Sotus: For One Last Time

No More Hiding

Present

KongPob's POV

"Your paperwork" my mom's oldest driver, Uncle Lek, says while giving me an organized folder filled with my legal documentation and my flight ticket.

"How long?" I ask, catching his eyes in the rearview mirror of the limousine.

"Twenty minutes, Kong" he answers while looking at me sadly.

I simply laugh, "Uncle Lek, I am not going to the military. I am just going back to school".

"But why did you did pick the United States Branch?" he asks me.

"Because Dr. Lydia went back this summer," sighing I continue, "And I cannot afford to lose the mentee position of one of the greatest Engineer of our time. If I didn't decide to go myself, I am pretty sure King Rojnapat himself would have executed me for my stupidity."

Laughing, Uncle Lek says "Point well made" just like I knew he would. Dr. Lydia Park is a Thai/Korean engineer who was based in MIT, one of the best engineer schools in the world, but due to the King's diligence, she was convinced to move to Thailand a few years ago to continue any research of her choosing, with unlimited funding while also teaching at the prestigious S.O.T.U.S University.

S.O.T.U.S University, commonly referred to as SOTUS was one of the top universities globally that consisted of a six-year program (four years bachelor and two years masters) in any subject of your choosing. However, it was explicitly for Thai citizens. There were five branches in the world, one in Thailand, Brazil, Russia, Morocco, and the United States allowing their students connections throughout the globe and permitting them to study from wherever they preferred.

Because of the the school's prestigious standing, people around the globe were trying to become Thai citizens solely to enter one of the SOTUS branches as their students were the top leaders in the world today.

And Dr. Lydia was the Director of the Engineering Department for all of the five branches. Since I was so diligent in one of her classes and assisted her research during my first year at the Thailand's branch, after working for 7 years at SOTUS, she officially took in her first mentee, me. Thus, when she sent me an email this summer letting me know that she was moving to the United States branch for research reasons, I knew I had no choice but to follow her even though I never planned on transferring branches.
However, it was a relief that Aim, Wad, May and Oak were also transfering since their mentors are also moving to the US branch this semester.

But maybe, this whole migrating thing was the best-case scenario, especially after the rumors surrounding the truth of my birth started circulating twenty-four hours ago.

Sighting, I look out the window and see that we were approaching the private airport where 4 huge airplanes that read SOTUS on the tail were parked.

As soon as we pass the airport entrance arch which reads "S.O.T.U.S airport", there's a long line of cars ranging from limousines, to Trevitas, Lamborghinis, Mercedes, and Ferraris. While many of the limousines and Mercedes go towards the drop off section, most of the sport cars go towards the parking section where the students and faculty can park their cars for the semester or the year.

As soon as we arrive, Uncle Lek parks the car near the sign that reads "drop-off" and near an automatic glass door that reads "Departure to USA Entrance" in red. As I am organizing the small book-bag which has my legal documents and my electronics, I can hear Uncle Lek pulling out my bags and checking them in at the counter that reads "baggage check-in" using my school ID.

I decide to use this moment to update my parents on my trip. I pull out my phone and open the keypad to first call Mae, but because of the scolding and complaining I know would ensure, I decide to just text both of them now and call them when I land.