Fish upon the Sky Chapter 11

    Fish upon the Sky Chapter 11

   Mr. Toon said the boat should be off shore the next morning, so I rushed off to wait for Mork to come to med school. Come to think of it, I've always waited for the Fish upon the Sky but today I'm wasting time trying to clear up his fanboy mess. By the time I got down to the med school building, I had forgotten that I wasn't the psychic Riew who could find the culprit in no time.

   So, I just stand around aimlessly, watching people come and go, my eyes glaze over, until a cute looking girl walks up to me.

   “Phii Pi...”

   Ah! You know me. The Best Popularity Award Remembered, Dead Duean, I've changed my face, I'm handsome, it’s finally working, I'm so happy I'm crying.

   “Phii Pi.”

   “Uh... Um” I quickly pulled back to my senses, looked over at the beautifully dressed schoolgirl, confident in my mind that she must be a freshman.

   “What are seniors doing in medical school?”

   “Oh, I came to find someone.”

   “The big few?”

   “II”

   “What's the name? I might know it.” She's called Prik but she doesn't look like her name, she's not even toxic.

   “Mork, yes... Yes, Medical School University II grass.

   “Ahhhhhhhhhhhh”

   “...!” What's going on? What triggered such a long series of screams?

   “Phii Mork in room MD5014, Introductory Anatomy class ends today.” After the screaming stopped, she just said where Mork was and it made me wonder if this girl was a normal person, why did she know Mork's schedule so well? It's like she saw it with her own eyes.

   “Why would a schoolgirl know?”

   “It just so happens that I'm the president of Mork's support group.”

   “Oh, so Mork doesn't have a class right now, right?”

   “No”

   “Thank you very much.”

   “You're welcome.” I walked out, my eyes swept over the schoolgirl again, saw her waving at me, her big flashing eyes hit every part of my body, did the schoolgirl just happen to be down or was she under some kind of witchcraft.

   (Don't think about anything else right now. I pick up my pace and head for the elevator, hitting the fifth floor, where there's a target waiting for me to clean up. Once I stopped at MD5014 I knocked politely two or three times on the door. Even though I knew he was staying with a friend.

   Knock, knock, knock

   Quiet! Not a single person responded.

   Knock, knock, knock

   It's the same quiet knock again, before thinking about doing something big, I take a deep breath.

   Clang!

   TMD, opened the door and went in, didn't wait for him, getting anxious, wanted to get it over with.

   But the picture in front of me is...

   The hell that awaits Pi is already ahead.

   Why won't Prik students tell me the truth, who says Mork doesn't have classes? What brings close to a hundred medical students together, packed into one room? And now everyone's looking at me like they're saying, if you can't find a good reason for showing up and bothering this big crowd, you are going to get a shot in the eye.

   How many feet are there? I can't even count my eyes; I want to cry for my brother!

   Just project all the results in your head. If it was Duean, what would he do? The thought occurred to me, to use my brother's usual bad idea of escape.

   “Hiya! Sorry, wrong room.” Is that good enough for you?

   “...”

   Dead silence and more focused eyes. I had to stand up straight, one small step at a time and step back. I almost didn't touch the doorknob, because I almost went out on tiptoe, as if nothing had happened but it had.

   “Pattawee!”

   When I was called, to break my stride, I looked around.

   “Pattawee Panichapun!!!”

   Who's shouting?

   At this point, I hurriedly looked up to the highest chair in the step-room and the buzzing noise resounded throughout the room. Everyone seemed to be mingling about their respective problems but after I tried to use my special auditory nerves to exclude the jumbled jargon being spoken, I heard.

   “It's really this guy.”

   “So, damn cute in person but just a little bit mouthy.”

   “Are you here for Satthaya?”

   “So, this guy is a CP on Facebook.”

   “He.” Some guy poked me in the shoulder.

   “...”

   “Coming for Satthaya?” Another kid with glasses came up to greet and a palpable silence fell over the room.

   “Yes... Yes”

   “He's gone to the bathroom, wait here for now.” He pointed to the empty lectern at the front.

   “Uh... It's okay.” Who would put themselves in front of all these people, ask yourself, wouldn't it be stressful? And the main thing is that none of them are my friends, so I don't want it to be the talk of the town.

   “There, he's coming.”

   As soon as the tall figure pushes through the door, the noise starts again. Today Mork is fucking weird, because he's not wearing his glasses, unlike usual, not like a person but like something. If someone walks by and doesn't turn around to look, it means they must have broken their cervical vertebrae.

   “Wasin, what’s going on?” He turned to his friend and asked in a low voice.

   I doubt very much that you ever call each other by your nicknames, only by your first names, I wonder if I'm in a TV show with a newscast, the hero and heroine are called Akadech and Pornprapa respectively.

   Look at Mork's friend, still nodding his head in the affirmative, nudging his mouth in my direction. The guy on the other end turns to look at me and steps closer at the same time, with a flat face but full of indignity.

   “What is it?”

   “Go outside and talk.” I spoke.

   “Hmmm.”

   Not wanting to be stared at all the time, I quickly took the hand of someone taller than me and ran out.

   “Mork, tell the president of what's-his-name's homepage to delete that homepage right now.”

   Once I got to a quieter place, I went straight to the point. Even though it's just fanart, it will totally shatter my long-awaited fantasy of Pi-Nan.

   So, I have to state outright that I can't take it, driving the wrong ship is a cardinal sin.

   “What home page?”

   “Just that whatever Mork-Pi backers.”

   “...”

   “Are you listening?” Silence. He didn't say a word, just looked at me quietly, “Stupid! You want a fight?”

   Now I wanted to rush over to him and grab him by the collar. But I didn't dare, for fear he'd punch me in the face. Even though I know very well, that day will not come.

   “Not looking for a fight, just thinking.”

   “So, think out loud?”

   “Hmmm.”

   “Get your ass in gear and deal with me, now your backers are intruding on my life.”

   “That will be dealt with later.” He suddenly interrupted.

   “Well, that's it.” With that, I was ready to turn and leave like a male model of a major brand of clothing but before I could walk away, someone tugged on my wrist first.

   “Wait, I'm going to get my bag.”

   “What's it to me to when you get a bag?”

   “I can't see very well; I accidentally broke my glasses in the toilet. Anyway, you can help take me to the cafeteria, in exchange for telling the homepage president.” I don't know if his family is going bankrupt but he's just looking for a small profit and doesn't want to lose. I don't care if I hate him but I'm waiting for him to go to the cafeteria, like a kid.

   “So, don't we have to continue the lesson? A roomful of friends.”

   “There is extracurricular tuition, now over.”

   “Well, hurry up, I'm not that nice.”

   In less than a minute, Satthaya returns with a black bag.

   “Come on, I'm stopping by to find Nan at the college.”

   “Etc.”

   Instant!

   “What's the point of grabbing my hand.” I shook it off as if I'd hit a hot potato but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake it. Because his hand was so fucking sticky, it was like glue. It's like glue.

   “Can't see, let me catch it.”

   “Don't you lie, just managed to walk back to my room.”

   “Walked over and bumped into several tables, couldn't help, why so indifferent?”

   Becoming indifferent.

   It was finally decided that I would lead the way to the college cafeteria, with some ghost who had captured me, as if they owed each other in a past life.

   It's All About the Show, One Moment...

   Satthaya fanbase was really strong, because all the way from the school building to the bottom, all I could hear with both ears was people whispering around me but Mork was still not slow and not talking. Except for a tighter grip, which made me turn around and stare at him.

   “Here we are, let go of my hand.”

   “Hmmm.” He did so willingly, placing the bag on the still empty dining room table.

   “I'm off, don't forget to deal with that homepage.”

   “Help buy the next meal, can't see.”

   “If you can't buy it yourself, don't eat it.”

   “Hardhearted.”

   “Sorry, just wanted this.”

   “You're really good at being mean to me.”

   “It's good to know.”

   Don't hesitate, just say no and get out of the way. But for some reason, both legs went to the window and paid for two simple rice bowls. I hate it when I say I'm resistant but, in my heart, I do the opposite of everything, to Pae and Duean.

   “Eat.” I set my plate down in front of the tall man and sat myself down across from him, because I was too hungry.

   “Thanks a lot, but I actually don't like fried ground pork, it's got giblets in it.”

   “Are you fucking with me?”

   “No, just didn't think you'd be kind enough to buy me dinner.”

   “Buy nothing and don't eat it, Troublemaker, then don't eat it.” But the bastard still doesn't know any better, shoves his share of fried pork with basil leaves across the table, sits down and eats the fried ground pork himself and eats it with gusto.

   “Pi, has anyone ever told you you have a lovely personality.” It's been quiet for a little while and Mork is back to picking fights.

   “No, only people compliment me on my good looks, including people who used to call me a loser.”

   “So, did anyone ever say you were like a little kid?”

   “You, Nosy.”

   “Rice sticks to your face, eat well.”

   “Don't lie to people.” I was so mean to him; I raised my hand to my face and then I realized there was real rice on it.

   Several times, from falling down the stairs in the stairwell, sleeping in the bathroom, almost throwing up in the ice cream parlor and now sitting down to eat, I've lost my image without even realizing it. No matter how hard I try, I can't compete with Mork's good looks.

   “Thirsty?” For a moment, Mork smiled a wry smile, then spoke up and asked me.

   “Thirsty.”

   “Then I'll get it, for a change.”

   “Can you see? The glasses are broken.”

   “Seeing.”

   “For wearing contact lenses.”

   “F-me... This is annoying... are you looking for a fight.” I'm so mad I threw my spoon on the plate.

   I feel my face shaking, like I've been punched in the face. Ten times in a row, being tricked. How can you have such a thick skin, besides being a love interest, Mork has the nerve to make new enemies.

   “If I didn't lie to you, would you sit down to dinner with me?” The man in front of me continued and I started moving my fingers, ready for revenge.

   “So, what do you want from me? Want me to have dinner with you.”

   “Nothing, just wanted to see your face.”

   “Shit!”

   That's really going to piss people off, can... Yes, next time...

   I must steal your eraser.

   In the evening, I went back to my room. I went to wait for Nan with all the love I could muster but I didn't wait for a long time. The Fish upon the Sky is still light years away but I won't back down.

   Ding!

   Just as I was bemoaning my rocky love life, the Facebook message alert suddenly sounded, interrupting my thoughts. After I caught a glimpse of Mork and my name, I clicked on it and didn't hesitate to reply.

   Satthaya Nithikornkul: The home page thing is taken care of.

   Pattawee Panichapun: That's the way it's supposed to be, isn't it?

   Satthaya Nithikornkul: ž-ž

   Pattawee Panichapun: Benefit

   Read it, fingers hurriedly clicked into the “Mork-Pi Fan Support” fan page that caused the trouble was longer visible, means it's been deleted, Mork was telling the truth. Damn, so happy I wanted to throw the phone on the floor but didn't want to buy a new one, so I chose to throw it on the soft bed, to show my excitement.

   After the home page is deleted, I'm going to follow up on what's new on Mork's home page and see what the fans have to say in response.

   “Why did Mork let it be deleted?”

   Suspect it was his friend who asked but since Mork's Facebook is public, anyone who wants to come in and read it can and that includes long-time fans who follow him.

   Satthaya Nithikornkul: He asked for deletion, didn't want to go against him, he likes to make a scene.

   Make up your mind, my ass!

   It's really Pattawee’s sin.

   He had a better answer but why didn't he say it, I wouldn't have been so upset if he'd sent an emoji. Look at his words, as if he cares. Even though we're not even related.

   I can tell by the look of it that it's a deliberate prank, as usual.

   At first, I thought the page was gone, it should be over by now. But now it's adding fuel to the fire, all because of Captain Satthaya, I want to turn the armory upside down and find a nuke to bomb his Facebook.

   “So, it's this guy who won't let the CP fantasize, right? They are really together are a couple!”

   “It's okay, knowing that Phii Mork cares about Phii Pi, it's okay to start a new homepage later, #Prik-Phii Mork-Pi Backers President.”

   We know the culprit, so blatantly in the comment section, not afraid of the power of Pi God. Don't let me see you again, Prik, as a punishment, I'll steal your eraser, just wait and be scared.

   There are posts saying they will reopen the home page again. I'll leave it here, in another life. Because today, I'm about to start a Pi-Nan page, what would be a better name, than “Mork-Pi Fan Support” It's cooler.

   Pi-Nan Forever

   Pi-Nan Only

   Or “Love couple Pi-Nan shocked the peninsula, meet in the present and fall in love in the next world.”

   Ding!

   The name of the home page has not yet been confirmed, there is another message.

   “I have just found out that Dr. Satthaya likes this guy @ Pattawee Panichapun.”

   Ah, someone @ me again but no answer yet, the culprit has spontaneously shown up again.

   Satthaya Nithikornkul: For me, people who are in the know are the best bullies.

   Heh, can’t stand it, bully my ass, I only have dandruff (“bully” in Thai) A word similar to “dandruff” (the word “bully” in Thai is pronounced and written similarly).

   It took me a long time to regain my senses and type and a long time to make a typo.

   Pattawee Panichapun: only knows how to surf the web, better to spend time reading and studying seriously, annoying man Mork.

   I hope he disappears from his newsfeed. Yes! He's really gone but...

   “Pi is so cute and rushing him to read a book, I am worried yo.”

   Uh...

   I'm confused, his malice turned to good will. Now I am fumbling, editing for an hour and comparing likes, who has more likes on my post or Mork's.

   Only a smart person would do this, who in their right mind would!

   Unrequited love continues, Today is also the day I wait for love from MueangNan.

   After sending a cute emoji yesterday, he hasn't read the message. I'm hurt but I'm not remembering. It's a new day, let's share a song

   Ding!

   O Sins, posted wrong, posted as Sekchoey's song, ahh... Ahhhhhhhhhh...

   This time MueangNan read it, Buddha, what to do. Not long after jumping lightly on the bed, I rushed to remedy the situation and in the blink of an eye, MueangNan invited me without warning.

   “My friend and I are going to an ensemble concert today, does Pi want to come along?”

   Ho ho ho ho ho ho~

   Nan invited me, is there any way Pattawee will say no? Say yes to him quickly. There's singing with you, dancing with you, smiling at you, having fun with you. Love will blossom, like a tree that's been watered and fertilized, the grey world will turn pink soon.

   We had a date, Nan had tickets but I didn't. So, I rushed to call someone with experience, to help find tickets.

   Luck has found me, no matter how little hope there was in the past, one day it will become clear. With that in mind, I immediately picked up my phone and called another friend.

***

   Duean is away, far away in Khao Yai working on a project and the only people he can rely on now are the Four Villains.

   Soon after the phone call, Kor was ready to go ashore. I waited an hour and a half for him to knock on the door, to talk to me about a plan to make love. Although I didn't know if it would work, because I'd made several plans and none of them had worked.

   Knock-knock-knock

   Knowing it was the bad guys knocking on the door, I dropped my phone and turned around to greet the first visitors.

   “You're oh, so smug.”

   Hate the pleasantries of my favorite senior, he's trying to help me out but what is this! Kor opens the fridge for food, James and Jeans run over with excited faces, collapse on the sofa, get out the remote and tune in, very comfortable. Hey! My room. My room is not a children's playground.

   “I begged you to come and help, not to come and lie down and play.” I shouted but no one listened.

  ...

   “Phii, Hey! That's Duean's Bear (a bottle of beer brand) beer, no no, Phii Yok don't break things.” Is it right or wrong to bring in the bad guys?

   By the time I got my senses back, it was a long time ago. At 5:00 p.m. sharp, we finally sat down to talk.

   “I found tickets for you, Pi.” Phii Yok is getting to the point.

   “Ho Ho Ho Ho, Phii you are fucking awesome, thanks.”

   “Who is this?” James pointed at himself.

   “Cheeky.”

   Boom!

   Another coconut shells.

****

   “We're the most handsome and charismatic group of the year, I asked Duean, will take you on a wander in love later.” He said confidently and smiled like he was crazy. Yeah... I'm still confused about his blessing.

   “Really, so he'll keep me in mind?”

   “Do not leave.”

   “Won't let Nan leave his heart to someone other than me?”

   “No, no money left on the ticket, give it back to us now.”

   Heh heh heh heh!

   Luckily, I got a good deal on tickets before the concert. Even though I didn't have much money but for the love of MueangNan, I was willing to do anything. The concert started at 6:30 and more importantly, Palmy was on the list of artists. Even the Evil Dead couldn't describe how obsessed I was with Palmy in the last few years. So, I had to keep up appearances and everyone would know me as the cool, mysterious, handsome guy.

   When I'm with Nan, I have to look good, I can't dance too hard, I can't take off my shoes like My, otherwise he'll find me too brainless.

   I was in the back of a beat-up pickup truck with four villains and the car was warped, because I hadn't taken it in for repairs last time. As soon as we got there, I asked my benefactor for his opinion.

   “Do the seniors want to go into the hall together?”

   “No, you go ahead.” Phii Kor replied briefly.

   “Ah, why did you abandon me?”

   “If we go in, the plan is broken.”

   “But last time, the seniors were in disguise, Nan couldn't remember.” I can't even remember as a junior, how can I expect anyone else to?

   “Want to hear the truth?” Kor scratched his head, as if he was sick of me trying to persuade him, “We didn't buy tickets, no money, don't ask any more questions.”

   “Ah, so making a plan is in order?”

   “Okay, go after him as laid out, call back when the concert is over.”

   “No need, I'll find a way to get back with MueangNan.”

   “Geez, advanced plan, looks pretty tactful.”

   “Of course.”

   “Hope you're not disappointed then, I'm off, bye.” Four of my friends waved at me and it made me want to cry. It's like the first time Mom or Dad sent their kid to kindergarten.

   I promise I won't let them down.

   When I'd finished saying goodbye, I ran with excitement to the entrance of the hall where I'd arranged to meet the Fish upon the Sky.

   MueangNan came with a large group of friends, everyone looked familiar, because they had been close to Nan since freshman year. But someone unexpected was there.

   Mork, seriously, have you ever had a busy life? Where does Nan go and you're free to follow him all the time?

   “I'm sorry for making you wait for me.” No matter how angry I was inside, I first had to look happy and turn around to talk to Nan.

   “It's okay, Pi, let's go in then.”

   “Good.”

   Several well-known bands started playing interesting songs, some knew, some didn't but I had a lot of fun with Nan. And there was time to keep up appearances, to act extra cool, to move with skill. Despite being close to a demon like Satthaya.

   At last, Palmy crosses the stage, letting any lingering sanity vanish into thin air.

   “It just so happens that I don't have anyone else, just so happens that you're nice to me, happy as can be.”

   I hate it, the song echoes in my ears, my mind suddenly and spontaneously recalls the moment when I played the singing game in middle school, I was the king of dance in that period, starting from just stepping in my mind.

   “Want to hear 'I love you', say it to me, just love it or not, it's simple.”

   Sins, I accidentally sang along.

   Upon realizing that I had accidentally displayed the deep fanboy attributes behind it, I didn't hesitate and quickly remedied the situation to the puzzled fish of the air in my eyes.

   “I can't sing, Nan, just heard it for the first time, usually listen to international rock.”

   “I know.” Nan replied with a smile.

   But as soon as Palmy continued to pick up the microphone, she couldn't help but move her mouth along.

   “Can you answer? Come on, answer~”

   Whoops...

   “Pi you have a good memory, listen to it for a while and you'll be able to sing it.”

   “Heh heh.”

   Don't want to answer that you can sing every song. Again! I really do know every song.

   Not keeping up appearances, for the only time in your life you don't, stop being scared in MueangNan.

   “Palmy! Palmy!”

   If there's a support line, I'll probably open my mouth and shout it at the top of my lungs, Palmy, Sarang Hey and shake the fan-specific glow sticks with all my might.

   “What's to laugh about?”

   I turned to Mork and opened my mouth, saw him trying to restrain his laughter, wanted to poke him in the eye.

   “No, no laughing.”

   “See it all.”

   “You don't like Palmy, do you?”

   “Who likes, I don't, I'm not a fan.” But when you say it, you're still shrugging to the beat of the music. Hate myself but the body can't really stop.

   After several songs, my throat was so dry that I had to ask my friends for water. Eventually it turned out to be a beer but the pleasure made me ignore it and finish the small bottle in one go. When the new band came on stage, I asked my friend for another bottle and I was now in a state of madness and drunkenness.

   I don't know when the concert ended and what band was the finale, the only thing I do know is that both legs could barely hold up their bodies but the strong determination was still there.

   “Pi, how will you get back?” Nan asked in a calm voice. I waved my head, to chase away the drunkenness.

   “I don't know. Then Nan... How to go back?”

   “I'm going back with Mork.”

   Hopes, dreams, plans made, all disappear in a flash.

   “Then I...”

   “Is Pi going back together?”

   “Is this good?” Even though it's Mork's car but still ecstatic inside, at least it's breathing the same air as MueangNan.

   “Yeah.”

   “That's trouble.”

   Trouble means help me, I really can't, I'm exhausted.

   The rest of my friends helped me; half dragged me to the car. I sat in the back seat, Mork was the driver, MueangNan sat next to him. My head was dull, I wanted to say a lot of things but in the end, I had no strength to move my mouth, I had to press it against the glass.

   Close your eyes, both ears can still hear the very melodious sound of MueangNan.

   “Pi give me your address.”

   “Good.”

   “Pi...”

   This was before sanity goes out, the last sound...

   (Rrrrr--Rrrrr--)

   When I opened my eyes again, it's almost ten o'clock on the phone I grabbed. I was startled by the unfamiliar bed, heart pounding, uncontrollable. Drowsy at first, now I know what a pleasure it was to be there this morning. Because if I had to guess, the bed I was lying in was definitely MueangNan's.

   Well ~ Real Life is Like Fiction, Our Love... Close.

   (Rrrrr--Rrrrr--)

   I'd forgotten I'd been woken up, not by myself, it was the phone vibrating. When I pressed the answer button, I heard Duean's voice coming into my ear from a distance. He's talking fast, like a machine gun.

   [Pi where did you sleep last night? My friend said you didn't go back to your room.]

   “Nan's room.” I was trying to make the senior envious.

   [Lying.]

   “What would I lie to you about? Duean.”

   [Has it all progressed this far?]

   “Of course.”

   [Is he drunk? There's no way Nan would want you.

   I'm telling you, we sang and danced together yesterday and most importantly, we came back and slept in his room. I don't want to brag but I have to say it, Nan's bed is so soft.”

   [Take your time.]

   “Just really soft, want to sleep here every day.” I roll around shyly in bed, acting like a child, newly in love.

   Boom!

   While we were talking, the bedroom door was opened and a person came in. I turned around to see the source of the sound, while sending a smile that I had practiced in my mind, the image that appeared in front of me made the smile fade away.

   “Awake, Sleepyhead, Sleeping comfortably in my bed?”

   “Mork!”

   “Hmmm.”

   “Mork!”

   “What?”

   “Mork?”

   “You mentally deranged yet?”

   “What are you doing here?”

   “Why not? This is my room.”

   Ah, it's over, it's over, it's over, imaginary MueangNan, realistic Mueang Ghost.

   Pi, just go to hell, just go to hell...

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