Age - 16. Fifth year of magic school .

Arthit did not hide it well.

He thought he did.

He didn’t.

The signs were—
obvious.

Decreased focus.
Irregular sleep.
Missing assignment deadlines.
Blowing cauldrons in potions class.

Uncharacteristic.

Kongpob observed for three days.
Then confirmed.

Cause:
emotional disruption.

Source:
Namtarn.

Secondary variable:
Jay.

Conclusion:
avoidable.

Arthit had not avoided it.
Inefficient.

The common room was louder than necessary.
Unstructured.
Disorganized.

Arthit sat in the corner.
Not engaging.
Not—
participating.

Prem said something.
Bright laughed.

Toota rolled his eyes.

Arthit didn’t react.

Unusual.

Kongpob did not approach immediately.
He observed.

“…you’re sulking.”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

“I said I’m not.”

Arthit’s voice lacked—
precision.

Prem leaned back.
“Right. So you’re just sitting there staring into nothing because it’s fun.”

No response.
Bright snorted.

“Let him be. He’s processing.”

“Processing what,” Toota asked dryly, “his own poor decision-making?”

Arthit shoved a cushion at him.

Missed.
Minimal force.

Kongpob noted it.
Energy levels:
reduced.

He left.

Acquisition was not difficult.
It never was.

The bottle was—
expensive.

Unnecessary.
Appropriate.

Risk:
moderate.

Consequence: Suspension from school.
manageable.

Kongpob returned within the hour.

The common room had quieted.

Arthit remained.

Same position.

No improvement.

Kongpob approached.

Arthit looked up.
Frowned.

“…what are you doing here.”

“Addressing inefficiency.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“It is sufficient.”
Arthit stared at him.

“…you’re weird.”

“That is inaccurate.”

A pause.
Then—
Kongpob placed the bottle on the table.
The sound was deliberate.

Arthit blinked.

“…what is that.”

“Wine.”

“I can see that.”

Silence.
Arthit leaned forward slightly.

“…where did you get that.”

“Acquired.”

“That’s not reassuring.”

“It is sufficient.”

A pause.
Arthit studied the bottle.

Recognition.

“…this is expensive.”

“Yes.”

“Why.”

The question was—
incorrect.
Kongpob adjusted.

“You require disruption of current state.”

Arthit stared at him.
“…what.”

“You are experiencing reduced functional capacity due to emotional interference.”

Silence.

Then—
Arthit laughed.
Short.
Sharp.
“Wow.”

“That is accurate.”

“You’re unbelievable.”

“I’ve been told.”

A pause.
Arthit leaned back.

“…so this is what,” he gestured vaguely, “your solution?”

“Yes.”

“That’s a terrible solution.”

“It is effective.”

“How would you know.”

Kongpob met his gaze.
“I am implementing it.”

A pause

Arthit frowned.

“…you don’t drink.”

“That is correct.”

“Then what are you talking about.”

Kongpob opened the bottle.

Precise.

Controlled.

Poured two glasses.

Set one in front of Arthit.

Kept one.

“I will.”

Silence.

Arthit stared at him.

“…you’re going to get yourself expelled.”

“That is a potential outcome.”

“And you’re just—fine with that?”

Kongpob considered.

“Yes.”

The answer landed.

Not dramatic.

Final.

Arthit went still.

“…why.”

There it was.

The incorrect question.

Kongpob adjusted.

“You are currently at a deficit.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

“It is sufficient.”

“No, it’s not,” Arthit said, quieter now. “Why would you risk that for me?”

Silence.

Kongpob held his gaze.
Because—
Because you—
Unacceptable.
He adjusted.

“Now we are equal.”

Silence.
Arthit frowned.

“…what does that even mean.”

“It is sufficient.”

“It’s not,” Arthit said, frustration returning.

“You keep saying things like that and expecting them to make sense.”

“They do.”

“No, they don’t.”

A pause.

Arthit looked at the glass.

Then at him.

“…you’re serious.”

“Yes.”

Another pause.

Then—
slowly—
Arthit reached for the glass.
“Fine,” he muttered. “If we’re getting expelled, it’s your fault.”

“That is accurate.”

They drank.

The wine was—
sharp.

Unnecessary.

Effective.

Later—
Arthit laughed.

Actually laughed.

The tension—
reduced.

Not eliminated.

But—
manageable.

Kongpob observed.

Outcome:
improved.

Cost:
acceptable.

“You’re still weird,” Arthit said eventually.

“That is inaccurate.”

“No, it’s not.”
A pause.
Then—
quieter—
“…but thanks.”

Kongpob did not respond.

Because the statement—
was unnecessary.
That night—
alone—
Kongpob reviewed the interaction.

Risk undertaken.
Outcome achieved.

Arthit:
stabilized.

Conclusion:
effective.

He set the memory aside.
Filed it.
Not under strategy.
Not under error.
Somewhere else.

Unlabeled.

Retained.

Indefinitely.