Chapter 2: Forced Partnership
The next week, Than walked into the university student lounge expecting a normal day.
Instead, he stopped dead in his tracks.
Standing beside the project assignment board was none other than Kitphum looking completely relaxed, hands shoved into his pockets, like the universe personally revolved around him.
Than's stomach immediately dropped.
His eyes scanned the board once, then twice.
Then a third time, just to make sure his vision hadn't betrayed him.
PROJECT LEADERS:
Thanapat Lertratkosum
Kitphum Tangsakyuen
Together.
"Oh, absolutely not," Than muttered under his breath.
Kit looked over at the sound of his voice and instantly grinned.
"Well, well," he drawled lazily. "Hey, partner."
Than walked toward the board in disbelief.
"This has to be a mistake."
Kit leaned casually against the wall beside it, looking far too entertained by Than's suffering.
"Sorry, Mr. Perfect," he said, tapping the paper with one finger. "Looks pretty official to me."
Than stared at the list like glaring hard enough would magically change it.
Out of every student in the department…why him?
"We're stuck together," Kit added smugly.
Than inhaled slowly through his nose, forcing himself to stay calm.
"Fine," he said tightly. "But let's make one thing clear. We'll be professional, efficient, and finish this project without any unnecessary distractions."
Kit's grin widened immediately.
"Oh," he said, amused, "I love unnecessary distractions."
Than pinched the bridge of his nose.
This was going to be hell.
Later that evening, they met for their first brainstorming session in the library.
Of course, Than arrived early.
His laptop was already open, documents organized into neat folders, color-coded notes spread perfectly across the table. He had prepared timelines, research outlines, and a complete project structure before Kit had even shown up.
Which made it even more irritating when Kit strolled in ten minutes late carrying an iced coffee like he didn't have a care in the world.
"Sorry," Kit said casually as he dropped into the chair across from him. "Needed caffeine."
Than didn't even look up from his screen.
"Time management is clearly not your strength."
Kit took a sip of his drink, completely unbothered.
"And being fun clearly isn't yours."
Than ignored him.
Mostly because responding would probably start an argument, and they'd only been in the same room for three minutes.
"We need to finalize the research direction tonight," Than said, pulling up a spreadsheet. "I already prepared a schedule for the next three weeks."
Kit stared at the screen for a moment.
Then at Than.
Then back at the screen again.
"…You made spreadsheets."
"Yes."
"Plural?"
Than finally looked up. "Is there a problem?"
Kit laughed softly under his breath.
"You're intense."
"And you're unserious."
"Yet somehow," Kit said with a smirk, leaning back in his chair, "I still beat you in the debate."
Than's eye twitched dangerously.
"Can we focus?"
Kit spun a pen lazily between his fingers.
"You know, for someone obsessed with control, you sure talk a lot."
"Maybe if you contributed instead of wasting time, we'd actually get something done faster."
Kit leaned forward slightly, resting his chin against his hand.
His smirk never disappeared.
"Relax, Mr. Perfect," he murmured. "You'll give yourself wrinkles."
Than closed his eyes briefly.
One.
Two.
Three.
Stay calm.
Focus.
Do not commit murder in the university library.
When he opened his eyes again, Kit was watching him with obvious amusement.
And somehow…that was even more annoying.