Story so far — (from Part 1)
Mok leaves for the Mechanical Faculty to return the gear pin he found in the auditorium, just as Oat told him to. He arrives at the workshop and asks about the senior named Kaopun.
The moment Kao hears the name "Kaopun," he becomes furious. Only Artit and his close friends — the people he personally allowed — call him that. No one else on campus dares to use that name.
So hearing it from a complete stranger immediately puts him on edge.
Present —
Everyone inside the workshop froze.
The machines had already been shut down, leaving the place in complete silence.
Meanwhile, Artit paid no attention as he scrolled through his phone.
On the other side, Win almost dropped his tools onto the floor. "Shit… I almost dropped it. If I did, the demon standing over there would drain my wallet dry even for a tiny scratch."
Win secretly glanced at Artit. "Thank god I survived."
At the same time, whispers began spreading around the workshop.
"Did you hear that?"
"That fresher is done for."
"Don't you know? A fight once broke out because someone confessed to Kao and called him Kaopun."
"Even when he was angry, he didn't hit the guy. Kao's basically an angel."
"He's handsome."
"He's kind."
"He's more than qualified to be our handsome prince…"
Win listened with disgust written all over his face. "What is this? A Kao fan club? Girls, wake up…"
From the other side, furious footsteps approached like raging fire.
"Who called me that? Who has the audacity to use that name?"
Kao stood there, nearly consumed by anger. His clenched fists looked strong enough to hurt someone.
Mok turned around.
Time suddenly stopped for Kao.
The wind rushed in through the windows.
A pair of glasses rested on Mok's face, while his hair partially covered his ears.
Standing there quietly, Mok left Kao stunned.
"You… You are…" Kao's voice failed him.
Countless thoughts flashed through his mind within seconds.
"What the hell is wrong with these people?
The moment I entered, everyone started acting weird. Some nearly attacked me while others stared at me with pity."
"And the craziest one is the guy standing in front of me. I don't feel good about this."
"My instincts are telling me this is going to become trouble." Mok silently wondered.
"I-I'm Kaopun… Kao… Kaopun… Whatever you want to call me is fine…"
"Little angel…"
"So cute…"
Mok awkwardly pressed his lips together.
"Wait… wait… why does this feel like deja vu?"
Everyone around them was stunned.
Some nearly fainted while others stared with their mouths wide open in disbelief.
It took them several moments to process what they had just witnessed.
"Then why were you looking for me?" Kao grinned brightly.
He lowered his voice excitedly.
"Don't tell me you fell in love at first sight after meeting me. No way… that only happens in stories…"
"Here. I'm the one who found your pin. P'Oat told me to bring it since he was busy. Just take it." Mok hurriedly handed it over.
"Thank you… I really thought I lost it."
As soon as Kao touched the pin, his expression softened. "Kid, do you know your father almost died after losing you? Don't disappear again, okay?"
He carefully tucked it inside his jacket.
"Thank you."
"Then I'll get going."
Mok immediately tried to leave, but Kao quickly caught his wrist.
Mok's hands were strangely soft and rough at the same time…
"But why is my heart beating like this? Calm down…" Kao stared at Mok for a moment before reluctantly releasing him.
"Don't leave yet. You found something really precious to me. At least tell me your name."
Mok let out a sigh. "It's Mok."
"Mok…" Kao smiled faintly. "Cute."
"What?" Mok blinked in surprise.
"Oh no. My thoughts are spilling out again. Calm down, Kao."
"Mok, okay. I'm P'Kao. Nice to meet you."
Mok nodded politely. "Khap."
"Then let me treat you. I can't just let you leave that easily, right?"
"No, I need to go. Maybe next time."
Mok smirked inwardly. "No next time either. I'll run if I can."
Kao refused to give up. "Please come with me. I promise I won't bother you. Let's have lunch together."
"What am I supposed to do now? This definitely feels like trouble. Just the way he keeps staring at me is already enough."
Suddenly, Mok remembered something.
"Oh right… sorry, I really can't go with you."
"Why?"
"Because I forgot to submit my friend's application."
Mok pulled the form from his bag.
The moment Kao saw it, he immediately snatched it away.
"Wait, give it back…" Mok tried to take the paper from him.
"Mok, let me find someone who can submit this."
Kao's eyes landed on Artit. "Hey, Artit, help me with this."
Artit's annoyed expression instantly turned cold. "No. Do it yourself, jerk."
"Oh, come on, Artit. Help me out."
"What's your friend's name?" Kao asked Mok.
"It's Toffee. Let me handle it. I don't trust anyone else."
Within seconds, Artit grabbed the paper and walked outside.
"What's going on?" Mok watched in confusion.
Seeing Mok's expression, Kao spoke up.
"Don't worry. He's not a bad person. You can trust him. He'll take care of it."
Meanwhile, Kevin and Win continued arguing loudly in the background.
Kao and Mok remained standing there awkwardly.
"There was no way to escape now. Well, it didn't matter—I wouldn't have to see him again after this anyway," Mok wondered.
"Come on. I'll show you around."
Mok hummed, hesitating for a moment before he quietly followed Kao.
Kao introduced different areas one by one, explaining everything simply so Mok could understand comfortably. His explanation continued as they stopped near a car.
"Do you want to touch it? Come closer."
Mok stepped near him carefully. "Can I?"
"You can. I built it myself."
Admiration appeared across Mok's face. "You like cars?"
"Yeah."
"Then why didn't you study automotive engineering?"
"I like cars, not studying." Kao hummed softly.
"But this looks like a huge project." Mok's fingertips trailed lightly across the surface of the car.
"I worked on it whenever I had free time. Sounds crazy, right? Everyone called me insane while I was designing it, but now it's become the engineering faculty's main showcase."
Even while speaking, Kao gently ran his hand along the car.
Mok quietly watched him. "He's not what I thought at all. He's actually hardworking… not just someone who talks big like others.
He's interesting."
"Wait… why am I even thinking like this? Probably because he worked hard on it. That's all."
"What's wrong? Are you tired?" Kao asked after noticing him spacing out.
"No. I was just wondering… why red?"
"Red?" Kao paused. "I don't know. It just felt right."
"Do you want to sit inside?"
"But isn't this like the faculty's treasure? How can I—"
Before Mok could finish, Kao grabbed his hand and guided him into the car.
Mok's eyes sparkled. He carefully touched everything around him.
Standing outside, Kao couldn't stop smiling after seeing Mok enjoy it so much.
"What is this feeling? At first, I thought it was only curiosity. But now… It feels like..."
Kao clenched his fist tightly. "No. It's impossible."
"Just because I think he's cute doesn't mean I— That's right. It's only curiosity."
Kao forced himself back to reality.
Mok stepped out of the car and approached him.
"You're sweating."
Kao immediately tried changing the topic before someone suddenly called him.
"Kao! Can you help over here?"
One of the students waved at him, covered in grease.
Kao looked conflicted.
"You can go," Mok said. "I'll wait."
"Really?" Kao visibly brightened. "Then sit there. That's my spot. Wait for me, okay? I won't take long."
He repeated himself several times until Mok finally sat down comfortably. After that, Kao returned to help the others.
"Weird… He's really weird." Mok glanced around casually.
Kao's bag and phone were still there.
Leaning back against the bench, Mok shifted his gaze toward the distance where Kao was working.
Without realizing it, a faint smile appeared on his face.
Two hours later...
"Mok…"
"Mok…"
A soft voice repeatedly called his name.
"Mok…"
Slowly opening his eyes, Mok found Kao kneeling beside him, slightly out of breath.
Kao almost brushed back Mok's hair but stopped himself midway.
"I'm sorry. I got delayed."
Mok glanced outside.The sun was still up.
"Looks like I only slept for a few hours."
"Your phone kept ringing, but I didn't answer it since you were busy."
"Mh… thank you." The moment Kao checked his phone, his expression changed.
Mok immediately noticed. "We can eat another day if you're busy."
"No. I already promised you."
"It's just a promise. It's not a big deal."
Hearing that, Kao immediately answered.
"It is."
His voice turned unexpectedly serious. "I promised you."
Mok looked slightly taken aback. "What's going on with him? It's just lunch… Why is he treating it like something important?"
Mok quietly exhaled.
"Mok, are you free now?"
"You saw me sitting here for hours. What do you think?"
"He's seriously hard to deal with." Kao muttered under his breath.
"Did you say something?"
"No. Anyway, I need to stop somewhere first before lunch."
"Where?"
"You'll see." Kao gathered his things quickly.
"Let's go."
They walked out together.
"Win, I'm leaving. Artit still hasn't come back?"
Win shook his head. "We're done too. Should we lock the workshop?"
"Nah. Artit's bag is still inside." Kao checked the time.
"You're not eating with us?" Win asked while eyeing Mok curiously. A teasing grin spread across his face. "Fighting, you chick…"
"Win," Kao warned through clenched teeth.
"Just you wait…"
Clearing his throat, he urged Mok to depart.
Soon, they reached the parking area.
Kao was about to take his car when Mok suddenly spoke.
"This is your chance to show off your driving skills. Kao let's go..."
"Can we take mine instead?"
An invisible, instant rejection.
"Okay," Kao agreed immediately. "We'll take yours."
"Forget it…" Kao sighed inwardly.
After getting inside the car, Mok asked, "Can you send me the location first?"
"Oh. Here."
"Share it with me." Mok stared at him.
"How can I share it when I don't even have your number?" Kao replied with fake sadness.
Mok handed over his phone. "Then put your number in."
"Khap..."
Kao instantly brightened.
He handed the phone back to Mok. "Can't you at least offer a smile?"
"Sorry, I don't smile very often... so..."
"Oh, it was just a joke. It's alright."
They locked eyes for a beat, until Mok averted his gaze.
The car slowly started moving.
Meanwhile, Kao kept sneaking glances at Mok while he drove. "Do I like him? If someone saw me right now, they'd think I've gone crazy. This feeling again…"
Kao leaned back against the seat quietly.
His heartbeat refused to calm down. Pressing a hand against his chest, Kao let out a slow breath.
"I still can't figure out why…"
Outside the window, the scenery shifted through the busy streets as the car continued forward.
After resting his eyes briefly, Kao turned toward Mok once more.
And somehow, simply watching him drive brought out a smile Kao had never felt before.