Under One Sky {한 하늘 아래}

Chapter 3: Room for Two

The dormitory of the campus was finally opened for the students. It bustled with movement as students rolled their suitcases through the halls and chatted excitedly, the scent of fresh paint and new beginnings lingering in the air.

Sejin had arrived early.

He liked to get things done before the rush, so he could avoid the noise, the small talk, the awkward introductions. His side of the room was already set up — minimalist and cozy, just the way he liked it. The mattress had been made tightly with soft gray sheets, a cozy lamp sat on his desk casting a warm, amber glow, and a small humidifier released steady puffs of lavender-scented steam. A few potted plants sat by the windowsill — clean, green, thriving.

Sejin was already attending his classes by the time Joo arrived a few days later.

The door creaked open as Joo stepped into the room for the first time. He pulled his suitcase behind him and paused.

Half the room was still untouched — a plain bed, empty shelves. But the other half...

It was like walking into someone's private sanctuary. Clean lines, soft lights, the faint smell of something calming in the air.

Joo blinked.

"Damn," he murmured under his breath, closing the door behind him. "Who the hell lives here? A monk?"

He wandered deeper into the room, eyes wide with surprise. The plants, the books, the gentle hum of the humidifier — everything was so neat, so carefully arranged. It was unlike anything he expected from a college dorm.

He glanced over at his side, still completely empty. And then back at the mysterious setup across from him.

Whoever his roommate was, they clearly had their life together. Joo felt a little out of place already, as he dropped his gym bag by the bed and scratched the back of his head.

"I should probably not trash this room in the first week."

After setting his things down, he began unpacking in his usual, half-organized way. A few hoodies in the closet, some snacks tucked into the drawers, his dumbbell set stashed beneath the bed. He wasn't messy — but he wasn't exactly elegant either.

After unpacking, Joo decided to go outside and get some fresh air. He fell into his usual routine — headphones on, wandering around the campus, getting to know the layout. He stopped by a small café for a simple lunch, nothing too heavy.

That's when he saw Sejin again.

They'd only hung out once or twice so far — short, casual conversations. But when Joo spotted Sejin sitting alone at a table by the window, he made his way over without hesitation.

Sejin looked up, surprised, but smiled softly when he saw who it was.

"Hey," Joo said. "Mind if I join you?"

"Sure," Sejin nodded.

They had lunch together, chatting briefly about their classes and the weird elevator music in the admin building. It was nothing deep, but it felt easy.

After finishing, they decided to part ways for the day. Joo stretched his arms and headed in one direction, while Sejin took another. They didn't plan to meet again — both assuming they lived in different wings of the dormitory.

But as the sun dipped low and the hallways filled with returning students, fate decided to play its hand.

Joo entered the building from the west stairwell. Sejin entered from the east elevator. They each stepped into separate lifts and ascended to the fourth floor.

Moments later, they stepped out — from opposite sides of the hall.

They walked quietly at first, each absorbed in thought. But as they approached the middle of the hallway, their eyes met.

Both of them paused.

"...Wait," Joo said slowly, eyebrows rising. "Where are you going?"

Sejin blinked. "To my room."

"What number?"

"...402."

They turned to look at the same door.

"Shut up," Joo said, his eyes wide. "No way."

Sejin stared. "You're joking."

"I just moved in today," Joo laughed. "Wait—don't tell me..."

"...You're my roommate?" Sejin said, stunned.

Joo pointed a thumb at himself, grinning. "Yup."

Sejin covered his face with both hands in mortification. "Oh my god..."

Joo laughed even harder. "You're the one with the aesthetic setup?! I thought it was like—some mysterious plant wizard or something."

"I can't believe this," Sejin muttered behind his fingers. "You saw my side already?"

"Yup. Totally judged you, too. But in a good way."

Sejin dropped his hands, glaring lightly. "You better not mess up the room."

"I won't," Joo said, still grinning. "You actually inspired me to clean."

Sejin gave him a suspicious look. "Really?"

"Mostly," Joo winked.

They stood there for a moment, awkwardly facing the door, then looked at each other again.

"...Well," Sejin said, reaching for the handle. "I guess we're roommates."

Joo chuckled. "Roommates. Let's try not to kill each other."

They entered the room together, this time no longer strangers.

That night, the room was filled with soft rustles and the quiet clinking of water glasses and desk drawers. Sejin sat at his desk, finishing up some reading while Joo lounged on his bed, scrolling through his phone.

"Hey," Joo said, looking up. "You want some snacks? I brought a ton."

Sejin glanced over. "What kind?"

Joo pulled out a bag and tossed it toward him. "Pepero. And I may or may not have stocked up on your favorite strawberry milk."

Sejin caught the bag with surprise. "Wait... how did you know?"

"You had it at lunch the other day. I noticed."

Sejin looked at him, touched but unsure how to respond.

"...Thanks," he finally said.

"No problem," Joo replied with a grin. "Gotta take care of my roommate."

Sejin shook his head, smiling to himself.

Later, when the lights were out and both boys lay in their respective beds, the only sound in the room was the soft whirl of the humidifier and the muffled breathing of two students who still couldn't quite believe they were sharing a space now.

"Hey," Joo said quietly.

"...Yeah?"

"I'm glad it's you."

Sejin turned in his bed, eyes open in the dark. "...Me too."