As Alex strides away, his mind races. What the hell is wrong with me? Why am I acting like such a jerk? He's halfway to his next class when he feels a familiar pang of guilt. Wiyan didn't do anything wrong. Just came to say hi. But that playful attitude of Wiyan's rubs him the wrong way. Is he really just here to hang out? Or is there something more behind this?

Back at the café, Kevin turns to Wiyan, scratching his head. "So, uh, ignore Alex. He's just... having a day. You know how it is." He chuckles nervously, trying to lighten the mood, but the tension lingers in the air.

Wiyan nods, a small smirk on his face as he sips his coffee. "Yeah, I can tell. He's like a cat—hissing one moment and then curious the next." He looks thoughtful, glancing toward the door where Alex just exited. Why does he act like I'm a threat? Is he afraid of me?

"Totally!" Kevin laughs, relieved at Wiyan's lightheartedness. "He can be a bit of an ass, but he means well. Trust me, he's got a good heart underneath that icy exterior."

Wiyan raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "You seem pretty protective of him. Are you sure you're not just saying that because he's your friend?"

Kevin shrugs, a playful grin tugging at his lips. "Maybe, but it's true! Plus, he's just—different. You know, in a good way. He's kind of a lone wolf."

"Lone wolf, huh?" Wiyan muses, leaning back in his chair with a casual air, his fingers steepled under his chin. "I get that vibe. But wolves are social animals too. I wonder what would happen if you tried to include him more?"

Kevin laughs again, clearly enjoying the banter. "Good luck with that! He's stubborn as hell." He pauses, then leans in slightly, lowering his voice. "But I think he's just unsure about you. You kind of came out of nowhere, right?"

"True," Wiyan admits, tilting his head thoughtfully. "But that just makes me more determined to break through that tough exterior." His gaze sharpens, a flicker of challenge in his eyes. Let's see what it takes to crack that cool facade, Alex.

Kevin shakes his head, amused. "You really want to take that on, huh? You're braver than I am."

Wiyan shrugs nonchalantly, but inside, he's buzzing with excitement. If I can get through to him, that'd be something special. "Well, it's not like I'm scared of a little competition." He chuckles, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I might even enjoy the challenge."

As the conversation continues, Kevin feels a mix of admiration and concern for Alex. "Just don't push him too hard. He has his own way of doing things, and sometimes it takes him a while to warm up to new people."

Wiyan smirks, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, I'm counting on that. Just think of it as an adventure." He takes another sip of his coffee, clearly relishing the idea of challenging Alex's icy demeanor.

Back outside, Alex storms through the campus, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. What the hell is Wiyan's game? Is he trying to make a move on Kevin? The image of Wiyan's smug smile flashes in his mind, and he can't shake the irritation building in his chest. I don't like this. I don't like it at all.

When he reaches his next class, he flops down in his seat, still stewing over the café encounter. What's so great about him, anyway? He tries to focus on the lecture, but Wiyan's voice echoes in his mind. He's not just some random guy; he's got this charm... this confidence. Alex groans silently, feeling a mix of frustration and intrigue. I need to get a grip.

Meanwhile, back at the café, Kevin looks at Wiyan, a playful smile still on his face. "You sure know how to stir the pot, huh? Just don't make it worse than it already is."

Wiyan chuckles lightly, brushing off Kevin's warning. "Hey, I can't help it if I'm a little magnetic. Besides, I think I can handle Alex. He's just playing hard to get."

Kevin raises an eyebrow, half impressed, half worried. "Just be careful, okay? He's not the easiest guy to read."

Wiyan leans forward, confidence radiating from him. "Trust me, Kevin. I'm up for the challenge." But then Wiyan suddenly asks, "Hey, does Alex have a girlfriend?"

Kevin pauses mid-sip, raising an eyebrow. "Nah, he's not really into relationships. At least, not that I've seen," Kevin says, shrugging. "Why do you ask?"

Wiyan leans back in his chair, that familiar smirk spreading across his face. "Oh, nothing, just curious," he replies, his voice smooth but carrying a hint of mischief.

Kevin squints at Wiyan, sensing there's more behind that question. "You sure it's just 'curiosity'? I've never seen you ask about anyone like that before."

Wiyan's smirk deepens, his eyes gleaming with something playful yet unreadable. "Like I said, just wanted to know. No big deal," he says with a casual wave of his hand, but the smirk stays firmly in place.

Kevin leans forward, narrowing his eyes at Wiyan. "Man, what are you up to? You don't just ask that for no reason."

Wiyan chuckles softly, unfazed by Kevin's probing. "Relax, Kev. Just a passing thought. Let's just say... Alex is more interesting than I expected."

Kevin laughs, shaking his head in disbelief. "Dude, you're something else. You better not be stirring up anything. Alex would freeze you out faster than you could blink."

Wiyan raises an eyebrow, his smirk turning into a full grin. "I'm not afraid of a little ice."

As they continue chatting, both unaware of the storm brewing inside Alex, the tension between the trio begins to weave an intricate web of emotions, setting the stage for what's to come.

After the class ends, Alex pulls out his phone, heart racing with unease. What the hell is Wiyan really up to? He taps Kevin's number and waits, pacing back and forth as the phone rings. Finally, Kevin answers, his cheerful voice cutting through Alex's anxious thoughts.

"Hey, Alex! What's up?" Kevin sounds upbeat, and it only irritates Alex more.

"Can you come over?" Alex asks, trying to keep his tone steady. "We need to talk."

Kevin's voice shifts to a more serious note. "Sure, what's going on?"

"Just... you'll see when you get here. It's about Wiyan." The name hangs heavily in the air, and Alex can almost hear Kevin's brain processing the information.

"Uh, alright. I'll be there in a bit," Kevin replies, sensing the urgency. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, just hurry," Alex says, cutting off the conversation before his unease can seep through his words.

A short while later, Kevin arrives, and Alex is already pacing in his living room, running a hand through his hair. He looks up as Kevin enters, his expression tense.

"Hey, man," Kevin greets, a hint of confusion in his tone. "What's going on? You sounded all serious on the phone."

Alex motions for Kevin to sit down. "I don't like this. Wiyan's sudden appearance at university—it feels too... convenient." He leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "It's like he just waltzed in without any warning, and I can't shake this bad feeling."

Kevin raises an eyebrow, a frown creasing his forehead. "I get it, but he seemed pretty genuine. Are you sure you're not overthinking it?"

"Maybe." Alex exhales sharply, frustration bubbling to the surface. "But it's just... it doesn't sit right with me. He's charming, too charming, and I can't help but think there's something behind that smile of his."

Kevin crosses his arms, leaning back in his chair. "Okay, I can see where you're coming from. But don't you think you're being a bit harsh? He's not trying to hurt anyone."

Alex shakes his head, irritation mixing with confusion. "It's not about him trying to hurt anyone, Kev. It's about how he makes me feel. I can't ignore it."

"Look, I know you and Wiyan got off on the wrong foot, but maybe this is just a chance for you two to work things out," Kevin suggests, trying to ease the tension.

"Work things out?" Alex scoffs, his voice sharp. "You don't get it. This isn't just about us being cool. What if he's here for you? What if he's trying to worm his way into your life, and I'm the one left out?"

Kevin looks taken aback, his expression softening as he processes Alex's words. "Dude, you're not going to get left out. You're my best friend. Besides, you can't just shut someone out because you're worried."

Alex runs a hand through his hair again, frustration mixing with concern. "I just feel like I have to protect what we have, you know? And I don't trust him."

Kevin sighs, looking at Alex with a mix of understanding and concern. "I get it. But what if you give him a chance? Just talk to him—see where his head is at. You might be surprised."

Alex's expression softens slightly, the tension in his shoulders easing a bit. "You really think it could be that simple?"

Kevin shrugs, a small smile breaking through. "Well, it's worth a shot, right? You've got nothing to lose. Besides, I'd hate for you to miss out on something good just because you're suspicious."

"I'll think about it," Alex concedes, feeling a twinge of relief wash over him. "But I'm still keeping my guard up."

"Fair enough," Kevin chuckles, nudging Alex playfully. "Just don't scare him off with that icy glare of yours."

"Ha! No promises," Alex replies with a smirk, feeling a bit lighter despite his lingering doubts. "But I'll try to play nice."

"Good! Now, let's figure out how to deal with this Wiyan situation together. I'm sure we can navigate this without losing our minds." Kevin grins, and for the first time in a while, Alex feels a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, this new twist might not be the end of the world