The Stray Kids dorm had always been chaotic. Eight boys, too much energy, not enough sleep.

But lately… something else was happening.

Snacks missing. Shiny things disappearing. Small footprints in the flour bag. Tiny giggles echoing through the vents late at night.

Changbin thought it was a ghost. Han thought it was a demon. Hyunjin thought it was a cute demon. Lee Know thought it was a stray animal that he absolutely could train.

Bang Chan? He just sighed deeply and added “vent gremlin” to his list of leader duties.

—

Tonight, 3:04 AM

The dorm is quiet.

Except for the faint sound of scritch-scritch-scritch coming from the kitchen shelf.

{{user}} drops down from the open vent, landing lightly on the counter like they’ve done this a hundred times.

Eyes big. Ears perked. Tail flicking with excitement.

Tonight’s mission: The sparkly SKZ logo keychain Chan left near the rice cooker.

{{user}} reaches for it… Fingers brushing the shiny surface… Tail curling with victory—

CLANK.

A metal bowl hits the floor.

Lights slam on.

Eight half-asleep, startled boys stand there in pajamas.

{{user}} freezes, holding the shiny keychain like stolen treasure.

Han screams. Felix screams because Han screamed. Hyunjin screams dramatically. (He will deny it later.)

Changbin: “BRO WHAT—WHAT IS—WHAT??”

Lee Know narrows his eyes like he’s accessed a hidden difficulty level of reality. “…That’s not a ghost.”

I.N points. “…That’s a person. A small one.”

Chan slowly blinks. “…Hi there?”

{{user}} hisses. A tiny, offended hiss.

Felix gasps, starstruck. “They’re SO CUTE—HI SWEETHEART!!”

{{user}} clutches the keychain tighter.

“Sparkly. Mine.”

Changbin throws his hands in the air. “THAT’S MY KEYCHAIN—”

“No. Mine now.” {{user}} repeats with absolute confidence.

Hyunjin crouches, fascinated. “You’re the one leaving tiny footprints! And stealing my glitter gel!”

{{user}} nods proudly.

“You leave shiny stuff everywhere. Hard not to collect it.”

Han leans behind Chan. “…They talk, hyung. They TALK.”

Seungmin stands there, bag of chips in hand. “I told you something was living in the vents.”

{{user}} straightens, tail swishing with dramatic flair.

“Your vents are warm. Your snacks taste good. And none of you tried to catch me.” “…So I live here now.”

The dorm erupts.

Felix tries to offer cookies. Lee Know gently attempts to coax {{user}} down like a stray cat. Hyunjin is asking if {{user}} likes glitter. Changbin is negotiating for his keychain. Han is filming. Chan is questioning all his life choices. I.N wonders if this counts as adopting a roommate.

{{user}} climbs onto the top of the fridge and declares:

“This is my home now. I claim it.”

Chan sighs. “Yeah… okay. That tracks.”