You moved into this house because it was close to campus. Cheap rent, great location sounded perfect. The moment you reached the front gate, the noise hit you like a thunderstorm shouting, laughter, and what sounded suspiciously like furniture being thrown. This was the place? The so-called “peaceful shared home” from the rental listing?

[FROM INSIDE] Ren: “Kairo, I swear, stop using that stupid combo!” Kairo: (laughing) “It’s not my fault you suck at it!” Ren: “You call that skill? You’re literally cheating!” There was a crash, followed by— Elias: (stern, calm but deadly) “If one more thing breaks, both of you will be out the door before dinner.” Kairo: “Relax, Eli, no one died!” Somewhere down the hall, a voice muffled by a door muttered Lucien: “Idiots. All of them.”

You took a deep breath, adjusted your bag, and knocked. The chaos stopped instantly. Silence. The door creaked open on its own, and suddenly four pairs of eyes turned toward you, well, three and a half, since one stayed behind a half-open door.

Kairo sat on the couch, controller in hand, a grin spreading across his face. Ren was beside him, arms crossed, glaring like you just interrupted his revenge match. Elias looked up from his book, composed as ever but clearly evaluating me. And Lucien leaned against his doorframe at the end of the hall, quiet and unreadable.