Chapter 16

Dew Jirawat

The morning is as loud as ever, maybe even louder, because Santa and Aou are about to throw hands.

"You absolute moron," Aou snaps, looking at Santa like he personally offended his entire bloodline.

Santa, completely unbothered, tilts his head. "What now?"

"You ate expired yogurt, Santa. Do you have a death wish?"

Santa shrugs. "I'm still alive."

Dunk suddenly jumps in, eyes sparkling with chaos. "Wait, wait—so technically, Santa proved you can eat expired yogurt and survive?"

Santa nods proudly. "Exactly!"

Aou looks like he's about to combust. "Dunk, do not encourage him."

Dunk grins. "But what if he's right? We could be living our lives wrong."

Boom snickers. "You should try it next, Dunk. Y'know, for science."

Aou groans like he's physically in pain. "I hate this group."

Win sighs, rubbing his temples. "I love my friends, but sometimes I understand why people choose solitude."

Perth and Joong stand slightly apart, looking like seasoned war veterans witnessing their boyfriends' antics yet again.

Joong leans in to Perth. "We could just leave."

Perth sighs. "They'd find us."

Boom, feeling left out, suddenly elbows me. "Dew, settle this. Would you eat expired yogurt?"

I blink at him. "Are you all insane?"

Boom grins. "So that's a yes?"

Before I can scream, Win tugs my wrist, giving me a look that says Dew, do not engage with the idiots.

And then—like a plague upon the land—she appears.

May.

She struts up to Sky, her usual bright smile in place. "Sky! Are you free for lunch today?"

I immediately roll my eyes, not even hiding it.

Boom notices and actually wheezes. Perth and Joong exchange a look, while Aou, Dunk, and Santa—who were just fighting—suddenly fall dead silent.

Win, ever the professional, straightens and smiles too sweetly. "Sky," he says smoothly, clapping a hand on my shoulder, "we have to go."

He gestures at Dunk and Santa. "The kids have an important appointment they cannot miss."

Dunk snorts. Santa grins.

Win continues, undeterred. "My love and I will take them away. For their own good."

Then, before I can fully process what's happening, he starts dragging me away. Aou, Boom, Perth, Santa, Joong, and Dunk immediately follow, all grinning like devils.

May just stands there, confused as hell.

Sky, bless his oblivious soul, blinks at us as we go.

Boom cackles. "Oh, Win... You're such a good father."

Win sighs dramatically. "I try my best."

Dunk wipes fake tears. "I love this family."

Perth groans. "You're not a family."

Santa gasps. "HOW DARE YOU."

Aou snickers. "Perth, you can't say that to our father."

Joong, clearly regretting his entire life, sighs deeply. "I hate you all."

Win just keeps walking, hand gripping mine, while I barely hold back my laughter.

Honestly?

This was the best morning in a long time.

-----------------

I slam my iced coffee down on the table with enough force to make everyone jump. "Win. Do you see? Do you see why I am the way I am?"

Win sighs and sips his drink, like he's dealing with an overgrown child. "Dew—"

"No, no, don't 'Dew' me. I have every right to be upset." I turn to the others, eyes blazing, waiting for someone—anyone—to agree with me. "A week. A WEEK after Nani left, and Sky is already talking to some random girl? Like—was he waiting for the opportunity? Huh? HUH?"

Aou leans forward, the enabler he is. "I mean, you do have a point. That was kinda fast."

Santa nods solemnly. "Very suspicious."

Dunk, stirring his drink like he's mixing a potion, finally chimes in. "Do you think she forced him, or do you think he was like, 'Oh sure, May, take my LINE, I don't mind at all!'?" He mimics Sky's voice terribly, making Aou and Santa burst into laughter.

Boom grins. "Maybe he was like, 'Oh no, May, I can't possibly talk to you... unless you insist.'"

They all break into laughter, and I nearly combust on the spot.

Win rubs his temples like he's suddenly developed a migraine. "Guys, can we not start conspiracies in public?"

I scoff. "It's not a conspiracy if it's the truth, babe."

Win gives me a look but wisely chooses peace.

Perth and Joong, the only two pretending they have dignity, exchange a glance from the corner of the table.

"You're all insane," Joong finally mutters, sipping his drink.

"You love it," Perth replies with a smirk.

Joong sighs dramatically. "Unfortunately."

I am still fuming, hands flying around in animated frustration. "The AUDACITY! The DISRESPECT! And the worst part? Nani already knows!"

Everyone gasps like we're in a soap opera.

Joong tilts his head. "Wait, what?"

"He already knows," I say, throwing my hands up. "And he doesn't even care! He straight-up shrugged when I told him. Shrugged! Can you believe it?"

Though deep down I knew he cared, I just couldn't voice it out.

Boom clutches his chest like he's in pain. "A true champion."

Aou wipes an invisible tear. "My idol."

Santa places a hand over his heart. "Nani, the unbothered king."

Dunk shakes his head in admiration. "If that were me? I'd be in my villain arc by now."

I groan, flopping against the table. "SEE? That's what I'm saying! But Nani just said, and I quote, 'That's not my business anymore.'"

Perth lets out a low whistle. "Damn."

Joong nods. "Respect."

Win pats my arm, trying to soothe me. "Okay, my love, deep breaths. Let's not explode in the middle of this café."

I swat his hand away. "Win. You don't understand. This is betrayal. I am personally offended."

Santa, always the little menace, smirks. "And yet, Sky is still texting May as we speak."

Aou gasps. "Oh my god. Imagine when Nani actually does care. Do you think he'll snap?"

I sigh—still angry "I don't want Nani to care about that idiotic guy called Sky. I'd rather want myself dead than have Nani worry about someone like him."

Boom wipes another imaginary tear. "I hope I live to see that day."

Dunk nods. "History in the making."

I groan, rubbing my temples. "I hate all of you."

Win stands up, grabbing my wrist and dragging me with him. "Alright, enough gossiping. Let's go before Dew causes a scene."

"But I'm not done being mad!"

"You can be mad on the way, love."

The others scramble after us, still laughing, while I continue ranting about the betrayal of the century.

And somewhere, Sky is probably still talking to May.

I seethe.