Soul in the System: Chanjin

Into the Jungle

Morning arrived sooner than Chan expected, flooding his room with golden sunlight and pulling him from his quiet reflections. Today would be the first day he'd step into the unfamiliar world of high school, guided by Hyunjin and surrounded by human peers who, unlike his family, wouldn't know or understand what he was. He rose from his bed, going through the motions of preparation even though he didn't technically need to sleep, eat, or follow the routines humans required.

Downstairs, he found the Hwang family at the breakfast table. Mrs. Hwang offered him a warm smile as he entered, gesturing to a plate she'd set out for him. It was piled with toast, eggs, and fruit, arranged as if she had expected him to eat.

"Good morning, Chan! I made you breakfast," she said cheerfully, her eyes sparkling with motherly care.

Chan felt an unfamiliar twinge in his chest—a soft warmth at her thoughtfulness, though he didn't know how to properly respond. He took a seat and nodded gratefully. "Thank you."

Hyunjin glanced over from where he was munching on toast, rolling his eyes playfully. "You know he doesn't actually need food, right, Mom?"

Mrs. Hwang waved a dismissive hand. "Well, he's still part of the family, and he's welcome at our table anytime. I want him to feel at home here, just like you."

Chan picked up a piece of toast, mimicking Hyunjin's motions as he took a careful bite. The sensation was strange, the textures and tastes completely new to him. The bread was warm, slightly crispy at the edges, and a faint taste of butter lingered on his tongue. He knew he didn't require sustenance, but the act of eating was part of integrating, of blending in, and he wanted to understand these experiences fully.

"So," Dr. Hwang said, setting down his coffee cup with a thoughtful smile, "are you ready for your first day, Chan?"

Chan met Dr. Hwang's gaze, recognizing the quiet support in his expression. "Yes, sir. I'm ready."

"Good." Dr. Hwang nodded approvingly. "High school is... well, it's a unique experience. Just remember to keep an open mind and follow Hyunjin's lead."

Hyunjin sighed dramatically. "Yeah, yeah, don't worry. I'll make sure the new guy doesn't get eaten alive." He cast Chan a mischievous smile. "I'll even let everyone know you're my 'boyfriend,' just like we discussed."

Chan tilted his head, nodding slowly. "Thank you. I'll follow along."

Hyunjin chuckled, patting Chan on the shoulder with a smirk. "You're seriously way too serious, but maybe that'll help keep the weirdos off my back."

As breakfast wrapped up, Chan followed Hyunjin to the door, watching him gather his backpack and toss it over one shoulder. Chan mimicked him, taking a backpack Mrs. Hwang had prepared for him, filled with notebooks and school supplies he didn't technically need but understood were part of the social environment. As they stepped outside, he felt a strange mixture of apprehension and anticipation.

The school was only a short walk away, and as they made their way down the sidewalk, Chan listened intently to Hyunjin's casual comments about the school.

"Listen, high school is all about hierarchy," Hyunjin explained. "You've got to find where you fit in and stick with it. People hate change, and they hate things that don't make sense."

"I see," Chan replied, storing the information. "And where do you... fit in?"

Hyunjin flashed a smirk, brushing a hand through his hair. "I'm basically the reigning royalty at our school. People look up to me... or want to be me. If you're my 'boyfriend,' that'll give you an automatic spot near the top. Just don't do anything too weird or... robot-y, and you'll be fine."