New Beginnings

As Joon-ho closed the door behind him, his eyes immediately fell upon the shoe rack situated just inside the entrance of the room. It was a familiar sight, a mundane yet essential part of dormitory life. But what caught his attention were the pairs of shoes neatly arranged on the rack, indicating that he was not the first to arrive.

A sense of curiosity washed over him as he surveyed the room, taking in the subtle signs of his new roommate's presence. The hum of the ceiling fan filled the air, adding to the atmosphere of anticipation and excitement. With each passing moment, Joon-ho's anticipation grew, eager to meet the person with whom he would share this living space.

Taking a moment to collect himself, Joon-ho set his first couple of luggage down. His mind buzzed with thoughts of the days to come – making new friends, navigating the challenges of university life, and forging his path in this new environment. But amidst the whirlwind of emotions, one thing was certain – this was the beginning of a new chapter, filled with endless possibilities and opportunities.

With a determined spirit, Joon-ho set about settling into his new home, ready to embrace whatever adventures lay ahead. As he arranged his belongings and made himself at home, he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement building within him. This was the start of something great, and he was ready to seize every opportunity that came his way.

With a sense of purpose, Joon-ho swiftly brought each of his luggage into the room, carefully maneuvering through the space to find an empty cupboard to unpack and store his belongings. The room, though compact, was efficiently laid out to accommodate four occupants. Along one wall, four beds were neatly arranged, each adorned with a set of personal belongings waiting to be claimed. Opposite the beds, a row of desks with chairs provided individual study spaces for each occupant.

As Joon-ho began to unpack, his gaze wandered around the room, taking in the shared space he would call home for the foreseeable future. The decor was minimal, with each occupant adding their personal touch to their respective areas. But it was the sight of his roommate, sitting at the desk engrossed in a game of NexaRealm, that drew his attention.

The roommate, oblivious to Joon-ho's presence, was deeply immersed in the virtual world, his focus solely on the game unfolding before him. The telltale EEG device, famously known as Realm, adorned his head, a clear indication of his dedication to the game. With practiced ease, Joon-ho silently set aside the items he needed to put on his bed, careful not to disturb his roommate's concentration.

As he continued to unpack, Joon-ho couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement mingled with curiosity about his new roommate. While they may have different interests and backgrounds, they were bound together by the shared experience of university life. With a smile, Joon-ho silently welcomed the opportunity to get to know his roommate and embark on this new life together.

After sorting through his belongings and setting up his space, Joon-ho turned his attention to choosing a bed. He scanned the room, his eyes falling on the various sleeping arrangements of his roommates. While Joon-ho surveyed the room, he couldn't help but notice the strategic layout of the sleeping arrangements.

As he approached the beds, he noticed, once again, one of his other roommates lying on his bed, seemingly lost in thought with his eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling. This sight puzzled Joon-ho. Was his roommate trying to sleep? The man's hands were folded across his chest, and there was no indication of movement or sound.

The bed closest to the door was occupied by the roommate who appeared to be lost in thought, his eyes fixed on the ceiling in a silent contemplation. Next to him lay an empty bed, neatly made and awaiting its occupant. Across the room, another roommate sat engrossed in a game of NexaRealm, the glow of the screencasting a faint light across his features. His bed was slightly cluttered with gaming equipment, indicating his passion for virtual adventures.

Between the gaming enthusiast and the silent thinker, there was an empty bed, invitingly bare and waiting for someone to claim it. Its pristine sheets seemed to beckon to Joon-ho, offering a comfortable retreat amidst the unfamiliarity of his new surroundings. And at the far end of the room, closest to the bathroom door, was another unoccupied bed, its neatly folded blankets hinting at the potential for restful slumber.

As Joon-ho considered his options, he couldn't help but wonder about the personalities of his future roommates. Each bed seemed to tell a story, offering glimpses into the lives of the individuals who would soon share this space with him. With a sense of anticipation, Joon-ho chose the bed positioned between the gaming enthusiast and the silent thinker, hoping that it would serve as a comfortable refuge amid his new adventures at NexaCorp Korea University.

Joon-ho hesitated for a moment before finally deciding to ask his roommate what he was doing.

"Um, do you mind telling me what are you doing right now?" Joon-ho ventured, breaking the silence.

"Sleeping," to his surprise, his roommate responded with only one word, without making eye contact or offering any further explanation.

Joon-ho couldn't help but feel a bit perplexed by the response, but he respected his roommate's privacy and decided to quietly go about setting up his bed.

Carefully, Joon-ho arranged his bed linens, mindful not to disturb his roommate's apparent attempt at sleep. Once finished, he settled onto the bed, feeling a mix of curiosity and anticipation about the dynamics of living with his new roommates. As he lay there, he made a mental note to personalize his study desk later, realizing that there would be plenty of time to get to know his roommates and make the space his own.

As Joon-ho lay on his bed, surrounded by the unfamiliarity of his new room, he reached for his phone, eager to check for any messages from Soo-jin. Despite his anticipation, the screen remained disappointingly blank, devoid of any notifications from her. Perhaps, he mused, women took longer to settle into their new living spaces than men did. Or maybe Soo-jin was simply caught up in the excitement of exploring her surroundings.

Although Joon-ho could have initiated the conversation himself, he hesitated, not wanting to intrude on Soo-jin's settling-in process. Instead, he reasoned, he would give her some time to get acquainted with her new environment before reaching out. As he pondered over this, a notification suddenly popped up on his screen. It was a message from his mother, Eun-ji, asking if he had arrived safely at the university.

A pang of guilt washed over Joon-ho as he realized that he had neglected to inform his parents of his safe arrival. With a sheepish smile, he quickly typed out a response, assuring his mother that he was indeed settled in and detailing his first impressions of the dormitory and his new roommate. The back-and-forth exchange with his mother brought a sense of comfort and familiarity amidst the whirlwind of new experiences.

As the conversation with his mother came to a close, Joon-ho found himself still awaiting a message from Soo-jin. Despite the silence from her end, he couldn't shake off the feeling of contentment that washed over him as he lay on his bed. The soft glow of the ceiling fan cast gentle shadows across the room, creating a soothing ambiance that lulled him into a state of relaxation.

With a sigh, Joon-ho set his phone aside and allowed himself to succumb to the drowsiness that crept over him. The comfort of the bed, coupled with the rhythmic hum of the fan, enveloped him like a warm embrace, coaxing him into a peaceful slumber. Although it was only the afternoon, the excitement and anticipation of the day's events had left him feeling pleasantly fatigued.

As he drifted off to sleep, Joon-ho's mind wandered to the possibilities that lay ahead – new friendships to be forged, challenges to be overcome, and adventures to be had. Despite the uncertainties that awaited him, he felt a sense of optimism and excitement for the journey that lay ahead at NexaCorp Korea University. And with that thought in mind, he surrendered to the embrace of sleep, ready to embrace whatever the future held in store.

Joon-ho drifted into a peaceful slumber, his thoughts momentarily lingered on the events of the day. From the excitement of arriving at the university to the apprehension of meeting his new roommates, it had been a whirlwind of emotions. Yet, amidst the chaos of new beginnings, there was a sense of anticipation for the adventures that lay ahead.

With each passing moment, Joon-ho felt himself growing more accustomed to his new surroundings, his initial nervousness gradually giving way to a burgeoning sense of belonging. And as sleep enveloped him in its comforting embrace, he found solace in the knowledge that he was embarking on a journey filled with endless possibilities and opportunities for growth.