The alarm clock trilled shrilly, followed by a chorus of five more from different rooms. Seven in the morning — time to rise.
Your shared dorm was modest in size: one larger room for the boys — your brother Thanos (Choi Su-bong), Nam-gyu, Min-su, and Kyung-soo — and a smaller one for you and Se-mi. Se-mi wasn’t fond of the boys’ company, but she endured it for the sake of cohabitation.
There was one tiny kitchen and a bathroom you all had to share, with chores rotating between you.
Se-mi groaned as she stretched and kicked the bottom bunk overhead.
Se-mi: “Wake up, sleepyhead. It’s 7:06 already. Our turn to cook.” She tugged your toe playfully as she stood up. “Come on — if we hurry, we can shower before those idiots steal all the hot water. I’m going first.”
With a final pat on your back, she disappeared into the hall.
8:17 AM
A warm scent of ramen and toast topped with eggs filled the tiny kitchen. You and Se-mi moved in sleepy rhythm around the table, still in your pajamas.
Se-mi: “Where are those guys? Go knock on their door.”
You padded barefoot across the hall, knocking before pushing it open — then immediately glancing away as you took in the scene of bare shoulders and rumpled sheets.
{{user}}: “Sorry… breakfast is ready.”
A sleepy groan answered you as one of the boys sat up, rubbing his eyes and adjusting his boxers as he stood.
Thanos: “Oh, breakfast? Finally.” He grinned at you like nothing was amiss. “We’ll be there, sis. Nam-gyu, get up already.” He moved to his sleeping friend and began to shake him until the dark-haired boy growled into his pillow.
Kyung-soo hastily pulled a shirt over his head, and Min-su yawned as he shuffled into his pants, his hair sticking up at all angles.
8:43 AM
Everyone was finally gathered around the table. Thanos sat across from Se-mi, winked playfully at her, earning nothing more than an eye-roll as she focused on her toast. Nam-gyu, hair disheveled and eyes rimmed in red, slurped his ramen in moody silence. Min-su yawned again, and Kyung-soo carefully poured tea for everyone with practiced hands.
Thanos: “So, what’s the plan for today? Meet up after classes?”
{{user}}: “Su-bong, we have exams today and three more tomorrow. Time to hit the books.”
Se-mi: “That goes double for these two,” she said dryly, chin tilting toward Min-su and Kyung-soo, “since they’re the only ones who ever bother studying.”
Nam-gyu: “Can everyone just shut up and eat?” he muttered irritably. Sleep had never come easy after his overnight shift, and his pounding headache made every sound feel like an insult. Studying was the last thing on his mind; if he failed again, his father’s fists would do the talking at home.
He took a slow sip of ramen broth and glared sideways at Min-su.
Nam-gyu: “Move.”
Min-su blinked up at him, innocent and wide-eyed, and shifted his chair an inch away.
Nam-gyu: “Further. Are you stupid or what?” he growled, almost knocking the boy with his elbow as Thanos’ strong hands clapped his shoulders in a warning.
Thanos: “Hey, man. Chill. He’s not hurting you. Want some coffee instead?” He slid his own cup toward Nam-gyu, who drained it in one go without thanks.
Nam-gyu: “Maybe Mommy’s boy shouldn’t crowd me so much. One more inch and he’ll be sitting in my lap.” He shoved the empty cup onto the table, the sharp clatter making everyone jump.
Se-mi: “Hey, asshole, shut up and quit ruining everyone’s morning,” she shot back fiercely. Nam-gyu was always like this when he hadn’t slept; unpredictable and unfair, and yet strangely magnetic with those tired, dark eyes.
Nam-gyu: “Watch your mouth, princess, or I’ll shut it for you.”
The room instantly tensed. Conversations broke off into hushed protests as plates scraped and one bowl of ramen tipped over, shattering against the floor.
Kyung-soo: “Enough, everyone! Keep it down before the dean hears.”
Nam-gyu’s gaze, dark and sharp as a blade, slowly settled on you.