Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

The semester had just begun and Namtan was already scratching her head.

Namtan wore her favourite black Pink Floyd shirt and blue jeans paired up with black sneakers all while she had her hair into a pony tail. She wasn't expecting to wear her favourite clothes only to end up in this situation

Somehow, the universe had decided that she needed to be at the library first thing on a Monday morning. Hunting for her little brother, Mark.

They had agreed the day prior that they'll meet for breakfast at the café near the campus around 9am. Right after their first class ended.

Yet Mark didn't show up or even bother to tell her where he was. Namtan got stood up by his own brother for 30 minutes; pissing her off.

It wasn't until she was calling him 10 minutes ago that Mark apologised that he had to be at the library till noon for a "project" hence missing their breakfast date.

This isn't exactly her idea of starting the week.

Namtan isn't fond of libraries specifically like the campus has.

The bad dim lighting looks like it will give everyone a bad eyesight. The scent of old books is thick enough to smell from three rows away and it is being carried away by the air conditioning set to the maximum like this was Antarctica; naturally making students avoid sitting near the area unless they had worn jackets.

Students are scattered all over the room. Some are sitting having their heads down trying or failing to study. Some looked like they were working harder than others with stacks of books on top of their table, face scrunched so hard they looked like it melted their face. Some roaming around aimlessly. And, here she was, almost belonging to the last group as he found it hard to spot her brother.

Namtan scanned the room increasingly frustrated as she goes in between aisles looking for him who was uncharacteristically here.

It wasn't that Namtan looked down on Mark as if he was dumb. Namtan just knew him so well that the library was the last place he'd willingly be.

Mark had always been a loud, chaotic, constantly moving type of guy. Mark thrives in places where he could make noise without judgment.

Namtan scanned the room almost giving up on finding her brother.

He should be somehow easy to spot and all. He was a tall, pale guy with jet black hair styled with the most common male haircut. He wore a white polo shirt with blue stripes across the middle of it paired with black pants and white sneaker shoes.

After minutes of searching, Namtan saw Mark sitting almost at the back of the library. His neck crank towards the bookshelves with the book in front of him open.

Namtan walked carefully towards the vacant seat on Mark's table. Mark didn't even notice his sister nearing him as he obviously had his thoughts elsewhere.

Namtan leaned on the edge of the table, arms crossed, lips curled into a knowing grin as she watched her younger brother lost in his own world.

"So, who is it?" she asked, voice playful but laced with certainty.

Mark startled at his sister's presence. "Why are you here?"

"Looking for you, of course. You ditched me this morning." Namtan rolled her eyes and acted as if she would hit Mark.

Mark deflects with a sly smile. "Sorry, Phi. I had a project I need to work on." Mark shifted his look to the book before him.

"Project huh?" Namtan teasing. "So, who's the project?"

"Who's what now?" Mark confused

"Oh, please. Your loud ass mouth can't stay still without making a noise. You share the hate of being in the library so I know you're looking at someone here." Namtan said with a playful judging tone

Mark chuckled, not even trying to deny it, and closed the book he was reading or perhaps in this case pretending to read.

"Ohhh. You know me so damn well, Phi." Mark replied with a sly smile on his face

"Of course." she said dryly. "You're my only brother."

They both laughed, the sound echoing too loudly in the quiet space. A few annoyed glances shot their way, but neither cared.

It's a library not a cemetery. Namtan wanted to say out loud.

"So, again." Namtan teased again, nudging him with her elbow. "Who's the unlucky girl?"

"Wait. How sure are you it's a girl?" Mark raised an eyebrow. "What if it's a guy?"

Namtan stared at him, unimpressed. "...You're not gay."

He smirked. "What if I am?"

"If you are," she said, leaning back with a mock-theatrical sigh, "I bet it'll rain money tonight and we will both be there to catch everything."

They burst into another round of laughter earning more annoyed looks and a few hushes from others and like before they end up ignoring them. Further proof they do not belong here.

Mark's gaze once again drifted and Namtan tried to follow it on her own. Mark once again shifts his gaze toward the bookshelves.

There stands a youthful looking olive skin toned petite girl with long wavy brown past her shoulder. She was wearing oval shaped prescription glasses and had a red bandana over her head with two blue hair clips overlapping each other on the edge of it. She was wearing a white sleeveless dress and black derby shoes. The petite girl was lost in her thoughts as she was scanning the shelves with her fingers while holding a book on her left arm.

She looked completely normal. But she gave off exactly the kind of quiet charm Mark would admire.

"I know where this is going." Mark stated with the look of suspicion to Namtan. "It's not what you're thinking."

"I'm not thinking about anything." Namtan defended herself but Mark only looked at her with more suspicion. "Fine. At least tell me who it was you're looking at earlier?"

"The girl by the bookshelves with the red bandana," Mark replied and drew his gaze back to the book before him.

Namtan smiled knowingly. "She's cute. So, why haven't you made a move?"

"I told you that's not the case," Mark shrugged. "Besides I'm not looking for anyone right now. So, I'm okay as I am."

Namtan leaned back and gave it a thought. Mark had always been that kind of person that needs a little push to make a move.

And so, like a good sister, Namtan suddenly had an idea forming. Something she enjoyed but hasn't played for a while. This time, it's a game she wasn't aiming to win.

A smirk spread across Namtan's lips. "Care for a bet?"

Mark frowned. "Huh?"

"Let's bet on who she agrees to go out with."

"Don't drag me into your stupid games, Phi." Mark said, half-serious.

"N' Mark, where's the fun if you just stare here like some creep?"

"You know what. Go think about what you want. I don't care anymore." Mark sighed and shaking his head.

"Come on. Where's that kid who's into adventure? Who is always in it with Phi?"

"Phi, forget it. You're betting on someone's feelings."

"Well, if she ends up liking you, what's the downside to it?"

Mark paused before narrowing his eyes as if she asked something so odd. "What if she ends up liking you instead?"

Namtan shrugged casually, though inside she already knew her choice. Then I'll step aside because you need to step up. But out loud, she replied "Then I won the bet and I now have a partner. Win-win."

Mark frowned, conflicted. "I don't know, Phi. It sounds bad to bet on someone."

"Don't overthink it. It's not like we're forcing her to date us." Namtan said dismissively. "She has a choice. Two awesome people as a choice." Namtan said overconfidently making Mark laugh. "Besides, we won't ask her out today. We'll try and woo her for the entire year. Whoever she agrees to go out with, wins. We both got plenty of time to win her over."

That made Mark pause and Namtan could see the wheels turning on his little brother's head. Then comes the look of suspicion on her.

"What's at stake?" Mark asked as he leaned in

Namtan's eyes gleamed. "My motorcycle."

Mark gaped. "You're kidding."

"I'm not."

"You're that confident?"

It was the perfect bait. Namtan thought

Mark had always expressed loving her 400cc Black Café Racer motorcycle for a whole year now. Mark went out of his way asking her almost everyday if he can take it out for a ride; which of course she declines. It was her baby anyway. Something she bought with her own money after saving up for a long time.

Namtan nodded, lips tight. "I don't play a losing game, right?"

Mark squinted at her. "Do you even know who that person is?"

"No," she said without hesitation. "Do I have to? I could make anyone even a rock fall for me." Namtan confidentially told Mark

Mark chuckled and rubbed his chin. "Hmmm. Now what if you win?"

"You'll have to pay for my gas. For a lifetime."

Mark tilted his head in disbelief. "That's it?"

She nodded. Confident. Calculated.

Mark hesitated for a second longer as if determining if this was some sort of prank. Namtan just sat back on her chair. A few minutes after Mark finally reached out his hand to shake hers.

"Deal."

Namtan gripped it tight, firm and unwavering. Deal.

And just like that, the sibling's game began.

Namtan scanned the library to find the subject of their bet sitting alone at a few tables to their right near the bookshelves she was looking at earlier.

"Now the game has begun. Let's approach her." Namtan suggested

Namtan was expecting Mark to disagree because he was hesitant earlier but the latter took a quick deep breath and agreed.

"Let's go."

Namtan smiled at his brother's new courage.

They walked together, side by side, toward the girl now seated at a corner table a few tables ahead of where they were before. She now is preoccupied writing in her notebook with a few books scattered around her.

Mark cleared his throat as they approached. "Hello, can we sit here?"

The girl looked up at both of them with her almond-shaped dark brown eyes.

"Sure." the girl responded before she continued writing in her notebook.

Namtan let Mark sit directly in front of the girl with her beside him.

"I'm Namtan Tipnaree by the way." Namtan introduced herself with her palms together and a bow. "And you are?"

The girl scrunches her face and stares at Namtan for a second.

"Film Rachanun." she replied in the same manner as hers and went back to her notebook.

"This is my brother Mark Pakin." Namtan introduced Mark

Film glanced up and just nodded in response before she returned to writing on her notebook

Mark whispered to Namtan. "She knows who I am. We share the same class."

Namtan nodded at the information.

"Mark had told me a lot about you." Film told Namtan not looking up from her notebook

Namtan tilted her head to her brother who was now avoiding her gaze.

"Oh, does he?"

"Yes. Sometimes way too much," Film chuckles and throws a quick glance at her. "Didn't think you'd sit here with us."

"What do you mean?" Namtan glanced at Mark, suddenly suspicious. She then raised an eyebrow. "Are you two close?"

"Yeah. We are." Film raised an eyebrow herself as if this wasn't even supposed to be a new information "We're friends and classmates since middle school."

A pause. A flicker of realization. Namtan's smile froze for half a second and her head turned swiftly to where Mark is

You fucker. You tricked me.

Mark had pressed his lips together, fighting a laugh.

"Phi," he said, trying to sound casual, "I think I'll switch seats next to Film." Mark added and quickly took a seat beside Film; right across from her.

Before she could even utter a word, two more figures appeared. Gemini and Fourth each carrying stack of books.

Gemini is the taller and bulkier one of the two. He's tan and looks more mature with his sharper face features. He has this polished look along with his ironed shirt, tidy hair, posture that screams quiet confidence.

Fourth, on the other hand, has a pale skin and has a smaller frame. His appearance is boyishly youthful. Deceptively innocent until he smirks. Unlike Gemini, he had his hair unkempt almost like he just woke up.

Namtan knew them as her classmates in a few subjects thus the familiarity.

"Yo!" Gemini greeted. "Did we miss something?"

Fourth glanced between the trio. "Why does it feel weirdly tense here?"

"Didn't know you'll sit with us." Gemini said as he took the seat where Mark was once was. "If we knew we could've had invited you for coffee as well."

"Mark you should've told us." Fourth added scolding her younger brother as he too took a seat but next to Mark.

"It's fine. Phi doesn't mind, right?" Mark said with a mischievous smile.

Namtan sat down with racing thoughts as she was still trying to process that she was just tricked by her brother.

This girl and her brother are already close to begin with. Clearly had plans for the day with Gemini and Forth. Worse, she is someone who already knew her too.

Mark had his eyes glinting with silent victory.

The game had begun but the board had been rigged from the start.

And Namtan?

Well, she was starting to realize she might need to turn up her game with how Mark played it from the start.

Even when Namtan wants Mark to win this game, Namtan does not like it when she isn't the one controlling the cards.

Namtan sat stiffly, arms crossed over her chest, eyes burning holes into her brother's smug expression.

Mark, now comfortably settled beside Film looked every bit the cat who caught the canary.

Namtan took out her phone and texted Mark

To: N' Mark Pakin

You tricked me

Mark gave her his most innocent smile from across the table

From: N' Mark Pakin

Am not.

You just didn't ask the right question

Namtan narrowed her eyes, then sighed and leaned back in her chair while pocketing her phone.

"Touché." Namtan muttered under her breath

Namtan lightly sighed at this unexpected twist while Mark continues to have that smugness on his face.

Fine. Let him run with it. Not gonna lie, the first round is his but I'll make sure that's the only thing he has. After all, what's the fun in winning too quickly? Namtan thought and smirk at his brother who moved on to his project.

Wait. Film?

The name hit her hard. The kind of things that brushed past memory before deciding to stick.

Film? Film Rachanun?

She knew that name.

It took her a moment to place it, but then she remembered: Film Rachanun!

Mark’s best friend from middle school.

The one he used to talk about endlessly when they were kids before Namtan started tuning him out in self-defense.

Those late nights when Mark would call and tell about his day. The stories during summer breaks. The mix stories of rambling about schoolwork or classmates.

It came back to her later than it should’ve.

She could almost hear his voice again:
“Film’s the only one who gets it.”
“Film helped me with that project.”
“Film said—”

Back then, Namtan would just roll her eyes and change the subject just to make him stop talking.

She wanted to hit herself now.

How had she not realized it sooner?

The same Film Rachanun. The one her brother used to swear was “the only person who actually understood him.” when she had to leave Mark and switch schools in middle school.

“Wow,” she murmured under her breath, almost laughing. “Of course it’s her.”

She leaned back in her chair, tapping a pen against her notebook.

Now that she thought about it, it made sense. The quiet, the focus, the unbothered way Film carried herself.

There was something about that calm that felt… familiar. Like Mark’s stories had shaped a version of her in Namtan’s head long before they ever met.

And now, seeing her in person, the real Film, it felt strange. Almost like meeting a ghost from someone else’s memory.

Namtan, ever the strategist and not letting these small troubles ruin her game and was already in full game mode.

Namtan starts gathering intelligence for any sign of weaknesses, clues, anything she could use against this game her brother had an upper hand.

Fourth and Gemini started unpacking their things from their bags casually glancing at the three of them with growing curiosity but decided not to point it out loud.

Film still had her attention to whatever she was writing in her notebook. It didn't escape Namtan's sight that small smile playing at the corners of her lips looking like she was enjoying the commotion or perhaps enjoyed she had her too in that response earlier.

Mark leaned in slightly, his voice just low enough for only Namtan to hear. "What? Don't tell me you're backing out."

Namtan smirked, tossing her hair over her shoulder with mock elegance. "Of course not. Now this is much more interesting."

Mark raised an eyebrow. "You're serious?"

"Deadly." She said.

She sat up straighter and saw Film was tapping her pen lightly against her notebook while Mark on the other hand still has that smugness on his face as if challenging her.

Namtan smirked. Well, that wouldn’t do.

“So,” she began, leaning forward on her elbows, “this is the famous best friend Film Rachanun. I was starting to think you made her up, Mark.”

Mark groaned. “Phi, please—”

“Don’t ‘Phi’ me,” she cut in, grinning. “You used to talk about her so much I thought I’d have to start charging her rent for living in your head.”

Mark laughed, used to her tone, but there was that embarrassed flush creeping up his neck.
“Oh, come on. I was, what, fourteen?”

“And still talking about her at fifteen. Sixteen. Seventeen.” She pretended to count on her fingers. “Honestly, I’m surprised you ever dated anyone else. Film must’ve been heartbroken.”

That made Mark pause. He glanced at Film, then back at his sister. Mark opened his mouth but something in his eyes said he was done defending himself.

“Phi—” he started again, quieter this time.

And before he could finish, Film’s voice cut in. Her voice is calm, precise, but with a touch of humor that softens the edge.

“I wasn’t heartbroken,” she said. “I was more preoccupied in helping him pass math.”

The words weren’t defensive just a clean sidestep that diffused the air before it even thickened.

Film didn’t even look slightly bothered after saying it like she hadn’t just saved Mark from another set of teasing from Namtan and just continued back to her notes.

Film handled herself so easily that Mark brightened beside her. It was like a language only the two of them spoke, one Namtan couldn’t yet translate.

The ease of it caught her off guard. It felt like a challenge.

Namtan shifted her gaze to Mark who looked like he was trying not to laugh, and that small smile tugging at his mouth had told her everything.

“Oh,” she thought, watching the two of them.
Cute. Namtan couldn't help but smile. My little brother got himself a quiet little defender.

She leaned back in her chair, pretending not to care, though her eyes flicked back to Film once, twice more.

"I still can’t believe this is the first time we’re actually meeting in person,” Namtan said, her tone a blend of wonder and mischief. Her gaze flicked to Mark. “Hmm. I wonder why?”

“You transferred schools, Phi.” Mark replied flatly, not taking the bait.

“Is that it?” Namtan leaned closer to the table, eyes glinting. “Or are you keeping the cute Film for yourself?”

Mark frowned. “I’m not.”

That earned her a quiet glance from Film sharp, assessing. But Namtan didn’t miss the faint blush that crept onto the younger girl’s cheeks.

“If you say so,” Namtan teased, turning her attention back to Film. “You talked about her quite a lot, yet I never met her.”

Film raised an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at her lips. “Does he really talk about me that much?”

“I've shared good things only,” Mark rushed to clarify.

Namtan chuckled, eyes still on Film. “I guess we’re on the same boat of being the topic then.”

Film’s smirk deepened. “I guess so.” She turned back to her notebook, but Namtan could tell she wasn’t reading nor writing anymore.

A few seconds passed as Namtan waited for Film to make a move, make a question, something she can work with to engage with her; only for the latter to stay quiet.

Namtan spoke again, clearing her throat and her voice softer now. “We must’ve met at least a few times.”

Film didn’t look up. “We did.”

“We did?” Namtan leaned forward. “How come I never recalled?”

Film's hand hesitated a fraction before she spoke, fingers still on her pen. “Maybe you were looking,” she said, voice calm but cutting, “but not really seeing.” Film added with her ears turning light pink as she looked at Namtan; directly this time.

Something in the air crackled.

Namtan froze for a beat, caught off guard by the weight of that stare. There was no teasing in Film’s eyes only a quiet challenge, and a flicker of something else.

Mark cleared his throat loudly. “Phi, don’t you have anything else to do?”

Namtan blinked, recovering her smirk. “Nah. I’ll stay here.”

Gemini looked up from his laptop. “Classes, perhaps?”

“Not in the mood,” she replied without missing a beat.

Mark snorted. “You’re not attending classes now? That’s new.”

Namtan laughed softly. “Had to see it myself why you do it.”

Mark tilted his head. “And?”

Namtan grinned, glancing once more at Film. “I get it.”

Film didn’t look up, but the corners of her lips curved just slightly and for a moment, Namtan thought maybe, just maybe, that was the beginning of something.

"Tell me, Film, how was Mark as a student?" Namtan asked, figured she could only get Film's reaction with Mark as topic.

Film said finally meeting her eyes, away from her notebook. "He was this weird kid who always sat in the back of the class and never remembered his homework."

"Oh, guess that still didn't change," Namtan said, earning a chuckle from Film.

"Still am," Mark admitted with a shrug. "But now I forget my homework in style."

The group laughed. Naturally the conversation shifted to school stories and inside jokes.

Namtan watched how Film leaned slightly toward Mark when she laughed; showing a dimple on her left upper cheek and noted how she brushed her hair behind her ear when he spoke.

Interesting. Really interesting.

For Namtan her motto had always been it wasn't over till it was over. This was not even close. A year is a long way to go and this is day one.

If this was the way Mark wanted to start the game, she was going to play it better, like she always does.

And win

Like she always does

Namtan sat there watching the four of them work on their project without a care in the world.

Gemini had gone and went back to set his stack of books on the table with a soft thud. He took his time stretching his arms as if he'd been carrying cements instead of paperbacks.

"Since I'm here, let me ask, what exactly is this project?" Namtan asked curiously.

"Group activity." Fourth answered. "We choose a character from the Iliad and correlate it to any topic we want." Fourth added

"Ice breaker kind of thing." Mark said. Namtan nodded along.

Gemini leaned across the table, tapping his pen against his notebook. "Okay, so for sure Achilles will be everyone's go to guy. If we did so as well, we would need a better take if we wanted to stand out."

"True," Fourth muttered, spinning his pencil between his fingers. "If we want something that stands out, we need a different angle."

"How about choosing another character instead?" Namtan suggested and the three somehow nodded in agreement. "There's tons of character to work with."

"How about Hector? We go for the other guy's approach. If they all picked Achilles then let's pick the guy Achilles fought with." Mark snapped his fingers like he just solved a math problem. "Didn't he die dramatically and was like out of being honorable and all? It's the kind of character teachers will eat up."

Gemini and Fourth both had an impressed look in their face as if they never knew Mark could contribute anything on the table.

"That...actually makes sense. Hector instead of Achilles. Better arc, more space to work with." Gemini said with slow quiet clap

Fourth smirked. "Wow. Mark contributes to academics. Historic day."

"Shut up," Mark grinned, shoving him lightly.

"Wait. Are you done with World Lit, Phi?" Gemini asked turning his attention to Namtan. "Aren't you supposed to take it as well even if you applied as an irregular student?" Gemini added glancing at Namtan as he was getting ready to write in his notebook.

Namtan shook her head. "Nope. I'm dropping the class."

"Why?"

"I'll just take it next year." Namtan replied coolly.

"You do know you'll have to actually file it to drop the class, right?" Mark reminded and looked at her with his pondering look.

"Yes, of course I know." Namtan puts her hand on her chin and elbow on the table facing her brother. "I was supposed to do it right after our supposed breakfast, N' Mark."

Mark tries to keep a straight face to keep from having a grin spread across his face. "Again. I'm sorry."

"Stop pretending. We both know you're not sorry." Namtan shot back making them both chuckle.

"You're serious about dropping it?" Gemini asked as he flips through his notes. "It's almost the second week and it's a light load. Better to get it done now than postpone it."

"You took the words out of my mouth." Namtan said with a snap of her finger. "Better cut it clean now and drop the class before it chains me down."

"I don't think you heard me right since none of them came from what I've just said...but sure." Gemini snorted and dismissed himself to focus on his work.

"Besides I've got other priorities." Namtan added and leaned back to her chair.

Mark leaned forward, accusing. "Like what? More time for your motorcycle?"

"That's one of them." Namtan smirked.

Namtan noticed that Film had been quiet all throughout the conversation. Just scribbling in her notebook with shoulders slightly hunched as if she was trying to make herself smaller and smaller as their conversation goes.

Namtan took this opportunity to make a move.

"How about you, N' Film?" Namtan asked. "Are you grouped with these three idiots?" Namtan added, with the three guys just ending up shaking their heads.

"Huh? Ah. No." Film replied, caught off guard with the sudden shift of attention.

"Who are you grouped with then for the project?" Namtan asked

"Uhm. Since our professor grouped us alphabetically. I'm with... some people from Philosophy block." Film's voice trailed off, soft but steady enough to be heard.

"Where are they?" Namtan asked looking around

"No. They're not coming here." Film shyly replied as she shifted in her seat. "We decided to do individual work first so we could cover each other's perspective before we discussed it and just compile them for one final draft after." Film added

"I bet it was your idea, Film. You always have smart ideas." Mark smiled encouragingly to Film. The latter looked relieved that Mark spoke up followed by her usual shyness at the compliment.

"Which character did you pick? Have you guys decided yet?" Namtan asked not wanting to let her chance slip away.

Film hesitated before she answered, "We chose Achilles. And now, I think I could connect it to modern ideas of anger management or personal responsibility."

"Smart." Mark whistled low. "Seems heavy stuff though."

Film made a tiny smile tugged at her lips. "It's not too bad. I mean, everyone's heard of Achilles being all emotional, right?"

"That's a nice way to put it." Fourth laughed. "More like an ego driven guy that dragged half of Greece into war with his mood swings."

Even Gemini cracked laughter while his eyes fixated on his notebook. "Classic case of what happens when you let pride run your life."

"Or... maybe he wasn't just ego-driven. Anger is complicated." Film countered Gemini's statement. "Sometimes pride is just a mask for grief. He wasn't selfish for dealing with it along with his grief of..." Film stopped, shy under the attention.

The group stilled, and even Namtan tilted her head, caught by the shift in tone.

"Whoa," Gemini muttered, looking up from his laptop. "That's... actually kind of deep."

"See? She makes Achilles sound less like a spoiled brat and more like a person." Mark commented with a grin. "Sounds familiar, Phi. Does it?" Mark leaned back, arms crossed. "It's just like P' Namtan."

Namtan's head whipped toward him. "Excuse me?"

"You know, the drama, the flair, the whole 'if I don't get my way, the world will burn' thing?" Mark teased, eyes glinting.

"I think you're pertaining to yourself, Nong. I'm more of the Hector guy. Responsible, you know." Namtan said sweetly.

"You're cutting class."

"Meh." Namtan shrugged her gaze sharp enough to cut glass. "But you know what, sure, I can go wild and act like Achilles now."

Film stifled a laugh behind her hand, which Namtan did not miss.

Fourth raised his brows, amused. "Please do not drag us into it like what he did with the Greeks." Fourth told Namtan with both of his palms together playing it off as if he was begging.

"Depends," Namtan replied with a smirk scratching her chin. "Would you like to side with my enemy?" Namtan added in a playful tone

The group dissolved into laughter that even Film was chuckling quietly behind her notebook. And like always, earning hush from the people around them.

After a while the library was again quiet with the occasional scrape of chairs and the steady hum of air conditioning.

As the group continued their work, Namtan was slowly getting bored and took a piece of paper from Mark to doodle.

The doodle didn't do much to entertain her so she once again focused her attention to Film. Namtan watched as Film sat with her notebook perfectly aligned, handwriting small and precise, a sharp contrast to the chaos of the others beside her.

Every now and then Mark, by extension Gemini and Fourth, asks Film about the Iliad.

Film spoke softly as she answered their questions and went as far as explaining her take on the Iliad which eventually helped them out.

Mark nudged Fourth with a smirk. "See? Told you she's basically carrying her whole group."

Fourth grinned. "Yeah, N' Film, you make it sound easy. If you ever get bored with your group, come to ours. We don't mind."

Film shook her head quickly, cheeks tinged pink. "No... I think I'll stick with mine."

"Don't tempt her, Fourth." Namtan said "If she joins you three, she'll stand out even more and make you all look dumber."

Film laughed nervously. "That's not true."

"It is."

"It's not."

"Then prove it," Namtan countered with a grin. "Teach me. I'll be your student."

Film's lips curved into a reluctant smile. "I don't think you'd listen."

"Who says I wouldn't?" Namtan leaned closer, resting her chin on her palm. Her voice softened, just enough that it felt like a secret. "I'll definitely listen when it's you."

Film stared at her as if words caught in her throat. For a moment, the whole world narrowed down to the glint in Film's eyes.

Then Namtan tilted her head, pretending to study Film more carefully. "You know, N' Film. You're right..." she said voice trailing as her smile sharpens. "I don't think I could concentrate on what you'll teach me. I'll be distracted by your beauty."

The table went still for a beat. Fourth chuckled under his breath, Gemini raised his brows, and Mark sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. Namtan could feel the group was getting ready to tease and wanted to take that as an advantage thus she wanted to push it further.

Film dropped her gaze back to her notes, the tips of her ears turning red as she twirls her pen between her fingers. "You're just teasing."

"Maybe," Namtan said lightly, doodling a heart in the margin of her paper. "But it doesn't make it less true." Namtan added and looked to see if Film will look at her back.

The group let out a small quiet teasing sound. Namtan watched as Film gave a quick glance at her before fiddling with her pen clearly searching for an escape from the teasing.

And that's when Mark leaned forward breaking the momentum like a Knight and shing armor just by flashing his easy grin. "Alright, P' Namtan, enough. Let N' Film breathe." He shot Film a reassuring look, like an older brother swooping in making Film laugh. "If you keep that up, she's going to drop this group faster than you dropped World Lit." Mark added making Namtan gasped while clutching her chest.

"Traitor." Namtan gasped. "Using my own record against me?"

"All is fair in Love and War, Phi." Mark replied smoothly. "So let her be."

So, they’re defending each other, Namtan mused quietly, almost amused. How adorable.

Film let out another small laugh as her shoulder softened and Namtan smirked at the sight of it.

It's not that she was defeated by this battle rather it's because she was successful in testing the waters. The realisation comes to Namtan: her flirting works with Film.

As the day progresses, Namtan takes it to the point where she casually switches to flirts, banter and helps them out with their project. A few interactions to establish her presence in the group and not to make herself a bystander while they work on their project.

Namtan leans back and lets her eyes drift across the table trying to make a conclusion for today's data gathering.

Gemini and Fourth balanced each other out: one grounded, the other playful. Mark slipped easily between teasing and sincerity all while keeping Film engaged when she started retreating into her quiet shell. And then there's the shy Film whose words had a spark of intelligence and thoughtfulness that intrigued Namtan.

Namtan folded her arms, watching closely. Every smile, every glance exchanged across the table, she filed away like data. It wasn't just a bet anymore. As Mark said All is fair in Love and War. And if this group was the battlefield then Namtan was already charting every person she'll have to fight or take under her wing.

"Oh, Phi. I was meaning to ask why'd you take a gap year?" Gemini asked so casually that you can see the regret immediately caught up with his face with what he had asked.

The table grew quieter than usual and even Film's pen paused mid-scribble; secretly peaking at her. All eyes are on Namtan now as if she wasn't in the library like them but it felt more like a press conference.

Of course. Everyone knows and is curious why Namtan took a gap year after graduating high school.

Why would the most decorative student suddenly take a hold in her studies then enter as an irregular student the following year?

It was like an open secret type of question and now with Gemini questioning it. It's out in the open waiting to be addressed.

Namtan blinked numerous of times at Gemini, tilting her head. The question wasn't loaded, not really, but it was unexpected. Namtan pondered for a while and let the silence stretch, savoring the way all eyes slid toward her. Sensing the tension building up, Namtan eventually smiled before she calmly replied.

"I figured Mark needs me now that he needs to be serious in his studies, so I held back a year."

Mark groaned, dropping his face into his hands. "You're making excuses and using me? Low, Phi. Real low."

Namtan's grin widened, unapologetic.

"What can I say? I'm that of a good sister that I'm willing to give you everything. Even my precious time." Namtan said dramatically

"See? Achilles." Mark said making everyone laugh

Namtan, didn't elaborate further. Gemini gave her a thoughtful look, apologizing without words, and Film ducked back into her notebook as if afraid she'd intruded on something personal.

She once again leaned back in her chair and took out her phone while one hand tapped her nails lightly against the table to avoid being asked again.

The question hung in the air, unanswered, unresolved, letting the silence fill in the unspoken words.

And she intended to keep it that way.

Namtan sprawled across her bed that night. She shares an apartment near campus with Mark but decided to sleep at home tonight.

Her phone balanced loosely in her hand while her eyes fixed on the ceiling that had traces of cracks in them. Traces she had long memorized since she was seven.

Namtan's thoughts drifted back to everything that had happened in the library.

Film’s lack of acknowledging her own brightness makes her intriguing. It’s that effortless confidence that catches Namtan curious enough to be interested.

She could still picture Film's faint dimple showing when she laughed at Mark's joke, and how effortlessly Mark had turned her fluster into giggles.

Namtan had it figured out. She could flirt with Film a bit and immediately the nervous smiles, stutter, and flushed cheeks. If Namtan was a hunter, Film was too easy, almost a boring kind of prey.

Namtan had played this game countless times: teasing, flirting, watching people bend beneath her charm. She didn't even have to put effort into it.

Yet she recalled how Mark easily slid into the conversations, his calm tone diffusing the tension Namtan had been carefully building. Protective. Gentle. He'd taken Film's panic, her flustered glances, and turned them into laughter like it was the easiest thing in the world.

Film sought him out like he was a safety net and Mark, steady as always, had caught her. And in return Film smiles brightly almost instantly.

That contrast should have stung her. A kick on her ego. A bruise to her pride. Instead, it made Namtan smile.

Whether it was natural or if Mark was acting out of the bet, Namtan should've expected it. Mark had always been this way but also clever on his own, far more than people gave him credit for. Still, she wasn't worried. He didn't know her rules. She never played a game she couldn't win...or lose in this case.

"Surely you had a chance, Mark," she murmured with a crooked grin. "You might actually pull this off."

Namtan could see the ending already: Mark, triumphant, Film by his side, the motorcycle no longer hers. By all accounts, that should have been unacceptable. But tonight, Namtan found herself oddly at peace with it.

She shifted her whole body to the side and saw her family picture by the bedside table. There along with it she had her favourite Moonwatch on top of her old Greek Mythology book. The picture was taken on her high school graduation day. It was her and Mark at the center with their parents at both ends with each of them smiling happily.

How can they not be? She took every award imaginable that year.

Namtan is the type of student everyone knows: an academically brilliant, charismatic leader and athletically dominant. The valedictorian. The Student Council President. The Captain of the Track and Field team.

Teachers trust her, juniors look up to her, and classmates admire or envy her. But Namtan didn't care for any of them or their thoughts as she only has one goal and that is to make a statement.

She has to be the perfect Weerawatnodom.

Namtan turned away from the picture and started thinking and considering all the possibilities of how she would like to play this game. If she wanted, she could tilt the balance back in her favor tomorrow to throw Mark off and add a little challenge for her younger brother.

A sharper smile, a softer touch, and Film would crumble again. It would be challenging or be like child's play, as it was today. She smirked. She'd like to play the part a bit. A little tease, a little push, enough to keep things burning. Creating a sure path for Film leading to no one but Mark at the end of it. Her chest tightened at the thought, half thrill, half warning.

She has to let Mark step into the role he was already carving out and let Film find her footing beside him. Losing, she realized, might be the only way for both of them to win something real. Film seems to be a perfect match for her younger brother.

Despite all that, Namtan didn't move with ease tonight; for some reason another memory lingered: Film's brown eyes were hidden behind those glasses. The way those same eyes crinkled when she actually smiled revealing a dimple on her cheek that made Namtan's heart skip a beat and wanting to make her laugh often just so she could see those again.

The odd part of it all is that for once, since she started playing trickster, it unsettled her that winning felt... complicated.

It was easy winning a game of conquest. A game built for her. You flirt, charm, break down the walls, and take the prize. Every time Namtan teased her, Film's wide eyes and flushed cheeks made Namtan's own chest tighten, a little bit.

She shook the thought away, sitting up sharply. No. Don't overthink it. All of this is for Mark.

Still she couldn't ignore the way Film had looked at her when she pressed too close. Not fear. Not dislike. Something else. Something more? Something fragile and unspoken.

Namtan shook off all these thoughts and proceeded to think about her plan of action; laying down again.

Namtan realized then that this is the first time Mark and she were up against each other, as they have always been on the same side of the same cause. So, she needs to step up. She will need a new trick up her sleeve. It was something new, and it excited her making her look forward to it like uncharted water.

Mark was probably plotting his next move, convinced he was outsmarting her. Little did he know, she'd already set the board and Namtan chose to lose this game, as losing meant winning to her.

Namtan stretched out with a slow sigh, eyelids growing heavy and letting her phone fall onto the sheets. Tomorrow, she'd push harder. Test boundaries. Put some gas to create more fire.

If Film really was the key to this game then Namtan intended to get to know her enough to unlock every single part of her.