Kin stretched, rubbing his eyes as the afternoon sunlight spilled into the room, bathing it in a warm glow. The phone screen flickered to life, the light piercing the relative darkness as he picked it up. His fingers danced across the screen, navigating through the messages he'd missed during his sleep. He opened Jirat's message first, raising his eyebrows slightly at the information. There was a sense of surprise that Jirat hadn't called him to inform him about his trip, but then again, Jirat was often like that, preferring messages to calls, an introvert in his own right.
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His attention then shifted to Korn's message about the architectural project trip that was scheduled for the day after tomorrow. A sigh escaped his lips.
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"The day after tomorrow? That's quicker than I thought," he murmured, but he quickly dismissed the surprise. "The faster, the better," he reasoned, seeing it as another task to be cleared from his to-do list.
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Then, a new picture on his Instagram feed caught his eye. It was Loft, the famously talented and attractive guitarist of the campus. In the photo, Loft's strikingly handsome face was a contrast to the adorable, innocent-looking cat in his arms. Kin chuckled, shaking his head at the incongruity of the image.
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"The fierce Loft has a soft side too," he murmured.
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His mind then shifted to Than - their time together, Than's surprising connections. The thought of Than knowing someone as famous as Bright was unexpected, but then again, Than was not an ordinary person.
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Feeling a sudden surge of energy, he took off his shirt, revealing his sculpted physique, and got down to do a quick set of push-ups. His muscles flexed and contracted with each movement, the veins running down his arms pulsating with life. His breathing was steady, and he could feel the burn in his muscles. He loved this feeling - it cleared his mind, kept him focused.
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After a few moments, he pushed himself off the floor for the hundredth time, standing upright and stretching his sore muscles.
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"Better," he thought, feeling a sense of accomplishment. His mind was now free from the previous thoughts, focused only on the physical exertion he just experienced.
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………………………………………..
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It was a typical day in Bangkok - sweltering heat, a constant hum of traffic, and towering buildings stretching towards the sky. Kin had chosen his attire to combat the merciless heat - a stylish sleeveless vest that allowed his skin to breathe, and short shorts that kept him cool. His muscular pecs and biceps bulged under the snug fit of the vest, hinting at the power concealed beneath. He had slung a camera bag across his body, the strap cutting a diagonal line across his chest.
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Stepping out of the underground MRT station, Kin walked towards the meeting point located in the older part of town. The old buildings here stood in stark contrast to the modern architecture found elsewhere in the city. Upon arriving, he found Korn, the leader of the project, waiting for him. 197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iF3W1bAKj
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"Thanks for joining us, P'Kin," Korn greeted him, formal but friendly. Two other figures stood there - a skinny, nerdy-looking guy, and a familiar face, Loft.
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"Hi, P'Kin, nice to see you again," Loft greeted, his trademark charming grin on display. Kin returned the greeting,
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"Loft, I didn't realize you were part of this project with Korn.”
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"Yep, I am," Loft confirmed, then introduced the nerdy-looking guy next to him. "This is Big." Big politely greeted Kin, his voice quiet yet friendly. Kin returned the greeting, raised his hand in a friendly wave to Big, his bicep swelling with the movement. Loft noticed this and quipped,
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"Your bicep is almost as big as Big's head, P'Kin, and your pecs muscle, it looks like they're about to explode." He added teasingly, "Looks as hard as if it were sculpted out of stone.”
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Kin blushed slightly at the compliment, laughing it off, "Well, I'm just an ordinary guy made of flesh, not stone." He looked up at the bright sun,
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"It's really hot today, isn't it?”
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"Yes, it really is." Korn nodded in agreement. He then steered the conversation back to their project, "Speaking of stone, the next place we're going to survey is made of marble. But first, let's inspect this building." Handing off the responsibility to Big, the day's work officially began.
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The midday sun beat down on them as Big started his presentation, gesturing towards the structure before them.
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"This," he began, pointing towards the edifice with a steady hand, "is the Museum Siam building. It used to be the former department of Commerce, and was transformed into a museum…”
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As he explained, the building appeared to Kin as a beautiful blend of the past and the present, a fusion of old and new, traditional and modern. The group moved around, exploring different facets of the museum. Kin paid close attention, occasionally jotting down notes on his clipboard.
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Their eyes met suddenly. Loft, standing a little apart from the group, was watching Kin. He winked at him playfully. Kin was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected gesture but quickly regained his composure, choosing to smile subtly before returning his attention to Big's explanations.
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As they continued their tour, taking photographs of the surroundings and the finer details of the building's architecture, Kin occasionally found himself behind the viewfinder of his own camera. His grip was firm, his gaze focused and his stance that of a seasoned photographer. Loft, noticing this, couldn't resist teasing him,
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"You pose like a professional photographer, P’Kin."
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"I'm just someone who loves photographing, Loft," Kin retorted, his voice a playful mix of amusement and annoyance. His response only seemed to amuse Loft even more.
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Their next stop was the Marble Temple, an architectural marvel built during the reign of Rama V. It was Loft's turn to lead the presentation. He spoke about the architectural style of the temple, pointed out its symmetrical structure, and mentioned the exquisite Italian marble used in its construction.
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As Loft leaned closer to Kin to point out the intricacies of the roof decoration, Kin could feel Loft's warmth radiating towards him. It was an unusual sensation, but Kin didn't step back. Loft was explaining how the intricate decorations weren't just for aesthetics but also held symbolic meaning. Kin marveled at this revelation, looking at the temple with newfound appreciation.
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"There's a lot of interesting information about Thai architecture,"
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Kin admitted, fascinated by the layers of history etched into the buildings they were studying.
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"Sure, there is," Loft affirmed, his eyes meeting Kin's once more, and the rest of the group also chimed in with their affirmation.
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As the sun made its way across the sky, the group continued their architectural journey, shifting from traditional Thai structures to more contemporary architectural marvels. Their next stop was none other than the Hua Lamphong Train Station.
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Korn led the tour this time, guiding the group through the hustle and bustle of the station. The high, arched ceilings and robust steel beams gave the station a sense of grandeur and industrial elegance. "
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This station," Korn began, pointing upwards to the sprawling steel canopy overhead, "is a brilliant example of neoclassical architecture, a perfect blend of East and West."
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Kin, Loft, and Big followed Korn's gaze, their eyes tracing the elaborate arches that spanned the length and breadth of the station. The ambient noise of the busy station served as a backdrop to Korn's explanation.
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"But what's interesting about this place," Korn continued, his voice filled with excitement, "is that its design was influenced by a famous architect, Mario Tamagno.” Korn then dropped a piece of trivia that made their eyes widen in surprise.
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“And… did you know that Tamagno also had a hand in the design of another famous train station? The Gare d'Orsay in Paris," he revealed.
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As Korn continued his lecture, Kin stood slightly apart, absorbed in taking notes. The sweltering Bangkok heat was relentless, seeping through his vest and drenching his torso with sweat. The humidity made his vest cling to his muscular frame, highlighting his impressive pectorals and the taper of his waist. His focus on Korn's lecture was unwavering, so much so that he seemed almost oblivious to the heat and his own discomfort.
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Loft, however, couldn't ignore the sight of Kin. There was something inherently captivating about the older man, standing there, muscles glistening with sweat, utterly absorbed in his work. Concerned, Loft hastily went to a nearby stall to buy a cold drink for Kin. He returned quickly, holding the tall glass of icy beverage, condensation forming on the outside, mirroring Kin's own state.
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As he approached Kin, he saw that the older man's hands were full with his documents and pen, his eyes still fixed on the scene Korn was painting with his words. Loft decided to help, leaning in and carefully guiding the straw to Kin's lips.
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"Stay hydrated, P'Kin. You're sweating a lot," Loft whispered gently, nodding towards Kin's soaked vest.
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Caught off guard, Kin glanced at Loft, taking the straw between his lips unconsciously. His eyes widened slightly as he registered Loft's close proximity and the unexpected act of kindness. But Loft held the glass steady, his eyes never leaving Kin's face, watching the older man drink.
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Korn, catching the interaction out of the corner of his eye, faltered in his presentation for a moment but quickly recovered, carrying on with his lecture, though he was visibly amused.
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Realizing their somewhat intimate position, and aware of the eyes of the group on them, Kin blushed slightly, but kept his gaze steady on Loft. His voice carried a hint of teasing as he finally spoke.
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"Afraid I'm going to keel over from the heat before the project finishes, Loft?"
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Loft chuckled, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Just looking out for you, P'Kin. It's a long day ahead," he replied, his voice a low, playful rumble. His gaze, however, lingered on Kin, an unspoken admiration evident in his eyes.
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The last leg of their architectural tour took them to the heart of downtown Bangkok, where skyscrapers reached for the skies, seemingly touching the cotton candy clouds. The cityscape here was an impressive showcase of architectural innovation, where modernist structures stood side by side with postmodern marvels.
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As the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange, Korn stood in front of the gleaming Mahanakhon Building, his finger tracing the pixelated-like design etched into its facade.
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"The Mahanakhon Building," he said, his voice filled with awe, "is a testament to how architecture can redefine a city's skyline. This is Thailand's tallest skyscraper, designed by the German architect Ole Scheeren. Its 'pixelated' appearance represents the rapid growth of Bangkok, a city always in motion."
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As twilight descended upon the city, the group made their way to a quiet café nestled between two high-rise buildings. The café was an oasis of calm amidst the bustling city, its soft lighting and cozy interiors providing a perfect setting for their discussion.
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Loft took the lead, his eyes shining with determination and his voice carrying a passionate undertone as he delved into their project's concept. 197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5vFdIBDVP
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“We are aiming to create a structure that will embrace Bangkok's architectural heritage while still addressing the needs of a modern city,” he explained, tracing his fingers along the design sketches.
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Kin attentively listened to Loft's presentation, his eyes scanning over his notes, occasionally jotting down a comment or two. Loft spoke about incorporating elements from both traditional and modern Thai architecture into their design, their collective idea transforming into a tangible plan right before their eyes. His charisma was palpable, his eloquent articulation of the project's vision capturing everyone's attention. However, as the presentation drew to a close, it was Kin's turn to contribute his insights.
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"It's been quite a long day, P'Kin," Korn acknowledged, gratitude evident in his tone. "We would greatly appreciate your external perspective on our project."
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Kin nodded, "Of course, I'm more than happy to provide my comments. It has indeed been a long day, but I've learned a lot, and I'm glad to be part of this process.” As he delved into his commentary, the group members leaned in, captivated by his words.
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Without further ado, Kin started discussing his impressions and suggestions. The team listened attentively, their gazes fixed on Kin. Big, hunched over his notepad, was scribbling furiously, trying to keep up with Kin's thoughts. Korn nodded at every point, sometimes interjecting with a question or two.
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Loft, sitting closest to Kin, found himself staring at Kin's animated face. Seeing him so engrossed, so serious, his eyes brimming with intensity and passion was... captivating. A strange admiration for the man beside him welled up in Loft's chest. For a moment, he allowed himself to just watch Kin, his mind momentarily deviating from architecture to the man beside him who was so passionately sharing his thoughts.
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The hum of the café, the sketches on the table, the dimming light of the evening – it all faded into the background as Loft lost himself in the moment, admiring the man he was beginning to see in a new light.
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