Chapter Text
It was a week before the start of Dongju's freshman year at RBU and he just arrived at the dorms to settle in. The dorm room he's in is pretty large than the common dorms. It had two rooms and he's sharing it with someone that he only knows is an Early Childhood Education major. He had no issue with it since he was involved with the decision-making of choosing the rooms.
"Is this all your things? Or you have ten more ?" Dongmyeong sarcastically asked after bringing in the last of five luggage.
Dongju chuckled as he pulls two luggage. "I'll pay you with food later."
"Why do you have so many things anyway?" Dongmyeong sat on Dongju's supposed bed.
"You made me bring all of these. Shut up." Dongju threw him the neck pillow sitting on top of one luggage.
Dongmyeong catched the pillow and placed it under his head. "Ah, I'm jealous you have such a big room." He extended his arms on the bed while staring at the ceiling.
"Because you chose to enroll in art school and stay in Seoul", Dongju pulled all his luggage together.
There was silence between them and Dongju was thinking about when he'll be done properly placing everything he brought with him. He slightly regretted bringing so much things.
Dongmyeong sat up from his position and checked his watch. "Well, we made a deal to not be together at school anymore, so that happened. Anyway, I want to go now before I change my mind to enroll here."
"Please don't." Dongju rolled his eyes. He'll surely miss being with Dongmyeong but he won't admit that upfront.
-
The two reached a nearby donut place. They could've went to a restaurant but Dongmyeong insisted going somewhere near. Dongju knew it's because his brother cared for him and didn't want him to stroll too far on his first day.
It was a nice place, wooden pattern on the walls, a subtle generic coffee shop music playing, a nice blended smell of coffee and baked goods, and an area specifically for people who wanted to study.
I think I'd visit here often. Dongju thought.
"I order, go find us a table," He pushed Dongmyeog away and pointed to a table towards the left.
As he wait for his turn on the line, he examined the shop more. There aren't that many people but just enough to hear clutters. He took a peek at the register and saw a guy, probably older than him, manning the register.
"Thank you for purchasing, please wait for your number to show on the screen." the guy motioned the person in front of him to move aside. It was Dongju's turn.
"Good afternoon, welcome to 808" the man, Leedo as written on his name tag, greeted him with a smile. His smile was vibrant, and Dongju can't help but to also smile.
He gazed at the list of product names and became slightly annoyed at so much choices. He sighed before speaking to Leedo. "I'm new here, do you have anything to reccomend?"
Leedo nodded with a smile and he took out a laminated menu with pictures of combination of drinks and donuts. "You can choose from here if you'd like, but our most popular combos for this month is the strawberry bavarian with hot cocoa and the mango pie with iced tea." He said as he pointed on the two products on the menu.
"Those look delicious. I'd take one of each and a regular box of donuts with nuts." He ordered the extra for Dongmyeong to take home.
Leedo punched his order and returned to him. "Do you have a student card? We have discounts for students of RBU."
"Uh- I still don't have one. It's okay, I'll pay full-price." Dongju made a mental note to get his student card as soon a possible.
Leedo nodded as he swipe a card on the machine before taking his payment. The guy handed him his change and receipt. "Thank you for purchasing, kindly wait for you number to pop on the screen and you can take your order from the claim area."
Dongju gave him a smile and a slight bow before finding Dongmyeong seated near the register by the wall, on his phone.
"So what did they have?" his brother asked. He handed him the receipt.
Dongmyeong plced his phone of the table to read the reciept. "These sound delicious and oh- you got a discount. Nice."
Discount? How did that happen? Dongju thought. He snatched the reciept from Dongmyeong to check it himself. There was indeed a discount written on it, under the name Kim Geonhak.
He looked at by register and Leedo just happen to look at the same time. Dongju gave the guy a confused look and Leedo winked at him and continued to work. Dongju felt his face heat up and focused his vision on the paper in his hand.
Kim Geonhak, hmm?
"The man at the register said that students at RBU gets a discount, but with a student card. He must've used his to give me a discount." Dongju explained, and he gave the paper back to Dongmyeong.
"Is that even legal?" Dongmyeong asked. He was just as confused as Dongju.
"I don't know. I'd take it as a kind move on his part." Dongmyeong just nodded at his reply.
-
It's already 6pm and Dongju is back at the dorm. His brother already left 30 minutes ago. He wished his roommate would come soon because he didn't like being alone, especially at night. Part of the reason why he chose a room with another person living in it.
He took a shower when he came back and made his bed first, thanking Dongmyeong in his mind for helping him sort out his luggage or he would've put things assorted in it. He took out all necessary items that he'll be using everyday.
While sorting his stuff, he heard a knock on the door. He internally wished it was his roommate.
He opened the door and found a guy slightly shorter than him standing there.
"Oh- am I in the wrong room? This is 208, right?" the shorter guy asked him. He was carrying a laundry bag.
"Yes, this is 208. I just moved here." Dongju answered.
"Makes sense. I'm Hwanwoong, I'm just dropping off your roommate's clothes. He asked me to pick it up. May I come in?" He slightly lifted the laundry bag.
Dongju moved aside. "Sure."
Hwanwoong made his way inside. "I'll be quick."
He nodded at the boy and watched as he go inside the room beside his.
So, this guy isn't my roommate and he knows my roommate enough to pick up laundry. They must be close friends.
He went to drink water as he wait for Hwanwoong to go out, so he could ask questions about his roommate. And as if by cue, Hwanwoong went out when he placed the glass down.
Hwanwoong approached him. "Hey, thank you for letting me in. Geonhak hyung is still at work but he'll be back soon. By the way, I'm Yeo Hwanwoong, freshman, Performing Arts. I'm born on '98, but I took extra two years of practical dance, so yeah." He extended his hand towards Dongju.
"I'm Son Dongju, freshman, Theater Arts. Born in '00. Nice to meet you, hyung." Dongju shook Hwanwoong's hand mindlessly. His thoughts are on his roommate. His roommate is Geonhak. He tried to talk to himself that it's probably another Geonhak.
"Does Geonhak-ssi work at the donut shop?" He asked Hwanwoong after shaking their hands.
"Yes, how did you know?" Hwanwoong sat on a chair across Dongju.
"I went their earlier, he was on register, he used his card to give me a discount." the smaller guy let out a chuckle upon hearing it. He squinted his eyes at him.
"He still does that? He did that before to me when I first got here also and I didn't have a card." Dongju felt a tinge on his chest. Was he disappointed? Why would he, though?
"Anyway, I'll leave now. And since you'll be rooming with hyung, if you ever need help when he's not around I'm just on 106. I guess I'll see you soon, Dongju." Hwanwoong stood up from his chair and once again reminded Dongju of their height difference. He found it kind of cute.
"Thank you, hyung," Dongju walked him to the door. They waved bye to each other before closing the door. He found Hwanwoong's smile charming and felt that he could trust him.
His eyes fell on the door of Leedo's room and his mind flashed their interaction earlier. He didn't have the time to say thank you to the guy because customers suddenly piled up in the shop. But before leaving, he looked to give him a smile, a simple gesture to show his gratitude. Leedo saw him and smiled back.
He went back to his room and grabbed his phone to text Dongmyeong.
I know who my roommate is.