Morning Energies

As the first rays of dawn gently filtered through the curtains, Joon-ho's phone erupted with the lively melody of his morning alarm. With a groggy yet determined resolve, he reached out to silence the intrusive noise, his hand moving with practised precision.

Glancing at the glowing screen, he noted the early hour and felt a surge of anticipation for the day ahead. Careful not to disturb his slumbering roommates, he slid out of bed with quiet determination, the wooden floorboards beneath his feet emitting soft creaks of protest. With purposeful steps, he made his way to the cabinet, where his gym attire and towel awaited.

The room was bathed in a serene calmness, the only sound being the rhythmic breathing of his sleeping companions. Gathering his belongings with a sense of quiet excitement, Joon-ho felt a wave of energy coursing through him, eager to greet the new day with enthusiasm.

With a final glance at his peacefully sleeping roommates, he slipped into the bathroom, closing the door behind him with a gentle click. And as the warm water cascaded over his skin, he couldn't help but feel invigorated by the promise of the day ahead.

Sports attire donned and towel in hand, Joon-ho stepped out into the crisp morning air, ready to embrace the day. The university grounds lay before him, bathed in the soft hues of dawn. With a sense of purpose, he set off on his familiar route, the rhythmic pounding of his footsteps echoing through the stillness of the early morning. The gentle rustle of leaves overhead provided a soothing soundtrack to his journey, a reminder of the tranquillity that nature offered.

As Joon-ho jogged along the winding paths, he found himself lost in the moment, his thoughts drifting freely. With each stride, he felt a sense of liberation wash over him, the cares of the week fading into the background. Around him, the campus stirred to life, fellow early risers joining him in their morning rituals. Greetings were exchanged with nods and smiles, a silent acknowledgement of their shared dedication to health and well-being.

Despite the solitude of his run, Joon-ho felt a profound connection to those around him, bound by the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other. With each step, he embraced the promise of a new day, filled with endless possibilities and opportunities for growth. As the sun began to rise on the horizon, casting a golden glow over the world, Joon-ho knew that he was ready to seize whatever challenges lay ahead.

As Joon-ho's feet rhythmically pounded against the pavement, yesterday's events weighed heavily on his mind. The memory of Tae-young's deceitful kill steal lingered like a dark cloud, casting a shadow over his thoughts. Despite sharing a room, Joon-ho hadn't encountered Tae-young since their contentious exchange, and the tension between them hung palpably in the air.

Hoping to find solace in the rhythm of his run, Joon-ho pushed himself to focus on the steady cadence of his breath and the comforting thud of his footsteps against the ground. With each stride, he willed himself to let go of the resentment and anger that threatened to consume him, seeking refuge in the tranquillity of the morning.

As Joon-ho continued his jog, another hopeful thought lingered in his mind: the chance encounter with Hina Do. He remembered their brief interaction during his initial jog, a moment etched in his memory by Soo-jin's vivid storytelling and the intrigue surrounding Hina's formidable skills.

Despite the reservations stemming from his roommate's defeat, Joon-ho couldn't shake the curiosity to assess Hina's prowess firsthand. However, as he traversed the familiar paths of the university grounds, Hina remained elusive, her presence elusive as the morning mist.

Disappointed but undeterred, Joon-ho eventually found himself by a tranquil water fountain, the soothing sound of flowing water providing a momentary respite from his exertions. Quenching his thirst with the cool liquid, he allowed himself a moment of rest, contemplating his next move amidst the peaceful serenity of the early morning.

Feeling invigorated yet perspiration-drenched from his morning jog, Joon-ho resolved to return to his room to freshen up. With each step, he could feel the residue of his exertions clinging to his skin, a tangible reminder of his dedication to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. As he entered room 205, a sense of familiarity enveloped him, the comfort of his own space providing solace after the solitary pursuit of his morning exercise.

Wasting no time, Joon-ho swiftly made his way to the bathroom, the promise of a revitalizing shower beckoning him. With practised efficiency, he shed his sweaty attire, letting the cool air of the room soothe his overheated skin. Stepping under the warm cascade of water, he closed his eyes, allowing the rhythmic pattern to wash away the remnants of fatigue and tension from his muscles.

Emerging from the shower feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, Joon-ho donned a fresh set of clothes, choosing attire more suited to the day's activities ahead. As he adjusted his garments with meticulous care, a sense of anticipation stirred within him, the prospect of new experiences and encounters awaiting him beyond the confines of his room.

With his preparations complete, Joon-ho took a moment to survey his surroundings, the familiar sights of his dormitory offering a sense of stability amidst the ever-changing landscape of university life. With a final glance at his reflection in the mirror, he straightened his posture, ready to face whatever challenges the day held in store.

As Joon-ho waited at the intersection where the paths diverged between the men's and women's dormitories, he felt a sense of anticipation mingled with the cool morning breeze. The rhythmic sound of footsteps drew nearer, and soon Soo-jin emerged, her presence punctuating the quietude of the early hour. With a warm smile, she greeted Joon-ho, her eyes bright with the promise of a new day.

Together, they set off towards the university's dining hall, their conversation flowing effortlessly as they exchanged anecdotes and observations from their morning routines. Despite the events of the previous day still lingering in the back of Joon-ho's mind, the companionship of his friend served as a comforting reminder of the bonds that transcended the challenges they faced.

As they settled into their seats, Soo-jin's gaze softened, her expression reflecting a sense of empathy that Joon-ho found both comforting and reassuring.

"You seem a bit distracted today, Joon-ho," she remarked gently, her voice laced with concern.

Joon-ho sighed, feeling the weight of yesterday's events pressing down on him once more.

"Yeah, I guess I am," he admitted, his tone tinged with uncertainty. "It's just... everything that happened yesterday, you know? It's been on my mind."

Soo-jin nodded understandingly, her eyes reflecting a depth of understanding that Joon-ho found both comforting and humbling.

"I get it," she murmured, reaching out to gently squeeze his hand in a silent gesture of solidarity. "It was a rough day for all of us. But hey, we made it through, right?"

Joon-ho offered her a grateful smile, feeling a surge of warmth and gratitude for her unwavering support.

"Yeah, we did," he agreed softly. "Thanks, Soo-jin. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Soo-jin's smile widened, her eyes shining with genuine affection.

"Hey, that's what friends are for, right?" she replied, her tone light but sincere. "And speaking of friends, remember that jog promise we talked about? Just so you know, I haven't forgotten. I definitely make it happen soon, okay? So don't you make fun of me."

Joon-ho felt a surge of gratitude and relief wash over him at her words, the promise of their upcoming jog serving as a beacon of hope amidst the uncertainty of the days ahead.

"Definitely," he agreed eagerly. "I could use some fresh air and exercise. Thanks, Soo-jin. You're the best."

With their bond strengthened by shared laughter and heartfelt conversation, Joon-ho and Soo-jin savoured the moments of companionship and camaraderie, finding solace and strength in each other's presence. As they finished their meal and prepared to face the challenges of the day ahead, Joon-ho couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of optimism and determination, knowing that with Soo-jin by his side, anything was possible.

With each bite, the weight of yesterday's grievances seemed to dissipate, replaced by a renewed sense of optimism and determination. As they savoured the moments of shared laughter and companionship, Joon-ho couldn't shake the feeling that perhaps, despite the challenges that lay ahead, he was exactly where he was meant to be.

With their breakfast finished and their spirits uplifted by their heartfelt conversation, Joon-ho and Soo-jin rose from their seats, ready to face the day ahead. As they bid farewell to the bustling cafeteria and made their way back towards the dormitories, Joon-ho felt a sense of gratitude for the friendship and support that Soo-jin provided. With her by his side, he knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, united in their bond of camaraderie and shared experiences.