Ping and Rain both went out to the beach to escape from Keng and Jinn. The sea breeze cooled their faces, and the sound of the waves gave them a quiet space to talk.
"You seem to know senior handsome before meeting him in college," Rain started. "I know you might tell me to mind my business, but I can't help feeling… a sense of pain and love when you look at him."
Ping avoided his gaze. "Am I that miserable?"
"Well… you can talk to me, you know," Rain said, tapping Ping gently on the shoulder.
Ping finally looked up. "It's just a long-ago thing. I really don't like talking about it."
"Because it hurt?" Rain asked softly.
"Yeah… it does. But I think it's time I open up to someone—not just anyone, but my best friend," Ping said, smiling faintly at Rain.
"I'm a good listener," Rain said, smiling back.
"Well… we were friends," Ping began, his voice trembling slightly. "We were friends back, in high school. Actually, I didn't have many friends. I was a nerd, didn't like crowds, didn't like talking to people. But P'Keng… he broke that wall around me. He entered my chaotic life, which was peaceful to me, and somehow made it even more peaceful. He would walk me home, eat with me at lunch, sit with me in my favorite spot when I was alone… I don't know why he did those things, but… I started falling for him. No—he scuffed—I fell in love with him. Then… he—he…"
Ping's voice caught, and Rain noticed the pause, the way his words faltered. Without thinking, Rain hugged him.
"He left me," Ping whispered, tears welling up.
Rain held him tighter. "I'm here, Ping. It's okay."
"Then… you decided to be stronger than how he left you." Rain said .
Ping loosened slightly from the hug." How did you know?"
"Well you seem more sociable than how you described yourself to be back then". Rain said softly.
Ping shrugged, looking at the sand. "I didn't know why he left, but I didn't want to be the same after. I didn't want to let it break me."
"I get it," Rain said gently.
"It's not like he confessed anything back then, I know I shouldn't be that mad at him we were just friends. But...."
Ping's shoulders slumped. "What if he leaves again?"
Rain's eyes softened, and he gave a small teasing grin. "You're admitting you like him, right? But if you're scared he'll leave, then… make sure you show him why he shouldn't. Don't let anyone else take him from you."
Ping blinked, surprised. "What do you mean?"
Rain's grin widened. "Well… you shouldn't let someone else take him. He's too handsome to let slip away."
Ping laughed lightly, the tension easing from his chest. "Oh… maybe you're right."
While Ping and Rain were deep in their conversation, they didn't notice Keng and Jinn approaching from behind. They hadn't meant to listen in; they simply didn't want to interrupt.
When the conversation finally seemed to end, Keng stepped forward and gently grabbed Ping's wrist.
"I'll borrow your friend," Keng said, glancing at Rain.
Before Rain could react, Keng had already pulled Ping away.
"Well… it's just us now," Jinn said quietly.
Rain rolled his eyes and said nothing.
"Are you still mad at me?" Keng asked once they were far enough from the others.
"What do you mean?" Ping replied, confused.
"I told you I'm not leaving again, Ping," Keng said. "I came back for you. I never wanted things to end the way they did back then."
There was pain in Keng's eyes—so clear it made Ping's chest ache.
"Do you know?" Keng continued. "Back then, I approached you because I'd been noticing you since junior high. I watched you every day. I wanted to know you… to be part of your peaceful life. You were different. At first, it was curiosity. But now…"
He took a breath.
"Now I love you, Ping. I never wanted to leave. I promise I wanted—"
Before Keng could finish, Ping leaned forward and kissed him.
"I understand, P'Keng," Ping said softly afterward, staring at the sand beneath his feet. "I know you didn't leave on purpose. I was hurt, but… if you promise not to leave again, then it's fine."
He paused, his voice lowering.
"No one has ever loved me like this before. That's why I'm scared of being left behind."
Keng lifted Ping's chin and kissed him again. This time, Ping didn't hesitate. They held onto each other, breaking apart only to catch their breath.
"I won't leave," Keng said firmly. "I promise."
Ping nodded.
"Will you be my boyfriend?" Keng asked on the spot.
Ping froze, surprise written all over his face. He stepped back slightly, fidgeting as his thoughts raced—then Rain's words echoed in his mind. He took a breath, steadied himself, and stepped forward again.
"Yes," he said, nodding.
"Yes what?" Keng teased, lifting Ping's chin.
"I'll be your boyfriend," Ping said, then added quickly, "before you get stolen by someone else."
"Don't let Rain corrupt your thoughts," Keng laughed, pulling Ping into his embrace.
"Did you hear us talking?" Ping asked, hugging him back.
"Kind of," Keng replied with a laugh.
Keng and Ping walked back to the group, hands interlocked. By the time they arrived, night had fallen, and the boys were getting ready for dinner by the waterside.
"Oooooiii! Tao exclaimed, pointing. "They're holding hands, Bank! Look!"
Everyone turned their heads toward them.
"Finally", Bank grinned. "So… you got him."
Awww," Rain said dramatically, pretending to wipe tears from his eyes.
Jinn offered a tissue, but Rain slapped his hand away.
"Congratulations, friend," Jinn said, smiling.
"Thanks, friend," Keng replied.
"Take care of our friend, Ping," Tao teased.
"Leave my boyfriend alone," Keng snapped lightly, hands tightening around Ping's. "No one is allowed to tease him."
"Oh, look at that," Tao said dramatically. "He got himself a boyfriend and won't even let us talk to him. Ping is still our friend too, you know."
Ping just smiled quietly throughout the teasing, saying nothing.
"Senior Handsome," Rain said seriously, "take good care of my friend. Don't make him cry."
"Hmmm, I won't," Keng replied, giving Rain a reassuring nod.
"Well, don't be too serious," Ping finally said, draping an arm around Rain's shoulder in a friendly hug.
Keng nudged Ping, his voice serious. "You can't hug someone else. Come sit here."
Ping, whispered to Rain with a laugh, "It hasn't even been a day since we got together, and he's already so protective."
Tao chuckled. "Keng, don't be too overprotective, or he might run."
Then Bank blurted out, "I guess the next couple will be Jinn and Rain!"
"Me and him?" Rain asked, surprised.
"No way," he added quickly.
"Am I that bad?" Jinn asked, smirking seductively.
"Ahh, Jinn, don't show him your bad boy side or he might run too," Tao warned, laughing.
Everyone burst into laughter, the sound mixing with the gentle waves nearby. The night was filled with warmth, teasing, and happiness—the perfect start to their vacation.