Chapter 15

Nick and Akito grew close due to being roommates. Akito, forced by circumstance, had to be near Nick.

"Where's Akito?" Nick asked.

A classmate replied, "He's gone out, seems like the class monitor was looking for him."

When Akito returned, Nick inquired, "Where did you go?"

Akito explained, "The class monitor wanted to discuss something with me, something about my registration."

Nick organized a poker game, and some guys from the neighboring room joined in, making up a perfect four.

Nick called out to Matt from their dorm, "Go fetch Akito; we need one more for the game."

Matt muttered, "We have enough people already..."

Nick kicked a chair and shouted, "I told you to find him!"

The whole room was startled. Matt was about to get up when someone said, "Akito went to the teacher to discuss some questions."

Nick chuckled, pulling Matt back, "Why didn't you say so earlier? Don't bother going."

Once, Akito was heading out to fetch water for foot soaking. When he returned, he found Nick reading a novel, and the others chatting.

Their conversation drifted toward Akito. One said, "Why have we never seen Akito dating anyone?"

Akito, soaking his feet, replied, "I focus on studying seriously, not dating."

Another teased, "What's the point? You study seriously and still fail exams."

Akito defended, "I passed the makeup exams, so it doesn't count as failing."

As he was about to lift his foot from the basin, a burst of laughter erupted. Kai in the room said, "Kid, you're not secretly into guys, are you?"

Akito trembled, and the foot basin overturned. The one who spoke looked a bit embarrassed and hurried to grab a mop.

Before Kai could touch the mop handle, he was struck on the head with a fist. Just as he was about to raise his head, Nick elbowed him.

Nick shouted, "Stop spewing bullshit!!"

There was a series of clattering sounds. Several passing students stood at the doorway, watching the commotion.

It took Akito a moment to react. He hurriedly ran over to close the door, then turned back to pull Nick away.

Nick, still in a fighting mood, resisted Akito's efforts, pushing him instead. Akito slipped and fell to the ground.

Nick, realizing what happened, helped Akito up, asking, "Are you okay?"

Akito pushed him away, shouting, "What the hell are you doing!"

Nick, acting as if nothing happened, helped Akito up again, dusting him off. Akito yelled, "You're playing around too much!"

Nick, unbothered, dusted off his hands and went back to reading the unfinished novel. Kai, seemingly unaffected by the incident, stayed silent for a while before getting up.

Akito handed him iodine and band-aids. Kai softly said, "Thanks."