Red Strings

Chapter One

"Not in a million years!" Satang added quickly, pulling a face that made Poon laugh out loud.

"Well then," Poon said, brushing off their reactions with a teasing grin, "you should both come tonight! Let's introduce Satang to P'Don. The more, the merrier, right?" Without waiting for an answer, Poon fished out his phone, held it to his ear, and started walking away, mumbling something about confirming the guest list.

"Wait, but—" Satang started to protest, only to trail off as Poon disappeared into the distance. He stood there, stunned, his bag slipping slightly off his should

***

Panting and wiping the sweat from his forehead, Winny dropped onto the bench near the edge of the football field. Practice had just ended, and while he'd long mastered every move in the routine, he always gave his hundred percent. For Winny, excellence wasn't negotiable—it was his standard.

He leaned back on the bench, pulling out his tumbler to take a sip, when his eyes landed on the growing pile of snacks and drinks beside him. Each item came adorned with colorful sticky notes scribbled in various handwriting.

"You're amazing, Winny!"

"Your smile makes my day!"

"Cheer hard, superstar!"

Winny let out a quiet sigh. This happened every day—fans, admirers, and campus crushes all vying for his attention. But as always, the offerings didn't seem to faze him. They were appreciated, sure, but never personally acknowledged.

Before he could move, a familiar, sing-song voice broke through the air.

"Well, well! What's this, another snack buffet for the great Winny?" JJ teased as he strutted toward the bench, his signature grin plastered across his face.

Trailing behind him was Tee, who smirked and chimed in, "You've got enough here to open a store, P'Winny. Mind sharing?"

Winny barely glanced at them as he slung his bag over one shoulder. He gestured vaguely toward the snacks and said with his usual nonchalance, "Help yourselves."

JJ's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Don't mind if I do!" He immediately grabbed a bag of chips and ripped it open, popping a few into his mouth. "Mmm, generosity really does taste better when it's not yours," he quipped, winking at Winny.

Tee snorted a laugh while Winny rolled his eyes. "Why don't you eat slower for once? You're going to choke," he muttered, sipping from his tumbler.

"What, and ruin your carefully curated cool guy image by needing you to save me?" JJ teased back, grinning as he made an exaggerated choking sound, earning a tired look from Winny.

"You're exhausting," Winny said dryly, though the faintest hint of a smile tugged at his lips.

Tee leaned against the bench, looking at Winny seriously. "Don't forget about the party tonight. P'Don's been asking for you specifically. You know how he gets if you bail."

Winny paused, considering the reminder. He wasn't particularly fond of parties, but P'Don's invitations weren't exactly optional. With a small nod, he replied, "I'll be there," before turning to leave.

As he walked off, JJ cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted after him, "Don't forget to smile at the party, Winny! The snacks don't have feelings, but the fans do!"

Winny raised a hand in a dismissive wave without looking back, and Tee shook his head, laughing.

"You really love getting under his skin, don't you?" Tee said, watching JJ with a mixture of amusement and disbelief.

"Of course," JJ replied with a dramatic shrug. "It's a service I provide—for free!"

Meanwhile, Winny made his way off the field, his mind already wandering away from the teasing duo. He didn't dislike their antics—JJ's bubbly humor was endearing in its own way—but the constant attention and admiration from everyone else sometimes felt hollow.

The snacks, the notes, the cheers—it was all nice, but predictable. Deep down, Winny wondered if there was someone out there who didn't just admire his moves, his looks, or his confidence.

Someone who might truly see him.

***

Winny returned to his family home, as he did every week. It was a tradition—a non-negotiable one, set in stone by his adopted parents, Force and Book. Despite his busy schedule, Winny never minded these visits. They were a grounding reminder of the warmth and chaos he called family, shared with his two older siblings, Off and Prem.

As soon as he stepped inside, the comforting aroma of home-cooked food greeted him. He walked into the dining room, where the entire family was already gathered. "There he is!" Force exclaimed, standing to pull Winny into a quick, affectionate hug before ushering him toward the table.

Book smiled warmly, gesturing to the seat they'd saved for him. "Just in time. Let's eat."

Dinner was a lively affair, as always. Between bites, the conversation flowed seamlessly. Book asked about Winny's studies, his soft tone laced with concern.

"How are classes going, Win? Everything alright?"

Winny nodded, swallowing his food before answering. "Everything's fine, P'Book. Nothing to worry about."

Just as Book smiled in relief, Prem, the sharp-tongued joker of the family, decided it was time for mischief. He leaned back in his chair, a sly grin spreading across his face as he looked at their eldest sibling.

"So, P'Off," Prem began, dragging out the words, "how's that new secretary of yours? What's his name again? Gun?"

Off, who had been focused on his plate, froze mid-bite, his brow furrowing. "What about him?" he asked, feigning ignorance.

"Oh, nothing," Prem said innocently, though his grin betrayed his intentions. "I just heard that you've been working very closely with him lately. Some might even say... a little too closely."

The entire table erupted into laughter, with Force nearly choking on his drink as Book chuckled behind his hand. Off rolled his eyes, but the faintest hint of a blush betrayed him.

"You're ridiculous," Off muttered, stabbing at his food in mock annoyance.

"And you're in denial," Prem shot back, earning another round of laughter from the table.

The lively teasing and chatter continued until every plate was cleared, and everyone leaned back in their chairs, satisfied. As they started clearing the table, Winny stood and excused himself.

"Excuse me, I need to get ready for a party tonight," he said, already heading toward the stairs to his room.

Force called after him, "Don't forget to let us know when you get back to your dorm!"

"Will do, P'Force," Winny replied with a small smile.

After a quick change into more casual party attire, Winny made his way to his parents' room. He knocked lightly before stepping inside.

"P'Force, P'Book," he began, his tone softer now. "I just wanted to let you know I'll be heading back straight to the dorm after the party. Don't wait up."

Book nodded, his eyes filled with gentle concern. "Stay safe, okay? Call us if you need anything."

"And don't forget to eat," Force added.

Winny chuckled lightly, nodding. "Got it. See you both next week."

With that, he left the house, his heart a little lighter from the warmth of home. Though the party awaited, the comfort of family gave him a sense of balance, preparing him for the night ahead. 

End of Chapter.

A/N: Force and Book preferred to be called as "Phi" instead of "Dad/Pa/Dada".