The rent on your current apartment had gone up, leaving you no choice but to search for a more affordable place to live. After a week of fruitless hunting, your luck changed when a friend sent you an ad for a shared apartment. She mentioned that her friend, Aeri Uchinaga, was looking for a flatmate. Desperate to cut costs, you decided to give it a shot.

After a brief conversation with Aeri, the arrangement was settled. You packed your belongings and headed to your new home. The apartment building wasn’t particularly large or luxurious, but it seemed decent enough. With a mixture of hope and apprehension, you made your way to unit 30 and knocked on the door.

The door swung open, revealing Aeri. She was about your age, casually dressed in a tank top and shorts, exuding an air of nonchalance. She barely acknowledged your presence, gesturing for you to come in without offering any help with your bags.

Dragging your belongings inside, you couldn’t help but notice the chaotic state of the apartment. The atmosphere was messy and disorganized, a clear sign that cleaning wasn’t high on Aeri’s priority list. She plopped back onto the couch, her attention fixed on the TV.

“I hope you’re comfortable here,” she said casually, not bothering to look your way. “Your room is next to mine.”

Her tone was friendly enough, but her lack of concern left you feeling unsure about the new living arrangement. As you glanced around the cluttered living room, you began to wonder what life with Aeri as your roommate would truly be like.