Fourth jolted awake as his phone blared with a familiar ringtone. He fumbled for his phone on the nightstand, squinting at the bright screen that pierced the darkness of his bedroom.

He rubbed his eyes and quickly answered the call, his voice still weighed down by sleep. "Hello?" he mumbled.

"Good morning, Khun Fourth! Rise and shine!" Gemini's energetic voice came from the other end of the line.

Fourth's heart skipped a beat as he heard Gemini's voice, momentarily forgetting the dull ache in his head that had plagued him since last night. He sat up in bed, his grogginess instantly fading away as excitement coursed through his veins.

"Good morning, Gemini," he greeted, his voice tinged with surprise and delight. "I didn't expect you to call me so early. What's up?"

Gemini chuckled softly, his voice warm and playful. "Well, I couldn't wait to see you again, and I thought it would be nice to start the day together. I'm outside your apartment building right now."

"What?" Fourth leaped out of bed, sending the covers flying in all directions. "Wait, wait, wait!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with confusion. "Why are you here?"

Gemini chuckled again, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, Khun Fourth, remember the text I sent you last night? I did mention that I'll be hitting on you from now on. Consider this as my first move."

He glanced at his watch and continued, "How about we go have breakfast together and then I'll take you to our university? We still have plenty of time."

Fourth's eyes widened in realization, a surge of surprise and amusement washing over him. He couldn't help but laugh, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. "So, this whole surprise breakfast and showing up outside my apartment was part of your plan to woo me?"

Gemini nodded playfully, his smile broadening. "Guilty as charged. I wanted to make sure you start your day with a smile and know that I'm serious about pursuing you. Consider it my way of showing how interested I am in you, Fourth."

Fourth's heart fluttered at Gemini's words, feeling a growing warmth within him. He appreciated Gemini's openness and the effort he was putting into their budding relationship. It was refreshing and he was eager to explore this newfound connection.

Fourth's heart raced with anticipation as he hastily got out of bed and quickly prepared himself for the day. He wondered what surprise awaited him and what their breakfast outing would entail.

Minutes later, he rushed down to the lobby of his apartment building, his heart pounding with excitement. He spotted Gemini leaning against his luxurious car, a bright smile on his face. Gemini's presence seemed to brighten the surroundings, and Fourth felt a surge of joy upon seeing him.

Gemini opened the car door for him, a gesture that made his heart flutter. "Good morning, Fourth. Hop in. I've arranged a special breakfast for us at a café nearby."

Fourth settled into the comfortable seat, feeling a wave of gratitude for the thoughtful gesture.

They drove to the café, chatting effortlessly along the way. They laughed, shared stories, and discovered common interests, deepening the connection they had formed in such a short time.

The café was a charming little place, filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of cheerful chatter.

They sat at a cozy corner table, and Gemini ordered a delightful spread of their favorite breakfast items. As they savored the meal, Fourth noticed a nostalgic glint in Gemini's eyes. Curious, he leaned in and asked, "Gemini, is there a special reason you chose this café?"

Gemini's smile softened as he gazed at Fourth. "Yes, there is. This place holds a lot of precious memories for me. It has been my favorite spot since I was a kid."

Intrigued, Fourth leaned closer, inviting Gemini to continue.

"Well," Gemini began, his voice laced with fondness, "whenever I achieved something remarkable, like getting a good grade or accomplishing a personal goal, my parents would bring me here to celebrate. It became our go-to place for celebrations."

Fourth's eyes widened, his curiosity deepening. "And what about when things weren't going well?"

A hint of melancholy crossed Gemini's expression. "Whenever I was sulking or upset, this café became a place of reconciliation. My parents would bring me here, sit me down, and we would talk things out over a cup of hot chocolate or a slice of cake. It was their way of showing me that even in tough times, we could find solace and mend our relationship."

Gemini's expression became wistful, his gaze dropping to the ground for a moment before meeting Fourth's eyes again. "However, as I grew older, my parents became consumed by their work obligations. They became busier and busier, leaving less time for family moments. Eventually, our visits to this café became fewer and farther between, until they stopped altogether."

Fourth's heart swelled with empathy as he listened to Gemini's heartfelt words. He reached across the table and clasped Gemini's hand, offering silent support.

Gemini smiled gratefully, his voice warm and sincere. "I wanted to share this place with you, Fourth, because you mean a lot to me. I want our time together to be filled with not just joy and laughter, but also understanding and comfort. This café holds a special place in my heart, and now it can hold special memories for us too."

Touched by Gemini's vulnerability and the significance of the café, Fourth felt a deep connection forming between them. He realized that this shared experience had deepened their bond and allowed them to glimpse into each other's pasts.

"I'm grateful that you chose to share this part of your life with me, Gemini," Fourth said softly, his voice genuine and earnest. "And I hope that we can continue making beautiful memories here, just like you did with your parents."

Gemini's eyes sparkled with emotion as he squeezed Fourth's hand. "I would love nothing more, Fourth."

Time flew by as they lost themselves in each other's company. Fourth realized that he had never felt so comfortable and at ease with someone before. With Gemini, he could be his true self, without any masks or pretenses.

With their breakfast finished, Gemini paid the bill and they made their way back to the car and drove towards their university.

Once they arrived on campus, Fourth looked around, taking in the sights of the university. He felt a surge of excitement as he realized that from now on, every day could be an adventure with Gemini by his side.

Gemini switched off the engine and parked the car. He turned to Fourth with a warm smile. "This is it. I hope you have a great day."

Fourth returned his smile, feeling a surge of gratitude. "Thank you for the amazing breakfast. I can't wait to see you again."

Gemini's eyes sparkled with affection. He leaned closer and whispered, "How about we meet up after classes?"

Fourth nodded. "Yes. Let's have lunch together. It's on me this time."

With the last few words exchanged, they reluctantly said goodbye and went their separate ways. Fourth pretended to walk towards his building, but he couldn't help sneaking a glance at Gemini's retreating figure.

He felt a pang of sadness as he watched him disappear from his sight. He also felt a familiar throbbing in his head, as if his headache had returned with a vengeance. He wondered why he had been suffering from so much pain lately, and why it seemed to get worse every time.

Fourth reached for his jade pendant, feeling its smooth surface against his skin. He shook his head, trying to clear his mind. He told himself that it was nothing serious, just a result of stress and lack of sleep. He hoped that it would go away soon, and that he could enjoy his time with Gemini without any worries. He smiled to himself, thinking of their lunch date later. He couldn't wait to see him again.

-----Medical faculty, Inside Gemini's class - 11.55 AM -----

Gemini checked the clock for the umpteenth time. He had been sitting in the auditorium for almost three hours, listening to Achara's lecture on anatomy.

He could tell that most of his classmates were bored out of their minds. They were either playing with their phones or whispering to each other. Only Achara seemed to be enthusiastic about the topic. She spoke with passion and gestures, oblivious to the lack of attention from her audience.

Restlessly shifting in his seat, Gemini couldn't wait for the class to be over so he could meet up with Fourth. Every passing second felt like an eternity, and he silently cursed the slow tick of the clock.

And then, at long last, it happened.

"Riinnggg...!!"

Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of the class. Achara stopped her lecture and packed up her computer. She smiled and said into the microphone.

"Thank you for your attention, everyone. Have a nice day and stay safe."

"Yes, ma'am," the class replied in unison, but without much enthusiasm.

As soon as Achara left the podium, the students scrambled to get out of their seats. They formed small groups and headed towards the exit, chatting about the latest news on the missing students.

Gemini grabbed his backpack and tried to follow them, but he was stopped by Mark and Prom. Prom had a mischievous grin on his face. He said to Gemini.

"Hey, where are you going in such a hurry? To see Fourth?"

"Mark, did you tell him?" Gemini shot a questioning glance at Mark, silently asking if he spilled the beans. Mark, looking guilty, raised his hands in an attempt to explain himself.

"I'm sorry. He overheard our conversation. You know how thin the walls are in our dorm."

Gemini shrugged, realizing there was no point in hiding his feelings for Fourth. With a playful smile, he responded, "You got it! I'm off to meet my future boyfriend. We've got a lunch date. Catch you guys later!"

Gemini was about to leave the classroom when Mark and Prom blocked his way. They had a gleam in their eyes that Gemini knew all too well. They were up to something. Prom grinned and said to Gemini.

"Hey, Gemini, how about we join you for lunch with Fourth? We won't be a bother, we swear!"

Mark chimed in, "Yeah, I also really want to meet the guy who has captured your heart. You've never been this smitten before!"

Gemini felt a surge of annoyance. He wanted to spend some quality time with Fourth, not have his friends tag along and ruin the mood. "Guys, I appreciate your curiosity, but this is our private time and I don't want to share it with anyone."

Prom moved closer, his voice sounding sincere. "Gemini, we get it, but we're just looking out for you. We're your friends, so we have a right to meet him sooner or later."

Gemini hesitated, torn between his desire and his duty. Finally, he sighed and relented. "Fine, you two win. But promise me you won't make a scene or make things awkward, okay?"

Mark and Prom exchanged a look of triumph and amusement. "Deal!" they said in unison.

With that settled, the trio made their way towards the exit of the classroom, their laughter and banter filling the air. As they were about to leave, suddenly, from the hallway, there erupted a cacophony of footsteps and frantic, indiscernible shouts.

"What the heck is going on? Are they running for their lives or what?" Mark fumed, his frustration evident in his voice.

Ignoring Mark's outburst, the frenzied crowd showed no signs of slowing down as they stormed into the auditorium, causing chaos in their wake. Gemini, being more observant than Mark, noticed that the newcomers were actually their classmates who had left just moments ago. Acting quickly, he reached out and grabbed one of them.

The person he held seemed annoyed at first, but as soon as they saw who had stopped them, their expression changed to one of surprise.

"Class president."

"Mick, spill it. Why is everyone barging in like a bunch of crazed animals?"

"There's some monster outside! It attacked our classmates!" Fear gripped Mick's face as he relayed the horrifying news. "We need to find a way out, class president!"

"A monster? Seriously?" Gemini couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was Mick going off the deep end from playing too many games?

Nah, he shook his head. If that were the case, why would everyone else be reacting the same way as Mick? Their terrified expressions spoke volumes.

Just as Gemini was about to inquire further, a ruckus broke out near the entrance. It turned out that someone had blocked the door, trapping everyone inside. The people outside, realizing they were locked out, unleashed a torrent of curses and desperate attempts to force their way in. The room was filled with tension.

"What's your deal, Ai' Pha?" Gemini furrowed his brow, striding up to the person barricading the door.

"Just trying to be a hero," Pha retorted, his eyes gleaming with malice. He made no effort to hide his intention. "I sealed the door to protect everyone, okay?"

Gemini glanced at the door, the echoing sounds of pounding and anguished cries reaching his ears. He met Pha's gaze and spoke with controlled determination.

"Open the damn door."

"No way!" Pha stood his ground, obstructing the entrance. "You want all of us to die?"

"Enough with the drama! Open it up, now!" Gemini's patience was wearing thin.

"Absolutely not!" Pha sneered. "Let's see if anyone else here is dumb enough to open that door."

Pha raised his voice, causing the entire room to fall silent. All heads bowed, avoiding the challenge. Disappointed, Gemini turned to his classmates, maintaining a calm demeanor as he addressed Pha.

"Our friends are still out there!"

"So what?" Pha laughed scornfully. "Consider them goners already."

Gemini felt a throbbing headache building, massaging his temples to ease the tension. Pha had always been a pain in the neck, someone to be ignored whenever possible. But now, an overwhelming urge to confront him surged within Gemini. Suppressing his emotions, he spoke up.

"Mark, Prom, move this idiot out of the way."

"Hey, what's your grand plan, huh? Trying to get us all killed?" Pha resisted as Mark and Prom wrestled him aside. He shot an angry glare at the occupants of the auditorium. "And what about you all? Why aren't you stopping him?"

"Anyone who's got the guts can try!"  Gemini's commanding voice resonated through the room, his deep tone captivating the attention of those who had been ready to take action. Sensing their hesitation, he unlocked the door, providing a glimmer of hope for the people outside, who rushed in eagerly.

------End of chapter. Anyone want to know what happened next? ^^-----