Forging Bonds

As they continued their leisurely stroll around the campus, Joon-ho, Soo-jin, and Sang-hee found themselves engrossed in conversation, their initial intention of familiarizing themselves with the map and grounds completely forgotten. Instead, they delved into deeper discussions about their dreams, aspirations, and the challenges they faced in pursuing them.

With each passing moment, their connection grew stronger, weaving a tapestry of new relationships and friendships. Despite the distractions, Joon-ho couldn't help but feel grateful for the serendipitous encounter that had led them to this moment. In Sang-hee and Soo-jin, he had found kindred spirits who shared his passion for carving out their paths in life.

As they laughed and shared stories under the moonlit sky, Joon-ho realized that sometimes, the best journeys are the ones where you lose sight of the destination and simply enjoy the company of those who walk beside you.

As they strolled through the university grounds, the conversation drifted towards their social circles. Soo-jin, her eyes alight with curiosity, turned to Joon-ho.

"So, have you managed to make any new friends since you arrived?" she inquired, her voice filled with genuine interest.

Joon-ho scratched his head, a sheepish smile playing on his lips.

"Well, not exactly," he confessed. "I've only exchanged a few words with one of my roommates, Kang-dae. The other one seems to be a bit of a mystery. I don't even know his name yet."

Sang-hee raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"That's a bit odd, isn't it?" she remarked, her tone teasing. "Living with someone whose name you don't know. Must make things interesting."

Joon-ho chuckled, nodding in agreement.

"Definitely adds a bit of mystery to the living situation," he admitted. "But I'm sure I'll get to know him eventually."

Soo-jin and Sang-hee exchanged amused glances before Soo-jin began recounting their living arrangements.

"We have two other roommates," she explained. "Hyun-ae Seob and Jin-kyong Je."

Sang-hee nodded in agreement.

"Hyun-ae prefers her solitude," she added. "So she declined our invitation to join us for a walk. Jin-kyong, on the other hand, is probably lost in NexaRealm as we speak."

Joon-ho laughed, the image of Jin-kyong immersed in the virtual world of NexaRealm painting a vivid picture in his mind.

"Sounds like we all have our interests keeping us occupied," he remarked. "But it'll be interesting to meet them eventually and see how we all get along."

The prospect of forming new connections at the university filled Joon-ho with a sense of excitement, and he couldn't wait to see where these newfound friendships would take him.

As Sang-hee took the lead in steering the conversation, she turned her attention to Joon-ho and Soo-jin, a curious glint in her eyes.

"So, what brings you both to NexaCorp Korea University?" she asked, her tone gentle but probing.

Soo-jin's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she eagerly shared her aspirations.

"I've always dreamed of becoming a professional player," she explained, her voice tinged with determination. "NexaRealm is my passion, and I want to prove myself on the professional stage."

Sang-hee nodded, impressed by Soo-jin's ambition.

"That's admirable," she remarked, offering a supportive smile. "It takes courage to pursue your dreams, especially in a competitive field like gaming."

Turning to Joon-ho, Sang-hee's gaze softened with curiosity as she awaited his response. Joon-ho hesitated for a moment, the weight of his reasons heavy on his shoulders.

"Honestly, I'm here because... well, because I was given a warning," he admitted, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "You know what, please forget what I just said"

Soo-jin's heart sank at Joon-ho's revelation, her concern for him growing with each passing moment. She longed to interject, to offer her support and reassurance, but she remained silent, allowing Joon-ho to continue.

"But beyond that," Joon-ho continued, his gaze meeting Soo-jin's briefly before returning to Sang-hee, "I'm here to support Soo-jin in pursuing her dreams. She's always been there for me, and I want to do whatever I can to help her succeed."

Sang-hee nodded understandingly, her expression sympathetic.

"It sounds like you both have your reasons for being here," she remarked, her tone gentle. "And it's clear that you share a strong bond of friendship and support. That's something to be cherished."

As the conversation drifted on, Soo-jin felt a sense of gratitude wash over her. Despite the uncertainty surrounding their reasons for being at NexaCorp Korea University, she knew that with Joon-ho by her side, they would navigate whatever challenges lay ahead together.

As the sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the campus grounds, the trio found themselves back at the familiar crossroads that separated their paths. It was time to bid farewell for the day, their impromptu exploration coming to an end. Despite their initial intention to familiarize themselves with the map, they realized that the true treasure of the day lay in the shared moments and newfound friendships they had forged.

With a sense of contentment and camaraderie, they exchanged heartfelt goodbyes, knowing that they would meet again soon. Joon-ho set off towards the men's dormitory, his thoughts filled with the memories of the day and the promise of more adventures to come. Soo-jin and Sang-hee, on the other hand, headed in the opposite direction towards the women's dormitory, their laughter echoing in the evening air.

As they parted ways, each of them carried with them the warmth of companionship and the excitement of the unknown future that awaited them at NexaCorp Korea University. They may not have made much progress in familiarizing themselves with the map, but they had certainly made memories that would last a lifetime. And with that thought in mind, they disappeared into the dusk, ready to embrace whatever challenges and adventures lay ahead.

As they strolled back towards the women's dormitory, Sang-hee couldn't help but bring up Joon-ho again, her curiosity piqued by his presence.

"So, what's the deal with Joon-ho?" she asked, her tone laced with playful intrigue. Soo-jin felt a twinge of defensiveness rises within her, suddenly feeling protective over Joon-ho.

"What do you mean?" she replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

Sang-hee chuckled at Soo-jin's reaction.

"Oh, come on, don't play coy with me," she teased. "It's obvious something is going on between you two."

Soo-jin's cheeks flushed slightly at the implication.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she mumbled, trying to brush off Sang-hee's teasing.

Sang-hee raised an eyebrow, shooting Soo-jin a knowing look.

"Sure, sure," she said, her tone teasing. "But seriously, are you two official?"

Soo-jin's heart sank at the question, a pang of disappointment washing over her.

"No, we're not," she admitted, her voice tinged with resignation. "It's complicated."

Sang-hee nodded sympathetically, sensing Soo-jin's frustration.

"Ah, I see," she said, her tone softening. "Well, don't worry. I'm not interested in Joon-ho if that's what you're worried about."

Soo-jin couldn't help but feel a surge of relief at Sang-hee's reassurance.

"Thank you," she said sincerely, grateful for Sang-hee's understanding.

Sang-hee grinned mischievously, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"But you know what?" she said, a playful glint in her eye. "I love playing matchmaker. So consider me your personal wingwoman from now on. I'll make sure you and Joon-ho end up together, no matter what it takes."

Soo-jin's eyes widened in surprise at Sang-hee's declaration, unsure whether to be amused or alarmed by her friend's sudden enthusiasm.

"Um, thanks, I guess?" she said, laughing nervously. She couldn't help but wonder just how far Sang-hee was willing to go to play Cupid for her and Joon-ho.

As they reached the entrance of the women's dormitory, Soo-jin couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air. With Sang-hee's newfound determination to play matchmaker, Soo-jin couldn't help but wonder what the future held in store for her and Joon-ho.

When Soo-jin stepped into the dormitory, surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds of her new home, she felt a sense of comfort wash over her. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she knew she wasn't alone. With the support of her friends by her side, Soo-jin felt ready to face whatever the future held in store.

And as she settled into bed, she couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope stirring inside her. Perhaps, with a little luck and a lot of perseverance, she and Joon-ho would find their way to each other, just as Sang-hee had promised. With that comforting thought in mind, Soo-jin rested her eyes and stretched her body out, her heart full of possibilities.

Despite the uncertainties and the challenges that lay ahead, she felt a sense of excitement coursing through her veins. The new friendships she had formed filled her with a sense of warmth and belonging, reminding her that she wasn't alone in this journey. As she thought about her noble objective of becoming a professional gamer, Soo-jin felt a renewed determination burning inside her.

With each passing day, she was one step closer to achieving her dreams, and she was ready to embrace whatever obstacles came her way. With a smile on her face and a heart full of hope, Soo-jin closed her eyes and welcomed the promise of a new day.