Chapter 5. Mark

The first day at Mahidol University greeted them with merciless heat and the intense atmosphere of SOTUS. Rhythmic drums echoed everywhere, seniors in engineering jackets or medical scrubs shouted slogans, and freshmen scrambled about with large name tags hanging from their necks.

Wat and Sun stood near the main entrance. Sun wore a crisp white shirt and the university tie, with a large card around his neck that read: "SUN, VET."

"Take care of yourself. If the seniors push too hard, just text me," Wat said, adjusting Sun’s collar while ignoring the gazes of dozens of female students who had already begun whispering about the "icy handsome guy" from the Business Faculty.

"Wat, I’ll be fine! Kinn is already waiting for me by the building," Sun smiled, but Wat only gripped his shoulder tighter, noticing a couple of senior guys openly checking Sun out.

The Veterinary Faculty: A New Acquaintance

Chaos reigned in the Veterinary building. Sun and Kinn found themselves in the same group for an introductory anatomy lecture.

"What a system," Kinn whispered, scanning the crowd. "Look, that guy next to you seems decent too."

A boy with soft features and a notebook decorated with a cat drawing sat down next to Sun.

"Hi, I'm Pop," he smiled. "Looks like they're going to make us sing the faculty anthem until we faint."

"I'm Sun, and this is Kinn," Sun replied, instantly hitting it off with his new acquaintance.

When the practical session began and they were split into pairs, Pop and Sun ended up at the same table.

"Listen, Sun," Pop leaned in closer, noticing how Sun constantly checked his phone. "That guy who walked you to the building... the tall, stern one. You guys are dating, right?"

Sun nearly dropped his pencil.

"What? No! Why would you think that? We're neighbors."

Pop raised a skeptical eyebrow.

"I don't know. The way he looked at you... like you're the most fragile specimen in this lab. You guys look like a couple straight out of a drama."

Kinn, overhearing this, let out a loud laugh that echoed through the room:

"Oh, Pop, my friend, you’ve figured it all out already! Welcome to our 'observers' club."

The Business Faculty: Wat’s Circle

Meanwhile, at the Business Faculty, Wat had already managed to create a vacuum around himself. However, two people weren't intimidated by his aura.

Tai approached him during the break, adjusting his Patek Philippe watch.

"Wong Wiwat. My father said you’d be here. Looks like you’ve already scared off half the class with your 'I’m-buying-your-company-and-firing-everyone' face."

Wat gave a barely perceptible nod. Tai was his equal in status, and that suited him.

They were joined by Rin, who was a medical student but had dropped by to grab coffee with his friends. His parents were colleagues of Sun’s father.

"Wat, why are you so tense?" Rin asked calmly. "Your heart rate must be off the charts. Worried about Sun again?"

Tai narrowed his eyes, watching as Wat checked his messenger every free second.

"Who is Sun?" Tai asked.

"His neighbor," Rin smiled. "Wat comes to the Vet building every day, waits for him after classes, and knows Sun's lecture schedule better than his own."

Tai smiled a cold but insightful smile:

"I see. Wat, you’re acting as if he’s your most important asset, one you’re afraid to lose to a hostile takeover."

"He's not an asset," Wat snapped.

"Then you’re a patient with a chronic addiction," Rin added, adjusting his glasses. "You literally only breathe when he’s around."

That evening, during the general freshman meeting, Wat stood apart, watching the Veterinary sector. Seniors were forcing the freshmen to sing and dance. Sun, emotional and kind-hearted, did it with a smile that drew dozens of eyes toward him.

One of the "tough" seniors approached Sun and leaned in way too close to shout something in his ear (as part of the ritual).

Wat couldn't take it anymore. He cut through the crowd like an icebreaker. He stepped directly between Sun and the senior.

"He needs water," Wat said coldly. "I'm taking him for five minutes."

"Hey, freshman, who do you think you are? These are our rules!" the senior protested.

Wat pulled out his family business card and looked him dead in the eye.

"I’m the one whose family is sponsoring the construction of your new laboratory. Any more questions?"

He grabbed Sun by the hand and led him out of the circle. Kinn and Pop watched from a distance.

"See, Pop?" Kinn said. "That’s 'neighborly help' for you."

"Yeah," Pop nodded, still in a state of mild shock. "Now I’m certain: they’re dating. Sun just doesn't know it yet."

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