Keng stood outside the dorm far earlier than he needed to, a small paper bag warm in his hands.
He checked the door. Then the time. Then the door again.
If anyone had seen him, they would've thought he was just waiting for someone.
But the truth was simpler-and far more embarrassing.
He was nervous.
The warmth from the bag seeped into his palms, grounding him just enough to stay in place. He shifted his weight slightly, trying to look casual, as if he hadn't been standing there longer than necessary.
Then- The door opened.
Ping stepped out, with Rain beside him, still half-asleep. His hair was slightly messy, falling into his eyes in a way he clearly hadn't noticed.
Keng straightened immediately.
"Good morning, Ping," he said, holding out the bag.
"Breakfast."
Ping stopped short.
The movement was small, but it was enough.
Rain's eyes flicked between them, his expression shifting from sleepy to very awake in seconds.
He coughed-loudly, dramatically.
"Oh... I just remembered something very urgent," Rain said, already stepping backward.
"I think I should go."
"Rain-" Ping called quickly, panic creeping into his voice.
"Wait, we'll go together."
Rain only grinned, waving as he retreated.
"Take your time!"
And just like that- he was gone.
Ping stared after him for a second before muttering under his breath,
"You betrayer."
Keng pretended not to hear, though the corner of his lips twitched slightly.
"I'll walk you to school," he said.
Ping frowned, immediately turning away.
"Hey... don't act like everything's normal," he said, his voice tightening.
"You don't think I've forgiven you yet, do you?"
"I don't want to talk to you."
He stepped forward, intending to leave.
But Keng reached out.
His fingers closed gently around Ping's wrist-not tight, not forceful-just enough to stop him.
Ping was pulled back slightly, his shoulder brushing against the wall behind him.
He froze.
Keng didn't move closer. Didn't trap him. He simply stood there, close enough for Ping to feel his warmth, to hear the faint unevenness in his breathing.
"I know," Keng said quietly.
"I know you haven't forgiven me."
Ping struggled lightly, more out of pride than actual intent.
"Then let go."
Keng loosened his grip immediately. But he didn't pull his hand away completely.
"I won't rush you," he continued, his voice steady.
"I won't force you to listen. I won't pretend what I did didn't hurt you."
Ping's jaw clenched.
"I just want one thing," Keng added.
"One chance. Not to explain everything at once. Just... a chance to prove myself to you."
Silence settled between them.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Real.
Ping was the first to look away.
"...You're annoying," he muttered.
Keng smiled.
Small.
Careful.
Hopeful.
"That's okay," he said softly.
"I can be patient."
Ping pulled his hand free.
"Do whatever you want," he said, walking off.
"I'm still not forgiving you."
But he didn't tell Keng to stop. And Keng noticed. So he followed-falling into step beside him, keeping just enough distance. Close enough to stay. Far enough to respect. The paper bag was still warm in his hand.
-
Later that morning, Ping sat in class, staring blankly at his notebook.
His pen hovered over the page, unmoving.
Beside him, the paper bag rested quietly. Untouched. He told himself he wouldn't eat it.
Five minutes passed.
Ten.
Rain leaned over, whispering,
"You know, refusing breakfast doesn't actually hurt the person who bought it."
Ping shot him a glare.
Rain grinned wider.
"You already opened it, by the way."
Ping froze.
Slowly, he glanced down.
The bag was open.
Inside- Exactly what he liked. Nothing extra. Nothing wrong. Perfect.
"...I didn't say thank you," Ping muttered.
Rain raised an eyebrow.
"But you're eating it already."
Ping didn't respond. He took another bite.
Rain shook his head, smiling to himself.
-
Across campus, Keng sat with Tao, Jinn, and Bank.
Or rather- He sat physically with them. Because his attention was clearly somewhere else.
Bank followed his line of sight and smirked.
"You don't even try to hide it."
"So let me get this straight," Tao said, leaning back.
"You moved dorms, buy him breakfast, walk him to class-"
"And look like a lost puppy when he ignores you," Jinn added.
"I don't," Keng replied flatly.
Bank laughed. "You really do."
Keng didn't argue. Because arguing would mean denying something that was obviously true.
"I'm not forcing anything," he said quietly.
"I'm just staying close."
Tao tilted his head.
"You're flirting with him him."
Keng didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
The honesty surprised them-just a little.
"And if he never forgives you?" Bank asked.
Keng's gaze remained fixed on Ping, who was just disappearing into a faculty building.
"Then I'll accept it," he said.
A pause.
"But I won't disappear again."
-
When classes ended, Ping stepped out of the building- And nearly walked straight into Keng.
He stopped abruptly.
"You again?"
Ping sighed.
Keng looked completely unfazed.
"I told you," he said easily.
"I'll walk you."
"I have legs." ping answered nonchalantly.
"And I have time." Keng replied him.
Ping frowned, glancing around as students passed by, some slowing slightly to watch.
"People are staring," he muttered under his breath.
Keng leaned closer, lowering his voice just enough.
"Then walk faster."
Ping did. But he didn't move away.
-
When Keng finally returned from walking Ping back to the dorm, Tao immediately stood up and clapped loudly.
"Oh look," he announced dramatically.
"Our romantic lead has returned."
Jinn leaned forward.
"Did he smile today?"
Bank added, "Did he eat the breakfast?"
Keng paused.
"...Yes."
All three groaned at once.
Tao laughed.
"You're done for."
Keng didn't deny it.
-
That evening, Rain flopped dramatically onto his bed.
"So," he began, staring at the ceiling.
"Senior handsome walked you to class. Bought you breakfast. Pinned you to a wall."
Ping shot up immediately.
"You jerk-you were watching?!"
Rain turned his head slowly.
"...You're denying the wrong part."
Ping froze.
Then immediately buried his face into his pillow.
Rain burst out laughing.
"D*mn," he said between laughs.
"My friend is gone."
Ping didn't respond.
But his ears were red.
-
The days passed. And the routine didn't change.
Every morning- The breakfast was still warm. Every day- Keng was still there. Walking beside him. Not too close. Not too far. And no matter how hard Ping tried to ignore it- Something inside him had already begun to soften.
Just a little.
Enough to notice.
Enough to feel.
Enough to make everything harder to deny.