Dao lay in bed with his eyes closed, feeling the warm sun on his cheeks. He stretched lazily but didn’t get up. After yesterday’s string of weird events, his mind and body both needed a break. Thankfully, their classes had been canceled for the day. Finally, the upperclassmen were supposed to explain how med students like him could earn their personalized lab coats and meet their Ps. He’d been waiting for this and wasn’t about to let anything ruin his mood. The meeting was set for six in the evening, so he had plenty of time to get ready. Dao rolled onto his side and hugged his dakimakura tighter, mumbling incoherently. He might’ve gotten a full night’s sleep, but he wasn’t in a rush to start the day. Luckily, he lived with Kiet— he was always quiet and sketching during his free time.

Unwelcome thoughts of Niran crept in. The guy creeped Dao out. Until recently, he’d seemed like just another rich, arrogant jerk used to getting everything he wanted. But after what happened yesterday with the bite—there was no doubt left. Niran was unhinged. A designer-dressed lunatic. If Dao were him, he’d have spent half his fortune on therapy and etiquette lessons. Or dog trainers, in this case. Dao had overheard Niran whining in the hallway with his equally weird friends. He did feel a bit guilty for what had happened—and as a future doctor, he couldn’t just ignore someone in need. So he bought Niran some porridge and slipped some ointment in too. If Dao could help drunks in the slums, why not help the new local freak in a Prada shirt? Though Niran hadn’t even been wearing a shirt at the time.  Dao rolled over—and bumped into something. He slowly opened one eye.

"Sleeping Beauty, it’s noon already! When are you getting up for breakfast? Kas and I are starving. Kiet won’t leave without you."

Min was lying on his bed, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, grinning like he knew exactly what reaction he’d provoke. Dao didn’t hesitate—his signature donkey-kick launched Min right off the bed and onto the floor. He jumped up and threw himself at his friend with a dakimura. A hail of blows rained down on Ming, who was laughing and whining in the same way. Only Kiet’s annoyed glare, as he painted at his easel, got them to calm down.  But peace was short-lived. Kasem burst in, phone camera already rolling as he spun dramatically.

"My dear followers! We’ve showered, and now let’s check on Dao’s condition!" Kasem’s phone beeped with notifications. "Don’t forget to like! Yes, that’s right, this is the Dao who got bitten by that guy from engineering faculty! Word on the street is, Niran caught rabies after getting attacked by stray dogs in Chiang Mai." Silence fell dramatically. "Should we take Dao to get a shot? Has he even been vaccinated? Let’s vote on which clinic to send him to."

"Holy Buddha—why the hell wasn’t the door locked?" Dao groaned, hugging his dakimakura tighter.

"Let’s check out what Kiet’s drawing," Kasem said, walking over and zooming in with his phone. "Ohhh, looks like a rough sketch of... a motorcycle? Since when are you into racing?"

At that moment, Kiet turned around, tossed his silk robe over his shoulders, and smeared paint right onto Kasem’s camera lens.

"Hey! Dude, what did you do? That phone costs a fortune!"

"Next time, I’ll break it," Kiet said flatly, inspecting his sketch like he had no memory of creating it. "Seriously, what is this even doing here?"

“Dao, you really overslept today! Come on, get ready, let’s go eat,” Min said as he rubbed his butt and stood up. “Kas and I have been waiting for you. And here you are, sitting in your parrot boxers, totally out of it.” Min gave Dao’s cheek a quick pat.

“Get off me already! Kiet, why didn’t you shut the door?” Dao scowled.

“I did. This idiot broke the lock by accident,” Kiet said as he started closing his paints, organizing his pencils, and cleaning up his drawing area. “But Min’s right, Dao. It’s already noon, and I haven’t eaten yet. Go to the shower, then let’s go. I’m done waiting.”

“What, like they won’t let you in the cafeteria without me?” Dao raised an eyebrow and set aside his body pillow, rubbing his neck. “Guys, yesterday was rough for me.”

“Have you seen your neck?” Min pointed at him. “You should wrap it up or, I don’t know, go to a hospital…”

“I got some advice,” Kasem chimed in with a wide grin.

“I’m not your dog,” Dao snapped, baring his teeth in a mock bite. He grabbed a towel and headed to the bathroom. “Don’t destroy my room, or I’ll be the one dragging you all to the hospital.”

When Dao stepped into the bathroom and looked in the mirror, he nearly fell over. The left side of his neck was one massive bruise. No way that came from a regular person. It looked like he’d actually been attacked by a dog. He examined himself head to toe—scratches and bruises everywhere. His back was a mess from that fall. He was the one who deserved an apology porridge and some ointment—not that idiot Niran. Dao wished he could figure out what ghost had possessed that guy, but since they were in different departments, they probably wouldn’t cross paths again. If he were Niran, he’d crawl into a hole and never come out. He took a quick shower—didn’t want the guys eating without him—and rubbed some ointment onto the worst bruises. When he came out, dressed in fresh shorts and a t-shirt, Min gave him a once-over, then leapt off Dao’s bed.

“Let’s go, let’s go! Food!” Min clapped excitedly until Dao reached over and smacked him on the back of the head.

“How many times do I have to tell you—don’t sit on my bed in your outside clothes?” Dao growled. “And fix our lock by the end of the day. There’s nothing valuable here except Kiet’s paintings, but still... You, Min.”

“I’ll fix it, I’ll fix it!” Min huffed and tilted his chin up. “You guys ready? Big day today! Don’t wanna be late.”

“Yeah,” Dao glanced at Kiet, who nodded and stood up. “But we’ve got six hours before the event even starts. It’s on campus. What’re you so worried about—planning to parachute in?”

“We’ll be at the indoor stadium,” Min shrugged.

They decided to head to the cafeteria again. Cheap, good food—can’t beat that combo. This time Dao got rice with fried pork, treating himself after last night’s nightmare. Kiet bought him a bottle of that pink milk, but Dao went with green tea with tapioca. Min, of course, stole the pink milk like no one noticed. As usual. The smell of food finally woke Dao up for real and brought a little joy back to his soul. They ate in silence for the first ten minutes—starving—but once Min finished, there was no shutting him up. Licking his lips, Min glanced at his drink.

“I don’t even know where to start… or who to question first. Kiet, who dumped pink milk on some oversized biker dude, or Dao, who got bitten by some rich boy from architecture faculty,” Min squinted. “Since I actually saw the first one happen, and that guy hasn’t been seen since, let’s go with Dao.”

“There’s nothing to tell,” Dao tried to sound indifferent, though inside he was still seething. “He was drunk or stressed or had a full-on breakdown. I don’t know. He just ran next to me—half-naked, covered in scribbles, barefoot—” Dao stopped when he noticed his friends frozen, listening closely. “He slammed into me, screamed, and then I was the one screaming from the pain. Kiet, can you cover this bruise later? I look like a victim.”

“Sure,” Kiet narrowed his eyes. “You also bought extra porridge last night… Are you sure you’re totally innocent?” He smiled like he’d just caught a kid lying.

“Absolutely. And I hope I never see him again,” Dao grimaced.

“Don’t count on that, little Dao,” Kiet kept smiling. “Instead of worrying about god-knows-what, maybe check the chats. You said he’s an engineering freshman, right?”

“I’m not gonna like what you’re about to say, am I?” Dao groaned.

“Who knows,” Kiet stirred his spoon lazily. “Our Ps decided to combine all our faculties’ initiations into one big program. They say it’s groundbreaking and that we won’t get bored. But P’Niran doesn’t exactly seem like someone who enrolled to be active in student life.”

“I knew it wouldn’t be simple—I knew it!” Dao face-planted into his plate. “And since when do you call him P?”

“Since he clearly looks older than us. Maybe just five years, but he’s got that ‘I-own-the-place’ energy. Haven’t you got enough problems already? Are you making more of them?” Kiet smirked. “Eat your pork, little Dao.”

“Says the guy who dumped pink milk on some mystery thug,” Kasem arched a brow. “That stream blew up. I’m all for the drama, but I’m not helping pick up teeth later.”

“You guys just attract trouble. Look at me and Kas—we just smile. No enemies. No biting. No cursing.” Min grinned, tilting his head.

“I’m cursing you right now,” Dao said seriously, putting down his utensils. “But honestly, I’m really looking forward to initiation. I. Want. My. Robe.” He enunciated every word.

“Can’t argue with that,” Min smiled. “Our class is gonna be the coolest ever!” He fist-bumped Dao. “If you make it to graduation, of course.”

“That goes for you too. Just because no one’s tried to snap your neck yet doesn’t mean it won’t happen. The world’s full of people—be patient,” Dao grinned. “Upperclassmen from Engineering and Architecture faculties have such sick uniforms.”

“Ask P’Niran for one,” Kiet snorted.

“You better not show up in a moto jacket,” Dao frowned. “Then again, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone tied you to a rope and dragged you behind a bike one day.”

“Glad you guys are in good spirits today,” Kasem smiled. “Too bad we can’t stream the event. Upperclassmen already warned me. Not sure why me specifically...”

The boys raised a single eyebrow in perfect sync.

“Oh, shut up!” Kasem laughed. “Alright, everyone full? Let’s get ready for the big evening?”

“I’m taking a nap,” Dao smiled.