Reserved [Book V]

Prologue

Everything was new.

It wasn't like they hadn't lived in a single house before but all of M moving together put quite a shock to each of its members, especially their leader – not like it was obvious, of course. He was still the cold being he was, and incredibly impassive despite the inner commotion.

The graduating batch – or their seniors – that welcomed them inside their home for the university had proud smiles on their faces as they toured. There was a system, a tradition of sort, that freshman college students could only live in a house in campus grounds if they're part of a sorority and if they had something to inherit from the former owners.

"There are four areas in Uni where frat houses are built." Bang Yong-guk, the one whom the M leader had talked to prior to graduating high school, explained quite loudly. He walked towards an open window followed by his members and M's, where they could see outside and observe everyone else struggling to find their friends or dorms or whatever. "You and that Joonmyun person, together with your groups, make up West. Do you know who gave the house next door to him?"

"Park Jung-soo." Luhan answered with his arms crossed, and Yongguk nodded.

"It's important that you know who and what kind of people had lived inside the campus, so you would avoid disappointing anyone. You and your antecedent's name will be affected by the things that you do here. You have to remember that we don't just study and keep this university well-known for its achievements. We also strive to keep a legacy alive." Yongguk faced the six of them. "Our own group had become alumni with flying colors. For the last two years, we've proven ourselves deserving to stay. I hope I didn't make a mistake with choosing you to take care of this house, Yifan. We have once treated this place our home."

At that moment, all of them realized that their high school lives were really over and the real survival began. Stuff changed. With a new environment, their nicknames were gone with the wind for people should be aware of who took over the first house in West.

"I won't let you down." Yifan said, firm and with confidence. Yongguk nodded and carried on explaining.

"Houses are named after the representative of each group and therefore, this place is under Wu Yi-fan. This area is a mirror of East, made up of senior college Seo Eun-kwang and sophomore college Woo Ji-ho. There are two more houses in South and are occupied by freshmen like you, Yang Seung-ho and Lee Jin-ki."

All of M nodded and as they continued listening, North sounded like a menace.

"There used to be three houses up in North but when we were still freshmen like you, the only female representative among all these fraternities, Park Da-ra, bought the property next door with her own dough. Now, only two houses stand there, one that's the same size as the rest of the houses and one that could hold an average of three groups altogether." Yongguk walked over to the couch while his members scattered around. It was the last time they'd enter that place. "Today, the normal house belongs to senior college Park Jae-beom and the grandest house here in Uni belongs to Nam Gyu-ri. Their home system stands out among all because they have people from every year as members and they have a total of thirty something girls, some staying in dorms."

"Does the house size mean that Nam Gyu-ri's a threat?" Minseok asked.

"If one day you decide to fuck around and piss her off, then threat is an understatement." Yongguk explained. "Gyuri just came in today. She's a freshman like you."

"Why does she sound so dangerous then?" Jongdae butted in.

"The former representative of their group is Park Bom, Dara's sister. She had a junior apprentice but when Bom graduated, she passed the leadership to Gyuri instead of the apprentice. A person who came from a family that wealthy wouldn't trust just anybody to continue what she started. Dara and Bom trusts Gyuri so much and that should be enough evidence for people not to mess with her." Yongguk glanced at the boy beside him, Kim Him-Chan, to carry on speaking.

"We also did a bit of researching to have you alert. Nam Gyu-ri's background profile is nowhere to be found. I guess the Park sisters are the only ones who hold the information." Himchan shook his head. "She seems pretty harmless when relaxed. At this point, the most powerful group in Uni is hers and you have to show your respect. Do not, in any way, get on her bad side."

There was a lot to take in. The important details were taught to the group including sponsoring events, in which the results of major exams would be evaluated and sororities would try to convince benefactors to keep supporting their school. On the process, they've learned that the Park sisters always had the most backers, and so the money was used for developing facilities in their chosen department.

On one spot in the house, Zitao whispered to Yifan. "Do you think we should've gone with dorms or our previous apartments instead of this? You're going to handle everything from now on. If we fuck up, it's your head under the axe."

"I'm not afraid of whatever's waiting for us here in college." Yifan whispered back. "This is our chance for a fresh start, and there's absolutely no way in hell I'm letting this slip away."