Chapter 23

Nani Hirunkit

I stare at my phone, thumb hovering over the screen. I don't know why I'm hesitating. It's just Dew and Win. There's no reason to be weird about this.

I type out a quick message.

Nani: Are you guys home? I wanna talk.

I hit send and toss my phone onto the couch, stretching my arms over my head with a sigh. A few minutes pass. Then ten. Then fifteen. Still no response.

I frown, grabbing my phone again.

Nani: Hello? Did you die?

Still nothing.

I narrow my eyes. What the hell are they doing?

Then I see it—their latest Instagram story. Win posted a blurry photo of their dinner: two steaming bowls of ramen, a plate of gyoza on the side, and Dew's hand dramatically reaching across the table to steal something from Win's bowl. The caption reads:

'Date night with the gremlin.'

I scoff. Unbelievable. They left me on read for this?

With an annoyed groan, I throw my phone back down and flop onto my stomach, pressing my face into the couch cushion. Guess I'm waiting.

-----------------

It's past eleven when my phone finally buzzes, and I grab it immediately.

Win: Just got home. You still alive or did you turn into dust waiting for us?

I don't even bother replying. I just hit the video call button. It rings twice before the screen lights up, and suddenly, Dew's face is way too close to the camera.

"NANIIIIII!" he drags out my name like he's been waiting all day to scream it. "IT'S BEEN SO LONG—"

I deadpan. "It's been days."

Win lets out a dramatic sigh from somewhere in the background. "And yet, it feels like years. Our son has abandoned us."

"Our beloved child," Dew adds with a sniff, clutching his chest like he's on the verge of tears.

I stare at them. "What."

"You heard us," Win says simply. "Now, what's up, kid?"

I roll my eyes but decide to just get to the point. "I'm thinking about coming back to school soon."

There's a pause. Then—

"Oh my god," Dew shrieks, shaking Win's arm like he just won the lottery. "Our son is finally coming home!"

Win claps his hands dramatically. "This is the best day of my life. Our boy, lost to the cruel world, finally finds his way back to us."

I rub my temples. "You guys are so annoying."

"Annoying? Annoying?" Dew gasps. "We have worried about you! Prayed for your return—"

"You ignored my message for hours," I remind him.

Win clears his throat. "We were in mourning."

"You were on a date."

"Grief affects people differently," Win replies smoothly.

I let out a deep sigh, already regretting this call. "I hate you guys."

"You love us," Dew corrects. "And to celebrate your return, I, as your favorite parent, shall buy you a My Melody plushie."

I freeze. "...Are you serious?"

Dew smirks. "You do still love that little rabbit, right?"

I glare at him. "She's a Sanrio icon."

"Uh-huh," Win says, unimpressed. "Anyway, you better be serious about coming back because we already started planning your welcome-home party."

"I never agreed to that."

Dew ignores me completely. "First order of business—karaoke."

Win groans. "Why do you always want karaoke?"

"Because I'm amazing at it," Dew replies like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

Win scoffs. "Debatable."

"You're just mad because I won last time."

"You cheated—"

I groan, cutting in before they start arguing for real. "You two are so exhausting."

Win smirks. "And yet, you miss us."

I scowl. "No, I don't."

Dew grins. "You're literally coming back."

"...Shut up."

Win shakes his head, but there's warmth in his voice when he says, "It's about time, Nani."

Dew hums in agreement. "We missed you, idiot."

Something tugs in my chest, but I smirk to cover it up. "I knew you guys couldn't live without me."

Win groans. "Never mind, I take it back."

Dew claps his hands. "Too late! He's ours again!"

I shake my head, but I can't stop the small smile from forming. Yeah. I think I'm ready.

-----------------

I lean back against the couch, stretching my legs out as the playful energy from earlier starts to settle. There's still a lingering warmth from their teasing, but the real reason I called them is still sitting at the back of my mind, waiting.

I exhale, rubbing my fingers together absentmindedly before finally saying, "Actually... there's something else I wanted to tell you guys."

Dew, who had been dramatically slumped against Win's shoulder, perks up at my tone. "Oh? Spill."

Win raises an eyebrow. "You sound weird. What is it?"

I hesitate for a second, then just say it. "I rented a small dorm near campus."

There's a brief pause before Win scoffs. "Why?"

I blink. "What do you mean, why?"

Dew tilts his head. "Dude, you know you can just stay with us, right?"

I shift, suddenly feeling uncomfortable under their stares. "Yeah, I know, but... I don't wanna impose. You guys have your own space, and I just figured it'd be better if I had mine too. Just for now."

Win clicks his tongue, unimpressed. "That's stupid."

I frown. "It's not—"

"You're being stupid," Win cuts in flatly, crossing his arms. "You're literally family. Why the hell would you waste money on some tiny dorm when we literally have a spare room?"

Dew nods, like this is the most obvious thing in the world. "Yeah, what he said. We have space. And we want you here."

I run a hand through my hair, sighing. "I just don't wanna be a burden, okay?"

Win gives me a long, pointed stare. Then he deadpans, "That's even stupider."

"Dude—"

"You think we'd offer if we didn't want you here?" Dew cuts in, narrowing his eyes. "Come on, Nani. Don't give us that 'burden' bullshit."

I exhale, glancing away. "It's just... I think I need some time, you know? To figure things out."

Win's expression softens slightly, but he doesn't back down. "Fine. But you can do that at our place just as well as you can do it alone."

Dew hums in agreement. "Yeah, besides, it's not like we're forcing you to do karaoke with us every night."

"Yet," Win mutters under his breath.

Dew grins. "No promises."

I huff out a laugh despite myself. "You guys are impossible."

Win sighs, shaking his head. "Look, it's your choice. If you really, really wanna stay in that sad little dorm, we won't stop you. But just know that you always have a place here."

Dew nods firmly. "Yeah. No matter what, we've got you."

Something tightens in my chest, and for a second, I don't know what to say.

I swallow, nodding slowly. "...Thanks."

Win smirks. "So, when are you moving in?"

"Dude."

Dew claps his hands. "Great! I'll clear out the room tomorrow!"

"I never agreed—"

Win grins. "Too late. It's decided."

I groan, dragging a hand down my face, but deep down, I know I've already lost. And maybe... maybe that's okay.