The sun was shining brightly on the terrace of a trendy cafe where Phana's cousin had arranged a casual lunch gathering. The wooden tables were adorned with small potted plants, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air. Ming, who had reluctantly agreed to come, sat quietly at the far end of the table, engrossed in the menu. His crisp blazer and neatly combed hair contrasted sharply with the relaxed, almost chaotic vibe of the group.
Ming wasn't sure why he had agreed to this. Socializing with a group of near-strangers wasn't his idea of fun, but his parents had encouraged him to "build rapport" with Phana's family. He glanced around the table, politely acknowledging introductions but staying mostly silent. Ming wasn't the type to make small talk, and the casual teasing among the group didn't particularly amuse him.
Then, like a whirlwind, Phana arrived.
He strode in with the energy of someone who owned the place, his pastel hoodie slightly oversized, his ripped jeans stylishly frayed. He wasn't trying to make an impression, yet all eyes naturally turned to him. Spotting Ming, Phana's lips curved into a mischievous grin. He could already tell Ming wasn't the type to loosen up easily, and that was all the motivation he needed.
"Oh, look who's here," Phana announced loudly as he slid into the chair directly across from Ming. "Our very own knight in shining armor, still allergic to casual clothes, I see."
The group chuckled at the comment, a few even whispering about how formal Ming looked compared to everyone else. Phana basked in the laughter, but when he looked at Ming, he didn't see the irritation he was expecting. Instead, Ming lowered the menu slowly, his face completely neutral except for the slightest arch of his eyebrow.
"And you're still allergic to punctuality, I see," Ming replied evenly.
The table erupted in laughter, but Phana blinked, caught off guard. A moment later, he let out a dramatic gasp, clutching his chest. "Oh no! Mr. Serious has a sense of humor? Someone call the press!"
Ming's lips twitched, but he refused to smile fully, much to Phana's frustration. "I save my humor for special occasions," Ming quipped. "And people who deserve it."
Phana leaned forward, his elbow on the table, chin resting on his palm. "So, which am I? A special occasion or someone who deserves it?"
Ming met his gaze steadily, his expression unreadable. "Neither. I'm still deciding."
The group erupted into louder laughter, and even Phana had to chuckle at the unexpected comeback. He found himself both annoyed and impressed—Ming wasn't like the other people he teased. Most either flustered easily or tried too hard to match his energy. Ming, however, was calm, collected, and maddeningly composed. Phana decided then and there that he was going to crack that stoic exterior, no matter how long it took.
As the conversation at the table shifted, Phana made a point to keep Ming engaged. He brought up random topics, from the latest viral memes to the weird habits of their mutual relatives, always punctuating his stories with exaggerated expressions and dramatic hand gestures. Ming responded sparingly, but when he did, his dry humor always landed perfectly, earning him a few surprised laughs from the group.
At one point, Phana leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "You know, Ming," he said, his tone mock-serious, "you'd be a lot more fun if you cracked a smile."
Ming's dark eyes flicked up from his coffee cup, meeting Phana's gaze. For a moment, he said nothing, and Phana thought he might have gone too far. Then, Ming tilted his head slightly, his lips curving into the faintest of smirks.
"And you'd be a lot quieter if you stopped talking," Ming replied smoothly.
Phana burst out laughing, slapping the table. "Okay, okay, point to you, Mr. Stone Face."
The group continued to chatter, but Phana couldn't help sneaking glances at Ming throughout the afternoon. There was something intriguing about the way he carried himself—reserved but not distant, serious but not cold. For all his sass and playful teasing, Phana found himself genuinely curious about the man behind the stoic facade.
As the lunch wound down and everyone began to say their goodbyes, Phana found himself walking alongside Ming toward the parking lot. "You know," he began, stuffing his hands into his hoodie pockets, "you're not as boring as I thought."
"And you're not as insufferable as I thought," Ming replied without missing a beat.
Phana laughed again, shaking his head. "Careful, Ming. If you keep this up, I might start thinking you actually like me."
Ming stopped walking, turning to face Phana. For a moment, he looked at him in that steady, unreadable way of his, and Phana felt an unexpected flutter of nerves. Then, with a small shrug, Ming said, "I'll admit, you're... interesting."
Phana grinned, the flutter replaced with satisfaction. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"Take it however you want," Ming replied, his tone as neutral as ever, but there was a glimmer of amusement in his eyes.
As they parted ways, Phana couldn't stop smiling. He had a feeling this wasn't the last time their paths would cross—and for once, he wasn't dreading the idea of seeing someone again. Ming might be a challenge, but Phana loved challenges. And something about Ming told him this one would be worth it.
