"Are you getting hot? Do you want something cold to eat? Toffee, are you okay?" Artit asked, touching Toffee's forehead with worry.
"Did you take the medicine I bought for you yesterday?" Artit asked again, looking concerned.
Toffee looked at Artit like a sad puppy. "I... I... P'Artit..." he whispered. "I'm sorry, P'Artit. I forgot to take the pills."
Toffee felt so guilty. Artit had taken such good care of him yesterday and bought him everything, but he had still forgotten the medicine.
Artit reached out and gently stroked Toffee's hair. "Don't make that face. I don't like seeing you sad," Artit said softly. "It's okay that you forgot, but you need to take care of yourself. What will I do if you get even sicker?" Artit pouted at him.
Feeling bad, Toffee suddenly grabbed Artit's hand. "I'm sorry, P..." he said, gently swinging Artit's hand back and forth to make him feel better.
A warm smile spread across Artit's face as he watched Toffee swing his hand.
"Come here," Artit said, gently taking Toffee's hand. He led him to a cooler spot to help him feel better in the heat.
After Toffee sat down on the bench, Artit knelt on the floor in front of him. He wanted to see Toffee's face since he still looked so sad. Artit reached up, softly touched Toffee's cheek, and said, "Give me five minutes, okay? I'll be quick. Let me go buy us something cold to drink."
"P'Artit... you don't need to..." Toffee started to protest.
Artit didn't listen. He just smiled and said, "Oh, you're always such a worried little puppy. Just stay here, I'll be back fast!"
With that, Artit hurried off to buy a drink for Toffee.
Even as Artit walked away, he kept looking back. He was in such a hurry to get back to Toffee that he practically ran to the drink stall.
When he arrived, a group from the Painting Department were already there. One of them, a girl named May, called him after saw him, ( May already mention in early chapter ).
[ May, Oat, Kao, and Artit have been inseparable since their school days. You could easily say they're best friends. Artit is definitely the wild one, but honestly, the other three are just as bad. When they're alone in their own world, they all act completely crazy. But in public? No one would even guess they know each other, let alone that they're a legendary group of friends.]
"Oh! Artit , it's been a while. Wait, what are you doing here? Hey, hey... why is the 'Face of the College' showing up now? ...Wait, Artit, why are you looking at me like that?"
"Didn't I tell you? At least give me a smile when we're in public!" May complained under her breath. She made sure to look distant so no one would notice just how close they actually were.
Back in high school, the four of them made a crazy bet: if they all got into the same university, they had to act like total strangers—or at most, just casual acquaintances—whenever they were in public. The loser would have to be the other three's "slave" for an entire year, doing whatever they commanded.
It started as a joke, but fate played a trick on them when they all actually got accepted into the same college. Even though they said it was just a prank, once they stepped onto campus, the game became real. Kao had already lost the bet and spent a miserable year as their errand boy. Now that his time was up, everyone was eager to find a new victim, but no one was willing to give in.
What's wrong, Artit ? Do you feel like hitting me? You better watch out—you have to think about your precious image!"
May gave him a formal bow, her face full of mischief. "Sawatdee khab, Mr. Face of the College..." It was a polite greeting, but the way she said it was pure mockery, a special "tribute" just for him.
Artit gave a quick, polite bow. "Sawasdee khab, May."
May shocked,No way... you've really changed, Artit . I can't believe it. I need to pinch myself!" May thought to herself. "Even with the bet, he usually never smiles, let alone greets me. I can't believe he's actually doing this."
"Artit, why so formal? It's scary!" May teased. "So, why are you here?"
Wait, let me think... No way! Artit , don't tell me you're acting like this because of your—"
She leaned in with a smirk. "Wait... don't tell me you like someone from my department ?"
Even though we're this close, Artit has never told us who he likes. With his personality, there's no way he'd visit this faculty for no reason.
I bet the person he's liked for years is definitely in my department... or at least in my faculty. Since he's visiting now, they must be a freshman! I can't wait to text our group chat and spread the news later." Finally, I might get to see the person who can actually change him. It's such a relief... I hope that person can take away all the pain he's been carrying in his heart," May thought, her mind drifting back to the old days they spent together.
Artit felt a bit confused. She wasn't entirely wrong—Toffee was in the Painting department—but he wasn't interested in any of her classmates or anyone else in her circle.
Suddenly, one of May's friends stepped forward, blushing. "Artit, do you remember me? We were in the Student Union program together..."
"I don't know you," Artit said coldly.
He turned back to May. " May, I'm busy. I have to go." Like a robot, he quickly bought a Chrysanthemum tea for Toffee, paid, and gave a short wave. "Bye, May." He rushed back toward Toffee as fast as he could.
"I can't believe he just waved goodbye to me!" May's disbelief was written all over her face like clear water. "He's really changed... it's so weird that I actually miss the old Artit . Oh my god, I'm even getting goosebumps!"
The girl who was rejected looked hurt. May sighed and looked at her friend. "Don't be sad. You already know he likes someone. The whole university knows he rejects everyone because he says he already has someone in his heart."
The friend pouted. "He was so cold..."
"I don't think he was cold," May said, patting her friend's shoulder. "He's just been clear about his feelings from the start. And listen... just because he rejected you, don't go starting any weird rumors. You know me, right?"
The friend looked nervous. "May... what are you saying?"
"Anyway, you guys get your drinks," May said loudly as she started to walk away.
"May! Where are you going?" one of them called out.
"I'm busy!" May yelled back. She whispered to herself, "Too busy to waste time on useless rumors."
"Everyone knows what Artit is really like, yet they still start these stupid rumors. People just can't accept reality. It's not like he's some product that has to please everyone! Only we get to mess with him—no one else has the right to do that," May muttered to herself, her face twisted with annoyance and anger."
"What a waste of time! Ugh, I just want to go back to Paradox Club... if only I could finish this project already!" May grumbled to herself.
May was humming a song to herself as she walked down the corridor. A sudden, warm breeze blew past, and at that exact moment, a girl appeared in front of her. She looked like a freshman, but she was a peerless beauty—so stunning that May completely froze. Her heart skipped a beat, and the world seemed to stop moving.
The girl walked toward May, who was still lost in a trance.
"P'… P'… P'.....?"
May snapped out of it. The girl was looking at her, tilting her head. "Sawasdee khab, P'. I'm lost. Can I ask you for directions?"
May was too stunned to speak for a second. She quickly shook her head to act normal.
"Oh! I'm May. And you are… Bua? Sawasdee khab."
"Sawasdee khab, P'May. I called you many times, but you didn't seem to hear me," Bua said with a shy smile.
"I'm sorry! I was just… lost in thought," May stammered. "Where are you trying to go?"
"The Music Department," Bua replied.
"Then which department are you from, Bua?"
"Photography."
"Oh, that's quite a long walk from here. Why did you come all this way? Is your boyfriend here?" May asked, unable to hide her curiosity.
Bua shook her head. "No, I just came to see a friend. Also I'm single khab."
May nodded, her heart racing even faster. "Then… how about I give you a tour? That way you won't get lost again."
Bua looked surprised. "You don't have to, P'May. I can go by myself., you can just give me directions."
Oh, it's alright! I'm from the Painting Department and third year , so I basically know every corner of this place. Want me to guide you?" May asked with a bright, helpful smile.
"You don't have to, P'May. I can go by myself."
"How can I let you do that..." May whispered under her breath. "...when I've already fallen for you?"
"Khab? Did you say something, P'May?"
"No, no! Let's go!" May said quickly.
As they walked together, May thought to herself, Now I know why they say love at first sight is real. I always made fun of Artit for being so whipped... and look at me now.
May guided Bua toward the Music Department, literally dying of shyness inside.
Artit walked quickly back to Toffee, clutching the cold Chrysanthemum tea. He only slowed his pace when he saw Toffee looking down at his phone.
As Artit approached, Toffee lifted his head. A look of relief washed over his face, and he gave Artit a small, sweet smile. Artit knelt on the floor directly in front of him. They were so close that if either of them leaned in just an inch, their lips would touch.
Artit didn't move away. Instead, he prepared the drink, poked the straw in, and held it up to Toffee's mouth. Toffee blushed deeply from the closeness. Feeling shy, he quickly grabbed the cup. "Get up from the floor, P'Artit," he whispered. "You'll get hurt sitting like that."
Artit stood up and sat down right next to Toffee. He sat so close that their shoulders touched, his long arms reaching around as if to protect Toffee from everything else. Toffee felt his heart beating fast. It was hard to look at Artit when they were this close. Toffee tried to move away just a little bit, but Artit moved with him, staying by his side.
"P'Artit... you don't have to do all this," Toffee said softly. "I will give your jacket back and treat you to a meal, but you don't need to be this nice to me. You don't have to buy me things anymore." Toffee said the words, but in his heart, he didn't really want Artit to stop.
Artit felt a sting of worry. He wondered if Toffee didn't like him.
"Why are you suddenly telling me this, Toffee? Do you not like what I'm doing?" Artit asked, his voice filled with worry.
As he spoke, he glanced at Toffee's phone, which was still unlocked. He saw that Toffee was scrolling through the comments and posts about what Pim had posted yesterday.
"Is it because of that post from yesterday?" Artit asked, worried there was a misunderstanding.
"It's not that," Toffee replied quietly. "Mok already told me she is just one of the people who follows you."
Artit was surprised. He saw a hint of jealousy in Toffee's eyes, and it secretly made him happy. "Then why don't you want me to take care of you?" Artit asked with a gentle smile.
Toffee looked down, afraid to hope for something that might not be real. "I heard... I heard you already have someone in your heart. Everyone says you are already in love with someone. If the person you like saw you taking such good care of me like this, wouldn't they be worried?" Toffee asked.
Artit leaned in even closer, his voice low and serious. "It is true," Artit said. "I do have someone in my heart. And I am madly in love with him."
Toffee's eyes began to turn red and watery. He felt a sharp pain in his chest." I have only known him for a day, Toffee thought, so why does it hurt this much? I have to forget him. I can't let him know I like him."
Seeing Toffee's sad face, Artit gently reached out and touched Toffee's ear. "It is true that I only want to chase one person," Artit whispered. "But Toffee... why would I care about anyone else when the person I love is right here in front of me?"
Toffee looked at Artit, feeling very confused. Artit leaned toward Toffee's ear and whispered, "Toffee... can I officially start trying to win your heart?"
Toffee felt his face get very hot, completely flustered by the answer.
"Toffee," Artit said, looking into his eyes, "I don't need to look at anyone else. I only want you."Can't you just be mine? Only mine?"