It's my first day at university.
I'm Dunk Natachai Lertratkosum-quiet, awkward, always sitting in the back. Most people overlook me... until I topped the entrance exams to Thailand's most prestigious university-at just sixteen.
Then there's Joong Wa...
"Did you eat your breakfast, Dunk?" Pond asked. "I will, Hia Pond.... " Dunk called back, slipping on his bag.
It was his first day at Chulalongkorn University, and just like everyone had expected, he'd earned a full scholarship. A quiet sense of pride swelled in his chest as he walked toward the bus stop, headphones in, mind already racing ahead.
Stepping onto campus a little later, Dunk couldn't help but slow his pace. His eyes took in the towering buildings, the cutting-edge facilities, and the buzz of energy that filled the air.
Chulalongkorn University. The best in Thailand and Of course I got in. It's exactly where I'm meant to be , From here on out, it's simple. A peaceful, no-trouble university life. Just the way I like it. And for once, he felt like everything was in its right place.
Still clutching the map he'd printed out the night before, Dunk walked through the main gate of the university-shoulders straight, but eyes scanning everything like a first-timer in a foreign world.
Buildings rose around him like a maze of glass and tradition, students hurried past in perfectly pressed uniforms, and signs pointed in every direction-Faculty of Engineering, Business and Communication, Library, Auditorium...
Dunk blinked. Where the hell am I supposed to go?
He paused under a tree, pulling out his phone to check the welcome email again. But before he could finish reading it, a loud growl from his stomach reminded him of something far more urgent.
Right. Breakfast.
With a small sigh, he turned on his heel and made his way toward the cafeteria, following the scent of warm rice and grilled chicken drifting through the morning air.
He found a seat in the farthest corner of the cafeteria-near the glass windows where the sunlight poured in. It was quiet, just the way he liked it. From there, he could see the manicured gardens and the faint shimmer of the university's central fountain. Dunk sat down, letting himself breathe, taking in the moment.
So this is it...Dunk sighed.
He got up a minute later to fix himself a cup of coffee-black, no sugar. The machine hissed as it filled his cup, the scent rich and comforting. But when he turned around-
His table was gone.
Or rather, it had been claimed.
A group of students-laughing, loud, and completely unaware-had taken his spot. Backpacks thrown across the seats, trays half-filled with food, one of them even resting their foot on the chair he had just been sitting in.
Dunk stood there for a second, unmoving. Coffee in hand. Straight face. Annoyance written all over his eyes.
" Seriously " Dunk said with his eyes twitching .
When Dunk returned with his coffee, he stopped.
His table-the one where he'd left his bag and book just minutes ago-was now crowded with a group of seniors. laughing like it was theirs to begin with, casually leaning over his stuff like it didn't exist.
He walked over, calm and composed, and placed his coffee back on the table without a word. One of the seniors blinked, looking up in confusion.
Then, with quiet, he slipped between their chairs and his limbs with practiced ease, without brushing against a single one of them. They shifted, subtly, he grabbed his book, then his bag, slung it over one shoulder, and picked up his coffee again.
He turned and walked to another empty table across the cafeteria without looking back.
Everyone started whispering as Dunk walked away.
"Who was that guy?" "So rude..." "He didn't even say sorry."
But Joong wasn't paying attention to any of them.
He was still thinking about what had just happened.
When Dunk moved through the group, he had passed right in front of Joong-so close their faces were almost level . So close that, Joong could see the faint shadow beneath his eyes, the way a lock of hair fell across his forehead, the soft line of his jaw. He hadn't flinched. Not once.
Just moved past me like I didn't exist for him ,joong thought.
Dunk didn't look at him. Didn't say a word. Just walked away.
Joong leaned back in his chair, a smirk tugging at his lips, but there was no warmth in it.
He really just walked past me like I wasn't there?
Eyes narrowing slightly, Joong watched Dunk from across the room.
Who the hell does he think he is? This fucking bitch !
And as two paths crossed in silence-one unnoticed, the other unbothered-fate quietly took its first step.
Neither of them knew it yet, but nothing from here on would stay the same.
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