Group - Four Fools (6:30 AM)
Rich Fool (Artit): Oat, hand over Toffee's name for the Secret Friend drawing. And May, delete that video of Toffee at the piano.
Crazy Lady (May): What? Why...? No! Never! It's on my phone, and I'm not deleting it.
Rich Fool (Artit): I'm jealous. I'm jealous. Isn't that reason enough?
Crazy Lady (May): No. It's my treasure. Go away. I only have a half-video anyway, and I'm not giving it to you, you jerk...
Gang Idiot (Oat): Artit, I'm not giving it to you. Forget what I said at the bar.
Rich Fool (Artit): I'll haunt you, Oat... May, I will...
(Gang Idiot blocked Rich Fool.)
Gang Idiot (Oat): Hah... serves you right...
Kind Dim (Kao): Guys, should I drive or take a taxi? I don't know what to do.
Crazy Lady (May): You jerk, can't you see we're talking about something important here?
(Crazy Lady blocked Kind Dim.)
(Crazy Lady blocked Rich Fool.)
Rich Fool (Artit): May, you can't escape from me...
(Message cannot be sent.)
Crazy Lady (May): Finally, peace....
[Sent a picture of her flipping the middle finger]
(Message successfully seen by everyone.)
Throwing his phone onto the sofa, Kao hurried downstairs from the bar, "How could she block me too...?" muttering like an old man.
Downstairs, the curtains were drawn, leaving the bar dim. Only the golden ceiling lights cast a warm glow across the room.
The instant he spotted Artit standing there with a dark expression, Kao nearly froze. "Definitely not the right time. Don't look over here, Artit... Please don't..."
Gripping his phone tightly, Artit sat stiffly in the armchair. He looked ready to call May and argue with her for the rest of the morning.
Taking advantage of Artit being completely glued to his phone, Kao quietly slipped past him and escaped before the storm could hit.
Kao sprinted back to the room, wanting to take a shower and get ready for college.
Their private quarters were already stocked with clothes and basic necessities for all four of them. It had been May's idea. Since they occasionally drank together until morning, staying over wasn't unusual—especially with May, who was impossible to handle once she got drunk.
Time passed, and before long, Kao was ready.
Buzz...
A phone began ringing. It wasn't his. He went back to watering the plants on the balcony while Artit was in the shower.
The device kept vibrating, gradually drawing Kao's attention. With a sigh, he set down the watering can, dried his hands, and stepped inside. The curtains swayed gently in the cool morning breeze as he crossed the room, the cold tiles chilling his bare feet.
Picking up the phone, he checked the caller ID. The moment he saw the name, he immediately put it back down and moved closer to the bathroom door.
Bang! Bang!
"Artit! P'Nut called you. I didn't answer."
The sound of running water stopped inside. "Mmh... I'll call him back after I'm done."
"Then I'll head downstairs. Breakfast is on the table, eat before you come down."
Hearing Artit grunt in agreement, Kao left the room. As he stepped out, the sound of water splashing against the tiles resumed.
The bar staff had already arrived early. Since they had closed ahead of schedule the previous night, they planned to open earlier than usual today.
Kao fastened his watch, took a deep breath, and smiled before joining the staff members gathered nearby. His eyes wandered around the space as he asked, "Has the reservation table been prepared? Where's the chef? And what's special about today's drink combo?"
He rattled off one question after another, discussing the day's preparations with them. He stayed for a while, helping out wherever he could. By the time Artit came downstairs, the floor staff had pretty much settled everything.
The two of them then headed out together.
Their cars were parked in front of the bar.
"Artit, I'm leaving. I'll be at the workshop."
Artit lifted a brow. "You're not going to the festival booths?"
"Mmh... I'm not. Enjoy your date with Toffee. Bye."
"Wait." Artit stopped him. "Don't you have something to ask me? Stop avoiding it, Kao."
Kao searched for the right words before continuing. "I know you've already captured the doctor and the staff involved. I want to see them."
"Not now." Artit opened Kao's car door and leaned inside.
"Can I at least—"
"Of course not," Artit cut him off. "Let Nut do his job. A little struggle will be good for them."
"Artit, you aren't planning to kill them, right?"
"Am I really that kind of person?" Artit scoffed. "I'm not that cruel."
Kao stayed silent, his expression showing he didn't believe a single word.
A smirk appeared on Artit's lips. "Don't you think they should at least learn who they messed with? Changing the medication, trying to leak it..." Artit paused, reading the look on Kao's face.
"Just don't kill them," Kao said, rubbing his forehead. "At least leave them in a condition where they can still talk. We might need to use them as bait."
"That's a good idea." Artit gave him a thumbs-up.
Artit finally got into his own car, both of them wearing matching smirks. Soon, they drove off in the same direction before parting ways at the first turn. Artit headed toward Toffee's dormitory, while Kao drove to campus.
Inside Kao's Car—
As he shifted gears, his mind went completely blank. He scratched the back of his neck and tried calling someone again, but the call still wouldn't connect.
A few minutes later, he entered the Engineering Faculty parking area. After parking, he grabbed the phone he had nearly forgotten and stepped out.
Along the way, countless juniors and seniors greeted him. Voices rose from every direction, and nearby, a group of girls whispered among themselves.
"Look, it's Kao!"
"Let's take a photo! Hashtag: Just Saw My Crush!"
"I wonder if he'd accept this drink if I gave it to him."
"He will." The other girl blinked.
"Really? How do you know?"
"Kao is always sweet and kind. He's our prince. Seeing him is the whole reason I applied here!"
One of her friends picked her nose. "You can admire him all you want, but have you seen your grades? Keep this up and you'll drop out before finals." She pointed at the girl dramatically. "If that happens, how are you going to see your prince?"
The realization hit the girl harder than anything else. Meanwhile, another friend in the group hadn't heard a word. "My heart is racing!" She chirped, making everyone burst into laughter.
Kao, however, kept his eyes glued to his phone. Even while greeting everyone, his attention kept darting back to the screen.
Upon entering the workshop, he found only a handful of students inside. Most had already gone to the festival booths. Win, on the other hand, was still there, examining a stack of papers with complete concentration.
"Oh... Why are you here?" Win stared at him.
"That's what I want to ask you. Where is everyone?"
Win snorted. "At the festival, obviously." Then he narrowed his eyes.
"Win, stop that."
"What?!" Win nearly threw the papers in his hand. "
"Everyone is busy with the festival, and yet here comes someone who barely attends class when there are actual lectures."
"Win!" Kao shouted.
Win simply grinned. "Kao, I forgot to tell you—you're joining this year's racing competition, right?"
Pretending not to hear him, Kao calmly headed toward his seat.
"Kao..." No response.
"Kao..." Kao hummed lazily. "I'm already participating in most of the events. I'm skipping the racing competition."
Win froze. "What competition? I didn't even know you joined anything! You're always sleeping..."
"Win!" Kao yelled, his face twisting in pure annoyance.
"Do you have a death wish?" Win snagged Kao by the shoulder. "You're only good at two things: studying and racing. So participate, before you earn yourself a beating."
Kao inhaled deeply. "Shit... A beating sounded better than this."
"Did you say something?" Win asked.
Kao quickly shook his head and reluctantly signed the form.
"Finally!" Win's laughter echoed throughout the workshop. He smacked the paper against his hand before dashing outside. Before disappearing completely, he turned back to remind Kao to check out the festival stalls later.
Kao tried to protest, but a single threatening glare from Win was enough to make him surrender.
Hours later, the gentle warmth of the morning had slowly vanished. The sun now beat down across the campus. Fanning themselves with their shirts, Kao and Win made their way across the grounds.
Oat had already called them. Apparently, he was waiting somewhere nearby, though neither of them knew where he would suddenly appear from.
At the same time, near the Arts Faculty building, Mok and Lamon were waiting for Toffee. Mok tapped his phone repeatedly before checking the time once again.
Mok, stop doing that," Lamon said, pushing Mok's hand down. "Is that watch just for show? Why aren't you checking the time on it?"
Pouting, Lamon turned away and muttered about how late Toffee was.
With a sigh, Mok checked his watch. "Why am I thinking about Kao...? I feel bad for not taking his calls, and now I'm anxious..."
"Mok... Mok..."
"What?" Mok cast him a sideways glance.
Then something hit him. "Oh no. Lamon is basically a smaller version of Toffee." An awkward chuckle escaped him. "That means I can tease him just like Toffee..."
Before Lamon could react, Mok grabbed him and started pestering him.
"Hey!" Lamon protested.
Their argument quickly turned into a playful clawing match as the teasing continued.
Not far away—
Behind a thin tree, three shadows lingered, bickering.
"Wait... Oat, hide behind me."
"Why should I hide?" Oat shoved Kao backward.
"Move. Let me see him." His eyes brightened as he thought, "Why is Lamon sulking? That's adorable..."
"Oat, let me look too!" Kao leaned forward. "I think Mok is feeling hot. If I'd known, I would've bought him something cold."
"Why are you pushing me?" The two began arguing.
Smack!
Win hit both of them on the head. "Seriously, both of you. There is enough space, so why are you fighting over a single tree?" He stared at his friends in disbelief.
"Oh, Win, you don't understand," Kao complained. "What if they see us?"
Oat nodded firmly beside him.
"Let me look too." And just like that, everything started up again.
Meanwhile, Win was already blaming Artit for being late.
Suddenly, Kao asked, "Oat, can't we just go over there?"
"Good question," Win answered from behind, making both of them whip their attention to him.
Instead of answering, Kao and Oat shared a hesitant look and let out nervous chuckles.
"Actually, forget it," Kao stuttered.
Too terrified to go over themselves, they both nodded in silent agreement. They would wait for Artit to arrive and use him as a human shield.
"Look, it's Artit." Win pointed toward the distance.
"Oat, did he text you?" Kao asked.
Oat checked his phone. "No."
"Maybe he texted yours." Kao focused a distrustful look on Win's screen.
At that moment, Win's phone vibrated. "Guys, let's go." After reading the message, he grabbed both of them by the arms.
Kao and Oat stiffened, all their earlier excitement fading.
"Hey, Win..." Kao forced out a smile. "I just remembered I have something very important to do in K9."
Win tightened his grip. "That's okay. You can do it later. Don't worry, Kao. You won't feel like you wasted your time today."
"Win..." Kao groaned. The closer they got, the harder it became for him to breathe.
"Win... I think I'm having a panic attack." Kao gripped his chest.
"Really?" Oat joined in. "Then let's take him to the hospital." As he tried wriggling out of Win's grasp, he secretly winked at Kao.
"You two," Win sighed. "Drop the act."
Without mercy, he dragged them forward. Neither of them managed to escape.
Around them, students watched the three walking hand in hand.
"They're really close."
"That's true friendship." Several people couldn't help commenting.
Before long, they reached the group. Mok and Lamon were busy talking with Artit and Toffee about being late.
"Oh!" Win suddenly shouted. "Artit! Why are you here?"
"You idiots, act surprised," Win ordered, and they obeyed.