Chapter Text
As soon as Sky stepped into the house, he threw his backpack into the corner and kicked off his shoes, ready to jump into the shower after football training, when he heard his father’s voice.
“Son, we need to talk.”
He rolled his eyes. Of course. His parents’ favourite line, he thought.
He walked into the spacious living room: sunlight still streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting the last golden rays of the day. His parents were already seated on the sofa, waiting for him. The look on their faces didn’t promise anything good. They were always serious, but now, somehow, even more so. They kept exchanging glances.
Sky narrowed his eyes. Whatever he was about to hear, he already knew he wouldn’t like it.
He sat down on the chair across from them and waited.
“Son, your midterm break is almost over,” his father began. “In a few days, you’ll start your final semester of high school.”
Sky said nothing. He waited.
“But you should know,” his father continued, “we’re not satisfied with your last exam results. Your grades over the years haven’t been much better.”
Sky rolled his eyes again.
“I could always just drop out before graduation. What’s the problem?”
His father almost choked on his own breath.
“You—!”
Sky's mother placed a gentle hand on her husband's shoulder, as if to calm him down.
“Sweetheart,” she turned to her son. “The upcoming exams are important. They’ll determine your future. You need good scores if you want to get into university.”
Sky let out a heavy sigh at that cursed word. It felt like his parents had already planned out his entire life.
“We’ve talked about this. I’m not going to college.”
His father raised his voice again.
“I won’t allow it! You won’t disgrace this family!”
“Darling, please,” his wife tried to soothe him.
“Since when does a stupid piece of paper decide whether someone’s a disgrace or not?” Sky snapped, frustration boiling over. “Times have changed, dad. You don't need a diploma to succeed nowadays!”
“Enough!” His father barked, taking a deep breath, clearly trying to compose himself. “Don’t you dare speak to me in that tone!”
“Both of you, stop!” His mother cut in. “Sky, we’ve arranged a tutor for you. Starting tomorrow, he’ll be coming for an hour each day, except weekends.”
“Mum!” Sky groaned. “I’ve had tutors before, and it never helped!”
“That’s because it wasn’t the tutor’s fault,” his father shot back dryly. “It was the student who didn’t try.”
Sky rolled his eyes once more. How many times had he heard that one?
“Mr. Changkham will help you with math and science,” his mother said gently. “I know you’re doing fine in Thai and English, but if you need help, don’t hesitate to ask him.”
Sky clenched his jaw. Great. Another know-it-all he’d have to waste time with instead of training.
He stood up and headed to his room, fists tightening at his sides. The door slammed behind him, shaking the frame, and he threw himself onto the bed. Grabbing his headphones, he drowned the heavy silence with his favourite music and let his thoughts drift.
He knew he was capable of earning good grades – if he actually put in the effort. But for some reason, he didn’t. He wasn’t sure whether school bored him more or whether he was just sick of hearing about exams. One thing was certain: he had no intention of going to college. Not right away, at least.
He just didn’t know what he wanted yet. What kind of studies to choose, what to do with his life. Perhaps he just wanted to see the world first and gain some work experience, but his parents only saw laziness and rebellion.
He sighed deeply countless times that evening and turned the music up louder, trying to silence his thoughts.
***
The next day
Sky kicked the ball with such precision that the goalkeeper didn’t stand a chance. Anger pulsed through his veins; he wanted to drown it out with effort, with the one thing he loved most – football. But in the back of his mind, his parents’ words still echoed.
“Dude! What’s with you today?” Tay threw an arm over his shoulder as they wrapped up practice. “You were kicking that ball like you were trying to send it into orbit.”
“Old man’s freaking out again about my grades,” Sky muttered. “They hired a new tutor for me.”
“Oh, damn!” Gem groaned, joining them with Fourth. “You must’ve really pissed him off.”
“He just can’t drop the whole grades thing,” Sky sighed. “Now I’m stuck every day with some know-it-all.”
“Every day?!” Gem’s jaw dropped. “Bro, you’re screwed. Even we only have extra lessons twice a week.”
“Yeah… my parents think he’ll help me get into some top university.”
The boys exchanged looks. None of them could picture Sky sitting quietly with his nose buried in a textbook.
“Okay, but what about our matches?” Fourth asked, concerned. “It’s not gonna mess with practice, right?”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll handle it,” Sky said firmly. “What bothers me more is having some brainiac harping on me every day about geometry or whatever.”
The guys went silent for a moment until Tay snapped his fingers, grinning mischievously.
“Then make him quit.”
Sky raised an eyebrow.
“How, exactly?”
“I don’t know, man. Just get on his nerves until he gives up. I believe in you.”
Sky looked around at his friends, and a devilish smirk crept across his face. His parents might want a tutor for him, but who said anything about how long the tutor would have to teach him?
Let’s see how long this Mr. Changkham lasts, he thought.
***
It was 5:10 p.m., and Nani drummed his fingers against the armrest, glancing at the vintage clock hanging in the corner of one of the rooms in Nateetorn's house.
The soft ticking only reminded him of every passing second.
He’s late, he thought with a sigh. Of course, he’s late on the very first day.
Mrs. Neteetorn had warned him earlier, “I’m sorry about my son. He’s… a bit stubborn. But he really is a good kid.”
He had only nodded then, thinking it was the usual excuse of a worried mother. Now, however, he was starting to think she hadn’t been exaggerating.
Still, he couldn’t help but feel slightly irritated. Sitting here doing nothing while someone was literally paying him for it made him uncomfortable.
When he finally heard the sound of the front door opening, he stood up instinctively. But it wasn’t Sky. It was the older woman who had greeted him earlier.
“I’m so sorry, Mr. Changkham,” the housekeeper said timidly. “Sky just got home. I’m not sure if he’ll come down because—”
“Nani,” he interrupted her gently with a small smile. “Just Nani.”
He took a few steps toward her, hoping to put her at ease.
“I’d like to see him,” he added softly.
She hesitated.
“Are you sure?”
Nani raised an eyebrow.
“Yes. As his tutor, I think I have the right to know what was so important that my student decided to show up late,” he said half-jokingly, trying to lighten the mood.
The woman hesitated for another moment, then nodded and motioned toward the stairs.
“Last door on the left,” she said before returning to her work, leaving him alone.
Nani bit his lip. He wasn’t sure if this was the right thing to do. He didn’t like wandering through someone else’s house, but really, how long was he supposed to just sit and wait?
He took one step, then another, and soon found himself upstairs. The hallway was long and quiet, with several doors on either side. The carpet under his feet muffled every sound as he walked toward the one at the very end.
He stopped in front of the slightly open door and raised his hand to knock when suddenly, a warm breath brushed the back of his neck.
“So that’s how you greet all your students, Teacher?” The voice was low, amused, and far too close.
Nani froze.
He spun around and nearly collided face-to-face with a boy who had to be Sky. They were standing just centimetres apart. The shock caught in Nani’s throat, his heart skipping a beat.
His eyes flicked over the boy’s face before he could stop himself. He was… captivating – dark, deep-set eyes, a small mole beneath the left one, features softened by the wet strands of black hair falling over his forehead. He looked unfairly good.
Nani’s gaze instinctively dropped lower and immediately snapped back up. He wished he hadn’t looked. But he had.
Sky stood before him wearing nothing but grey sweatpants. His skin glistened from the shower, droplets of water tracing paths down his chest, falling from his damp hair.
“Not very polite to stare, Teacher,” Sky murmured, pretending to pout, a teasing smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Makes me wonder what exactly these tutoring lessons are going to be about.”
“I—I wasn’t—” Nani stammered, completely losing his composure.
He took a step back, and it was a bad idea. His back hit the door, which gave way under his weight. He was about to fall spectacularly when a strong arm caught him around the waist and pulled him forward.
Suddenly, they were too close. Dangerously close.
He could feel Sky’s body pressed against his, the heat of his skin, the faint scent of shower gel still clinging to him. His heart was pounding far too fast.
“So what now, Teacher?” Sky whispered near his ear, his voice low enough to send a shiver down Nani’s spine. “Should I let you go… or would you rather stay like this a little longer?”
“Enough.”
Nani’s voice came out sharper than intended. He pushed away, freeing himself from Sky’s grip and straightening his posture. He cleared his throat, desperate to salvage what was left of his dignity.
“I’m Nani. Nani Hirunkit Changkham. Your new tutor,” he said, forcing a cool tone, though the flush on his cheeks betrayed him.
Sky raised an eyebrow, studying him with obvious amusement.
“Interesting,” he mumbled. “My parents never mentioned that my new tutor would be this handsome.”
Nani almost choked. The audacity!
“Your lesson was supposed to start,” he said, checking his watch, “fifteen minutes ago. Since you didn’t show up, I decided to see what was more important.”
“Shower after practice.” Sky shrugged. “Didn’t think you’d want me showing up all sweaty.”
Nani narrowed his eyes.
“Fine. Since you’re done, I’ll be waiting downstairs. Bring your textbooks.”
“Can I at least put on a shirt?” Sky smirked. “Or would you rather I stayed like this?”
“Five minutes. With the books,” Nani said coldly, though inside he wanted the floor to swallow him whole.
As he turned to leave, Sky’s low, amused laugh followed him down the hallway – light, confident, and far too self-assured.
And though Nani tried to pretend it didn’t affect him… his heartbeat clearly had other plans.
Back in the living room, Nani sat and waited. He sighed quietly. He’d have to figure out a way to handle this boy if he wanted to keep the job.
He glanced at his watch. A minute. Two. Three…
He was starting to wonder if Sky had decided to ditch him completely when the door finally swung open.
Sky stood there in a black T-shirt, light sweatpants, and a backpack slung over one shoulder. His dark, still-damp hair framed his face, giving him a deceptively innocent look – spoiled only by that confident, challenging gaze.
He didn’t take his eyes off Nani as he walked in. Nani, for his part, did his best to look unfazed.
Sky dropped his bag onto the table; the dull thud of books against wood sliced through the silence.
“All right then, Mr. Cute Tutor,” he said with a mocking smile, deliberately dragging out the words. “Teach me.”
“Phi,” the man corrected calmly.
“Sorry?” Sky raised a brow.
“Call me Phi,” Nani said evenly, forcing composure even as something deep inside him flinched. He couldn’t show weakness, not after that encounter.
“I don’t want to.”
Nani couldn’t help rolling his eyes. What a brat.
“Then just Nani.”
“Okay… Nani.”
The smirk that followed was infuriating, confident, and almost cocky.
Nani cleared his throat and pointed to the bag. “Take your books out. What subject is your next test? We’ll start there.”
Sky didn’t move. He sat back, arms crossed, watching him with that mischievous spark in his eyes, the kind that said “I’m going to make this as difficult as possible, just because I can.”
Nani pulled a pen from his tote bag, trying to ignore the boy’s gaze. A moment passed, and Sky still hadn’t moved an inch.
Slowly, Nani lifted his eyes, frowning slightly.
The younger sat sprawled in his chair, one corner of his lips curled up, devouring him with an unashamed stare.
Nani sighed, set his pen down, and leaned back.
“Sky, should I guess, or are you planning actually to cooperate at some point?” He asked dryly.
***
Sky raised an eyebrow, then slid closer. He braced one hand on the back of Nani’s chair, leaning in dangerously close.
“That depends… what do I get in return for cooperating?” He asked, voice dripping with provocation.
Nani met his gaze without flinching. Sky could see his jaw tighten slightly, but his tone stayed perfectly calm.
“The satisfaction of not failing your exams.”
Sky didn’t back down. He studied him in silence for a moment. His tutor’s eyes were large and light brown, glowing warm gold in the afternoon sunlight. A faint blush colored his cheeks – he looked irritated, but in an oddly charming way. Sky felt a strange heat rise in his chest.
He’s got really nice lips… he thought before he could stop himself.
“Sky,” Nani said coolly, “I’m not a textbook for you to study. Yours is in your bag. Try focusing on that one instead.”
Sky let out a quiet laugh and finally leaned back, shaking his head. He reached for his backpack and pulled out his math book. Even he was a little surprised that he actually did it – obediently opening his bag, obediently taking out the book, and obediently flipping to the right chapter.
His plan had been simple: annoy the new tutor so much that he’d quit. He just hadn’t expected the new tutor would be young, handsome… and dangerously sweet.
Nani drew a triangular prism on the page and began calmly explaining where the calculations should start. Sky, however, wasn’t looking at the notebook. His eyes were on Nani. On his focused expression, the slight furrow of his brows…
He really had thought his parents would hire some retired teacher with thirty years of experience.
“So, how do you know my parents?” Sky asked, ignoring the formula Nani was writing down.
Nani blinked, a bit caught off guard.
“Let’s just say our parents have mutual friends,” he replied vaguely. “Now, let’s find the—”
“Are you studying something math-related?” Sky interrupted, then grinned. “Because that’s kind of unfair. Smart and handsome? That should be illegal.”
Nani took a deep breath and put down his pen, giving him a mildly exasperated look.
“Yes. Third year of Electrical Engineering and Automation,” he said evenly. “Now, Sky, do exercise number three.”
“And what if I refuse?” The younger one asked, leaning in again, close enough to notice how long Nani’s eyelashes were.
The clock in the corner suddenly struck the hour, startling them both. They flinched and instinctively pulled back at the same time. It was six o’clock.
Sky glanced at the clock, then back at Nani, flashing a bright grin.
“Oh! Mr. Gorgeous teacher, look! Class dismissed.”
He jumped up from the chair and headed for the door.
“Wait!” Nani called after him. “We’re not finished yet!”
Sky turned in the doorway and shot him a cheeky smile.
“Sorry, but our lessons end at six sharp. So that’s it for today.”
He winked and walked out.
He didn’t even realise he was smiling the entire way back to his room, and not because he’d escaped another talk about prisms.