The second day of the Outing unfolded with a variety of activities tailored to members' interests. Participants could choose between exploring the mountainous trails of Koh Samet Island on ATVs, soaring through the skies with paragliding, or testing their skills at archery. Interspersed among these fun activities was a photoshoot session for the talents. Everyone had free time in the evening before concluding the trip the following morning.

Of course, Faris's itinerary wasn't much different from James's. James chose ATV riding and archery—both activities he had never tried before.

Before setting off, the tour guide gave detailed instructions on how to use the ATV. Although the off-road vehicle was a bit different, it wasn't too difficult to control, making it suitable for beginners. James and Faris's boyband decided to conquer a 17-kilometer route to watch the sunrise from the mountaintop. Each person had their own vehicle, and they began their journey at 3 AM, eager to witness the full splendor of the sun emerging on the horizon. According to rumors, the view from there was breathtaking, with a harmonious blend of blue seas, towering rocky cliffs, and the radiant first light of dawn.

The journey began as they weaved through winding, curving paths. Felt the cool mountain air surrounding them, and the sky gradually lightened. The scenery transformed with each turn—sharp bends, challenging streams, and the raw wilderness kept everyone thrilled as everyone was excited to conquer the mountains on these 'beasts'.

However, about a third of the way through the journey, James's ATV suddenly broke down and wouldn't start. After inspection, the tour guide announced that the engine had died for unknown reasons, rendering the vehicle unusable. Luckily, these ATVs could carry two people, so the guide suggested that James join another one, leaving the broken vehicle behind to be handled by the technical team later.

Upon hearing this, the group unanimously revved their engines and sped off, leaving James behind—except for Faris, who turned to him with a smug look:

"You have no other choice!" - he said, patting the back seat behind him.

Reluctantly, James approached, pouting as he climbed onto the backseat, feeling a bit regretful as he really enjoyed driving the vehicle himself. Just as he settled in, Faris revved the engine, causing James to instinctively wrap his arms tightly around him. Before James could regain his composure and let go, Faris firmly placed his hands over James's, pressing them against his waist, saying: 

"If you don't want to fall off in the middle of the road, you'd better hold on tight" - He teased.

And with that, Faris took off like a bullet, he sped off, and the bumpy ride made James cling to him even tighter. Yet despite the chaos, there was an inexplicable sense of security whenever James was near Faris, whether being alongside or sitting behind this man. Still clinging to Faris, he unconsciously felt the muscles in his body. He couldn't help but compare them to his own small muscles. Forgetting that this was a real person, he began to touch and roam Faris's firm muscles a few times. Faris struggled to focus on driving while 'enduring' this feeling.

"Hey, Mr. CEO" - James teased - "How do you even find time to work out with such a busy schedule?"

"I take care of it for my 'fean' to touch!" - Faris replied, earning a playful punch in the stomach. James decided not to retort further, knowing it was futile against someone like Faris.

On the way, Faris accidentally hit a large rock, causing James' nose to crash into Faris's shoulder. The sharp pain prompted a small yelp from him. Alarmed, Faris immediately stopped the vehicle and turned around to check:

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" - Faris gently lifted the kid's face, examining his nose for any injuries. His tone was as gentle as if he were comforting a sulking child.

"Alright, I let you drive, is it a deal?"

"Of course!" - Happily agreed, James silently plotted his 'revenge', but little did he know, he fell into his own trap as Faris sat behind him. As soon as Faris took the backseat, he wrapped his arms snugly around the tiny waist. James protested:

"Hey, I can't drive when you're hugging me like that."

"I'm scared!" - Faris exclaimed, feigning innocence, his arms still around the other. With the confidence of a seasoned businessman, It would be a shame if he missed out on this opportunity. But of course, Faris didn't touch him inappropriately. His strong arms simply found a little support from the smaller one, merely holding on for stability.

By the time they reached the summit, it was already past 4 AM, and the sun began to rise, illuminating the vast expanse of sea, forest, and land below. The first rays of sunlight gently touched everyone there, dispelling the chill of the earlier night. The moment felt like a reward for the arduous journey they had undertaken.

It felt like the whole world was waking up, full of life. The view was so stunning that everyone was mesmerized, silently marveling at the radiant beauty before them. At that moment, unspoken thoughts seemed to connect them all: one day, they too might reach the light they had been striving for. The group members looked at each other, their eyes filled with determination.

"We did it!" - One member finally broke the silence, his voice filled with pride and joy. It was a statement of triumph and encouragement, a reminder of the challenges they had overcome together. Standing atop the mountain, they felt both humbled by the vastness of the world and empowered by their collective achievement, they felt small yet significant.

_

After lunch, James headed to the archery range for the photobook shoot. P'Aof and Faris were already there, sitting in a nearby restaurant and watching him.

"Not going with them?" - Faris asked P'Aof, his eyes still fixed on the boy in the distance.

"They're off paragliding. I'd rather rest here." - P'Aof replied casually - "But you—why are you sticking so close to him?" - P'Aof raised an eyebrow at James.

"Well, my person, so I'm keeping an eye on him." - Faris said matter-of-factly.

"Oh? Talking big now, huh? How far have you two gotten? I'm curious!" - P'Aof teased.

"Still good—getting even better" -  Faris ordered his usual whiskey and took a sip. As James walked in, Faris slid a glass of orange juice toward him and said:

"Rest a bit and then change into your sportswear. The archery session is about to start."

"Are you joining too?" - James asked, but already knowing the answer.

"James, you're going to be facing a pro" -  P'Aof interjected from the side - "Faris has been doing this for over 12 years!" 

"What? How come you know everything?" - James was surprised, Faris wasn't even that much older than him.

"Of course! I'm multi-talented" - Faris said smugly.

"Hmph..." - James ignored him and went inside to change.

When he came out, the table was already set up with strange-looking equipment he had never seen before. He found out that Faris had prepared everything for him since it was his first time trying archery. The setup resembled that of a professional competition, complete with finger tabs for easier string release, gloves, a chest guard, and an armguard to protect against string slap.

Faris was knowledgeable about various types of bows — bare bows to compound bows for Olympic competitions, and of course, he had chosen a simple barebow for James to start with.

For this particular session, Faris wanted to be his personal instructor. The seriousness with which Faris approached the activity caught James off guard. This was the first time he had heard Faris speak so passionately.

"People often think of archery as purely physical—like hunting or war. But nowadays, it's seen as an art form. You can control the arrow to match your intentions." - Faris explained as he helped James with his protective gear.

"But once the arrow is released, it can't be recalled. That's why archery requires a calm mind and emotional control. So, it's important to avoid distractions when archery." - James was completely surprised by Faris's focused demeanor. He could see how passionate Faris was about it. Perhaps this was what helped him stay balanced in his high-pressure position for so many years. Today, James learned a little more about Faris.

'When he's serious... really attractive...' - James thought to himself, unable to take his eyes off Faris's serious expression.

Faris began with the basics, guiding James through eight key steps—balancing the body, regulating breathing, raising the bow, drawing the string, steadying the aim while breathing deeply, releasing the arrow, and maintaining form post-release. Each step was demonstrated meticulously.

Faris stood behind him for the best view, and his posture allowed James to lean against his chest. Faris's hands were positioned alongside James's, guiding his fingers and palm. With a quick glance, James could see Faris's determined eyes and slightly smiling lips. James couldn't help but notice how close they were—so close he could feel Faris's breath in sync with his own.

Together, they launched the first arrow, scoring 8 points. The experience thrilled James. Archery was unlike any other sport he had tried—quiet, non-competitive, yet exhilarating. The feeling of releasing the arrow and watching it fly towards the target was incredibly satisfying.

On his second attempt, he scored 3 points. On the third and fourth tries, he missed the target completely. Perhaps he was too eager. Faris demonstrated again, and James was mesmerized by his smooth movements. From James's perspective, he could only see Faris's profile, his strong jawline, and sharp eyes. The way he drew the bowstring was truly captivating. With a calm and steady hand, Faris released the arrow, hitting the bullseye—a perfect 10.

"Amazing!" - James exclaimed, unable to hide his awe.

"I'm still taking students. But there's only one spot available." - Faris quipped, his serious demeanor quickly replaced by playful teasing - "You better hurry up!"

"So, what's the tuition fee?" James teased back.

Faris leaned down, their eyes meeting. Slowly, he replied - "I only need one thing!" - With that, he lightly tapped James's left chest.

James grabbed Faris's finger with his hand and retorted - "That's a bit difficult because It only has one."

"That's why I want it even more!" - Faris smiled mischievously and wiggled his finger in James's palm which made the little one blush and pull his hand away.

"I don't need a teacher like you anymore. Move aside—I'm practicing." - James turned away, gripping the bow and arrow with determination. Although he sounded annoyed, a small smile lingered on his lips.

_

As evening fell, Boyband and Faris decided to head to a local bar to relax after a long day. Sabaidee Bar, located right on the beach, offered a pleasant and familiar atmosphere with its refreshing sea breeze, local-inspired decor, and delicious local specialties.

As everyone was chatting happily at an outdoor table, James suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning around, he was surprised to see an old acquaintance - Luke, his senior from college. Luke's cool appearance and smooth talking had always attracted many students during their school days, including James. But that was in the past. Now, it took James a moment to recognize him.

"Is this James Su?" - he asked, nodding to everyone at the table.

"P'Luke? Are you here on vacation?" James responded politely.

"Yes, and you? Wow... you've changed so much, James." - He looked James up and down, his expression slightly disbelief. Back in college, James had looked very cute, with chubby cheeks that made him look like a child. But now, James had grown into a charming young man. He had seen James in some movies and didn't expect him to be even more handsome and enchanting in person.

The two chatted briefly, though everyone noticed James' subtle discomfort. Just then, Faris returned to the table after a phone call and noticed James's uneasiness. As Noeul explained who Luke was to Faris, they overheard Luke speaking loudly:

"Remember back in school when 'this junior' had a crush on me? Hahaha... just kidding!" - Luke said with a teasing tone as if he had drunk too much. This startled James, as this wasn't the Luke he knew. The comment drew sharp glares from the others at this table. Luke continued:

"Back then, I must've been blind not to notice. But now I'm available. Wonder if..."

"Is there a problem, Ter?" - Faris cut Luke off, wrapping his arm around James' waist and pulling him closer. His eyes narrowed as he glanced at Luke before turning to James.

"Oh... so he's your boyfriend. Not bad. Nice to meet you!" - He raised his hand towards Faris. Faris maintained his position, one arm around James and the other in his pocket, ignoring the man completely.

"Wow, not even the bare minimum of politeness. James, is this really your taste now?" - Luke took a sip of his drink, then smirked arrogantly - "Well, as a PhD in architecture like myself, I simply can't be that rude!"

This time, Faris looked straight at him, unrelenting, a smirk of disdain forming on his lips. James, on the other hand, was getting irritated by how Luke was talking about Faris.

"Hey! You can insult me, but...."

"Wow, impressive! A PhD in architecture? Too bad for our boss, the CEO of Illuminate. He's too busy to design—he just hires people to do it for him." - Neoul cut in, finding the whole thing annoying, clearly fed up.

"Illuminate...?" - Luke muttered, visibly confused. Realizing no one at the table welcomed his presence, he made a hasty exit - "Oh, I just remembered I've got something to do... haha. You guys have fun. See you later, James!"

Only then did Faris finally release James, his expression softening a little. As the three of them returned to their table, James sighed and muttered:

"Was I blind back then to have a crush on him?"

The entire table burst into laughter, instantly breaking the tense atmosphere from earlier.

"So, who do you have a crush on now? Come on, tell us. We'll rate him for you!" - P'James Na teased.

Without saying a word, everyone's eyes turned to the person sitting next to James who was eagerly awaiting his reaction too. Flustered, and didn't know what to say. James grabbed a glass nearby to take a sip, only to realize it was Faris' Cognac Frapin Extra (~40% ABV). Before Faris could stop him, James took a quick gulp, then started coughing uncontrollably.

"Ouch! That's so bitter!"

"Out of all the drinks, why did you take mine?" - Faris chuckled, handing James a glass of water and a slice of fresh orange to ease the burn. The group shook their heads in unison:

"That's why you always need someone to take care of you, Susu."

"Exactly, our kid isn't grown up yet, hahaha."

Laughter filled the air, completely dispelling the earlier tension. The group continued chatting, joking, and savoring their last evening on Koh Samet.

_

It was still early when they returned to the resort, so Faris suggested a walk along the beach to clear their heads. The coastal path was built with large rocks stacked upon one another, dimly lit by sparse streetlights on either side. The faint light made it difficult to see each other at times. The strong night sea breeze blew through, and as usual, Faris draped his jacket over James.

"There's something I've wanted to ask you for a long time. Why did Phi choose to invest in the boy band?"

"Because of you!" - Seeing James's surprised expression, he added - "Just kidding..."

"Actually, when a company reaches a certain stage, it seeks to expand into different areas, the more the better. And since I already knew P'Aof, I decided on DMD." ... A reason even he couldn't fully believe. To cover up one lie, one often needs at least six more lies.

Hearing "because of you," James felt a brief surge of joy, but then quickly dismissed it. But wasn't it too soon to feel that way?

"I see. So I guess we got lucky, huh... haha." - James looked at Faris as he spoke, and tripped over a large stone. Faris quickly reached out to steady him.

"Don't overthink it!" - He said, ruffling James's hair - "If I didn't see potential, why would I invest? You should always believe in yourself, just like I do!"

Though his words to James were light, Faris' true thoughts were far deeper: 'Silly child, who would confess their feelings to someone they've only known for a few months? Who would carry such a heavy heart for someone they don't care about? One day, you'll understand that the 'luck' you mentioned is something I worked hard to create.'

The two sat down along the path, drinking beer and gazing at the night sea. They couldn't clearly see the waves or distant islands, but the nighttime sea still held a mysterious allure. The light cast their shadows long and thin on the sand below.

The silence was calming, but their minds were racing. Facing the sea breeze, though it didn't clear James' head—if anything, it made him feel a bit tipsy, not sure if it was from the beer or the familiar scent. Was it the alcohol or the presence of the person beside him? James didn't turn to look at Faris, but he knew Faris had been watching him for a long time. The little one didn't stop him, feeling somehow oddly at peace with this man's gaze. 

"So... why do you like archery?" - James suddenly asked as if wanting to learn more about Faris.

"It helps me relax after stressful work" - Faris replied, smiling as he continued - "That's the polite answer. But since you're asking, I can tell: I've spent many years mastering this skill. It taught me that things done in a hurry or with too many distractions will only lead to failure. Isn't that the principle behind everything in life?"

"Mm-hmm..." - James listened intently.

"That's why you have to follow all eight steps in archery. Once you master the techniques, everything else becomes a matter of feeling: understanding the bow's strength, the sensation of drawing it back, aiming, and then watching your arrow fly..."

Faris paused and brushed away strands of James' hair blown astray by the sea breeze - "That's also the moment when you can release all your worries."

They clinked their beer bottles together. Glancing briefly at the mole on James' nose, he asked - "Am I making things too complicated?"

"I'm listening," James replied, "It's just all very new to me. But it's something worth thinking about. Oh... there's this one thing you said that I'll keep in mind: an arrow once shot, can't take it back."

"Exactly, an arrow once shot can't be retrieved. Having already grown fond of you, how could I possibly cut off these feelings?" - Faris thought to himself.

"Good, you've learned the lesson, haha!" - Faris said, playfully touching James' reddened nose from the cold - "True, it can't be retrieved. But the satisfaction you feel when the arrow flies, whether it hits the target or not, that's what makes it worthwhile, isn't it?"

"Yeah, I guess so. Though... 3 points isn't very satisfying" - James pouted.

Talking about archery allowed James to feel closer to Faris' world—a vast and awe-inspiring place. Perhaps it took countless practices, moments of reflection, and lessons from each arrow shot to achieve such calm, unintentionally putting others at ease.

The atmosphere grew still. Both were savoring the scene before them when Faris broke the thoughtful silence with a single line that caught James off guard.

"Meeting my mom.....is next week."

==

[Chapter 2 - The Shadow of White

The forest was dark and quiet, and the wind howled through the trees. A small snow fox was desperately fighting off a group of aggressive weasels. The weasels' sharp teeth and claws inflicted deep wounds on the fox, and it collapsed onto the cold snow.

From a distance, the black wolf watched the scene unfold. Unable to ignore the danger the fox was in, he quickly ran to its aid, his loud howl echoing through the forest. The weasels scattered in fear. 

Approaching the injured little white fox, the wolf gently licked its wounds. Its amber eyes filled with concern and sorrow. The snow fox looked into the wolf's deep, warm gaze, sensing something profound within...]

The accompanying image would show two silhouettes, one larger and one smaller, walking side by side, fading into the corner of the picture. It depicts the day when he gathered all his courage to meet James as his real name, Faris, for the first time at DMD.