[นิยายแปล ภาษาอังกฤษ] A Tale Of Thousand Stars (นิทานพันดาว by Bacteria)

ลำดับตอนที่ #3 : Chapter 12 (The Last Half)

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DEAR ALL,

THIS IS MY TRUE LAST CHAPTER I WILL TRANSLATE FOR THIS NOVEL. I ONLY GOT PERMISSION FROM THE AUTHOR, "BACTERIA", TO DO THIS. SO PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST ME ANY MORE TRANSLATION FOR THIS NOVEL.

IT'S MY FULL RIGHT AS THE OWNER OF THIS TRANSLATION. NOBODY IS ALLOWED TO USE MY COPY TO DO ANY OTHER TRANSLATION INTO ANY OTHER LANGUAGES. IF YOU WANT TO DO SO, PLEASE CONTACT THE AUTHOR AND USE HER 'THAI VERSION' TO DO THAT.

I'M NOT EARNING ANY BENEFIT FROM THIS TRANSLATION AND I'M NOT THE OFFICIAL TRANSLATOR, SO PLEASE WAIT FOR AND SUPPORT THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH VERSION OF THIS NOVEL (I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT, PLEASE DO NOT ASK FOR ANY UPDATE).

IN CASE YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE, PLEASE DO SUPPORT THE SERIES, WHICH IS COMING REALLY SOON.

ONCE AGAIN, THANKS TO "BACTERIA" FOR GIVING ME PERMISSION TO DO THIS. AND THANKS TO ALL OF MY FOLLOWERS.

JAYBL

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Long Tae, the son of Biang Lare, always came back to visit the village during the new year week the same as this year. He came to visit Tien as soon as he arrived. Calling for Tien but nobody answer so he walked to the all-purpose ground area of the village, which most people used it as a hanging out space with friends.

Long Tae searched for Tien all over but couldn't see him anywhere. He asked some people in the village and got some clues they met Tien walking to the northern part of the village since this morning.

Going north? Waterfall?

Long Tae was still in a city boy dress, a t-shirt, and blue jeans, going directly to the direction people pointed to. If he couldn't find Tien this time, he'll wait for Tien at home, he planned. He was actually kind of stunned a little when he knew from dad Tien was leaving after a new year week. Although Tien tended to get himself into some troubles, he was one of the most honest and straightforward guys he had ever met. 

The more Long Tae approached the waterfall, the louder and clear the voice of water steaming he heard. He looked around and found Tien hugging his both knees, sitting quietly, and throwing some rocks into the water. He approached and greeted. 

"Do you feel better, P'Tien? You came quite far from your place."

Tien looked up and saw Long Tae. He looked exhausted from not getting enough sleep.

"Long holiday?"

"Yes."

Long Tae sat next to Tien.

"You look upset. Do not want to go back to Bangkok, do you?"

"At first, but now I cannot wait to leave."

"Sounds like you are very mad at somebody."

Long Tae teased Tien, but after he saw Tien'ts face, he stopped. He didn't know whether he should comfort him or how to react.

"You can talk to me if you want."

Tien tapped on Long Tae's shoulder a few times.

"Don't worry. I just felt like I'm not being myself lately."

"Of course, you are who you are. Who else would you be?"

Long Tae straightforwardly answered, yet stunned Tien as well.

"Let's assume... that you have switched your heart with someone else and accidentally there are some memories coming with that heart. Will we absorb those memories into our minds?"

Long Tea stunned and laughed.

"Is this some sort of Sci-Fi plot of a movie? Think about it. How can a heart have a memory? It's just an organ of our body. Becoming someone else because of the heart swapping doesn't make any senes at all."

"Not possible, is it?"

 Hearing from someone who had no idea about his heart surgery clarified a lot of questions in Tien's mind.

In the past, he let TorFhun's life impact on his mind too much. If we consider her as just an organ donor, then she had already passed away.

If Tien remembered, he was the one who decided to follow and investigate TorFhun's case. He was also the one who decided to travel this far into the forest... into this village. 

If Tien left this slide and didn't pay attention to this, then the youngest son of Sopadithsakul's family would be sitting at a fancy restaurant somewhere in Bangkok by then. Or shopping somewhere in some malls.

And lost a chance to meet good people here.

Tien smiled and it scared Long Tae a little.

"P'Tien... Are you still ok?"

"Thank you."

"Hrr?"

Long Tae felt so confused. He couldn't follow Tien's feelings.

"The sun is getting stronger now. Let's go back, shall we?"

Tien changed the subject and asked Long Tae to go back to the village.

Long Tea nodded and while he stood up, he remembered something.

"I forgot to tell you, P'Tien. Dad asked you to see him at school around 1 PM."

Tien looked at his watch and it was about time. 

"Why school? Do you have any idea?"

"Perhaps, the teaching material and facilities have arrived at school?"

Long Tae replied and led Tien to school.

But...  Do the shipping company work during the holidays?

The new school had been done very well. Except for the blackboards, books, and other facilities, which were coming really soon. When Tien approached, he heard some giggling voice and some laugh. What Tien saw right in front of the school stunned him. 

A4 papers were taped to become a big sign on the balcony of the new school. It was drawn by some markers and colored by crayons. It wasn't a perfect artwork, but well enough and readable.

'HAPPY NEW YEAR,' it said.

Children ran out of the building and hugged Tien. They were all yelling 'happy new year' to their teacher.

Tien looked at Biang Lare and Long Tae who were standing and smiling. Long Tae silently spoke to Tien 'Surprised!' from afar.

MeeJoo and ArYi, Akha siblings, pulled Tien's hands to a big table with assorted snacks, cookies, and several colorful drinks. This totally reminded Tien of the parties he had when he was in elementary school.

"P' Crayons... We do have this too."

MeeJoo looked very excited at some cakes with some chocolate creams on top and strawberry jam.

Tien smiled at that innocent reaction and said...

"It's cakes. C - A - K - E... Cakes."

Kids spelled as Tien taught and made him smile again. When he allowed the kids to have those cake. The chaos happened around the table, so he stepped back a little.

"Happy with this? My dad went to see me in town and ordered me to buy these cakes."

Long Tae told Tien about what happened behind this party. A small one but full of love.

"We want to cheer you up. During a new year holiday like this, most people in the city must be celebrating, but for us, these are all we can do for you."

Tien wai-ed Biang Lare as soon as Biang Lare explained.

"Thank you so much." 

It didn't matter how expensive the gifts were. It was more valuable when they give them by hearts. 

"This is my top favorite party ever."

Tien wasn't lying. Comparing to those expensive parties from five stars hotel in Bangkok, those would never be able to fill up his heart with love and warmness as this one.

Tien cut the chocolate cake and share them with the students who were eagerly waiting. They did not have a fork, so kids use their hands to pick up the cake to eat.

The cake Tien had that day wasn't expensive but taste more delicious than any other cakes he had. Tien looked at Long Tae drinking some colorful drink. He pretended to cough to get Long Tae's attention and asked.

"Do you know we usually do something during a new year party?"

"What's it?"

Tian smirked and put the dark brown cream on Long Tae's face, then laughed. While Long Tae was stunned and didn't see that coming. Kids saw Tien playing with cream, so they did that to Tien as well.

"Gang up on me, huh?"

Tian stood up and ran around to catch his students, who were running away. The lively laughter of children was all over the school. Even Biang Lare got the cream from kids as well.

The handsome flawless face which now was covered with cream still kept smiling. This might be the last chance he could play with the Akha kids like this. He wanted to keep this as a good memory before he left.

In the end... Tien didn't even dare to say goodbye to anyone.

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The light came out from the lamp inside teacher Tien's hut. The cloth that was usually hung outside all disappeared. Even the cloth on the floor was all collected and put into the suitcase. Just like the first day Tien arrived.

The mosquitos net was folded up and Tien was laying down on his belly reading the diary.

'... after coming here, I started to have other dreams besides being a teacher. Knowing him, 'my prince', has given me more colors to my life. He is the warmest and best guy I ever met. Yet, except for that mean face, which, nevertheless, decreased any gentleness and kindness from him.'

Tien smiled when he read at this point. Too bad... She didn't know that her 'gentleman' likes guys.

'... one day, I've heard from people in this village saying that if we can make a wish to the stars at a top hill on the mountain at midnight, that wish will come true. It sounds irrelevant, yet for a hopeless girl like me, it seems like a very interesting option. If I have a chance to confess to my prince among those stars... hundreds or thousands of them at midnight of a new year eve, that would be very amazing.'

'I'm going back to Bangkok visiting my dad who has been very sick from the alcoholic, then I'll be back to do this stupid idea. Just once. Just wait, my dear prince.' 

And that's the last drop of ink on that diary before discontinuing... FOREVER.

This girl misunderstood about the fact that she couldn't just pray to the stars, but she had to count a thousand of them. Tien asked Long Tae, but he laughed and said this tale for children to inspire them to visit and appreciate the beautiful sky at night with the family. So they made up a story to impress the kids.

Tien wasn't sure if this tale was a true story or not. He agreed with TorFhun that this might be the last option for hopeless people like her or me who kept looking for miracles. Tien closed the diary and put it aside. It was a very quiet night. Even the voice of cricket sounded lighter than usual.

He grabbed a duck down jacket to put on, put out the light from the lamp,  turned on the flashlight in his hand, and coming down from his hut. The walking path inside the village had a lamp around the street, but when he left the village, it was completely dark.

Tien came to this hill only a few times. Most of the time, he brought the kids to play some games, so he still remembered the way to go up there. Walking through the east direction next to the tea field until a walking path up to the hill.

Both sides were all forest, yet not that scary for Tien. The forest was full of tall trees and sweet osmanthus flowers, which helped Tien to forget about the darkness outside.

It was about 11:30 PM. Tien wanted to be there a bit early because he needed time to count a thousand stars. It sounded easy, but he didn't want to risk. Since nobody had ever done it.

Tien kept on walking and walking until the last few steps before he reached an empty space on the hill. He paused to collect all of his last energy and ran to the middle of that space. He looked up the sky and for the stream of stars on that darkest sky. Tien paused again. Because it was so beautiful. Not even the moon wants to come out and stay among them.

Is this really... the stream of stars?

Tien's heartbeat was beaten faster and faster. Somehow, he felt frightened and lost the strength to stand up straight. They are so beautiful. This is worth to become a new tourist attraction in Thailand. Yet, the high density of those brightening stars became so difficult for Tien to separate those stars apart.

Tien decided to look down to the ground, shut his eyes, took a deep breath, and looked straight up to the sky again. He started to use his finger to help to count. One... Two... One hundred... Two hundred... Three hundred... That made Tien dizzy.

He rubbed his temples and eyes with another hand. He felt so tired and got sore eyes. He tried to walk to another corner and to see if it felt better.

From counting one by one, Tien started to separate the sky into blocks and counted. That hill was too high. It made the stars look so much closer and brighter than normal. Of course, after staring at them for too long, his eye vision became unclear and temporarily sensitive to the light.

The young man shook his head. He felt even dizzier and started to feel upset in his stomach like he wanted to throw up. He kneeled down and looked to the ground to rest. Until he felt better, he started counting, again. Yet not until he reached to 500 then the vision became unclear, again.

Tien punched the ground. He was so frustrated.

"Damn it!"

One thousand... Damn it... Only one thousand! If this easy task couldn't be done, Tien Sopaditsakul, you shouldn't have done anything anymore. Tien fixed his breath and took another deep breath before standing up straight again.

This time he tried another approach. Tien sort of spun himself around. Whenever he started to feel dizzy he turned himself around a little and counted again. It seemed silly and nonsense for doing this, yet his gigantic ego had grown bigger and bigger every time when he failed. This way worked. He was able to count those stars longer. Close to 800. However, he couldn't go any further. The brightness hurt his eyes terribly. The dizziness and nausea came back. Yet he still didn't want to give up.

"Nine hundred fifty-five... Nine hundred fifty-six..."

Tien was almost falling down and fainted. He slapped his face to call his consciousness back. Then pointed his finger up to the sky and continue to count. Unfortunately, those invisible blocks in his head disappeared. It seemed like those stars moved together. Tien took his breath in and out deeply and repeatedly. He laughed like he lost his mind. He kept on counting yet his hands continued shaking. 

"... Nine hundred ninety-seven... Nine hundred ninety-eight..."

Those eyes were full of tears. He couldn't focus anymore... But he still stood there.

"Nine hundred ninety-nine."

Tien's vision became completely dark. There was a warm big hand covering his both eyes. A familiar gentle tone of voice was whispering something into his ear.

"That's enough."

The young soldier was standing behind Tien. Giving a warm feeling to him and blocking the cold wind for Tien. PhuPha could feel Tien's crying.

... Even if you count to one thousand, your wish will never come true.

PhuPha seemed sad and whispered into Tien's ear.

"You have done your best."

"I'm not doing this for TorFhun! She's dead!"

Tien shouted at PhuPha. He wanted to confirm his thought.

"Or even if I'm doing this for myself..."

Tien turned around and look at PhuPha. There were some tears on Tien's face.

"I don't want to leave this place. I don't want to leave you."

Before PhuPha replied anything, his whole body was stunned because Tien was standing on his tiptoes to kiss him. Tien kissed PhuPha firmly for a while before moving away. Tien put his tiny arms around PhuPha's neck and put his head on that strong shoulder.

"It's true that TorFhun was the reason I came here in the first place... But the feeling I have for you is real."

Tien sounded like crying, but for PhuPha, it was like the best medicine to heal his heart. He held Tien's body tighter with his one arm. He kissed on Tien's head gently and with love.

"And this is the real feeling I have for you."

... Just want to protect you with my whole heart.

Tien smiled happily. His eyes were full of tears. Happiness is truly short. He wanted to stop the time. Leave every rule and forget every reason. Tien just wanted to live his life and not thinking about anyone. Those tiny hands held PhuPha's uniform tightly because he knew those thoughts would never come true.

"Will you forget me after I leave?"

"I won't forget you. Never."

The young captain pushed his cheek on Tien's forehead and shut his eyes remembering every moment together. Took him sometime before saying something.

"... But after you leave... I want you to forget me."

Tien opened his eyes widely and stepped away from PhuPha. 

"Why do I have to do that?"

"There are so many people that are perfect for you. Someone from the same social lifestyle."

The handsome soldier smiled sadly and pointed to the sky.

"Can you see those stars? Even if those large mountains are strong and ginormous, it will never reach the star. Not even be able to touch the sky. So... how can I reach to touch you?" 

Tien paused. It was like those words were stuck in Tien's throat. He fought so hard to survive and alive. But at that moment he ended up surrendering to this man. Tien cried and sobbed quite loud.

"I will never forget you... Never!"

PhuPha shook his head and smiled because of that cuteness. He hugged Tien's head and kissed on that forehead. Phu closed his eyes.

"Let the time to proof everything."

Tien accepted the promise by hugging PhuPha. It was a very cold night, but their hearts felt so warm from the hugging.

If 'the love' can last that long...

I will be waiting for you there...

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The sun came up so fast. Tien woke up and realized he just slept for only a few hours. The truth was that... his dream was about to finish. The volunteering teacher put that sweet color diary into his backpack and zipped up to seal up these memories with him. Tien took a deep breath before turning around and looking at the hut he spent three months staying here.

"P'Tien. Your drive is here."

Lone Tae shout out and woke Tien up from his thought. Tien put his backpack on and stepped out from his hut.

That cold breeze in the morning came along with some voice of roosters from the village. Outside of the hut, Bieng Lae and Long Tae were waiting and smiling at him. Their kindness and friendship had never ended. It wasn't easy to say goodbye to them. They are the most sincere people Tien had never met.

"Had Serg Yod arrived?"

Tien asked because he was informed earlier that Yod would use the Jeep to bring him back to the town.

"Not him, but someone else."

'Someone else!?!?' No... No way... Is he...?

Someone approached them and shout out.

"P'Tay!!!"

Doctor-soon-to-be opened his arms to hug the young man who he loved like his own brother. He used his hand to mess up Tien's hair.

"You brat. How dare you leave without telling anyone? Do you know how much trouble you caused by doing that?"

"I'm sorry, P'Tay. I didn't have any other choice."

Tien moved away from Tay's neck lock and smiled at him.

"How did you get here? Are you here to pick me up?"

"I came as soon as I knew you are here. My dad's driver drove me here to bring you back home."

"You do not need to come this far."

It just a short sentence to keep a social manner but for Tay it was surprising him. For someone who knew Tien for the whole life and never expected to hear that sentence from Tien. Tay smiled gently to this guy, the one he loved like his little brother.

"I want to come and pick you up by myself."

"Look at your panda eyes."

Tien teased Tay and decided to walk away from the hut.

"Let's find something to eat on the way back."

Again, Tay was surprised. He looked at that skinny back walking away. Something inside this young man had been changed. Tay turned around and wai-ed to Bieng Lae. 

"Thank you for taking care of him in the past few months."

"No. We have to thank you to let him stay here."

Bieng Lae replied maturely. 

"In these past two months, he gave us so much join and sincere heart."

Techin nodded. Actually, he never thought of Tien coming here this far away from the city. They walked all the way down from the village to the main road, which had car parking and waiting for them. Tien farewelled to Bieng Lae and Long Tae.

"I'm leaving. Please say bye to the kids for me. I really hope we'll meet again."

"You should say that yourself."

Tien was about to ask Long Tae but he heard some noise from behind.

"P'Crayon!!!" (Crayon = See-Tien)

Tien dropped his backpack and was surprised. He dropped on his knees to hug those children who were crying and calling his name repeatedly. Their families brought them to say goodbye to their beloved teacher for the last time. 

Goodbye... See you again next time.

Techin looked at Tien. He was comforting a little girl to stop crying and another hand of Tien was patting on a little boy as well. It was such an absolutely stunning picture for Tay. He never thought he would have seen this picture. Some tears came out on both eyes.

Tien had changed a lot... No... Not true... Tien had COMPLETELY changed to be somebody else!

The future doctor took some pictures of that impressive moment with his mobile. He didn't know how far Tien's future may go, but he knew one thing that Tien would love to see these pictures later for sure.

After taking those pictures, Techin turned to speak to Bieng Lae.

"Now, I understand what you told me earlier."

Bieng Lae laughed gently and patted on Tay's shoulder.

"It's a true 'reward,' which he invested his whole 'heart' to earn it."

Techin took his glasses out and wiped his tears. 

"At first, I was so mad at Tien because he made his own mother cried and became sick after he left. But now, I'm very glad Tien made this decision."

Either destination or coincident. No matter what's the cause of helping Tien to grow up physically and emotionally.  He was so mad at Tien's father from letting him come into this forest to do this. It seemed very crazy for someone who had just got heart surgery. But seeing his little brother dedicated himself to others. Someone who used to be a spoil rich kid became the teacher that people loved him this much. He felt sorry for Tien for not giving him enough credit.

Tien tried to look into the group of people hoping to see someone. Unfortunately, he wasn't there.

Are you really forgetting me?

He waived to everyone for the last time with both swollen eyes and face from crying a lot. Tien tried so hard not to show his weakness in front of his students. Tien collected his last energy and grabbed Tay's hand to walk away. He couldn't stay standing there for any more minutes.

... The silver blond sedan was parking and waiting for them on a small street. A guard soldier stood up so fast and opened the back seat door for them. Techin glanced at Tien, which was sitting quietly since they came out of the village.

"You can cry if you want to. Nobody can see it now."

Tien shook his head and took a deep breath.

"No... I cried a lot already."

It's true. He was crying since PhuPha left until he felt so tired and slept. The warm and gentle touch on his head was still there. Tien learned how much sadness or tears he lost, he would never always get something he wanted back.

"Didn't you feel strange that nobody came to find you after you left?"

"I did, but I didn't want to find out for the reason. It's all good to stay there."

Techin smiled. The old Tien was still there.

"Your mother was so mad, but luckily your dad stated his purpose to let you do this. Otherwise, you would be taken back on the first day you arrived."

"I kind of know who told them about me."

Tul is the only person who knew everything and he is the last person who's there with him before he left.

"But that doesn't mean General Teerayut didn't worry about you. Your dad called and got someone to help and support you as soon as you left. Did you realize that? And how's that person?"

Tien turned his face away from Tay to cover up the sadness on his face.

"I did. He's very helpful."

He's good enough to make Tien realize that nobody would be this good for him anymore for the rest of his life.

"You haven't told me about the reason why you decided to do this. It doesn't make any sense to me. I cannot figure out what made you do this."

Tien turned his face back to Techin.

"I thought you knew."

"I knew about the heart donation. But I don't understand your thought."

"I... felt sick of everything in my life. I felt like I never found true happiness in my life. So... I guessed it might help if I tried something new."

Techin looked even more curious. For someone who was born rich and always get everything he wanted. But he said that he wasn't happy.

"What about now? Have you found your answer?"

Tien looked at Techin. Those eyes showed deep sorrow and paused Tay.

"I don't know... I didn't have time to prove if that's my true answer... Then I have to leave."

Tay thought Tien meant the kids from the village.

Techin rubbed his face. He tried to stop thinking about the sadness he saw in this little buddy and turned his face away to look outside of the car.

It took about 2 hours to stop at a restaurant on the way back to Bangkok. On the way back nobody talked. Both got tired of their own reasons.

Tien snuggled into a very soft and expensive blanket Tay brought. He took a very long nap. It was like he never wanted to wake up anymore from his dream.

The expensive sedan drove into a very large house in a very expensive district. It's the 'Sopaditsakul' ginormous house. It was about ten hours drive to get there.

Tien was wakened up and got out of the car sleepily still. He completely woke up when somebody hugged him.

"My baby!!!"

Lady Lalita had been waiting for this year for almost three months. She counted the day and night to see her little son. Colonel Pithan was the one who reported to Tien's family about Tien's life. He used to work for Tien's father. Lady Lalita felt less worried when she knew her little son had been ok and fine.

"Mother..."

Tien felt warm and safe. He grabbed his mother's body and teased.

"Have you lost weight?"

Lalita slapped on Tien's arm. 

"We need a long talk. You still owe me the explanation."

Tien was about to tease more but when he saw those red eyes of his mother he stopped.

"I'm sorry, mother."

Lady Lalita was paused by those words. He never expected any apologies from his baby son. Since Tien became a teenager, he got friends, girlfriends, and become a stranger to everyone in his family. The pride and ego of his son were higher than the ceiling of this gigantic house. But now Tien was apologizing to her. She cried and hugged Tien.

"That's ok. It is ok, my dear. I'm so glad you are back safely."

Tien's mother couldn't eat or sleep properly since her son left. She had been worry sick and lost her weight. It was shown on her face, eyes, and chins.

"Look at you. You need some skincare. Promise me. Do not do anything like this to me ever again. No matter where you want to go or with anyone, please promise me you won't go into that forest ever again."

His mother's request stunned Tien for a few seconds. Tien tried to hide that sadness. He neither accepted nor rejected that request. Fortunately, his mother couldn't see all of those feelings. Tien saw his father standing behind his mother.

"Father... I..."

General Teerayut smiled and seemed to understand his son without saying a word. He came to pat on Tien's shoulders and whispered into Tien's ear.

"We can talk later. Just be with your mother at this moment."

Tien nodded and let her mother take him inside the house. That chandelier was too bright for Tien. The very expensive sofa was too soft. Those expensive decorating in his house became strange to Tien. He looked around and sighed.

... So different ...

Is this really my life?

*********************************************

DEAR ALL,

THIS IS MY TRUE LAST CHAPTER I WILL TRANSLATE FOR THIS NOVEL. I ONLY GOT PERMISSION FROM THE AUTHOR, "BACTERIA", TO DO THIS. SO PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST ME ANY MORE TRANSLATION FOR THIS NOVEL.

IT'S MY FULL RIGHT AS THE OWNER OF THIS TRANSLATION. NOBODY IS ALLOWED TO USE MY COPY TO DO ANY OTHER TRANSLATION INTO ANY OTHER LANGUAGES. IF YOU WANT TO DO SO, PLEASE CONTACT THE AUTHOR AND USE HER 'THAI VERSION' TO DO THAT.

I'M NOT EARNING ANY BENEFIT FROM THIS TRANSLATION AND I'M NOT THE OFFICIAL TRANSLATOR, SO PLEASE WAIT FOR AND SUPPORT THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH VERSION OF THIS NOVEL (I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT, PLEASE DO NOT ASK FOR ANY UPDATE).

IN CASE YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE, PLEASE DO SUPPORT THE SERIES, WHICH IS COMING REALLY SOON.

ONCE AGAIN, THANKS TO "BACTERIA" FOR GIVING ME PERMISSION TO DO THIS. AND THANKS TO ALL OF MY FOLLOWERS.

JAYBL

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