The campus felt overwhelming the moment Peem stepped through the gate.
Students filled every corner—laughing, calling out to each other, dragging suitcases across the pavement, some even stopping in the middle of the walkway just to take pictures like it was some kind of special event.
Peem adjusted the strap of his bag, his brows knitting together slightly as he looked around.
"It's too crowded…" Peem muttered under his breath.
"PEEM!"
Peem flinched at the sudden shout behind him.
Before he could even turn around, an arm dropped heavily over his shoulder.
"Why do you look like you're about to run away?" Tee asked with a wide grin.
"Because I am thinking about it," Peem replied as he tried to shrug Tee off.
"Too late," Nont said as he appeared on Peem's other side, casually wrapping an arm around him. "You're officially a university student now."
"That doesn't make me feel better," Peem said.
"It's not supposed to," Tee said proudly.
---
"Alright, enough," Kawin said as he walked toward them calmly. "Let's go to the hall before we get stuck here."
Right then, Tee's bag suddenly slipped off his shoulder and dropped to the ground with a loud thud.
"My snacks!" Tee exclaimed, quickly crouching down.
"You brought snacks?" Peem asked, blinking.
"Emergency supplies," Tee said seriously as he checked inside.
"That's not emergency, that's survival addiction," Nont said, laughing.
Ryu glanced into the bag. "Five packs."
"In case of emotional damage," Tee replied.
Peem let out a quiet laugh.
---
They started walking deeper into campus together.
"So," Tee said, stretching lazily, "did anyone actually rest during the holiday?"
"No," Nont replied instantly.
"I had 'photoshoots' every day," Nont added proudly.
"Your cat again?" Tee asked.
"It's a series," Nont said.
"…You made your cat a series?" Peem asked.
"Yes. 'My King and His Lazy Servant'."
"You're the servant?" Peem asked.
"Of course."
"That's accurate," Tee said.
---
"I went back to my hometown," Kawin said.
"How was it?" Peem asked.
"Peaceful," Kawin replied.
"…That sounds nice," Peem said.
---
"What about you?" Tee nudged him. "Don't tell me you stayed home again."
"…I stayed home," Peem admitted.
Tee gasped. "He admitted it so confidently."
"I like staying home," Peem said.
"You're boring," Tee said.
"And you're loud," Peem replied.
"That's my charm."
"That's your problem."
Nont laughed. "I agree with Peem."
"Traitor!" Tee said.
---
"I slept," Ryu said.
"…That's it?" Tee asked.
"Yes."
"…Honestly, that sounds nice," Peem said.
"You two would survive a horror movie by not waking up," Tee said.
"That's still surviving," Peem replied.
---
As they continued walking, another group approached from the opposite direction.
Their energy was louder. More confident.
"Music department," Tee muttered.
Peem glanced up—
And met someone's eyes.
A tall guy. Hands in his pockets.
Looking straight at him.
For a brief second—
Everything felt quiet.
Peem quickly looked away.
"…Weird," Peem muttered.
---
"Peem, careful!" Tee said.
Peem almost bumped into someone and stepped back quickly.
"S-sorry," Peem said.
"It's fine," someone replied.
Peem didn't look up and just walked past.
---
Behind him—
"Interesting," Phupha murmured.
"What?" Win asked.
"Nothing," Phupha said, smirking faintly.
"You already found someone?" Thorn said.
"That fast?" Korn asked.
Win grinned. "Love at first sight?"
Phupha didn't answer.
But his eyes had already followed Peem for a moment longer than necessary.
---
"Hey," Tee said, nudging Peem again. "That guy was looking at you."
"No, he wasn't," Peem said immediately.
"Yes, he was," Tee insisted.
"Maybe he likes you," Nont added playfully.
Peem choked slightly. "What?! No!"
"Ohhh, Peem got admirer already," Tee teased.
"Stop it," Peem said quickly, his ears turning red.
Ryu glanced at him. "You're blushing."
"I'm not!" Peem said.
"You are," Nont said.
"Shut up," Peem muttered.
---
They finally entered the assembly hall.
The noise doubled instantly.
"…I want to go home," Peem said.
"You just got here," Tee replied.
"And I've had enough," Peem said.
---
They sat down together among hundreds of students.
"So," Nont said, leaning forward slightly, "what kind of roommate do you want?"
"Someone quiet," Peem answered immediately.
Everyone slowly looked at Tee.
"…Wow," Tee said.
---
"I want someone cute," Nont said suddenly.
"Cute?" Tee raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. Like soft, shy type."
Everyone slowly turned to look at Peem.
"…Why are you all looking at me?" Peem asked.
"Because you're literally that type," Tee said.
"I am not," Peem said.
"You are," Ryu said.
"Shy, quiet, easily flustered," Nont added.
"That's not cute, that's suffering," Peem said.
---
"Imagine your roommate falls for you," Tee said suddenly.
"That's not going to happen," Peem replied immediately.
"What if he's handsome?" Nont added.
"I don't care," Peem said.
"What if he's tall?" Tee continued.
"I still don't care," Peem said.
"What if he teases you every day?" Nont said.
Peem frowned. "…Then I'll move out."
Everyone laughed.
---
At the front, the microphone suddenly made a sharp sound.
The entire hall slowly quieted down.
The headmaster stepped onto the stage.
"Welcome, new students," he began.
After a short speech, he continued.
"Next, we will announce your dormitory roommates."
A wave of reactions spread across the hall.
"Here we go," Tee whispered.
---
Names started being called.
"Kawin and Nont."
"WHAT?!" Nont shouted.
"I'm fine with it," Kawin said calmly.
"I'm not!" Nont replied.
---
"Ryu and Tee."
"Oh no," Tee groaned. "He doesn't talk!"
"I do," Ryu replied.
"Barely!" Tee said.
---
"Win and Thorn."
"You're kidding me," Thorn said.
"You love me," Win replied.
"No, I don't," Thorn said.
---
More names were called.
Peem's name still hadn't come up.
His heart started beating a little faster.
---
"Peem (พีม)… and…"
A short pause.
"…Phupha (ภูผา)."
Peem blinked.
"…Who?" Peem murmured.
"Sounds handsome already," Tee whispered.
"Shut up," Peem said.
---
Across the hall—
Phupha raised his head slightly.
"…Peem," he repeated quietly.
Win smirked. "Oh? That one?"
Phupha didn't reply.
But his gaze had already begun searching through the crowd.
---
The announcement ended.
Students began standing up, talking loudly again.
"Good luck, Peem," Nont said, patting his shoulder.
"You'll need it," Tee added.
"…I already regret this," Peem muttered.
---
And somewhere in the crowd—
Someone was already looking forward to it.