"Content Warning"
Running a hand through his hair, Oat sat beside Kao. Looking at him sleeping, Oat bit his lower lip in frustration, thinking, "I couldn't even help him when he needed me... Why am I so pathetic...?"
He gently pulled the blanket over Kao's feet. A low murmur escaped Kao's lips.Trying to catch what he was saying, Oat leaned closer to listen.
Then Kao went silent, so Oat called out softly, trying not to scare him, "Kao..." Still no response came, so he just stayed there.
While outside the bar—Artit's eyes hardened as he clenched the papers in his hand.
"About the doctor, take care of him."
Artit kept an expressionless face as the shadow replied, "Khap. Then, what about the other person? Do I need to take care of her as well?"
"No need."Artit cast a glance back at Paradox."It's in Kao's hands..."Without another word, he turned away.
After a few strides, he stopped. His tone lowered. "Nut..."
Nut immediately responded.
"Anyone involved in this... I want all of them."
Hearing this, Nut tilted his head. He bowed and waited there until Artit entered the building. Only then did he get into his car and leave.
Artit held a steady pace, the papers still clutched in his grasp.
After climbing the stairs, he entered their private room.
By then, Kao had already awakened, while Oat hovered around him nonstop, offering water and checking whether he had a fever.
The sound of Artit's shoes drew both of their attention. The moment they saw him, they knew something was wrong.
Oat intended to step outside and give them privacy, but Artit stopped him.Taking a seat facing Kao, Artit handed him the documents.
With reddened eyes, he handed the soaked paper back to Artit, thinking he had to clean up his mess again.
A faint smile appeared on his face as he wiped his eyes. "I'm perfectly fine, so just relax, Artit..."
"Relax?" Artit laughed bitterly. "You're telling me to relax at a time like this?"
Before Kao could respond, Oat snatched the papers from Artit's hands. Unlike Artit, who kept his emotions hidden, Oat made no attempt to do so.
He stood there, almost tearing the stained papers apart.
"This is not something we can ignore," Oat said, turning his gaze to Kao. "Don't tell me to relax just like you told him. Artit, let's deal with this first. After that, we—"
"Wait!"Kao's voice was filled with desperation. He lowered his head while tears fell."Give her one last chance..."
"Kao... are you crazy? The last chance you're talking about is your life." Oat's frustration only grew stronger.
Artit had already risen from his chair, ready to leave.
"Wait..."Kao stopped him. "I'll deal with her... Is that okay? She's my only sister... the only family I have."
Artit couldn't believe what the sick boy in bed was trying to defend. "Kao... then tell me why your only sister tried to kill you. She's not a child anymore."He drew in a sharp breath. "Hear this, Kao. They planned everything. From the doctor to changing your medication for months."
His frustrated tone became quieter before he spoke. "And it all happened right in front of me. Tell me... if something had really happened to you, who would I blame?"
With a sudden motion, Artit threw a glass onto the floor.
Clatter!
The sound broke the silence through the room.
After a moment, he forced himself to calm down. "I already told Nut to collect every medicine you've been taking. You don't need medicine, Kao. You need something else."
Kao frowned, looking shocked. "What are you saying, Artit? I need medicine. I can't sleep. I don't want to..." His breathing became uneven. "I can make an appointment with another doctor. I will..."
Covering his mouth, he muttered, "I want medicine..."
Kao pressed both hands against his ears so he could stop hearing the things that also haunted him in his nightmares.
Oat's frightened hands traced his arms. "Kao..." his tone was low.
Responding to the touch, Kao placed a hand over Oat's. "I need medicine, Oat..." His voice shook. "It's hard to sleep... to eat... It's hard..."
Both Oat and Artit exchanged worried looks. Neither wanted the old Kao back.
Oat took hold of his trembling hand. "We know and Artit doesn't mean stopping everything at once. We'll do it little by little. Okay?"
Kao's lips shut.
"Kao, we're not perfect. All of us have our own problems." Oat wiped away the tears that refused to stop falling from Kao's eyes. "What matters is facing them. And we're here. Don't forget that."
He then turned toward Artit. "Stay with him."
Artit gave a small nod.
"I have to get back. Sky is home alone and he won't eat without me."
A helpless smile crossed Oat's face. "He's becoming stubborn."
Kao covered his mouth to hide a laugh. "You two are the reason. You give him everything he wants."
Afterward, Oat chuckled. "I should get going."
Before leaving, he wrapped Kao in a brief hug.
A moment later, Oat left.
Only Artit and Kao were left in the room.
Artit stayed near the doorway, still visibly upset.
"Artit... come inside."
"No."
"...Sorry. Come inside. It's too quiet."
Hearing that, Artit finally relented.
"Sit down. Why are you standing there?"
Taking a deep breath, Artit settled into the chair across from him.
"Let's do it your way," Kao gasped out before he continued. "You're right. I've always treated her like a little sister. Maybe I'm the one who needs to grow up." His eyes lingered on Artit, who stayed silent. "If we hadn't met that day, I wouldn't be here now, Artit..."
A memory surfaced in Kao's mind.
Five Years Ago...
In Phassakorn School...
The final bell rang.
The classroom emptied out, yet one student was left behind. Instead of heading home, he sat scribbling across a notebook with a black pen.
A drop of sweat landed on the page.
"I don't want to go home..." he mumbled like a song.
Because of his strong grip, the pen snapped, scattering ink everywhere.
Throwing the broken plastic onto the book before shutting it, he ran a hand through his messy hair, his attention drifting toward the window.
Outside, students ran across the field, while others laughed together.
Kao rested his palm against the window frame, thumping his forehead against the glass. A familiar tone echoed through his memory—a sound he could no longer hear in reality.
A little child's words returned to him. "I don't need any friends. I have you."
"Kaopun..." A gentle boy's speech followed as he pinched little child's cheek. "Don't say that. Friends are part of our lives too. You only need one true friend. Someone who always stands beside you..."
The kid giggled. "Just like you, brother..."
"Right, but what can we do? I am only your brother. Come on, give me your pinky finger."
"That's right."
Their pinkies linked together.
"Let's make a promise. Promise me, you will be happy..."
The older student's tone became more joyful as he pulled the small child into a hug.
Back in the classroom—
Kao lowered his gaze to his finger.
"...I miss you..."
He quickly grabbed his bag and rushed outside. Panting heavily, he finally paused at his usual spot to take a glance.
A staircase stood before him. He climbed the steps, and unlike before, each stride felt heavier.
The terrace door was already open, swaying in the wind.The sun still hung in the sky, though its warmth had begun to fade.
Kao wandered forward, his nails scratching his arms, before he climbed onto the edge of the terrace.
Unable to watch, he closed his eyes and drew a breath through his mouth.
Just two more steps... and he would fall.
A faint smile curved his lips, as though someone was waiting for him beyond that distance.
"Don't you have another option?"A question suddenly came from behind.
Startled, Kao turned around carefully.
Artit stood there, yawning as if nothing unusual was happening. Then he casually approached, but Kao instinctively tried to shift away.
"Be careful, you are on the edge. What did I actually ask you? Ah... that's right. Do you really need to go?"
Tears slipped down Kao's cheeks. A weak hum escaped his throat.
"Looks like you already decided. But let me warn you, it'll hurt like hell if you fall from here."
Artit rested his arms against the railing."I tried once too. Look at me. Nothing happened."
Kao froze. The image of Artit as the school's cold and perfect model student shattered instantly.
Artit asked quietly, "Isn't a decision like this heavy?" Then he glanced up, seeing Kao's legs trembling, wondering what made someone with such fear stand on this precipice.
A bitter smile crossed his face."When I tried to take my life, the people who loved me were the ones who suffered, not me."
His eyes met Kao's."I don't have anyone, so you don't need to worry," Kao's lips slipped, though he quickly apologized for saying it out loud.
"Then what about me? I saw you. If I turn and go like nothing happened, what do you think will happen to me?" A brief silence followed. "Guilt. For the rest of my life."
The word struck Kao's heart. The tears he had been holding back finally spilled over.
For some reason, Artit felt relieved. "How much did he store in that heart to cry this much?
"We're in the same class, right?"
Kao nodded.
Artit extended a hand toward him. "Let's be friends."
Kao hesitated, but that hand waited for him."What are you waiting for?" Artit complained. "My arm is getting numb."
At last, Kao grabbed it and jumped back onto the terrace floor.
"Good," Artit grinned. "Let's go grab something to eat together." He gave him a sharp glare. "Before that, wipe your face. You look like a mess."
Kao quickly rubbed his eyes and followed behind him.Then Artit suddenly pointed at him. "You. Living isn't that bad." His expression grew serious as he continued, "Death is lonely. So don't ever try it again. Why aren't you answering?"
Confused, Kao quickly replied, "Khap..."
"You made a promise, don't even think you can break it..." Artit hissed as he spoke.
As they passed through the terrace door, they moved side by side."I'm your first friend, right?" Artit asked proudly.
Kao hummed in response. "But you don't have any friends either."
Artit immediately scowled. "Who said that? It's just that I don't need them."
Seeing Kao's stare, he quickly waved it off."Forget that. Let's go. I'm hungry."
Artit's hand stayed firmly wrapped around Kao's as they left together.
Returning to the room—
Both of them burst into laughter as the same memory flashed.
"Now that I think about it, that was the most cliché thing you've ever said."
"Kao, do you need me to hit you?"
"No."
The room filled with laughter as they recalled their school days.
Kao clutched his stomach. "My stomach hurts..."
Artit tilted his head with a smug smile, while Kao sank back against the pillow, exhausted.
Walking slowly to the door, Artit hesitated. He didn't look back, his hand resting on the doorknob. "Kao," he called out. "We're here."
A brief silence followed."So you can sleep."Then he left.
Tears fell down Kao's face as he looked up at the ceiling. "I have so many friends now, Brother. But... the more I rely on them, the worse I feel. Why am I living like this?"
He pushed himself out of bed. A tingling numbness spread through his legs as he trudged over to the large glass door.
Pulling the curtains aside, he looked up at the bright moon hanging in the night sky.
A quiet question slipped from his lips.
"Why am I thinking about him...?"
"Mok..."
Resting his forehead against the cool glass, he closed his eyes.
"I miss him... more... today..."