When the kiss was returned, it came with interest.
Rain gasped for air after the lovely payment was made. His face blushing so much that one will think he was burning with fever. "I returned your first kiss," whispered Phayu.
"En," he nodded while his eyes looked past Phayu's shoulder. His ten fingers were clenched so tight that they crumpled his pajamas. That was his first kiss and his first kiss was taken by Phayu so does that mean, Phayu is my first kiss?
"Now, you have to return mine too."
The innocent Phayu was now kneeling in front of him kneading his hand to calm the turbulent heart of his hamster. "Will Rain return my firsts too?" He knew he was being cunning, he knew and he admit it but as long as it does not hurt his hamster Phayu still thought that little cunningness will do just fine.
Rain raised his head to observe Phayu's expression. He wanted to make sure he heard it right but he had to lower his head again cause right now... Phayu was blushing as much as he does.
"O-okay. Close your e-eyes... close it."
His whole body was now red in shame and the air seems to be impossible to find at this moment. When he thought that the man kneeling will do what he says, he heard a chuckle instead. Another wave of shame covered his body and he wanted to scold the man.
However, before he could speak Phayu had spoken first, "Does Rain wants to return my first kiss too?" He was blushing but he was still acting and speaking confidently.
"I'm a robber who robbed you of your first kiss. I won't ask mine back, that's my punishment." The hand that he was kneading was brought closer to his lips for a kiss. He felt Rain's hand tremble and a low gasp from the hamster.
At an angle that Rain could not see, he flashed a satisfied smile.
"Then... what do you want me... to return?"
For a while, the two stared at each other. The breeze that comes through the window was a bit chilly in the morning, the trees outside swayed along and the leaves rustle, clapping their hands to the two wizards that were about to tighten the emotional bond.
"... my first love."
Sounds instantly ceased. Hearts beat faster and bodies turned hot.
"Rain... will you be willing to return my first love that you stole?"
Will his hamster understand him? Will his hamster be willing to be his now? Was the kisses, the act of love, and the constant courtship enough to capture the cutest guy he love? Was Rain's feelings for him enough to say yes?
"you..." Rain gulped. His hands trembled but compare to before, it was now coupled with fear and abnormally sweating. His pupils moved right and left as if searching for a hint that Phayu was only joking.
"... you give up?" Again, tears fell from his eyes as he bit his lips to stop shaking, "You... still... still have to pay for the kiss. Don't g-give up yet."
He couldn't think straight. His mind was buzzing and his heart hurt so much hearing that Phayu wanted him to return his first love. Did Phayu get tired of chasing me? But wasn't it a good thing? I don't like men. I should be happy but why do I feel like dying?!
"Pha-phayu... the kiss... robbers can't be forgiven by paying it once."
Was he saying absurd things? Rain was not in the right state to think about it. Now, all he wanted was for Phayu to withdraw his words.
"What?" As expected, his hamster was too innocent to understand him. He should have asked it directly. "Why would I give up?" His thumbs wiped the tears from Rain's face. It was already dry a while ago but now it was wet with tears again.
"... but you said hic... you said to return...hic"
"Shhh... stop crying, baby. Stop. I'm hurting seeing all these tears." In his hand appeared a handkerchief to wipe dry Rain's face, "I will never give up, baby. Never." He brushed Rain's hair to coax him to stop crying giving constant assurance that he will never give up.
"I'm asking if you are willing to be my lover."
"I'm not willing," answered Rain immediately.
"Okay. Then I'll ask again tomorrow." Helpless, Phayu took the drenched hamster into his arms and patted its back until it stop trembling from crying.
"You promise?"
"Promise what?"
"... to ask me again tomorrow."
In his years of existence, it was only now that his patience was tested. Truly, there was nothing you can't do for love. "I promise."
Hearing the answer, Rain circled his arms around Phayu's neck and said, "I'll wait for your question tomorrow."
How could he not notice it? Of course, he knew and felt that Rain has feelings for him but if he ask how ready Rain was to accept that he liked men, that was another question for the future. He was already happy that they have a mutual understanding.
Soon, he will catch Rain.
He will be his hamster's lover soon.
Weeks passed and it was time to return to school. Phayu and Rain went together as planned to school and everyone who saw them had visible shock on their faces. Who would have thought that the two rivals will walk shoulder to shoulder to school one day?!
It was only in the novel that these things happen!
If we were to ask each student to give proof of how Phayu and Rain were each other's nemesis, everyone can give an example without repeating the other students' given example.
The girl with short red hair will say, "I once saw Rain pour a bucket of cold worms to Phayu when Phayu pour a bucket of worms outside the cubicle where Rain peed."
The guy in all white will say, "When I was running errands for the second great wizard, Rain, and Phayu was chasing each other in the third hallway casting lighting to each other. That was so memorable for me. I still have that burn in my arm."
The school janitor can also give an example, "When I was closing the lights in the rooms that midnight, I heard, murmurs that it gave me chills. When I checked it was them casting as many spells until one gave up. Unfortunately, no one gave up until morning that I have to call the Great Wizard to stop them!"
The two walk leisurely towards their building with dancing invisible hearts around them.
As promised, Phayu asked Rain every day, and every day Rain will answer no. As if it was they have an understanding that 'no' does not literally means no.
"Shall we go to the main hall for the welcome ceremony?" This was me after shaking hands with the two and prying on the past three months of their memory.
The three of us walked towards the hall with me being the third wheel.
The hall for defense magic was half full with one-third of buff wizards. When we open the door, everyone turned their heads to us and then as if nothing happened, continued their business.
"Phayu!" a lady in all black came rushing, breaking into the crowd and shouting Phayu's name with a wide grin, "You're here!" maybe the lady did not notice Rain and me, that she directly embraced Phayu.
***
Extra:
Rain: *suddenly starts singing* I see red! red! REEDDDDD!
***
Author's note:
Apologies for giving inconsistent days of updates. As much as I want to write weekly, my work demands too much of my time to do it. As a humanitarian worker and being a fanfic writer while fangirling is not easy... hahaha.
My editor for paid story emailed me asking for a new story as well (⚆ᗝ⚆)...
But no matter the hindrance... I WILL LOOK FOR TIME TO UPDATE THE STORY OF PHAYU AND RAIN! ◝(^⌣^)◜
Thank you to everyone who loves this simple fanfic story ( ︶｡︶✽)
Me right now: