The Lion Tamer

The Prince and his Jester

Now that Summer break had come to an end, the new school year was underway. Despite hoping for a fresh start, Som found himself still tangled in a whirlwind of emotions stemming from months ago. But as a student council representative, Som was determined to welcome each and every student back with open arms. Seeing the countless smiles on his fellow peers' faces was almost contagious. However, there was one face, one presence, that Som both dreaded and secretly anticipated encountering, Sig.

Just when he thought the morning would unfold peacefully, Sig appeared before him, frolicking like a mischievous sprite per his usual obnoxious self. Alas, Som would always catch the brunt of it. Just being near him alone made Som scoff.

"Good morning, SOMderella! Looks like you're a little late for your smooth appointment with your substitute Prince Charming~!"

"Would you referring to yourself as that? You're not a substitute for P'Phayu, or even close to being a prince for that matter! You're nothing more than a jester, a fool!" Som poked Sig's chest as he uttered the final words.

Before Som could continue his rant, his words were abruptly interrupted by Sig planting an unexpected kiss on his cheek. Once again, Som found himself speechless, a mix of anger and shock surging through him.

"You better get used to the routine, SOMderella. I demand my morning kisses at l 7:30am sharp! That way, I have ample time to steal a smooch and make a swift exit, in case you decide to send me to the guillotine! And don't go gushing over P'Phayu around me either," He huffed while playfully crossing his arms. "You know how possessive I am over my Som. I'll take my leave now, my dear prince. Your jester can't afford to be tardy on his first day~," Sig cooed, swiftly darting away before Som could retaliate with a punch or a cutting remark.

Som's clenched jaw barely contained his words as he whispered, "Certainly, there must be a few exceptions to committing a murder." His brown narrowed eyes followed Sig as he sprinted away, glancing back with the most radiant smile. To Som, it was undeniably one of the most beautiful smiles he'd ever set eyes upon, but he found it horrible that it adorned the face of such an unhinged person like Sig.

Even so, Som had taken notice in a change of his reaction to Sig's spontaneous antics, especially his kisses. Instead of hastily wiping them away or berating him for proclaiming himself as Som's "substitute prince," Som discovered that he didn't mind it as much as he used to. This shift came after learning that his long-standing crush and idol, P'Phayu, was already in a relationship. Perhaps those words no longer bothered him, or perhaps he had secretly grown to enjoy Sig's company over Payu's, despite his erratic behavior. Either way, it offered a break from his own troubles.

Lost in his own head, Som was caught off guard when he heard his name. Startled, he straightened up, realizing it was only his sister.

"Hey, Ple!" Som forced a smile, determined to push aside thoughts of revenge against Sig. Nonetheless, his uncanny demeanor didn't escape Ple's observant gaze.

"P'Som, are you okay? Your face is flushed," she expressed her concern, gently placing the back of her hand against Som's forehead. "And you don't have a fever."

"Don't worry about me!" Som quickly replied, lowering his voice to avoid further alarming his sister. "I'm alright. It's just really warm in these hallways. Shall we head to class? I heard the professor has an exciting project planned." With that, the two set off to their first period, eager to discover what the project entailed.
As the class was continued, the professor delved into her lecture, eventually unveiling the eagerly anticipated project. With a tone of authority, she emphasized, "In the World of architecture, you will collaborate with colleagues from various backgrounds, each possessing unique levels of skill and expertise."

Her words captured both the attention and interest of the students'. Everyone looked eager as if they were mentally guessing what was coming next. "The objective of this project is to not only gain a familiarity amongst your peers but to also provide firsthand experience of teamwork."

The professor maintained her commanding presence, scanning the room to ensure everyone's undivided attention. "To truly excel in the field of architecture you must master the art of collaboration and harness the strengths of your peers." Her gaze swept across the eager faces before continuing, "That's why I have paired each senior student with a fellow student from a lower class. Each pair will come forward to select a special card that reveals both their names along with a unique scenario with specific criteria to be met."

Som's surveyed the room, attempting to anticipate who his partner might be. Suddenly, the professor's gaze locked onto him as she called his name.

"Som, Sig! You're up first!" the professor declared.

Som couldn't believe his ears, resorting to cleaning them out with his pinky finger to ensure he hadn't misunderstood. "What? Oh no, there must be some sort of mixup—"

"HA!" Sig yelled rather loudly, dashing forth like an Olympic sprinter to retrieve the coveted blue card. "I'm grateful for being paired with the loveliest princess in the class. It's a truly an honor." Sig bowed theatrically to the professor, who appeared unbothered by his flamboyant antics. Meanwhile, Som could only sulk at his desk, silently yearning for an escape from this project all together.

"You're mine Som~!" Sig playfully began mimicking reeling in an imaginary fish, prompting laughter from both himself and his classmates. Soon, one by one, the students obtained their own cards, each revealing a unique scenario. Som's eyes begun to scan the words on his card: "Designing a Spacious Enclosure for Leo the Lion." The project entailed creating an enclosure tailored to meet the specific needs of Leo, ensuring the majestic animal's safety and deterring any future escape attempts.

Som couldn't help but shake his head at the topic. "This is such an outlandish theme. Perhaps the lion tamer should have considered giving up after the first lion fled. Who knows, maybe it found a better home elsewhere. How much of an airhead to you have to be lose an entire lion?," he muttered, a touch of cynicism coloring his voice.

"Mmm... it seems like you're speaking from personal experience," Sig playfully poked Som's cheek, his smile fading as he adopted a more earnest expression. "But on a serious note, I admire the tamer for moving forward and pouring their love and care into a new lion. Perhaps the previous lion did find a new caretaker, but that doesn't mean the tamer can't try again with another. Who knows, maybe this lion is 'the one'—a lion that has been patiently awaiting this specific tamer." He shrugged, redirecting his attention to the project description.

As the professor's voice faded into the background, Som's eyes locked with Sig's, and in that fleeting moment, a spark of understanding passed between them. A blush crept across Som's cheeks, but fortunately, Sig appeared too engrossed in the project to notice. Som was left momentarily speechless. Sig's words resonated deeply within him, prompting him to reevaluate his own situation. However, as much as Som longed to believe in the possibility of moving on and discovering a "new lion," he recognized that it was easier said than done.

The weight of past experiences and heartbreak still lingered, and Som understood that rebuilding his trust and allowing himself to be vulnerable again would require both time and courage. However, as he stole another glance at Sig, who was now fully engrossed in the project, a flicker of determination ignited within Som. He now recognized that sometimes, the most remarkable experiences were born from the unlikeliest of bonds.