Chapter Text
The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow over Euijoo’s bedroom. He groaned, burying his face deeper into his pillow, unwilling to accept that summer break was officially over. His alarm blared for the third time, and with an irritated huff, he slapped it off, sending it tumbling to the floor.
"Ugh… Why does school exist again?" he grumbled, stretching his limbs before finally forcing himself out of bed.
Euijoo wasn’t a morning person—never had been, never would be. But today was the first day of the new school year at Lunaris Academy, and as much as he despised early mornings, he couldn’t deny the excitement bubbling in his chest at the thought of seeing his friends again.
He shuffled to the bathroom, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. His reflection stared back at him—messy bedhead, puffy cheeks, and a slight pout. Cute, but not exactly first-day-of-school material.
"Okay, Euijoo, time to look presentable," he told himself, splashing cold water on his face.
Twenty minutes later, after an intense battle with his hair (which refused to cooperate no matter how much product he used), he finally deemed himself acceptable. He slipped into his uniform—a sleek black blazer with silver trimmings, the Lunaris crest embroidered on the pocket. The academy’s colors suited him, he decided, adjusting his tie.
---
His phone buzzed—a text from K.
> K: " Your brother will pick you up at 3:30. And before you ask—no, he won’t stop for ice cream. You’re moving back in tonight."
Euijoo rolled his eyes. "Moving back in" made it sound like he’d been gone for years, not just a week at his parents’ house. But ever since Fuma and K had mated and turned their shared apartment into Pack Central, they acted like Euijoo’s occasional visits to his actual parents were some sort of abandonment.
Never mind that:
1. Fuma was his older brother (by a whole fifteen months, thank you very much).
2. Taki (K’s actual little brother) lived with them too, but he never got these guilt trips.
3. The last time Euijoo stayed at his parents’, Fuma had shown up unannounced three times with “forgotten” hoodies.
He typed back:
> Euijoo: "Maybe I’ll just live here forever. Mom makes better kimchi jjigae."
The reply was instant:
> K: "Try it and see what happens."
> Fuma: "Your toothbrush is already in the sink. Resistance is futile."
Euijoo snorted. Of course they were texting in unison. Mated alphas were unbearable.
Still, he couldn’t help the warmth in his chest. Annoying? Yes. But their apartment was home—where Fuma would pretend to hate his strawberry-scented candles (yet never move them), where K grumbled about laundry but folded Euijoo’s sweaters extra neatly, and where even Taki—usually a chaos gremlin—would quietly slide him snacks during late-night study sessions.
"Ugh, fine," he muttered, smiling as he grabbed his bag.
---
He grabbed his bag, double-checking that he had everything—books, pens, his favorite strawberry-scented omega spray (because why not?), and his lunchbox.
-
Euijoo stepped outside, taking a deep breath of the crisp morning air. The path to Lunaris Academy was familiar—he’d been walking it since primary school. The towering trees, the faint scent of pine and earth, the distant howls of early-rising werewolves training in the fields—it all felt like home.
"Maybe this year won’t be so bad," he mused, kicking a pebble as he walked.
Famous last words.
Because two seconds later, his foot caught on an uneven patch of pavement, and he stumbled forward with a yelp. His bag flew open, sending pens, notebooks, and—oh no—his strawberry spray rolling across the ground.
"You’ve got to be kidding me," he groaned, crouching to gather his things.
A shadow fell over him, and a familiar laugh rang out.
"Already causing chaos on the first day, Joo? That’s a new record."
Euijoo looked up to see Yuma, his second-year friend, grinning down at him. The beta had his hands tucked in his pockets, looking far too amused for this early in the morning.
"Shut up," Euijoo grumbled, though there was no real bite to it. "Help me pick this up before someone steps on my spray."
Yuma chuckled but obliged, crouching beside him. "You’re lucky I’m nice."
"You’re lucky I don’t bite," Euijoo shot back, though everyone knew he was all bark and no bite.
-
Once his dignity was somewhat restored (though his pride remained bruised), Euijoo and Yuma continued walking together. The school gates loomed ahead, bustling with students reuniting after the summer.
"Oh! There they are!" Yuma pointed toward two younger boys Harua and Taki , the newest additions to their little friend group.
Harua, a bright-eyed omega with a tendency to get overly excited, waved wildly when he spotted them. "Euijoo! Yuma! You’re here!"
Taki, an alpha who was somehow both the most chaotic and the most composed of them all, (also he is just as a brother to euijoo as he's k's brother) smirked. "Took you long enough. We thought you’d finally decided to drop out."
"Ha. Ha. Very funny," Euijoo deadpanned, though he couldn’t help the smile tugging at his lips.
Harua immediately latched onto his arm. "Did you hear? There’s a new transfer student! An alpha!"
Euijoo blinked. "Since when do we get transfers?"
"Since now, apparently," Taki said, shrugging. "Rumor has it he’s crazy strong. Like, top-tier alpha strong."
Yuma whistled. "Interesting. Maybe this year won’t be boring after all."
Euijoo rolled his eyes. "Great. Just what we need—another alpha with a superiority complex."
Harua giggled. "You say that now, but what if he’s really cool?"
"Or really hot," Taki added with a smirk.
Euijoo shoved him lightly. "You’re insufferable."
-
The group made their way inside, weaving through the crowded halls. Euijoo was in his element here—greeting classmates, exchanging summer stories, and slipping back into the rhythm of school life.