Taro lugged his suitcase up the stairs, his mood still simmering from the previous day's detention. He reached the dorm room door, took a deep breath, and pushed it open.
Arata sat on his bed, surrounded by stacks of books. His eyes sparkled as he looked up.
"Hey, Taro! Welcome to our humble abode."
Taro dropped his suitcase, eyeing the books.
"Great, a bookworm. Just what I needed."
Arata chuckled.
"Guilty as charged. I love getting lost in stories."
Taro snorted.
"Figures. You seem like the boring type."
Arata's smile never wavered.
"I think I'll grow on you, Taro."
As they began unpacking, Taro noticed Arata's book collection.
"Seriously? You read all these?"
Arata nodded.
"Every chance I get."
Taro scanned the titles, his expression changing from disdain to surprise.
"'Love in the Rainy Night'? 'The Heart's Desire'? What kind of books are these?"
Arata's cheeks flushed.
"Uh, just some...romance novels."
Taro's eyes widened.
"Romance? You're into that?"
Arata shrugged.
"Guilty pleasure."
Taro burst out laughing.
"Mr. Bookworm likes sappy love stories!
Arata grinned.
"Hey, they're great stress relievers."
As they continued settling in, Taro couldn't shake off the image of Arata immersed in romance novels. It was...endearing.
_Later That Evening_
As they sat in their dorm room, Arata reading on his bed, Taro on his laptop, an uncomfortable silence settled.
Taro glanced at Arata, watching him devour the words on the page.
"Hey, Arata?"
Arata looked up.
"Yeah?"
"Why romance novels?"
Arata's expression softened.
"I like believing in happy endings."
Taro raised an eyebrow.
"You're not exactly the romantic type."
Arata smiled.
"Maybe not, but I think everyone deserves love."
Taro's gaze lingered on Arata, seeing him in a new light.
"Guess I underestimated you, bookworm."
