At the university, everyone knew Kanticha, or as most called her, Fame.
Some recognized her as the daughter of one of the city's wealthiest families, while others admired her as the confident child prodigy every parent dreams of. But for many, she was simply the star athlete who represented the school in archery competitions—someone who was impossible to overlook.
Fame didn't mind the spotlight.
What did catch her attention, however, was the girl quietly sitting beneath the expansive rain tree near the library.
Nonglak Suwanrat.
Unlike Fame, Nonglak had a knack for blending into the background. She dressed simply, spoke sparingly, and spent her days buried in books or typing away on her laptop. If Fame hadn't spotted her one afternoon during their freshman year, she might have remained unnoticed.
But Fame did notice.
And once she set her sights on something, it was tough for her to look away.
"Still watching her?"
Fame blinked, turning to her best friend, Min, who was lounging against the bench beside her.
"I'm not watching," Fame replied, crossing her arms defensively.
Min chuckled. "You've been eyeing her for ten minutes straight."
"I'm observing," Fame insisted.
"Observing," Mira echoed, raising an eyebrow. "Sure, let's go with that."
Across the courtyard, Nonglak sat as usual, her dark hair partially veiling her eyes as she immersed herself in her book. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves above, casting dappled sunlight on the ground.
Fame felt a strange tightening in her chest.
"She never looks up," Fame murmured.
"Maybe because someone's been staring at her like a hawk," Min teased.
Fame brushed off the comment.
"I'm going to talk to her."
Min nearly sputtered his drink. "You've been saying that for two weeks now."
"Today is the day."
Before Min could reply, Fame stood up.
As she crossed the courtyard toward Nonglak, an unfamiliar feeling washed over her.
Nervousness.
Nonglak didn't notice her until Fame halted right in front of her.
The quiet girl gradually looked up.
For a moment, silence enveloped them.
Up close, Nonglak appeared even more serene than Fame remembered, her dark eyes steady like calm waters.
Suddenly, Fame realized she hadn't prepared anything to say.
"...Hi," she finally managed.
Nonglak blinked, clearly taken aback.
"Yes?"
Fame rubbed the back of her neck, feeling a bit flustered.
Great. She suddenly felt tongue-tied.
"I'm Kanticha, but you can call me Fame," she said quickly.
"I know."
Fame paused.
"You… know?"
Nonglak nodded slightly as she pointed at Fame's posters which can be found almost anywhere around the university. "Everyone does."
Fame let out an awkward laugh. "Right. That makes sense."
A brief silence lingered between them.
Nonglak returned her gaze to the book in her hands.
Fame frowned slightly.
"Do you always read alone?" she inquired.
Nonglak looked up again, confusion flickering across her face.
"Usually."
"Don't you ever get bored?"
"No."
Fame studied her expression closely.
Nonglak wasn't being rude; she simply seemed… uninterested.
And oddly enough, that only fueled Fame's curiosity.
Most people tried to impress Fame right from the start. Some were intimidated, others eager, but none were indifferent.
Except for Nonglak.
A smile crept onto Fame's face.
"Well," she said, "you won't be alone today."
Without waiting for an invitation, she plopped down on the grass across from Nonglak.
Fame fixed her gaze on her.
"...Why?"
Fame tilted her head.
"Because I want to get to know you."
Nonglak slowly closed her book.
The quiet courtyard felt a bit smaller all of a sudden.
"I don't think you'd find me very interesting," Nonglak replied.
Fame beamed.
"That's okay," she said. "I've already decided I like you."
For the first time, Nonglak looked genuinely surprised.
Meanwhile, across campus, Min—watching from the bench—buried his face in his hands.
"This is going to be a disaster," he muttered.
But Fame wasn't worried.
Because in that moment, sitting under the shade of the rain tree with the quietest girl on campus, Fame felt something she hadn't experienced in a while.
Excitement.