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The freshman initiation has just ended along with the freshman sports event, and in a few weeks, the university sports event will arrive. Each faculty is secretly preparing their athletes, cheerleaders. As a third-year student, I also have to prepare for the faculty. Over the past month, I've had to manage my time well between studying and activities. Does it look good? Haha. Others might be busy, but I'm just chilling.

Only Phum came to the university early and left late because he was involved in both the initiation and basketball practice (I wouldn't mind if he didn't drag me along). His faculty must be aiming for the championship.

Recently, I haven't seen much of my friends because everyone is busy with their studies and responsibilities. For example, Pan's party won the student organization election, so he became a person with title and position, which was... the Vice President of the Student Organization. Haha, not a small position. I don't know what criteria they used to choose him, or maybe the political science faculty lacks personnel, or perhaps my university has changed its vision.

As for Khun Chai Beer, who holds the positions of president of the law faculty and president of the law club, he should be busy, but he still visited Phum's condo almost every day. They didn't seem to do anything productive, just watched movies, played games, and pranked me. I was starting to wonder if there was something going on between them. Haha, what am I thinking?

Fang is the coach of his faculty's athletes. According to Phum, many juniors like him, which has caused fights with Tan. Fang even smashed nearly meter-high statues of Shou, Lu, and Fu gods in anger. Whenever they argue, things get destroyed.

[*From left to right: Shou (寿) Longevity, Fu (福) Fortune, Lu (禄)Prosperity.
T/n: Wow, they have statues of these three gods. May the god of Lu give them a child.]

The one who has disappeared is Dr. Chan. He vanished so completely that we thought he had died and gone to another world. Next year, he'll enter the clinical phase, so now he's practically living in the lab. He said he only sees dentures and cadavers (I just found out that dentistry has cadavers too). Chan is studying hard (very hard). Yesterday, he updated his BB status to "Studying dentistry isn't just about teeth/fun*." Haha, keep going, my friend. You're halfway there, just three more years to go.

[*ฟัน means "teeth" and is pronounced similarly to "fun" in English. ]

Only I and the hardcore couple see each other every day and still have fun every day. But today, they don't seem to be in a good mood.

Toey walked over with a frown, followed by Q, who was shaking his head in frustration. They came straight to us, who were sitting around waiting to tease the freshmen passing by.

"Toey, is that your face or your butt?" Joe asked the right question, making us laugh and clap.

"P'Q is a flirt." Toey complained, threw himself onto the bench next to us.

"Oh, you just realized? If Q were a girl, he'd probably be pregnant three times by now. B...But you and he aren't much different, Toey."

"Hahaha." We all laughed. Toey's face was hilarious.

"Toey just talks with them, but P'Q goes all the way."

"Are you regretting that you didn't do it?" I shouted to Toey.

"Instigator." Q said, pushing my head before sitting with Toey. We just shook our heads, resigned to their antics. All couples have good days and bad days, right? My friends are the same, they argue every few days. Just wait, the situation will flip soon.

"They used to fight all the time, and now that they've slept together, they haven't improved. Hurry up and clear things up and go study." said Nueng, Joe, and the others as they walked into the pen.

Don't be alarmed; the pen is a small building separate from the faculty building, used for practical classes and as a hangout for aspiring artists. The pen is filled with the ruins of statues, large frames, plywood, paint cans, and bizarre sculptures that we created from our souls but the world doesn't understand. It's a mess beyond ordinary imagination (that's why we call it the pen). Haha, if you're not mentally strong, don't come near.

Even though all my other friends have gone to class, I have to wait for Q. I don't know what they argued about, but you can never predict with these two. I told you, they can make a big deal out of anything, even an ant's death.

"Toey, you're grown up now. Tone down your stubbornness a bit. I'm tired." Q started the conversation. He turned to look at me as if to say, "Wait a moment."

Sure, go ahead and sort it out. I'll wait. Just don't resort to violence like Tan and Fang.

"How can you be tired? P'Q, you have to apologize to Toey. You went with that girl. You're in the wrong."

"The girl you're talking about is my elder sister, Toey. And since I became your husband, I've never fuck anyone else."

Uh, could you be a bit more considerate of me? Or at least be a little embarrassed? But Q isn't one to be embarrassed. His words and thoughts are as straight as a ruler.

"So you're not going to apologize to Toey?"

"What do you think I'm doing?"

"Fine, if Q won't apologize or pamper Toey, Toey doesn't care. I'll find someone else who would love to pamper me." And then Toey grabbed his stuff and walked out of the faculty.

Damn, Toey really means what he says. Am I watching a reality show?

"Aren't you going after him, Q?" I turned to look at Q, who was shaking his head in frustration.

"No, let him be crazy."

"Hey, your boyfriend is going to find someone else."

"Huh, where can he go? At most, he'll go to Matt, who'll be unlucky enough to get yelled at."

"What if Toey really goes with someone else? What will you do?"

"I'll kill them both. You ask too much, you dwarf. Go find your husband over there. Phum is coming over so often, why don't you transfer faculty?" And then Q walked after Toey. I thought you were tough.

Wait, what did he just say? Phum? I turned around 360 degrees to see a guy in a black V-neck shirt under an engineering workshop shirt  and matching pants, holding a cute patterned bag. How did he get here?

"Why are you here?" I asked teasingly as soon as he walked up and stopped in front of me. He smiled sweetly before lowering his face close to mine. Damn, I couldn't dodge in time and got kissed. Seriously, Khun Phumin, please have some respect for the place. "Not answering, huh? Why are you here?"

"Here to see my wife."

Damn you. And look at him smiling. His eyes sparkling and his mouth twisted into a smirk.

"Oh really? Have you found them yet?" I played along. We're both equally silly.

"Not yet. Help me find them. They're in this faculty, short, big eyes, chubby cheeks, plain face, foul mouth, short legs."

This idiot described me so badly. But I'm not his wife! I've told him so many times not to call us husband and wife.

"Why are you silent?"

"I don't want to talk to you. I'm sick of seeing your face. I see you all the time, morning, noon, afternoon, evening, and before bed. I'm fed up."
Even after all that, he still shamelessly sat next to me, grinning mischievously. What the hell are you smiling about, you dummy?

"So, why are you here? Do you need something?"

"Nothing, if I don't need anything, can't I come over? Can't I just come to see you?" Phum laughed while I pursed my lips.

"You flirting with me?"

"Can't I flirt?"

"No, my boyfriend is the jealous type. Did you bring something good? But don't you have classes all day today? Or did you skip?"

"No, I have class at 2pm. I went out for lunch with friends and bought this for you."

I took the paper bag and opened it. It was a cake. It was a young coconut cake from a famous shop.

"For what occasion?"

"It Is white and soft like you, so I bought it. Oh, and it smells like you too."

[T/n: 🫠]

Geez! Who taught you to talk like this, Phum? If I bang my head on the table, will it stop my embarrassment? Damn. Why are you being so sweet now, honey?

"Looks delicious. Whose car did you use?"
You were at a loss for words, right Peem? Faced with Phum's metaphor, me and the young coconut cake, you really dared to think of that.

[T/n: Pardon my reading skill. What looks delicious, Peem?]

"Mick's car. What was up with Q earlier?"

"He argued with Toey. It's their daily routine."

"Really? Everyone's arguing. Not like us who are always sweet with each other."

"Are you okay, Phum? Did you hit your head on the toilet? Do you need some paracetamol, darling? Haha... Hey, what are you doing?"

HE KISSED ME. In broad daylight, in the middle of my faculty. It wasn't a deep kiss, but still, we're in university. What if someone sees?

"Kissing you. I do it every day. Aren't you used to it yet?"

"You're annoying. Go back to class. Shoo!!!" Suddenly, I felt shy. He looked at me with such sweet eyes. Phum must be high.

...
..
.

After class, before picking up Phum, I found something fun to do: teasing freshmen. Q was nearby, not because he wanted to keep me company, but because Toey went to pick up a relative at Suvarnabhumi Airport, leaving Q with nowhere to go.

"My name is Tiwakorn!!! Chatsakul!!! Graduated from... My nickname is Din!!!"

My Lan Code was shouting in front of the faculty building, attracting attention and giving me great satisfaction. Haha.

Actually, I don't have a Nong Code because mine transferred to another school. So, Din, who should have been my Nong Code's Nong Code, became my Nong Code instead. He looks quite tough with his buzz cut, pierced ears, and braces. He seems to be quite a troublemaker.

At first glance, I thought he was Tan's junior. Din stood about ten meters away from me while I sat on a table. Sitting on a bench wouldn't have the same impact; I wouldn't be able to intimidate him. Haha.

[T/n: 😑 Does it work, Peem?]

"I can't hear you! What kind of Din are you? Dinsai (sandy soil) or dinniao (clay)? And do you have American citizenship or something? Why do you only have a first name? Where's your last name?" I shouted again.

[*Din (ดิน) means soil; land ; ground]

"My name is Tiwakorn Chatsakul. My nickname is Din. Just Din!!!"

Haha, just Din. How simple can you be? But it's understandable. Others found their Phi Code ages ago, and my Nong Code just found out today. At least he found me because our code line was broken, it would be harder for him than others.

"Enough. Come here. Do you know my name?"
"Phi Peem krub."
"Real name."
"Uh, I don't know."
"You don't want me as your Phi Code?"
"No, I do."
"Then why don't you know?"
"..."

[T/n: 😅😂😂]

"Take out your phone." I then gave him my full name, nickname, number, PIN, email, Facebook, Skype, Twitter—everything needed to contact me. I hope he saved it all.

"Meet me at the Garden Café tomorrow at noon. Do you know it?" Treating my Nong Code without spending money and promoting my aunt's shop at the same time. Perfect.

"I've heard of it but never been there." He looked sad earlier, but now he seemed mischievous.

"Where do you live?" Q asked.

"Sukhumvit, Phi."

Not far from my place. I explained the directions to Din, but he seemed confused.

"Why are you confused? It's not like you live in Bang Kapi amphoe, you idiot."

"It's khet, Q." Q must be annoyed, scolding my Nong Code like that.

[*เขต /khet/ is equivalent to an อำเภอ /amphoe/, both mean district which is subordinate to a province. However, khet is used exclusively in Bangkok, but sometimes wrongly called amphoe.]

"Yeah, same thing. I call it to create variety. Bang Kapi amphoe, Bang Khen amphoe, Pathumwan amphoe. Got a problem?"

"You're so sharp." Are you still upset about Toey, Q? "Din, if you find the place, you'll get free food. If not, you won't. Okay?"

"Free food? I'll definitely find it, Phi." Wow, eyes lit up, ears perked up. Are you that excited?

I chatted with him for a while. Din has a strong artistic streak, crazy and quirky, just like Q. So, whose Nong Code are you, Din? We chatted that we almost forgot the time until a call interrupted us, and we had to part ways.

"Hey, Din, how tall are you?" Fuck you Q, are you trying to mess with me? He put his arm around Din's shoulder and walked ahead of me to get the car parked behind the faculty building.

"183 cm."

Damn, you're just a freshman. Why are you so tall? Q laughed and looked at me.

"Do you know the average height for Thai men?" He shouted loudly, making sure Din heard, and gave me a wicked smile.

[T/n: 🤣🤣🤣]

"Wait, let me think... Hmm, it should be..."

"168 cm," I answered quickly, raising my eyebrows at Q. I don't know about others, but 168 cm is the perfect standard.

[T/n: I'm with you, Peem. 168 cm is definitely the perfect standard.]

"Haha, 168? I asked about the average height for normal people, not someone with multiple disabilities like you. Hey, Din, tell your Phi Code to go pick some chilies to eat."

They both laughed at me. Argh!!!!!!! What the hell do I have to pick chilies for, you jerk, Q?

[T/n: Q means Peem is like a chili, very small but very spicy. Also, when you eat chillies, you'll feel เผ็ดร้อน =hot/spicy/angry]

"What's so funny? I'll cut ties with you from day one."

"Being short isn't a problem, Phi. It helps reduce global warming and saves resources. Haha."

"Haha, Din, you're awesome. Let's go for a drink."

Should I kick both of them? You bastards!

It took me a while to calm down. I almost breathed fire at them. Damn, those pups. Just because they're twenty centimeters taller, they think they're something. Hmph.

...
..
.

I brought my boiling anger to the Civil Engineering department. After finding a parking spot, I walked to Phum's usual hangout. I heard shouting, a punishment-like sound like a military training. I had become familiar with it over the past month of picking up Phum.

"Who told you to stop? Huh? Keep singing! If you can't take it, step out! If you're going to die, step out!" The voices of about ten seniors were shouting.

"Is this all you've got? I told you to teach the freshmen, to take care of them. And what is this? A month has passed, and they can't even sing the songs properly. Not everyone is here. How are you taking care of the freshmen?"

The third-year students were punishing the second-years, making them do sit-ups with arms around each others' shoulder while singing what seemed to be an engineering song. They looked like they were about to collapse.

The senior leading the punishment was none other than Tan. Usually, when I came to watch the initiation, it was the second-years who took care of it. But I heard inside news that today, they will kill the chickens to scare the monkeys. The third-years were stepping in to set an example because they were going to give the freshmen their gears.

"Mick!" I called softly. Mick turned and waved me over to sit with him. His friends nodded in greeting, and I did the same. They were used to seeing me by now.

"Enough." Tan ordered his juniors to stop. "You freshmen, watch closely. I don't consider you my juniors yet. My juniors are only the second-years. These are the ones who suffer and take responsibility for you. They are my juniors."

Damn Tan, I hate you. I feel sorry for the freshmen. My faculty isn't this harsh. The male freshmen looked distressed, and the female freshmen were crying. They must be feeling pressured and sorry for their seniors who had to take the punishment for them.

"You can't even manage cooperation and unity among a few hundred people. Don't even think about earning your gears." Tan spoke in a calm voice, making the freshmen even more silent, sitting with their heads down. You could hear their breathing. Is this a cheer meeting or special forces training? I'm feeling the pressure for them.

After nearly a minute of silence, another man, dressed neatly from head to toe – when did he change his clothes, walked in, bringing an intense atmosphere with him. Everything went silent, and the tension was palpable.

"You've all been through SOTUS. Do you understand its meaning?" the handsome guy asked in a chilling voice. It was none other than Phum. Yes, he was also a Phi Wak like Tan. Honestly, even as his boyfriend, I felt scared. Is this the same guy who brought me cake earlier today?

As his boyfriend, I would like to think that if Phum uses this tone with me, I'll break up with him immediately. But if you ask if Phum has ever spoken to me with this tone of voice? Yes. Have I broken up with him yet? No. Hahaha.

"Answer when asked! Do you understand SOTUS?!" Tan shouted loudly, making the female freshmen flinch.

"Yes, we understand."

"If you understand, why can't you do it? After a month of the second-years teaching you the faculty song and the university song, some of you still can't sing them. Why is that?"

Silence.

"I'm asking why. Why can't the freshmen sing the songs? Is it because you're not united, not patient, or because the second-years didn't teach you well? Is that it?"

"No, it's not the seniors' fault." the freshmen shouted together, giving me goosebumps.

"So, it's the freshmen's fault?"

"It's not the freshmen's fault either." the second-years quickly responded.

"Huh, you're defending each other. Second-year males, line up!"

At Tan's command, the second-year males ran to form a line in front of him again. The females ran to another area where third-year females called them. The third-years who were sitting stood up to surround the freshmen.

"Peem, get up." Mick nudged me to stand too. But I'm not in engineering!

[T/n: Come on, you're their in law.]

"Huh, me too?"

"Yeah, come with us. Or do you want to stand out by sitting alone?"

"Come on, just blend in." another friend said. So, I walked over. Phum glanced at me, our eyes met, and then he turned back to the freshmen.

"Fifty, one hundred, one hundred twenty, two hundred. Hey, can't you form a proper line?"

"Prepare to do push-ups."

Do you understand what it means to prepare for push-ups? Holding the position without actually doing the push-ups is more torturous than the push-ups themselves. It brings back memories from my military training days. I was often punished this way, so much so that Tan and the others joked it was my signature move.

[T/n: That pose is called "plank", Peem. I plank for one minute every morning (as easy as pie), but can't even do ONE measly push-up 😭]

"Do you know why I'm punishing you?"

"Because we didn't teach the freshmen well." the second-years answered.

Actually, the third-years and second-years had planned this, but in the real situation, emotions run high. Phum and Tan are the same. They don't just walk in and start scolding; they have to build up their emotions and focus before starting. Sometimes, they carry the mood back to the house, and even when I'm nearby, they shout loudly.

Some people say that hazing freshmen is pointless. Why use violence? Why shout? You can talk nicely. I think it has both pros and cons. If there were no hazing and the freshmen still followed university rules, that would be great. But that's not the case. Having seniors to haze helps organize activities and ensures there's someone to keep the freshmen in line.

I feel that engineering seems like a team. Maybe it's because they study systematic things, see problems from a broad perspective, and hazing is like creating pressure situations in life and work. Sometimes you face scolding from bosses or colleagues—can you endure it? Hazing isn't about physical harm. Phum never touches the freshmen. It's just about creating pressure, that's all.

What others see as pointless might be a valuable experience for those involved.

"You are not my juniors yet, so don't do anything." Phum shouted at the freshmen who were about to help their seniors. "What were those two talking about?"

The juniors were silent. Tan ordered those being punished to stop. Someone dared to talk?

"I asked what you were talking about!" Phum shouted. Usually, he stays calm, and Tan is the intense one.

"I, uh, I was saying that the senior over there is cute."

Jackpot! That freshman pointed at me. Almost five hundred pairs of eyes turned to look at me. I was stunned, and Mick burst out laughing.

"You're aiming high, freshman." one of Phum's friends said quietly.

"Choose the right person to compliment, idiot."

"He's sure to explode."

"Touching the forbidden. I think the freshmen will all die." Mick muttered.

Phum's face grew even more serious. What I wanted to know was what Phum would do next. As for me, I was extremely embarrassed. I only wished that I could disappear from here. If it were a girl complimenting me, it wouldn't be a big deal. But here, with four or five hundred guys, I wanted to go crazy. Engineering guys, the hope of many girls, and now this? Nong, why are you looking at me?

I smiled sheepishly, glancing at Phum who's making eye contact with me for just a moment. The expression on his face was calm but I already knew what he would do next.

"The second-years are being punished, and you still have the mood to look at..." Phum turned to look at me and couldn't finish his sentence.

"...looking at that? One hundred push-ups, one hundred sit-ups!"

What the hell does "that" even mean? I bet Phum won't let me watch the hazing again after this.

The plan of punishing the second-years to scare the freshmen ended with sobbing and pressure. When the fourth-years came to punish the third-years, many freshmen fainted. But it showed their spirit and unity.

Mick whispered to me that this was mild. His year was much harsher. But once you get through it, you understand the meaning of brotherhood better.

Today, the freshmen might not understand. Some might even hate Phum for his stern face (even without trying) and constant shouting. But one day, they'll realize who he did it for...

"All of you are just small cogs. If you don't come together and become strong, if you don't assemble into a gear, it won't move. Unity alone is not enough. I can give you the gear now, but are you proud? Have you done your best? What have you sacrificed for the faculty? What have you done for the seniors who have taken care of you since the first day you stepped into this house?

And most importantly, look at the person standing next to you. You may be from different departments, different fields, but everyone is an engineer with the same crimson blood. You are brothers, sisters, friends. Tomorrow, whether you receive the badge* or not, whether you become another cog that drives this gear, depends on you."

[*ได้รับรุ่น (literally means "is accepted to the class) It's a threat from the seniors to scare the freshmen. If someone does not participate the  faculty's activities, at the end of the academic year, when the yearbook is made, that person will not have their name and photo in the yearbook (they will not be counted as part of the Class like their peers who participated in activities)

After finishing, Phum walked out, signaling the third-years to leave.

May all the freshmen become strong cogs, supporting each other throughout these four years.
...
..
.

"Ouch, it hurts! Phum, it hurts, Ai Hia!"

Don't get the wrong idea. I was lying on the sofa reading a comic book, and Phum, that crazy guy, just sat on my stomach out of nowhere. He even pinched my cheeks. Are you possessed by a ghost or something?

"Speak nicely, say it again."

"Alright, Ai Khun Hia Woranuch Phum, get up. You're heavy."

He laughed, smiling brightly, and got off me. Damn it, I threw his beloved teddy bear at his head. I was so mad. He always likes to play rough and makes me hurt. That psycho, that sadist, is still smiling. You're crazy, you lunatic.

[T/n: 😏 It's hard to not misunderstand your words, Peem.]

"Why do you care more about the comic book than me?"

Oh, really? And when you watch Ben 10 or Pokémon, do you ever notice me?

"You bully, unreasonable, evil."

"Heh, if you don't know what real evil is, don't talk big, Peem."

"Why, what are you going to do to me? What is Nong Phum going to do to Phi Peem?" I raised an eyebrow and stuck out my tongue.

"What am I going to do? Do you want to know, hmm?" He stepped towards me menacingly. Oh no, I'm in trouble.

"You... what are you going to do? Hey!"

"Where are you running off to? Let's do some research together, Peem."

Nooooo, I don't want to do research right now.

I was going to crawl away, but Phum grabbed my ankle and pulled me back. My face almost hit the floor and kissed the floor. And less than a second later, I didn't have a chance to stick my tongue out at Phum because he stole my tongue. Phum is a good kisser, I know that, but he shouldn't have been stealing air from me for this long.

"Huff, you, uhmmm." This time that damn Phum didn't just kiss me. His hands were also wandering under my nightgown. I might as well stop struggling.

And then, just over an hour passed by like a lie, hehe. I went to take another shower after finishing the research. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I almost started dreaming because I was exhausted, I mean, I was sleepy. Just as I was dozing off, Phum's phone rang, startling me. Who's calling at this hour? If it's Beer, I'm going to scold him until his ears burn.

"Hello?"

(...)

"Hello, who is this?" I wasn't sure if I was dreaming or not. I was half-asleep and didn't check who it was. Just sliding to answer correctly was a feat.

(...) Silence. Who's messing with me?

"If you're not going to speak, then..."

(Uh, Phum ka? Is this Phum?)

I am fully awake now. A woman was calling for Phum, and now it was my turn to be silent. I turned over and squinted at the screen to see who it was, but Phum hadn't saved the number.

(Phum?)

"Uh, Phum is in the shower."

(Oh, really? Could you tell him to call me back?)

"...Sure. Who should I say is calling?"

"Mom."

Mom?

Isn't that Phum's ex-girlfriend?

End of Chapter 45>>>>>>>>>>

T/n: Many readers seemed confused with her name Mom 😂 (some even mistook her for Phum's mother.