Part 5

Longtai stood at the gates of the university, his bag hanging loosely from his shoulder. He looked up at the imposing stone building in front of him, the sprawling campus spread out beyond the entrance like a maze. His appearance was neat, understated. His black bangs fell over his forehead, slightly tousled from the wind. He wore a navy blue sweater, loose enough to hide his slender frame, paired with black jeans and well-worn sneakers. His almond-shaped eyes scanned the crowd, unsure, uneasy, but determined to blend in.

Around him, the energy of the campus buzzed with life. Groups of students milled about, chatting animatedly, some running toward their classes, their backpacks bouncing as they rushed to beat the clock. Others lounged casually on the lawn, soaking up the morning sun, or leaned against walls, scrolling on their phones. A few students played frisbee, their laughter echoing in the open space. A group of friends nearby playfully shoved each other, messing around, and someone shouted across the courtyard to get someone's attention.

Longtai felt the tension in his chest tighten. The people, the noise, the rush of activity-it was overwhelming. He shifted his bag, gripping the strap a little tighter, and forced himself to take a deep breath.

You're here now. Just take the next step.

With a small nod to himself, Longtai stepped forward, weaving through the crowd. He kept his head low, trying to avoid the groups of students laughing and talking loudly as he passed. The campus was vast, and the signs posted around the pathways didn't help much in calming his nerves. He was looking for the photography department, but the more he walked, the more he felt like he was getting lost in the sea of people.

After a few minutes of wandering, he finally spotted a sign pointing him toward the arts building. He quickened his pace and made his way there. As he approached the entrance, the tall windows of the building reflected the morning sun, casting long shadows across the pavement. Longtai stepped inside, and the noise of the campus faded into a quieter, more focused atmosphere. The halls were lined with posters of past art exhibitions and photography showcases. The energy here felt different-calmer, more intimate.

He found the lecture hall easily enough. When he walked in, a handful of students had already taken their seats, scattered across the room. The room itself was spacious, with large windows letting in natural light. Longtai paused for a moment at the entrance, his eyes scanning the available seats. There were plenty of empty spots, but he gravitated toward the back, where he could sit unnoticed. He chose a seat on the far end of the last row, placing his bag beside him. It felt safer here, far from the center of attention.

Longtai glanced around, noticing the other students. Some of them were chatting quietly, while others were already absorbed in their phones or sketching in notebooks. He felt a pang of loneliness but quickly pushed it aside. He was used to keeping to himself.

After a few minutes, the door opened, and the professor entered. He was a young man, probably in his early thirties, with short, neatly combed hair and black-rimmed glasses that gave him a scholarly appearance. He wore a dark blazer over a button-down shirt and jeans, a mix of casual and professional. He carried a stack of papers and a laptop under his arm as he walked to the front of the room and set his things down on the desk.

"Good morning, everyone," the professor greeted with a warm, relaxed smile. "I'm Professor Kittisak, and I'll be teaching you the basics of photography this semester."

His voice was calm but engaging, and it seemed to draw the attention of the students. Longtai felt a little more at ease listening to him. The professor adjusted his glasses as he continued.

"For those of you who are new to this, don't worry," Kittisak assured them. "We're going to start from the very basics and work our way up. Photography isn't just about pointing a camera and taking a picture. It's about seeing the world through a different lens-quite literally."

He clicked a button on his laptop, and a projector screen behind him lit up with the syllabus for the course.

"Here's what we'll be covering this semester," he said, gesturing to the screen. "We'll start with an introduction to the fundamentals-understanding exposure, composition, lighting, and framing. We'll also explore the history of photography, how it evolved over time, and the impact it's had on art and society. Later on, we'll dive into more advanced techniques."

The professor's words flowed easily, and Longtai found himself nodding along. He had read about these topics before, but hearing it laid out in such a structured way gave him a sense of clarity.

Professor Kittisak continued, "We'll also spend a lot of time on practical work. Photography isn't something you can just read about; you need to get out there and experiment. By the end of this course, you should not only know how to take a good photograph but also how to understand the deeper meaning behind an image-what makes a photo powerful, what stories it tells."

As the professor spoke, Longtai's fingers instinctively reached into his bag and touched his camera. This was why he was here-to learn how to capture those fleeting moments, those stories, in a way that mattered.

"We're going to start today with a simple exercise," Professor Kittisak said. "I want each of you to take five minutes to think about what photography means to you. Then we'll go around, and you can introduce yourselves and share your thoughts. Don't worry, it's not graded-just a way for us to get to know each other and understand where we're all coming from."

The students began murmuring among themselves, a few already scribbling notes. Longtai shifted in his seat, feeling a bit of anxiety creep up. He wasn't used to speaking in front of others. He glanced around the room and saw that most people seemed more comfortable, chatting quietly with each other. He swallowed and looked down at his camera, as if it could somehow provide him with the words he needed.

Five minutes passed, and Professor Kittisak called for everyone's attention again. One by one, the students began introducing themselves and sharing their thoughts. A few people mentioned their love for capturing moments with friends, others spoke about their interest in landscapes or portraits. Longtai listened, fidgeting slightly in his seat as his turn approached.

When it finally came to him, he cleared his throat quietly and spoke, his voice softer than he intended. "I'm Longtai. I, um... I like photography because it lets me capture moments that people might not notice otherwise. I guess I'm drawn to the quiet things-things that people overlook."

He could feel the eyes of the other students on him, but he kept his gaze focused on the desk in front of him. He wasn't one for grand explanations, but it was the truth. Photography allowed him to see the world in a way that felt intimate, personal.

Professor Kittisak nodded, his expression thoughtful. "That's a great perspective, Longtai. Photography does have a way of bringing out the beauty in the quiet moments. I'm looking forward to seeing how you capture that through your work."

Longtai gave a small nod in return, feeling a bit of the tension in his chest release. The class continued with more introductions, but he found himself lost in thought. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

~

Yok stood in front of the teacher's office door, his shoulders tense and his jaw clenched. He didn't want to be here, but he had no choice. His art history professor had requested a meeting, and Yok already knew it wasn't going to be pleasant. He knocked lightly, then pushed the door open when he heard a curt "Come in."

Inside, the professor sat behind his cluttered desk, stacks of papers and books covering nearly every inch of the surface. The man was in his mid-fifties, with thinning grey hair and glasses perched low on his nose. His sharp eyes flicked up at Yok from over the rims of his glasses, not impressed by the student standing in front of him.

"Yok," the professor said, his voice tired yet stern. "Do you know why you're here?"

Yok stuffed his hands into his pockets, his lips forming a slight frown. "Yeah. The assignment."

"The assignment," the professor repeated, as if the word itself carried weight. "That you failed to turn in on time. You missed the deadline by over a week, Yok. This isn't the first time."

"I was working on it," Yok replied defensively, his brows knitting together. "I had some stuff going on."

The professor sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Look, Yok, I know you're talented-exceptionally so when it comes to drawing. But that's not enough. You can't just skate by on your sketches and creativity. Art history is an essential part of your curriculum, and frankly, I don't see you paying it any mind."

Yok shifted on his feet, feeling his temper rise. He wasn't some slacker. He knew about art, maybe more than half the students in his class. But sitting down to write a ten-page paper on cave paintings? That wasn't his thing.

"I know more about art history than you think," Yok shot back, his voice edged with frustration. "Ask me anything. The assignment was about cave art and stone sculptures, right? Well, the first cave paintings were discovered in the Chauvet Cave in France, dating back over 30,000 years. They were found by a group of speleologists in 1994, and they depict animals like horses and rhinoceroses. People used natural pigments, like ochre and charcoal, to make those images."

The professor looked mildly surprised for a moment, raising an eyebrow at Yok's sudden outburst. But his expression quickly hardened again.

"That's impressive, Yok, but information without action is useless," the professor said, his voice cold and clipped. "You didn't turn in your assignment. You know the material, but what's the use if you don't follow through? In the real world, deadlines matter. Your talent won't mean anything if you can't prove you can do the work."

Yok felt heat rise in his face, his hands balling into fists in his pockets. He hated this-the way the professor talked down to him like he was some lazy kid who didn't care. He did care. But writing about art wasn't the same as making it.

"I'll get it done," Yok muttered, his voice low.

The professor shook his head, clearly unimpressed. "Too late. I'm not scoring this assignment for you, Yok. You had your chance, and you blew it. Maybe next time you'll use your hands for more than just talking."

Yok's eyes narrowed, a deep frown etched on his face. He opened his mouth to argue, but the professor waved a dismissive hand.

"You're dismissed," the professor said bluntly, turning his attention back to the papers on his desk.

Yok stood there for a second, his chest tightening with frustration, but he bit back any retort. He turned sharply and walked out of the office, his fists still clenched. The second he stepped into the hallway, he exhaled, running a hand through his hair, trying to shake off the irritation boiling inside him.

But before he could fully calm down, another voice called out to him.

"Yok."

He turned and saw one of the other teachers standing by the door to their classroom. She was younger, maybe in her early thirties, with a sharp gaze that made Yok feel like he was being analyzed.

"You should at least come to university looking presentable," she said, her tone laced with mild disdain. "You look more like a delinquent than an art student."

Yok scowled, his patience snapping again. "What's wrong with how I look?" he shot back, though his tone lacked the usual bite. He was too tired to argue anymore.

The teacher gave him a disapproving once-over, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Just... think about it. You want to be taken seriously, don't you?"

Yok didn't respond. He just nodded, his body tense with frustration, and walked off down the hallway, trying to escape the echo of the teacher's words. His mind buzzed with a mixture of anger and embarrassment, his day spiraling into something worse than he'd imagined.

He wasn't even paying attention to where he was going, too lost in thought, when-*crash*.

He collided with someone, and the force of the impact sent the other person tumbling to the ground. Yok's frustration snapped to the surface again, and he was already halfway through an angry retort before he even looked at the person.

"Watch where you're goi-"

Then he stopped dead in his tracks. It was Longtai, sitting on the ground with a startled look, his bag knocked to the side.

Yok's expression shifted immediately. The anger drained from his face, replaced by a mixture of shock and concern. "Longtai?" he said, blinking rapidly.

Longtai looked up at him, his face softening as he smiled weakly. "Hi... Yok," he said, his voice quiet.

Yok immediately crouched down beside him, his earlier rage now completely forgotten. His hands instinctively reached for Longtai's arms, checking for bruises or scrapes, his touch surprisingly gentle for someone who had been fuming only moments earlier.

"What were you doing? Are you okay?" Yok asked, his voice low but urgent. He glanced at Longtai's hands and elbows, checking for any signs of injury.

"I'm fine, really," Longtai said, slightly puzzled but patient as Yok fussed over him.

Yok frowned, not convinced. "Let me see," he muttered, lifting Longtai's wrist gently and turning it over to check for any scratches. "Sorry. I wasn't paying attention."

"I'm fine, Yok," Longtai reassured him with a soft laugh. His smile widened, and that simple expression seemed to freeze Yok in place. For a second, Yok forgot everything-his bad day, the teachers, his anger. All he could focus on was Longtai's smile, the way it crinkled his eyes and lit up his face.

Yok stood up abruptly, feeling strangely flustered. He extended a hand to Longtai, helping him to his feet. "Here," he said gruffly, avoiding eye contact.

Longtai took his hand and stood, brushing off his clothes. "Thanks," he said, his voice soft and genuine. There was no trace of annoyance or frustration in him, only kindness.

Yok scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, his earlier frustration now completely replaced by an unfamiliar warmth in his chest. "What... what are you doing here, anyway?" he asked, glancing around. "Didn't you say you were thinking about enrolling?"

"I'm a student here now," Longtai said, his voice calm. "I started this week."

Yok's eyes widened slightly, and for some reason, hearing that made him feel... good. Like, really good. He cleared his throat, trying to regain some composure.

"Well, welcome, I guess," Yok said with a smirk. "Since you're new, I can show you around the campus if you want."

Longtai's eyes lit up, and he smiled again. "That would be nice," he said.

Yok nodded, trying to act casual, but his heart was still beating a little faster than normal. "Alright, follow me," he said, his voice a little quieter than usual.

~

Yok and Longtai walked across the sprawling university campus, the sun high in the sky casting shadows along the pathways. Yok pointed out various buildings, throwing casual remarks about where different classes were held, which corners to avoid when late, and which spots had the best view. Longtai listened quietly, his gaze flickering between the campus and Yok's animated gestures, absorbing the information but mostly noticing how at ease Yok seemed in this chaotic environment.

Finally, Yok stopped in front of a large, glass-fronted building. Students milled in and out, some carrying trays of food, others huddled in groups chatting away. He gestured toward the entrance with a proud grin. "And this... is the cafeteria," Yok announced with a flourish.

The cafeteria was spacious, with long rows of tables stretching across the room. Sunlight poured in through large windows, making the space feel bright despite the constant chatter and clatter of trays and utensils. There was a food counter at one end, where students queued up for a selection of meals. The walls were lined with vending machines, and a few potted plants were scattered around to add a touch of greenery. It wasn't fancy, but it had a warm, bustling atmosphere.

Yok scanned the room, spotting an empty table near the back. "Come on, let's grab that table before someone else does," he said, leading the way. They both sat down, facing each other across the table. Yok leaned back casually, stretching his arms behind his head as he eyed Longtai.

"So, what do you want?" Yok asked, still smiling. "I'll grab the food."

Longtai shook his head politely. "It's alright, I can get it myself."

But Yok waved off the protest with a wide grin, his confidence radiating like sunlight. "Nah, I'll get it for you. You're new, so let me treat you."

Longtai blinked at the brightness of Yok's smile, feeling momentarily disarmed by how warm and sincere it was. It was a smile that felt almost too big for the moment, like it came from some place inside Yok that was always burning bright. Longtai wasn't used to it-he wasn't used to people like Yok.

"Alright," Longtai relented, nodding softly. "I'm not picky. Just... anything's fine."

Yok grinned even wider, as if this was exactly what he wanted to hear. He jumped up, already making his way toward the food counter. Longtai watched him go, feeling a strange sensation settle in his chest. Something about Yok's energy was infectious-like a spark that could light up the dimmest of rooms.

A few minutes later, Yok returned with two trays. On one was a simple student meal-grilled chicken with rice, a side of sautéed vegetables, and a lemonade. On the other tray was a hamburger, fries, and another lemonade. Yok plopped the trays down and sat across from Longtai, grinning with satisfaction.

"There you go," Yok said, pushing one of the trays toward Longtai. "Bon appétit."

"Thanks," Longtai said quietly, picking up the lemonade and taking a sip. He glanced at the food, trying to ignore the slight sinking feeling in his stomach. He wasn't picky, but something about the cafeteria meal didn't look very appealing to him. Still, he didn't want to seem ungrateful. He picked up his fork, stabbing at the chicken with a hesitant expression.

Meanwhile, Yok was already digging into his burger, completely at ease. He took a huge bite, barely noticing how Longtai was only sipping his lemonade. After a few bites, Yok glanced up and noticed Longtai's slow, awkward movements.

"Hey, why aren't you eating?" Yok asked through a mouthful of fries, his tone curious but not judgmental.

Longtai hesitated, his fork still hovering above the rice. He didn't want to admit that he wasn't too fond of the food, but he also didn't want to lie. "I'm... I'll eat," he said, forcing a small smile. "I'm just not that hungry, I guess."

Yok raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. He watched Longtai poke at his food for a moment before sighing. Without warning, he reached across the table, grabbed Longtai's tray, and swapped it with his own. Longtai blinked in surprise, his fork still in midair.

"Here, let's switch," Yok said nonchalantly, already digging into the grilled chicken. "Your food looks better anyway."

Longtai stared at him, confused and slightly bewildered. "But... I thought you wanted the burger?"

Yok shrugged, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. "I changed my mind. This looks way more delicious."

Longtai sat there for a moment, still trying to process what had just happened. But something about the way Yok casually took the burden off him-without making it a big deal, without making him feel uncomfortable-made Longtai feel something warm and unfamiliar in his chest. No one had ever cared enough to notice whether he liked the food or not. Most people just assumed he would eat whatever was given to him, and he usually did, out of politeness. But Yok... Yok just did what he wanted, without making Longtai feel guilty.

Longtai picked up the burger, and to his surprise, he found himself smiling. It wasn't that he cared about the food all that much. It was that Yok had made the effort, in his own strange way.

They ate in silence for a few minutes, the noise of the cafeteria around them buzzing like background music. Yok finished his chicken quickly, and Longtai slowly worked his way through the burger, feeling more at ease with each bite.

After a while, Yok glanced up at Longtai with a curious look. "By the way," he said between sips of lemonade, "I don't think I ever asked-what's your major? What're you studying here?"

Longtai wiped his hands on a napkin, setting the half-eaten burger back on the tray. "Photography," he answered softly, his voice steady but shy. "I've always liked taking pictures. It's... it's something I'm passionate about."

Yok's eyes lit up with genuine interest. "Photography? That's awesome," he said, leaning forward slightly. "I bet you take some amazing shots."

Longtai blushed faintly, his fingers fidgeting with the napkin. "I'm still learning. There's a lot to improve on."

"Well, if you ever need a model, let me know," Yok said with a wink, half-joking but half-serious. "I wouldn't mind posing for some cool shots."

Longtai chuckled softly, his heart warming at Yok's playful tone. He couldn't remember the last time someone had made him feel so comfortable in such a short amount of time. The way Yok handled things-it was so effortless, so natural. It made him feel like he didn't have to overthink every little interaction.

They sat in comfortable silence for a while longer, the buzz of the cafeteria fading into the background. Longtai felt something shift inside him-something subtle but profound. He wasn't sure what it was, but being around Yok made him feel... lighter, in a way he hadn't felt before.

When they finished eating, Yok stretched his arms out, yawning. "Man, that hit the spot. Thanks for sitting with me, Longtai."

Longtai smiled, his heart still quietly processing the warmth of the moment. "Thank you," he replied. "I don't think I've ever had a lunch like this."

Yok grinned wide again, standing up and gathering their trays. "Well, stick around with me, and I'll make sure you have plenty more."

~

As Yok and Longtai stepped out of the cafeteria, the midday sun warmed their faces. The campus around them bustled with students heading to their next classes, chatting in groups, or lingering around benches and shaded trees. The atmosphere felt both alive and chaotic, but somehow, walking alongside Longtai, Yok felt calm. He had just exchanged playful banter with him over lunch, and now they were strolling back out, the gentle quiet between them strangely comfortable.

Just then, "Yok", Yok heard someone call his name from a distance. He turned his head and spotted Sean, walking toward them with Gram in tow. Sean had his usual nonchalant expression, hands shoved into his pockets, while Gram looked more alert, his eyes immediately zeroing in on Longtai beside Yok.

"There you are!" Sean said, his voice tinged with mild annoyance. "I've been looking for you."

Yok scratched the back of his head, a slight smirk forming on his lips. "Sorry, got caught up showing someone around."

Gram, standing beside Sean, raised an eyebrow at Longtai. "Who's this?" he asked, his tone more curious than judgmental, but his gaze fixed on Longtai with mild suspicion.

Before Yok could answer, a loud voice interrupted them.

"Longtai!"

Emma came sprinting toward them, her bag bouncing on her shoulder, a bright smile plastered across her face. She practically skidded to a halt right in front of them, panting slightly, but still beaming at Longtai.

"I'm so happy to see you here! When did you join?" she asked excitedly, her eyes wide with delight.

Longtai, now the center of attention, shifted nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. His gaze flicked between the group, unsure of how to respond to Emma's energy. "I... uh, I just started," he said softly. "Still finding my way around."

Sean, who had been silently observing, shot a quizzical look at Yok, then at Emma. "Wait, who?"

Emma, always quick to fill in the blanks, clapped her hands together. "Oh! Right. So, this is Longtai! We met him at the bookstore last time, remember?" She turned to Gram and Sean with an enthusiastic grin. "He was really helpful in finding some books for me, and now he's a student here too!"

Gram nodded, processing the information, while Sean glanced at Longtai with a more relaxed expression now that he understood who he was.

"Oh, cool," Sean said with a shrug, his eyes flicking briefly to Longtai before turning back to Yok. "You guys were in the same class or something?"

Yok shook his head. "Nah, I just bumped into him today and figured I'd show him around a bit."

Emma, still grinning, turned to Longtai and gestured toward the others. "Longtai, these are my friends-Gram and Sean. We all kind of stick together."

Gram gave Longtai a polite nod, though he remained quiet, still studying him with those sharp, observant eyes. Sean, on the other hand, gave a lazy wave, his typical cool demeanor never wavering. "Hey."

Longtai offered them both a small, shy smile. "Hi. Nice to meet you."

The brief introduction settled into a short lull, but the atmosphere was mostly casual-Sean leaning against a nearby bench, Gram glancing between the group members, and Emma practically buzzing with energy. But the moment didn't last long, as Sean glanced at his watch and then at Yok.

"Anyway, we're gonna be late," Sean reminded them, his voice laced with mild urgency.

Yok's eyes darted to the time, and he cursed under his breath. "Shit, yeah. You're right."

Emma pouted. "Aw, already?"

Sean gave her a pointed look. "Yeah, unless you wanna flunk out early in the semester."

Emma rolled her eyes but waved it off. "Fine, fine."

Yok turned to Longtai, giving him a quick smile. "I gotta head out. You gonna be okay finding your next class?"

Longtai nodded, his smile soft but genuine. "Yeah, I think I'll be fine."

Yok lingered for a second longer, his gaze locking onto Longtai's before he grinned. "Alright then. I'll see you around."

Emma waved at Longtai, still smiling brightly. "Catch you later, Longtai! Let's hang out again sometime."

Sean and Gram gave quick nods, and with that, the group started to move away, headed in the direction of their next class.

But just before Yok turned to fully leave, he shot Longtai one last look, feeling that strange sense of ease again. He wasn't sure why, but there was something about Longtai that made him feel... grounded.

"Later," Yok said, giving Longtai a casual two-fingered wave as he jogged to catch up with the others.

As Longtai watched them go, he felt a warmth spread through him that had nothing to do with the sun. There was something about Yok's presence-something unspoken, something he couldn't quite put his finger on-that made him feel seen.

~

Thank you for reading!

Yok feels grounded around Longtai, Longtai feels seen around Yok. Is this the start of something deeper? Or are they both just catching fleeting moments they don't yet understand? 🖤

See you next chapter :)

Don't forget to vote and comment.

Love Yoon ~