The next morning started with Toffee's usual high-energy antics as he stood in front of the mirror.
"Mok, look at me and be honest.
On a scale of one to 'National Husband,' I am a solid eleven, right?" Toffee preened in front of the glass while meticulously adjusting a single strand of hair.
Mok leaned against the doorframe and suppressed a grin as he sighed dramatically.
"Toffee, you do not look handsome. You look like a naughty kitten that just got caught stealing milk and is now trying to act innocent. Are you cute? Yes. But as for handsome, let us not get ahead of ourselves."
"You! Mok!" Toffee lunged for a pillow, but Mok caught it with a practiced laugh.
"Khrab, khrab, Khun Toffee. My deepest apologies to the King of Kittens," Mok teased, bowing low to his friend.
"Stop it! Stop making that charming face because it is really annoying!" Toffee huffed, turning back to the mirror with a pout.
"Anyway, Mok, I really need to get to P'Ter's shop today. Look at my roots! My hair color is not just fading; it is practically screaming for a funeral. I cannot be the 'Secret Friend' of the faculty with hair that looks like a burnt lava cake."
Mok chuckled and grabbed his car keys from the table. "Fine, fine. I will be your personal chauffeur for the day.
Since we do not have real classes—only the introduction and the 'Secret Friend' selection—I have enough time to witness your transformation."
"Oh, Mok! I am so excited! Imagine if my Secret Friend is a total hottie," Toffee squealed while bouncing on his heels. "Let's go, let's go!"
"Oh, Toffee, did you check the web forum this morning? They announced that the Secret Friend selection has been postponed. They will update us on the new date very soon."
Toffee's face fell instantly and his disappointment was very clear. "Oh... I was practically thrilled for it," he muttered, and his excitement vanished in a second.
Seeing the change in his friend's mood, Mok quickly moved to change the topic because he was desperate to cheer him up before the gloom took over.
"Easy there, Tiger. Just tell me when you actually want to hit the salon."
Toffee tapped his chin thoughtfully. "How about this evening?
We go there, you wait for me, and then we get a nice dinner.
Do not you dare change the plan, Mok. If you stand me up, I will tell everyone in the faculty that you cry during romantic soap operas."
"Deal," Mok laughed, just as Toffee's phone began to vibrate violently.
"Mok! My Mae is calling me!" Toffee's eyes went wide. "She has the ears of a bat! She probably knows that I have not eaten my vegetables yet!"
"Then lock the door and get your kitten-self down here," Mok called out as he headed for the stairs. "I will get the car ready. And good luck surviving the Queen Mother!"
Toffee snatched up the phone quickly.
"Hello, Mae? Yes, your favorite boy is here! ... Khrab... I miss you too! Have you been eating well? ... Oh, you saw the photos? Mok took those; he is taking such good care of me, so do not worry. Khrab... I will call you tonight. Love you the most in the world, Mae. Sawatdee khrab!"
Standing before the massive Faculty of Fine Arts building—a huge hub where art was split into many departments—Mok and Toffee joined the long queue to submit their applications.
"Toffee, did you text P'Ter yet? His shop will be very packed," Mok reminded him.
"Okay, okay, I am texting him right now!"
Toffee's fingers flew across the screen.
"Next!
Fill in everything!
Do not miss a single line!" a senior barked nearby. "The club forum is open, so make sure to join at least one. Do not be lazy!"
"Next! Come forward!"
"Sawatdee khrab, Phi," Toffee said, offering a polite wai as he stepped up. "I am here to submit my form, khrab."
"Oh wow! You are so beautiful that even I am starting to feel a bit jealous," the female senior teased, and her eyes lit up when she saw him.
"Khrab... oh, Phi..." Toffee stammered while blushing. The male senior sitting beside her was also watching Toffee with impressed eyes.
"I forgot to introduce myself! I am P'May, a third-year from the Department of Painting," she said warmly. "Since we are in the same department, you can ask me anything you want, okay?"
"Oh, P'May! Sawatdee khrab. It is very nice to meet you."
I'm Toffee, you can call me Toffee. "
" Even you name is cute, and you are so well-spoken too! "
Thank you,P ' May -Toffee.
" P'May chirped happily. Toffee then looked at the male senior who had taken his papers.
"I am P'Oat, khrab," he said with a big grin. "I am from Sculpture. It is nice to meet you... Toffee, right?"
"Khrab, nice to meet you, P'Oat!"
"And who is this handsome one standing beside you?"
P'May asked curiously.
"Sawatdee khrab. I am Chayaphon Chanapat-worachote. You can call me Mok," Mok replied with a reserved nod.
P'May's eyes widened in shock. "Chayaphon? Oat, isn't that the name...?"
"Oh! You! You are the one!" P'Oat exclaimed, pointing a finger at him. "He is the one who got into Fine Arts with the top national scores! Everyone thought you would choose Medicine, but here you are!"
"You have been dubbed the 'Fresher King' of Fine Arts!" P'May added happily. Mok stood there, speechless and feeling slightly disappointed.
"I do not really like being called names like that..."
"You will get used to it! It is just tradition," P'May laughed.
"Um, can we go inside now? Other people are waiting," Toffee interrupted gently.
"Oh, right! Sorry!" P'May said, feeling flustered.
Suddenly, P'Oat grabbed Mok's hand. "Wait! Mok, my department professor wants to meet you right now. Can you come with me? Please, Mok!"
Mok looked at Toffee, feeling hesitant. "But I..."
"It is okay, Mok. Go with P'Oat," Toffee whispered into his ear. "Fighting! Make some new friends and do not just stay silent.
Fighting!" With a wink, Toffee ran inside.
"Toffee, you traitor!" Mok called out, but Toffee had already disappeared into the crowd.
Mok sighed and turned to P'Oat. "Should we go, Phi?"
"Okay! May, can you handle the rest for me?
If Kao shows up, tell him we did not find anything in the hall. He was calling about it this morning."
"I will manage, Oat. I will check with Kao first," May replied.
"Let us go, Mok!"
"Khrab," Mok replied, following him into the building.