While together at Night Park.

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The night wind in Night Park blew softly, making the pine needles rustle softly. On a long bench near the pond, four people sat in a circle.

Teetee’s Sartre opened bottles of drinks one by one. “Drink first. Otherwise, you’ll all be sleepy.”

Chyson’s Phuwin patted Teetee’s shoulder. “Not sleepy, hungry. Luckily I brought bread and chips.”

Vansent’s Mabelz took a pack of chips. “Hey, this is mine. Don’t fight over it.”

Thomas’s Sartre just smiled a little while looking at them. “If you fight over it, it’ll be fun. So it’s not so awkward.”

Teetee pointed at Thomas. “You, when we meet like this, you talk a little, but once you open your mouth it makes you annoyed.”

Thomas laughed softly. “Just listening to me is enough. You guys are already making a fuss.”

Phuwin stretched his arms to the sky. “I didn’t realize it. When I first came here, no one wanted to talk first. Now they don’t even want to go home.”

Mabelz chimed in while chewing. “Yeah, I used to think, ‘Why would we meet in the park at night? It’s like a scene from a horror movie.’ Eh, it turned out I got addicted.”

Teetee sighed while patting the empty plastic bag. “The important thing is don’t get addicted to making me bring snacks all the time. You guys take turns tomorrow.”

Phuwin immediately protested. “Hey, if I buy it, it’ll be cup noodles and coffee sachets. Want some?”

Thomas laughed briefly. “Not bad. Eating noodles in the park in the middle of the night, the concept is very boarding school kids.”

They all laughed together.

The conversation shifted to light stories. About who fell asleep most often in class, who liked to pretend to be busy when they were actually lying down, to small stories about exes that were unimportant but still caused a scene.

Mabelz pointed at Phuwin. “Hey, you’re the one who was said to have a crush on the guy next door? I think I’ve seen him before. How is he/she?”

Phuwin glared at Mabelz. “Ugh, why are you bringing it up? I'm embarrassed to know.”

Teetee laughed loudly while patting Phuwin’s back. “Relax, relax. There are no secrets in Night Park. Everything will eventually be revealed.”

Thomas nodded. “That’s why you shouldn’t lie too often. You’ll get karma here.”

Phuwin pretended to pout, then laughed again.

The clock kept ticking. The park lights grew dimmer. But their laughter still filled the corner of the park. They teased each other, told each other stories, then suddenly became quiet—just sitting there looking at the park lights that flickered faintly.

Teetee broke the silence. “Shall we meet again tomorrow?”

Mabelz answered quickly. “Of course. But somewhere else, not Night Park all the time.”

Thomas smiled. “It’s okay to stay at Night Park. Besides, if we change places, you’ll get lost again.”

Phuwin immediately raised his hand. “Okay, next week Night Park again. I’ll bring lots of snacks, but don’t tease me.”

Teetee nodded in agreement. “Okay, promise. Nothing can be missing.”

And that night, their little promise was sealed. Under the pine tree, on the cold park bench, in Night Park which witnessed how friendship is sometimes tied by small talk and laughter that never gets stale.

00.43 A.M

The park lights went out one by one, signaling the unofficial closing time for those who were still sitting around for a long time. Teetee’s Sartre tidied up the trashed chip wrappers into plastic bags.

“Hey, don’t leave anything behind. It wouldn’t be funny if ‘Night Park is dirty because of us’ went viral tomorrow,” Teetee said while making sure the bench was clean.

Vansent’s Mabelz laughed. “Relax, Phuwin’s heart is the only one that’s dirty. It’s full of flowers.”

Chyson’s Phuwin snickered, pretending to be annoyed. “I was just chatting, you know. It’s so complicated.”

Thomas’s Sartre just let out a short sigh. “Okay, let it be. He’ll bring his people here anyway, and we’ll interview him together.”

Phuwin pointed at Thomas as he walked slowly to the gate. “You guys are too much, I swear. I just smiled a little.”

The four of them walked side by side along the sidewalk that was wet with dew. Along the way, the sound of crickets and the dim yellow streetlights became the background for the incessant trivial chatter. “Eh? Phuwin asked me to bring lots of snacks next week.” Teetee said to make sure.

Mabelz answered while tapping the water bottle in his hand. “That’s right. But don’t tell me to bring a mini stove, it’s heavy. Let’s just make it in a thermos.”

Thomas chimed in, “Soup noodles in a thermos? That’s funny. Later, four people will eat noodles, and we’ll fight over the soup.”

Phuwin suddenly blurted out, “If the soup runs out, we’ll make more. Simple.”

Teetee snorted. “They say it’s simple, but where can we find hot water? Want to ask at the security post?”

They laughed softly, the sound of laughter mixed with the roar of motorbikes passing by every now and then.

A few meters before parting, their steps slowed. Usually, at this point, the conversation suddenly quieted down for a moment—as if they were reluctant to go home early.

Mabelz patted Phuwin’s shoulder softly. “Okay, it’s okay to smile again tomorrow. As long as you show up when called. Deal?”

Phuwin chuckled. “Yes, boss. Night Park is still number one, making you smile is just a bonus.”

Thomas chuckled softly. “Good. If not, Mabelz will pick you up by force.”

Teetee waved her hand. “Okay, let’s go home. Don’t forget to tell us in the chat when you’ve reached your respective rooms. So you can relax.”

They walked in a row of 4 and there was only one woman, Vansent's Mabelz. They threw one last joke at each other, then walked towards their respective car doors. On the quiet sidewalk, now we parted with Night Park, but small laughter still echoed in each of our heads—a simple promise that next week, their story at Night Park would continue to repeat itself.

After some time we arrived home.

End.