Kiss The Boy [BL]

Time felt slower here. The outside world muffled as if it had paused just for him.

His muscles, tense from days of motion and thought, began to ease, sinking into the warmth. The rhythm of his breathing evened out, deep and steady. In that stillness, his mind wandered briefly, but even thoughts felt quieter now, less urgent.

He let himself drift there, suspended in the quiet, where nothing demanded, nothing pulled—only the calm and the soft embrace of the warm water.

After a long dip in the water, Renjiro stood up and dressed himself with the spare clothes he brought. He exited the bathroom quietly, the cool air of the hallway brushing against his damp skin. His wet hair clung to his forehead, and he ran a hand through it, leaving faint water trails on his fingers.

A sense of calm settled over him, the remnants of his thoughts swirling in the stillness. He took a deep breath, feeling lighter and fresh than before, as if the water had washed away the heaviness in his chest.

When he finally returned to his room, he noticed the door to be slightly ajar, just enough for someone to peek in without being obvious. His pulse quickened a bit as he approached cautiously, his footsteps muffled by the worn carpet.

Rather than feeling somewhat scared, he paused, eyebrows knitting together as a sense of confusion settled over him. He distinctly remembered closing it before leaving.

He pushed the door open of the way, half-expecting to find someone or something inside, but the room appeared untouched. Everything seemed in place—the unmade bed, his coat draped over the chair—none at all.

Since it seemed to be nothing to worry about, Renjiro eventually shrugged his shoulders and brushed it off. Still, it was undeniably strange.

It's almost bedtime. Students are gathered near their rooms for attendance. Renjiro walked out of his room and stood in front of his door.

He glances over the line and sees Sasaki walking past by every student while scribbling something on what seems to be a list. He was getting closer now.

When Sasaki spotted him, Renjiro quickly smiled, waving his hand as a way to greet the boy.

Sasaki stepped forward without a single moment's hesitation as he said, "You're doing great for your first day, Koizumi."

Renjiro answered, "Of course. I tend to follow rules, Tasuki."

Sasaki's expression remained unchanged, as though he'd heard the remark a thousand times before. He didn't flinch, didn't react at all. But the students around them weren't so composed.

A few of them exchanged quick glances, brows furrowing in surprise. Some shifted uncomfortably in their positions, as if they weren't about sure weather to laugh or take the comment seriously.

But Renjiro looked unbothered by the stares and reaction. He smiled proudly, saying someone else's name so casually without using honorific whatsoever. And a first name basis, at that.

It's clear it wasn't looking good for the others, except for a certain someone.

Both Sasaki and Renjiro smiled at each other. Everyone could feel the friendly atmosphere between the two.

Once the attendance was done, Renjiro could finally feel the warmth and softness of his bed as he threw himself onto it.

As soon as his head hit the pillow, his eyes slowly closed on their own, the day's weariness melting away. The soft hum of the night wrapped around him like a gentle lullaby, and his breathing grew deeper, surrending to the comforting embrace of sleep.

It was indeed tiring for him as it hadn't been that long since he moved back into the country, and now, he has to spend his whole year living in the dorms. His days had been quite hectic even before the move, and they would become even more so once his first day in class began.

While he was peacefully asleep, his eyes suddenly snapped open, as if something had woken him up.

Did I hear something just now?

Renjiro quickly got up from his cozy bed and scanned the room, but it was dark inside. The faint glow the streetlamp outside cast long, distorted shadows on the walls. He strained his ears, listening for any sound that might explain why he had woken so abruptly. Yet, it seemed there was nothing that he could find.

Renjiro lay back down, convincing himself it was just his imagination. But just as he started to drift off, another noise pierced the silence—faint, yet oddly distinct. His eyes shot open, and without a second thought, he sprang out of bed, every nerve on edge. The room seemed colder now, shadows looming larger than before as he strained to hear where the sound had come from.

It was coming from the door, which had been ajar once again. Confused, he stood up from the bed and slowly walked closer, his footsteps muffled against the floor. His breath seemed to catch in his throat as he peered through the narrow gap, wondering if someone was hiding just out of sight.

As he slowly approached it, the faint creak of the floorboards beneath his feet seemed unnaturally loud in the silence. The air felt heavy, as if the room itself was holding its breath.

Renjiro thought about what Sasaki had mentioned earlier, the words suddenly flashing into his mind like a warning.

Was this what he meant about weird nights?

A chill ran down his spine as he recalled it. A lot of strange thoughts swirled in Renjiro's mind—had Sasaki experienced something similar?

His heartbeat quicked as he hesitated, unsure whether to move even closer or retreat back to the safety of his bed.

"But just to be safe." He murmured under his breath as he walked over to his desk and grabbed something in the drawer—his flashlight.

Renjiro has thought of two possibilities, it could either be a ghost or a human trying to trespass the room. Was the dorm building safe to begin with?

Now, Renjiro was beginning to doubt the dorm's safety—worried even. And whether choosing to live in one was a good idea.

He heard another noise—this time, it was louder as if it's nearby. Renjiro stood still, clenching his grip tightly on the flashlight to steady himself. He took a cautious step forward, every instinct telling him to stay alert.

The door suddenly moved, creaking as it slowly swung open, Renjiro's muscle tensed up. His whole body moved instinctively with his arm, ready to strike in self-defense. His heart pounded like a war drum, a cold sweat prickled his skin, and his eyes fixed on the widening gap.

As the door continued to open widely, a tall figure dressed in black appeared in the doorway. Without hesitation, Renjiro swung his arm with all his might, not caring which part of the intruder's body his makeshift weapon would hit. His instincts took over, fueled by fear and adrenaline, as he aimed to hit whatever he could to protect himself.

"AHHHH!!" He screamed his lungs out while he kept striking on the mysterious intruder's body.

"Take that! You trespasser!" Renjiro yelled at the stranger's face.

"Enough, wait! STOP IT."

Renjiro abruptly stopped his arm and froze after hearing a loud voice. Then, the lights were switched on, and as it lit the room up—he saw the intruder's face.

A tall, lean boy with tousled, jet-black hair that fell messily over his forehead, partially obscuring his sharp, dark eyes, was standing in front with his arms crossed as if to protect himself from Renjiro's sudden attacks.

His dressed in a simple black hoodie and worn jeans, he carried himself with casual, almost aloof demeanor, as if the world around him barely registered in his thoughts.

Renjiro's eyes widened as he came to realize it wasn't a ghost nor an intruder. His name's Ken, Miura Ken.

Renjiro stared at the boy's face, scrutinizing his appearance from head to toe. His mind struggled to process the sudden realization. "You... you're a person."

The boy scoffed, his voice rising with a mix of fear and frustration. "Of course I am!" He snapped, his tone almost cracking under the weight of his emotions. His hands balled into fists as if trying to mask his own trembling. The tension in the room hung heavy, both boys caught between relief and the lingering trace of danger.

"Who are you?" Renjiro said, "What are you doing, sneaking inside someone's room?"

His tone sharp, his eyes laced with confusion and curiosity. He pointed his weapon toward the boy.

Ken raised an eyebrow as he stepped fully into the light, his expression unreadable. "That should be my line," he said coolly, voice above a whisper. "Damn it, they didn't plant another one, did they?"

[??]

"Who are you? What are you doing in my room?"

"Your room?"

Renjiro blinked, thrown off by the boy's words.

"What do you mean by that?" He asked warily, eyes narrowing.

Ken scanned the room—his eyes landed on the bed. He snapped, "You've got some nerve for an intruder, sleeping peacefully at someone else's bed."

"Huh?!" Renjiro's brows shot up, "What the hell are you talking about? This is my assigned room, and I'm not an intruder... you are!"

He pointed his finger at Ken.

"Who are you calling an intruder?!"

Both their voices were getting louder, overlapping, and clashing like swords. They stood only feet apart, tension cracking between them—no one wants to back down.

"And what were you doing attacking someone with that flashlight thing?" Ken emphasized, jabbing his finger toward Renjiro's shoulder.

Renjiro scoffed, "Not my fault, you were sneaking in like some kind of a criminal who came to harm someone!"

"I already told you I'm not! I only went out to do something." Ken explained to defend himself, his voice rising with frustration.

Yet, Renjiro kept his glared locked at Ken—insisting his own conclusion. "This flashlight is my protection! I don't know if you're here to hurt me."

Ken huffed, shot back, eyes wide with disbelief. "Still, you don't just swing first and ask questions later!"

"Oh, sorry, next time, I'll send you a welcome basket before defending myself in my own damn room!"

They glared at each other, chests heaving, neither willing to blink first. Then, a sharp knock echoed from the door. Both froze.

Renjiro spoke almost a shouting above his normal voice, "Did you bring your gang with you?"

Ken quickly barked at him. "Shut up! Maybe you brought your guys here to trespass my room! Intrude my personal space again!"

"Huh??!!"

Their voices kept getting louder, like two people shouting over blaring music at a chaotic party, each trying to be heard over the other.

Then, the door suddenly burst out open with a loud crash.

Both boys spun toward the entrance. Their eyes widened out of surprise as they came to realize it was Sasaki

"That's enough, you guys!" Sasaki yelled, bursting into the room in a rumpled nightgown and mismatched slippers, his hair sticking up like a storm cloud.

Both Ken and Renjiro froze mid-shout, turning to look at him like little kids caught throwing punches in a classroom.

Sasaki planted his hands on his hips. "It's really late now. Some of us would like to sleep without thinking about murders happening next door!"

"What's all this ruckus anyway?!"

Ken mumbled, "He started it."

Renjiro scowled. "Did not."

Sasaki paused for a second, his eyes fixed on someone. As if his surprised to see Ken's face. "Miura-kun...?"

He scanned him from head to toe. Sasaki's face turned serious all of sudden. His eyes were shot cold gaze at Ken's appearance as he said, "Did you go out on your own again?"

His voice was sharp and cold.

Ken flinched. Guilt was visible on his face. He didn't give any response.

Renjiro interrupts as he stepped forward despite himself. "This guy tried to trespass my room, Tasuki."

[?!]

"I was only trying to protect myself, yet this intruder was so cocky, he acted as he's a victim here."

Sasaki blinked. "Tried to trespass? Victim?"

Ken spoke out to explain himself. "He suddenly tried to attack me with the flashlight—telling me this was his room."

Sasaki sighed, trying to process all the information they gave him. He calmed them down first before anything. "You two are both wrong."

[??]

"What do you mean?"

Sasaki hesitated before opening his mouth to explain. He said, "I forgot to inform Renjiro that he'll be sharing a room with another student here."

[!!]

Renjiro's expression briefly freezes in confusion before a faint crease forms between his brows. He opened his mouth, "Sharing?" He repeated, voice tinged with surprise.

Sasaki gave a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah... I meant to tell you earlier this morning, but I was in a hurry to finish some important things—I ended up forgetting it the whole day."

Renjiro didn't respond immediately. On the other hand, Ken didn't seem to like the idea at all. He scowled, both his brows bunched up together at the center of his forehead, arms crossing tightly over his chest.

"You're kidding, right?" Ken muttered, his voice low but sharp. "Why wasn't I informed first about it? I thought the dean said this room is only for me."

Sasaki raised his hands in placating gesture and said, "I know it's not ideal, but accommodations are tight this term. We didn't expect such high intake, and new students transferred here all of sudden. Like Renjiro here."

Ken turned his head and glared at Renjiro's direction.

A heavy silence hung in the air.

Ken's eyes narrowed. "So, they just throw him in here without even asking me? Like I'm some spare part they can move around?"

Sasaki sighed. "It's not like that." He said, "You've been here the longest—you know how things get when the semester starts. We're scrambling. You can show him around the campus."

Ken raised an eyebrow.

"Show him around?" His tone sounded mocking, "I'm not a babysitter."

Renjiro frowned upon the sarcastic remark. He stepped forward, his posture stiff but respectful. "I understand this is sudden. If there's a better arrangement, I don't mind waiting or taking a different space."

"I agree with him." Ken added, arms crossed, eyes locked on Sasaki. "Let him stay with someone else, I suggest someone who can take his sudden attack."

Sasaki exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple. "There is no better arrangement, Ken. The dorms are tight right now, so I can't do that. Unless you both want to sleep in the archive room with the broken radiator?"

Ken's lips pressed into a thin line, his silence more dangerous than words. He clenched his jaw and clicked his tongue.

Sasaki's smile faltered. "Ken, I know this isn't what you expected. But this isn't about comfort anymore—it's about making it work."

Ken looked away, jaw clenched. Why now? Of all times...

Sasaki threw his head back with an exaggerated groan and said, "And besides, you went out again tonight without saying anything. So, take this as your punishment—share a room with Koizumi."

Renjiro shifted awkwardly, sensing the tension but unsure how to defuse it. "I'll try not to disturb anything. Really."

"I won't get in your way." He emphasized.

Ken scoffed and turned away, his hand brushing against the desk as if grounding himself. "Whatever. Just stay out of my way."

He stepped aside, motioning vaguely toward the half-empty bed.

Sasaki offered a tight smile, already stepping toward the door as he said, "I'll leave you two to settle in. And please, try not shout again. It's already late."

The door clicked shut behind him, leaving a fragile quiet between the two boys now forced to share one space.