Asher’s POV There were many things I had learned since starting university.
Professor Hargrove hated late assignments.
Liam could somehow sleep through three alarms.
Noah secretly smiled whenever he read romance novels, despite insisting they were “psychological studies.” And Kael…
Kael never asked anyone for help.
Even when he desperately needed it.
— The morning started with chaos.
“WHO STOLE MY SOCK?!” Liam’s voice echoed through Room 407.
Noah didn’t even look up from brushing his teeth.
“You only own black socks.” “Exactly!” “So how do you know one is missing?” “…” “…That’s not the point.” Asher sat on his bed trying not to laugh.
Across the room…
Kael quietly folded his blanket.
Everything about him was neat.
His books were perfectly stacked.
His shoes were aligned beneath his bed.
Even his school bag was zipped with almost obsessive precision.
It wasn’t because he liked being tidy.
It was because he hated the feeling of losing control.
A habit he had learned from years of living in fear.
Asher noticed.
He noticed everything.
— “Rabbit.” Kael looked up.
“Hm?” “You packed lunch?” Kael nodded.
“I made sandwiches.” Liam immediately appeared beside him like magic.
“…Can I have one?” Kael looked at the lunchbox.
Then at Liam.
“…Okay.” “No.” Asher answered before Kael could hand it over.
Liam frowned.
“Why not?” “Because he only made enough for himself.” “I’ll starve.” “You ate half a loaf of bread this morning.” “…That’s different.” Everyone laughed.
Even Kael.
His laugh was still small.
Still quiet.
But it came more often now.
Every time it did…
Asher felt strangely proud.
— The walk to class was peaceful.
Autumn had begun painting the campus in shades of amber and gold.
Leaves drifted lazily through the air.
Students gathered beneath large trees, revising for upcoming quizzes.
Some played guitars.
Others chased each other across the lawns.
Kael slowed his pace.
His eyes followed a small orange cat sleeping beneath a bench.
He crouched carefully.
“…Hello.” The cat stretched.
Walked over.
Then rubbed itself against Kael’s leg.
Kael’s eyes immediately softened.
“…You’re friendly.” Asher stood a few steps away.
Watching.
Kael gently scratched behind the cat’s ears.
The tiny smile on his face…
It wasn’t something he showed everyone.
Only when he forgot people were watching.
Liam nudged Asher with his elbow.
“You’re smiling again.” “…Am I?” “You’ve got that look.” “What look?” “The one where you look like you’ve just seen the cutest thing in the world.” Asher looked away.
“…It’s just a cat.” Liam grinned.
“No.” “You weren’t looking at the cat.” — Their first lecture ended just before noon.
Professor Lewis clapped her hands together.
“I have an announcement.” The room fell quiet.
“Your first graded group presentation will take place in two weeks.” Groans immediately filled the classroom.
Liam dramatically leaned back in his chair.
“I’ve lived a good life.” Professor Lewis ignored him.
“You’ll be presenting in pairs.” She began reading names.
“Asher Bennett.” “…Kael Rowan.” Liam pointed accusingly.
“I KNEW IT!” “They’re soulmates!” Kael immediately hid behind his notebook.
Professor Lewis looked over her glasses.
“Mr.
Liam.” “…Yes?” “If you interrupt me one more time…” “You’ll be presenting alone.” “…I apologize.” — After class…
Asher and Kael decided to begin researching immediately.
The library occupied the oldest building on campus.
Tall wooden shelves stretched toward the ceiling.
The scent of old paper filled the air.
Sunlight streamed through stained-glass windows.
Kael’s eyes sparkled.
“…It’s beautiful.” “It is.” They found a quiet table near the back.
Books soon covered every corner.
Kael leaned over one of them, reading so intently that he didn’t notice a loose strand of hair falling over his eyes.
Without thinking…
Asher reached over.
His fingers gently tucked the strand behind Kael’s ear.
Kael froze.
“…” “…” Slowly…
Very slowly…
He looked up.
Their eyes met.
Asher realized what he’d done.
“…Sorry.” “I…” “I didn’t think.” Kael’s ears turned bright red.
“…It’s okay.” Neither of them spoke for almost a minute afterward.
Both pretending to read.
Neither actually reading a single word.
Across the room…
Two girls from another department whispered.
“Aren’t they cute?” “I don’t think they’ve realized it yet.” “I almost don’t want them to.” “The slow burn is adorable.” — By late afternoon…
Their stomachs growled almost at the same time.
Asher laughed.
“Lunch?” Kael nodded.
“…Okay.” Instead of going to the cafeteria…
They bought instant noodles from the campus convenience store.
The weather was cool enough to eat outside.
They sat beneath the large maple tree Kael liked.
Neither hurried to speak.
Comfortable silence settled between them.
Kael stirred his noodles.
“…Asher.” “Hm?” “…Why do you work so much?” The question lingered.
Asher looked down at the cup in his hands.
“…Because I have to.” “…The orphanage helped me until high school.” “…But university…” “…That’s my responsibility.” Kael listened quietly.
“I don’t want to struggle forever.” “I want…” He paused.
The words escaped before he could stop them.
“…I want to build a life where the people important to me never have to worry about money again.” Kael looked at him.
For some reason…
His chest felt warm.
He didn’t know why.
But hearing Asher say that…
Made him think of home.
A home he had never had.
— That evening…
The dorm was unusually quiet.
Noah had fallen asleep over his textbook.
Liam snored loud enough to shake the room.
Kael sat cross-legged on his bed.
Reading.
Asher closed his laptop after finishing another online shift.
His shoulders ached.
His neck felt stiff.
He leaned back and closed his eyes.
“…Long day?” Kael asked softly.
“…Yeah.” “…Does it hurt?” “My shoulders.” Kael hesitated.
He looked at Asher for a long moment.
Then…
Very carefully…
He climbed down from his bed.
Walked over.
“…Can I…” Asher opened his eyes.
“…Hm?” “…Can I help?” Before Asher could answer…
Kael gently placed both hands on his shoulders.
His touch was hesitant.
Almost featherlight.
He began pressing carefully.
Unsure.
Awkward.
“…Like this?” Asher smiled.
“…Yeah.” “…That feels nice.” Kael relaxed a little.
He continued.
His fingers were small compared to Asher’s broad shoulders.
Not particularly strong.
But somehow…
It eased a different kind of exhaustion.
The kind no amount of sleep could fix.
“…Thank you.” Kael smiled shyly.
“…You’re welcome.” Neither of them noticed…
Liam had opened one eye.
He stared for exactly three seconds.
Then slowly pulled the blanket over his head.
“…They’re hopeless…” Noah answered sleepily.
“…Who?” “…The married couple…” — Later that night…
Kael returned to his bed.
He pulled the blanket over himself.
But before closing his eyes…
He looked across the room.
Asher was already asleep.
For some reason…
Seeing that peaceful expression made Kael smile.
“…Good night…” He whispered so quietly that only the darkness heard him.
Outside…
The wind carried autumn leaves across the silent campus.
Inside Room 407…
Two lonely hearts had taken another tiny step toward each other.
Neither of them realized…
The distance between them was becoming smaller every single day.