Kael’s POV The rumors didn’t disappear.
If anything…
They grew louder.
— The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains of Room 407, casting soft golden streaks across the wooden floor.
Kael stirred beneath his blanket.
For a brief moment, he forgot where he was.
His body relaxed, cocooned in the warmth of sleep.
Then…
The familiar sounds of the dorm slowly reached him.
The hum of the ceiling fan.
The rustling of notebooks.
The faint click of a keyboard.
A quiet laugh.
He blinked his eyes open.
Asher was already awake.
He sat at his desk in a black hoodie, headphones resting around his neck as he typed something on his laptop.
His damp hair suggested he’d already showered.
The morning light caught the side of his face.
Kael couldn’t look away.
“How does someone look that handsome this early in the morning…?” His cheeks warmed.
He immediately buried half of his face beneath the blanket.
“…Morning.” The deep voice made him jump.
Kael slowly peeked over the edge of the blanket.
Asher hadn’t even looked up from his laptop.
Yet somehow…
He knew Kael was awake.
“…M-Morning.” Across the room, Liam dramatically gasped.
“No way.” “You two say good morning to each other now?” Noah sighed without looking up from his book.
“You say good morning to everyone.” “Yeah, but theirs sounds different.” Kael immediately sat up.
“It d-doesn’t!” Liam grinned.
“It absolutely does.” Asher closed his laptop with a soft click.
“Leave him alone.” “I wasn’t doing anything.” “You were.” Liam raised both hands in surrender.
“Fine, fine.” Kael quietly smiled to himself.
It wasn’t the first time Asher had defended him.
But somehow…
It still made his heart flutter.
— After getting ready, the four boys left the dorm together.
The campus was alive.
Freshmen hurried between buildings with maps in their hands.
Seniors chatted confidently as bicycles rolled past.
The smell of fresh coffee drifted from the café near the administration building.
Kael hugged his notebook against his chest.
Crowds still made him nervous.
Without thinking…
His fingers reached toward Asher’s sleeve.
He stopped halfway.
“No…
I shouldn’t…” Before he could pull back— Asher quietly moved a little closer.
Their shoulders brushed.
Not enough for anyone else to notice.
Just enough that Kael no longer felt alone.
He glanced up.
Asher smiled without saying a word.
Kael smiled back.
A tiny one.
But genuine.
— Their first lecture ended with an announcement.
“Next Friday,” Professor Hargrove said, “the university will hold its annual Welcome Festival.” The classroom erupted with excitement.
“There’ll be food stalls!” “Live music!” “Games!” “Student performances!” Liam practically stood on his chair.
“I am winning every game.” Noah deadpanned, “You said that last year.” “I was robbed.” “You lost.” “I was emotionally robbed.” Even Professor Hargrove laughed.
Kael quietly listened.
He had never been to a festival before.
Not a real one.
Growing up…
There had never been time for celebrations.
He lowered his eyes.
“I wonder what it’s like…” Asher noticed the thoughtful expression on his face.
“What are you thinking about?” Kael hesitated.
“…I’ve never been to one.” “The festival?” He nodded.
“…Never.” Asher smiled.
“Then we’ll go together.” Kael blinked.
“…Together?” “All four of us.” Liam immediately wrapped an arm around Noah’s shoulders.
“Double date!” Noah pushed him away.
“It is not.” Kael’s face turned bright red.
“We’re not—” “I know.” Liam laughed.
“I’m just making your face red.” Mission accomplished.
— Lunch arrived sooner than expected.
The cafeteria buzzed with conversation.
Every table seemed full.
Asher balanced two trays as Kael searched for seats.
“There.” Kael pointed toward a quiet corner.
As they walked over— A shoulder slammed into Kael’s.
His tray tipped.
The carton of strawberry milk rolled across the floor.
“…Oh.” Kael immediately crouched to pick it up.
Before he could…
Another hand reached it first.
Asher.
He picked it up.
Looked at the dented carton.
Then at the student who had bumped into Kael.
“You could apologize.” The boy shrugged.
“It was an accident.” “It didn’t look like one.” The cafeteria slowly grew quiet.
The student scoffed.
“What?
You gonna fight me over milk?” Asher’s expression didn’t change.
“No.” “But you’re going to apologize.” The firmness in his voice made even Liam stop smiling.
For a moment…
Kael saw a different side of Asher.
Calm.
Steady.
Almost intimidating.
The student rolled his eyes.
“…Sorry.” Then walked away.
Asher turned back to Kael.
“You okay?” Kael nodded.
“…I’m okay.” Asher handed him the strawberry milk.
“I’ll buy another one.” “…This one’s still fine.” “I know.” “But you deserve one that isn’t crushed.” Kael looked down at the carton.
His chest tightened.
No one had ever cared about something so small before.
“…Thank you.” Asher smiled.
“Come on.” “Our food’s getting cold.” — That evening…
After classes ended, the four roommates decided to stop by the convenience store before returning to the dorm.
Liam disappeared into the snack aisle.
Noah went to buy instant noodles.
Kael wandered toward the dessert section.
His eyes widened.
Rows of colorful sweets filled the shelves.
Tiny cakes.
Chocolate rolls.
Fruit sandwiches.
Strawberry mochi.
He picked one up.
Then quietly put it back.
“Too expensive…” He turned to leave.
A hand reached past him.
Asher placed the strawberry mochi into the shopping basket.
“…Asher.” “You wanted it.” “…It’s expensive.” “It isn’t.” “I don’t need it.” “I know.” “…Then why?” Asher smiled.
“Because you smiled when you looked at it.” Kael stared at him.
His fingers tightened around the basket handle.
No one had ever noticed little things like that.
No one had ever remembered what made him smile.
He lowered his head to hide the warmth spreading across his face.
“…Thank you.” Asher only chuckled.
“Just promise you’ll let me have one.” Kael looked up with mock seriousness.
“…No.” Asher laughed.
“So selfish.” “…Maybe.” It was the first time Kael had ever joked with him.
The smile that crossed Asher’s face was brighter than any he’d worn all day.
— That night…
The dorm was unusually quiet.
Liam had fallen asleep with a bag of chips on his chest.
Noah was still reading under the soft glow of his desk lamp.
Kael sat cross-legged on his bed, carefully eating the strawberry mochi Asher had bought him.
He took a small bite.
His nose scrunched ever so slightly.
Sweet.
Soft.
Perfect.
Across the room…
Asher noticed.
He smiled to himself.
“There it is again.” “That little nose.” “He’s too cute.” Kael caught him looking.
“…W-What?” “Nothing.” “…You’re smiling.” “I know.” “…Why?” Asher leaned back in his chair.
“…Because seeing you happy makes me happy.” The room fell silent.
Kael’s eyes widened.
His ears turned scarlet.
He quickly hid beneath his blanket.
Liam lifted his head just enough to mumble, “…I swear…” “…If you two don’t realize you’re flirting soon…” “…I’m moving rooms…” The dorm burst into quiet laughter.
Even Kael couldn’t help laughing from under the blanket.
For the first time in years…
Laughter no longer felt foreign.
It felt…
Like home.