And just like that... the event started. First, the principal got up to give a speech, and thank God he kept it short. If he’d gone on longer, I might’ve fallen asleep right there.

Of course, Thanathorn was sitting right at the front in the VIP couch, with the other sponsors and the principal. Just watching him, I could tell—he knew how to entertain the crowd. The guy’s smile was like he was born for this kind of stuff.

But... something was off. I looked around, feeling like I was missing something. What was it?

That’s when it hit me.

“Tan?”

I scanned the room, still thinking he’d show up any second, probably to yell at me for not bringing him along to the music room. I mean, it’s Tan, right? He’s always got something to say.

“Where the hell is he?” I muttered under my breath, looking around like I was trying to spot him in the crowd.

I couldn't help but smile. I reached up and fixed her hair, which looked like she'd just rolled on the ground. "Alright, let's go grab something to eat," I said, already starting to head out.

But... before I could walk out, I glanced back at Thanathorn. And for some reason, his eyes were already locked on me. It felt like he is some sort of... silent observer.

I smiled and gave a small bow in his direction, a silent signal of goodbye.

He didn’t smile back. He just kept looking at me, his gaze neutral, unreadable. With that, I turned and walked out of the room with Pim.

                                                                                          ***

I walked around the stalls with Pim, who was on a mission to try everything. The students had set up these booths—everything from foods to drinks. Pim was already a pro at the food stalls, buying everything she could, and of course, I was the one stuck with eating her leftovers. 

Not that I was complaining, I mean, it’s for the little sister, right?

We finally stopped at a fresh juice stall. I could see her eyes light up at the sight of the colorful drinks, and honestly, I wasn’t annoyed at all. Seeing her so happy was the best part.

I ruffled her hair and asked, "Anything else?"

She scanned the area like she was deciding which food stall to conquer next, then shook her head. "No."

And that’s when I noticed Tan. From a distance, sitting by the basketball court. From a distance, he looked... off. Like, really off. Was he okay? Did something happen?

"Let's go there," I said, grabbing Pim's hand. I started walking toward Tan, hoping he wasn't just pouting about something silly.

                                                                                                ***

"What are you doing here, all alone?" I asked Tan, who was sitting on the bench pouting like a donkey. Seriously, the guy looked like someone just canceled Songkran.

Tan glanced at me and Pim and sighed. Not just any sigh—a big, theatrical, the-whole-world-is-crushing-me kind of sigh. Pim paused mid-bite of her food, watching him like she’d stumbled upon her favorite lakorn drama live.

With that sigh, I could already tell—this guy was upset about something absurd. “Hey,” I said, “are you going to tell me what’s going on, or should I just leave you here to wallow in your drama?” I said, crossing my arms.

Tan finally looked at me, all serious, and said, “Okay, I’ll tell you.”

I sat down beside him, and Pim plopped down next to me, still enjoying her snacks like she was watching a live lakorn. “So…?” I prompted, waiting for him to spill the tea.

And then, like he was the star of some tragic love story, he said dramatically, “I fell in love.”

I blinked. 

This guy. 

I knew he was sulking for some absurd reason, but this? No, wait. “So falling in love made you sad?” I asked, confused.

He gave me this pained, dramatic look, like I’d just insulted his ancestors, and then, with all the flair of a tragic hero, he slumped down even further. “The person I fell in love with at first sight… is...is already married.”

I almost laughed. Almost. Pim, on the other hand, was fully invested, her eyes darting between us like she was waiting for the next juicy twist.

Tan wasn’t done. “After centuries—no, AGES—I finally found the love of my life, the man of my dreams, the one I was destined to be with… BUT!” He paused for effect, throwing his hands up. “But… but… BUT—"

“Your love story ended before it even began?” I guessed, trying to keep my face straight.

He gave me another one of those dramatic stares, then slumped down even more, almost lying on the ground at this point. 

“GOD IS REALLY CRUEL,” he said, his voice full of sorrow, like he’d just been betrayed by the heavens themselves.

Can I laugh now? 

Please? 

I really wanted to laugh. 

But no, I held it in. You don’t rub salt on someone’s wounds, right? Instead, I patted his shoulder, doing my best to look sympathetic.

“It’s alright, man. It happens,” I said, trying to comfort him.

Tan just sighed again, and Pim finally broke her silence. “Brother... he’s so dramatic," she said, her voice low but full of judgment.

I nodded subtly. “I know, Pim. I know."

And just like that, the grand 25th-anniversary celebration of Siamwit High School came to an end—not with a grand finale, not with fireworks or cheers, but with Tan’s tragic, broken love story...that didn’t even have a chance to start.

Poor Him.

                                                                                         ***

The Next Day,

Sirisuk Family, Afternoon,

You see, it’s said we shouldn’t laugh at someone’s heartbreak, because up there... the Almighty, the one who might throw a bomb at you anytime, is watching. And guess what? That’s exactly what happened. Who would've thought that just because I laughed at Tan’s tragic, devastating, utterly heart-shattering love story, THE GOD would drop a bomb called MARRIAGE right on me.

Next day, I woke up, still half-asleep, and dragged myself out of my room. That’s when my mom appeared out of nowhere, standing in front of me, grinning so wide it was borderline creepy.

“Ahhh, Mom, you scared me!” I gasped, still rubbing sleep from my eyes.

“So... did you have fun yesterday?” she asked, her tone suspiciously sweet.

I squinted at her weird behavior, shuffled toward the dining table, and poured myself a glass of water. “What fun? I only worked,” I said, yawning mid-sentence.

Then she shuffled closer, almost cornering me. “I heard Thanathorn Wachirayan came to your school. Did you meet him?” Her voice had this unnatural excitement.

I nodded casually, sitting on the sofa. “Yeah, I was his representative, so yes, I met him.”

And that’s when she got even more excited. She plopped down on the center table—yes, the center table!—like a detective closing in on a lead. “Really? You were his representative?”

I squinted at her, scanning her up and down. This woman... her behavior was so suspicious. “Why are you so excited?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

“Well, I…” she trailed off, her grin turning sheepish.

I leaned back, scanning her again like Sherlock Holmes, and one conclusion hit me like a slap. “Wait, are you his fan too?” I asked, dead serious. It was the only logical explanation.

She sighed again. “So... did you talk to him?” she pressed, ignoring my question.

I nodded. “Yes.” I turned on the TV, flipping through channels.

“So... what kind of person is he?” she asked, this time with a tone like she was digging for gossip.

 I sighed and looked at her. “Mom... how can I say what kind of person he is when I barely talked to him for ten minutes?”

She didn’t even blink. “You can tell through their actions, though,” she said.

I groaned internally. Glancing at her, I realized she wouldn’t leave me alone until I gave her an answer. I thought about her question, seriously this time. Thanathorn... he may have looked arrogant, bossy, and serious, like one of those rich chaebols in Thai lakorns, but... when he talked to Pim, he was so gentle. My mind wandered for a moment, replaying that scene.

Before I could fully process my thoughts, Mom snapped me back to reality. “Tell me, Win!” she demanded, louder this time.

“Good. Gentle,” I finally said, hoping it would satisfy her.

The moment the words left my mouth, Mom got overexcited, like a teenager hearing gossip about their crush. She dashed off, practically sprinting to her room with her phone in hand.

“Mom... what about breakfast?” I called out after her, still sitting on the sofa.

“It’s in the fridge!” she shouted back before disappearing.

I blinked at the empty hallway she’d vanished into. “What’s wrong with her?” I mumbled to myself, now very, very confused.