Chapter Text
Danniel Lyrico started studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea when he was just 18. The boy was almost as impressive as a genius being fluent in 3 languages just a year prior, and sadly no one could tell if it was because of his affluent family that he got the resources he needed and that boosted it, or if the kid just had high IQ. But even still, no one knew why the boy chose to study in South Korea, and no one understands why Dann did much. Everyone knew Dann liked adventuring and learning, and maybe this was his way to combine the two. To Dann, Konkuk University was his playground to do and be whatever he wanted. And in 2014; the was all he wanted to focus on.
It wasn't where he wanted to go; he wanted to attend Seoul National University, but their program for the arts just was not what he wanted. It seemed to focus more on painting and fine arts; over design. It had upset Dann a bit, but because of it, he was able to meet some exciting people at Konkuk. One of them was Lee Jihoon. Jihoon was the best friend to the prince of the freshman class. And Jihoon was beautiful. At least, to Dann he was. Dann hadn't met many boys that had caught his eye back home, just a few boys on the basketball team, and one on the football team. But otherwise; no one was interesting. But he saw Jihoon from across their literacy class, and Dann was taken.
He had to ask a few of the girls he befriended at orientation about who he was, and one of them had gone to class with him. Hayun was her name, and she seemed pretty intelligent about the boy named Lee Jihoon. Which Dann was thankful, it seemed Hayun also had picked up on the reason as to why Dann was interested. She assured him she wasn't like most other Korean's he'd meet where they'd bash him, which made him feel a bit safer with her.
"So, Jihoon?" Hayun had asked one day when they were at lunch. They sat across from each other at a BBQ joint. Dann sat on his phone, and Hayun was cooking. Dann hummed and couldn't help but smile. "What drew you to the prince's best friend?"
Dann glanced up from his phone, which was awkwardly stalking Jihoons social media. In the last month, Dann learned a lot. When Jihoon was 16, he has been scouted for an esports team for League of Legends. The team was a popular one worldwide and had won a lot of competitions. However, their scores seemed to improve with Jihoon turning 18 and being able to play on the team fulltime now. "I told you already, I saw him in class; and he just looked so; handsome?"
Hayun nodded and turned the beef over on the small stove. "Too bad he's always with Yanwei. Those two spend so much time together; no one can tell if it's because of their work as pro esports players or they're together." She laughs "But I've always figured it was just for work."
"If you're playing a teamwork game; it would help to know you're teammates outside of the game, right? Understand how they function to help boost sync rates and teamwork in-game.'
"You sound like you know what you're talking about."
Dann sheepishly nods and scratches the back of his head. "Well, I am studying for Video Game Design and play League of Legends a lot at home in the EUW server."
Hayun looks up a bit shocked. "Really? You should play with me and some of my friends! We all play together and are trying to make the team together!" She spoke rather loudly and excitedly holding the tongs up with a smile.
"Maybe I will, but right now, I need to focus on my grades."
"And finding a way to get in with Jihoon?" Dann rolls his eyes and nods. "Then I'll help out!" Hayun added with a smile. "We're friends after all."
"Dann!" Minah yelled, he met her recently, through Hayun of course. Another one of the girls in her goal of an esports team within the following years. "Don't be mad but~."
"Minah, I don't know what crazy plan you made; but I'm trying to study for my Korean midterm currently," Dann replied continuing to look at the book on the desk. He was writing down words in Hangul and mentally crying about how he hated this language for the stress of all the different characters it had.
The women rolled her eyes and sat down next to the blond male. "Listen, as you may be aware of Na Taemin. My elder brother is friends with Jihoon and his friends. Y'know the freshman royalty? Xiao Yanwei? Cai Zan? Ryo Sujin? Na Taemin? Lee Jihoon?" She emphasised the last name, and Dann heard it. It would've been a lie if it didn't slightly interest him. However, he was far more focused on his studying for his midterm. "And it's possible that I set up a meeting for you, with them!" She was too happy, and it made Dann freeze.
He glanced up at his new friend, completely shocked and confused and afraid. Dann had spent the last two months staring at Jihoon, watching him from afar and watching his online life. He didn't think that he'd have a chance to speak to him, let alone be near him? "Excuse me? Who said you could do that Minah, it is the midterm season you know I have to study and get good grades, or I'm going to lose my spot to study here."
Minah went silent and sighed. "Well, if you are so determined to focus on studying that I'll just tell him you can't meet him in an hour to play at the local internet cafe."
That got Dann's attention. "No, don't do that. Gods you are such a fucking pain Minah. But no fine whatever, I'll go. I'll go. I need to change and shower because I look like a fucking rat."
"You always look like a rat." That wasn't a voice he knew, and once he looked up, he saw a face he'd seen but didn't know well. "Na Taemin, the escort for Lee Jihoons suitor."
Suitor? Escort? Dann looked to Minah to the man; who's name was not processing as the name of her elder brother and the face that looked familiar. "Ah, T-Taemin. I didn't know-"
The elder male hushed Dann. "Believe me; we've spent three years trying to get Jihoon to get laid. If you're interested in that stone-cold asshole; be my fucking guest Dann."
Dann felt stupid and confused and nodded. "Can I still shower?"
Taemin shrugged. "Well I guess, there's an hour before you both are meeting, so I'll spend this next hour questioning you to see if you're a good match for Yanwei's Jihoon."
Dann nodded, standing from his seat, packing his bag; before bowing to Minah in the act of thanks and farewell. After bowing to his friend, he glanced at Taemin and began to leave the library and head towards his dorm. It was weird having someone from the freshmen royal court walking next to him. Taemin and he were of a similar height about six foot even each, but maybe Taemin was just slightly taller. The walk was mostly quiet, and Taemin didn't say much, but he walked carefully to Dann before he heard some girls talking about it. Taemin shot them a glare and put an arm around Dann and pulled him closer before he muttered something. "If you're going to get with Jihoon at least not look so awkward when you're around us. People will catch on."
Dann was shocked, how much did Minah even tell him? It was a little tight for him to relax with Taemin's arms around his shoulders dragging him along. Dann had to speak up a bit the directions back to his dorm in the abroad students dorm building, which was a little odd for him having someone as large and meaty as Taemin stuck to him the entire 10-minute walk. But about halfway through Dann relaxed just a bit, which had Taemin giving him a small pat on the shoulder and a smile. It was odd for Dann to see that, but he gave a small smile back as they continued their walk. Upon walking up to Dann's dorm room; he unlocked the door and swung it open. It was a small one-person dorm room, requested with his families money, of course. The room looked similar to any abroad students room; a twin mattress, a dresser and a standing wardrobe, a desk and a chair; with a connected bathroom for ease.
"Welcome to my dorm, you can just take a seat at the desk," Dann spoke at first. "And of course; if all of us will be friends, you'll have to be used to my weird-ass procedure when in my dorm."
"If you take a shower and come out of that bathroom in a towel, I will have to point you to fucking Yanwei instead."
"Sorry, not interested in that stuck up brat of the freshmen prince."
Taemin scoffed. "Well, you have common sense at least. Yanwei is difficult but a good guy. And it seems you're loyal; you're looking like a good boy for Jihoon."
Dann smiled and shrugged. "He'll be the real judge."
Taemin just nodded taking a seat at the chair in the room. He glanced at the desk as Dann shut the bathroom door. He glanced at the bathroom door for a minute before looking back at the counter. It was messy; with nicely written notes on papers that were laid across it. It seemed some were written in Korean, and some weren't. He knew some was English, but he didn't know what the other language was. It could've been his native language, which from Minah he learned was German. It looked quite odd; using similar letters to English, but some had accents and were in weird placements.
Dann was having a weird time processing what was happening. He stood there in his bathroom with his hands on the sink, looking down. Did he get something similar to date with Lee Jihoon? The stupid cute esports player in his Literacy Class? That was utterly bonkers to Dann. He took a moment to himself before turning on the water and waiting for it to heat up slightly. When he glanced up; he didn't even know who he was for a second. Was he the same no-named Danniel Lyrico, the kid from Germany?
Dann quickly tried to recover from moving on with his shower. He was quickly running out of time, but he always was. Dann took longer showers; he liked being clean and neat and often used his time to shower as a way to destress. Right now, Dann desperately needed the destress. But he just tried to move as fast as he could, quickly stripping off his clothes after he turned on the water. Hot water, that's all he wanted, a hot shower and plenty of time to relax.