Ren stretched his arms wide and dropped onto the lower bunk with a dramatic sigh.

“Finally! I thought they were going to lecture us until sunrise,” he groaned.

Kai sat on his own bunk, placing his duffel at his feet. “It wasn’t that bad,” he said, soft laughter in his voice.

“That’s because you’re calm,” Ren replied, pointing at him. “Meanwhile, my soul left my body around the third speech.”

Across the room, Min neatly folded his shirts, placing each one with military precision. He glanced at Ren without lifting his head.

“You should keep at least one of your souls inside your body,” Min said dryly. “We start training tomorrow.”

Ren stared. “...Was that a joke?”

Min looked up, dead serious. “Yes.”

Ren blinked. Then grinned. “Okay, I like him.”

On the far bunk, Sora lay on his stomach, headphones half on, quietly humming a melody as he scrolled through song playlists. His humming blended into the room like a soft soundtrack, soothing and unbothered.

Near the door, Toma wrestled with his tangled charger.

“Why do cords do this?” he muttered. “They are demons. Actual demons.”

Ren leaned over. “Say one more dramatic line and we’ll start a boy band of poets instead.”

“We’re already trying to be idols,” Sora murmured, his voice muffled by his pillow.

“That was sarcasm, Sora,” Toma replied.

“I know,” Sora said, eyes still closed. “I’m just too tired to sound like it.”

Kai smiled quietly. The energy in the room was chaotic, but strangely comfortable. No cameras. No competition. Just boys who were strangers a few hours ago, now stuck in the same dream.

Ren suddenly sat up, clapping his hands. “Okay! Mandatory Question Time!”

Everyone groaned in chorus.

“No escaping,” Ren declared. “We’re roommates we should at least learn ONE thing about each other. I’ll start!”

He drew a dramatic breath.

“My dream is to debut, become super famous, and… get free snacks from sponsors.”

Toma burst out laughing. “That’s your dream?”

“It’s part of it!” Ren defended. “Snacks are expensive!”

Sora raised a lazy hand. “I respect that.”

Ren pointed at Min next. “You. Go.”

Min leaned back on his elbows. “I want to debut so people stop underestimating me. I’m not loud, but I want my voice to reach far.” His eyes sharpened slightly. “Even if it means starting over as many times as it takes.”

Kai nodded, quietly impressed.

Toma went next, crossing his arms. “I want to show everyone that street dancers can stand on the same stage as trained elites. Don’t care if I’m called rough  I’ll prove myself.”

A small cheer followed. Even Min clapped once.

Next was Sora. He slid his headphones down around his neck and spoke softly, but clearly.

“My parents always wanted me to quit music. They said it was unrealistic. So I want to debut… and prove that my dream wasn’t a childish phase. I want them to hear me and finally say, ‘We were wrong.’”

The room fell quiet for a second  respectful, understanding.

Finally, Ren pointed at Kai.

Kai hesitated. All three pairs of eyes looked at him  expectant, kind, and open.

He swallowed.

“I want…” His voice was soft  too soft. “I want to sing again. On a stage that reaches a lot of people. Not for fame… but because there was a time I lost my voice. And I want to take it back.”

The room fell quiet not awkward, just thoughtful.

Ren smiled first. A warm, gentle one.

“Then let’s get our voices out there together.”

Kai’s chest loosened. “Yeah. Together.”

Lights went off one by one. The room settled into blankets, breathing, and city glow.

As Kai lay in the dark, he stared at the ceiling, listening to the soft hum of Sora’s music and the steady breaths of his roommates.

It wasn’t home.

But it felt like the start of one.

For the first time in a long time, Kai fell asleep without fear.

Tomorrow would be hard.

Tomorrow would be loud, exhausting, and unforgiving.

But tonight, it was warm.

And that was enough.

To be continued...