An Phong sat curled up on the sofa, scowling at the idiot changing clothes half-naked right in the middle of the room.
Feeling the burning stare on his back, Uy Phong glanced over with a smirk.
"What? I turned my back already."
"There's a bathroom right there, you know."
"So?" He shrugged. "I like it out here. More space. Better ventilation."
"Ridiculous."
Uy Phong immediately turned around, puffing his chest out like a show-off.
"Ridiculous, huh? You dare insult this masterpiece of a body? Look at yourself—no offense, but you're basically a soggy noodle. Honest advice, man, hit the gym sometime."
"I already do Taekwondo. Three times a week."
"Not nearly enough. You need cardio, boxing, weights. Like me." His tone dripped with pride.
An Phong frowned. "Hurry up, or we'll be late for class."
"Oh… jealous, are we?"
"Idiot."
Suddenly, Uy Phong stepped closer—close enough that the air shifted. He planted his hands on either side of the sofa, trapping An Phong in place.
Caught off guard, An Phong stiffened, instinctively pulling back but refusing to break eye contact. His face stayed composed, though his pulse jumped.
Uy Phong leaned in, voice low and teasing near his ear."You look like a girl when you do that. All shy and flustered…"
An Phong shoved him back, face tightening."Hey! I'm not—"
"Yeah, yeah. You've said that about a hundred times already."
"Then why—!"
"Because it's fun." A laugh bubbled up from his chest. "Messing with you feels like teasing some awkward little kid. Hah."
"You're such a sleazy old wolf."
"Wolf, huh?" Uy Phong's grin widened. "Then what does that make you? A rabbit? A helpless lamb?"He tilted his head, eyes glinting. "No… you're more of a fox. Clever. And—kind of beautiful."
He chuckled, grabbed his shirt off the chair, and threw it over his shoulder.An Phong stayed frozen for a moment, unaware of the faint red creeping up his neck.
Once dressed, Uy Phong turned and called out casually,"Hey, you alive? Stop spacing out. Let's go."
"Uh… yeah."
They both pulled themselves together and headed out toward the school.
"Are you actually coming to class today?"
"Hm? Yeah, I guess."
"I thought you were busy with the club. Heard you've been holed up there for days."
"Not that busy."
"..."
"Aren't you going to ask why I wasn't coming back to class?"
"I already know what you'd say, so why bother."
"Oh really?" He laughed under his breath. "Then what do you think I'd say?"
"Because you can't stand seeing me."
"…Wrong."
"Then… because you don't want to see Vy?"
"Also wrong."
"Then what?"
"I'm hungry."
"What—how's that even related?"
"It is related, idiot. Come on, take me to the cafeteria. I've never eaten there."
An Phong narrowed his eyes. "You can go by yourself."
"You're not hungry? You haven't eaten either. I slept with you all night and didn't see you—"
Before he could finish, An Phong clamped a hand over his mouth.People walking by were already staring, whispering. Uy Phong's eyes widened, then he burst into laughter against An Phong's palm.
Flustered, An Phong yanked his hand back, muttering,"You maniac. Do you even hear yourself?"
"What? I just said we shared a bed. Not a crime, is it?"
An Phong's eyes flashed; he pinched Uy Phong's arm right where the IV bruise still lingered.
"Ow! Hey! That hurts!"
"Shut up and get inside."
"Alright, alright! Geez, someone's cranky this morning. What, did I wound your honor or something?"
"Keep talking and I'll make sure you don't."
"…Noted."
They walked side by side, a small gap between them, silence stretching thin until they reached the cafeteria.
Inside, the place was already crowded.Uy Phong's basketball team was gathered around one of the big tables.
An Thu spotted them first, waving excitedly."Senpai! Hi, An Phong!"
An Phong gave a small wave back. Uy Phong just snorted and slung an arm over his shoulder as they headed over.
The group erupted into teasing cheers.
"Look at that," Thien Hung grinned. "You two are way closer now. Guess you worked things out, huh?"
Uy Phong's eyes narrowed, tone suddenly cool."Worked what out? What do you think you know?"
Thien Hung flailed his hands. "Whoa, nothing! Just guessing. Happens to everyone, you know? I argue with Ho Nhu all the time, then we talk, and we're fine. Thought it was the same for you guys."
The table fell awkwardly silent. Even Thien Hung froze mid-sip, glancing around nervously."…What? Did I say something wrong?"
The others just glared at him until he sank in his seat, defeated.
Ho Nhu tilted her head curiously. "Wait, so you did argue?"
Both Uy Phong and An Phong answered at the same time."No."
The tension hung for a beat—until An Thu suddenly gasped.
"Oh, right! The tournament venue's been announced!" She whipped out her phone and pulled up an article. "They picked our school's court! How cool is that?"
The group instantly crowded around her, buzzing with excitement.
Hai Minh puffed out his chest. "Of course! Our court's the best around—no one can top that."
Ngo Huy mumbled, "Technically… it only got renovated because Uy Phong joined the team. It used to look like a haunted house…"
"What was that?!" Hai Minh barked.
"Ah—stop it, you two!" Ho Nhu flailed between them.
Meanwhile, Uy Phong stayed quiet, eyes distant—calculating something.Then suddenly, he slammed a hand on the table.
Everyone jumped.
Thien Hung blinked. "What? You gotta pee or something?"
"No, you idiot." Uy Phong's voice dropped. "The tournament's in one week."
"Yeah, and…?"
His hand hit the table again. "We haven't practiced. Not even once!"
Silence. Utter, guilty silence.