𝐔𝐧𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

The university gates swung open, and a gleaming white Porsche slipped past the crowd of students. Heads turned as the car came to a smooth stop in its usual spot. From inside, stepped Nani, hair perfectly styled, uniform crisp, his every move deliberate, elegant, untouchable.

His heels clicked against the tiled hallway floor as he walked toward the canteen.

Conversations quieted for a heartbeat before resuming in hushed tones. Some students stared with envy, others with admiration, and a few with poorly hidden longing. Nani ignored them all, eyes set straight ahead, carrying himself like he was born to be observed.

The canteen's familiar chatter filled the air as he approached his group's reserved corner. Gawin and Santa were already there, waving dramatically when they spotted him.

"Finally! Our diva decided to grace us with his presence," Gawin teased, shoving a tray of food aside to make space.

Santa gave a small wave too, much quieter, a gentle smile tugging at his lips. "Hi, Nani."

Nani slid into his chair with practiced grace. "You two are so dramatic. It's barely noon."

"Barely noon?!" Gawin nearly choked on his iced tea. "Do you know how many assignments I've finished while you were getting pampered? Sky must've tucked you in so well you forgot the rest of us exist!"

Santa, soft-voiced, glanced at Nani. "Was... Sky with you? You look... happier today."

Nani's lips curled, almost shyly, but he masked it with a sip of Santa's drink. "Maybe. Why? Jealous?"

Santa immediately shaked his head, cheeks warm. "N-no. Just asking."

Gawin kept talking. "And look at you, Nani! Professors call on you in class and half the time you don't even answer, yet they still smile and let you off. Meanwhile, I breathe too loudly and suddenly I'm a troublemaker."

Santa chuckled softly. "It's true... they really like you. Everyone does."

"Correction," Gawin said, wagging his finger. "They don't just like him. They worship him. You don't see the way half the campus stares whenever our Diva walks by? It's like the ground isn't worthy of his shoes!"

Nani gave them a slow, deliberate smirk. "What can I say? I was born to be admired."

Santa ducked his hea↓ ying not to laugh, while Gawin groaned. "You're impossible."

Gawin wave his hand infront of his face and dramatically say, "And honestly, sometimes even I feel like I'm competing with Sky for your attention, Nani. Like-hello? Best friend here. Remember me?"

Santa chuckled softly and nodded, his voice quieter but sincere. "It's true... even we don't get as much of you as Sky does."

Nani smirked, tossing his hair back with a flick. "Well, of course. Sky's the only one who knows how to handle me."

Gawin groaned, clutching his chest like he was wounded. "Nani, you wound me. I fight for your honor daily in this cruel university, and yet you betray me for Sky without a second thought!"

Santa bit his lip to hic s laugh. "You're too loud, Gawin."

"Loud but honest!" Gawin shot back dramatically, earning another sly smile from Nani, who sat back in his chair looking every bit the spoiled prince he was.

Beyond the glass window, he felt the gaze of Sky's hidden bodyguards like a weight pressing on his skin. Always there. Always watching.

And Nani-spoiled, adored, and possessive in his own right-smiled to himself. Sky wouldn't let anything happen to him.

Just as Gawin was about to complain again about Joss texting him wedding updates every five minutes, someone slid into the empty seat beside Nani without so much as a "may I."

Tul.

The guy leaned an elbow on the table, flashing what he clearly thought was a devastating smile. "Well, well... if it isn't the prettiest thing in the whole university. Lucky me, huh?"

Nani slowly turned his head, giving him the kind of look usually reserved for bugs on the wall. "Tul... I almost didn't recognize you. You look different."

His smile widened. "Really? How?"

Nani tilted his head sweetly. "Like you haven't showered."

Gawin choked on his drink, slamming the cup down as Santa coughed politely into his sleeve.

Tul blinked, recovering. "Ha... you're funny. I mean it though, Nani. You're so gorgeous, I bet your boyfriend doesn't even appreciate you."

Nani placed his chin on his hand and gave him the slowest, most poisonous smile.

"You're right. He doesn't appreciate me..." Tul's eyes lit up-until Nani added flatly, "...he worships me. Which is probably why I don't even notice when things like you crawl into my personal space."

Tul smirked, resting his chin on his hand like he owned the place. "You should be grateful, Nani. Do you know how many people would die for my attention?"

Nani turned his head slowly, eyes narrowing with fake sweetness. "Funny, I thought most people die because of your attention."

Santa muffled a laugh with his sleeve while Gawin cackled loudly.

Tul didn't flinch-he was too used to this game. "Still playing hard to get, hm? You've been ignoring me since freshman year. That's a lot of energy spent pretending you don't want me."

Nani blinked at him once, then leaned forward just a little, voice silky. "Tul... the only thing I pretend around you is......patience."

Santa gasped softly, eyes wide. Gawin slapped the table, "Oh my god-this is why I never skip lunch!"

Tul chuckled, leaning closer instead of backing off. "You're fiery today. I like that. You'll give in one day, Nani. People like us? We end up together. Same class, same world, same everything."

Nani gave him the most radiant smile, the kind that could melt ice-before slicing through with pure venom. "The only thing we have in common, Tul, is oxygen. And even then, I wish you'd stop breathing mine."

Gawin cackled again. "God, I love this. Please, keep roasting him alive."

Tul smirked wider, refusing to take the hit. "You act cold, but I know you're intrigued. People like you don't ignore people like me. We're the same-same world, same class, same taste. Admit it, you've thought about me."

Nani turned his head slowly, his expression so deadpan it could kill. "Yes. Every time I see a cockroach."

Santa gasped softly. "Nani..." he whispered, though he was clearly fighting back a smile.

Tul leaned closer, lowering his voice like it was intimate. "Come on. You don't have to be cruel. I'm not asking for marriage. Just dinner. Drinks. A little fun. You'd enjoy yourself more than you think."

Nani's lips curled in a dazzling smile, so sweet it made Tul pause for half a second. Then Nani leaned forward just a touch, voice velvet over knives. "Tul... if I ever wanted you, trust me, you'd already be dead."

"OH MY GOD-" Gawin was doubled over, wheezing. "I live for this man!"

Even Santa couldn't hold his laugh in anymore, hiding behind his hand.Tul's smirk faltered for a flicker, but his ego was too big to let it show.

He straightened, forcing his confidence back into place. "You'll come around. Everyone does. I have time, Nani. All the time in the world."

Nani stirred his drink slowly, eyes gleaming. "Then I feel sorry for the world."

That shut Tul up. He got up with forced nonchalance, smoothing his jacket before sauntering off as if nothing touched him.

As soon as he was gone, Gawin whistled. "Skin thicker than steel. I swear, that guy must have a humiliation kink."

Santa frowned softly. "Doesn't it bother you that he won't stop? He's been following you since freshman year..."

Nani leaned back with perfect calm, crossing his legs, a sly smile playing on his lips.

"Bother me? No. But I wonder how long until Sky finds out. That will bother Tul."

The day dragged on with classes back-to-back. Case studies, endless note-taking, and professors who seemed to enjoy watching their students crumble under pressure. Studying law wasn't for the faint-hearted, but Nani never once faltered. His notes were meticulous, his focus razor-sharp, and his GPA still flawless. Two months left until the final term, and while everyone else was barely holding themselves together, Nani thrived in the chaos-exhausted, yes, but never defeated.

By the time the last lecture ended, the sun had already dipped low, casting a golden hue across campus. Santa had rushed off to one of his many part-time jobs, muttering about barely making it on time. Joss pulled up on his bike, grinning ear to ear as Gawin slung an arm around his shoulder, both of them heading toward the parking lot.

That's when Nani's steps slowed.

On the campus ground, standing as though he belonged nowhere else, was a familiar figure. Tall-framed, quiet, yet sharp-eyed-Amol. One of Sky's most trusted men.

"Amol?" Nani blinked, surprise flickering across his usually composed face.

Amol inclined his head respectfully. "Sir is expecting you at the base. Please come with me."

Nani tilted his head, brows knitting slightly.

"Sky? We didn't make plans today." His voice was calm, but inwardly, a ripple of unease stirred. Sky was protective, yes, but rarely this sudden.

Still, Nani gave a small nod, adjusting the strap of his bag. "Alright. Lead the way."

Before he could take a step, however, a voice called from behind.

"Mr. Hirunkit."

Nani turned, finding one of his professors approaching with a foar in hand. The older man looked both stern and rushed."I need a word with you regarding next week's moot preparations. Walk with me."

Nani gave a glance toward Amol, who simply clasped his hands behind his back, waiting without complaint.

"Wait for me here," Nani said smoothly, before following the professor down the hall.

The classroom was quiet, the hum of the ceiling fan filling the silence as the professor settled into his chair. He adjusted his glasses and glanced at Nani with a small smile.

"I've been meaning to talk to you about your future after graduation," he began, shuffling through a neat pile of documents. "Your record is exceptional, Nani. I've already sent your profile to a few high-renowned firms.They've expressed genuine interest in working with you once you're finished here."

Nani, standing tall and composed, offered a polite nod. "That's generous of you, professor.But I'll think about it after graduation. For now, I want to focus on finishing properly."

Before the professor could respond, a small stack of folders at the corner of his desk slipped and tumbled to the floor, scattering papers in all directions. The professor leaned forward to reach them, but Nani was quicker, kneeling gracefully.

"I'll get them," he said, his voice calm. He gathered the fallen pages carefully, aligning the corners with precision before sliding them back into their folders.

Once he was done, he placed the pile neatly on the desk. "Here you go."

The professor gave him a grateful nod. "Thank you, Nani. You really do have an admirable sense of responsibility."

Nani only smiled faintly in reply, his expression unreadable as always, before excusing himself.

He stepped out into the hallway, his polished shoes clicking against the floor. Somewhere outside, Amol was waiting.