The Gamer and his awkward boy (English Translation)

8

Co-translator : babibubego

8. Shoes Number 45
He don’t know if it’s because tiredness or because P’Thee’s bed was so soft, Soh had slept for a long time until now. The kid sprang up and sat up, blinked repeatedly, trying to remember how can he get to the bed. Then he remember vividly that last night they drank beer together until he was drunk and sleep on the sofa which then his brain started working and he slump in bed remembering the embarrassed moment

Too bad…

Recalling his life, Soh hurriedly crawled out of bed and ran out of the room. The first thing he heard was the sound of the keyboard rattling instead of the sound of the cleaning lady. Soh wrapped his shoulder and covered his mouth with one hand. Looking at P'Thee's broad shoulders from behind,  he wondered how late he had to wake up, until P'Thee was in front of his computer.

As he knows Thee is a person who likes to stay up late and sleep in the morning or in the afternoon. Or P'Thee goes to bed at the same time as him, so he can wake up early because he is too tired painting the shop. P'Tap is tired too, if he's not tired he's Iron Man

Soh walked into the living room, seeing the beer cans and game controllers still in the same place as last night, tempting to be cleaned up. But wait a minute, P'Thee's keyboard sound is more interesting than anything this morning.

A young boy stands behind a man who is determined to play StarCraft, a pioneering strategy game from more than a decade ago. And today there are still people playing. Soh doesn’t know if the opponent is a foreigner or a Thai person. He stood staring at the five slender fingers and the left mouse clicked all the time, unable to secretly count in his heart what P’Thee’s *APM value was
*APM (Active Per Minute) is the control everything within a minute. By counting from pressing the keyboard and mouse together. The more control, the more disadvantage it is for the opponent.

And Soh gave a rough answer that is almost four hundred which is not unusual for normal gamers at all.

The game was over. Thee stretched out a second and take a ship a cup of hot coffee while watching the victory on the screen. Before he felt someone standing behind him, as if someone was staring at it. If this is a horror games that like to give *Jump Scare provocative, Thee will definitely will run away.
*Jump Scare in the movie or games is where something suddenly appeared to frighten the audience or player without  being caught.

But when he turned around, he found that there was a young boy standing looking at him likes a ghost in a movie.

“Damn!!!”

“….!!!!!”

They both startled at the same time until the coffee almost spilled out from the cup. Thee raised his hand and said with a sigh, looking to blame Soh for still having a shocked face despite the fact that he had quietly appeared.

“I’m shocked.”

“The person who should be shocked is P,” He narrowed his gaze and murmur, “Since when were you there?”

“Shortly before P’Thee invaded the base of the opponent.”

“Hey, good enough, right?” The young man laughed at the talent he had not obtained because of the draw from the Red Cross.

“Just realized that P’Thee is also a pro StarCraft.”

“Many things you don't know yet. It took me a lifetime to study my biography.”

“That's right, but since when did P'Thee wake up?” When Thee heard the question, he was silent until he forgot how dirty he used to be. Thee remained in position by raising his coffee glass and looking stupidly at the wall, which obviously didn't help at all.

“For a moment to get in shape like morning coffee caffeine.” He flirts with hand gestures. Soh nodded slowly as if understand.

You can say that I didn’t sleep last night. No way! If you ask, ‘Why P’Thee can’t sleep? Do you have much thing to think? Because of you fight with your girlfriend? Hahahahaha.’

“But why you have 2 cup? Be careful with your heart beat.” nothing compared to when you cuddled me all night.

“Only a child will be thrilled with coffee.” Soh didn’t respond. Thee turned to face Soh who was scratching her soft cheek then said, “Wash your face, I've prepared a toothbrush in the bathroom.”

“Oh thanks P. Uh, wasn't that the doll P'Thee got back then?” Soh pointed to a yellow, red-cheeked pig doll on her computer table.

Fuck! I forget to hide it!

“Since when did P put it there? It’s so cute. Am I right?” The person who was caught in the act, drank his coffee without worrying that the coffee was hot.

“Oh did I put it there? I do not remember. That is not important.”

“Umm I'll brush my teeth now.”

“Yes, go on.” The pretentious man leaned his back against the gamer’s chair. Raise his empty cup, drink up, and get embarrassed.

“Uehn, oh, een, ai?”

“What?” the sound of brushing teeth comes out. The person who could not hear clearly stood up and walked in front of bathroom leaned to the door frame, look at the kid with a toothbrush and the messy white foam filling his mouth. “Why you can’t stop brushing before you talk?”

“Ooood aew aup.”

“Let the toothpaste bubble flow down you neck.”

The cursed person repeatedly brushes his teeth quickly because he wants the answers since waking up. But when facing the mirror, P’Thee reached out to wipe the toothpaste foam from the edge of his mouth.

“Talk a lot!”

Soh spat the bubble into the sink and raise his head. Make eye contact with another person smiling nervously. Then pointing to the thumb, “If it was a virus that Soh spit out, P would be infected and become a zombie.”

“And we are zombie, huh?” He looked for the matter, held his face close before rubbing his thumb on the other person’s shirt, as if he was disgusted.

“Soh is zombie…”

“I was afraid to death. What do you wanna eat? Let’s eating out.”

“Yes..” Soh replied. So he pulled the door towards him.

Thee hear the sound of brushing teeth. He puts her hand on her forehead, checking if he's sick. Why does he feel weird? The young man sat back in his gamer chair. Leaned back and closed his eyes and tried to find the reason for himself. From last night's hug until now, he finally told herself. It's because we like the same things and like to talk about the same things, so he feels good.

Yes, this is the correct answer.

*****

“Eat a lot to grow quickly.”

“Thank you.” from an awkward day to saying thank you casually. Thee looked at Soh who had changed and took a shower. He took his younger brother down to eat at the restaurant under his condo.

“P'Thee likes to eat squid?”

“I don't like it, beautiful.”

“Yes.” He laughed at the answer from Soh who appeared with an expression.

“Actually I can eat anything, just make them delicious enough.” Soh nodded with that answer. The couple then began to arrange breakfast. In the midst of the soft melodies that make you feel relaxed.

“P’Thee says that P’Tap’s wife will be happy?”

“About the cybercafé? I’m so glad.” He said ready to think a very tough girl who's been with P'Tap for a long time. The couple quarreled a lot . “I just did what I can. So, I like it.”

“So good.” Thee saw Soh's smiling face. “Soh feels being part of the cafe too. Usually Soh don't do things like that, so when i do something useful, i feel great.” Soh hurriedly explained, afraid of a misunderstanding. Although Thee thought it was nothing to worry about. He has that right to feel good about being part of someone else's life.

“What I often do is not only for the team but also for fun.” He continues talking proudly to Soh, “But I know what I have to do. Went shopping to welcome new baby.”

“Huh? baby?” Why his eyes are so shining, “Will Soh also become uncle?”

The timid demeanor when pointing at himself is still as charming as every time. Thee laughed as he reached out to Soh. The little boy who seemed more excited about P’Tap’s child than he and Jack.

“Yes, you are.”

“I’m free. Soh will clear everything for next Saturday. Have you already though about what you want to buy? Toys, baby’s clothes? Or bottle? No, we can’t buy toys yet. Because we don’t know the gender yet.”

Good food is forgotten when it comes to P'Tap child. This topic is even more fun than gossip about top gamers. But it didn't take long before the smile on Thee's face disappeared.

Soh raised his eyebrows looking at Thee who looked doubtfully. Before turning to find out that there was a beautiful woman who was standing still looking from afar with an expression almost crying. But a few seconds later it turned into a forced smile.

“Wait here a moment.” Confused, Soh nodded. Soh saw Thee standing and walking towards the beautiful woman, they were both chatting in front of the shop, 5 minutes later, the woman was crying and P'Thee hugged her while gently stroking her head.

Is that P’Thee’s girlfriend?

They both walk hand in hand and return to table. In which Soh thought that P’Thee had successfully make up, her face was painted with a smile again. The kid looked at the two hands that were in harmony, so he thinks he should find reason to go home, so that P’Thee can be with her alone.

“This is Bella, my girlfriend. And this is Soh, the new member on Thee’s team.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“Hello. P’Thee has a beautiful girlfriend.”

“Flirting with my girlfriend in front my eyes? You are very talented.” P'Thee raised an eyebrow. Soh hurriedly shook his head, not intending to do that.

“Soh just gave compliment. Don’t get me wrong.” She laughed and only Soh was afraid that other people would misunderstand.

“I really understand that.” Bella sat opposite Soh, “If someday Thee doesn't care about me, I'll look for you.”

“I do not believe.”

Soh saw the two in turn. The atmosphere has looked better compared to last night. Soh pretended to take out his cellphone and look at the clock. This is the perfect time to return home.

“Soh have to go back to condo now.”

“Huh?Why?

“Soh forgot that I hadn’t edited the clip I played the day before. So I want to go back and finish it, because it will take several hours to render successfully.”

“How do you go home?”

“It’s okay, P’Bella. I will take bus to MRT.” He hurriedly waved his two hands.

“Let’s go together. P and Bella are going to Paragon anyway.”

“But-“

“Nong, the bill please.”

Soh gasped because he couldn’t deny it. The boy sat on his cheek and looked at plate of rice that he hadn’t eaten yet. Thinking what kind situation he is into. P’Thee not helping too, is he don’t want to be with his girlfriend alone?

In the end, Soh didn’t return to his condo, because Bella invite him to eat dessert together. It felt little uncomfortable because he still wearing the same outfit from yesterday. He is worried if he smells bed. The truth is he want to go back and change his clothes, but afraid of losing etiquette. He doesn’t want Bella to look P’Thee’s teammate in negative light. Even Soh is just new member.

In normal day Paragon is already a lot of people, in Saturday, multiply two. Soh looked at Bella, and think that she is flawless. The three of them talked with each other with great excitement regardless of the game.

P’Thee asked to go to bathroom, leaving Soh with Bella alone. Soh is not good talker, but he tried to figure out what the girls would like to talk about. He want break the awkwardness because he didn’t want her to be bored. Even though P’Thee went to bathroom for only a few minutes.

“Soh, when did you play the game?”

“Since childhood, P'Bella. Does P play games?”

“I play gardening games on my cellphone.” Bella smiled showing her cellphone screen. “But I never played with Thee's game, it was too difficult.”

“Understand. But cellphone games are also interesting. I like playing Rubik games.”

“You like Rubik? You must be a genius child.” She raised his eyebrows looking interested.

“Not really. There are still more geniuses than me.” The boy laughed and humbly refused.

“Soh is so cute, not like the others.”

“Who are other people?” P'Bella smiled. She used her spoon to eat the ice cream which almost melted as if it took her time to put together the words.

“Them.” The women paused for a moment. “Thee’s friend doesn’t like me.”

“Ah…” He doesn’t know what to say, Soh is fully understand that Bella didn’t have a good relationship with P’Thee’s friend, which normal to happen to anyone.

“Soh will not going to be like them, will you?”

“No, no. How can I hate P’Bella?” They both talked, because P’Bella is kind. She’s also P’Thee’s girlfriend, how can he didn’t like her?

“You looked scared, but you understand.” Bella smiled lightly. “Because they are so stupid at playing game, so they would take the side of Thee. It’s normal.”

“P’Bella doesn’t like when P’Thee playing game? Can I ask about it?” the young man was quite worried, but deeply wanted to help solve the problem. Although he never has any experience.

“Not really. It was not really me.” She turned to look back to see if her boyfriend back. “You know, as we grow up, things will change.”

Soh just sit listening intently, also thought about how to do the two elder to understand each other better.

“In collage days, I boasted confidently that my boyfriend is a gamer. He’s very popular and has millions of fans, but after graduate, everyone has jobs and responsibilities. So playing game has become very uncertain.”

“In the past, maybe like that. But now game’s industry has expanded very wide. Soh guarantee that for a good gamer like P’Thee he must go further, he will never have a hard time.”

“It might be true as you say. But I’m adult now.” She smiled sheepishly. “My parents were quite upset at how Thee attached to game. Soh understand how the heart of the parents, right? We are nearly 27. They want us to get married.”

“Soh understand, when it comes about parents, playing game is a difficult thing.”

“Right.” She smiled as she raises the rose scented tea and drank. “Thank you very much, Soh.”

“What’s the matter?”

“Every word today makes me feel better.” Bella held Soh’s hand, sighing in relief. This child is the light in the dark that Bella is looking for. “As i have told myself so many times I will try not to be selfish and listen to Thee instead of listening to others. Soh already cheered me up.”

“I'm very happy to be of help.” The girl laughed and for a moment turned serious and Soh felt a grip on his shoulder.

“What do you do to take on other’s girlfriend?” Soh shifted because it was squeezed by the person who just came back from the bathroom. But Thee looked to the two of them. According to P’Bella, Soh will get trouble.

“That's wrong. P'Bella just feels happy because I comfort her.” He put on a scared face. “See this, I didn’t do anything.”

“Will it think of Thee?”

“Go home. Will know if you miss it or not?”

“Call your brother, call now.”

“Oh disappeared. Go to the bathroom for a moment. Have you  moved the team?” he made eye contact with Nong De was smiling as he was pleased with what he said. Thee turned to his girlfriend, she looks brighter. Until he is wondering what they were talking about while he was away? Why is Bella so emotional?

*****

Team practice begins on Tuesday. That night, both Soh and Thee live on different sides before the elder ends up saying, ‘Soh will join the team in the upcoming tournament.’ Which is a trend that encourages the fans to scream until they take the topic in Web Thousand Drift Have Fun analyzing how far the team will go after new member join?

Saturday comes again, but this time, Soh ask for an appointment at half way instead of letting P’Thee take a taxi from Laksi to BTS Chatuchak. He claims that his condo is close to MRT, so it can be easily reached to Central Ladpao without having to sit several further, and other party would agree because don’t want to argue.

“Realizing this one was gone for nearly a thousand awkward younger brother as handsome as money solves the problem?” Thee look of the phone itself, before turning look at the red faced of the person who hugged the storybook to his chest. “What?”

“Soh really excited. I want to read a story to the youngest…”

“Quickly find information on how many months the child is left to understand this matter.”

“I've been looking. My friend who studied physical therapy said, Soh can read fairy tales. But he may not yet understand. Because he will always sleep. But my friends say Soh can still do that.”

“It's both funny and confusing, how will the child hear that?”

“In a moment the child will hear it. Soh didn't mind waiting for a few years.” Nong De is still trying to read stories to the P'Tap kid and it keeps him laughing.

“Nitan Tuk Wan Tao Of Aso Ta Nook at Tuddei”

“Yes, Aso's story is also fun. Aso will come and read you a fun story every Saturday.” Nong De must be in a good mood. So Soh talked about the story instead of paying attention to Thee imitating his voice earlier.

“I’m confused. Why you so excited?”

“Soh is only child. When there is a story, the child is always in it.” Hearing the answer Thee laughed at the difference between them.

“The only child wants to have siblings. And P’ wants to be only child.” his eyes look sad remembering her brother. “When I was little I often fought with my brother, Four. To the point of thinking of dying, but that's just a child's mind.”

Soh looked at P'Thee, he chose silence and listened to P'Thee instead of conveying his thoughts.

“People tend to yearn for things that they don't have.” Which when looking closely, to having a brother like Four is a good thing. Until the day when the announcement of college admission with an average GPA didn't make his parent smile, but he felt good about it.

“Did P’Thee miss home?”

“Huh? Oh…” when it was this matter, P’Thee stopped. It is rare for the other people to lick their lips to hide their nervousness. And now P’Thee doing it. “Yes I did, but I don’t have to go home. I will ask Bella secretly about how my family doing.”

Bella was one of those people who didn’t really agree about Thee’s decision to move out from house. Because everyone just sees their own right more than what they want to do. Thee could not stand at home where he is not free to express his opinion, even though he understood about it, but his patience was small.

“Soh will invite P'Thee to buy gifts for P'Thee's family. Maybe you shouldn't go there, but you can send your heart.”

“A Rolex watch worth several million looks good. See? It's my money anyway. He won't be happy with the little thing that I bought him.” When P'Thee was hurt, he turned into a 5 year old child again. P'Thee took Soh before walking together. “What should I buy?”

“It's up to P'Thee.”

“Can you help me. I will follow wherever you tell me.” Soh didn't answer, he also took a bag to help carry it. Thee felt like a fragile princess just because he shared her burden so it didn't feel too heavy.

Finally, both of the arrived at the adult shoes zone. The tall man looked at Nong De, who was leaning over the left and right, it looked like it was fun to enter this zone. “Do you remember what size your family use?”

“I remember about father’s size, as for mother I have to ask Four to help me take a look at it.” P’Thee awkwardly looking his phone.

“Call your younger brother.”

“I don’t want to. It would seem embarrassing.”

“If that feels embarrassing, ask his shoe size too. Stubborn.” Thee disagreed, but didn't deny that it was quite interesting method. He hasn't come home in a long time if talking on LINE with Four, he only reads it and rarely responds. If in the mood, he will send a sticker.

Thee parted ways and looked for a quieter place to call. Because he doesn't want to feel humiliated by this boy if Four chooses to hang up.

That ringing tone while waiting for other line to pick up is so much pressure.

(What?)

Just hearing a word from someone in the old picture when he was young and grown up, it was shot into a scene. Swearing to death that Thee never had never been so nervous even during sex with women for the first time.

“What size shoes do you wear?”

(45, why you ask?)

“I’ll buy for you. It’s not too big for your feet? Just tell me the truth, what size do you wear?”

They both had a time when they were being enemies. But the relationship change gradually as they began to grow. He and Four had been close at one point which is before Thee decided to move out from house. The boy had been looking for the reason, and Thee felt quiet guilty because he didn’t tell Four.

But Thee thinks that they still love each other. With the ties of the brothers cut, there is no way to be broken.

(Bastard, bastard, bastard, bastard, damn fuck your father dead!)

“Oh Shit! Your father is my father too. Isn’t it awesome?”

My emotions are completely gone! Wild goose!

“Do you call him? Did he accept your call?” when he comes back to Nong De, he was asked curiously. I wanted to scold him to ask me to call my brother until I was cursed by the dog! Shia, Four, you with your dog’s mouth. Who wants to know?! “Soh secretly assumed that P’Thee probably got the height from your father. I picked up various sizes, because I don’t know if P’Thee’s father was taller or smaller. Anyway let’s choose and see. But I recommended that it is wearing better thank clip type.”

The young man looked at the shoes neatly arranged on the floor before raising his head and making eye contact with the younger person, he didn’t understand what Soh was thinking.

“Why shoes? Did I tell you that my parents have money? They probably prefer expensive items a few thousand baht per pair of shoes.”

“Yes, but good things don’t always have to be expensive.” Nong De smiled as he measure the length of P’Thee’s feet by hand. Before walking to take a pair of shoes and put it in front of him, it’s totally not his style. “P’Thee put your feet up.”

He followed as he looked at each other’s reaction. Nong De propped up his feet slightly to disgust his suede shoes and put on a new pair of sandals.

“P’Thee gets up and tries to walk a little.”

“What?”

“Walk, walk.” Said Soh with clear eyes, throwing his hand toward the glistening ground. What’s make you so excited? Thee shook his head as he stood up, put his left hand into pocket and walked like model. Until make Soh laughed.

“Handsome, right?”

“Yes, how’s the shoe? Comfortable to wear?” after hearing the question, he bowed his head and find that these old fashioned shoes are soft and comfortable so he nodded in response. “If you are comfortable, that P’Thee’s father has to wear comfortably.”

“…”

“It’s a healthy shoe. P’Thee’s father has money to buy expensive things. But P’Thee has money to buy his father’s health.”

Who are you? Why you always make me feels good? Even though it is so common that it is unthinkable, because all the time Thee always thinking that he was going to buy something for his parents, it must be something expensive, partly because he wants to cover the knots in his heart. Children want their parents know that this profession is not as bad as they think.

Thee want his parents to see that he can support himself comfortably and will never starve himself playing game. But he probably stuck too much with that. Therefore ignoring the little things that should be taken care if the most.

“Soh.”

“Yes?” the owner of the name looked at the senior who sat down and chose the shoes that were place on the floor, before picking up the forty-five, let him know that it is his father’s size.

“Thank you.”

“Disembodied Achievement another one then.” He smile awkwardly and made Nike hand under his chin, which make Thee could see in the blink of an eye that this kid would have recognized him.

Thee let the other person understand that ‘thank you’ come from helping to choose shoes for dad rather than explain it. It was because the boy helped him to change the very little perspective it had been deeply rooted in his. Thee looked at the young boy who kept on saying if he walked little further, he would find the women shoe zone. There were so many healthy shoes to choose from there that he probably was dizzy because he definitely not right.

Thee hope his parent will like these shoes just as he begins to like them after trying them on.