Suddenly Radit shouted from the sofa, "Hey, everyone! Let's play a game! How about truth or dare?"
Everyone agreed at once. They sat in a circle, and the game began. Laughter echoed through the room as ridiculous questions were asked and dares were carried out. Raphael had to dance like a traditional dancer, causing the whole group to burst out laughing. When Ethan got a truth question, he was asked who he thought was the coolest. He answered with a shy smile, "I think Isabel is the coolest." Isabel laughed, her cheeks faintly red.
As the night grew deeper, the lively atmosphere softened. They gathered around Kaivan's mother and his sister, while Kaivan sat quietly among them, embarrassed, yet glowing with happiness.
Kaivan's mother, who had been smiling the whole time, finally spoke. "Thank you, all of you," she said gently. "For becoming such precious friends to Kaivan. I'm grateful to see him grow together with you."
Radit lowered his head before speaking in a quiet voice, "Kaivan stopped me when I was about to go down the wrong path. If it weren't for him, my life might've turned out very different." His voice trembled, and his eyes shimmered with restrained tears.
Zinnia took a slow breath. "Ma'am… back then, I almost lost faith in men. But Kaivan helped me without looking down on me. He showed me that kindness still exists."
Kaivan's mother pressed a hand over her heart, fighting back emotion. Then her gaze moved to Frans, who said softly, "Kaivan is like a hero to me, Ma'am. I didn't have much confidence before, but he's the one who kept encouraging me. Without him, I don't think I'd be who I am today."
Thivi, usually so bold, looked unusually gentle. In a hushed voice she said, "Kaivan saved me when that motorcycle almost hit me. If he hadn't pulled me back, things might've turned out very differently." She smiled, remembering the frightening yet touching moment.
Felicia added with genuine warmth, "When I felt lost, Kaivan reminded me to stay strong. He always showed up when someone needed him… he made me feel like I wasn't alone." Her voice softened, her eyes lingering on Kaivan with quiet affection.
Ethan, typically reserved, spoke softly, "He was the first person who told me to leave the gang. Because of Kaivan, I realized I still have a future." He offered a small grateful smile.
Raphael bowed his head before speaking in a low, heavy voice. "Kaivan pulled me away from a destructive path. He forced me to leave a life that would've ruined me. Without him, I don't think I'd be here."
From the corner, Isabel squeezed Kaivan's hand tightly. "When I lost my phone, Kaivan stayed with me the whole time to look for it. He always notices the small things others ignore." Her voice trembled, eyes glistening.
Livia, the youngest, spoke with innocent sincerity. "Ma'am… Kaivan is like a hero to me. When someone tried to kidnap me, he came to help. And he also helped my family when we were struggling." Her face shone with honest admiration.
When everyone finished sharing, Kaivan's mother fell silent. Then tears spilled down her cheeks. She walked up to Kaivan and pulled him into a tight embrace.
"My son… I know you used to feel so alone. I never imagined you'd grow up and have so many wonderful friends." Her voice shook between pride and relief.
Kira stepped closer and gently patted Kaivan's back. "You used to be all by yourself… but now look at you. I'm so proud of you."
Kaivan looked at the faces of his friends, eyes misty, heart full. He couldn't speak. He simply smiled.
In that silence, they felt it together, the quiet, undeniable warmth of friendship that tied them to one another.
Night deepened. After that emotional moment, they decided to stay over, savoring a rare night of togetherness. On the second-floor balcony, beneath the stars, they sat in a circle, letting the cool breeze carry the scent of the garden toward them.
Kaivan stood at the edge of the balcony, his eyes lifted to the night sky. It looked peaceful, yet his heart refused to settle. He glanced at his friends, who were still chuckling softly, then spoke.
"I… have a request." His voice was quiet but firm, stopping the conversation at once.
Radit smiled. "Just say it like usual, Van. We're friends, aren't we?"
Felicia added gently, "Yes. Whatever it is, we'll listen."
Kaivan took a deep breath, lowered his gaze, and said, "I want to borrow money from all of you. I promise I'll pay it back. I just… want to take my parents to Norway, at least once in my life. My mom has always wanted to see the scenery there. I want to make it happen."
Silence followed. The simplicity of the request, paired with the sincerity behind it, struck everyone at once.
Raphael finally spoke, his voice soft. "Only that? If it's for your parents, we'll help. Anything for a friend like you."
Thivi looked at him with misty eyes. "You know, Kaivan… any mother would want to see her child do something meaningful. If this is your wish for her, of course I agree. Every child wants to give their best to their parents."
Beside Frans, Zinnia smiled faintly. "She's right. With the Tome Omnicent, getting money isn't even difficult anymore. I'm glad we can help you."
Frans nodded. "Yeah. We've gained so much from that tome already. It's time to use it for something that truly matters."
Ethan leaned against the balcony wall, eyes drifting to the moonlit sky. "Then why don't we just ask the Tome Omnicent what we should do next?"
Kaivan fell silent for a long moment before replying, his voice weighted with something unseen. "I… haven't been following its instructions lately. It feels like the tome is trying to control me. Like there's a voice telling me to do things I don't want. That's why I stopped listening."
The balcony grew quiet. Moonlight washed over their faces, stretching long shadows across the tiles. The cool night breeze carried the scent of damp soil and rustling leaves. Ethan's cigarette smoke curled upward, adding a heavy stillness to Kaivan's confession.