My Dearest Enemy - GeminiFourth AU

40. What we know

The boys thought that P'Earth had set them up and tricked them.

Several days had passed since Fourth had given the professor the recording of the overheard conversation, and it seemed that nothing had changed. Perth was still walking the corridors of the Institute, spreading fear and terror. Prim still pretended to be distraught and terrified, except now neither Gem nor Fourth trusted her anymore. Only Joong and Pond seemed to have undergone a complete, internal change, although during classes they still pretended to hate Fourth, Dunk, and Phuwin. They were great actors.

When asked about this, First admitted that P'Earth had not told him any details. It all seemed even more mysterious and enigmatic, and yet they knew a great deal. All the more they didn't understand why nothing had changed. After all, Fourth had given the professor very clear evidence.

“Let’s summarize what we already know,” Fourth said matter-of-factly, walking over to a large board that was half cork and half white plastic that you could write on with markers. He began to write down everything that was important. “Me and Gem were deliberately given potions that led to…” Fourth hesitated for a moment, swallowed, skipped the sentence, and finished, “Which meant that me and Gem were supposed to be eliminated from the fight for the royal crown. We found out that Pierre Gasly, Formula One driver and heir to the throne of the magical world in France, was behind it, along with his boyfriend, Yuki Tsunoda, and a mafia known as the Squirrel Gang. What else?”

“Professor Earth thinks our boss, Off Jumpol, may have something to do with this,” P’First reminded them, taking the marker from Fourth and taking notes himself.  Fourth returned to his bed, ate a small piece of cake from P’Tu Tontawan, and listened to the rest of his friends’ discussion. 

“Yes, and Prim and Namtan are in cahoots with them,” Phuwin added his two cents. First wrote that down, too.

“Don’t forget about Win Metawin, the Cursed One. The fact that his memories weren’t taken away must have something to do with our boss, Off.” Joong added. 

As he spoke, Dunk Natachai entered the room, clearly exhausted from a long day. Fourth gave him a curious look as Dunk, without hesitation or resistance, casually settled himself comfortably on Joong’s lap. Fourth wanted to know how it was that the two of them had suddenly become so close. Had Joong managed to make good on his threat and somehow convince Dunk to give him a chance and become his boyfriend? 

“Okay, but we still don’t know who we can trust,” P’First sighed in irritation. Khaotung patted his thigh. 

“Oh, don’t worry, the most important thing is that we trust each other. I trust you, and do you trust me?” 

“Mhm.” 

“Do you trust me? Tell me. Just say it.” 

“Yes, I trust you. Are you happy?”

“Of course.”

More news came in successively from each of them.

Phuwin had spent several long days trying to hack Perth Tanapon’s social media accounts, and he was certain he wouldn't have succeeded without the unexpected help of Pond Naravit.

Just a few weeks ago, Pond had been one of his most bitter enemies. Phuwin usually simply ignored his existence, but lately it had become much more difficult. And it had started innocently enough: with a short note placed in Phuwin’s assigned locker in the Institute’s changing room. The short note, written on a green sticky note, had been placed on a box of sandwiches that looked as if someone had made them themselves.

Phuwin read the note, got angry, crumpled up the note and threw it in the waste bin, and took the prepared sandwiches with him and gave them to a stray dog that had been hanging around the Institute for several months.