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Korn, Achara, Khun and Kinn were having dinner, during a tranquil evening in October.

Kinn suddenly stopped paying attention to Khun to look expectantly at his parents. After a couple of seconds, Korn turned his eyes toward his younger son.

“Yes, Kinn?”

Both Kinn and Khun knew that when they wanted to interrupt an adult in some situations, like during a meal, they had to wait for the adult to authorise them to talk.

“May I have a little brother?”

The three others were suddenly very quiet; not because they were shocked but very surprised - and a bit amused.

“Why are you asking that?” Korn asked with a little smile on his lips.

“Because Khun keeps saying it’s so great to be a big brother. I want to be a big brother too!”

Khun chuckled, and then added, “Yes, it could be great! So that Kinn won’t be alone when I will have less time because of work.”

Khun was still young, too young to have properly started to know how to take the succession. But he was nonetheless the heir and already knew that his role would be important. In the end, their father did not have so much spare time. And Khun knew how easily Kinn was bored when he was alone.

The adults shared a long look, and Achara spoke warmly, “We had already agreed that we wanted only two children.”

Sometime after Kinn’s birth, they had talked about it. Both were satisfied with two children: Khun was the heir, and Kinn would take his place if it was needed (at that, Achara had frowned; even if she knew of this way of thinking typical to the Theerapanyakuns, she did not want to hear that about her children), and Achara had no wish to go through another pregnancy.

Disappointment could be seen in the eyes of the two boys, but they did not argue. They knew it was useless to argue back: it was not their decision to take, and they knew better than to argue anyway.

•••

A week later, Achara was waiting for her husband in their suite. She had something important to discuss with him. It was not so important that she could interrupt his professional meeting, but enough to have asked him to come to see her as soon as his meeting was over.

She was seated at the table in the centre of the room, lost in her thoughts when she finally heard the door opening. She turned her head and put a small smile on her lips seeing Korn. He seemed a bit worried, even if he knew that if it was something bad, Achara would not have waited to tell him.

Achara was a bit nervous, not completely sure of her husband’s reaction; she was not sure how to react either.

She breathed deeply, “Do you think our children have some premonitory powers? I’m pregnant.”

Korn frowned but was not worried anymore. He did not speak at first, and Achara showed him the pregnancy test.

“Since when?” Korn finally asked.

“I don’t know yet, I wanted to tell you first. But surely not very long.”

Korn nodded, “And, do you want to keep it?”

“I don’t know, I don’t know. I didn’t want another one, but abortion was not my first thought either. What about you?”

Korn remained silent for a couple of seconds, considering the situation, “I don’t know either. Let’s take a few days to think about it, ok?”

Achara smiled again. At least, she and her husband were on the same wavelength.

•••

A month later, the couple joined Khun and Kinn who were playing in Khun’s room. It was pretty unusual for both parents to come and disturb their playtime, so they stopped what they were doing and waited for their parents to speak.

Achara sat on a chair nearby and asked the boys to join her. She took their hands and smiled.

“You know, your wish will come true.”

Both sons did not understand at first, and their mother added: “You are going to be a big brother Kinn.”

They opened their eyes wide, and Kinn barely prevented himself from jumping out of joy.

After some thinking, the married couple decided to keep the baby. If they did not want to try to have another one, in the end, this third one was not so unwelcome. Furthermore, Achara liked the idea to be able to fully pamper one of her children: because of Khun’s status she could not really act as she wanted, and even if Kinn was the second born, he still was supposed to fulfil a role in the family. It was no longer a question of whether she liked it or not, she had known that even before getting married to Korn; and she accepted it. But a third one would be her little baby. Even if it would probably have to take some part in the family’s empire, it would not be as much as its brothers. So yes, she had decided to keep it, and Korn was glad to accept too.

“I’ll have a little brother? Is he going to be there soon??”

Korn finally spoke, “Well, we don’t know yet if it’s going to be a girl or a boy. But it will be born in July.”

Kinn turned to his father and pouted, “I want a little brother.”

Achara chuckled and looked at Khun, “What about you? Wouldn’t you like a little sister?”

“I prefer a little brother too!”

“And if it is a girl?” the woman added teasingly. “I’d like to have a little girl to spoil.”

“Then… then it will be ok, but…” started Khun.

But Kinn interrupted him, “Can’t you ask for a boy??”

“Ask?” his mother said.

“Yes, to whoever will come and give the baby!”

Korn smirked, “No one is going to come and give the baby. It’s in your mother’s tummy, and it’s nature that will decide whether it’s a boy or a girl. We can’t choose.”

“We’ll tell you as soon as we know, ok?” Achara said, chuckling, and Korn added, “But in return, you’ll have to accept whatever it is.”

Khun nodded immediately, but Kinn was still pouting. So Khun started to tickle him to make him laugh instead.

While the two children were playfully fighting, Korn got closer to his wife. “What about you?”

“Honestly, it would be nice if it was a girl. But well, I don’t think it will,” Achara said.

“Mother’s instinct?”

“You could say that, or maybe it’s the fact that it has been a long time since any girl was born a Theerapanyakun,” she explained with a smile.

•••

Six years had passed, and Kinn’s wish had been granted. Kimhan was born on the 21 of July and had become his mother’s precious baby.

Achara had a few times explained to Khun and Kinn that even if she passed a lot of time with him she did not love him more than the two older. They had understood, but in the end, Kinn was not so close to Kim that he made it believed when he asked for a little brother. It was not that he regretted or that he did not like his little brother, but they had seven years of difference, so it was not as easy and fun to play with him. Kim was only six, while Kinn was thirteen. So yeah, he was not that close to Kim.

But that was not so much of an issue. His mother would spend time with him, often teaching him piano, and often Kim would be not really far, either playing, looking at images in books or drawing, but always in silence, because even if he did as if he was concentrated on what he was doing, both Achara and Kinn knew he was listening to them carefully.

Until one day, when Kim did not sit in the same place to draw or to watch books. Instead, he came closer to the piano. For once, Kinn was planning to play on his own; his mother was busy, and he knew enough piano to enjoy playing alone.

“Hia, can you teach me?”

“Why don’t you ask mom? She would teach you better, you know it,” Kinn said. Not that he was rejecting his brother, but he was not skilled enough.

“Mom said you should teach me, because it would be long hours if she taught us at the same time, and that you would improve faster if you were teaching me. So, can you teach me?”

Kinn considered it for a couple of seconds and then smirked. “What’s the magic word?”

“Please!”

“Ok, come sit with me.”

Kim sat on the little bench, next to Kinn, but he was too small and his chin was barely higher than the keys of the piano. Kinn laughed seeing that, but Kim started to sulk.

“Come on my lap,” Kinn finally said.

“I’m not a baby!”

“I don’t hear you complain so much when it’s mom who puts you on her lap!”

Kim stayed silent, trying to find something to reply, but could not find much, “Mom is mom!” As if this argument was an explanation in itself.

Kinn laughed again, and scooped Kim and put him on his lap. “Now, let’s start.”

•••

Kim really was his mother’s son. They spent a lot of time together, and Kim being discreet when he was asked to, favoured their time spent together, even if his mother was busy.

It was even more the case during family and business events. Korn had to show his wealth and happiness in front of their business partners, so Kim also had to come as well. He did not like these events very much: most of the time, people wanted to tease him, and he did not like that at all. Kim was always in his mother’s company in these situations and was used to partially hiding behind her when such people wanted to make fun of him. Even if he wanted to talk back, he had been told by his father many times that he should not offend the adults; and anyway, he was too young to have a good comeback against adults.

However, if he could not answer as he would like at these teases, that did not mean he kept hiding when someone was acting not very nice toward his family. When another child tried to fight with Kinn, Kim was always there to grab the other child by his arm to hold him back; when Vegas wanted to repeat to Khun and Kinn the bad words Uncle Kan had had toward the main family, Kim always stuck his tongue out toward Vegas, and once he even showed him his middle finger!

So, if Kim wanted to protect his brothers so much, of course, he would with his mother. So, when at one of the family’s events, one man was standing a bit too close to his mother, Kim did not like that at all.

He was on one of his mother’s sides, while Kinn was on the other. But Kinn did not seem bothered by the situation. He only looked questioning at Kim’s face who was silently asking him something. Kim was clearly displeased with something, but Kinn had no idea what.

He saw Kim trying to stand in front of their mother, but the man just did a step to the side, so their mother could turn her body in his direction to keep going with the discussion. Kim frowned deeper seeing that his idea had failed and sent an accusing look to Kinn.

The man finally lowered his head, to talk directly to the two boys, “You seem bored, you should go and play. I don’t think our discussion is very interesting to you.” He was smiling, but it only made Kim clench his tiny fists harder.

A couple of seconds later, when their mother was about to talk – probably to agree with the man – Kim looked up at their mother, “Mom, up.”

Achara was clearly going to disagree, at first surprised because Kim never asked that in public, but Kim started to pout, “Please!” and she sighed with an amused smile: she could never refuse Kim’s simple demands when he was pouting. So she bent over and lifted the boy in her arms.

Now very much taller, the man could not ignore Kim anymore, and the boy sent him a glaring look.

“Kim, soon I won’t be able to keep you up in my arm!” she chuckled warmly.

Kim smiled back, and after a few seconds the man left: Achara’s attention was on Kim, Kim had won, and even if he did his best to not show it at this moment, he felt rather smug.

Later that evening, after the family went back home, Kinn and Kim started to argue.

“See,” Kinn playfully said, “You never complain when it’s mom who lifts you! Such a baby!”

“No, I’m not!” Kim said back.

“Yes, you are!”

“No, I’m not,” and Kim stuck his tongue out at Kinn.

“Kim, don’t do that. And why are you two getting so agitated before bed?” Achara said.

Before the children could reply, Khun spoke up, “Why were you in mom’s arms anyway? You are too old already!”

“But I had to!” Kim replied.

Finally, Korn stepped in, “Why did you have to?”

“Because that man was too close to mom, I don’t like him!”

Achara laughed, “What are you saying, silly boy? We were only talking.”

“But he was too close, and wanted to get rid of me and Kinn, I did not find him nice at all.”

Achara laughed again, but stopped when she saw Korn’s frown. She waited for him to explain himself.

After a few seconds when Korn had this frown on his face while looking intently at Kim, he spoke up, “Actually, I agree with Kim.”

Kim turned back to Kinn and said to him, “I told you!”

“Enough, enough,” Achara finally said. “Let’s get to bed boys.”

•••

For almost two years, Achara kept teaching piano to Kinn, and sometimes Kim, and Kinn kept teaching Kim as well. Kim’s hands were still too small to be able to really play, but he was truthfully skilled enough. If not for Kim being his dear little brother, Kinn would have been jealous.

Kim was biting his lower lips, as each time he struggled with something but refused to say it. He was frustrated once again that his hands were too small to play some chords he really wanted to play. So he kept trying, spreading his fingers as much as he could, but nothing could change it.

Kinn would stay like that, amused by his little brother, for hours. Usually, he did not have the patience, but this day he wanted to think of something else.

The atmosphere in the building had been very tense for the last few days, since Khun had been kidnapped. Everyone was worried, even Korn had trouble faking calmness.

Kim was the calmer. Maybe he was not completely understanding the situation: yes his brother was missing, and Kinn knew Kim was worried, but he was only eight so he could maybe not understand what the danger was, and what death was.

Though, Kim was perfectly able to understand that everyone was worried. Kinn had seen him trying to comfort their mother, but completely failed. Well, Kim did not know how to comfort someone, he was always the one being comforted and not the other way around. But he tried to occupy their mother, so that she could think of something else for at least a few minutes, but it did not work.

So Kim tried to do the same with Kinn. At first, Kinn did not want to. He could not keep his mind off of the matter, but Kim had forcefully (with the strength an eight-year-old child has) brought Kinn to the piano, and they started to play.

Kinn could not completely forget the angst that had found a place in his chest, but Kim was still doing a good job of making him feel a bit better.

But finally, as Kim was about to verbalise his frustration, they felt hurry around them. Their bodyguards informed them that Khun had just been brought back to the compound. Both boys jumped on their feet and ran to see Khun. But they were not prepared to such a seen.

In front of that scene, Kinn grabbed Kim’s hand.

Khun was already in his room, in their mother’s arms, their father standing by the bed, Chan by the window, and a couple of bodyguards by the doors. None of them were speaking, they all had stern faces, except for Khun whose mind seemed lost, and their mother whose face was fierce but also with watery eyes.

Seeing his two other sons, Korn sent a look at Chan. Chan approached, and asked to Kinn to follow him. But when Kinn tried to let go of Kim’s hand, Kim only tightened his fist.

“Khun Kim, I need to speak with khun Kinn.”

“Go ahead then,” Kim replied.

“Please, khun Kim,” Chan tried again.

“No, if you want to talk to Kinn, I want to know too.”

“Kim,” this time, it was their father’s voice. But it did not scare Kim, who only looked fiercely at his father, a gesture Korn knew very well.

Usually, when Kim was being stubborn, it was Achara who calmed him and make him listen, but right now the woman did not have the will to do so. So Korn let go, and nodded in Chan’s direction.

Chan brought them in the main room of Khun’s suite, and started to explain to them what had happened. Then, they learned that Khun had been kidnapped by one of their most powerful enemy, and that he had been tortured, and since he had been rescued a couple of hours earlier, he had not uttered a single word, barely reacting to people. The doctor had already examined him: physically, he would heal quickly, nothing so major. Mentally, he did not know, they would need time to really see the damage.

For all the discussion, the two brothers did not let go of each other’s hand, only tightening their hold throughout the explanation. Kinn would have wanted to protect Kim from all of this, but lied to him or hiding things from him would have been useless: Kim was smart, and if the situation did not get better for Khun, they would have not been able to hide it forever.

•••

A month later, things drastically changed again. Kinn and Kim had been asked to go and see their father in his office. With Chan’s solemn tone when he asked them to follow him, they thought something bad had happened to Tankhun again.

That was not the case, but it was still related to it. It had already been a month, and if Khun visibly calmed down from his first anguish every time he was left alone for even a couple of seconds, and the fact that he showed more reactions now, he still was not anymore the Khun they knew weeks prior.

With the current development, Korn could not wait any longer. The chances for Khun to get back to his old self were thin, and enemies kept an eye on them and the situation. Korn needed to take and form a new heir, so that it would calm their partners and enemies, but also in case anything happened to him someone would be able to take his succession, which was currently not the case.

Korn explained these things to the two boys and concluded: “From now on, Kinn, you are the new heir, the one to take Tankhun’s role. Kim, you’re the new second. You will have to work hard to be there to support your brother anytime he will need to.”

Korn added that, although this would be Kim’s role, he was still too young to begin to fulfil it, so he would have to wait before being taught his new role.

Kinn and Kim both nodded in acknowledgement of what their father had just told them, but when they went out of his office, they were not completely able to understand the full extent of the new situation, yet.

•••

Nine months later, only Kinn’s situation really changed since their discussion with their father. He was almost always busy: between school and the home ‘lessons’ from his father and Chan and the meetings he had to have with his father, Kinn barely spent time with Kim and their mother. They did not remember that Khun was so busy. He absolutely did not have the time to play the piano or teach Kim, and Kim thought it was very much a pity.

In fact, Achara did not spend so much time with Kim anymore either, or at least not taking care of him as she used to. She was most of the time with Khun, who needed a comforting presence with him. So, often, Kim would be near them, doing his own things, like when their mother was teaching Kinn piano years ago. He was not jealous that Khun monopolised most of their mother’s attention, but he still missed when could spend hours with his mom.

Kim would also try to spend time with Khun, but it was sometimes hard – Kim did not really know how to act when Khun was anxious or fearful, Kim did not know how to comfort people other than occupying them, and Khun was not interested in anything Kim could suggest.

With time, Khun began to be able to be without their mother for a couple of hours – Pete, Arm and Pol, Khun’s new bodyguards, seemed to be enough to distract him and take care of him for a while. They did not have much experience yet as bodyguards, but for inside the house, they were enough to protect Khun. Khun had personally chosen them, and though they certainly did not think their first job would be like that, they were good enough.

And finally, Achara decided to spend a whole afternoon only with Kim. She loved Khun, but she needed a little break outside of their home. Although Kinn was busy, she had seen how Kim seemed lonely lately, despite trying to spend time with Khun and Kinn. Then, an afternoon out, only together sounded very good.

She had warned Korn and left before lunch. Two bodyguards would come with them, but in another car, and would stay discreet and not next to them. Achara understood the importance of their security, but really wanted it to be a moment between her and her baby boy.

They had lunch together, strolled on the street and did some shopping. It was around five p.m. when they finally decided to head back home. There was not a lot of circulation on the roads they drove on, so the bodyguards’ car was not really close to theirs.

It was probably why they were unable to do anything when bullets were fired, leading Achara to lose control of the car.

The car crash was violent. Later, the bodyguards reported the puddle of blood in which a half-conscient Kim was lying, and from his injuries there was at most a few drops of his own blood.

When Kim woke up in the medical wing of the compound, he barely spoke. Of course, it was hoped that it was only because of the shock.

Kim was quite aware of his surroundings, reacting correctly at stimulations. But he only answered when it was needed. The single time he spoke on his own was to ask, “Mom?”

When Korn announced that she had passed away, Kim had only lowered his head. If he had ever cried for their mother’s death, no one had ever seen him.

After that, the atmosphere at the compound was very different. For a long time, it was very calm. Kim had stopped playing as a child. He started spending most of his time in his room. Sure, he could not be very agitated because of his injuries. Korn and Kinn were very busy, as they had very clearly been attacked. Khun remained in his chambers almost all day long, crying and mourning their mother.

It was only after a few weeks, when Kim’s injuries on his arms were healed, that lively sounds started to be heard again. But not ones of joy or of a child. Almost every day, Kim would sneak into Kinn’s suite and play the piano. The compound was big enough for the music to not disturb when Korn and Kinn had a meeting, and Kim was careful not to come when he could disturb his brother, so no one ever told him anything.

Kim was playing better and better, not needing Kinn anymore. Kim was very skilled in that field.

•••

Kim started his training a week a month before his tenth birthday. Kinn knew that for now, it was more physical training: with the two terrible precedent events, Kinn understood that his father wanted Kim to not be an easy victim.

He was a bit worried though, because, even if he never saw Kim’s training, he suspected that it was a bit hard. But Kim never complained.

Actually, Kim had stopped complaining about anything since Khun’s kidnapping. He also grew colder and more guarded. Kinn was able to understand that Kim could feel more and more lonely since then. First, Khun was not himself anymore, their mother and Kinn were a lot busy, and then their mother’s death only worsened the situation. Kim also had never been really close to their father: younger, he had once confessed to Kinn that sometimes their father’s gaze made him uneasy. Kinn had witnessed later that indeed, Kim seemed to have his hair standing on end when Korn’s gaze was a bit intense, but Kinn was not sure to really understand why.  

Now, it was as if the music was Kim’s only company. And seemingly, Korn started to grow less nice about it. He had never commented on that until he mentioned that Kim preferred to play music than to train. Not long after, Korn suggested to Kinn to have his piano removed from his rooms and stored in their storage – Kinn did no longer play, and it took place in his room.

So, Kinn did so. His father’s points were right, and Kinn always had a sting in his chest when he was seeing or hearing this piano since his mother’s death.

The next day, when Kim came back from school, he almost immediately came to knock at Kinn’s door. But he did not need to as the door was already open. People were placing furniture inside, where the piano used to be.

“Where is the piano Kinn??”

“Stored away,” Kinn plainly answered. He was expecting this reaction from Kim and would have preferred to avoid it.

“Where?? Can’t it be put in my room? I won’t disturb you anymore that way!” Kim was trying to contain his emotions but had a hard time doing so.

“Because it’s better that way. It was too bulky.”

“But it’s mom’s piano! You can’t just ‘store it away’!!”

“Kim…” Kinn started.

“That’s enough,” Korn interrupted.

Kim turned toward their father and opened his mouth to protest, but Korn only repeated, a bit harsher, “Enough. Go get prepared Kim, you have practice.”

Kim closed his mouth, but his eyes were enough to communicate all the hate he suddenly felt for their father.

Months later, Kinn heard that one of Kim’s teachers had contacted their father because Kim used to sneak into the music room when there was no one. But Korn did not really say anything – he did not care if Kim played music at school.

• ••

Removing the piano was what really pushed Kim away from Kinn – Kinn suspected that Kim had never forgiven him.

In the end, the three brothers really were distant from each other. Khun, although not as insane that years before, was still a bit crazy and much eccentric. Kinn and Khun could get along okay, but it was still hard for Kinn to really follow and understand Khun. Kim refused any kind of affection from Khun, and peaceful discussions were rare between Kinn and Kim.

Kinn would have wished to make things better, but he had no idea how to do so. The worse was that, around thirteen, Kim had started to be closer to Vegas, and Kinn did not know why. Becoming the new heir, a dense rivalry was born between Kinn and Vegas. And although in Kim’s presence, Vegas was less virulent, there was no more of the Kim who would go against Vegas to protect his brothers. Kinn could not accept it, but at the same time, he could not do anything against that. Every time Korn, Kinn or Khun told him not to be friends with Vegas, Kim promptly ignored them. They could not really forbid Kim from doing so though, because with Kim’s personality, it risked creating a visible creak in their family, something that could be seen by their enemies, including the minor family.

But the first time Kinn thought he could not ever have his little brother back was during one evening weeks later.

Kinn had been given one case to deal with by his father. It was kind of a test, Korn still had an eye on the situation but he wanted to know how Kinn was able to deal with it.

Kinn had thought of how to deal with it – or rather how to eliminate their enemy they suspected of betrayal – and on one evening he had decided to act. Some of their enemy’s men’s whereabouts had just been discovered, and Kinn wanted to lead the mission to show his competencies to his father.

But when he arrived, out of the six men they had to get rid of, they found in different places in the safe house four killed with a blade. They looked for the other two and finally heard a commotion, followed by a gunshot. They rushed to the last floor, and Kinn was completely shocked by what he saw.

Kim, out of breath, had a knife in one hand and a gun in the other, and has blood on his arms.

When Kinn looked into Kim’s dark eyes, he did not have the impression he was his little brother anymore.

Later that night, once they all came back home, Kinn finally asked Chan, “Be honest with me. Was that Kim’s first time?”

Chan took one moment to answer, “No, Khun Kinn.”

Kinn lowered his eyes. The first time Kinn had killed, he was almost nineteen, and still it had not been a nice feeling at all. So, for Kim to kill at thirteen, seemed unbelievable to Kinn. He knew that it was his father’s fault, and yet he could not quite resent him for that – because between Khun’s craziness and Kim’s… development, he felt that his father was the single and only one he could rely on.

•••

During the following years, nothing really changed. Although not being close anymore and sometimes even cold, there were no real serious arguments between the three brothers. Anyway, Khun busied himself to have fun in the house, Kinn had work and Kim spent most of his time outside, sometimes not coming back for days. Kinn knew their father would not let Kim vanish, so Kinn did not care to keep tabs on Kim’s whereabouts.

Anyway, the tension was quite tense between Kim and their father. Kinn had already tried to calm Kim, to prevent him from snapping at their father, but it only seemed to worsen Kim’s resentment toward Kinn, so he just intervened the less possible.

Until finally, a few weeks before his eightieth birthday, Kim announced he was going to move out. When he said it to Kinn and Khun during dinner, it had visibly already been discussed with their father. Kinn learned from their father later, when Khun was crying fake tears to beg Kim to stay, that it was under some conditions. Kim was not allowed to disappear, but that did not mean he was completely out of the business, and under some circumstances, he had to come back as soon as possible. Kinn was surprised that their father had accepted, and Korn explained that for now, it was better: Kim was too rebellious, after all, he could still be considered a teenager, and Korn was convinced he would come back later once he would have understood that his future was better with the family. And well, Korn did not mind so much that Kim stopped living with them, as long as he would work again with them later. Korn did not seem convinced that Kim would be successful with his music.

After that, Kinn barely had any news from his little brother, until Porsche (and Porchay) entered his life.

•••

The four of them stayed silent for a while when Kinn stopped talking.

For Kinn and Khun, getting back into these memories was not easy. Despite the distance and tension with Kim, they still cared a lot for him.

Porsche and Porchay were both swallowing the story. It was Chay who, during Khun’s family movie night, had asked about Kim’s childhood.

Weeks after his heartbreak, Chay decided to give Kim another chance. Chay could understand that it had not been Kim’s first intention to hurt him, and after living for some time where Kim grew up, he thought that maybe it was a good idea to know more about Kim’s past. Because Kim was such a complicated man and did not know for a shit how to communicate.

If things turned good for their relationship, Chay would help him to learn to communicate and not to flee in front of a display of affection. But at least, now Chay had some answers to questions he had about the man he dated.

He knew he would need Kim’s perspective at some point, but for now, Chay thought Kinn had been perceptive enough.

“Do you still think he’s a monster?” Porsche finally asked.

“I never…!” Kinn started, but under Porsche’s knowing gaze, he changed his sentence. “He’s not a monster. He just… had been indoctrinated.”

“Or traumatised. Or both,” interrupted Khun.

Kinn nodded, “He had been exposed to violence and how to use it when he was still very young. I can’t even imagine what his training really was. He was Pa’s weapon, until he had enough and decided to leave.”

Chay snorted, “I can’t believe your father thought he would not be successful. Wik is so talented, and his fanbase is growing every day!”

Porsche laughed, “You are not very objective.”

“I am! I thought that even before meeting him!”

Porsche laughed some more, before looking again toward Kinn and Khun. “You sound like you miss him. Why not try to get closer to him again? It’s not too late.”

“If it was as easy as you’re saying,” Kinn replied and sighed.

“At least, you should really try,” Porsche said. “Furthermore,” Porsche seemed to almost saying it against his will, “I’m not so sure that what Kim does about the family is only to be against your father.”

“Yeah, you say that he stopped talking with you when he moved out, but have you really tried to be the one to reach out for him?” Chay argued back.

Kinn’s guilty look was enough.

“Listen,” Chay continued, “Just make the first move and you’ll see. Furthermore, Porsche and I are such good brothers, we will help you!” What a chance Porsche was the big brother and Chay the little brother; Porsche would teach Kinn how to be a good big brother and Chay how to be a good little brother to Kim!

“I thought Kim told you not to intervene?” Porsche said.

“He did, but he just doesn’t want you and me to risk getting caught in their fight. But we won’t, I know it.”

Porsche smirked and tousled Chay’s hair.

“First lesson,” Chay continued, “You take news and keep in touch! Show him interest.” He pointed an accusatory finger at Khun “You too P’Khun!”