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Third can be frightening and manipulative, has a psychopathic temper and a foul mouth, controls the entire student council and likely the entire school, bans and punishes students easily and without mercy. He's a bully in fact. However, if you flip the coin, he can be different.
Surprisingly, Third can also be helpful when needed. He's a quick thinker. Holds an IQ higher than Non's total grade this semester, and also possesses an unique ability. His brain can be considered as a valuable asset. It's no surprise he's in the Gifted program.
Now after hearing such a description, If someone asks how the hell Non ended up dating this Third Thammarong Decharat, the Gifted student, the inspector senior- everyone including the rats of the school is shit scared of, Non the below average student with no remarkable talent will begin to stutter. That is why hiding from the rest of the world is the best option. Third prefers it as well (actually he doesn't have any opinion about it). Their secret meeting place is usually behind the educational building, quite abandoned. None but only the janitor can spotted be sometimes.
Because Third is in the Gifted program and Non is in the regular, their lunch hours are different. Although few months back, such vile rules had miraculously changed to have equal rights for students but it was gone when the director went missing and someone from the Education Ministry took over. The discriminative rules were back again, including the new rule that gifted students and regular students shouldn't mingle. The gifted students were shifted into a different building although(This rule was applied due to the anti-gifted chaos, although they still had to attend their regular classes). Non had not given much thought about the rules till he met Third.
As a couple, Third and Non generally meet during Non's lunch break, and Third can easily sneak out of the Gifted area as well. As a school inspector, he is free to visit any place he wants with the excuse of patrolling and is allowed to interact with the regular students to discipline them.
Although Third has mentioned that Time and Grace, his two friends, are becoming suspicious of them but he does not appear to be concerned. It seems he's fine with them knowing. And for Non, he didn't really have much friends to tell. The one he used to have doesn't approve of them at all. Sadly, Yim hasn't been talking to Non since she found out about them dating and Non’s been trying to make peace with it.
*
Non dashes out of the door as soon as the lunch bell rings, his phone in his hands showing a few texts from Third. Texts full of threats.
He was praying for his life. For sure, he will be scolded the entire time even if he is a minute late and his romantic fantasies are going to fall all over the place (Not that Third reacts much to his romance).
Dating Third is more difficult than Non had anticipated. However, it appears to be worthwhile. No normal person would feel that, Non knows. But the only thing that healed his wounded heart, which had previously been damned over someone else, is this Third Thammarong.
*
Back when Yim was instantly transferred to the gifted program, it was quite a surprise. Third heard that Yim from class 6 has the ability to control the weather.
Non discovered the truth about the Gifted Program at that point.
Third had not so kindly threatened Non to stay quiet about it and that he would be monitored.
With Yim gone, Non was alone and unable to properly ask her out. Non could hardly see her and after a while, Yim found it difficult to make time for Non as well. Their potential mutual feelings felt like they were falling apart and the day also arrived when Yim indicated they probably wouldn't be able to work out, so it's best to stay friends.
Non was naturally broken; his best friend, whom he liked for a long time, had rejected him despite having shown him the light of hope.
It wasn't a good day after all. So when a despondent Non sought solace in the empty common room inside the main building, that is where Third unlocks the door, walks in, and creates an anchor in Non's life. That might have been the beginning of everything.
It was almost as if Third went looking for him there because when he saw Non there, face all fallen and shit, surprisingly, Third didn't become angry or threaten to punish him. Well, not immediately at least.
He only said "I saw what happened. You're so pathetic, I almost laughed.”
The words somehow didn't sound as mean as he tried to make it. Non barely knew Third but he could tell that the unkind inspector was taking pity on him.
“Don't stay here for too long or else I'll have to report you." His voice was strangely calm and if Non didn't know any better he would have thought Third wished to console Non.
Non never hasn't seen Third leave any possibility to report kids, even for a tiny inconvenience. Catching kids red-handed and reporting them to the authorities has been his favorite hobby. So Third's consideration for him came as a surprise. Non was definitely in awe, no word came out of his mouth but he looked at Third in a new light.
*
Non isn't sure how it started, but he hasn't looked at Third the same way since. He started noticing Third’s presence more often like whenever he patrolled the school or however he treated the kids. Third was the same old asshole to the other kids but for some reason, Third was only different to Non, a tiny bit different. Quite unbelievable but Third had started talking to him, in quite a random, friendly yet unfriendly way.
Slowly Non takes a step ahead. To talk to him, to be a little silly with him, and to brush off his mean remarks. He has even seen the gloomy scary Third smiling or even laughing at his jokes.
It was strange but Non was ecstatic about it as if he has known Third for years and can deal with someone like him in a heartbeat.
*
Before the relationship part came in, there were of course occurrences, conflicts, pinning, and misunderstandings, just like in any other romance story.
Third and Non met frequently or rather Third came to meet Non frequently in the name of monitoring him. Nom didn't mind much. Third surprisingly didn't bully him when they were alone (He would bully him a little in front of others). Third had started treating Non more differently, in more of a good way. and somehow, Third had been talkative. It's as if he always needed someone to listen to him.
Third shared how he was irritated by Time and Grace, his friends, having feelings for one other and how he was always forced to be their third wheel. Third even dramatically shared the havoc he had wreaked with them and with the other gifted kids.
Non astonished listened to all the gossip about gifted students. All of them are honestly newsworthy and possibly can cause the entire country to fall into chaos. Non never even asked for all that tea and yet Third lashed out at him and threatened to kill him if the things he said were made known.
"Why do you tell me all these things then?" Non inquired.
Non was curious as to why Third has been comparatively nice to him, why he searches for Non during his lunch hour, why he pretends to bully Non in front of other people but buys him his favorite ovaltine when they're alone, why Third feels so comfortable sharing all the inside information with him, just why?
Third stuttered at this. He brushes it aside with annoyance, saying it's only because he feels like it.
Non might have easily concluded that this was not the case.
*
Non asked Third about Yim on a random day. Yim was pretty much unreachable by the time Third and Non had bonded enough.
"Are you still not over that round-faced girl?" Third asked, irritably. “She is uninterested in you."
"She's a friend of mine. I'm curious how she's doing. She doesn't respond to my texts and hearing your gifted stories makes me nervous. I want to make sure that she is safe and not involved in your schemes." Non elaborated.
Even if Yim no longer regards Non as a friend, Non does and will continue to do so. He wasn't sure about his feelings anymore yet a string of attachment remained.
Third sighed and took a minute to suck up his ovaltine pack before saying, "Yim is no longer the person you knew, idiot. It's best if you forget about her. Because her emotions are required to control the weather, she was instructed to keep her emotions in check and to utilize them only when necessary. It's best to avoid her if you don't want your memories with her to be erased."
Non was rendered speechless and everything fell into place. Yim was no longer the same and no longer his friend because the gifted system screwed her over. Yim was Non's cheerful enthusiastic persona holder. His happy pill.
What was Third saying exactly? The constantly smiling, bumbling Yim he fell in love with, no longer exists?
Non couldn't think straight. He then had an emotional outburst and threw everything at Third. He is to blame because he is the one who stole Yim and placed her in the Gifted system.
“It's you who took her away from me!” Non didn't know he could shout this loud.
In response, Third maliced, eyes spoke words that sounded hurt. He pushed Non away on the ground, saying that whatever Yim is going through is her Gifted fate, that every gifted person has to bear the burden of being different from others, and that someone like Non wouldn't understand it. Third shows frustration that what he felt for Non is worthless.
“I am the idiot for thinking I could be close to someone like you. Someone as low as you.”
Third aggressively threw the chewed-out ovaltine pack beside Non and walked away stomping.
Non stayed on the ground, hurt, angry, and befuddled. It turned out that the world wasn't as simple as Non imagined. The high school he attends already has ridiculous policies such as assigning students to classes based on their grades, having various lunch hours, treating students differently according to their merit standing and so on. If the regular program is that messed up, the Gifted system is even more twisted and sinister. Non should have realized this when he learned about the gifted system, given the fact they have superpowers and have more access to cause trouble. The school hasn't been normal and regular kids get affected thanks to their everyday schemes to fight the school director, heck they even have beef with the education minister. Adds more reasons to why the school is suffering.
Third had told Non about a virus that has been used to control gifted students and that there have been lots of issues going on. Third had been too busy because of it. Third also assured him that Yim is not affected by the virus because the seniors have stopped the spread.
However, Non could tell Third was affected even though he had never mentioned it. Third visibly seemed unwell. His blacked-out eyes, parched lips, and flaky skin said everything.
Third probably had came to Non to find peace of mind, to get away from his messed-up life but Non had shut his doors. He wasn't sure if he wanted to be a part of this anymore. Non even considered if he should go to the board and tell them the truth about knowing the secret of the gifted program to have his memory erased.
*
Non stood up, rubbing off the dust of his clothes and mind. He had been thinking pure nonsense and had gone insane. He dashes before he can conceive of another ridiculous train disaster, hoping to find Third before he enters the Gifted area. He ran around the school, but Third was nowhere to be found.
He stood in front of the building that was restricted to regular students because he couldn't find Third. Heart was thumping from all that running or maybe pure nervousness. But he must speak with Third and apologize. Non was afraid that if Third does not look back at him this time, he may never look back again. He won't be able to take it if Third begins to ignore him.
Non entered the building on tiptoe, his heart in his palms. He's never done something so risky before. However, when Non was about to take the stairs, he was suddenly dragged out by someone and found himself back outside the building.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" It was Yim, the same Yim with a bubbly face, a dangling high ponytail, and the familiar gifted emblem affixed to her shirt.
Non was overwhelmed, almost in tears, to see her after so many days. Non would have hugged her, but Yim didn’t seem to be in the mood.
"The entire building is under strict surveillance, which is directly linked to the director and our teachers. Our teacher holds the ability to erase memories. You can be easily caught, and if you are, you will be banished along with a memory wash." Yim expressed concern tinted with arrogance. Non could feel some heat emanating from her. It's because of her potential. Non was concerned that Yim had transformed into a complete robot, but this was not the case.
"I was worried about you." That was what came out of the many things Non wanted to say upon seeing Yim and it was absolutely accurate.
"I thought I wouldn't see you again."
"Non." Yim said the name with a solemn tone. Non understood what she was about to say.
"Please keep your distance from the Gifted students. I cut off contact with you because I didn't want you to get involved but if you're close with another Gifted student that too with someone who's been participating in the risky schemes the seniors engage in, then what's the point, Non? You must realize."
Non was perplexed. Yim hadn't changed; she just knew how to manage her emotions better. Non's best friend was still there for him.
Another thing is that Third had asked him to avoid Yim, and now Yim was asking him to avoid Third. Non isn't sure why, but he has his own heart, he wants his best friend, he wants...Third. He can't possibly be separated from the ones he dears.
*
Non didn't find Third that day, only to be returned by Yim, who tells him not to seek Third again. But how does he convince her that he can no longer endure the notion of not being able to speak with Third?
*
The next day, Non waited at their place for a while during his lunch break, but Third did not appear, as expected. It stimulates Non to try again. Because regular students are strictly prohibited from entering the Gifted section however there is only one place where students from any program can go.
The canteen.
*
Non quickly reported in a sick letter to have the rest of the courses off till he felt better, then he spent some time in the infirmary and left right around the gifted kids' lunch hour. He walked inside their canteen with caution and instantly noticed Third sitting with Time and Grace.
Non followed Third’s table without hesitation and stood right in front of him.
Third immediately detects Non. Time and Grace both looked at Non too, all of them puzzled.
"What are you doing here during class? I'll report you to the board. Return to class immediately and talk with the principal later. There is no excuse." Third gave away his regular unkind tone, no longer different from others and definitely not sparing another look.
Even with that kind of treatment, Non didn’t flinch because if he did, he wouldn't be able to convey what he had to say. It was as if his life was at stake.
"Third please, can we talk?" Non begged in the most honest of tones. He may be reported, suspended, or whatever; Third was more important, and Non would like him to know.
Third was silent, still not giving him any look. It was strange of Third as if he was hiding or holding back. Non felt he knew Third enough.
"I'll be waiting at our place." As thus, Non took a step back, keeping his gaze fixed on Third for as long as he could.
When Non turned around, he saw Yim staring back at him. She didn't have anything else to say other than scary looks and she appeared scarier than Third.
Nothing, however, could stop Non now. He was already the main focus of the entire Gifted program.
Non was completely taken aback by all the stares because he didn't realize right away that he was being pulled by an unexpected grab on his hand.
Third had his hands on Non's wrist and walked as fast as he could.
“I'm taking him to the principal.” Third announced, loud enough for the entire cafeteria to hear.
The pull suggested that Third is mentally exhausted and wishes to cut off everything.
*
They came to a halt when their stop was reached, and Third let go of Non's hand. Third didn't take him to the principal’s office or whatever. They were standing at their secret place.
Third was not facing him, but Non sensed his wrath and mentally prepared himself to be ravaged.
Third took a few more seconds to turn around and face Non in the eyes, eyes that wonder what the heck he wants from Third.
However Third, on the other hand, blurted out something very different.
"Yim is yours. This time, I'll give you my word. I lied earlier; she's alright. I'll help you with this, understand? But do not do this.”
“Do what?” Non didn't understand.
“You're doing all these because you want Yim back right? Fuck ass, Yim will be yours I said. So don't do anything stupid.” Third was seemingly frustrated.
Non was utterly taken aback. It took him a few seconds to understand what Third had just said and it was possibly the strangest thing he had ever uttered.
Was Third succumbing to Non out of concern for him? Giving in? The Third Thammarong? Non could almost not believe but he had to. Third was dead serious after all.
Non cleared his throat, gently gripped the hand of Third and stared into his dry eyes. Third had been very unwell and Non wondered if the faculty people have been taking good care of him.
“You will help me with what? To let me see Yim and talk to her?”
“Yes.” rough tone.
“So, will you allow me to use this place, our secret place for me to hang out with her?”
There was a moment of defeating silence.
If Third could hiss, he would have. However, he seemingly held himself back. Non wanted to laugh badly but shook it off. Because a little more push and Third would burst out and he couldn't afford to torment Third any longer.
*
"Third." Non found his most genuine and warm tone. For real, Non wanted Third to know what actually was the case. That's why he putted the truth on the table loud and clear.
"It's not Yim. It's not about Yim at all.”
“Then what?!” His eyebrows were almost sticking together from furrowing. This guy was getting wrinkles soon.
Non should have practiced more on his confession but there wasn't any better way to say this.
The hand Non had taken before, slowly entangled his fingers with Third’s.
Third was electrified and Non definitely wasn't enjoying any of this, the blood rush to his face made him want to choke on his words. But he still had to convey his heart and feelings, no matter what.
“Will you, however, be able to give your word if I say it's someone else?” He paused to see Third's reaction. It was an unfolding confusion.
“Is it alright if it's you?”
It was as if someone had played a pause button.
Because Third was silent for the next forever minutes while his face went through a train of emotions that couldn't be explained in words. Unable to process and comprehend the unexpected confession.
Non patiently and nervously waited for Third to do something, their hands were still placed entangled.
But when Third opened his mouth, it was just him being him.
"What the hell are you saying?" Third flinched, breaking the hypnosis and flinging Non's hand away from him. He took a step back.
"I'm serious Third."
"Are you insane? I'm a man!" Third exclaimed and shouted.
"Fuck that, I'm better than you in every way. Just because I spoke to you didn't make us friends. I'm completely out of your league, so whatever you're doing, stop."
Non understood that Third is a massive tsundere. As Non knew better, Third was blushing up to his ears, beet red and he was malfunctioning like a broken radio. Therefore, such devices sometimes need a good smack according to asian superstitions. That is why Non does what was necessary.
*
[flashback]
“If every gifted student has superpowers and it's called a potential, then what is your potential?” Non asked on a random Thursday, school was over for the day but Non didn't feel like going back to his dorm early and for some reason, Third didn't go back either.
Third was sitting right beside Non, way too close. almost their bare thighs touching. Pretending not to notice the touch, Third was trying to look away as he answered, “My potential is very special. What makes you think I’ll tell you?”
Non rolled his eyes. Of course, the Third Thammarong won't be consistent. Spilling out the entire teapot of the gifted secrets was okay but revealing his potential wasn't. So Non tried to take a wild guess, something very common to start with.
“Can you not read minds or something like that?” Non really said it on a whim, totally meaningless. Because if you want to guess superpowers, mind reading is one of the common ones right?
Third looked at Non like a deer caught in the headlights.
“Can you though?” Third baffled. because he was surprised to the core, almost dumbfounded. Can Non read minds though? Because If Non didn't know how to read minds, how did he guess it right?
[flashback ends]
*
Non took Third's hand and put its palm on top of his head, causing Third to flinch for the second time. Non felt his heartbeat ticking like a time bomb and his head throbbing. Non wasn't sure if forcing works, but he wanted Third to read his thoughts. Because Third must acknowledge his feelings and do something about it.
Third almost came to an abrupt standstill after placing his palm on Non's head. He held his hand there for approximately a minute before removing it. Non felt slightly dizzy and heavy as a result of his neurons working against his will and being controlled by Third. Non stumbled slightly and Third quickly caught and stabilized him.
"You should not make me use my potential. It has a lingering effect." Third's rage had vanished and a kinder tone had taken its place.
Third didn't say anything else, and neither did Non. In a few moments, Non was sitting by the bench as he watched Third purchasing an ovaltine from the nearby vending machine. Placed it beside Non and walked away.
The bell just rang, and lunch break was over.
*
Non sat blankly at their place. It had been 2 days since Third had vanished. He didn't dare to sneak into the Gifted building or use any other means to meet Third because Non knows that disturbing him any more than that goes against his ideals. He simply wanted Third to understand how he felt about him. Rest is on Third, and if it's a complete rejection, so be it.
He thought all that till he actually sighted Third. At first, he thought he was seeing things but Third appeared in front of him, wearing the same old white uniform with the red armband hanging on the side, indicating he was the school inspector everyone feared. But he still somehow seemed different than usual. There was also a piece of paper in his hand.
"Thanks to you, me, the school inspector, who never got scolded for anything got left with a warning and an earful after you walked into our canteen hours and caused drama" He complains in a casual tone. He's not upset.
"You're the one who grabbed my hand and dragged me out. You may have chosen to ignore it. I had my sick letter in my pocket." Non attempted to argue. He was unsure why he was there, but he was also concerned about being found, so he inquired, "Did they suspect anything?”
"That's not important right now." Third sat next to Non. "You already figured I've been infected," he said in an annoyed yet concerned tone. “You shouldn't have had me read your mind because I have no control over my potential right now. Too much pressure might be harmful to both of us.”
Non did anything but listen. He no longer knew how to react around Third. He had most likely come to formally reject Non. But he hadn't expected Third to be so kind before rejecting him. After all, he did have a person inside him.
There was silence as Non chose not to speak. He didn’t regret his actions if it meant to make Third talk to him like this again.
The silence wasn't awkward but something that Non couldn't pinpoint, it wasn't suffocating but was anxious. Third made a move later on anyway. The inspector fidgeted briefly before handing the paper to Non. Third got up as Non took the paper carelessly.
"Good luck dating me." Third smirked, and Non could tell it was his most obnoxious smirk.
Third walked away, and Non read down the 107 dating rules. Some rules are ridiculous, such as Non having to work hard to get into class 1 as him. All of the regulations irritate Non to the guts, but he knew that if he looked at himself at the moment, a giant winner's smile was drawing on his face. It's been official. He had finally started dating the Third Thammarong.
*
In the present time, Non is still running for his life. He's already past five minutes by his given time. By one of their rules, he's never allowed to be late when meeting Third because he is a very punctual person and he doesn't like to wait.
On the other hand, Non has managed to get an upgrade on his class but is still not in the same class as Third. It's almost impossible accomplish. Non is not genius enough to be in the same class as Third either.
When Non reached their secret place, he was struggling to catch his breath and Third was already there, quite unimpressed.
“You're late by 7 minutes and 37 seconds.” Third glances at his watch and then sharply looks at Non, “Your results are out and you haven't scored enough to place in the 1st class as me. There have been other breaches by the rules as well.”
Third crosses his arms and steps ahead to Non’s face, Non was still trying to catch his breath, Third’s face being this close wasn't helping it much.
“What exactly should I do with you?” Is he trying to be seductive? because it's working.
but then again Third sounds a little too serious to be seductive. Non feels shivers on that. His romantic fantasies gradually subsided. (His fantasies only consist of them having lunch together and if given any chance, holding hands.)
They haven't done anything together in their more than three months of dating. Being overly preoccupied with sticking to all 107 rules is still not enough. Nobody can tell they're dating, so they don't even need to disguise it.
Non tries to pull a goofy response towards Third’s old man grumpy face, in hopes the ice would melt down. “I’m really trying my best. Don't be upset na? na?? na?? Don't you see, for you, I'm willing to do anything?”
Third doesn't react, he gets away from Non’s face and kind of steps back, keeping the judging look intact.
However, the next moment, quite surprisingly, his expression loosens. Third is usually unreadable so he asks something quite unexpected. “Aren’t you sick of me yet?” voice calmer and subdued than usual. Maybe Non was imagining it but tint of guilt is there too.
“Why don't you touch me and find it out yourself? You're healed by now right?”
“My potential is for work and not to measure your feelings for me.” Third scoffs.
Non pouts a little. “You always talk as if I'm the only one to like you.”
Non really has moments where he wants to sulk. Third has never said anything about what he feels. Non sometimes wants Third to be verbal but he's also aware it's nearly impossible.
Third sighs, one that calls Non hopeless romantic. “Idiot.”
Third asks Non to give him the rule list back to him and Non cluelessly does. And then Non flabbergasted watches Third tear it apart into pieces.
“Wait, that's the rules-”
“Don't need it.”
Non is still quite dumbfounded by what happened.
“I called you to tell you that you don't need to follow these rules anymore.”
what?
At times like this, Non hates that Third has an unreadable face because he couldn't make any sense out of it.
Is this it? Is he breaking up? Because Non hasn't been able to keep up with the rules? Because he didn't make it to Third's class?
Third’s laugh breaks into Non’s trainwreck.
“I don't need to touch you to read your mind, you know. Your face says it all.”
Third comes close to Non’s face again.
“I'm not breaking up, you idiot.”
Non almost feels like cursing. His ears immediately turn red in embarrassment and Third quite quickly notices that too and he almost breaks out of his character just to wheeze out.
“Don't laugh, this is your fault. You don't say anything.” Non is clearly sulking at this point, not just for this but everything. They've been dating for three months for god's sake.
Third lets out a slight laugh anyway. Because Non is stupid.
“I'm difficult to be with, you know.” This is the softest tone of Third Non has ever heard and it makes Non’s heart feel a thump.
“I made those rules to make sure you know that dating me isn't easy.”
Right.
Maybe deep down, Non already knew that. Non would not lie but dating Third indeed comes with a lot of work. However, some sort of invisible force or maybe some stupid cupid stuck up some heart arrows on his butts that it makes Non want to stay no matter what.
And yet, Non still expects some words.
“It is indeed not easy.” Non says, red ears going redder at this point. “I know that, even without the rules, it won't be easy. However-” Non fidgets, looks here and there. Third could laugh a little again because Non is so dramatic.
“Maybe once in a while some words of encouragement might make it easy.”
Third knows where this is going, “What do you want me to say?”
“I don't know, you tell me.”
Third knew what exactly Non wanted to hear. Third wonders if Non is even aware of the fact that he fell for Non first. Even before he was in Non’s eyesight.
*
Third recalls seeing Non for the first time, back when he was still a regular student.
Non was on his usual airhead mode, walking through the school yard drinking his ovaltine and he for sure unintentionally bumped into Third. Third was patrolling, trying to target kids so he didn’t notice Non either.
Tragically, the ovaltine in Non’s hand spilled over the ground in a quite flimsy way. Before Third could make any sense out, he heard someone crying overdramatically. Non had been already on the floor. So busy crying over his stupid milkshake that he didn't notice that Third's shoe had stained.
Third could really shout and probably make Non lick his shoe clean, but Yim appeared out of nowhere and dragged Non away from there, noticing and apologizing to Third in fear.
Of course, Third wasn't the type to let it go so he found Non’s class and that's when he noticed both Non and Yim spying over some other kid who’s weirdly obsessed over hatching chicken eggs. It didn't take long for Third to find out what had been going on.
It was sure some great deal of thai lakorn, Yim had a crush on that guy obsessed with his eggs and Non had a crush on Yim. Some annoying triangle Third couldn't care any less about. But Third evil laughed by himself when he also figured that Non intended to help Yim out with her crush. Back then, Third thought he really wouldn't mind some drama during his patrolling. He’s good at digging out dramas and gossip about the kids.
However, Third also noticed how Non looked at Yim. That was some longing in his eyes. It was somewhat weird for Third.
If Third thinks about it now, he had pitied Non at first and the pity turned into something else as he kept trying to find ways to get back at Non which never seemed to work out because Third always got stuck in those eyes of Non that was quite a wonder. He sometimes tried to detend Non but Non still didn't seem to care about Third’s existence much. All his stupid eyes could see was Yim.
It annoyed him.
And sometime later, he realized that he didn't like Yim around Non.
*
Would Non be mad if he were to say he made Yim transfer to the gifted class not just because she's gifted?
Would Non hate him if he were to say that he was the one to manipulate Yim into not contacting Non anymore?
Third really wasn't obliged to tell Non about the gifted truth. He could have just taken Yim away from that class and never glance back at Non, without explaining anything. That’s what he was actually told to do. But Third involved Non anyway, risking his life.
Because it was his only way for him to enter in Non’s life.
Non probably assumes that Third always visited him to rant or vent about his stressful gifted life but that wasn’t the truth at all. Third isn't stressed, not at all. He likes his messy twisted life, his gifted fate and all the schemes he does with his seniors. He likes his inspector armband, his role in the school, his complexity, and the wish to tarnish everyone. He likes his A grades, potential and the access and privilege that comes with it. He likes the system, power and the ability to control. He likes his life and everything that makes him feel superior.
And Third liked Non.
The only reason to visit him all those times, since the very beginning.
He did all that, like the psychopath he is and Non still wants an answer?
Fine.
“I like you, idiot.”