After Phuwin's bold revelation, the room went silent with shock. Gemini’s eyes widened as he tried to process what Phuwin had just said.

“Phu… what… what are you saying?” Gemini stammered, still caught off guard.

Phuwin chuckled, crossing his arms. “You really underestimate me, Gem. Did you think I wouldn’t notice all the secret glances, the way you’re always observing everything? And don’t even get me started on how you constantly pestered me to teach you new hacking skills.” Phuwin raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on his lips. “Honestly, it was just a matter of connecting the dots.”

Gemini looked at him, eyes wide in amazement. “So… so you don’t hate me?” he asked tentatively.

Phuwin shook his head, smiling softly. “Hate you? Why would I hate you, huh? You tell me one good reason why I should.”

Gemini exhaled in relief, his face breaking into a huge smile. Without hesitation, he pulled Phuwin into a tight hug, gripping his shoulders excitedly. “Thank god! You have no idea how much that means to me.”

The others watched the scene unfold, still processing everything. Joe, his face a mix of curiosity and amusement, finally cleared his throat, interrupting the emotional reunion. “Alright, enough of the family bonding,” he said, raising an eyebrow. “Gem, can you tell us what exactly is happening here?”

Gemini pulled back from the hug and turned to Joe, still holding onto Phuwin’s shoulders. “Well… long story short, Phu here figured out that I’m part of the Black Shadows.”

Joong scratched his head, still looking slightly puzzled. “And he’s… okay with it?”

Phuwin shrugged, smirking. “What can I say? I’m not as clueless as I look.”

Dunk chuckled, nudging Pond with his elbow. “Looks like we’ve got ourselves a little detective.”

Phuwin stretched his arms with a playful grin. “You know, Gem, I haven’t forgotten the reason you guys kidnapped me, but I have to admit, you all did a pretty good job. So, thank you once again.”

Gemini looked at him with a confused expression. “Why are you thanking us again and again? Are you really okay with being here? Isn’t Uncle worried about you?”

Phuwin shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Let him worry for a little while,” he said, turning his head to the side and crossing his arms, as if savoring the thought.

Dunk leaned over, grinning at Phuwin. “Aww, you’re really something, huh? So cute!” he teased, reaching out and pinching Phuwin’s cheeks.

Phuwin swatted Dunk’s hand away with a side-eye. “Huh, don’t pinch me!” he grumbled, but there was a hint of a smile.

Dunk chuckled, ignoring Phuwin’s protest. “Aww, baby, you’re just too cute!” He pinched Phuwin’s cheeks again, unable to resist.

Joong, watching the scene unfold, pouted and stepped closer to Dunk, putting on his best puppy eyes. “Hey, baby, leave him. I’m your baby, right?”

Dunk rolled his eyes, shoving Joong lightly. “Aii, Joong, get off me. Don’t interrupt my pampering session.” With that, he turned back to Phuwin, giving his cheeks another playful squeeze.

Gemini laughed, watching Phuwin struggle under Dunk’s teasing.

Finally, Phuwin threw up his hands, laughing. “Okay, okay, enough already! Give me something to eat, will you? I’m starving. I didn’t get a chance to eat since the afternoon, and you guys didn’t even let me grab any food.”

Joe raised an eyebrow, a smirk on his face. “Oh, don’t blame us. He’s the one who kidnapped you,” he said, pointing his thumb at Pond, who was leaning casually against the table with his arms folded, watching the whole scene unfold.

Pond raised an eyebrow, meeting Phuwin’s gaze with an unapologetic look. “What? Should I wait till your dad come to find me?"

Phuwin crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes at Pond. “Ohh, so you’re the one behind this, huh? If you’d just told me you were coming to kidnap me, I would’ve come willingly! I mean, you didn’t even let me change my clothes or call Fourth. He’s probably worried sick about me right now, and it’s all because of you—so, yeah, good job, you’re stupid!”

Everyone froze, eyes wide as they stared at Phuwin, shocked that he dared to talk to Pond like that. Joe, unable to hold back, burst into laughter, clapping his hands. Pond, who had been standing there silently, raised an eyebrow and took a step closer to Phuwin, covering his mouth with his hand. He leaned in, their faces close, his gaze intense and unwavering.

Phuwin’s eyes widened as he stared at Pond, his words immediately silenced by the sudden closeness. The room fell into a pin-drop silence, everyone watching the moment unfold with bated breath.

Pond smirked slightly, his voice low. “This is better. Be silent.”

Phuwin, taken aback, blinked up at him. But after a beat, he pushed Pond’s hand away from his mouth defiantly, stepping back. “Huh! Who are you to order me around, huh? I’ll talk as much as I want, and you can’t stop me!”

The room erupted in laughter, Joe practically doubling over as Joong and Dunk clutched their sides, all of them laughing at the exchange.

Gemini grinned, shaking his head. “Wow, Phuwin, you might be the first person in history to stand up to Pond like that.”

Phuwin huffed, glancing around at the laughing faces. “Yeah, well, someone’s got to tell him!” He shot a quick look back at Pond, who simply glared at him, amused and maybe, just a little impressed.

Gemini cleared his throat, catching Phuwin’s attention. “Okay, leave all this for a moment. Tell me—what exactly happened? And what’s this meeting you keep talking about?”

Phuwin sighed, clutching his stomach. “That’s a long story, Gem. But first, please, I’m starving! Could you get me something to eat?”

Gemini chuckled and nodded, immediately ordering some food. Meanwhile, Joe, Dunk, and Joong saw the opportunity to piggyback on the order. “Hey, since you’re ordering, we could all use something to munch on,” Joe added with a smirk.

Gemini, however, only ordered for Phuwin, ignoring the others’ pleas. Phuwin glanced at him, a sudden realization dawning. “Oh! My phone’s at home, Gem. Can you call Fourth and let him know I’m okay? He’s probably freaking out right now!”

Gemini’s face softened. “Phu, I’d like to, but it’s too risky right now. Uncle will definitely be tracking Fourth’s call history. I promise I’ll find a way to let him know you’re safe, alright?”

Phuwin’s shoulders sagged, but he nodded with a small, understanding smile. Just then, the food arrived, and Joe brought it over, handing Phuwin his order.

A wide grin broke across Phuwin’s face as he dug in. Between bites, he began explaining everything. “So, you know how your uncle is, right, Gem? Nagging me nonstop, putting strict curfews, and bodyguards all around me like I’m some sort of national treasure! I’m telling you, it’s suffocating. But I don’t let it stop me—I still sneak out with Fotfot whenever I can.”

He took another big bite, chewing thoughtfully before continuing. “But no, that’s not enough for him. He took it up a notch this time—decided to marry me off to his friend’s son without even asking me if I’m interested! He just told me to get ready for this ‘meeting’ with his friends.”

Everyone listened intently, settling into seats like they were witnessing a high-stakes drama, completely forgetting they were mafias and he was technically their ‘victim.’

Phuwin sighed deeply, taking a moment to catch his breath and stuff another mouthful of food. Joe raised an eyebrow, leaning in with curiosity. “So…no boyfriend? No girlfriend? I mean, with a face like yours, you could easily have both.”

Phuwin perked up, nodding enthusiastically. “Finally! Someone who gets it!” He grabbed a piece of food and fed it to Joe with a grin. “You know, I had so many people interested—girls, boys, you name it. Some even braved coming to my house to confess. But the moment they saw my dad, they scattered like terrified rabbits. And that’s why I’m perpetually single. Sad, isn’t it?”

Dunk joined in, wiping fake tears from his eyes. “Tragic, Phuwin. Just tragic. As a fellow young adult, I offer you my deepest condolences.”

Phuwin draped an arm around Joe’s shoulder, and they both continued munching, nodding solemnly at Dunk’s words. The three of them exchanged exaggerated expressions of pity, acting as if Phuwin’s dating woes were the greatest tragedy in recent history.

Pond, leaning against the table, watched in disbelief. He shook his head, baffled by how these hardened criminals were acting like high schoolers gossiping over lunch. They’d never shown this much interest in anything, let alone someone’s dating life.

Joong, meanwhile, still sulking over Dunk’s sudden attention to Phuwin, gave him a side-eye. Gemini, used to Phuwin’s antics, just shook his head with an amused smile.

Pond finally muttered to himself, exasperated, “Unbelievable.”

---

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