Kael’s POV The first person I looked for…
Was Asher.
It happened so naturally that I didn’t even realize I was doing it anymore.
The moment my eyes opened every morning, they wandered across the room, searching for the bed opposite mine.
If it was empty…
I felt strangely disappointed.
If he was there…
Somehow…
The day already felt a little brighter.
I didn’t understand why.
Maybe…
I didn’t want to.
— “Kael.” A familiar voice gently pulled him from his thoughts.
He blinked.
Asher stood beside his bed, already dressed in his uniform.
His backpack rested over one shoulder while his dark hair was still slightly damp from his shower.
“We’re going to be late.” “…O-Oh.” Kael quickly sat up.
His blanket slipped off his shoulders as he hurried to get dressed.
Liam watched the entire scene while eating a piece of toast.
“He only listens to Asher now.” Noah looked up from tying his shoes.
“He never ignored us.” “No…” Liam grinned.
“I’m saying Asher has become Kael’s personal alarm clock.” Kael’s ears immediately turned red.
“T-That’s not true…” Asher chuckled quietly.
“Come on, Rabbit.” “We’ve got ten minutes.” “…R-Rabbit…” Kael muttered the nickname under his breath as he hurried into the bathroom.
He still wasn’t used to it.
But…
Every time Asher called him that…
His heart felt strangely warm.
— The morning passed quietly.
Their literature professor assigned everyone a partner exercise.
As expected…
Asher and Kael were paired together again.
Liam dramatically placed a hand over his chest.
“I’m starting to think the professors are shipping you two.” The class burst into laughter.
Kael immediately lowered his head until his bangs hid most of his face.
Professor Lewis adjusted her glasses.
“If you have enough energy to joke, Mr.
Liam…” “You can present first.” “…I regret everything.” — After class, the four roommates stopped by the campus café.
It was small but cozy, filled with the smell of coffee and freshly baked bread.
Asher ordered a black coffee.
Noah ordered tea.
Liam bought enough pastries for four people.
Kael quietly stood in front of the display case.
His eyes wandered from one dessert to another.
Chocolate cake.
Cheesecake.
Fruit tarts.
Then…
He smiled.
A tiny strawberry cream bun.
It wasn’t expensive.
But he still hesitated.
Asher noticed.
“You want it?” Kael quickly looked away.
“…It’s okay.” “You’ve been staring at it for two minutes.” “…Have I?” “You have.” Kael smiled sheepishly.
“…Maybe a little.” Without another word, Asher added it to their order.
— They found a quiet table by the window.
Sunlight poured across the wooden tabletop.
Kael carefully unwrapped the strawberry bun.
He took one tiny bite.
His nose scrunched.
His eyes softened.
Then…
Without thinking…
He smiled.
A real one.
Asher couldn’t stop staring.
“…You’re doing it again.” Kael blinked.
“…Doing what?” “That little nose thing.” Kael instinctively covered his nose with both hands.
“I-I don’t…” Liam pointed dramatically.
“There it is!” “The Hamster Face!” “I’m telling you he’s actually a bunny.” Kael hid behind Asher’s shoulder.
The movement was so automatic…
He didn’t even realize he’d done it.
Asher smiled to himself.
“…See?” “You scared him.” “I did not!” “You did.” Liam sighed dramatically.
“I’ve been replaced.” — The afternoon classes dragged on.
By the time they finished, dark clouds had gathered over the campus.
A cool breeze swept through the courtyard.
Students hurried toward the dormitories.
Kael hugged his notebook tightly against his chest.
The wind made him shiver.
Without saying anything…
Asher quietly removed his hoodie.
He draped it over Kael’s shoulders.
Kael looked up in surprise.
“…You’ll be cold.” “I’ll survive.” “…But-” “You look like you’re freezing.” Kael held the sleeves close.
The hoodie was much too big.
The sleeves covered his hands completely.
Liam stopped walking.
“…Noah.” “…Yes?” “…He dressed him.” “…He did.” “They’re unbelievable.” Even Noah couldn’t hide his smile.
— That evening…
The dorm was unusually peaceful.
Noah had gone to the library.
Liam was attending a gaming club meeting.
For the first time…
Only Kael and Asher remained in Room 407.
The silence wasn’t awkward.
It was comfortable.
Kael sat on the floor, organizing his notes into neat little piles.
Asher worked on his laptop.
The clicking of the keyboard filled the room.
After nearly an hour…
Kael looked up.
“Asher?” “Hm?” “…Do you ever get lonely?” The typing stopped.
Asher leaned back in his chair.
“…Sometimes.” “…Even now?” “…Less than before.” Kael tilted his head.
“…Why?” Asher closed the laptop.
A soft smile appeared on his face.
“…Because this room doesn’t feel empty anymore.” Kael’s heart skipped.
“…Oh…” He lowered his eyes, pretending to straighten his notebook.
But he couldn’t hide the smile tugging at his lips.
— Later that night…
Kael finished studying before everyone else.
He climbed into bed.
Pulled the blanket up to his chin.
Then…
Almost without thinking…
He looked toward Asher.
Asher was still awake, reading.
Their eyes met across the room.
“…Good night.” Kael whispered.
Asher smiled.
“…Good night, Rabbit.” Kael closed his eyes.
For the first time in years…
He fell asleep without fear.
Because somehow…
Just knowing Asher was in the same room…
Made the nightmares feel much farther away.
— Some people don’t chase away your darkness with grand promises.
They simply stay…
until the darkness no longer feels so frightening.
They simply stay…
until the darkness no longer feels so frightening.