The boxing hall was silent at night.
Too silent.
Arthit sat alone on the boxing ring, legs hanging off the edge, sweat drying on his bruised skin. The lights were dim, leaving most of the gym swallowed in darkness. Only the single bulb above the ring flickered softly, like it didn't want to be awake either.
He stared at the floor, at his hands, at nothing at all.
And then he breathed Karan's name.
"…Karan."
His own voice cracked.
Pain spread through his chest slowly, like poison.
He tried to hold it in.
He tried to be strong.
But his heart didn't listen.
He buried his face in his hands, shoulders shaking.
His memories did not wait.
---
MEMORY: "I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PLAY…"
*Basketball court — after classes*
Karan stood awkwardly on the court, holding the ball like it was a bomb.
"I told you," he said, "I don't know how to play basketball."
Arthit snorted softly. "You can cook anything but you can't bounce a ball?"
Karan glared. "Cooking is an art!"
"And this is a sport," Arthit teased, stepping closer.
"So shut up and learn."
Karan rolled his eyes.
Arthit moved behind him, placing his arms around Karan's body, guiding his hands.
"Hold it like this," he whispered near Karan's ear.
Karan stiffened immediately. "W-Why are you hugging me?"
"I'm TEACHING you," Arthit muttered, ears turning red.
"But your hands… are literally around my waist…"
"And?"
Karan swallowed. Hard.
Arthit smirked. "You're blushing."
"Shut up."
"No."
Karan sighed dramatically. "Fine, teach me."
Arthit's arms tightened slightly as he adjusted Karan's hands on the ball.
"Look straight. Bend your knees. Feel the rhythm."
Karan tried to shoot—
and the ball hit the rim and bounced back into his face.
"Ow—!" Karan groaned, holding his nose.
Arthit burst out laughing. "Oh my god, you idiot—"
"It hurts!"
Arthit stepped closer, cupping Karan's face gently.
"Let me see."
Karan's breath stopped.
Arthit brushed his thumb over Karan's cheek, eyes soft. "You're fine… drama queen."
Karan whispered, "Arthit…"
Arthit's heart thudded.
The moment stretched.
Their faces were close.
Too close.
One breath apart.
"Karan," Arthit whispered, voice deeper, "If you want me to kiss you, just say so."
Karan's lips parted slightly. "Then… kiss me."
Arthit did.
Slow, warm, melting, perfect.
Their first real kiss.
In the boxing hall, Arthit pressed a trembling hand against his mouth.
"I remember everything, Karan… everything…"
---
MEMORY: "STOP FLIRTING WITH HER."
*Back of the restaurant — storage area*
Karan dragged him inside, slamming him against a shelf.
"What the—"
"You were flirting."
Arthit blinked. "With WHO?"
"That business student!"
"She asked for my assignment notes!"
"She touched your arm!"
"So what—"
Karan grabbed his collar and kissed him—hard.
Frustrated.
Jealous.
Desperate.
Arthit froze for a second, then pulled Karan closer by the waist, deepening the kiss.
Karan bit his lower lip lightly. "You're mine."
Arthit smirked against his mouth. "Are you jealous, chef?"
Karan growled softly. "Yes."
"I like it," Arthit whispered, kissing him again. "Do it more."
Karan glared. "Stop making me crazy."
"Too late," Arthit murmured, brushing his nose against his. "I'm already crazy for you."
Karan's breath hitched. "Shut up…"
Arthit kissed the corner of his mouth. "Make me."
Karan kissed him again.
On the ring, Arthit choked on a sob.
"You were so possessive… so sweet… you only wanted me…"
---
MEMORY: "OUR SECRET BEACH."
*Quiet beach — night breeze, waves glowing under the moon*
Karan lay with his head on Arthit's shoulder, their fingers intertwined.
"You're always so tense," Karan whispered.
"I have… responsibilities."
"You don't have to tell me everything," Karan said softly.
"But don't carry everything alone. Let me hold some of it."
Arthit swallowed hard.
No one ever said that to him.
No one ever wanted to carry his pain.
Except Karan.
The waves crashed softly.
"Arthit?" Karan whispered.
"Hm?"
"If we ever fight… or something bad happens… don't leave me. I can't handle losing you."
Arthit tightened his grip on Karan's hand.
"I won't leave. Never."
Karan smiled. "Good… because I—"
He hesitated.
"Because you what?" Arthit asked, brushing Karan's cheek.
Karan blushed.
"I really like you."
Arthit kissed him gently, slowly, like a promise.
"I like you too," he whispered against his lips.
Karan rested his forehead on Arthit's.
"I hope we never forget this moment."
---
BACK TO THE RING — THE BREAKDOWN
Arthit opened his eyes.
The memories hurt so much his chest felt crushed.
He punched the ring floor.
Once.
Twice.
Again.
"Why?"
Another punch.
"Why did you smile with him?"
Another.
"Why did you let him touch you?"
Another.
"WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME ALONE?!"
His knuckles bled.
His breathing turned harsh.
Tears fell freely.
He stood abruptly, gripping the ropes like they were the only thing keeping him alive.
"You promised me, Karan…" he whispered.
"You said you wouldn't let go…"
He laughed bitterly, tears streaming down.
"But you forgot me so easily."
He kicked the corner post, anger exploding.
"I loved you."
He struck it again.
"I loved ONLY you."
Again.
"And you…"
Again, harder.
"You replaced me."
He sank to his knees, shaking violently.
"You were everything to me…"
He buried his face in his hands.
"And I was NOTHING to you."
---
MEMORY — "I'M SCARED OF LOSING YOU."
*Karan's room — late night, dim lights*
Karan sat beside him, playing with Arthit's fingers nervously.
"Arthit," he said quietly, "do you ever get scared?"
Arthit glanced at him. "Of what?"
Karan stared at their intertwined hands.
"Of losing someone you love."
Arthit froze.
Love.
Karan said it without thinking.
Karan realized too late, eyes widening. "I-I didn't mean—"
Arthit cupped his face.
"I'm scared too," he whispered.
"Because if I ever lose you… I won't survive it."
Karan's eyes softened, filling with warmth.
He leaned forward and kissed him.
Slow.
Tender.
Loving.
Then he whispered—
"You will always have me, Arthit. Always."
---
MEMORY — "PROMISE ME."
It was late night in Karan's room, the lights low and warm as rain tapped softly against the windows.
The world outside was quiet, but inside, both of their hearts were loud.
Karan sat cross-legged on the bed, fidgeting with the hem of Arthit's hoodie that he had stolen again.
Arthit sat close—too close—watching him with a strange softness in his eyes.
"Karan," Arthit said quietly.
"Hm?"
Arthit hesitated, then took Karan's hand, intertwining their fingers slowly, almost nervously.
"Look at me."
Karan lifted his eyes.
And the moment he did, Arthit looked… vulnerable.
For the first time.
"Karan…" Arthit whispered, voice shaking slightly,
"promise me something."
Karan blinked. "What promise?"
Arthit swallowed, thumb brushing circles on Karan's wrist.
The touch was tender, almost trembling.
"You'll never let me go."
Karan froze.
Everything inside him softened instantly—his chest tightening, his breath catching, his eyes stinging.
"Arthit…" he whispered.
"Promise me," Arthit repeated, voice raw.
"I don't care what happens. I don't care if we fight, if things get hard, if the world turns against us… just—don't let me go."
Karan's eyes filled with tears he didn't understand.
He cupped Arthit's cheek with one hand.
"I won't," he whispered, voice breaking.
"I won't ever let you go, Arthit."
Arthit closed his eyes at that—relief washing over him like a wave—and leaned his forehead against Karan's.
"You mean it?" he asked softly.
"Yes," Karan whispered.
"With everything I have… I promise."
Arthit kissed him—slow, emotional, deep—his hands gripping Karan's waist like he was afraid the world would steal him away.
And Karan kissed back, tightening his arms around Arthit's neck as if anchoring him in place.
Two hearts.
Two promises.
Two futures tied together.
"I'll hold onto you," Karan breathed against his lips.
"No matter what."
And Arthit whispered back—
"And I'll never stop choosing you."
---
BACK TO PRESENT — ARTHIT'S BREAKDOWN
Now, in the empty boxing hall, Arthit pressed his forehead against the cold ropes, shaking violently as that memory stabbed him again.
"You promised…" he whispered, voice shattering.
"You promised you'd never let me go."
His shoulders trembled.
Tears fell onto the canvas.
"So why… why did you let go so easily, Karan?"
He punched the ring floor.
"I held onto you…"
Another punch.
"With everything I had…"
Another punch.
"And you…"
His voice cracked into a sob.
"You forgot that promise."
He lifted his face, eyes burning with heartbreak, anger, betrayal.
"Karan… you will definitely suffer in my hands."
---
End of chapter 26