Toffee looked back at Artit.
As soon as their eyes met, Artit's cold face disappeared. He suddenly looked like a Golden Retriever seeing his owner, his expression softening instantly.
Jay interrupted the moment. "Toffee, would you like something to drink? I can buy it for you."
Before Toffee could answer, Artit cut in. "He already drank. Buy one for yourself."
Jay smiled thinly. "Sawatdee khab, Phi Artit."
"You know me?" Artit asked coldly.
"Of course. Who doesn't know the famous Phi Artit?" Jay replied.
Oat and Kao watched from the side, feeling that something was about to go wrong.
Jay ignored Artit and turned back to Toffee.
"Toffee, are you participating in the 'Campus Prince' contest?"
"No, he doesn't like things like that ," Artit answered for him again.
Jay's face turned cold and annoyed. He was tired of Artit answering every question. He forced a smile at Toffee, trying to ignore Artit's presence.
"Toffee, I am preparing for a program. Can you help me, please? Khab?"
Toffee felt flustered, but Artit cut in again.
"No. He doesn't like crowds."
Suddenly, Jay lost his patience.
"Phi Artit, did I do something wrong? Why are you cutting my lines? I am talking to Toffee, not you."
Jay stepped closer. "Toffee should decide, not you. It's not like you are his boyfriend... why are you interfering?"
Artit went completely silent. Kao and Oat froze—they knew that when Artit went silent, it was a very bad sign. They knew exactly how scary Artit could be.
The air felt heavy and chilly; everyone at the booth could feel the tension.
Toffee stood in the middle, feeling the pressure between them. Finally, he spoke up.
"Phi Jay... I don't want to participate. I don't feel comfortable doing it. I'm sorry, Phi Jay."
"It's alright. You don't have to say sorry," Jay said, trying to recover.
"Then, can you at least come see me when I practice? Take pity on this senior. You can give me some piano tips, too."
"Phi Jay, I'm not that good..."
"Toffee," Artit called out. He didn't wait for Toffee to finish. He reached out and firmly held Toffee's hand.
"Everything is done here. Can we go grab something to eat now?"
Toffee nodded shyly. He looked at Mok and Lamon, who both nodded back. "Let's go to the canteen," they agreed.
Toffee's face turned bright red because Artit wouldn't let go of his hand. Without a single "goodbye" to Jay, Artit led Toffee away. They walked straight ahead, leaving a stunned Jay behind. Lamon, Mok, Oat, and Kao quickly waved goodbye to the others and followed them, leaving the music booth in a daze.
Sara placed a hand on Jay's shoulder as he stood there, fuming with anger.
"Jay, haven't you seen the posts online?" she asked quietly.
"Phi Sara, what are you talking about?" Jay snapped, still looking at the spot where Artit and Toffee had disappeared.
"Jay, look... the whole campus already knows that those two are more than just friends."
Sara showed him her phone. Jay scrolled through the photos: Toffee accidentally stepping on Artit's foot while Artit held his waist to steady him; Artit carrying Toffee's bag while Toffee playfully tried to grab it back; and Artit following Toffee around like a loyal puppy, smiling only when he looked at him.
Jay swiped through the posts one by one, his face going pale. He was speechless.
"Jay," Sara said seriously, "Artit is not as simple as you think. He is someone who always gets what he wants. It's better if you give up before this gets serious. It's not like you only have one crush—you flirt with so many people, so..."
As Sara talked, Jay's expression changed into one she had never seen before. He looked genuinely hurt.
"Jay... don't tell me..." Sara whispered, her eyes widening.
Jay looked completely lost. "Phi Sara... I don't know. I think I really like him."
As his senior, Sara didn't want to see him this sad. She sighed, feeling conflicted.
"Jay, I... I don't know what advice to give you. Even if I tell you to stop, I know you won't listen. But Toffee clearly only has eyes for Artit. All I can say is: follow your heart, but don't let your heart get broken."
She gently rubbed Jay's shoulder, trying to comfort him as he stood there in silence.
On the way to the canteen, Lamon started shivering. Mok noticed and asked, "Lamon, are you alright?"
Toffee stepped closer to check on him. "Lamon, you look like you have a slight fever."
Suddenly, Oat walked up and pressed his palm against Lamon's forehead. His expression turned serious. "You really are sick," Oat said. He looked at Toffee and Mok. "I'm taking him home."
"I'm okay," Lamon argued weakly. "It's just a slight fever. I'll be fine."
"Lamon, don't pretend you are okay when you aren't!" Oat raised his voice, his worry turning into frustration.
Hearing Oat shout, Lamon's eyes welled up with tears. He looked like he might cry at any moment. Seeing Lamon's sad face, Oat immediately regretted getting angry.
"I'm sorry," Oat whispered, his own voice trembling. "Oat is really sorry for raising his voice. I will never do it again, I promise."
Oat nodded to Artit and signaled to Kao that they were leaving.
"Take care, Lamon!" Mok and Toffee called out as the two walked away.
Seeing how worried Toffee looked, Artit spoke up gently. "Don't worry, Oat will take care of Lamon. Oat is someone who is really good at looking after people."
Toffee looked up at Artit and nodded. "Yes, I know," he said, feeling a bit more at ease.
When they arrived at the canteen, Kao turned to Mok and Toffee. "Sit here and wait for us. We'll go get the food."
Once Artit and Kao left, the two friends sat down. Mok noticed Toffee's expression.
"Toffee, you were happy a moment ago, but now you look sad. Why?"
Toffee sighed deeply. "Mok... I... I think P'Artit likes me."
"I know that. I'm not blind! I can see it from a mile away," Mok said, unfazed.
"He knows everything about me," Toffee whispered, looking down at his lap. "But I know nothing about him. Do you think I'm being too hard on him?"
"Toffee, do you want my honest truth?" Mok pointed toward a group of girls nearby.
"Look at them. They are looking at Phi Artit like they want to snatch him up. If you keep being a 'sad puppy' and act too rough, someone else will take him." Mok teased him with a grin.
"You... Mok!" Toffee pouted. He looked over at Artit and Kao in the food line, then smirked back at Mok.
"Well, forget about me for a second. If you keep being so mean to Phi Kao, he might finally run away. I wonder who else would ever like you as much as he does?"
Mok froze. "Toffee, how did you—"
"Oh, Mok, I'm not deaf!" Toffee laughed. "He flirts with you so openly. My ears are practically bleeding from hearing him say 'Adorable!' all the time. 'Mok standing is adorable,' 'Mok drinking is adorable,' 'Mok smiling is adorable.' Adorable, adorable, adorable! I'm sick of that word!"
"Toffee, you're overreacting!" Mok grumbled, his face turning slightly pink.
Just then, Kao and Artit returned with the food. Artit sat on the same bench as Toffee, his focus entirely on making sure Toffee was comfortable while he ate.
On the other side, Kao looked at Mok's plate. "Mok, why aren't you eating your vegetables? They're good for you."
"I don't like them," Mok said coldly.
"Oh, okay. Then let me take them. You can have my meat instead." Kao began moving all the meat from his own plate onto Mok's.
"Phi Kao, I don't need it," Mok protested.
"You can eat it! I... I don't really like meat anyway," Kao lied. He actually loved meat, but he wanted Mok to be full and happy.
Mok looked at Kao's face and felt a tiny spark of guilt. He quietly picked up a piece of his favorite crispy pork and placed it on Kao's plate. "You can eat that," Mok said softly.
Toffee stopped eating and looked at Artit in surprise. Artit smiled back at Toffee, enjoying the rare sight of Mok being nice.
"Oh! You're giving your food to me, Mok? I'm so happy! Mok "
"Stop," Mok interrupted, his voice turning cold again to hide his shyness. "Do I need to take it back?"
"Oh... no! Don't be cold to me again," Kao sighed, but he couldn't hide the huge smile on his face. He was the happiest man in the canteen.