Chapter 1 : A familiar spin

“We once played lovers before we truly understood what it meant to love each other…”

The studio lights shone directly into Phuwin’s eyes, making him squint slightly. Sweat beaded on his forehead, but he didn’t wipe it away. The camera was rolling on the final scene of the teaser for their new BL series and he had to look perfect.

“Cut! Great job. Phuwin, your eyes held the emotion really well. Pond, your timing is much better than yesterday.” The director’s voice echoed, unusually satisfied.

Pond gave a slight nod, his gaze drifting toward Phuwin standing a few steps away. He didn’t speak, but the feeling was familiar – the kind that crept in every time he stood close to Phuwin, acting like lovers, only to walk away as strangers once the cameras stopped.

Three years ago, they were the most shipped couple in their company. Photo shoots, fan meetings, backstage smiles, lingering eye contact – everything felt real, even to themselves.

And then, a silent breakup.

The company suddenly decided to pull back on promoting their pairing, opting for a new PR strategy. Pond didn’t explain. Phuwin didn’t ask. They parted ways – colleagues on the surface, unfinished business beneath.

The shoot wrapped up. Pond stepped outside, gripping a bottle of water, eyes quietly following Phuwin as he sat getting his makeup retouched for a behind-the-scenes shoot.

“You’re still watching him, huh?” A calm voice spoke beside him. Joong.

Pond shrugged – neither confirming nor denying. Joong sat beside him on the long bench backstage, his expression calm as always.

“You know,” Joong said, “I don’t think we ever really escape each other. We just take on new roles. Co-stars, colleagues, exes…”

Pond gave a dry laugh. “And what about you? Dunk’s been avoiding you a lot lately.”

Joong didn’t answer right away. He pulled out his phone, scrolling to a behind-the-scenes photo. Dunk was smiling brightly as Aou teased him, while Joong stood behind, watching with an unreadable expression.

“Dunk needs time to figure out the difference between real feelings and fan expectations,” Joong said softly. “I respect that. Doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt.”

Pond said nothing. Everyone here was the same. Expected to perform, to love, then to hide it all away. Sometimes, even the people involved forgot what was real and what was just part of the script.

In the dressing room nearby, Phuwin was adjusting his shirt in front of the mirror when the door opened. Boom peeked in.

“Phuwin, hey – want to grab dinner later? Aou’s planning buffet. Joong and Dunk are coming too.”

Phuwin smiled lightly. “Sure, just let me get changed.”

Boom eyed him for a moment before whispering, “Pond’s… different lately. Seems like he hasn’t really moved on.”

Phuwin froze slightly. His fingers paused at his collar. “That’s old news.”

“Old news, but you still sigh every time you act with him.” Boom grinned, teasing.

Phuwin chuckled. “We’ve been friends too long. You see everything.”

Boom blinked, wide-eyed like a kid. “Because we’re the same. I still haven’t moved on from Aou either.”

The air in the room turned still. They exchanged glances – soft, understanding. People in showbiz learned how to hide well – unless they were with someone who saw through it all.

That evening, they gathered at a cozy Japanese restaurant. Six of them – three couples in various stages of something.

Aou gently placed sashimi on Boom’s plate, his cold exterior softened by his careful hands. Joong poured tea for Dunk, who kept his eyes on the menu, pretending not to notice. Pond, meanwhile, glanced occasionally at Phuwin laughing beside Boom, his eyes flickering.

“This is the first time we’re all acting together again, huh?” Aou said casually.

“Yeah, remember that old mini-series? We were all fighting over lines,” Boom laughed.

“I had to hug Dunk in our first scene even though we weren’t even close back then.” Joong added, making the whole table burst into laughter.

Pond smiled faintly, then asked suddenly, “Has anyone ever… gotten their real feelings mixed up with acting?”

The table fell silent for a beat. The air, once light, now carried a subtle weight.

Phuwin looked at Pond. A short glance – but deep. “That’s when you realize… being a good actor isn’t always a good thing.”

Joong nodded. “It’s also when you learn whether to stop… or move forward.”

Pond turned his tea cup slowly. He thought back to today’s scene – how Phuwin’s eyes had looked into his, so gently it hurt. That wasn’t acting. He was sure of it.

And for the first time in three years, he realized: his feelings hadn’t gone anywhere.

After dinner, the group dispersed. Phuwin was about to call a ride when Pond approached him.

“Need a ride? I drove here.” Pond’s voice was quiet but firm.

Phuwin hesitated. “I thought you were avoiding me,” Pond added softly.

Phuwin sighed. “I wasn’t avoiding. I just… didn’t know how to face you.”

Pond smiled lopsidedly. “Then let’s start over. Like our very first role together.”

Phuwin looked at him, long enough that time seemed to pause. Then he nodded – just barely.

In the car, they didn’t speak. Only the streetlights passed by the windshield in silence, and two hearts beating in a rhythm they both thought they’d lost.

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