In pub buzzed with warm lights, soft music, and the cheerful atmosphere of students unwinding after a long academic week. Ren, Bom, and Anurak had taken a corner booth, still high on the success of their film submission.
Bom raised his glass. "To us! And to Ren, the overworking director who nearly killed me!"
Ren laughed. "You tripped over a tripod."
"It attacked me first!"
Anurak sighed, smiling. "I still can't believe we got that movie offer. Ren, you should really be proud."
Ren nodded but didn't respond right away. His mind felt heavy, clouded.
Ever since the argument with Jun… the subtle tension with Harit…
Ren had been unable to shake the unease.
Bom noticed immediately.
"Ren… don't do that thing where you try to look fine."
Ren opened his mouth—
"Ren," a calm voice said.
They turned—.
Khem approached, hands in his pockets, expression soft.
"Khem!" Bom grinned. "Join, join!"
Khem slid into the seat beside Ren. "You look tired."
Ren gave a small smile. "I'll be okay."
Khem studied him for a moment.
"Is it… Harit and Jun?"
Ren tensed. His fingers curled slightly.
Anurak answered for him.
"There's been… drama."
Ren sighed. "It's not important tonight."
Khem didn't push.
He simply leaned slightly closer and said quietly:
"If someone is hurting you… you can tell me."
Ren's heart skipped.
Khem's warmth unlike Harit's intensity or Jun's manipulation—
felt grounding.
Bom and Anurak cheered as the waiter brought another round.
For a moment, Ren allowed himself to relax.
---
Jun's Unexpected Arrival
The door suddenly swung open.
Jun walked in with Lucas beside him.
Bom muttered, "Oh god. Not him."
Jun spotted Ren instantly.
His smile was soft—too soft. Fake.
He approached the table.
"Ren," Jun said. "Can we talk?"
"No," Ren said immediately.
Jun blinked, caught off guard. "I just want—"
Ren leaned in, voice low and sharp:
"Stay away from my life. Don't interfere again."
Jun froze.
Lucas raised an eyebrow, amused.
"You don't know anything," Jun whispered.
Ren's eyes flashed.
"Oh, really? I know what I saw."
Jun tensed. "Saw what?"
Ren leaned even closer, whispering into his ear:
"Your meeting with Lucas. Your plans. How you want to use Harit. Or how saved back then harit or...."
Jun's face drained of color.
Ren pulled back.
"So don't get involved with me again," he said coldly.
Jun stepped back, breathing sharp.
His eyes filled with anger—and something like fear.
He turned around and stormed out, Lucas following.
Khem watched them leave, frowning. "What was that about?"
Ren shook his head. "Nothing that matters tonight."
But deep inside
Ren felt something pulling—
a strange pressure beneath his skin.
His powers.
Flickering again.
---
The Collapse
Two drinks later, Ren stood up to head back to the dorm—but his vision tunneled.
"Ren?" Bom grabbed his arm. "Hey—hey, sit down!"
Anurak pressed a hand to his back. "Breathe, Ren."
Khem stood instantly, gripping Ren's shoulder. "Ren, look at me."
Ren tried.
But something in his chest twisted hard—
A sudden *snap* in the air.
"No… no no—" Ren whispered as light bent around him.
Bom screamed.
"REN?! REN—HEY!"
Khem grabbed his arm—but it phased through him.
Anurak reached too late.
Ren's voice cracked—
"Stop—please—STOP—"
And then Ren passed out
They friends dropped his room...
---