A University was the top university within the country thanks to its strong departments that had remained undefeated since existence. One of which is the Law department. As much as this meant bragging rights for its students, it also meant they had to pay for the price of having such good reputation.
During the cold January where many are still recovering from an exciting new year, the upcoming second year law students were busy preparing for their January online exam. A three hour written test where the professor monitored everyone through their computer's camera is known by seniors as the death game because this is normally where half their peers failed to gain enough credits for the class, resulting in retaking it all over again.
The test itself isn't actually difficult though, it was just hard to resist the urge to cheat which is why so many people are caught each year.
Although Younghee wasn't a big fan of the camera, she managed to keep her focus during the exam and realised it was simply material they had learnt at the start of the year. It seemed it was just a test of memory and understanding of previous lessons.
She had taken one of the later slots so by the time she finished, the sky outside had already turned dark and she finally noticed her hunger.
She left her room and walked down the never-ending hallway. The house was as empty as always except a few staff keeping it clean and preparing food.
There used to be times where she had bothered to learn their names and talk with them but that quickly became a thing of the past as they were replaced regularly and Younghee lost the strength to try to befriend every stranger who lingered around for a few months.
She grabbed a plate of fruit and sat in the living room, knowing it was just going to be her for today, she at least had the freedom to relax.
Or so she thought.
Younghee had headphones in so unfortunately she didn't hear when the front door opened or when her brother was being greeted. Unaware he was in the house, she gave a sharp look as she felt a hand ripping one of her earbuds out.
With an unfazed expression, Youngjun handed it back to her as she sat up. "Go pack your things."
"What?"
"You're going to the US with me for a bit."
"…" There was a clearly reluctant look on her face but she knew there was no point in resisting. This wasn't something she had a say in. "For how long?"
"Just until the end of next month."
So I won't be here for that.
-
Doyoung's parents were often away on business trips and living far away from his extended family meant he had grown used to spending holidays by himself, at least until he met the twins. From then onwards, he had slowly started to forget what loneliness was.
Lying on the couch, Minju scrolled through the student council group-chat as she waited for her Mum to wrap up the extra portion of breakfast, made as if she knew Doyoung would show up. Her once in a while relaxed state faded as she received a text from an unsaved number. Minju quickly swiped the notification away as her Mum plopped down next to her.
"How should we do your hair today?"
"Oh Mum, come on, we're not going anywhere today so what's the point?"
"Well—"
The hand that had been running through her hair had stopped as the doorbell ran. Minju looked at the door, there were two possibilities - her Dad or Doyoung. Though the answer was obvious.
"Doyoung!"
"Auntie!"
"Ugh.." Minju groaned at the sight of the two hugging, pulling a face as Doyoung stuck his tongue out.
"Your breakfast is in the fridge, do you want me to heat it up for you?"
"Oh I already ate."
"Oh.. Okay," Mrs Lee gave a small smile but it was obvious how disappointed she was.
"Actually, I might be a bit hungry from the walk here."
Her eyes lit up as he said that. "I'll be right back!"
Doyoung gave a weak chuckle as she rushed off. In reality he wasn't hungry at all, in fact he was feeling a little nauseous.
"You know you don't have to eat it right?" Minju said as he sat down next to her.
"I really am hungry."
"Uh huh… Hey, why do you have your bag?"
"Oh right, I have a favour to ask."
After breakfast, Jumin had gone back to his room right away and had been lying on his bed for an entire hour, just staring at the ceiling. He wasn't even fully tucked in as his legs were dangling off the sides. As uncomfortable as it was, he never moved. Not when the front door opened, not when his Mum had called out to Doyoung, not even as his mum knocked on his door.
"Jumin, can you come help me with lunch?"
Jumin got up in his still half zoned out state, maybe deliberately. Speed-walking past the living room, he thought maybe the two on the couch wouldn't notice he'd come out of hiding but he was the one who made it more than obvious as he stopped dead in the middle of the hallway.
"Alright, I'll set you up with someone."
Hearing his sister say that, Jumin's eyes instinctively moved over to her phone, catching a glimpse of a girl's picture before the screen turned black.
"Thank you! And could you keep this a secret from..." There was a quick change in Doyoung's facial expression when he realised Jumin was stood merely a few steps away. Anyone observant enough would think he was just caught doing something bad. Faking a bright smile, he stood up and swung his arms around Jumin, "hey! Look whose finally here to greet me."
But because he was someone who could never control his voice when nervous, it didn't take long for Minju to piece together what was happening.
Hmm… I have an idea.
Whilst the trio enjoyed a warm meal prepared with loving hands, back on campus, Nari was carrying a semester's worth of textbooks back to the library.
Thank god all the textbooks for next year are online.
She sighed as she dropped the last one into the return box. The sight of an empty and unstaffed library really made the realisation everyone had gone home sink in, but what disheartened her wasn't how alone she was, just how much more peaceful being by herself was than being at home. Besides, she wasn't going to spend new years completely alone.
Dropping her textbooks off was one of the last things she had to do before packing. In a few days time, she would be reunited with the one thing that brings her peace, skiing. Of course, that came with a catch as in she would be with her siblings for a few weeks but some part of her, though she would never admit to it, missed them.
Before she could leave for the airport, there was one last thing she had to do.
Waiting in a café, Nari finished her course registration for second year as someone placed a hand on the table. Looking up, she was met with an out of breath Doyoung whose ears and nose were almost completely red.
"Whoa, are you okay?"
"Yeah just.. need to catch my breath..." He panted as he slumped onto a chair. "Here.. you go.. Thanks for lending it to me." He pulled out a textbook on property law, hands slightly trembling as if he had no strength to hold it.
"No problem, did you manage to impress your crush?"
"I told you that's not it..." Doyoung sighed, "oh and, I found this."
He slid a polaroid across the table. Even with it faced down, Nari knew what it was immediately. She took it quickly with an awkward smile thinking maybe he'd ask something but he never did. Breathing her own sigh of relief, Doyoung gave an understanding nod as she thanked him.