Villain kids

15

Slowly opening his eyes, Donghyuck is met with a cheery smile that makes him groan. Seeing his roommate so happy first thing in the morning was never a good sign.

Hyuck: “Why are you smiling like that?”

Sung: “I just got a text — there’s a basketball game after class today. Four PM. And I get to see cute boys doing sexy things.”

Hyuck: “Please don’t tell me I have to go.”
(He grabs the clothes he’d laid out the night before and heads toward the bathroom — but pauses when he hears the reply.)

Sung: “Of course you’re coming with me! I’m telling Jisung and Jeno, too. Jaemin will help me convince Jeno. Jisung does whatever he’s told. You’re the only one I have to convince.”

Hyuck: “I have a meeting with Mark after class, then I’m going back to my room to work on the plan... and read a couple new spells. Gotta get the hang of these powers.”

Sung: “You always have such reasonable excuses. It’s annoying… Fine. But I know you’d enjoy watching—”

Hyuck: (already shutting the bathroom door) “No thanks, Chan. Count me out.”

---

**~~~

At lunch...**

Jisung: “I like lunchtime. The food here is *amazing.”
(He shoves a cupcake into his mouth like he’s never tasted sugar before.)

Jaemin: “I really wonder what life on the Isle is like… ‘Cause I’m kinda over this food. It’s always the same every two weeks. Four kinds of potatoes, four types of mac n’ cheese, four rice dishes, and the meat just rotates: chicken, beef, pork, repeat.”

Jeno: “It’s really nice here. We had dry bread or rotten fruit. Sometimes, if we were lucky, a cooked potato. That was, like, a holiday.
Well... at least me and my friends. We lived on the inner Isle — not a lot to go around.
Some areas have shops and cafés, but barely anyone can afford them.”

Jaemin looks down at his plate, a little stunned. The black hair dye made his reflection unfamiliar enough, but that truth hit harder. He suddenly appreciated the repetitive menu.

???: “I’m sorry to hear that…”

Everyone flinches. Even Jisung drops his fork.

Jisung: “Chenle!”
(His eyes light up as he scoots to make space.)

Chenle: “Uh… hi, guys. I hope it’s okay if I sit here?”

Jeno: “Of course it’s okay.”

Jaemin: “How are you?”
(He’s careful, but Chenle’s soft smile melts the tension.)

Chenle: “I’m good. I calmed down… and I wanted to apologize for how I reacted. Especially to you, Jaemin. It wasn’t right accusing you of something you had no control over.
And honestly, I hope you two get married one day.”

That last part, full of sass and giggles, breaks the group into laughter. Even the blushing victims can't help but smile.

Jaemin: “It’s okay, Chenle. I wasn’t mad. I just didn’t expect that.”

Chenle: “Yeah… I don’t know what got into me.”

Hyuck: “Maybe you’ve been hanging out with us too much. It’s contagious.”

Chenle: “Honestly? Could be.”

Hyuck: (standing up) “Alright, final classes. Let’s go. Don’t wanna disappoint more teachers.”

Sung: “Right... I’ve got a class without any of you. Hope I survive.”

Jisung: “You got this. We’ll see you after — we’re still going to that game.”

Chenle: “Oh, you guys are coming? Cool! We can watch together.”

Sung: “Donghyuck isn’t. He’s got that royal date with Prince Mark. Then he’s gonna work on the plan… you know, saving all of us and our parents from eternal banishment, no big deal.”

They all glance at Donghyuck.

The purple-haired teen hadn’t moved. Eyes narrowed, lips pressed together, brain spinning faster than the clock. Planning already.