Soft Steps, Strong Bonds

Early Morning - Ken's Home

The sound of birds chirping gently stirred Ken awake. The sunlight streamed softly through the curtains as Yuki yawned and snuggled closer into Ken’s side.

Ken whispered, smiling, “You slept so well, huh?”

He sat up, rubbing his eyes, taking his glasses from table and wearing it. When a soft knock echoed at the door. It creaked open slightly— His father peeked in with bright smile,"Good morning, Ken."

"Good morning, PA." While taking Yuki in his hand and rubbing his head softly.

"Take a bath and come down for breakfast." His Alpha father was about leave the room.

Ken was thinking something while bathing his slim Omega body. "I have an idea." He whispered to himself.

Ken came downstairs with Yuki in his hand.

The kitchen smelled of toasted bread and warm coffee as Ken and his father sat at the breakfast table. Ken and his father were talking to each other about something important.

"PA, we have to do it."

"Wait, Ken but... if... "

Then suddenly First walked in, half-asleep, with a towel still on his shoulder. Ken and his father pretended casually sat at table and scrolling through their phones.

Ken smirked and leaned over to whisper to his father, loud enough for First to hear,

“So, Dad… should we start looking for a high-paying job for First’s love life fund?”

His father chuckled. “Oh, definitely. A stable job with a strong package. You know, something worthy of impressing a certain Omega.”

First frowned, still rubbing his hair dry.

“Huh?”

Ken grinned. “We’re just thinking ahead, First. If you plan on dating someone like Khao, you better have a job that can handle the emotional and financial investment.”

Their father added dramatically, “Marriage? Puppy expenses? Scent-neutral sprays? High-quality bonding rings? These things aren’t cheap.”

First’s ears turned red.

“Wha—! I haven’t even said anything yet!”

Ken leaned in closer with a mock-serious tone.

“So you agree that you’re thinking about Khao?”

First growled softly, flustered, then crossed his arms.

“Fine. Maybe I should get a job first… with a higher salary. That way… I can impress him.”

Ken and his father high-fived, laughing.

“Mission accomplished,” Ken whispered to his dad.

They walked together, Yuki in Ken’s arms again, safely swaddled.

___

On the Way to Campus – Ken’s POV

As they walked toward the college gate, Ken’s thoughts drifted again.

His scent… that warmth… why does it feel like I’ve known him before?

And when he smiled… it wasn’t just any smile. It felt like a memory.

Ken looked down at Yuki.

“You think I’m going crazy, don’t you?”

Yuki licked his nose.

___

Meanwhile – Fah’s Car, Driving to Campus

Fah sat in the backseat of his family’s luxury car, fingers drumming on his knee. His father’s driver, silent as always, took the usual route.

Fah stared out the window.

Why do I care? It’s just some boy.

Then why can’t I stop seeing his face? Why do I remember… trees? Rainforest? A goodbye?

Suddenly, an old song played on the radio—the same melody that once played in his grandfather’s car. His chest tightened.

Why does this song… make me want to cry?

___

At Campus – Orientation Week: Color Day & Trust Walk

The campus was filled with colors—each student wearing their designated team shirt. Music echoed across the field as seniors shouted instructions.

Ken and Khao were dressed in soft green. Fah, as always, wore navy blue.

The “Trust Walk” challenge had officially begun.

“The pairs are final! One leads, one follows. No speaking. No touching. Just instincts!”

The rules were simple yet nerve-wracking:

➤ One person from the pair would be blindfolded.

➤ The other would guide them using only voice, scent, or instinct—no touching, no speaking after the countdown began.

➤ It was meant to test trust and unspoken bonds.

Ken looked unsure as the announcement was made.

“Of course this college would mix instincts into a game,” he muttered, adjusting his green shirt.

Beside him, Khao giggled. “Welcome to the Omegaverse life.”

Across the field, Fah stood tall in a navy blue shirt that clung perfectly to his broad frame. He yawned slightly but looked alert, eyes occasionally scanning the crowd.

Almost all the students were paired to each other for blindfold.

Khao is leading an Omega boy named Arm he is going to be blindfold. Thee is blindfold and he is leading by an Alpha named Sky.

Ken blinked when his name was called… again.

The seniors was saying the announcement “And Ken Tanaka will be paired with Fah Wattanachai!”

His heart skipped. Khao giggled.

Ken’s eyes widened. Again?

He turned toward Fah, who was already walking up with unreadable eyes.

Fah stepped up silently. The blindfold was handed to him.

Without a word, Fah gently tied it around Ken’s eyes. Their fingers brushed—brief, electric.

“I won’t let you fall,” Fah murmured again.

Ken’s heart beat louder.

The game began. Ken followed Fah's lead, relying only on scent, warmth, and something unexplainable in the air between them.

Every step brought them closer… to something neither understood.

_ _ _

After the Game – The Incident

Just as the final checkpoint was announced, and Ken removed his blindfold—

A sudden push!

A girl bumped into him hard, her eyes sharp and unreadable. Ken stumbled backward, caught off guard.

Before he could hit the ground—strong arms wrapped around his waist.

Fah.

The world paused as Ken looked up, still held tightly. Their eyes met.

“Are you okay?” Fah asked, his voice steady but soft.

Ken nodded, cheeks red. “Thanks… for catching me.”

Fah didn’t let go right away. Their proximity stirred something—an instinct, an ache… something long buried.

Before either could say more, Khao’s voice rang out.

“Ken! There you are! Oh wow… are you flirting mid-fall?”

Ken quickly stepped away from Fah, laughing awkwardly.

Thee joined with a knowing look at Fah.

“Nice reflexes, dude. And… what’s with that huge smile on your face?”

Fah turned his head quickly. “I’m not smiling.”

“You were,” Thee smirked. “Like a crazy person. I haven’t seen you smile that hard since… well, never.”

Fah said nothing, only glanced back toward Ken—who was walking with Khao, chatting, laughing.

So cute… so warm. Just like during the blindfold walk. That scent, that energy—it cause to Fah's fast heart beat.

Thee nudged him. “You’re in trouble, aren’t you?”

Fah finally muttered, “Maybe.”

_ _ _

On the Way to Class

Khao skipped beside Ken. “So… how did it feel to be caught dramatically by your buddy?”

Ken rolled his eyes. “Don’t make it sound like a romantic scene.”

“But it was!” Khao teased. “You both looked like a couple on a slow-motion TV ad.”

Ken laughed, covering his face. “Please stop.”

Yuki barked from Ken’s bag, as if agreeing with Khao.

_ _ _

Final Moments – Classrooms

Fah stood near the department gate with Thee, his eyes quietly following Ken.

“Even when I don’t want to look at him… I still do,” he murmured.

Thee grinned. “Looks like your mood changed from navy blue to soft green.”

Fah laughed under his breath.

“Shut up.”

The bell rang. They both walked to class—hearts louder than footsteps.

“When the heart smiles before the mind understands… fate is already at work.”

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***