Love Director [ENG]

Chapter 11: Agreement

Am I the only one feeling out of place?

Paint asked himself uncertainty, stealing a glance at the big man by the fridge, who seemed to notice.

Aphros turned back, stopping his questioning gaze, sipping his water until the head chef turned back to the stir-fry he was making. Last night's meal had been stored away, and Paint had realized that the touch Aphros enjoyed was more nephew-like. Even though he heard confirmation from Aphros' mouth, Paint's heart still fluttered restlessly. He couldn't explain why it felt so irrational, but he couldn't argue with it. His heart was kind to everyone, including Phi Sin. But who could know? Perhaps Aphros was being kind too, but not in the way Paint hoped.

Just when he thought he was more special than others, he scolded himself.

Nonsense, how am I special? I'm not like Plerng, who is his beloved nephew.

Paint fell asleep, filled with questions without answers, trying to stop thinking. He told himself to focus on work and making money to buy a guitar. Other things didn't need much consideration. Some things couldn't be reasoned, such as the odd behavior at Aphros' house. Hugging each other was normal, wasn't it?

"Are you making fried rice or solving the Pythagorean theorem?"

How strange was that!

The head chef was startled. As soon as Aphros finished his drink, he walked over and leaned against Paint's shoulder, teasingly asking if he had hugged him too much since morning!

"Why did you hug me like that?" Paint asked..

"What? I hugged you many times before."

He couldn't argue with it anyway. But what happened earlier, when we hugged, was it because Aphros tried to comfort him when he cried? But that time, while Paint was making stir-fried rice, Aphros walked over to hug him, brushed past him, and even touched Paint's shoulder. Instead of calling out, they just held hands.

Was it just Paint who felt it was strange?

"It's difficult, phi. I'm struggling." Paint didn't want to sound like he was complaining.

"Is it because of me?"

"No, it's not."

"Just swear you're not thinking about it."

"..."

"Haha, haha, haha." As Aphros concluded the argument with laughter, he seemed pleased but also resigned.

He released his hand from around Paint's waist and walked back to his usual seat at the dining table. He didn't even think of lifting a finger, not even to fetch the glass of water he just drank, because everything was the responsibility of Paint. The nong simply breathed.

Paint skillfully scooped the crab fried rice onto the plate until it piled up, then sprinkled it with the remaining crab meat from the previous day along with chopped spring onions. He paid no attention to the murmurs of Aphros warning not to sprinkle grass on the plate. Then, Paint lifted the plate and served it up with chili fish sauce.

"Why did you bring that?" If Aphros asked, he raised a small bowl inquiringly.

"Just in case you want to add some." Paint replied.

Paint's house never ran out of chili fish sauce. Whether it was fried rice, basil stir-fry, or sweet green curry, if someone liked it spicy, Paint added more. But Aphros shook his head.

"No need, it's delicious already."

"Are you sure? You've never tried it." Paint argued, still stirring.