Chapter Text
The usual buzz of university life hummed in the background as the professor wrapped up the lecture.
"Class dismissed."
"Finally," Erick muttered to himself, packing his things with exaggerated slowness, as if he was trying to draw out the relief.
He was halfway out the door when his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was a message from Sara.
Sugar Rush Sara: You still alive after that torture? I'm grabbing lunch. Join me?
Erick grinned and quickly typed a reply, dodging his way through the crowded halls.
Erick: Barely. But yeah, I'll meet you in 15. I need a break from this brain meltdown.
He waved goodbye to a few classmates before heading to the student lounge. Honestly, he couldn't wait to see Sara and Henry—he could always count on them to help him forget about whatever complex code or lecture he had just been subjected to in his computer science class.
Inside, the lounge smelled like cheap coffee and instant noodles—so basically, home. Sara was already sitting at a table, completely absorbed in her phone. Henry, with his ever-present cup of coffee, was glued to his laptop screen.
"You guys really do live on caffeine, don't you?" Erick teased, dropping into the seat next to Sara with a dramatic sigh.
Sara looked up from her phone, rolling her eyes but smiling. "It's the only way we're still functional after that last algorithm assignment."
Henry barely looked up from his laptop. "Yeah, without it, I'd have to pretend I'm getting work done. No thanks."
Erick let out a dramatic sigh. "Tell me about it. It feels like we're all in a race to see who can lose their sanity first after that class."
Sara nudged him with her elbow, grinning. "Oh, you and me? We're already winning that race."
Henry finally glanced up, flashing a smug grin. "Please, I'm way ahead. Just wait."
Erick leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "You two are hopeless." He chuckled. "But seriously, I need something to take my mind off this or I'm going to lose it."
"Good thing NCT Dream just dropped their new MV," Sara said, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "I'm already planning to binge it after this."
Erick grinned, raising an eyebrow. "Ah, the K-pop lifeline. Maybe I should start following the trend if it's gonna keep me sane."
Sara laughed, nudging him. "You should! EXO's not the only group out there, you know. I bet you'd like some of their stuff."
Erick shrugged with a smile. "I mean, I don't mind EXO. But I'm not exactly ready to join the fan club or anything."
"You're such a casual listener," Sara teased. "You should try NCT, I bet they've got a song you'd vibe with."
Erick laughed. "I'll take that under consideration. But for now, my usual playlist does the trick."
"Of course you do," Sara teased with a grin. "You're a tough nut to crack."
Henry, who had been quietly sipping his coffee, finally spoke up. "I'm with Erick. A little indie mixed with some K-pop wouldn't be so bad."
"Exactly," Erick agreed, nodding.
Sara rolled her eyes with a grin. "You two are hopeless. But seriously, you should give NCT a chance. One MV and you'll be hooked."
Erick chuckled. "Maybe I'll check them out. But only if they do a cover of Louis by TV Girl."
"Now that would be interesting," Henry said, raising an eyebrow. "If they did a cover of Louis, I'd definitely watch."
Sara rolled her eyes but grinned. "You two are impossible, but fine, be stubborn. I'm just saying, once you watch their MV, you'll be hooked."
Erick leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms over his head with a yawn. "Well, I'll give it a shot... after I've caught up on my usual playlist. Can't have too much new music to process at once, you know?"
Sara snorted. "You're such a mood. But seriously, I'm not letting you off the hook this time. I'm sending you the link the second I get home."
Erick shot her a playful look. "I'll be waiting. But if I get hooked, I'm blaming you."
"Deal," she grinned, clearly thrilled at the prospect of converting him.
Henry, who had been quietly observing, smirked. "I'll believe it when I see it."
The conversation carried on, filled with jokes, easy banter, and a little bit of mockery here and there. It was just the kind of distraction Erick needed, and by the time lunch was over, he felt a little more ready to face whatever absurdity the rest of the day had in store—especially without any classes with Sara and Henry to keep him sane.
______________________
The bell rang, signaling the end of another long day at Seoul International Metropolitan University. Erick slid his laptop back into his bag, zipping it up with a sense of relief. The lecture had felt endless, and now he was ready to escape the confines of the classroom.
He glanced at his phone to check the time. It was later than he thought, but the campus was still buzzing with students heading to their next classes or making plans for the evening. Erick wasn't in the mood for any of that. He had no pressing assignments, no group meetings—just a few quiet hours ahead of him.
As he walked out of the lecture hall, the cool afternoon air hit him, offering a brief moment of calm. He waved goodbye to a couple of classmates, his mind already shifting to the quiet comfort of his apartment. The walk to the subway station was brief, but Erick welcomed the moment of solitude. Once he reached the station, he pulled out his earbuds and connected them to his phone. The familiar sound of his usual playlist started to play, drowning out the noise of the busy station.
He stood there, waiting for the train, letting the music wash over him as he relaxed into the rhythm of the day's end. Some indie tracks mixed with a little K-pop—his preferred blend to unwind. The train pulled into the station with a gentle screech, and he joined the crowd of commuters, finding a spot by the door.
Erick's ride home wasn't long, but he cherished the quiet time it gave him. He leaned against the cool metal of the train, watching the city blur past the windows as he lost himself in the music. The sound of his playlist was a simple comfort, like a familiar voice that helped him forget the weight of the day's lectures.
When the train finally reached his station, Erick got off, his mind still drifting between the music and his thoughts. He made his way out of the station, the crisp evening air greeting him as he walked the short distance to his apartment.
Once inside, he kicked off his shoes and dropped his bag on the couch. His apartment greeted him with its quiet charm—a cozy living space that had become his sanctuary. The main room was simple but inviting, with soft, comfortable sofas facing a large window. The city stretched out before him, lights twinkling like stars in the distance. He could hear the faint hum of traffic from the busy streets below, but up here, everything felt peaceful.
Erick headed to the kitchen to grab a quick snack, then returned to the couch. He sank into the cushions, feeling the weight of the day slowly melt away. The soft glow from the city outside bathed the room in a warm light, and for a moment, it felt like he had all the time in the world.
He pulled his laptop onto his lap, ready to unwind a little more, but for now, he was content. His apartment was small, but it was his—quiet, cozy, and the perfect place to escape to after the chaos of the day. Erick leaned back, letting the comfort of home wrap around him, feeling a deep sense of relief. Another day was done, and for now, that was all that mattered.
As the evening stretched on, Erick decided it was time to unwind fully. He hit the refreshing shower, letting the warm water wash away the lingering fatigue of the day. The soothing rhythm of the water was a perfect ending to the busy hours, and as he stepped out, the steam enveloped him, adding to the calm of the night.
After drying off, he moved to his small bathroom counter and started his skincare routine—a ritual that had become second nature. He applied a light cleanser, followed by toner and moisturizer, taking his time with each step. It was a peaceful, almost meditative process, and Erick always appreciated the brief moments of solitude it offered.
Once he finished, he grabbed his phone to check the time—it was already nearing 10:00 PM. With an early 8 AM class waiting for him tomorrow, he knew he needed to get some rest. He made sure everything was set for the morning—his clothes laid out, his bag packed—and then climbed into bed.
Erick pulled the covers over himself, propped his pillow just right, and glanced at his phone one last time. The soft glow from his nightstand lamp cast a gentle light across the room, and he felt his body begin to relax.
By 10:35, his eyes finally closed. As the quiet of the night settled in, Erick drifted off to sleep, looking forward to a fresh start the next day.
______________________
Erick woke up at 7:05 A.M., groaning as his alarm blared. "Why do 8:00 A.M. classes even exist?" he muttered, his voice muffled by the pillow. With the grace of a zombie, he shuffled to the bathroom, squinting at the light as he brushed his teeth.
Feeling slightly more human, he opened his bedroom door—and froze.
There, lounging on the sofa like it was his own living room, was a stranger. A very real stranger. Erick blinked twice, convinced he was still dreaming. Nope. The man was scrolling casually on his phone, oblivious to the panic erupting in Erick's mind.
His survival instincts kicked in. Spotting an umbrella nearby, Erick grabbed it and wielded it like a sword. "Aha!" he declared, brandishing it dramatically as he advanced toward the intruder.
The man finally looked up, eyes wide with alarm. "Whoa, whoa!" he stammered, hands shooting into the air.
"누구야!? (Nuguya!?)" (Who are you!?) Erick yelled, still holding the umbrella like it was Excalibur.
"나는 주연! 나는 주연!! (Naneun Juyeon! Naneun Juyeon!!)" (I'm Juyeon! I'm Juyeon!!) the man replied, his voice high-pitched in panic as he leaned back, trying to avoid the impending umbrella attack.
"누구? (Nugu?)" (Who?) Erick repeated, his tone a mix of disbelief and sheer confusion. The name didn't ring a bell, and he wasn't about to let his guard down.
Juyeon hesitated, then pointed to himself awkwardly. "어... 새 룸메이트야. 너랑 같이 살게 됐어. (Uh... Sae roommate-ya. Neorang gachi salge dwaesseo.)" (Uh... I'm your new roommate. I'm going to be living with you.)
"새 룸메이트? (Sae roommate?)" (New roommate?) Erick echoed, lowering the umbrella a fraction. His brain was working overtime trying to connect the dots.
"네. (Ne.)" (Yes.) Juyeon nodded earnestly. "내가 오늘부터 여기 살게 됐어. (Naega oneulbuteo yeogi salge dwaesseo.)" (I'm living here starting today.)
Erick lowered the umbrella a little more, though he kept a tight grip on it. "Wait, but how did you even get in?" Erick finally gave up on his Korean, switching back to English.
"어제 열쇠 받았어. 너 없어서 들어왔어. (Eoje yeolsoe badasseo. Neo eobseoseo deureowasseo.)" (I got the key yesterday. You weren't here, so I just came in.) Juyeon's sheepish tone almost made Erick feel bad. Almost.
Erick rubbed his temples, trying to make sense of it all. "So you just... showed up? With no warning?"
Juyeon offered a small shrug and an apologetic smile. "그치... 나도 좀 당황스러워. (Geuchi... Nado jom danghwangseureowo.)" (Right... I'm kind of shocked too.)
"Okay," Erick finally said, exhaling loudly. "I guess I'll get used to it." He set the umbrella down and plopped onto the sofa, still eyeing Juyeon suspiciously.
After a beat, something occurred to him. "Wait. Do you understand English?" he asked.
"응, 이해해. (Eung, ihaehae.)" (Yes, I understand,) Juyeon replied, nodding.
Erick's face lit up. "You can speak English too?"
"Yeah," Juyeon said with a small smile.
Erick groaned dramatically, throwing his hands in the air. "Bruh, why didn't you just say that earlier? You had me stressing about having to survive this in broken Korean!"
Juyeon laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck. "I didn't want to make things weird..."
"Weird? So you're saying I do sound weird speaking Korean, right?" Erick shot back, his voice dripping with mock offense. "Ugh."
Juyeon chuckled softly, his hands waving in denial. "아니야, 진짜 괜찮아. 한국어 잘해! (Aniya, jinjja gwaenchana. Hangukeo jalhae!)" (No, really, it's okay. Your Korean sounds fine!)
"진짜? (Jinjja?)" (Really?) Erick asked, his skepticism still evident.
Juyeon nodded, his smile growing a little more confident. "진짜." (Jinjja.)
"Agh, but things were already weird, man!" Erick retorted, throwing his hands up in exaggerated frustration. He shook his head and flopped back against the sofa. "Well, I'm glad you speak English. My Korean's so bad, I thought this was going to be a disaster."
Juyeon chuckled, finally looking more relaxed. "I think we'll be okay."
Erick snorted, rolling his eyes. "Speak for yourself. I'm still recovering from almost whacking you with an umbrella. I mean, who introduces themselves like that?"
Juyeon grinned sheepishly, shrugging. "To be fair, I wasn't expecting to meet my roommate like that either. But at least we're off to a memorable start?"
"Yeah," Erick muttered, side-eyeing the umbrella still within arm's reach. "Memorable for you. Traumatic for me."
Erick cleared his throat, breaking the awkward silence. "Well, I need to shower. I've got class at 8 A.M."
Juyeon raised an eyebrow, his expression somewhere between pity and disbelief. "An 8 A.M. class? Really? Yikes," he said, shaking his head dramatically, like Erick had just announced the end of the world.
"Don't remind me," Erick grumbled, dragging his feet toward the bathroom.
Juyeon leaned back on the sofa, looking genuinely curious. "What course are you majoring in, by the way?"
Erick paused mid-step, turning around. "Mmm... computer science."
Juyeon's eyes widened, and he gave an exaggerated gasp. "Whoa, okay—so I got a smart housemate?"
Erick smirked, puffing up his chest a little. "Duh, of course."
"Nice," Juyeon said, giving him an approving nod. "Guess I'll come to you when my Wi-Fi's acting up."
Erick rolled his eyes. "Just don't break anything while I'm gone."
With that, he headed off to the bathroom, shaking his head but feeling a little more at ease with his new housemate.
Erick hurried through his morning routine, barely sparing a second to think. Grabbing his things, he rushed out of the apartment, hoping to catch the train to campus just in time.
As he rushed around, Juyeon watched him, his eyes widening slightly in concern. "화이팅! (Hwaiting!)" he called out with a big, encouraging grin, as if Erick was about to face a battle, not a morning commute.
Erick paused, blinking in confusion. "Uh... thanks?" he muttered, still trying to process the situation but not wanting to be rude.
Juyeon, undeterred, gave him a thumbs up. "Fighting! You got this!" His voice rang with an enthusiasm that was equal parts heartwarming and a little ridiculous.
Erick chuckled, feeling a mix of amusement and exhaustion. "Right, sure," he said, shaking his head, half-smiling. "See you later, I guess."
______________________
Erick's Phone Buzzed
The 8 AM lecture was already dragging on, and Erick was doing his best to stay awake, blinking through the haze of exhaustion. Just as he was starting to drift off, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He let out a silent sigh of relief. A distraction.
He quickly pulled it out, careful not to draw attention from the professor.
Sugar Rush Sara: You still alive in there? 😩
Erick squinted at the screen, stifling a yawn before typing back with one hand.
Erick: Barely. 8 AM classes should be illegal. But I'm alive, somehow. You?
Sugar Rush Sara: Same. This early morning thing is a crime. Anyway, lunch after class? I need a food break!
Erick couldn't help but grin at the idea of a food break.
Erick: I'm d.o.w.n.
Sugar Rush Sara: Hehehe, okay, see you soon!
Feeling a little more awake, Erick shoved his phone back into his pocket, mentally preparing for the rest of the lecture. The thought of lunch with Sara kept him going, though. It wasn't the most glamorous start to the day, but it was definitely an upgrade from the never-ending grind of 8 AM classes.
______________________
As the class was dismissed, Erick was the first to pack up his things, his movements swift as he prepared to escape the confines of the lecture hall. He quickly turned to the lecturer, bowed his head quickly, and said, "감사합니다, 선생님!" (Gamsahamnida, seonsaengnim!) (Thank you, Sir!), already heading toward the door.
The lecturer started to respond, "천만에요-" (Cheonmaneyo-) (You're welcome-), but by the time the words left his mouth, Erick was already halfway out the door. The lecturer shook his head, chuckling lightly to himself, "학생은 참 바쁘네..." (Haksaeng-eun cham bappeune...) (That student is always in a hurry).
After class, Erick stepped out of the lecture hall, the weight of the early morning finally lifting as he made his way toward the student lounge to meet up with Sara and Henry. His legs felt like jelly, and he could already hear the distant call of food in his mind. He'd survived the 8 AM grind, and now all he wanted was a break, maybe a nap, and definitely something to eat.
Sara was already there, sitting at a table by the window, sipping on her coffee like it was the nectar of life. She glanced up from her phone as Erick entered, a teasing smile creeping onto her face.
"You made it!" she said with mock surprise, leaning back in her chair. "I thought you might've fallen asleep in the lecture, but I see you survived."
Erick dropped into the seat next to her, stretching his arms and letting out a dramatic sigh as he got comfortable. "Barely," he grumbled, rubbing his eyes. "8 AM classes should be illegal, but somehow, I made it through without face-planting on the desk."
Henry, who had been deep in his music world with his headphones on, glanced up from his phone with a slightly confused look. "Survived what?" he asked, looking between Erick and Sara.
"The lecture from hell," Erick replied dramatically, flopping back in his chair like a tired old man. "I swear, it felt like the professor was speaking in a different language. Not to mention, I'm running on caffeine and pure willpower right now. I need food. And a nap because learning computer science in the morning is insane."
Sara laughed, shaking her head as she set her coffee down. "Well, yeah, he did speak in a different language... well, Korean! Hahaha!" she said, grinning at Erick.
Erick glanced at her, unimpressed. "Ha... ha... ha," he replied dryly, rolling his eyes.
"Alright, alright, go get your coffee and food before you turn into a zombie," Sara teased, nudging him playfully. "We all know how cranky you get when you're hungry."
Erick gave her a dramatic sigh, still feeling the effects of the morning's class, but he couldn't deny the truth in her words. His stomach was already grumbling, protesting the lack of fuel.
"Fine, fine," he grumbled, pushing himself off the chair. "But the food better be worth the walk. I'm not in the mood for any cafeteria mystery meat today."
Henry chuckled, adjusting his headphones. "You're lucky you're getting anything at all, Mr. Sleepyhead. Let's go before you pass out on us."
______________________
Meanwhile, back at their shared apartment, Juyeon stood in the kitchen, armed with a cutting board, a chef's knife, and a recipe on his phone. The goal? Kimchi fried rice. Simple enough, right? Wrong.
He stared at the ingredients he'd bought earlier: kimchi, rice, green onions, eggs, sesame oil. Everything looked intimidating, especially the raw egg he had yet to crack.
"Okay, step one," Juyeon muttered, tapping the screen of his phone. "Chop the green onions."
He grabbed the knife and a single green onion, holding it awkwardly. With one dramatic swipe, he cut the onion... into exactly two large pieces.
"...That's not right," he muttered, frowning at the uneven chunks. He leaned closer to his phone screen, squinting. "Thin slices? How thin is thin?"
Determined to recover, he started chopping rapidly—too rapidly. Onion bits flew everywhere, one even landing on his shoulder. Juyeon sighed but pressed on, sliding the pieces into a bowl with an exaggerated flourish, like a TV chef.
Just then, his phone buzzed on the table. Juyeon snatched it up, half-expecting a work notification, but it was from his manager.
매니저: 조용히 지내는 거 잊지 마. 스캔들 없게, 알았지? (JJoyonghi jinaeneun geo itji ma. Seukaendeul eopge, aratji?) (Don't forget to stay lowkey. No scandals, okay?)
Juyeon sighed and typed back.
Juyeon: 알았어요. 지금 김치밥 만드는 방법 찾고 있어요, 스캔들 할 시간 없어요.(Arasseoyo. Jigeum gimchi bap mandeuneun bangbeop chatgo isseoyo, seukaendeul hal sigan eopseoyo.) (Got it. Just trying to figure out how to cook kimchi rice right now, no time for scandals.)
He set the phone down and turned back to the cutting board, his determination renewed. "I'm not going to let fried rice beat me."
Next was the egg. He held it like it was made of glass, cautiously tapping it against the edge of the bowl. It didn't crack. He hit it harder—still no crack. On the third try, the egg shattered dramatically, spilling half into the bowl and half onto his hand.
"Why does this happen to me?" Juyeon whispered to himself, staring at the slimy mess.
Determined, he wiped his hands and moved on. The pan was heating up, and he added the sesame oil. It sizzled a little too enthusiastically, causing him to jump back.
"Is it supposed to sound like that?!" he yelped.
He tossed in the kimchi, and the sizzling turned into a full-on crackling symphony. The smell was good, though, which encouraged him. Next, he dumped in the rice. Except... it clumped together in one large lump. Juyeon poked at it with a spatula, but it refused to cooperate.
"Come on," he muttered, trying to break the clumps apart. Instead, they broke into smaller clumps.
The scene looked like chaos—rice bits flying, the pan dangerously full, and Juyeon frantically trying to flip everything without sending it onto the floor.
Finally, he stepped back, hands on his hips, surveying the mess. The fried rice was... edible-looking, though more burnt than golden.
At that moment, Erick walked in, holding a paper bag with takeout. He froze, taking in the disaster zone that was the kitchen.
"...Did a food fight break out in here?" Erick asked, raising an eyebrow.
Juyeon turned to him, holding up the pan with a triumphant grin. "No, but I made dinner!"
Erick squinted at the rice. "Uh-huh. And you expect me to eat that?"
"Of course! It's kimchi fried rice!"
Erick put the bag on the counter and peered into the pan. "Bro, that rice looks like it went through a breakup and gave up on life."
Juyeon deflated, looking back at his creation. "It's not that bad..."
Erick sighed, pulling out containers of steaming food from the takeout bag. "I got dumplings and noodles. Save your masterpiece for another time, Chef Juyeon."
Juyeon pouted but grabbed a pair of chopsticks. "Next time, you'll see. I'll make something amazing."
"Sure, sure," Erick replied, handing him a dumpling. "Lets just stick to takeout for now."
______________________
Later that night, after they had eaten and the kitchen was finally quiet, Erick and Juyeon found themselves sitting in the living room, sipping on a couple of drinks. Erick, feeling a little more comfortable around his new housemate, decided it was time to ask some questions.
"So, Juyeon," Erick began, breaking the silence. "I realize I don't know much about you yet. What's your story?"
Juyeon looked at him, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips. He took a sip from his cup before answering. "Well, my full name is Lee Juyeon, but you can just call me Juyeon. I'm 23."
"Nice," Erick nodded, his grin growing. "I'm Erick Hansol Kim, but you can just call me Erick. And I'm 21. Okay, hyung—looks like I'll be calling you that now."
Juyeon chuckled, leaning back on the couch. "Erick Hansol Kim," he repeated softly. "Alright, Erick. Nice to meet you. And... please take good care of me."
Erick's grin softened into something more genuine. "네, 형~'' (Ne, hyung~) (Yes, big bro~) he replied with a playful look, tilting his head toward Juyeon teasingly.
Juyeon laughed and gently pushed Erick's head away, the sound light and genuine. For a moment, their shared laughter filled the cozy living room, making it feel like a world of its own—just two strangers becoming friends, step by step.
They reached out and shook hands briefly, a firm yet casual gesture that seemed to seal the start of a friendly understanding between them. Erick couldn't help but smile back, already feeling the initial awkwardness fading.
After the handshake, there was a brief moment of silence before Erick leaned back, his curiosity growing. "So, hyung, what do you do? I mean, apart from setting off culinary fireworks in the kitchen?"
Juyeon chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ah, well, let's just say I've been... pretty busy with work lately." He paused, carefully choosing his words. "It's nothing too exciting, really. Just stuff that keeps me on my toes."
"Vague much?" Erick teased, narrowing his eyes playfully. "Come on, give me something here. Are you, like, an office guy? Freelance? Secret spy?"
Juyeon laughed, almost spilling his drink. "Spy? That's a new one." He shook his head. "Nah, nothing that dramatic. I do a lot of traveling, though. It's kind of part of the job."
"Alright, Mr. Mysterious Traveler," Erick said with a grin. "How did you end up here, then? In this apartment?"
Juyeon hesitated for a moment, carefully crafting his words. He couldn't exactly tell Erick the truth—that The Boyz's dorm was undergoing renovations, and while some members stayed at the temporary setup, others, like him, had opted for a quieter place. The landlord's connection with their company had made it all possible, but there was no way he could reveal that.
"Ah, well," Juyeon started, scratching the back of his neck, "I just needed a temporary place while figuring some stuff out. The landlord is a family friend, so he helped me out with this spot."
Erick raised an eyebrow, glancing toward the window where the glow of city lights and the faint hum of traffic filtered through. "Figuring stuff out... in the middle of the city?" he questioned, his tone teasing. "Not exactly the quiet retreat most people would pick."
Juyeon chuckled nervously, trying to keep his story consistent. "Yeah, I guess not. But I kind of like it. It's lively, you know? Keeps things interesting."
"Sure," Erick replied, still skeptical but letting it slide. "As long as you don't mind the occasional car horns and random karaoke from the building next door."
"Adds to the charm," Juyeon said, a smile tugging at his lips. "Besides, it's convenient. Everything's close by, and I don't have to go far for what I need."
"Convenient for what, though?" Erick pressed, though his tone remained light. "Work? Studying? Secret spy missions?"
Juyeon laughed, thankful for the playful tone that gave him an out. "Something like that," he said with a shrug. "Let's just say I'm trying to keep things flexible for now."
"Alright, Chef Juyeon," Erick said with a grin, deciding to let it go. "At least you've got the city vibe down. Just... don't get us evicted trying to learn how to make kimchi rice at 3 a.m."
Juyeon groaned. "I'm never going to live that down, am I?"
"Nope," Erick said with a laugh, leaning back against the couch.
And just like that, their first night as housemates ended with a mix of laughter, mystery, and the promise of chaos to come