Unexpected Love *⁠.⁠✧

Episode 8

A week later, Santa sat at his desk, the weight of the past days pressing heavily on his shoulders. Perth had changed his entire class schedule just to stay close, constantly observing Santa’s every move. Moreover, Perth also asked Santa to do a lot of things for him such as running an errands or buy him and his friends food. It felt suffocating. Santa hadn’t seen his friends in days—Satang, Yatch, Boom, Sea, and Sammy—and their absence gnawed at him, fueling a growing resentment toward Perth.

As they settled into class, the professor’s voice broke through Santa’s thoughts. "There will be an upcoming test for everyone, so I expect you all to study hard and get good results."

Santa’s heart sank. He had always been hardworking, his focus unwavering when it came to his studies. But now, with Perth's demands lingering over him like a dark cloud, he felt his concentration slipping away. He glanced at the clock, counting down the minutes until he could escape this suffocating routine.

His friends had started to feel the impact as well. Satang, Yatch, and the others were growing increasingly frustrated with Perth’s hold over Santa. They exchanged whispers and glances in the hallway, their dislike for Perth turning into a palpable tension.

After class, Santa remained seated, staring at his notes but seeing nothing. The worry gnawed at him. He had always prided himself on being diligent, but now his mind was clouded with thoughts of Perth's control and the distance growing between him and his friends.

Just then, Perth leaned against the doorframe, a smug smile on his face. "Ready to go, Santa?"

The familiarity of his voice sent a shiver down Santa's spine. He forced a smile, hiding his frustration. "Yeah, just give me a second."

As Santa packed up, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was losing himself in this arrangement, and the fear of disappointing his friends only added to his anxiety. With the test looming and the weight of Perth’s expectations, he knew he had to find a way to regain control over his life.

~At campus Cafè~

Santa sat at a table in the bustling campus café, his usual spot now occupied by Perth’s cronies—Aou, Winny, and Jimmy. The laughter and chatter around him felt foreign, a stark contrast to the camaraderie he once shared with his friends. He glanced across the room, where Satang, Yatch, Boom, Sea, and Sammy sat together, their faces filled with concern and frustration as they watched him.

"Hey, Santa!" Aou called, snapping Santa back to the moment. "Get us some drinks, will you?"

Santa forced a smile, feeling the familiar tension in his chest. "Sure, what do you guys want?"

"Just the usual," Winny replied, waving his hand dismissively. "And don’t take too long!"

With a sigh, Santa got up and headed to the counter. He ordered their drinks, feeling a mix of resentment and obligation. As he waited, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was losing himself more with each passing day.

Meanwhile, Pond sat a few tables away, observing the scene unfold. His brow furrowed in concern as he watched Santa serve Perth’s friends, the forced smile on Santa’s face evident even from a distance. The way Perth commanded attention, the way Santa complied—it didn’t sit right with him.

As the group continued to chatter and joke, Pond’s concern grew. He couldn’t just sit by and watch this unfold. Deciding he needed to intervene, he rose from his seat and made his way over to Perth’s table.

"Perth," Pond said, his tone direct as he approached, "can we talk for a minute?"

Perth looked up, surprise flickering across his face, but it quickly transformed into a smirk. "What’s up, Pond? Enjoying the show?"