Behind the Spotlight

Chapter 11: Facing the World

The next day was a mix of excitement and anxiety for Pond and Phuwin. They had agreed to go public with their relationship, and the anticipation hung thick in the air as they prepared for the press conference.

Pond paced in front of the mirror, adjusting his shirt for the hundredth time. "What if they don't take us seriously?" he asked, anxiety creeping into his voice.

Phuwin stepped behind him, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "They will. We just have to be honest. We're real, and that's what matters."

Pond turned to face him, their eyes locking. "You're right. I just want to make sure we do this the right way."

Phuwin smiled, the warmth in his gaze easing Pond's nerves. "We will. Together."

The press conference was buzzing with energy. Fans had gathered outside, holding signs and cheering, their excitement palpable. Pond felt a rush of adrenaline as they walked onto the stage hand in hand, the bright lights illuminating their faces.

As they settled into their seats, questions flew from reporters. The first few inquiries were standard, focusing on their current project. But soon enough, the atmosphere shifted.

"Pond, Phuwin, there's been a lot of speculation about your relationship. Can you confirm that you're together?" a reporter asked, her eyes glinting with curiosity.

Pond glanced at Phuwin, who nodded encouragingly. Taking a deep breath, he spoke up. "Yes, we are together. What we have is real, and we're excited to share it with everyone."

The room erupted with murmurs and flashes from cameras. Pond felt a mixture of relief and exhilaration wash over him. They had done it; they were free.

Phuwin squeezed his hand under the table, a silent promise of support. "We hope everyone can respect our relationship and understand that it's something special for us," he added, his voice steady.

The questions continued, some supportive, others probing. Pond and Phuwin handled each one with grace, but as the conference went on, Pond felt the pressure mounting. He glanced at the crowd, where fans held signs of encouragement, and it filled him with warmth.

After the press conference, they stepped outside to a sea of fans. The energy was electric, and Pond felt overwhelmed but grateful for the support. Suddenly, he spotted a familiar face in the crowd.

"Look! It's my sister!" Phuwin exclaimed, waving enthusiastically.

Pond's heart swelled as he saw Phuwin's sister pushing through the crowd, her face beaming with pride. She reached them and pulled Phuwin into a hug, and Pond felt a sense of belonging wash over him.

"I'm so proud of you two!" she said, beaming at them. "You both looked amazing up there!"

Pond felt a rush of affection for Phuwin and his family, grateful for their acceptance. "Thanks! It means a lot," he replied, returning her smile.

That evening, after the whirlwind of events, they found themselves back at Pond's apartment, the soft glow of the city lights filtering through the windows. The adrenaline from the press conference still buzzed in the air, but now a more intimate atmosphere settled between them.

"Can you believe we did that?" Phuwin said, flopping down onto the couch, a wide grin plastered on his face.

Pond chuckled, sinking down beside him. "I still can't believe how supportive everyone was. It's like a weight has been lifted."

Phuwin turned to face him, the playful glint in his eyes softening. "And now we can finally be ourselves."

Pond nodded, feeling the warmth radiating from Phuwin's presence. "Yeah. I want to celebrate this—us."