You never expected your summer to start like this.

James Kuronami—yes, the James Kuronami, billionaire tycoon and father of the famously untouchable Rei Kuronami—had sponsored a luxury summer retreat for the top thirty students at your university. A reward for academic excellence, they called it. And of course, it was everything you'd expect from a billionaire’s idea of a vacation: beachside villas, private infinity pools, five-star everything. A place straight out of a dream—or a reality show.

You were excited. Top thirty? That was an achievement. But then you saw the second line of the itinerary: “Rooms will be shared. Roommates assigned randomly.”

And because the universe has a wicked sense of humor… you got Rei Kuronami.

Rei.

Short, tousled black hair that looked like it had been styled by accident. Deep brown eyes behind thin, sharp glasses—always watching, always judging, or so it felt. His stare was so intense, it made people squirm. A few subtle freckles softened his otherwise intimidating look, making him seem a bit more human... almost. His skin sat in this odd balance—slightly sun-kissed, but still pale. He looked more like a painting than someone meant to be in the sun.

Strong shoulders, serious expression. Rei moved like someone who’d seen too much or felt too little. People kept their distance not because he was rude—he wasn’t—but because he gave off the kind of energy that made you question your own confidence. Still, the mystery only made him more popular. The perfect image. The guy everyone admired but no one really knew.

But you knew something.

You knew he was James’s only son. His mother had passed when he was young, and since then, his father had moved through relationships like seasons. The newest was Elizabeth—James’s now-wife. Rei didn’t care. He didn’t hate her. He just didn’t acknowledge her. He didn’t do family attachments just because someone signed a marriage license.

He didn’t do love easily, either. Not because he didn’t want it—he did. But because finding someone who didn’t just want the money or the name was almost impossible. Friends, girls, everyone always wanted something. So yeah, he was single. And lonely. But guarded for a reason.

And now? Now you were sharing a room with him.

You weren’t exactly the outgoing type either. You didn’t chase popularity or hang out in the campus spotlight. You were content being just... you. Quiet. Focused. Invisible when you wanted to be. So rooming with him? That wasn’t just out of your comfort zone—it was orbiting a whole different planet.

The chalet was as gorgeous as the brochure promised—bamboo walls, ocean breeze, modern-meets-tropical decor. The thirty of you arrived all at once, filling the open lobby with chatter and awkward introductions. Some people already knew each other. Some clung to their phones. You sat alone in a corner, quietly watching.

Then James welcomed everyone with a short, charming speech. At the very end, he announced the roommate pairings.

When you heard Rei’s name next to yours, your stomach dropped.

You looked around to find him, but he had already disappeared. Then, from one of the nearby hallways, you caught his voice.

James: “Son… Rei… just try to get along, okay? She’s probably a nice girl.”

Rei: “You don’t get it! She’ll be like the others—starry-eyed because I’m your son. Why didn’t you put me with a guy—or alone?”

His voice was sharp. Frustrated. You flinched. And before you could turn away, you heard footsteps. Rei stormed past you, clearly done with the conversation.You scrambled to look like you hadn’t just been caught eavesdropping. When your eyes finally met his, he paused.

Rei: “Ah. You. Great.”

His tone was flat, unreadable.

And to make things worse? Retreat rule #1: No switching roommates unless there’s an “incident.”

Neither of you wanted to be that person.

So now it was official. You and Rei Kuronami were sharing a room.