Keng stood outside the dorm far earlier than he needed to, a small paper bag warm in his hands. He checked the door again, then the time, then the door—pretending he wasn't nervous.
When it finally opened, Ping stepped out with Rain beside him, still half-asleep, hair slightly messy in a way he didn't seem aware of.
Keng straightened immediately.
"Good morning, Ping," he said, holding out the bag. "Breakfast."
Ping stopped short.
Rain looked between the two of them, then coughed exaggeratedly.
"Oh… I just remembered something very urgent," he said, already backing away. "I think I should go."
"Rain—" Ping called, panicked. "Wait, we'll go together."
Rain only grinned, waving as he walked off.
"Take your time!"
"You betrayer," Ping muttered under his breath.
Keng pretended not to hear, though the corner of his lips twitched.
"I'll walk you to school," he said.
Ping frowned, turning away.
"Hey… don't act like everything's normal. You don't think I've forgiven you yet, do you?" His voice tightened. "I don't want to talk to you."
He took a step forward, intending to leave.
But Keng reached out, catching Ping by the wrist—not rough, not tight—just enough to stop him. Ping was pulled back slightly, his shoulder brushing the wall behind him.
Ping froze.
Keng didn't move closer. He didn't trap him. He just stood there, close enough for Ping to feel his warmth, his breath uneven.
"I know," Keng said quietly. "I know you haven't forgiven me."
Ping struggled lightly, more out of pride than strength.
"Then let go."
Keng loosened his grip immediately but didn't pull his hand away.
"I won't rush you," he continued, eyes steady, honest. "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 said. "One chance. Not to explain everything at once. Just… a chance to prove myself to you."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Ping looked away first, his heartbeat betraying him.
"…You're annoying," he muttered.
Keng smiled — small, careful, hopeful.
"That's okay," he said. "I can be patient."
Ping pulled his hand free at last.
"Do whatever you want," he said, walking off. "I'm still not forgiving you."
But he didn't tell Keng to stop following him.
And Keng noticed.
He fell into step beside Ping, keeping just enough distance — close enough to protect, far enough to respect.
The paper bag of breakfast was still warm in his hand.
Later that morning, Ping sat in class, staring at his notebook without actually writing anything.
The paper bag rested beside him.
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 glared at him.
Rain grinned wider. "You already opened it, by the way."
Ping froze.
Inside the bag was exactly what he liked — nothing extra, nothing wrong.
"…I didn't say thank you," Ping muttered.
Rain raised an eyebrow. "But you're eating it already "
Rain smiled shaking his head.
Across campus, Keng sat with Tao, Jinn, and Bank, his attention clearly elsewhere.
Bank followed his gaze and smirked.
"You don't even try to hide it."
"So let me get this straight," Tao said. "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."
"I'm not forcing anything," Keng said quietly. "I'm just staying close."
Tao tilted his head. "You're courting him."
Keng nodded. "Yes."
"And if he never forgives you?" Bank asked.
Keng watched Ping disappear into a building.
"Then I'll accept it," he said. "But I won't disappear again."
When classes ended, Ping stepped out of the building—and nearly collided with Keng.
"You again?" Ping sighed.
"I told you," Keng said easily. "I'll walk you."
"I have legs."
"And I have time."
Students passed by, glancing curiously.
Ping lowered his voice. "People are staring."
Keng leaned closer, whispering, "Then walk faster."
Ping did — but he didn't move away.
When Keng returned from walking Ping back to the dorm, Tao immediately stood up and clapped.
"Oh look," he announced. "Our romantic lead has returned."
"Did he smile today?" Jinn asked.
"Did he eat the breakfast?" Bank added.
Keng paused. "…Yes."
All three of them groaned dramatically.
Tao laughed. "You're done for."
Keng didn't argue.
That evening, Rain flopped onto his bed dramatically.
"So," he said, staring at the ceiling. "Senior handsome walked you to class. Bought you breakfast. Pinned you to a wall."
"you jerk, so you were watching," Ping snapped.
Rain turned to him slowly.
"…You're denying the wrong part."
Ping buried his face into his pillow.
Rain laughed. "Damn my friend's gone,"
Every morning, the breakfast was still warm.
Every day, Keng was still there.
And no matter how hard he tried to ignore it—
Ping was already soft.