The Wind Had Changed

Alone in the library, Charles had fallen asleep with a book on forensic science open on his lap. A gentle tap on his shoulder stirred him awake.

As Charles opened his eyes, he was shocked.

Not because he was startled or frightened, but because the person waking him up was the very face that refused to leave his mind—no matter what he was doing. Bathing, eating, walking—even while studying, that face distracted him.

His name was Mourice Lahm.

"It's 8 PM. The library's about to close. If you still need to read more, I can help you borrow it," Mourice smirked.

"Oh, yeah… sure." Charles yawned as Mourice turned back toward the receptionist's desk.

Since when has he been working here? Charles wondered as he packed his belongings into his rucksack.

He walked carefully to the front desk, where Mourice was wrapping up for the night, preparing to close the library.

Charles placed the forensic science book on the table so Mourice could process the loan.

"Is this all?" Mourice raised an eyebrow, smirking faintly—just enough to make Charles want to bite something in frustration. Not only was Mourice athletic and muscular, but he also excelled at everything he did. He was everyone's ideal type, and no one could blame them for thinking so.

"Yeah," Charles replied curtly, trying his hardest not to look obviously flustered when Mourice glanced at him.

After entering the book's data into the system, Mourice smirked. "Apparently, they were right. You basically live in the library."

That statement shocked Charles. Why is he talking like that? Did he… notice me?

"Yeah..." Charles smirked back, trying to play it cool.

"Unhygienic roommates are tough, aren't they?" Mourice added, another strangely specific comment.

Charles looked up, his surprise obvious. Mourice smirked again, winked at him, then turned around and walked off to finish cleaning up the library.

"What was that?" Charles muttered to himself as he walked out, unable to stop smiling. Does this mean my crush actually notices me?

Did he just give me a hint that… he's interested too?

But on the next day when he saw Mourice sits together with his girlfriend in the classroom, kissing and teasing, doubts creeps in back. 

Nah, of course not, Charles thought to himself. He probably just being him, a mysterious genius with unexpected and full of surprise. and me?

Beside Charles, Jacques yawns, he just woke up from sleep again, after the whole night sneaking out somewhere, wherever it was. 

I'm stuck with this giant germs. 

Maybe it's all that I deserve, I need to keep myself in check and avoid to put my hope up high.

But wait. Why would Mourice even knows every details about him including Jacques unhygiene habits if he doesnt care? Maybe he was hinting to Charles that he also interested after all! 

Hold on, Charles! Maybe he was just hearing rumors, or secretly close to Jacques.

When Charles look at Mourice direction again, he was shocked to realized that Mourice is looking at him when his girlfriend is writing and focus on the lesson. and not only that, Mourice winks and smirk before he also returning his attention to the lector.

What the actual f---?

***

Charles's heart jumped with excitement when he spotted Mourice at the library's front desk, organizing a stack of returned books. He was busy rearranging them in order, completely unaware of Charles standing a few steps away, gathering his nerve.

This is stupid!

No, it's just a conversation!

Charles took a deep breath and dropped the book onto the front desk, right in front of Mourice.

Mourice glanced up and smirked. "Hey, what's up?"

Charles shifted his weight slightly. "Uhm… I'm returning the book."

"I can see that. Hold on a sec." Mourice took the book and typed something into the computer to update the system, marking the book as returned.

He looked back at Charles and raised an eyebrow. "Anything else?"

Do it! Just fucking do it! Charles pushed himself, but self-doubt crept in like a shadow. His face tensed for a moment before he shook his head. Never mind. This is stupid.

"Thanks." That was all he managed to say before turning on his heel and leaving the library. He ran straight back to the dorm.

Yeah, why would he be interested in me? Charles scowled at himself. I'm just a boring nerd with zero friends, and he's literally a celebrity in the academy. Everybody loves him. Boys want to be like him, girls want a piece of him. Why would he waste his time with someone like me?

When Charles returned to the dorm, he found Jacques still at his desk, designing something. How useless. If he liked design so much, he should have gone to design school instead of the police academy. What's he even doing here? Wasting his time?

"Hey, you're back," Jacques said, looking up from his work with a smile.

But Charles barely acknowledged it. I wish it was Mourice smiling at me right now. 

He had to remind himself of that. I'm not worthy.

Without a word, he threw himself onto the bunk.

Jacques turned his chair around, resting his ankle on his knee. "You look wasted."

"I'm just tired. The exam is in a few days."

"You study a lot, I know." Jacques smirked. "But once our spaceship is finished, you won't have to worry about exams anymore. We'll be out there, cruising through space—romance, adventure, and freedom!"

Charles exhaled sharply. That's a fancy way of saying 'homeless.'

Does he seriously think I want to join him in that childish, unrealistic life? What does he think this is—an anime? What an idiot.

He rolled his eyes.

Jacques noticed and sighed. "Okay, you're clearly in a bad mood." He stood up. "Get dressed. I'm taking you somewhere."

Charles barely glanced at him. "Where?" His voice lacked any enthusiasm.

"Somewhere fun. It's Saturday—everyone's out enjoying themselves. The weekend festival is at the end of the street. We can make some good memories, have fun, and let go of all this stress." Jacques pulled on his jacket and grabbed his long pants.

Charles sighed. "Jacques, I don't think it's a good idea. I'm just tired. I need rest." He turned onto his side, showing his back to Jacques.

But Jacques wouldn't take no for an answer. Without warning, he grabbed Charles's feet and yanked him out of bed.

"Let me go, you fool!" Charles swung his arms, trying to hit Jacques, but Jacques dodged effortlessly.

"You're burned out, and it's my job to chill you down. Now come on!"

***

The weekend festival was bursting with life. The streets were lined with vibrant attractions, each corner filled with something new to see. Street performers entertained the crowd—musicians strummed lively tunes, dancers moved with effortless grace, and acrobats flipped through the air, drawing cheers from onlookers.

Stalls offered a variety of street foods, some from distant planets, their exotic aromas mixing in the air, tempting passersby to indulge in flavors they'd never experienced before. Everywhere, laughter and chatter blended into a constant hum of excitement.

Everyone was having a blast.

Except for Charles.

He is completely out of sync with it. He trailed slightly behind Jacques, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable. People brushed past him, moving with excitement, Charles completely out of place.

Jacques, on the other hand, embraces everything with excited eyes. Fully immersed in the moment. He greeted vendors, watched performances with childlike wonder, and even clapped along with the music, trying to engage Charles to vibes with him and the current air.

But Charles sighed. This is so stupid, what am I even doing here?

He couldn't shake off the regret of not asking Mourice out. Maybe Mourice would have said no, or maybe—just maybe—he would have said yes. There had at least been a chance. But now? Now it was a guaranteed rejection.

Charles sat alone by the river, watching the fireworks explode into colorful lights above, illuminating the night sky. The crowd cheered in excitement, their laughter and joy filling the air. Yet here he was—sitting in silence, feeling nothing but frustration and disappointment. And to make things worse, he was stuck with an idiot named Jacques.

With a bright, innocent smile, Jacques approached, stepping lightly over the grass, carrying two cups of durian juice in his hands. He handed one to Charles, keeping the other for himself.

"Have a taste, this is great," Jacques said enthusiastically.

Charles took a cautious sniff and immediately recoiled in disgust. "Ugh, what is this? It stinks..."

"It's durian—an original fruit from Earth. It's hard to grow on other planets. But once you try it, you'll get addicted," Jacques explained before taking a big gulp.

Charles watched in horror. "If you like it so much, here, have mine," he muttered, placing the untouched cup beside him.

He was clearly disengaged, lost in his own thoughts instead of living in the moment. Jacques, however, misread the situation, assuming it was just exam stress weighing on Charles. After all, ever since Charles's father passed away, he'd been studying like crazy, almost obsessively.

Jacques sighed. "Okay, I tried to cheer you up, but it seems like nothing works," he said, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"Then maybe it's a sign for you to stop taking my 'no' as a 'yes.' You'll regret it later," Charles grumbled.

"I mean, I'm your boyfriend. I thought it was my job to make you feel better when you're not," Jacques shrugged. 

Charles didn't respond at all. 

Jacques sighed, crossing his arms. "This was such a bad idea after all. And I think you're right. Maybe it's a sign for us to separate," he said, though the words felt like a knife to his own heart. 

Charles exhaled. "I'm just tired. It feels like... I'm not meant for the things I really want." 

Jacques tilted his head. "What do you really want?" 

"Anything," Charles muttered. "It just seems like I always have to settle for less than I deserve. I think I'm just afraid to take a chance." His voice held a genuine sadness, as if he had already accepted defeat. 

Jacques clenched his jaw, struggling to understand what Charles was really talking about. "I don't know what makes you think that way about yourself, but... I think if you want something, then you're meant for it." 

Charles scoffed and let out a dry laugh. "Don't be ridiculous." 

"I'm not. I mean it," Jacques insisted. "That's how life works, right? If you pay attention to those big achievers in the past—the ones who changed the world—it always started with a dream. Realistic dreams turn into visions, visions turn into ambitions—" 

Charles cut him off. "And that's how people get labeled as 'delusional'—when they want something so bad, they actually think they deserve it." 

"'Delusional' is just what they call a visionary who hasn't succeeded yet," Jacques shot back. "You know that saying—'love will find a way'? If you love your dream, you'll do anything to reach it. And who knows? Maybe your dream is waiting for you to show up, too." 

For some reason, Jacques' words made Charles smile. Because for the first time, he felt encouraged—encouraged enough to step forward and ask Mourice that one important question.

Finally Charles smiles, and Jacques feeling relieved to think that maybe their relationship can be saved. All they need is vulnerability.

When they arrived back at the dorm, as Jacques climb on his top bunk, Charles calls him. 

"Jacques?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

Jacques nods proudly, "no problem."