𝐏𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐄 •ﻌ• [ᴄʜᴇɴᴊɪ]

3: ᴄᴜᴛᴇ

Chenle stood in front of the mirror in his new apartment, adjusting his clothes for the umpteenth time. His parents had insisted on buying him a place close to the university, wanting him to be comfortable and safe in his new environment. He appreciated their thoughtfulness, but now, standing alone in the quiet apartment, the reality of his situation hit him hard. Tomorrow was his first official day at the university, and tonight was the welcome event for new students.

❝Okay, Chenle, you've got this,❞ he muttered to his reflection, trying to summon some confidence. ❝It's just a bunch of new people. Nothing to worry about.❞

Despite his pep talk, his stomach churned with nervous excitement. He glanced at the clock and realized it was time to leave. Grabbing his phone and keys, he took a deep breath and stepped out of his apartment, locking the door behind him.

The walk to the university's main hall was short but felt like a journey through a new world. The campus was alive with students, each bustling with their own conversations and activities. Chenle took in the sights and sounds, feeling a mixture of awe and trepidation. He reminded himself that everyone here was new once and that he would find his place soon enough.

As he approached the main hall, he could hear the faint hum of music and laughter. The building was adorned with colorful banners and balloons, welcoming new students. Chenle took another deep breath and walked inside.

The hall was buzzing with energy. Students mingled in groups, chatting and laughing. Tables were set up with snacks and drinks, and a stage at the front promised speeches and entertainment. Chenle scanned the room, feeling both overwhelmed and exhilarated by the sheer number of new faces.

❝Alright, let's do this,❞ he whispered to himself, stepping further into the crowd.

Chenle moved slowly, taking in the details of the room. The walls were lined with posters showcasing various student clubs and activities. He noticed a group of students gathered around a booth for the music club and made a mental note to check it out later. As he continued to navigate through the throngs of people, he accidentally bumped into someone.

❝Oh, I'm so sorry!❞ Chenle exclaimed, looking up to see a tall, handsome guy with striking features. He had a perfectly chiseled jawline and high cheekbones that accentuated his warm, inviting smile. His skin was smooth and glowing under the bright lights, and his dark, expressive eyes sparkled with friendliness. His hair was styled with a casual, effortless charm that somehow looked immaculate, adding to his overall pretty appearance.

❝No worries, man,❞ Jisung said with a grin that seemed to light up the room. His smile was both reassuring and radiant. ❝I'm Jisung. Are you new here too?❞

❝Yeah, just moved here from China,❞ Chenle replied, feeling a bit self-conscious in the presence of someone so striking. ❝I'm Chenle.❞

❝Welcome, Chenle! Nice to meet you,❞ Jisung said, extending his hand. His touch was warm and confident. ❝Let me introduce you to my friends.❞

Jisung led Chenle over to a group of students who were chatting animatedly. The group was lively, with each person contributing to the conversation with enthusiasm. ❝Hey guys, this is Chenle. He just moved here from China.❞

❝Hey Chenle!❞ they chorused in friendly unison.

❝These are my friends-Mark, Haechan, Jeno, Jaemin, and Renjun,❞ Jisung introduced each one. ❝Everyone, this is Chenle.❞

❝Nice to meet you, Chenle,❞ Mark said, offering a handshake. ❝How's your first day going?❞

❝It's been a bit overwhelming, but everyone's been really welcoming,❞ Chenle admitted, feeling a wave of relief.

❝Yeah, it can be a lot at first,❞ Renjun said sympathetically. ❝But don't worry, you'll find your rhythm soon enough.❞

Chenle's eyes widened slightly. ❝Oh, you're Chinese too?❞

❝Yeah,❞ Renjun said with a nod and a warm smile. ❝I moved here a couple of years ago. If you need any help settling in or if you just want to chat in Mandarin, I'm here.❞

❝That's really nice of you, Renjun. I'm glad to meet someone who understands what it's like,❞ Chenle said, feeling a bit more at ease.

❝And we're here to help,❞ Jaemin added with a warm smile. ❝If you need anything, just let us know.❞

❝Thanks, I really appreciate it,❞ Chenle said, feeling a growing sense of comfort. ❝It's nice to meet you all.❞

❝So, Chenle, I guess you're the new student that's going to be in our class,❞ Jisung said, glancing around the group.

❝Yeah, I am,❞ Chenle said. ❝I was just about to start exploring the campus.❞

❝We're actually all in the same course,❞ Jisung said. ❝It's a music composition class, and it's supposed to be pretty intense but also really rewarding.❞

❝That's great to hear,❞ Chenle said. ❝I've heard good things about the program. I'm really excited to get started.❞

✧˖°.𖹭🧸

The group began moving towards the snack tables, chatting about their experiences with the music program. They grabbed plates of food and found a spot to sit. As they settled in, the conversation shifted to lighter topics.

❝So, what do you think of the campus so far?❞ Haechan asked, passing Chenle a plate of pastries.

❝It's beautiful,❞ Chenle said, taking a pastry. ❝The architecture is really interesting, and the campus has a great vibe.❞

❝Yeah, it's one of my favorite parts of being here,❞ Mark said. ❝

❝Definitely,❞ Jeno agreed. ❝And there are tons of cool spots to hang out and study.❞

✧˖°.𖹭🧸

As the evening progressed, the group moved around the hall, mingling with other students and enjoying the various activities. The university had arranged for some entertainment, and they watched as a student band took the stage and performed a lively set. Chenle found himself tapping his foot to the music, feeling more at ease with each passing moment.

❝Hey, let's check out that club fair over there,❞ Jaemin suggested, pointing to a section of the hall where different student clubs had set up booths.

❝Sounds good,❞ Chenle said, following the group. ❝I'm interested in finding out more about the music club.❞

The group navigated through the various booths, chatting with representatives and picking up flyers about different student activities. Chenle was particularly drawn to a booth for the music club, where he met some enthusiastic members who gave him information about upcoming events and meetings.

✧˖°.𖹭🧸

As the night drew to a close, Chenle felt a sense of contentment. The initial nerves he had felt were replaced with excitement for the coming semester. He had made new friends and begun to feel like he was part of the university community.

❝Tomorrow's the big day,❞ Renjun said as they walked towards the dorms. ❝Ready for your first day of classes?❞

❝Yeah, I think I am,❞ Chenle said, smiling. ❝Thanks to you guys, I feel a lot more prepared.❞

❝Anytime,❞ Jisung cooed.

Although they had just met, the way Chenle's eyes lit up with genuine excitement, his playful laughter that seemed to light up the room, and his infectious enthusiasm made it impossible for Jisung not to feel a sense of admiration and affection. Whether they were sharing a moment of camaraderie or simply enjoying each other's company, Jisung couldn't help but think Chenle's cuteness added an extra sparkle to their time together, finding himself completely taken in by Chenle's presence.

⸻🧸
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