HIRAETH | Minho XO, Kitty

CHAPTER FIVE

Minho reported Kitty to the Resident Advisors. And of course, that means they realize their mistakes for my placement, too.

"I'm very sorry you two weren't assigned a proper dormitory," Professor Lee says, writing something for Kitty down on a paper.

"That's okay..." Kitty replies, but she actually sound uncomfortable.

"Oversights like this don't often happen at KISS. I understand as a new student it can hard to speak up. Which is why Minho kindly alerted us to your egregious rooming mishap."

Kitty forces her next reply, "Yes, he is so selfless."

"We are ever so grateful," I say, but really, I'm cursing him.

"I'm sure you and your assigned roommates will become fast friends," he reassures, handing us each folders.

"Thank you!" Kitty and I say in unison, before dashing out of the room.

Unfortunately, we aren't assigned to the same dorm, so we have to split up.

The second I step foot into my new room, I know it won't be pleasant. The main room isn't filthy but needs cleaning. Clashing posters and haphazard fairy lights overwhelm any attempt at coziness. A cheap perfume mixed with the stench of unwashed laundry makes the air almost unbearable.

Two girls are sitting cross-legged on the couch, which has a dark teal stain on the side. "Are you our new roommate?" one asks in a high-pitched voice.

The first girl, petite with bleach blonde hair and pale pink streaks, beams at me. "Oh, my God! You're so pretty!" she gushes, running up to me. "How is your skin so clear? Do you get facials every week or something?"

The second girl, brunette with a messy bun, glances up from her phone. "Probably just good genes or whatever."

I force a polite smile. "I have a pretty extensive skincare routine."

"Extensive? Like what? You have to tell us!" the blonde insists.

I sigh inwardly but list off the steps. "Double cleanse, exfoliate twice a week, toner, serum, essence, moisturizer, eye cream, sunscreen—even on cloudy days—and weekly sheet masks."

"Wow, that's intense," the blonde says, laughing. "Good for you!"

Something in her tone makes me suspicious, but I grin at her regardless. "Thanks."

I head to the bedroom and I can feel their eyes burning into me as I unpack. It's just a first impression, but I can already tell it's going to be a long week.

⸝⸝ ʚ ! ⌗ °• ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ *ೃ༄ + ꒰°｡

The next few days, I realize I couldn't have been more correct.

Those two girls wouldn't let me sleep between their binging of Thai BL dramas, and endless midnight dance parties.

I keep falling asleep in my classes, particularly Japanese, since it's my morning class. Poor Junhwan has to keep waking me up and reminding me of the things I've missed. My tutoring after school turns into him, tutoring. I just can't keep it up. And neither can Kitty.

Today, I'm about to check myself into the Han Hotel, but I decide to have it one last go with a dorm advisor. My chemistry teacher, and the same teacher Kitty and I ran into on the first night, Alex, is one of them. If Kitty and I have a shot with any of them, it's him.

"Please, you have to help us!" Kitty pleads, her voice as lifeless as she looks.

He gives us an understanding look, "I understand that the living situation may be a little bit difficult."