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There were 4 people living in a large house on the quiet area of town.
Yoo Joonghyuk, the original renter of the house (cough cough he got too lonely but he will never admit it cough cough) and a famous game developer, although his roommates still haven’t figured that out which he found entertaining enough to keep a secret.
Han Sooyoung, the girl always forgetting rent, as well as a famous writer to which her friends also haven’t figured out and she hadn’t revealed it because it was entertaining.
Yoo Sangah, the girl always on top of rent and a famous artist who, yes, also kept it a secret because she thought it was funny.
And finally, Kim Dokja. A stray wet cat.
Well he wasn’t actually a cat, although he did remind the three of one. Yoo Joonghyuk found him one day in the rain, the man sitting on the side walk and looking like he’d been crying a lot, with bandages all over himself. Feeling guilty, Yoo Joonghyuk silently handed the man his umbrella and went on with his day. Some time after that, Han Sooyoung walked past him and tripped, yelling at him if he dared laugh at her, but then she felt bad so handed him her half eaten donut as an apology. And a bit after, Yoo Sangah also walked past him and sat with him for a bit, not wanting to leave until she succeeded in cheering him up.
The three would walk past him everyday at different times. Yoo Sangah spoke to him the most, and felt heartbroken the more she learnt about how he got in such a state. Han Sooyoung found him entertaining to talk to, and would just feed him her left over food like he was a stray cat. Yoo Joonghyuk never spoke to him at all, but made sure he stayed warm outside by wordlessly throwing a coat or blanket over him, not letting him return it.
All three of them felt a certain connection to the man, not knowing why. Yoo Joonghyuk confused on it the most as he’s never cared much for anyone besides himself and his family. Although, when his eyes met Kim Dokja’s, he felt like he’d just lived a thousand lives with him, and had a longing sense to protect and cherish him.
That led to him demanding the man to come over to his house for the next morning when his roommates would be out. Kim Dokja refused, not wanting to be a bother but he practically had no choice.
Then afterwards, Han Sooyoung did the same, inviting him over the next afternoon, not letting him decline.
Yoo Sangah gave him a choice to visit her for the night but she was so nice about it he couldn’t bear saying no and seeing her upset.
He obliged, already exhausted at the thought he’d have to go to three different houses tomorrow. Although, at least he wouldn’t be lonely anymore.
The next morning he arrived at Yoo Joonghyuk’s house as promised, amazed by the breakfast he had cooked.
“Do you live alone?” He wondered, surprised if the man was single.
“No, I have two annoying roommates.” Yoo Joonghyuk muttered, although there was a fond look in his eyes instead of annoyance.
Kim Dokja chuckled, picking up on it. Yoo Joonghyuk looked away, not realising he was so easy to read. Or, did Kim Dokja just know him really well?
To Yoo Joonghyuk’s disappointment, Kim Dokja excused himself quickly as he had somewhere else to be later. Although it was good timing as his roommate would return soon and he had to leave anyway.
When Kim Dokja walked with Han Sooyoung he couldn’t help but wonder why her home looked eerily familiar. Or maybe all the houses in the neighbourhood looked alike. That made sense, right?
Then he felt like he was going crazy by night when he had dinner with Yoo Sangah. He kept looking at the furniture wearily.
“Are you okay, Dokja-ssi?”
He apologised and nodded. “The food’s great.”
She smiled. “My roommate made it!”
“Ah, you have roommates?”
“Two of them, a really good chef and the second one is a girl who’s out right now, I think she’s shopping maybe, probably in town, she really likes going there, she told me she wanted to buy another leather jacket, I hope she does because she looks really good in them-“ Yoo Sangah stopped abruptly when she realised she was rambling.
Kim Dokja smirked knowingly at her. “I like how you talk about one roommate in way more detail than the other.”
She chuckled awkwardly and quickly ate her food.
The next day Han Sooyoung was with Kim Dokja, ranting about a book with him after she learnt they both had an interest in reading.
“Hey, do you have roommates?” Kim Dokja found himself asking.
“Yeah I got two. One of makes the best food so I just steal all of it when he’s not looking.”
Kim Dokja nodded and decided to test something. “And the other…?”
“She’s chill. Nice. Really nice, as in she’s kind you know, and like- the sweetest person ever I guess. She’s nice. Why are you looking at me like that?”
Kim Dokja chuckled.
After Han Sooyoung left, Yoo Sangah sat next to him a while after with her usual smile.
“Is this always the route you take to go home?” Kim Dokja asked.
“My usual one, yeah.”
“From work?”
“Oh no I work from home. Well, I work at a cafe because I like the atmosphere, but by title I work from home.”
“That sounds like fun. I hated my old job so much.”
“The office?”
“Yeah…”
Yoo Sangah frowned guiltily. “I’m sorry Dokja-ssi… life hasn’t given you a lot of chances…”
He smiled sadly. “It’s okay, I made some great friends.”
She lit up again. “That’s great!”
“Is it okay if I walk you home? I’m tired of sitting.”
“Of course you can!”
The two walked together to the house, and outside the door Yoo Joonghyuk and Han Sooyoung were arguing. Han Sooyoung wanted to decorate the door with a sign that said “BEWARE” and Yoo Joonghyuk was desperately talking her out of it. The two stopped instantly when they saw their roommate approach, a familiar face next to her.
“Dokja?” They said at the same time.
All of them froze.
Kim Dokja smiled. He knew the three had a connection. He found it amusing, how they all befriended him, despite how different the three were.
And that lead to today, Kim Dokja having lived with the three for a couple of years now. He felt guilty as he tried hard to look for a job, strangely finding it a lot more difficult and draining than most adults he knew. He felt utterly useless, like a burden to the others. His roommates however, saw him as a house cat they loved to take care of.
He did feel proud of one thing, which was getting his useless lesbian roommates to confess to each other. He couldn’t say the same for his own crush.
Despite speaking to the girls more when he was homeless, Kim Dokja ended up becoming the closest to Yoo Joonghyuk, hanging around with him the most, talking endlessly for hours with him.
“I used to think my life was over years ago,” Kim Dokja mumbled, lying on his bed and exhausted for no reason. He didn’t know how the conversation shifted from talking about dumplings to this but it was becoming common with the two. “Sometimes I still think it is… which is so selfish-“
“It’s not. And you don’t have to have everything figured out right now. I still don’t.” Yoo Joonghyuk comforted, running a hand over his hair.
Kim Dokja smiled at him. He sat upright and leaned on the man’s shoulder.
“I’m glad I met you,” he whispered, very softly.
So softly it made Yoo Joonghyuk want to hold him forever and never let go. It was really odd, he still hasn’t figured out why he was so attached to the man. He couldn’t say he was bothered by it, however.
Then, his face heated up as he noticed how close the two were. Kim Dokja was still smiling at him, that adorable smile crinkling up his pretty eyes that Yoo Joonghyuk couldn’t look away from.
He leaned closer.
A light clatter came from the front door. Mail.
Kim Dokja jumped up excitedly and dashed out the door, leaving Yoo Joonghyuk confused, too dazed to move. And a bit embarrassed at what he had wanted to happen.
“Woah, what’s got you in a hurry?” Han Sooyoung asked from the kitchen, as she cooked a monstrosity on the stove that would cause Yoo Joonghyuk to yell at her again.
Yoo Sangah looked up from the table, wondering why Kim Dokja looked like a kid on Christmas. Not that she was complaining, she loved seeing anyone happy.
Yoo Joonghyuk left his room, also curious, and loved to see Kim Dokja specifically happy. The man distracting him enough from Han Sooyoung’s kitchen crimes.
“DID MY THREE WAYS TO SURVIVE THE APOCALYPSE STICKERS ARRIVE?!” Kim Dokja said excitedly, holding up the envelope.
Everyone, apart from Kim Dokja, froze as they heard him yell out that name.
The name of the game Yoo Joonghyuk has been developing for years, getting the idea from multiple dreams that felt like memories.
The name of the web novel Han Sooyoung has been writing and rewriting for years, the idea also coming from a dream.
The name of the comic Yoo Sangah has been drawing ever since she’s read and fallen in love with the web novel.
Of course, none of the three knew they were behind each work. Han Sooyoung actually hated the game, thinking it was a strange adaptation of her book, and getting into multiple online arguments with the lead developer on how they got aspects of it wrong. Yoo Sangah always wanted her comic to be noticed by the anonymous author of the web novel, although the day never came. Han Sooyoung was obsessed with the comic and screamed whenever it went on hiatus, but was too embarrassed to comment on it, not knowing why her book was so worthy of such gorgeous artwork.
The three all watched as Kim Dokja slowly opened the envelope, then were confused when his smile fell instantly. He sighed and looked up at them.
“…It was my bachelor degree.”
Another shock ran through the three, this one bigger than the last.
“You… you’ve been attending classes?!” Han Sooyoung gaped.
Kim Dokja nodded shyly. “Well yeah… I never graduated the first time… I thought I’d try again…”
“You never told us?” Yoo Joonghyuk said, just as shocked.
He shrugged. “It’s embarrassing… going to school again this late…”
“It’s not, it’s not at all.” Yoo Sangah insisted. She walked over to him. “This is great, Dokja, we would never have made fun of you for it.” Then she gasped in excitement. “Do you have a graduation ceremony? Can I decorate your cap?”
“I don’t care I’m breaking in and attending that ceremony,” Han Sooyoung said, still annoyed at him.
“We would’ve supported you, you fool.” Yoo Joonghyuk muttered.
Kim Dokja stayed silent, embarrassed by all the attention.
“What course was it?” Han Sooyoung demanded, trying to look at the certificate.
“Creative writing…” he said shyly.
“WHAT THE HELL? AND YOU NEVER TOLD ME?” The author said offended.
“It’s not an impressive-“
“WHO CARES!” Han Sooyoung groaned in frustration.
“I think it’s very impressive,” Yoo Sangah said, ever so kindly, “And we need to celebrate.”
“N-no we don’t need to-“
“I’ll cook all your favourite food.” Yoo Joonghyuk said, already walking to the kitchen.
“He only likes two dishes.” Han Sooyoung teased.
“That’s not true-!”
“SOOYOUNG.” Yoo Joonghyuk yelled, appalled by the mess she made in the kitchen.
Kim Dokja giggled as he watched the man chase her around the house. He loved his roommates.
Yoo Sangah used the tweezers with a careful precision under a desk lamp as she decorated Kim Dokja’s graduation cap. For the sake of her health and sanity, he begged her to not make it too detailed but she refused to listen.
“…You really like this story.” The girl mentioned, as the cap was none other than TWSA themed.
Kim Dokja nodded excitedly with a smile. “I’ve been reading it since it came out.”
“Uhm, do you like the comic version?” She asked shyly.
“The art’s nice, like really pretty. I just wish it didn’t skip over a lot of things-“
“IT’S HARD TO DRAW SO MANY PANELS THE BOOK IS ALREADY LIKE A THOUSAND CHAPTERS!” Yoo Sangah yelled, flustered. “F-for the artist… I mean, I imagine it’s very hard for the artist.”
“Yeah definitely. I can’t believe it’s just one person.” He drawled out, trying not to laugh at her reactions.
“…What would you do if you ever met them?”
“Ask them what’s taking so long.” He joked.
Yoo Joonghyuk walked by and heard the conversation.
“Do you prefer the game or the comic?” He asked.
“…There’s a game?” Yoo Sangah mumbled before he could answer that.
Yoo Joonghyuk held back a scream. “It’s better than the book.”
“YOU’RE JUST SAYING THAT BECAUSE YOU’RE A GAMER!” Han Sooyoung yelled, rushing down the stairs. “The book has a way better depiction of the characters!”
“The author forgot a character’s name at one point.”
“T-there’s a lot of characters! Give m- GIVE THE A-AUTHOR some slack!”
“The game is on its final chapter, the book is never going to end.” Yoo Joonghyuk argued.
“How do you know the game is almost over?”
Yoo Joonghyuk stopped for a moment. “I-it was announced…”
“I thought the lead developer was secretive about those sort of things? Isn’t it in their username? Secretive Plotter? It’s so cringe.” She cackled.
Kim Dokja smiled as he watched the argument. Things were starting to fall into place in his mind. The thing he’s been theorising for months.
“Sooyoung, what do you think of the comic?” He asked, noticing the way Yoo Sangah reacted.
“The art’s crazy good… they’re like my second favourite artist of all time so yeah.”
“Who’s your favourite?” He asked.
“My girlfriend, idiot.”
Yoo Sangah blushed. “I-it’s okay if you like the comic’s artist more…”
“No way, they have NOTHING on your art.”
Yoo Sangah chuckled to herself. “What if I told you I know the artist?”
Han Sooyoung’s eyes lit up. “R-really?” She stopped, trying to look like she didn’t care. “I mean uhm- they should be honoured knowing someone like you.”
“Sooyoung…” Yoo Sangah mumbled, blushing in embarrassment again.
Yoo Joonghyuk began catching onto what she was implying.
“If you know the artist, then I know the lead developer.”
She looked at him then chuckled. “Oh really?”
Han Sooyoung looked between them, not understanding what either of them were talking about.
“You rat, why are you smiling like you know something?” Han Sooyoung glared at Kim Dokja.
He feigned an innocent look. “I just wanted to talk about my favourite story, then you all started arguing.”
“You still haven’t told us your favourite version of it!” Yoo Sangah prompted.
He pretended to think for a moment. “Well, I did find the web novel first and I reread it so many times… but I like the art of the comic a lot… and I think the game has the best version of the original protagonist. He acts like a real person.”
“Original protagonist?” Yoo Sangah questioned.
“You play your own character in the game so technically you’re the protagonist but the original protagonist from the web novel is also there.” He explained.
“See those changes SUCK!” Han Sooyoung complained.
“They didn’t change the web novel. The game came out a MONTH after it- do you think the developers read the first chapter that quickly and made the game?” Yoo Joonghyuk argued, exasperated.
“Game developers aren’t human.” She shrugged. “Also, why did they even make it a visual novel game in the first place and then have NO romance options?”
Yoo Joonghyuk narrowed his eyes. “The web novel isn’t romantic either?”
“Yeah but it’s a self insert game! It was such a missed opportunity.”
“Are you just saying that because you want to date a character?”
“How dare you imply I’m not loyal?!”
“If you wanted to date a fictional character I wouldn’t mind,” Yoo Sangah said.
“No fictional character could ever be on your league.” She said, making her girlfriend blush again.
“I’d just date the original protagonist on each run.” Kim Dokja said slyly, smiling at Yoo Joonghyuk as he did.
Han Sooyoung laughed. “Wait- you have a fictional crush on him?”
“No, I just like to study him.”
“That’s what being in love is.”
“No it isn’t?” Yoo Sangah said, hoping she was joking.
“He just reminds me of someone.” Kim Dokja smiled, catching the way Yoo Joonghyuk went slightly red.
Han Sooyoung, unable to sleep, looked through the comic on her laptop and had one of Yoo Sangah’s sketchbook opened. She stared at the art very intensely, comparing them.
“…Love it’s getting late,” Yoo Sangah said behind her.
“I’m busy!”
Yoo Sangah sighed and walked over. “Yes I’m the artist, I changed my art style for the comic and the reason I never told you was because it was funny.”
Han Sooyoung stared at her. “I can’t be mad because that is really funny.” Then she grabbed her girlfriend and hugged her tightly. “I can’t believe I didn’t figure it out sooner… did you know I was the author?”
“Not until today and… I can’t believe it either.” She chuckled.
“Does that… does it change anything…?” She said, a bit worried it would impact them negatively.
“Tell me how the story ends.”
Han Sooyoung laughed. “Never.”
Yoo Sangah pouted at her. “Sooyoung!”
“No but I really can’t! I’m making it up as I go along.”
Yoo Sangah’s eyes widened. “That- that explains a lot…”
“What’s that supposed to mean?!”
Her girlfriend chuckled and hugged her back.
“I still can’t believe you’re the artist… next you’re gonna tell me Joonghyuk worked on the game.” Han Sooyoung grumbled.
“…”
“What?”
“…Darling.”
“…NO FUCKING WAY.”
Meanwhile, Kim Dokja went to the kitchen for a late night snack, and almost screamed when the lights turned on, revealing a tired Yoo Joonghyuk.
“Don’t you dare,” the man muttered, glaring at his abomination of a sandwich. “Sit down, I’ll make you something.”
Kim Dokja obliged, watching him cook. They were in a comfortable silence for a while until Yoo Joonghyuk needed to get something off his mind.
“…How long have you known?”
Kim Dokja smiled. “I found out a while ago. I mean, you’re all very defensive for specific versions of it. The writer likes the book, the gamer likes the game, the artist likes the comic, it wasn’t that hard to figure out.”
“Or you’re too smart,” Yoo Joonghyuk said, setting his food in front of him.
“I wish I was.” He chuckled and ate as Yoo Joonghyuk sat across him. “Was the game really not based off the novel? I thought the developer and author were secretly friends until I met you guys.”
“I’ve never even seen the novel until Han Sooyoung started screaming at me online.”
He hummed. “What a nice coincidence.”
“Nice?”
“I’m glad there’s three versions of my favourite story.”
“Why do you like the story so much?”
“It just really helped me over the years I guess… made me feel less lonely.”
Yoo Joonghyuk went around the table to sit next to him. “I only made the game because of dreams I kept having.”
Kim Dokja leaned on him instinctively as he listened.
“But there’s one person in the dreams that I couldn’t figure out how to write. He was important, but I could never remember what he did in the story.”
“It that why you made a blank protagonist?”
He nodded. “If I can’t write it then someone else could… and I felt… it’s weird.”
“No, say it.” He coaxed.
“I feel like they’re real. Like a real person out there, and I was hoping I could meet them… and maybe making the game would lead me to them.”
Kim Dokja’s eyes sparkled. “I hope it does.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“What?”
“I don’t need to wait around for whoever it is. I’d prefer to be with…” he trailed off.
Kim Dokja smiled and cupped his cheek. “Yeah?”
Yoo Joonghyuk leaned into his hand. “Do I need to say it? It’s like you can read my mind.”
He chuckled and went closer, until their foreheads were touching. He held his hand, rubbing circles over it.
“…I’m glad I met you,” he repeated.
He smiled, kissing his forehead. “I’m glad I found you on the street looking like a stray cat.”
Kim Dokja chuckled and shoved him playfully. “I still can’t tell if you guys are joking about that.”
“We aren’t. We really aren’t.”
“Wow…”
He ruffled his hair. “We love you for it.”
Kim Dokja smiled, and hugged him, sighing contently. They sat in a peaceful silence.
“JOONGHYUK YOU WHORE.”
The heard Han Sooyoung’s stomping approach them.
“Do you want to move out and live with me only?” Yoo Joonghyuk asked quickly.
“Nope~!” Kim Dokja smiled.
Yoo Sangah and Kim Dokja shared a snack as they watched their partners argue with each other.
Kim Dokja loved his roommates.