Morning arrived in a hush of pale gold. Thomas was the first to rise, slipping quietly out of bed while the world outside still held its breath. He dressed in silence, slinging his bag over his shoulder, and left for the library, chasing the calm of difficult books and structured theories.
Julian, on the other hand, remained tangled in his blanket, fast asleep. He'd spent most of the night perched at the window, gazing at the stars like he always did when something in him felt out of place—restless or sad in a way he couldn't explain.
His alarm blared shortly after Thomas had gone. Groggy and tangled in sleep, Julian groaned as Monday announced itself. Another stressful week loomed over his head like a storm cloud.
He bolted upright, realizing he'd overslept, and rushed through his morning routine, barely brushing his hair as he scrambled out of the dorm room. As he raced down the hall, he collided with a familiar figure.
"Aw! Watch where you're going, dude!" Rain exclaimed, steadying himself and pushing Julian away with a dramatic scowl.
"I thought I was gonna be late," Julian mumbled, breathless.
"Late? We still have thirty minutes left," Rain replied, rolling his eyes and playfully slapping Julian's book into his chest.
"Are you sick?"
"I'm not."
"Whatever." Rain grinned. "We've only got three classes this morning. How about we hit the mall after? Arcade, food, photo booth… Come on, we deserve it."
The two fell into step, heading toward their classroom building.
"I'll think about it."
"I'll take that as a yes."
"Why do you always decide things for me?"
Rain smirked. "Because you always come anyway. Oh—and let's invite Thomas."
Julian stopped walking, brow raised in disbelief. "Lame idea."
"Come on! I'm gonna ask him if we run into him."
"Nah, nah. Let's just go without him."
But Thomas lingered in his mind. Without warning, an image from the day before resurfaced—Thomas with his sleeves rolled up, hair slicked back, glasses tucked into his pocket, laughing. Genuinely laughing. He looked like someone from another world, like he didn't belong to the cold, quiet figure Julian knew.
"Speaking of that person," Julian said suddenly, clinging to Rain's arm and signing a few words alongside his speech, "I saw him yesterday. He looked different. Really different. Sleeves up, hair neat, laughing—God, I even saw his dimple. Like he walked straight out of a fictional novel."
Rain halted and stared at him, eyebrows furrowed and jaw slack.
"Yo. Chill. You're describing him like you're in love. I thought you said you were straight. Are you eating your words now?"
"What did I just say again?" Julian muttered, quickly letting go of Rain and pretending none of that had happened.
They reached the classroom, sliding into their usual seats in the back row. The lecture began. Some students took notes. Rain snored softly within minutes. Julian drifted in and out, resting his chin on his palm as the words at the front of the room blurred into background noise.
Thomas, as always, sat alone in a corner no one else claimed. He listened, quiet and focused, as if the rest of the world had nothing to offer him except equations and clarity.
By lunchtime, Julian and Rain were outside, lingering in front of the building where Thomas had his department classes.
"Do you see him yet?" Julian asked, arms crossed, leaning against the wall.
"Not yet," Rain replied, sitting on the steps, scanning the flow of students.
"I told you we shouldn't invite him. He'll just freeze like a statue."
"I want to be friends with your Mr. Coldy," Rain said, smiling.
"If he refuses, I'm gonna kick your ass."
Rain looked around. "Where are you, Thomas?"
As if summoned by name, a voice spoke behind them. "What are you two doing here?"
They both flinched and turned.
"Oh! Hello there, my dear Thomas," Rain said, standing quickly and beaming.
Julian leaned close to whisper, "Why does that sound familiar…?"
"I think I heard it somewhere too," Rain whispered back.
Clearing his throat, Rain added with a grin, "We're here to invite you to the mall. Just to hang out. Window shopping. Arcade. Photo booth. The usual."
"I'm busy," Thomas replied flatly.
"Come on, Mr. Coldy. Live a little," Julian said.
"No." Thomas shook his head.
"Please please please," Rain begged, clasping his hands dramatically while Thomas kept refusing.
Eventually, Rain gave up and shoved Julian forward.
"What the—?" Julian shot him a glare. "What do you expect me to do?"
Rain gestured silently: you ask.
Julian sighed. "Come on, Thomas. We waited here just to invite you."
Thomas hesitated, biting his lip. "…Fine."
Rain's eyes widened in betrayal.
"What?! I begged you and you said no, but Julian asks once and you cave? I smell something—"
Julian stomped on his foot, cutting him off. "I feel oddly proud."
At the mall, Thomas walked behind them like a shadow, regret written all over his face.
"Hey! Keep up," Julian called, glancing back. Thomas rolled his eyes but followed.
They stopped in front of a brightly lit photo booth nestled between a claw machine and a bubble tea kiosk. Rain and Julian exchanged mischievous glances — a silent agreement passing between them. Then, almost in unison, they turned toward
Thomas with matching grins.
"What?" Thomas asked warily, sensing danger.
"Let's take a picture!" Rain beamed.
"I'll just wait for y—" Thomas began, but the sentence died in his throat as both Rain and Julian grabbed his arms and tugged him inside the booth.
Rain spoke rapidly to the staff, who handed them a few silly costume props, and he eagerly paid. Julian was already rifling through a basket of hats, scarves, and oversized sunglasses.
'Should've just said no,, Thomas thought as he was practically shoved inside the cramped space with soft lighting and a countdown blinking on the screen.
Rain tapped the touchscreen. "Okay, first photo in three... two... one…"
Thomas stood like a statue, arms stiff at his sides, face blank.
"You look like you're posing for a funeral portrait. Smile, will you?" Julian teased, nudging him with an elbow.
Thomas gave the most half-hearted, corner-of-his-mouth smile he could manage. The screen blinked and the first flash went off. Click.
Rain rushed to switch props for the next photo, giggling. Julian turned too, rummaging again through the basket. His hand landed on a soft gray beret with cat ears — too ridiculous for Thomas, and therefore perfect.
He turned to Thomas, holding it up.
Thomas narrowed his eyes. "Don't you dare—"
"Oh, I dare," Julian said with a smirk.
Julian reached up, standing on his toes to reach Thomas's head. His fingertips brushed lightly against Thomas's hair — cool, silky strands that fell slightly into his face.
Thomas instinctively reached up to take the hat from him and put it on himself, but in doing so, his hand landed over Julian's.
And neither of them moved.
For a breathless second, they stayed like that — frozen. Julian's fingers curled around the brim of the hat, Thomas's hand overlapping his. Their eyes locked. Julian's face was close, too close. His brows lifted a little in surprise, but he didn't pull away.
3… 2… 1…
Flash.
The photo captured the moment: Julian gently reaching up, Thomas standing still, hand lingering against Julian's, something unspoken shimmering in the space between them.
Rain, caught mid-glance, was side-eyeing the two with wide eyes — he hadn't even noticed the camera going off.
As the light faded, Thomas blinked and looked away first, his expression unreadable. Julian quickly turned his gaze toward the screen, awkwardly clearing his throat. He let go of the hat and stepped back.
"One more," Rain said, trying to sound casual, but his eyes were darting between the two.
The last photo was normal — or tried to be. They all faced the camera. Thomas gave another reluctant smile, and the flash went off one final time.
They stepped out of the booth and waited for the printouts.
"Ugh, I'm starving," Rain groaned, holding his stomach.
"Let's eat," Thomas muttered, already walking ahead. The other two followed quickly.
Rain glanced at the photo strip, grinning. He held it up beside Julian. "Look at you two. You look like a couple."
Julian shoved his shoulder lightly, ignoring the heat creeping to his face.
Thomas, silently, slipped one of the photos into his wallet.
A smile flickered briefly across his lips.
They found a small Korean restaurant and sat at a corner table.
"You guys order. I'll pay," Thomas said.
Rain's eyes sparkled. "Oh, how generous, Mr. Coldy!"
"Shut up," Thomas replied, scanning the menu.
After ordering, the waiter left. Rain leaned back and sighed.
"Thank you for coming, Thomas. If we end up being friends, you might just be my favorite. Not this crazy guy anymore," he said, pointing at Julian with a teasing glare.
Thomas only nodded. The two launched into a playful bickering match while Thomas sat quietly, absorbing the chaotic energy of the restaurant—clinking plates, lively chatter, and laughter all around him.
Water was served. Julian, parched, poured himself a glass.
Thomas's own glass fogged slightly from the cold. He took off his glasses, hair falling into his eyes. Julian noticed. Watched.
Thomas brushed his hair back with his fingers.
And there it was again—that image from the day before. But this time, it was real and right in front of him.
Julian choked on his water.
"Hey! Be careful, you idiot," Rain said, handing him a napkin.
"You good?" Thomas asked, calm but watching him closely.
"Oh—yeah." Julian smiled awkwardly.
'Why does that image keep coming back?'
Thomas looked away, calmly wiping his glasses.