khun like a slap to the face. Before he could say anything further, the professor took a pen and marked up his artwork without hesitation.

 

"Even if you gave this to me for free, I'd have to think twice. Go fix it."

 

Chop-khun stood frozen, feeling a whirlwind of emotions-anger, embarrassment, and sadness. If the professor had pointed out specific flaws or suggested improvements, he would've accepted it. But to belittle his work, which he'd poured his heart into, with such words and actions? That was unacceptable.

 

"What exactly should I fix?" he asked politely, though his feelings were clearly hurt.

 

"Do I really have to spell it out for you? Should I hold your hand and draw it for you?"

 

"If I can't ask my professor, who else should I ask?"

 

The room fell silent. All eyes turned to Chop-khun and the professor, whose face had visibly tightened. Everyone knew the professor was talented, but his ego was sky-high, and he rarely listened to others.

 

"You're a third-year student, not a freshman. If you can't figure out something this basic, you should reconsider whether art is the right path for you." 

 

With that, the professor called the next student's name, ending the conversation. Chop-khun stood still, stunned by the response. Though he had many things he wanted to argue, he chose to remain silent and returned to his seat.

 

"Don't let it get to you, man. Your work is great. It's just not the professor's style," Pluem said, squeezing Chop-khun's shoulder reassuringly.

 

"How can he just say it's not good without explaining why? That's so unfair," Praewa added, clearly frustrated.

 

"Did he just grade our work according to his own satisfaction? This isn't the first time he's done this."

 

"Don't overthink it, okay?" Fai added. 

 

"Everyone knows you only get good grades if you draw in his preferred style."

 

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks, guys," Chop-khun replied with a small smile, appreciating his friends' support. 

 

After a few more comforting words from his group, he excused himself to go to the restroom. Pluem noticed the downcast look on his best friend's face and wanted to follow him, but he had to stay for his own review.

 

Chop-khun didn't actually go to the restroom. Instead, he found himself sitting alone at a stone table behind the business faculty building. It was quiet and empty, the perfect spot to gather his thoughts. Though he'd tried to brush off the professor's harsh words many times before, focusing only on constructive criticism, he'd found that hearing repeatedly that his work was bad and worthless had chipped away at his confidence. He couldn't help but wonder if art was truly the right path for him. Maybe the professor was right.

 

But no matter how many times he questioned himself, he always came back to the fact that drawing was his passion. He wanted to improve and do better. Yet, lately, he hadn't felt the same joy or inspiration. What used to be fun had become a source of stress whenever he had to come up with ideas and submit his work.

 

"Ugh."

 

Chop-khun let out a heavy sigh and pulled his phone from his jeans pocket, dialling a familiar number.

 

"Hi, Dad. What are you up to? Are you busy?"

 

[I can talk now. What's up, son?]

 

"Nothing much. Just wanted to chat."

 

[Don't you have class?]

 

"Nope. Not anymore. I'm dropping out so you can take care of me for the rest of my life," Chop-khun joked.

 

[Sure, I can handle that.]

 

"Are you sure? I eat a lot, you know."

 

[Hmm, let me think about it again.]

 

Chop-khun couldn't help but smile at his dad's laughter. "I'm coming home today. Let Mom and Rak know for me.”

 

[Is your project done?] Kornkun asked, referring to the work Chop-khun had been tirelessly working on, sacrificing sleep and staying away from home.

 

"It's done. I just submitted it."

 

[How did it go?]

 

Chop-khun hesitated for a moment. "It didn't pass. I have to fix it... I'll tell you about it later."

 

Kornkun could sense something was off from the moment he answered the call. Even though his son tried to act like everything was fine, Kornkun didn't press for details, knowing Chop-khun would open up when he was ready.

 

[I'll prepare something delicious for you.]

 

"Then I want a stuffed omelette with lots of minced pork."

 

[You got it. / The meeting is about to start, sir.]

 

"Go to your meeting, Dad. See you tonight."

 

[You know you can tell me anything, right?] Kornkun added, unable to hide his concern.

 

"I know, Dad."

 

[Love you, son.]

 

"Love you too, Dad."

 

Meow...

Chop-khun ended the call and turned toward the sound. He saw a chubby orange kitten napping contentedly on a nearby table, its eyes closed as a male student scratched its neck. Chop-khun hadn't noticed when the other guy had arrived.

 

Looking more closely, the kitten reminded him of Somjook, the offspring of Somjeed, a cat that used to roam his faculty. Lately, the two hadn't been around much. The more he looked, the more certain he was-it was Somjook, now hanging out at the business faculty. But when he caught the gaze of another male student walking toward him, he quickly turned back and focused on replying to Pluem's message.

 

"In, what are you doing here?"

 

"Playing with the cat."

 

"Why aren't you listening to your dad's lecture? It's his first time being a guest speaker for our faculty."

 

"I'm too lazy."

 

"Right, I forgot. You can see your dad anytime. If I were you, I'd be so proud to have such a talented dad. His lectures are amazing."

 

Chop-khun didn't pay much attention to the conversation. He walked away when Pluem texted him to meet under their faculty building. But after only a few steps, a girl passing by handed him a flyer before moving on to distribute more. available.

 

"Want to stand among the stars at Chiang Dao?"

 

The tagline on the poster caught his attention, and he stopped to read the details. A trekking trip to Chiang Dao with professional guides. Today is the last day to sign up. Sounds interesting. Maybe trying something new will help me find inspiration for my art again. With that thought, Chop-khun contacted the number listed on the flyer right away.

 

[Three Weeks Later, Chiang Dao]

 

"We'll split into two groups for the hike. Those staying one night, come with me. If you're staying two nights, go with that staff member. We'll be camping at different spots."

 

Chop-khun, dressed and ready for the trek, joined the group staying for one night. From a quick glance, there were about ten people in his group. He recognised a few faces from the van ride from Bangkok the day before. After a briefing on rules and safety, the hike began. It was his first hike ever.

 

At first, Chop-khun walked alone since everyone else seemed to have come with friends. But along the way, two new friends from different universities, Nan and Aoei, approached him and invited him to walk with them.

 

"Hey, look at this, Khun! It's the Parrot Flower. You can only find it here in Chiang Dao," Nan called out excitedly, waving him over to a low rock crevice. Chop-khun crouched down and saw a pinkish-white flower shaped like a bird in flight. 

 

"Wow, it really does look like a bird. So cute. And this one has a partner," he said, pointing to two flowers growing side by side, making his new friends laugh.

 

They spent some time taking pictures of the flowers before continuing their hike. Chop-khun was thrilled by the rare plants and beautiful scenery along the trail. But as the hike went on, the excitement began to fade.

 

He thought he'd prepared himself well for the challenging trek, but the reality was far more exhausting than he'd imagined. Nan and Aoei, who were more experienced hikers, didn't seem as tired. Out of courtesy, he told them to go ahead and meet him at the next rest stop.

 

Lagging behind, Chop-khun plopped down on a grassy slope, leaning back against his backpack. He was too tired to care about anything else. He didn't want to keep walking, but turning back wasn't an option either.

 

"You okay, kid?" a local porter carrying a heavy load called out with a smile.

 

"How much farther?" Chop-khun asked, sitting up properly.

 

"Not much. You can do it. Keep going!" Chop-khun chuckled at the vague answer, guessing there was still a long way to go. 

 

"Thanks," he said. He stood up, adjusted his large backpack, and turned to look at the towering mountains shrouded in mist. The view was stunning, and it motivated him to keep going. Alright, I've come this far. How much harder can it be? 

 

It's so hard! I just want to go home! He had no idea how many times he silently whined about being tired or how many times he stopped to rest. By the time he finally reached Nan and Aoei at the last meeting point, five hours had passed. Their group ended up being the last to arrive at the campsite.

 

His back ached, and he was so drained that he wanted to collapse and sleep as soon as the tent was set up. But since they were only staying for one night, there wasn't much time to relax. After a brief rest, they had to start hiking up to the summit to catch the sunset, as planned.

 

Chop-khun wasn't disappointed. The evening view was breathtaking, making all the exhaustion worth it. He felt a sense of accomplishment for making it up there. Initially, he'd planned to sketch the scenery, but with limited time, he settled for taking photos instead

 

"Khun, Aoei and I are heading back down. We forgot to bring flashlights and don't want to risk not seeing the path. Want to come with us?" Nan asked.

 

"Sure, I'll come with you. I didn't bring one either."

 

They made it back to the campsite just as darkness fell. The atmosphere had become lively as the staff invited everyone to gather around and cook dinner together. Although everyone was friendly, Chop-khun mostly listened to the thrilling travel stories and laughed along with the group's conversations rather than contributing much himself.

 

"Who wants to watch the sunrise tomorrow? It's about an hour's hike," one of the staff members asked the group. Six or seven people, including Chop-khun, raised their hands. Nan and Aoei, however, opted out because Aoei had slipped on the way down earlier and injured her leg.

 

"After the sunrise, let's meet at the descent trail around 8 AM. I'll take you to see another flower spot before we pack up and head down..."

 

Chop-khun nodded, scooping up a bite of rice mixed with dried pork and chilli paste. As he ate, he overheard Nan and Aoei playfully arguing about the sunrise hike.

 

At first, Aoei suggested that Nan go with Chop-khun, but Nan refused, saying she was worried about Aoei. Their back-and-forth eventually made Chop-khun realise that the two were in a relationship.

 

"I just want to watch it with you. Don't you want to watch it with me?"

 

"It's not that. I know you've been wanting to see it for a long time."

 

"We can watch it on our next trip."

 

"Nan is being overly dramatic. Why is she so worried? We're already here. She should just go up and see it."

 

Chop-khun smiled as Aoei turned to him, half-jokingly complaining about Nan. Despite her words, there was a smile on her face. They're such a cute couple.

 

After finishing their meal and cleaning up, Chop-khun and his new friends sat outside Nan and Aoei's tent, chatting for a while. Eventually, he excused himself to give the couple some privacy.

 

"Aren't you staying to stargaze with us?" Nan asked.

 

"You guys enjoy. I'm heading to bed. Thanks for inviting me. By the way, how's your leg, Aoei?"

 

"It still hurts a bit, but it's getting better. I should be fine by tomorrow," Aoei replied.

 

"Alright, take care. See you tomorrow."

 

"Yeah, see you. Take some pictures for us, okay?" Nan added

 

"Will do."

 

Chop-khun smiled as he walked away, glancing back to see the couple leaning against each other, stargazing. A fleeting thought crossed his mind.

 

Will I ever have a moment like that, sitting under the stars with someone I love? As someone who'd never been in a relationship, he shook his head at his own wandering thoughts. 

 

Holding a flashlight, he walked to a darker spot away from the campsite, hoping to get a clearer view of the stars. Unfortunately, the sky was cloudy, and the stars were barely visible. 

 

Waiting for the clouds to clear wasn't an option. The cold was biting, and his body was exhausted. Reluctantly, he returned to his tent and crawled into his sleeping bag earlier than he'd planned. Chop-khun thought he'd fall asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. 

 

However, as the night grew colder, the temperature dropped to a chilling five degrees Celsius. The freezing air made him shiver uncontrollably, and he drifted in and out of sleep until his alarm went off at 4 AM. He thought yesterday's hike was the hardest part, but dragging himself out of his warm sleeping bag now felt even more challenging.

 

"Why is it so cold?" he muttered as he prepared for the hike to the summit.

 

Bundled up in multiple layers, he wore a yellow hooded jacket on the outside, a beanie on his head, and a windproof scarf covering his face from his nose to his neck, leaving only his eyes exposed. However, his hands were bare because he'd forgotten to bring gloves.

 

He stepped out of his tent, still groggy, and scanned the pitch-black surroundings. The only visible lights were the small headlamps worn by others. That's when he realised another mistake: he'd brought a regular flashlight, while almost everyone else had headlamps. Of course, just my luck.

 

The trail to the sunrise viewpoint was steep and slippery, making the hike even more difficult. Chop-khun struggled, holding onto rocks with one hand while managing his flashlight with the other. The narrow beam of his flashlight illuminated only a small area, slowing him down significantly. As the lights of the hikers ahead grew more distant, he quickened his pace, pushing through the darkness.

 

"Whoa!" he yelped as he lost his footing. He braced himself for a fall, but before he hit the ground, a hand grabbed his arm.

 

"Are you hurt?" a voice asked. Chop-khun squinted at his rescuer as the headlamp's beam blinded him, making it impossible to see the man's face.

 

"I'm fine. Thank you so much for your help," he said, his heart still racing from the scare.

 

"The trail is really steep. It's hard to manage with just a flashlight. Want to follow me instead?"

 

Without hesitation, Chop-khun nodded. Having someone to walk with made him feel safer.

 

"Thanks. I'll follow your lead."

 

He alternated between shining his flashlight on the ground and glancing at the broad back of the man in front of him. Although his companion walked carefully and at a steady pace, the increasingly steep trail left Chop-khun breathless. He pulled his scarf down to his chin to catch his breath and was about to ask for a break when the man turned around and extended a hand.

 

Chop-khun tilted his head in confusion, his round eyes meeting the man's. He didn't say anything, still catching his breath.

 

"This part is slippery, and the rocks are sharp," the man explained, his gaze lingering on Chop-khun's now uncovered face.

 

"Oh, thanks," Chop-khun replied with a small smile, reaching out his hand. The warmth of the man's gloved hand immediately contrasted with Chop-khun's cold, bare one. 

 

After being pulled up to the same level, he looked up at the man's face, now partially visible as the headlamp was tilted upward.

 

"Should we take a short break? It'll be a while before we reach the top," the man suggested.

 

"Good idea," Chop-khun agreed, nodding enthusiastically.

 

They sat on opposite sides of a rock along the trail, their feet nearly touching due to the limited space. Both were too exhausted to talk, so they rested in silence. Chop-khun pulled his scarf back up as the wind picked up, numbing his face and hands. He rubbed his hands together before tucking them into his sleeves and hugging himself tightly.

 

As he silently cursed himself for putting his body through this ordeal, the man's deep voice broke the quiet.

 

"Do you want to use these?"

 

Chop-khun looked up in surprise as a pair of gloves was offered to him.

 

"Oh, no, it's okay. Thank you so much," he said, though he desperately wanted them.

 

"You should take them. The trail is still long."

 

Even after hearing that, Chop-khun hesitated. But then the man placed the soft, warm gloves on his lap.

 

"If I need them, I'll just ask for them back."

 

After a moment, Chop-khun decided to take one glove and return the other to the man's lap.

 

"Let's share. One hand each. Thank you so much, and for earlier too. If you hadn't helped, I would've definitely gotten hurt."

 

"It's no problem," the man replied, putting on the remaining glove. "Are you here alone?"

 

"Yeah. What about you?"

 

"Same."

 

That was the extent of their conversation before they resumed climbing. The final stretch along the ridge took nearly twenty more minutes, leaving Chop-khun's knees weak by the time they reached the viewpoint.

 

It was five o'clock, and the sky was still dark. The faint glow of headlamps and the silhouettes of other hikers dotted the area as they waited for the sunrise. Chop-khun shone his flashlight downward, searching for a spot to sit, and found an empty corner.

 

"Want to sit together?" he asked the man who'd helped him, receiving a nod in return. The chatter of other groups filled the air, but the two of them sat side by side quietly. The man was focused on taking photos, while Chop-khun hugged himself and gazed up at the sky, feeling a surge of joy. Finally, he was able to stargaze as he'd hoped.

 

The sky had cleared, revealing a blanket of twinkling stars. Everywhere he looked, there were stars, more than he'd ever seen before, shining brilliantly in the vast, open sky.

 

Chop-khun picked up his camera to capture the sea of stars before him, but since he didn't know how to adjust the settings, the resulting photos were so blurry they were almost unrecognisable. Frustrated, he put the camera back in his bag and instead scanned the sky, trying to spot constellations he was familiar with. Where's the Pleiades? Just then, a shooting star streaked across the sky, catching his eye.

 

"Wow, that's beautiful," he murmured absentmindedly, but loud enough for the person beside him to glance over. When the other man realised Chop-khun wasn't talking to him, he turned back to his camera and kept taking photos.

 

Chop-khun's wide eyes stayed fixed on the sky, hoping to catch another shooting star. But after a while, none appeared. It was only then that he noticed the person next to him had stopped taking pictures.

 

At first, he hesitated to start a conversation, but realising they'd be sitting together for quite some time, he decided to break the silence.

 

"Did you see the shooting star earlier?"

 

The man turned his gaze from the sky to meet Chop-khun's eyes, faintly illuminated by the light from nearby groups.

 

"I did," he replied.

 

"Did you see the Pleiades?"

 

"Sorry, what?"

 

"I can't seem to find it. There are just too many stars."

 

"Hold on," the man said, turning back to the sky. After a moment, he pointed toward a cluster of stars. "Over there."

 

"There?" Chop-khun followed the direction of his hand but couldn't see clearly, so he shone his flashlight on their hands, which were close together and both wearing gloves.

 

"A little to the left," the man guided. "Do you see it now?"

 

"Not yet," Chop-khun said, scanning the sky.

 

"Have you spotted Orion's Belt yet?"

 

"Yes, it's over there," Chop-khun said, pointing.

 

"Alright, try tracing a straight line from Orion's Belt in this direction," he said, moving his larger hand forward. Chop-khun mimicked the motion with his smaller hand. "Do you see that reddish star?" the man asked patiently.

 

"I see it! I see it now!" Chop-khun's excited tone made the man smile.

 

"If you keep tracing from there, you'll find the Pleiades."

 

"Oh, there it is! I've been looking for it forever. Thank you!"

 

Silence settled between them again until the other man broke it.

 

"Did you get to see the sunset yesterday?"

 

"I did. Didn't you?"

 

"No, I didn't make it in time. I kept stopping to take pictures."

 

"Are you a photographer?"

 

"No, I'm just learning."

 

"Oh, so you came here to practice photography?"

 

"That's right. What about you? Why did you come here?"

 

"I was bored and wanted to try something new."

 

"And? Do you like it?"

 

"I do. Even though I felt like going home a hundred times because of how exhausting it was, the flowers and the views made it worth it."

 

"So, does that mean you'd come back again?"

 

Chop-khun laughed, realising he was being teased. "No way. I already feel like rolling down the mountain on the way back "

 

Sensing the playful tone, Chop-khun felt more comfortable talking. "Actually, I came here because I wanted to draw something, but I haven't had the time yet."

 

"Have you drawn anything so far?"

 

"Just one parrot flower," Chop-khun said with a light laugh. "Did you see any on your way up?"

 

"I saw a few."

 

They took turns sharing stories about their hike, and the conversation flowed naturally. What started as small talk shifted to a discussion of their interests, and the initial awkwardness faded, replaced by a more relaxed atmosphere.

 

"Did you come up here to photograph something specific?" Chop-khun asked.

 

"Not really. I just wanted to practice."

 

As they continued talking, Chop-khun learned that Intouch was considering entering a photography contest but was still unsure.

 

"Do you want to be a photographer, or do you just enjoy taking pictures?"

 

The man fell silent at the question. As a child, he had many dreams, and being a photographer was one of them. But as he grew older, he realised it wasn't feasible. He had to follow the path his father had laid out for him, leaving little room to pursue his own aspirations. He hadn't thought about it in years, despite having many things he wanted to try.

 

"When I was a kid, I wanted to be one... but now, I'm not so sure," he admitted. He'd never shared this with anyone before, but for some reason, he felt comfortable opening up to this person. Perhaps it was because they were strangers that it was easier for him to express his feelings.

 

Chop-khun sensed the uncertainty in Intouch's voice, reminding him of his own doubts when he first started drawing.

 

"It's okay not to know yet. At least knowing what you enjoy is a good starting point. I started drawing because it made me happy. Once I found my inspiration, I wanted to take it more seriously."

 

"What inspired you?"

 

"When I was a kid, I started drawing just for fun. But there was a time when I became obsessed with drawing skies. Back then, my drawings were mostly just doodles. Then, when I was twelve, I went to my first art exhibit and saw a painting of a sunset by the sea. I remember standing there for a long time,  staring at it. It felt like I was actually standing by the sea, looking at the sky. It was nothing like what I'd drawn."

 

"That was the first time I thought about how to mix colours and how to draw to create something like that. I wanted to have my own art exhibit someday. That's what inspired me."

 

As they talked, the man felt the determination and passion in Chop-khun's voice as Chop-khun pursued his goals. At the same time, it was the first time in years that he reflected on what he truly wanted to do. A dream that's mine, not my father's.

 

"If you give it a try, you might find your answer, whether you want to keep doing it or not. Maybe you'll discover your path. And if it's not for you, at least you tried. Who knows? You might become an amazing photographer."

 

"Thank you," the man replied. They didn't say much after that, each lost in their own thoughts as they gazed at the sky. 

 

Soon, the horizon began to glow a deep orange, and a thick sea of mist blanketed the mountain peaks, obscuring the ground below. Excited tourists stood up to capture the breathtaking scene, including the other man. Chop-khun stayed in his spot, taking several photos before sitting back down to sketch the landscape. As he glanced around, he noticed the other man standing in another corner, intently taking pictures. At that moment, the man turned his camera toward him.

 

He smiled when he saw Chop-khun flash a peace sign at the camera. He snapped the photo before watching Chop-khun return to his sketching.

 

Time passed, and the sun began to rise above the peaks. Its soft orange light pierced through the clouds, bathing the area in golden hues. Chop-khun alternated between admiring the view and sketching, completely at ease. He didn't realise how much time had passed until his alarm reminded him to head to the meeting point. 

 

He quickly packed his things, but froze when he noticed his hands. I haven't returned the gloves yet. He looked around, searching for the owner of the gloves. But with so many people around, it was impossible to tell who was who. No matter how hard he looked, he couldn't find the man. What should I do? I'm running late.

 

With no other choice, he gave up, feeling guilty. From their conversation, he knew the man was staying another night. As he hurried to the meeting point, not wanting to delay the group further, he heard a familiar voice call out.

 

"Excuse me!"

 

Chop-khun turned around to see the person he'd been looking for, standing in front of him and slightly out of breath. For the first time, he got a clear look at the man's face. Even though only half of it was visible above his high collar, it was clear that this man was quite handsome.

 

"Would it be okay if I used this photo for a photography contest? If you're not comfortable with it, that's fine."

 

Chop-khun raised an eyebrow in surprise at the request and took the camera. The photo showed him in the frame.

 

"Wow, it's beautiful. I can't believe you're still learning. You're really talented," he complimented, handing the camera back.

 

"Thank you," the man replied. It was the first time someone had praised his photography, and it boosted his confidence.

 

"But if you're going to use it for a contest, I'll have to charge you a modelling fee."

 

The man smiled, tilting his head as he looked at the smaller one. Even though Chop-khun's face was partially covered, his playful tone and the way his brown eyes curved with his smile made it clear he was joking.

 

"Oh, I almost forgot. Here," Chop-khun said, suddenly remembering something. He quickly removed the gloves and pulled a folded piece of paper from his bag, handing it to the man. The man accepted the items and unfolded the paper. It was a sketch of a man, his back turned, taking a photo of the mountains. At the bottom, the words ‘Thank you' were written in neat, playful handwriting. Judging by the clothing and posture, it was clearly a drawing of him.

 

"Thank you," he said, looking down at the smaller man. They stared at each other for a moment before the man broke the silence. "Are you heading back now?*

 

"Yes," Chop-khun replied, rubbing the back of his neck. For some reason, being under the man's gaze made him feel self-conscious.

 

"I like you," he blurted out, introducing himself in the most straightforward way possible. "What?" The man raised an eyebrow in bewilderment at the unexpected statement. At that moment, Chop-khun's alarm went off again, reminding him he needed to leave.

 

"I have to go now. Good luck," Chop-khun said hastily before turning and disappearing into the crowd. The man looked down at the piece of paper in his hand. Did he say 'like you'? Probably not. He's more likely meant to say something like thank you.'

 

[One Month Later]

 

Final exams were over, but the last week before the semester break was packed with the university's annual fair. Faculties and clubs all participated with various activities and booths, including the Faculty of Fine Arts.

 

This year, the 3rd-year painting students were in charge of organising an art exhibition showcasing student work and running a body-painting booth. They took turns manning the booth based on a schedule drawn by lot.

 

"Oh, you're here early," Chop-khun said, glancing up from cleaning his brushes as Khim walked into the booth hours before his shift.

 

"I'm bored and have nothing to do anyway," Khim replied, plopping down on the chair across from him and placing a paper bag on the table. "Here, eat this."

 

"Are you planning to prank me?"

 

"I ran into a friend at a booth and bought it," Khim said.

 

Chop-khun eyed the bag suspiciously, but when he saw it was filled with his favourite mini pancake rolls, he quickly washed his hands, a smile breaking across his face.

 

"Are you eating or not? If not, I'll eat it myself," Khim pretended to take the bag back. Chop-khun clutched it protectively, earning a smirk from Khim.

 

"I'm eating, I'm eating! I was so starving. Thanks," Chop-khun said, grabbing a pancake and taking a big bite, his cheeks puffing out as he chewed. He turned to Pluem, who was preparing materials at another table. "Pluem, want some? Khim bought these from his friend's booth. They're really good."

 

"Go ahead, I'm not hungry yet," Pluem replied, glancing at Khim. "You have friends in other faculties, Khim? I've never seen them."

 

"Yeah, which faculty is your friend from? These are good. I might go buy some," Chop-khun added.

 

"If you want more, just tell me. I'll get them for you," Khim cut the conversation short, as he didn't even know which faculty either. He only bought them because he knew they were Chop-khun's favourite.

 

Pluem shot a teasing look at Khim, who glared back in warning, prompting Pluem to stick out his tongue cheekily. He'd known all along that Khim had bought the pancakes specifically for Chop-khun but didn't dare say it outright. Thinking about it, he just shook his head. One wouldn't admit it, and the other was l completely oblivious.

 

Pluem had considered telling Chop-khun about Khim's feelings. Khim was a good guy, and if they ended up liking each other, it'd be sweet. But the topic felt too sensitive to meddle in, so he never said anything, opting instead to drop hints in hopes that Chop-khun would figure it out on his own.

 

It was the last day of the fair. After finishing their duties, Chop-khun and Pluem decided to explore the event together. Chop-khun finally had the chance to fully enjoy the fair. The past week had been hectic with faculty work and preparing for his upcoming art studies in France during the break. Each day, he worked late into the night. They wandered from booth to booth, buying snacks along the way, before finding a spot near the football field to sit and eat while listening to live music performed by the architecture students.

 

"Hey, have you ever had a crush on anyone?" Pluem asked.

 

"Of course. I had a few crushes back in high school," Chop-khun replied, taking a big bite of his crepe.

 

"And now? You're not interested in anyone at all?"

 

The question made Chop-khun suddenly think of the man he met at Chiang Dao. "Why are you asking?"

 

"I've never heard you talk about anyone. If you ever like someone, you have to tell me. I'll help you screen them. You're too clueless to keep up with anyone. I just want you to meet someone good."

 

"Wow, you're getting all sentimental," Chop-khun said with a wide grin. "If I ever like someone, you'll be the first to know. By the way, how's it going with P'Jay?"

 

"He's fine."

 

"Really?"

 

"Really. Hurry up and eat so we can keep walking. I want to play the balloon dart game."

 

That's a lie, Chop-khun thought immediately, noticing how Pluem avoided eye contact and changed the subject.

 

Last week, he saw Jay roughly yank Pluem out of a car. When Chop-khun called out to his friend, Jay quickly got back in the car and sped off. Pluem cried heavily, saying it was his fault for snooping through Jay's phone. 

 

It wasn't the first time Chop-khun witnessed that jerk's aggressive behaviour. While it hadn't escalated to physical violence, even minor roughness was too much in his eyes. No matter how many times he told Pluem to break up, his friend always said they'd been together too long to end it.

 

"Pluem, you said you want me to meet someone good. I want the same for you," Chop-khun said.

 

"Yeah."

 

"Promise me one thing: don't let him hurt you again, not even a little."

 

"Alright, I promise."

 

After finishing their food, they continued exploring until they reached the photography club's booth, which was bustling with activity. The booth featured cute photo spots for Polaroid pictures. Just as they were about to walk past, Chop-khun's eyes caught a photo displayed on a large standing board. Even though the face wasn't visible, he was entirely sure it was him. He'd seen this photo before at Chiang Dao.

 

It was a picture of him sitting sideways, sketching on the mountain peak, surrounded by blooming white flowers. The background showed layers of overlapping mountains and a sea of mist floating through the valleys. He walked up to the photo and stopped in front of it. Looking down at the bottom of the frame, he saw the title "Nice to meet you."

 

Realising that the man from Chiang Dao attended the same university, his heart began to race for no apparent reason. Chop-khun searched for the photographer's name but only found the pseudonym 'IN my eyes.'

 

"What's up, Khun?" Pluem asked, noticing his friend standing still, staring at the photo. "The others called. They need help at the booth."

 

"Can you go ahead? I'll catch up in a bit."

 

"Sure, but don't take too long."

 

Chop-khun looked around and noticed several more standing boards lined up in a row. Reading the details in one corner, he learned that the photos were part of a contest themed 'inspiration.' Contestants added one photo per day for five days. The winner's work would be displayed in a prestigious gallery.

 

Chop-khun carefully examined the other four photos before returning to the one of himself. Smiling at the coincidence, he pulled out a piece of paper, wrote a message, and dropped it into the comment box. Later that night, the man visited the photography club. He'd just learned he'd won an honourable mention and

called his father to share the news as soon as he got back to his condo. But his father's response was, 'If it's not first place, it doesn't matter.’ 

 

He reminded his son of the promises he'd made, leaving no room for negotiation. The initial joy of winning vanished as another heated argument with his father ensued. The photos and comment slips he'd received were left untouched on his desk. Three days later, his sister came to visit.

 

"P'In, can I move these?" the fourteen-year-old asked, pointing to the photos and envelope on his desk.

 

"I'll take care of it," Intouch said, gathering the items. He watched as Ingfah replaced them with her schoolbooks. "Weren't you going to see a movie with your friends?"

 

"Not anymore."

 

"Why not?"

 

"I have to study. Dad said my grades weren't good last term."

 

Intouch looked at her pouty face and asked, 

 

"What were your grades last term?"

 

"3.7."

 

"That's great. You did really well."

 

"Dad said you got a 4.0 every time. He thinks I'm not trying hard enough. If my grades don't improve, he's going to hire more tutors. I don't want to study anymore. Just thinking about it makes me sick."

 

"If you don't want to study, then don't. Want me to take you to the movies instead?"

 

"Are you sure? I'm scared Dad will get mad."

 

"I’ll talk to him."

 

Seeing the worry on her face, Intouch reassured her until she agreed to go out with her friends.

 

"I don't want you to go to England, P'In. Why do you have to leave so soon?" Ingfah said, tears streaming down her face. 

 

Her brother had always been the one who spent the most time with her in their family. For as long as she could remember, Intouch had been the one to help with homework, teach her to ride a bike, and never miss her school performances, even when their parents were busy. Her brother was always the one she saw from the stage.

 

"While I'm gone, if there's something you want or don't want to do, make sure to tell Mom and Dad, okay? Be stubborn if you have to, like you are with me."

 

Ingfah laughed through her tears, playfully hitting his arm. "I'm not stubborn! Don't worry about me. If Dad nags too much, I'll tell Mom."

 

"Good. And if anything happens, call me anytime. Don't keep it to yourself, okay?"

 

Ingfah nodded, her eyes welling up again. They talked until they missed the movie. Instead of just dropping her off, Intouch ended up watching the movie with her. 

 

When he returned to his room that evening, the items he'd meant to put away were still on his desk. He picked up the envelope containing the comment slips and began reading them. Most were short compliments, but they still made him feel good. However, when he reached the last slip, his heart raced as he realised who'd written it.

 

Congratulations on your award. You're amazing. All your photos are beautiful. I believe you'll go far in this field. Wishing you happiness in doing what you love and finding the answers you're looking for.

From, Chop-khun

P.S. Nice to meet you, too. :)

 

Intouch picked up the photo and looked at it, a faint smile appearing on his face. So your name is Chop-khun.

 

[Present Day]

 

"In, you're the guy from Chiang Dao, aren't you?"

 

Chop-khun sat up immediately, his heart racing as the memories came flooding back. His brown eyes locked onto the man sitting up against the headboard, his upper body bare. Intouch nodded, and he began recounting the entire story.

 

After that day, Intouch had chosen to follow his own path. The events became a part of his fading memories until the day he discovered that the YouTube channel he'd been following belonged to someone named Chop-khun. The memories came rushing back.

 

The genuine compliments, the meaningful conversations, and the encouragement from back then had meant so much to him. Could it really be the same person? That was the question he'd wanted to answer. Chop-khun tried to piece together everything from the first day they met to the present. Thinking back, Intouch had been telling this story all along.

 

"I thought you'd forgotten about it. You didn't seem to remember anything."

 

"I did remember, but it's been so long that I never expected it. I can't believe we'd meet again. Wait, does that mean the tattoo story you told me was about me?"

 

"Yes," he nodded. "Back then, you were the inspiration that made me want to follow my dreams."

 

"And now, what am I to you?" Chop-khun squinted at him with a teasing smile. Intouch couldn't help but smile when he saw the other man blush despite his playful teasing.

 

"You're someone I like."

 

The listener grinned so wide his cheeks hurt, pulling the blanket over his face to hide his uncontrollable reaction. "You've been interested in me since back then, haven't you, Mr In? Just tell me the truth."

 

Intouch chuckled as Chop-khun continued teasing while hiding his face under the blanket. He pulled the blanket down and gently pulled the flustered man onto his lap.

 

"And you? When did you start being interested in me? Or was it.." He narrowed his eyes. "Since back then?"

 

Chop-khun crossed his arms, tilted his head, and smirked. "I'm not telling you."

 

"You wrote your number on that piece of paper back then, didn't you?" Intouch teased, but Chop-khun's slightly startled expression gave him away.

 

"No way! You're making that up. I only thought about it, but I didn't actually write it down," Chop-khun argued, then immediately covered his mouth, realising what he'd just admitted.

 

"So you really were interested in me back then?"

 

Chop-khun buried his flushed face into Intouch's broad shoulder and nodded.

 

"Why did you change your mind?"

 

"I thought you wouldn't be interested in me," he mumbled.

 

"Actually, I was interested in you," Intouch admitted.

 

Hearing that, Chop-khun sat up straight, looking into Intouch's sharp eyes with surprise. 

 

"Really?"

 

"Yes, but my life was really chaotic back then... When I saw you again, I didn't want to miss the chance to get to know you better."

 

Chop-khun smiled widely, wrapping his arms around Intouch's neck before planting a quick kiss on his lips.

 

"I’m really glad we met again. And I'm so happy you're a real photographer now."

 

Intouch gently stroked the back of Chop-khun's neck before pulling him closer. He kissed him softly, nibbling and savouring his lips with increasing intensity. 

 

Chop-khun could feel the reaction beneath Intouch's long pyjama pants, especially since he wasn't wearing any underwear. He playfully ground his hips against him, even though he felt just as aroused.

 

"Don't be naughty, or you won't get breakfast," Intouch warned, as Chop-khun had been complaining about being hungry earlier.

 

"I'm not hungry anymore," Chop-khun teased, laughing with his eyes closed before planting a kiss on Intouch’s chin. "Just kidding. Let's go eat."

 

But as he moved to get up, a firm hand held his waist in place. Intouch's eyes gleamed as he looked up at the man on his lap, delivering a line that made Chop-khun's face turn bright red.

 

"Save your energy. Tonight, you'll be staying on top of me for a long time."

 

The last day in Phuket didn't involve any serious activities. They spent the day relaxing, watching movies together in their room. By evening, Chop-khun suggested they go to a beachside bar to watch the sunset. Their conversation inevitably circled back to the past, a topic they'd been discussing all day but hadn't exhausted yet.

 

"I'm going to the restroom for a bit," Intouch said.

 

"Alright," Chop-khun nodded.

 

While sipping his beer and enjoying the view of the sea, a woman approached him.

 

"Excuse me," she said.

 

"Yes?" Chop-khun set his glass down, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

 

"We were on the same boat deck yesterday. Do you remember?"

 

Chop-khun thought back. "Oh, yes, I remember," he said with a small smile. "Is there something I can help you with?"

 

"Well, my friend..." She gestured toward a man who was smiling at him from a distance. 

 

Chop-khun recognised him as the guy who'd smiled at him on the boat. "He wanted me to tell you that he thinks you're cute."

 

"Me?" Chop-khun pointed to himself, surprised. Then he noticed Intouch standing behind the woman, his eyebrows slightly furrowed

 

"My friend wants to get to know you. Can he have your LINE ID?"

 

"I'm sorry," Chop-khun said, looking at the woman before shifting his gaze to Intouch as he delivered his final line.

 

"I already have a boyfriend."

 

When he saw Intouch's surprised expression turn into a wide smile, with dimples appearing on both cheeks, Chop-khun could barely hold back his grin.

 

End Of Book 1