02. When Echoes Answer (Part 1)

Tan couldn't help sneaking glances at the transfer student, Kla, who sat two rows in front of him. His mind was in chaos, spiraling in search of an explanation for the gnawing déjà vu. Had they met before? It didn't make sense — Tan had spent his whole life in Bangkok, immersed in the city's noise and pace. But no matter how hard he tried to reason it away, the feeling lingered like a melody just out of reach.

As if sensing his gaze, Kla turned around. Their eyes locked — only for a heartbeat — but it was enough.

A sudden sensation surged through Tan, drowning him in their depths, not willing to let him go. It was as if water had closed over his skin, pulling him into an invisible current, suffocating, weightless and terrifying. He gasped audibly, snapping his head away as if burned and tried to get his bearings.

Yu, completely oblivious to Tan's inner turmoil, was busy scrolling through his phone beneath the desk, more invested in campus gossip than the lecture, as usual.

"Ai Tan," Yu whispered, barely looking up. "Heard the new kid's weird."

That piqued Tan's curiosity, despite himself. "What do you mean by 'weird'?"

Yu frowned at his phone. "He lives alone in XX Dorm — like, the whole room to himself. No roommates. No family mentioned. And he's not on social media either. No Instagram. No Facebook. No Twitter. Not even Line until the professor made him get one."

Tan blinked. "That's not that strange. Some people just like their privacy." Unlike you, he added in his head. He wasn't going to say that aloud of course.

"Maybe," Yu said, unconvinced. "But come on — this is our generation. Even monks have Line these days."

Tan didn't respond. Instead, he found his gaze drawn again to Kla's silhouette. The slight curve of his spine, the hair that curtained half his face, the way he never quite met anyone's eyes. There was a story there — one Tan couldn't shake off. And one he felt compelled by some unknown force to unravel.

The rest of the lecture blurred. The professor's voice faded into a distant hum, and before Tan knew it, the closing announcement caught him off guard.

"...and remember, the Annual Faculty Concert will count as your practical exam this semester. It's scheduled for next month. You'll work in groups of three to compose and perform an original piece. I'll send the groupings in the class chat shortly. Good Luck!"

Yu gave an exaggerated sigh as they packed up. "I hope I get stuck with you. You owe me a top grade, Tan."

Tan smirked. "You mean I do all the work while you get to slack off again?"

Yu grinned, unabashed. "Teamwork makes the dream work, right?"

As they made their way to the cafeteria, Yu's phone buzzed with the newly posted group list. He let out a triumphant cheer.

"Looks like my prayer has been answered," Yu announced, flashing the screen. "We're in the same group!"

Tan raised an eyebrow. "Who's the third?"

Yu paused, then gave a low whistle. "Kla Rattanapisut."

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