Chapter Text
The fluorescent lights in the GMMTV practice room were humming. This sound usually faded into the background. Tonight it felt like a countdown. Kanaphan was standing in the shadows near the mirrored wall. He was sipping from a water bottle. He did not really need the water. He was not watching the mirrors. He was looking at his phone, scrolling through a twitter thread. The thread was titled: "Why Todd and Khao aren't clicking in the new teaser." Kanaphan did not smile.. He looked satisfied. The fans were getting restless. They sensed something was not right. The timing was off. The smiles looked fake. There was no spark between the partners. This was what GMMTV executives were paying a lot of money to create. The director shouted "Cut" from the front room. Khaotung sighed. His shoulders dropped. He looked tired. His partner, Todd, was a guys with a jawline. He had no sense of rhythm. He brushed off the critique. He grabbed his phone to scroll through instagram. Khaotung did not laugh. He stared at the floor. He was rubbing the back of his neck. This was a habit. It was a signal that said "Help me". only someone who had been watching him closely for the two past years would notice. Kanaphan thought to himself: *Phase one: Isolate the frustration.* He walked out of the shadows. He went to the vending machine. He bought a peach-flavoured soda. This was Khao's favourite soda. He walked over to the group. "You're overthinking the act Khao." Kanaphan said casually. He sounded cheerful. He handed the can to Khaotung, his fingers touched Khaotung's palm for a long moment. Khaotung looked up. He blinked. The tension in his shoulders went away, and he smiled. it was a genuine smile, the smile that had been missing during practice. "Kanaphan? I thought you were done for the day." "I was, but they asked me to stay a bit longer." Kanaphan said. He was not telling the truth obviously. "I saw the trailer cut in the editing bay. The blocking is off. you're trying to lead him, you are waiting for him to follow, but what you should do is to walk away first. Make him chase you. It will look better on camera." The other partner looked over. He was doubtful. "He is the lead. I should be the one talking the initiative." Kanaphan smiled. It was his signature smile, kind of a fake smile. it made it hard to argue without seeming petty. "That is true.. But think about the fan edit potential. The longing. The 'I am leaving, I hope you follow me' vibe. This is what the audience wants." He turned back to Khaotung. His expression changed. It became more serious. More private. "Trust me. Try it, you will see the different in playback." Khaotung studied him. There was a flicker in his eyes. He realised that Kanaphan was the person i. the building who made his work feel easier. "Okay," Khaotung said while opening the soda can. "I will try." Kanaphan stepped back. He leaned against a support pillar and watched the take. Khaotung walked away. He did what kanaphan told him to do. He did not look back... The way he tilted his head, the way he carried himself. It was... perfect. When the camera panned, the chemistry was there, it was tangible. The director shouted, "Yea! That is the feeling!" Kanaphan pulled out his phone. He opened his note app, and he typed two words: "The pivot." He had three months. Three months before the project was over. Three months to make sure that the next project was not a rumor. It had to be a necessity. The executives had to think they could not afford to ignore it. He was not stealing Khaotung away. He was guiding him. Guiding him to where he belonged. With First.