SOTUS: The University Days (and Other Universes)

Tulips Are Better Than One (Cup of Coffee): Part 4

One moment, Arthit was standing inside the flower shop, listening to Em's instructions. But in the next, he's outside Kongpob's door, brows curled, right hand with a bag of crepes and Lactaid tablets, left hand about to knock.

The day has been a whirlwind for Arthit. After coming back from the coffee shop, he hastily told Prem that he would take the rest of the day off and called Knot to cover for him. When Knot asked what he did, he told him he'd tell it on another day. He's not in the state to be nagged by his best friend. Every decision he made was in a whim.

Arthit also packed the food Kongpob left. There's also a single yellow rose in the bag of food, and if Prem asked what it was for, Arthit pretended he didn't hear the question.

After preparing everything, he dashed to the address Em gave him, not even waiting for Knot to come to cover for his shift. Prem couldn't do anything but scratch his head at the way his friend is acting on things.

Now, Arthit has a lot in his hands. He should admit what he did to Kongpob, apologize to him, and ask him not to report him to his manager. His job at Hey, Brew!, while gives him everyday headaches, is loved by him. Swallowing his pride to save his job is never easy, but he has to do it.

After giving the door three knocks, he hears shuffling behind the door and faint words he doesn't understand. Surely, though, it's Kongpob's voice.

Arthit's heart almost skipped a beat when the doorknob clicked, but he's quick to change his face, replacing the worried look it had with an expressionless one. The door reveals Kongpob, and both are trapped in an awkward staring contest for a few seconds.

Before he's able to ask what Arthit is doing at his apartment, Kongpob's face meets the plastic bag Arthit is carrying.

"You left this," Arthit says, hiding his face behind the bag.

"Oh." Kongpob takes the bag from him. "Thank you, but you didn't need to—"

"And I'm sorry."

Kongpob is still clueless. He just continues to stare at his unexpected visitor.

Arthit can't take it anymore, so he closes his eyes, as if doing so would make his problem disappear. The other feels this is the time they should talk about... things.

"Do you want to get inside?"

Arthit's eyes open at the question. He never imagined he'd visit Kongpob in his lifetime. But he knows to himself that he brought it to himself and that he should sort out the situation right now. So he gives Kongpob a nod as he bites his lip.

Kongpob's room is cold. That's how Arthit would describe it, cold and flowery. There are flowers on every desk space available. Maybe the temperature is for the flowers, Arthit guesses.

"Sorry, if it's cold. It's for the flowers... for them to last longer," Kongpob says.

Arthit thinks they are leftovers from the shop. They are pretty things, though, to be considered as leftovers.

"They are leftovers from the shop," Kongpob speaks again.

Arthit ignores the two times Kongpob has read his mind and simply gives him one nod.

"Sit here," Kongpob offers the only chair in the room.

Arthit obliges, putting his hands on his knees. If he wants to do it, he should do it now. The quicker he's done with it, the quicker he can go home and avoid the awkward, cold situation he is in.

"Why are you here?" Kongpob asks as he sets himself on the bed.

"How are you?" Arthit closes his eyes again out of embarrassment. "Does it still hurt?"