Kao just came out of his room to get some water when he noticed the sight of his son and Ayan in front of the kitchen, looking at each other like they were about to give in any minute.

“Ahem…” Kao cleared his throat while walking past them. They finally got to their senses and stood up properly. Both of them looked around awkwardly realizing that Kao had seen them.

“Um… Akk, there are a few things I bought for you since you're sick. I'll leave them on the table, okay?” Ayan blurted out, pointing to a bag on the dining table.

“Okay. Y-you should go now,” Akk replied, his change of tone while stuttering was obvious. Kao didn't mind them at all but he understood that they got a bit nervous after realizing that he saw them.

Aye raised his brow in confusion. “You're shooing me away now?” He asked and his eyes went to look at Kao. Kao wasn't really focusing on them anymore but Ayan could see that Akk was still kind of worried.

“Fine,” he continued as he walked to the table and picked up his school bag, walking his way out of the door.

Once Ayan was out, Akk was about to go back to his room when Kao stopped him midway. “Akk, why did you tell him to go back?” He asked but Akk didn't answer.

“Akk?” Kao asked again and Akk finally turned.

“He's annoying, dad,” Akk replied. Kao smiled mischievously at him, nodding his head slowly, not convinced at all. But he didn't want to question any further. If Akk was comfortable about the matter, he would talk to him about it himself so Kao decided to relax.

Kao didn't know Ayan for long but he didn't seem like a boy to hurt Akk's feelings in any way, also considering that he came to visit Akk when he's sick. Akk might not seem like it or hide it but he's really sensitive. That's why, Kao would usually be worried about him and his mental health. He always put too much pressure on himself.

But the difference with Ayan was that he seemed genuinely happy with him. He seemed annoyed at times but eyes didn't lie. His eyes expressed it all.

Akk went back to his room. Going back to his little cocoon, wrapping himself properly in the blanket, he sat there, his hands over his upward knees, leaning his head over his hands. His thoughts began to wander around again. Whenever he had a moment with Ayan, it left him feeling confused and irritated with himself.

Akk himself knew how sensitive he was deep down but he never intended to show it to anyone except people who already knew the true him. According to that explanation, Ayan didn't come across one of those people. But he hated that no matter how much he tried, he wasn't able to control his emotions whenever he was with Ayan.

He felt annoyed with himself for not being able to control his emotions, for actually being his true self to Ayan. And for actually liking Ayan's true self.

His mind dug deeper into the situation. Akk never had a crush. He never thought about love. He used to think it was a waste of time because he didn't have much time with the duty of everything.

Akk never thought he'd get in a situation when he'd have free time to just sit and think about things but unfortunately after the incident, everything changed and he was basically called off from duty. Now, everyone was just waiting for the year to be over and a new person to take over the position of the school president and head prefect because he knew, he didn't deserve that position anymore. He did regret the situation but it also brought him benefits, such as he finally had time for himself.

Picking up his phone from the bedside table and putting earphones back on, Akk played the previous song. He didn't know why but Akk felt like he related to that song so much. He closed his eyes and silently listened to the lyrics.

Secrets I have held in my heart,

Are harder to hide than I thought.

Maybe I just wanna be yours.

It just hit hard, especially on times like that when Akk was confused. He didn't need to figure it out but he wanted to. He hated being in that dilemma. He just wanted it over with but the more he rushed it, the harder it became to get through.

* * * * *

It's difficult spending time with Thua, just like before. It's difficult and different. Different because Kan just wasn't the same.

In 9th grade, when they first started getting along, it was different. Kan was always arrogant and it was always Thua, trying to get closer. Thua made all the effort to become friends with him and he never acknowledged his efforts until recently. When Kan came to realize how much Thua cared about him or how much Thua actually meant to Kan.

Though it took him a lot of time to realize, Kan had understood Thua. He had taken immediate steps to make Thua understand that he cared about him too even though he was too afraid to say it out loud.

They had been going to places together and spending more time together recently. After such, he finally got to know how little he knew about this friend of his. And the more he got to know about it, the more he felt safe, secure and eventually the care and love he had for him grew, too much, to the extent that it wasn't just friendly anymore.

Kan had dated a lot and he had had crushes so it didn't take him long to realize that he didn't think of Thua as just his friend anymore. But what scared him was Thua's feelings. Thua was almost impossible to read.

Thua was someone who was really good at hiding his emotions. When he said he's fine, that didn't always mean he's fine. He barely smiled.

Whenever Thua got bullied, he always said he didn't care but Kan knew he did, at least a little bit. Unlike Kan, he wasn't open about his feelings. Whenever he was asked why he was like that, he'd say he hated chaos and if staying quiet would bring him peace, he'd rather do that than start a scene.

There used to be a time when Thua actually fought back, when he was more lively but he changed a lot too. It hurt Kan to see Thua lose confidence in himself, lose his liveliness and stay like a quiet puppy.

Thua was the best friend Kan could ask for and he couldn't risk losing him. Kan was usually confident but this whole thing was exceptional. Thua wasn't readable at all. Kan could read his expressions to some extent but that's all. As for other feelings, Thua wasn't the type to show it openly.

“Kan!” Thua called out, snapping Kan out of his thoughts.

“Hmm?” Kan asked, leaning his elbow slightly on the table.

“I've been calling you for so long,” Thua complained and a sigh came out of his mouth. He looked around carefully, making sure the library they're in wouldn't get closed with them inside. “It's late. I've written most of the report. I'll let you do the rest. I've already highlighted the information. All you need to do is copy,” Thua explained, tapping Kan's shoulder in an attempt to guarantee that Kan was listening.

“Um. Thank you,” Kan expressed. He, as always, thanked him in a tone that made it seem like he didn't actually care to thank the person. Though Kan always thanked people when they did something nice for him, he always had some kind of an attitude in his tone of voice. He might or might not actually realize it but that's why some people found him rude. So even though he dated only an average amount of people, he was still popular as the playboy because of his attitude and confidence.

Thua packed his bag and landed a hand on Kan's shoulder, signaling him to get up as well. As Thua walked out of the library, realizing that it was almost evening, Kan followed after him. Luckily, Kan had brought his car.

To Be Continued…..

* * * * *

A/n: Please comment and vote if you liked this chapter. It encourages me to continue on ❤️