Chapter Text
Necks craned as a tall guy walked across the room, his build lean, his head bowed, his face covered by a black mask, with black messy hair falling over his eyes. His left hand was in his jeans pocket while his other held the strap of his backpack. He quietly strode across and sat down at the leftmost seat next to the window.
A girl heaved a sigh from the other end of the room, staring unabashedly at Save. "I wonder when he'll look my way."
"Give it up, girl. He doesn't even look away from his laptop screen. Look." The two girls watched as he took his laptop out of his bag and started typing, his fingers flying across the keyboard. Nobody bothered to approach him because they all knew he wouldn't answer... or even look up.
"What is he always up to? We don't have any assignment from the professor today."
"Maybe that's just how top programmers are, always coding something."
Their conversation was cut short when the professor arrived. The eyes on Save finally shifted to the presentation, and the discussion started.
He's been called many names, most of which are to sing his praises, but his most infamous moniker is the best-known: Ice Prince.
Save Worapong is the top student of his college, and they say he's got almost everything—the brains, the looks, the wealth, the aura of a star. He's idolized by students, praised by professors, and scouted by numerous agents. But even they knew he's not easy to win over. Consider a five-minute conversation with him the manifestation of all the good karma you racked up all year, because it's not gonna happen again.
Consider it a life fulfilled if he smiled at you, because that never happens.
As class ended, Save started packing his laptop.
"Save, could you come here for a sec?" He looked up at the professor, who was beckoning him.
He finished putting his stuff in, slung his backpack over one arm, and crossed the distance to the front in a few lazy strides. The professor, who he was almost a head taller than, looked up at him.
"See, I've got a student that's struggling with their capstone. I know you're also working on yours, but surely you're the one who has it the most under control in your batch. So I thought you could handle just this little additional work. Or, well, call it charity. Almsgiving." He sighed. "This kid is smart, but his brain only works when it's about basketball. He's been consulting with me, but my help is limited. I can see he will fail. And if he fails, he will not graduate with the rest of you."
Save's expression barely changed. He could not care any less.
"I thought a peer like you could do something. Can you give him a little help?"
"..."
The professor sighed. "What can I give you to get you to agree?"
Save stared at the professor. He's an established programmer working at a major corporation in Bangkok, with many notable papers, and a PhD under his belt. He's the real catch. After considering it thoroughly, Save answered, "A recommendation letter. Upon request."
He nodded without a second thought. "You got it."
They shook hands to close the deal, and Save left with the failing student's contact number. He stared at his name.
"Auau Thanaphum..."
Where had he heard that name before?
That night, Save thought about what he'd say. Does he just straight up tell him he's gonna fail if he doesn't accept his help? Why would he even refuse? He's the smartest student, so he's the best thing he's got. He should be grateful Save even accepted their professor's request. But he feels a bit arrogant to think like that, so he sighs and places the phone down. He opens his laptop and looks him up instead. Better to do some homework instead of going in blind.
Auau Thanaphum was not hard to track down. His brows twitched at the crazy amount of followers he's got for a college student. Isn't this basically half of their university's population? He scrolled through his posts, most of which were basketball courts, trophies, group pictures, and nature. When he came across the scarce solo pictures, they were mostly of him in his varsity, which Save stared at for a few minutes.
He had to familiarize himself with his face, he thought.
His eyes lingered a few minutes longer on pictures of Auau's face. In his defence, he was not horrible to look at. Sharp jawline, piercing eyes, untamed hair, defined muscles, and a lean yet muscular build. He's the textbook example of a college jock. In one of his pictures, he was smirking with his arms folded, and Save thought he radiated a very charismatic aura. He gulped and closed his laptop.
Finally, after a few minutes, Save sent a text.
You: [Professor Tommy asked me to help you with your capstone. Let me know when we can meet to discuss your progress. This is Save Worapong.]
The reply took almost an hour. He'd already eaten dinner in between and was showering when it arrived.
Auau: [I don't believe you.]
Save frowned.
You: [What?]
Auau: [Is this a scam message? Fuck off.]
You: [It's not.]
Auau: [Oh yeah? Then come meet me right now if it's really you, Save Worapong.]
He rolled his eyes and then looked at the time. 10 PM.
Auau: [Come to *** park. I'm playing here right now.]
He sighed and threw his towel away. The professor said this guy was smart. Why is he acting like such a kid? Why does he have to prove himself to him when he should have just been grateful he's getting help?
"Ugh. Fine." He didn't have much to do tonight anyway. And he also wanted to see him in person, to see if he's not as good as he looks on social media.
Save threw on his signature cap and hoodie and left his unit. He arrived at the park after 20 minutes. It was not hard to find Auau because the park opened onto a basketball court where several guys were playing. Among them, Save recognised the man who was the tallest, taking the ball and smoothly shooting it into the ring.
It was easy to see his skill in the sport because he did not miss a shot. And, despite Save's hopes that Auau was catchfishing, he was not. His charisma is only stronger in person.
"Good game, man!" The game ended after he took another ball into the ring. They clapped each other on the back, sweat glistening in the light, muscles pumped, all in ragged breaths.
Save's brow slightly furrowed. He was never the physical sport sorta guy. He preferred playing video games at home to sweating outside. He barely got along with his own type of people; what more with Auau's type of people?
At that moment, Auau spotted him. He freezes mid-sentence and walks past his friends, his eyes trained on Save.
He was trying to look under his cap as he neared. Save raised his head. Auau's eyes widened in recognition.
"No way. It wasn't a scam text?"
Save rolled his eyes. "Professor Tommy gave me your number. I thought he would've told you."
Auau scratched the back of his head, flashing an embarrassed smile. "He did tell me he was gonna ask someone for help; he never told me it would be you, though. Sorry for being such a dick. I thought I was being messed with."
Save felt his friends' curious glances even from afar and was already growing annoyed. And conscious.
"I won't take up much of your time. Just tell me what help you need."
"Oh, I-I don't mind. Please take up my time-" he cleared his throat. "I mean, I'm struggling with several things with my capstone. Are you free tomorrow? Maybe we can meet up somewhere to start working on it."
He nodded. "I'm free from lunchtime onwards."
"Oh, then, lunch? Do you wanna eat somewhere?" Auau's eyes sparkled, his gaze never leaving Save's face.
"Anywhere is fine. Just text me," he said, turning to leave.
"Oh, um, Save!"
Save looked back at him.
He grins.
"It's nice meeting you. Finally."
With a frown, Save turned away and pulled his cap lower. That Auau guy has a different stare from everyone else, which makes him feel so self-conscious and shy, and he doesn't know how to feel about it. Was it his charisma? Or maybe that stupid grin? Something about Auau left him so... warm.