||ᴄʀɪᴍsᴏɴ sᴇᴄʀᴇᴛs|| ᴘᴏɴᴅᴘʜᴜᴡɪɴ ғғ

21

Pond, Joe, Joong, Dunk, and Gemini sat in the dimly lit living room, each one leaning over the table, eyes sharp as they focused on the cards in their hands. Glasses clinked occasionally as they drank, but the concentration on the game was unbroken—until Pond’s phone began to ring.

He glanced at the unknown number on the screen, brow furrowing. Before he could answer, the call cut off, so he shrugged and set the phone aside. Just as he focused back on his cards, the phone rang again.

Before Pond could pick it up, Joe snatched it with a smirk and answered. “Hello?”

A familiar voice came through the other end, bright and affectionate. “Nara, what are you doing?”

Pond froze, his gaze snapping to the phone, eyes widening slightly. The room went quiet as everyone turned to him, trying hard not to laugh. Pond’s expression was a mix of surprise and irritation as he grabbed the phone from Joe.

“Hello? Who is this?” he asked, trying to sound uninterested.

The voice replied with a teasing lilt, “Mmm, already forgot me, hmm?”

Pond scowled, his cheeks warming. “Shut up,” he muttered, quickly ending the call. But when he looked up, he found all four men smirking at him.

Joe leaned back, giving him a knowing grin. “Well, well. Looks like your lover boy is missing you, huh?”

Pond shot him a glare. “Who the f*ck gave him my number?”

Dunk chuckled. “Why, are you afraid you’ll fall for him if you keep talking to him?”

Pond rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. “What nonsense are you talking about? I’m not afraid of anything.”

Joong chimed in with a sly smile. “Oh, so you’re not afraid? Then go and tell him you don’t love him, simple as that.”

Pond let out a frustrated sigh, pushing his chair back. “Fine. I’ll go tell him,” he said firmly, grabbing his shades and heading for the door. Joe and Gemini scrambled to follow, still chuckling as they tagged along.

A few minutes later, they parked outside Phuwin’s college. Leaning against the car, Pond scanned the area, waiting for any sign of Phuwin. After a few minutes, he spotted him coming out with Fourth, laughing about something, his smile lighting up his face.

Pond cleared his throat, brushing off the strange feeling that stirred in his chest at the sight of Phuwin. He walked toward him, trying to keep his expression cool and unaffected. But as he approached, he couldn’t help but notice the way Phuwin’s laugh reached his eyes, how carefree and genuine he looked.

As if on instinct, Pond found himself slowing down, momentarily caught up in admiring him.

When Phuwin finally noticed Pond standing nearby, he stopped, surprised but quickly breaking into a grin. “Nara! What are you doing here?”

As Pond walked toward Phuwin, he tried to keep his expression neutral, but the moment Phuwin spotted him, something shifted. Phuwin’s eyes lit up in a way that made Pond’s steps falter. That sparkle, like he was genuinely happy to see him—it caught Pond off guard, and he found himself stunned, his initial purpose slipping from his mind.

Wow… Pond thought, unable to look away. His chest tightened as he continued observing Phuwin. There was something about that expression, the open warmth in his eyes, that felt different from anything he’d seen before. This kid… he has no idea what he’s doing to me.

Then Pond’s gaze dropped to Phuwin’s lips, where a soft, shy smile tugged at the corners. That smile, aimed directly at him, felt like a silent invitation, warm and sweet, and it was wreaking havoc on his resolve.

Ohhh no… Pond’s mind whispered, feeling a rush he wasn’t prepared for. Those eyes… and that smile… you’re killing me here.

Suddenly, the entire reason he’d come here felt insignificant, lost in the way Phuwin looked at him. For a moment, he couldn’t even remember the words he’d rehearsed to reject him. His thoughts were clouded with a strange, unfamiliar sensation—something between hesitation and curiosity.

Pond blinked, trying to regain his focus, but Phuwin’s gaze stayed fixed on him, and he felt his own heartbeat pick up.

What are you doing to me, Phuwin? Pond thought, struggling to clear his mind. But with every glance at that gentle smile, he felt himself losing ground.

Pond cleared his throat again, forcing himself to focus. “I’m here to make things clear with you, Phuwin,” he said, attempting to sound as serious as possible.

Pond took a breath, trying to ignore the curious stares of Joe and Gemini who were watching from a distance, barely containing their grins. “Look, I… I’m not here to play along with your confession,” he started, feeling a little lost in his words. “I…I.

Pond shifted nervously, trying to find the right words, but his gaze kept darting from Phuwin’s bright eyes to that soft smile on his lips. The confidence with which Phuwin looked at him only made it harder to keep his composure. Pond found himself struggling, hopping slightly between his feet, unable to focus. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, Phuwin smirked, raising a hand to stop him.

“Shh…” Phuwin interrupted, his tone soft yet teasing. “You’re not in a calm state right now.” He tilted his head with a playful smile, glancing down at Pond’s restless feet. “See? Your legs aren’t even on the ground. First, stand still, then come and tell me, hmm?”

Pond stared, momentarily speechless, caught off guard by how easily Phuwin turned the tables on him. Before he could find his voice, Phuwin gave him one last grin and sauntered off, leaving Pond standing there, embarrassed.

“Sh*t…” he muttered, realizing how flustered he’d just been. Feeling the heat rise in his cheeks, he hurriedly put on his shades—only to realize too late that he’d put them backward. Smacking himself on the back of the head in frustration, he started walking back toward his car.

Near his car, Joe and Gemini were waiting, both of them barely containing their laughter.

Joe grinned, nudging Gemini, “What’s up with that reverse look, huh?”

Pond glared, pretending he didn’t understand. “What?”

Gemini chuckled, pointing. “Your shades.  You put them backward.”

Only then did Pond notice the error, quickly taking them off and putting them on correctly, trying to maintain his usual composed look. Joe and Gemini burst into laughter, but this time, Pond let a small smile escape. He shook his head, opening the car door and getting inside as they chuckled beside him.