The F5 (Fraternal Five)

Tay-Gun

In the end, Gun didn't go swimming with the promise of Off helping him on a secret mission of his, which is flirting with Tay.

"Huh? Do you like Tay?" Off looked as surprised as confused.

"Of course not, you moroon! Just, I usually can read people, but I can't read P'New."

"So ...?"

"So it's kinda exciting to get a reaction out of him. Flirting with P'Tay is my best guess, but, I don't know ... something just doesn't add up. If they like each other, why does neither make a move?"

Off frowned. "Are you usually this meddling?"

"Like I said, it's kinda exciting!" Gun grinned widely.

"So you're treating my friends as some kind of entertainment?"

"Oh, come on, Papii! It's not that deep."

"Okay, but let's coordinate with Tay first, just to be safe?" Unlike him, Off knew his friend's a professional, full-time overthinker.

"No! P'Tay isn't capable of lying or playing pretend!" Gun quickly declined.

"But what if he ends up catching feeling?" Off frowned at the possibility of anyone getting hurt in the process.

"Are we talking about the same P'Tay, or are you really that dense??! He's head over heels for P'New, it's clear as day!"

Gun truly didn't lie when he said he could read people, Off thought then. Even he found it hard to believe when Tay told him he had a thing for New, since all they did is bickering like there's no tomorrow. Like what kind of love language was that? His best friend sure's weird. "No but what if he's feeling lonely and you suddenly come in the right time and he's kinda yeah let's go with the easy choice for once—"

"He's not you, Papii." Gun deadpanned.

"Hey! I'm offended!"

"Oh trust me it was totally intentional." Gun smiled sweetly.

Off chuckled. "Fucker."

"Just make sure P'New notice it, okay?"

"You're playing a dangerous game here, Teacup." Off frowned, still not completely into Gun's idea of having fun.

"Again with the nagging! Are you in or are we going swimming?!"

"Fine, fine! This brat, you're gonna be the death of me, I'm sure." Off grumbled.

Gun winked, walking away. "Tell me something I don't know."

*

Off has to admit Gun's charm and acting skill are no joke. Using Off's endless nagging as an excuse to give up swimming, and then Tay as the closest to a friend he has there to latch onto him. Even more than Off, since they've only known each other just recently. But Tay's his senior in Econ. Apparently, Gun's known him since his first year.

Tay buys it and indulges his junior right away, happy to gain a new companion of his own. On top of some paracetamol, he also gives Gun a private yatch tour. Win eventually swims with New and Mix, as Earth watches sulkily from the poolside. Singto and Krist are nowhere to be found. No one suspects a thing. Or so he thought, as Off sits down beside Earth.

"Haven't made up yet?"

Earth sighs, looking up. "Oh, you know Mix."

Off chuckles. "Actually, I don't, not really." After all, he only knows Mix through Earth. "So what did you do this time?"

"Went a little too far with my joke. You know I had a crush on New once, right?"

Off sighs, can already guess the rest of the story. "Bringing up exes is never not a stupid move."

"In my defense, he's not even my ex!"

"Yeah, just a summer fling." Off shrugs. "Same difference."

Earth grimaces at that. "Anyway, he'll come around. Eventually."

Off studies the swimming group and says, "He sure talks a lot with Newwie. I wonder what about?"

Earth shudders. "Only good things, I hope?"

Off laughs. "You wish."

"What are you two scheming?" All of the sudden, Bright emerges from inside the yatch, hands full of snacks.

"No, the right question is what are they scheming." Off nods at New and Mix in the yatch's pool.

"No but that's a weird combination there." Bright's more interested in Tay and Gun who pile on a single daybed, looking chummier than ever.

"Huh." Earth follows his gaze and frowns. "I mean, it's weird alright."

"What do you want me to say?" Off turns sour in a second. "People like them get on fast, I guess."

Bright frowns, unconvinced. "I don't know ... P'Gun is chirpy but doesn't really socialize."

"Maybe because he has no other choice? For the record, he's trapped in this yatch with us."

"Then why are you still here?"

"He currently blocks me for being a constant nag, heh."

Bright squints his eyes at Off. "That doesn't usually stop you."

"Maybe because this time I actually care about what he thinks of me." He works up an excuse so fast, Off's having second thoughts if it's really just an excuse.

Bright's speechless for a good minute. "It's getting real, huh." He mutters under his breath.

"Hm. Maybe." Anything to get Bright off his back, Off thinks to himself.

"Huh? Just like that??" Earth gapes at Off. "I thought for sure you'd at least fight it. But you came to terms with the fact that you're in love, that easily??"

"Whoa there, back up for a sec! Who said anything about love? I care about him, sure. A bit more than I planned to, maybe. But love? Nah. It's just not for us." Off shrugs.

"You're speaking for him, too?"

"Well he's not the only one who can read people."

"Huh??"

"Never mind. Moving on. So when will we dock?"

"In less than an hour. You can start putting on your party suit, Phi." Bright winks.

"Nah, Teacup's my companion for tonight."

"But you just said he's blocking you!?" Earth exclaims, confusion paints his face.

"Oh, he'll come around. Watch." Off flashes them a smug smile, remembering his promise with Gun to regroup at the party.