Farewells at Twilight

As the golden hues of twilight painted the sky, Joon-ho, Soo-jin, and Sang-hee made their way back to the dormitories, their footsteps accompanied by the gentle rustle of leaves in the evening breeze. Despite the short time since their arrival, the campus already felt like home, each corner holding the promise of new adventures and friendships.

As they reached the intersection that divided their paths, they paused, exchanging heartfelt farewells and promising to reconvene soon. The camaraderie they had forged in such a short time filled them with warmth and anticipation for the days ahead. With a final wave, they parted ways, each carrying with them the memories of another day spent exploring the wonders of NexaCorp Korea University.

As Soo-jin and Sang-hee walked back to their room together, their conversation bubbled with excitement and anticipation for the upcoming classes. They chatted animatedly about the facilities they had glimpsed during their explorations, discussing the state-of-the-art equipment and innovative learning tools they couldn't wait to use.

"Can you believe how advanced the equipment in the Nexa reality lab is?" Soo-jin exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"I know, right? I can't wait to dive into those simulations!" Sang-hee replied, her voice tinged with anticipation. "And did you see the training programs they offer for improving reaction times? I'm definitely signing up for those."

"Oh, I saw those! They could help enhance our skills in NexaRealm. I'm thinking of trying out some of the data analysis workshops too," Soo-jin nodded enthusiastically.

"That's a great idea," Sang-hee agreed. "The more skills we develop, the better our chances of making it onto the national team."

Their conversation continued as they made their way down the hallway, their excitement palpable with every word.

Meanwhile, Joon-ho trailed silently behind them, lost in his thoughts as he made his way back to his room alone. Despite the lively atmosphere around him, a sense of solitude weighed on his shoulders, a reminder of the challenges he still faced in this new environment. As he navigated the familiar corridors, memories of the day's encounters and discoveries played through his mind like a silent film.

He couldn't help but feel a twinge of loneliness as he reached his room, the silence of the empty hallway amplifying his solitude. Yet, he remained determined to embrace the opportunities that lay ahead, ready to face whatever challenges the future held in store. With a deep breath, he stepped into his room, his mind buzzing with thoughts of the adventures yet to come.

As Joon-ho entered the room, a sense of unease prickled at the back of his mind. Kang-dae and Kyu stood by his bed, their gazes fixed on the space opposite them. Confusion knitted his brows together as he followed their line of sight, expecting to find nothing but an unoccupied bed. However, his eyes widened as he realized they were staring at a young man standing in the middle of the room.

As Joon-ho's gaze fell upon the newcomer, he couldn't help but be struck by the aura of confidence exuding from the young man. Even from behind, his posture radiated self-assurance, each movement deliberate and purposeful.

Tall and lean, he carried himself with a natural grace that commanded attention. His dark hair fell in loose waves, framing a strong jawline and hinting at a meticulous grooming routine. Despite his casual attire, there was an air of sophistication about him, as if he were accustomed to moving in elite circles.

However, beneath the veneer of confidence, there was an undercurrent of something else – a subtle hint of arrogance that sent a shiver down Joon-ho's spine. It was the kind of confidence that bordered on arrogance, the kind that made one wonder what lay beneath the surface. Joon-ho couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this newcomer than met the eye, and he couldn't help but wonder what secrets he might be hiding.

Kang-dae and Kyu's reaction puzzled Joon-ho. They were usually reserved, hardly displaying such open curiosity. But there they stood, their focus solely on the newcomer.

Joon-ho's brow furrowed in confusion as he joined Kang-dae and Kyu near the unoccupied bed, their attention fixed on the newcomer.

"What's happening?" he whispered to Kang-dae, his voice tinged with uncertainty. This sudden change in atmosphere was unsettling, especially considering their normally subdued interactions.

Kang-dae shot him a troubled glance, his expression mirroring Joon-ho's confusion.

"I'm not sure," he murmured back, his voice barely audible over the hum of anticipation in the room.

Before they could exchange any further words, the newcomer turned around, his eyes scanning the room before landing on them.

"Ah, finally all gathered here," he said with a warm smile, his voice carrying an air of confidence.

Joon-ho's gaze flickered to Kang-dae and Kyu, searching for any sign of understanding. But they remained silent, their expressions unreadable as they observed the newcomer.

Feeling a surge of curiosity mingled with apprehension, Joon-ho turned his attention back to the newcomer, waiting for an explanation. As the silence stretched on, he couldn't shake the feeling that something significant was about to unfold in their small dorm room.

As the man turned to face them, his gaze swept over Joon-ho, Kang-dae, and Kyu with an almost dismissive air, as if they were inconsequential to his grand plans. Without skipping a beat, he launched into his purposeful monologue, each word dripping with a calculated confidence that left no room for doubt.

"Listen up, boys," he began, his tone authoritative and commanding. "I'm not here to make friends or play nice. I'm here to become the best in NexaRealm, to represent Korea and bring home victory. And if that means I have to share a room with you three for now, so be it. But make no mistake – once I have the means, I'll be upgrading to a suite and leaving you behind."

Joon-ho exchanged a glance with Kang-dae and Kyu, both of them silent as they processed the newcomer's words. It was clear that this appropriate to be referred to as roommate them was not one to be trifled with, his determination bordering on ruthlessness.

"And as for you three," the man continued, his gaze narrowing slightly. "Don't think for a second that you can hold me back. If there's a team test or anything of the sort, I won't hesitate to leave you in the dust. Consider yourselves warned."

Joon-ho felt a surge of indignation at his words, but beneath it all, he sensed a deeper challenge – a challenge to prove himself in the face of such brazen confidence. There was no denying that Tae-young was arrogant, but there was also a sense that his arrogance was not unfounded.

Before any of them could respond, the man delivered his parting shot.

"Remember the name – Tae-young Do," he said, his voice ringing with finality. "You'll be hearing it a lot in the days to come."

With that, he turned on his heel and strode out of the room, leaving Joon-ho, Kang-dae, and Kyu in his wake, their thoughts swirling with the implications of his words.

As Tae-young's footsteps faded into the distance, leaving behind an uneasy silence in the room, Joon-ho couldn't contain his frustration.

"Who does he think he is?" he muttered, his voice laced with irritation. "Talking to us like we're nothing but obstacles in his way."

Kang-dae, meanwhile, furrowed his brow in deep concentration, his mind racing as he tried to place where he had heard the name Tae-young Do before. With a quick tap on his phone, he began to search for any information that might shed light on their enigmatic new roommate.

On the other hand, Kyu remained characteristically silent, his expression unreadable as he retreated to his bed. Lying on his back, he stared up at the ceiling with an intensity that belied his usual nonchalant demeanour, his thoughts a mystery to his roommates.

As Joon-ho's muttered curses filled the room, Kang-dae finally spoke up, his voice low with a mix of confusion and concern.

"I think I've heard that name before," he said, his eyes still fixed on his phone screen. "But I can't remember where..."

Joon-ho shot him a curious glance, his frustration momentarily forgotten as he turned his attention to Kang-dae.

"Well, figure it out," he said, a note of urgency creeping into his voice. Intentionally sounding rude but perhaps it was just the moment that had possessed him. "We need to know who we're dealing with here."

With a nod, Kang-dae redoubled his efforts, his fingers flying across the screen as he delved deeper into his search. Meanwhile, Kyu remained silent, his inscrutable gaze fixed on the ceiling above, leaving his roommates to ponder the implications of Tae-young Do's bold declaration.

As the weight of Tae-young Do's words lingered in the air, Joon-ho, Kang-dae, and Kyu were left to grapple with the unsettling realization that their newest roommate was unlike any they had encountered before. With uncertainty clouding their thoughts, they exchanged wary glances, silently acknowledging the challenge that lay ahead.

As the evening shadows deepened, casting the room in a dim twilight, they were reminded that their journey at NexaCorp Korea University was only just beginning and that the road ahead would be fraught with unexpected twists and turns.