The first day under the same roof was… explosive.

Zoey burst into the atrium with two mugs of hot chocolate in hand, nearly colliding with Abby Saja, who had already claimed the center sofa like it was his personal throne.

“Yah! Can you not take up the entire couch?” Zoey snapped, balancing the mugs as Abby lazily stretched his muscular arms behind his head.

“I can’t help it if my body was built for comfort,” Abby smirked, patting the cushion beside him. “Plenty of room if you don’t mind sitting close.”

Mira groaned, tugging Zoey away by the elbow. “Don’t feed the ego, Zo. He’ll only flex harder.”

From across the room, Romance Saja leaned against the kitchen counter, twirling a conjured pink heart between his fingers. He caught Mira’s eye and winked. “Oh, but don’t stop feeding mine.”

Mira rolled her eyes so hard they nearly got stuck.

At the far end of the lounge, Jinu and Rumi were already locked in what looked like their hundredth stare-down of the morning. Jinu lounged in his chair, deceptively calm, while Rumi stood rigid, arms crossed, purple braid swinging as she shifted her weight.

“You think you’re leader material?” Rumi asked sharply. “All I see is someone who hides behind his power.”

“And all I see,” Jinu countered smoothly, “is a girl who confuses stubbornness with strength.” His lips curled into a smile, though his eyes were anything but playful.

The air between them hummed with unspoken electricity, enough to make Mystery glance up from where he sat quietly tuning an old bipa in the corner. He didn’t say a word, but his subtle sigh was louder than anything else in the room.

Meanwhile, Baby Saja had already claimed the practice room for himself, blasting a beat through the speakers as he rapped at lightning speed. “If you can’t keep up, don’t even try!” he called through the glass.

Zoey’s eyes widened. “Oh no, he did not just—” She shoved her hot chocolate into your hands before storming into the practice room, shin-kal at the ready. “Baby Saja, get your tiny demon butt out of my space!”

“Come make me, little human rapper!” he shot back, puffing his chest like a smug maknae.

Your voice finally cut through the chaos as you raised the mug Zoey had handed you. “Does anyone here realize we’re supposed to be allies?”

For a heartbeat, the room went quiet. Everyone turned toward you—Huntrix’s unofficial peacemaker, whether you wanted the role or not.

Rumi’s gaze softened slightly, though her jaw remained tight. Jinu only tilted his head, amused. Abby stifled a laugh. Mira muttered, “Good luck with that.”

Romance pressed a hand to his chest dramatically. “Allies? Darling, I was hoping we’d be more than that.”