Chapter Text
“Lights out at 10 pm on week days, 11 pm on weekends. You get a 5 minutes maximum with the showers, and only one per day, there is a shortage of hot water.” Kang Ta, the dorm leader explained as he walked the new student to his dorm room.
“Can I get a single room?” Woo Hyuk asked.
“No, there isn’t enough room for anyone to get a room to themselves, so we have to partner up. Your roommate got the room to his self for a while, but that was because of some...problems.” Kang Ta patted him on the arm. “Here is your room, Im next door to your left, if you have any questions, feel free to ask when the Do Not Disturb sign is off the knob.”
He left Woo Hyuk alone to open the door for himself and manage his own bags. Luckily, or perhaps not, the door opened on its own, and his roommate jumped into sight.
“You must be Woo Hyuk!” He cheered. “Im Tony! Come in!” He grabbed one of Woo Hyuk’s bags and led him into the disappointingly small room.
To one wall was a bunk bed, and it was obvious from the bedding that the bottom was already in use. To the other wall, was a desk and bookshelf. A walk way was dug from scattered clothes to make a trail to either wall, and the door.
“I want the bottom bunk.” Woo Hyuk said, setting his bag down on it.
“But, that’s mine.” Tony squeaked in panic.
“I was being nice by saying ‘I want’, so take your pillow before I keep it.”
Tony snatched the pillow quickly, but stood close, looking indecisive.
“What is it?” Woo Hyuk demanded.
“Can I have my blanket?”
Woo Hyuk sighed, and motioned for him to go ahead, and just as quick as he had taken his pillow, Tony took his blanket from the mattress, along with a baby blanket that was hidden underneath.
“You can put your stuff in the closet, I cleared out half of it.” Tony said, obviously trying to save the situation from going from bad to worse.
“What happened to the last roommate?” Woo Hyuk asked, ignoring him. At first he assumed it had something to do with Tony, that the roommate was no longer here, but now seeing Tony...It didn’t seem likely.
“Oh, his name was Jae Won. He killed himself.” Tony said awkwardly.
That surprised him enough to make eye contact with the kid. “Why?”
“I don’t know, he didn’t leave a note or anything. We’re on the 3rd level, right? He just jumped one night. I didn’t know until the next morning. Hey, its lunch time, why don’t you come to the cafeteria with me?”
The trek across the court yard wasn’t long but it was going to get old, fast. Having to walk so far to get something to eat was an indignity, almost as bad as the time restrictions on the shower. It was almost enough to make a guy commit some petty crimes to get into military school. Then, at least, the campus would be smaller.
“Over there are the metal heads.” Tony nodded toward a group of guys, taking advantage of the sparse shade. “Jae Hoon, Yo Han, Hae Rang. There are more of them, but they hang out in other groups, like Lee Hyuk, he’s with the goths, they don’t come out much in the day.”
Woo Hyuk was prepared to have to block out another rambling about social order, but Tony suddenly went rigid, though he kept walking at a forced steady pace. “That’s Minwoo.” He said out the side of his mouth, indicating another student walking toward them.
He would have gone on with the description, it was obvious, but Minwoo had gotten in hearing range. He seemed to ignore Woo Hyuk completely, to greet Tony with an intimidating smile. Without skipping a beat, he shoved Tony as he passed, sending the smaller student toppling over his head.
“Hi Tony, how’s it going?” He called over his shoulder.
“Fine, thanks.” Tony said in strained cheer, dusted himself off, and caught up to Woo Hyuk, who hadn’t even slowed his pace. “He’s a jerk.” Tony whispered. “He thinks he’s so cool cause’ he’s the body building club’s president. Big jerk.” He mumbled. “You’ll have to join a club you know?” Tony said, in a sudden mood change. “Everyone joins a club. You could get into the body building club I bet.” He pulled the hem of Woo Hyuk’s shirt up to look at the body underneath.
Woo Hyuk clamped a hand painfully over Tony’s wrist. “Don’t touch me.” He ordered darkly, and let go as soon as Tony’s head pumped up and down in understanding.
Tony rushed ahead to open the cafeteria door for Woo Hyuk, and followed close behind as soon as they were inside.
“I thought this was an all guys school.” Woo Hyuk said, indicating the table of all women by the windows.
“That’s Shin Ae, Hara, Binu, Yuni, and Harisu. They are in the drag queen club.” Tony explained.
“That’s fucking sick.”
“I know.” Tony wrinkled his nose. “They’ve been asking me to join too. Oh! Over there, see the guys in the back table?” He pointed to the dark corner of the room where a group of young men all sat, oblivious to each other, with laptops in front of them. “They’re-”
“Nerds.”
“-My friends... We’re in an RPG club. That’s Yoo Min, and Dong Wan, and-”
“Go sit with your friends, Im taking my food outside.” Woo Hyuk muttered, and turned to leave, running into someone passing by.
“Get out of my fucking way.” Woo Hyuk pushed him back.
Tony gasped. “Woo Hyuk! Don’t! That’s the class president!” He chastised.
“Oh?” Woo Hyuk asked, finally looking at the other man. “I don’t care if you are the president of the school, or the president of this kid’s geek squad.” He jerked a thumb at Tony. “When Im moving, clear the way.”
“You must be the new student.” The class president said, as if the confrontation wasn’t taking place. “Im class president Sung Shi Kyung, its nice to meet you.” He held out his hand fondly.
Woo Hyuk slapped it. “Don’t fucking patronize me.”
“Is there a problem?”
“Professor Seo Tai Ji!” Tony gaped in panic as the teacher approached.
“There isn’t a problem sir. Mr Jang and I were just getting acquainted.” Shi Kyung said, giving Woo Hyuk a warm smile.
“Is that right?” Tai Ji asked warily.