EPISODE 11
It's already been two weeks since joining Victor Academy. Alex and Ken have now settled into the same room with permission, since new students will be coming in a few days. Today's the first day Ken's staying in Alex's room.
Usually, one of them goes to sleep early while the other stays in their own room. Every day after 7:00 PM, when the match ends, they both take showers and rest separately.
But tonight, with both of them in the same room, things feel a little uneasy — they're used to having their own space around this time.
"What's up, dude? I feel a little… uncomfortable right now. Are you feeling this too?" Alex started.
"Well… mm, I don't know why the fuck we have this moment," Ken tried to shrug it off.
"Mr. Not-Aware-Man, I'd like to inform you that I've been noticing your routine — going to sleep early and waking up with a crying face," Alex said, sitting beside Ken on his bed.
"Wait… are you— You came into my room while I was sleeping?" Ken almost shouted.
"Well, I should've slapped you if I were there," Alex said, tilting his head with a serious look.
Ken didn't say anything, just sat there quietly. Alex continued, "Do you want me to keep going or not?" His eyes locked onto Ken's. Ken's expression was unreadable, but his eyes gave away everything.
Alex raised his hand, slapped Ken's shoulder lightly, then pulled him into a hug. "I thought you'd say something… You can cry, you can shake it off already. I was waiting for you to— but you're just not over him yet. I don't want to see you like that. If you really need to, don't hold it in…"
Before Alex could finish, he felt Ken's tears soaking his shoulder. Ken didn't say a word. They just stayed like that — quiet, heavy, but somehow peaceful.
Eventually, Ken fell asleep. Alex fixed the bed and slowly laid him down. His shoulder was numb from holding him for so long.
"You're so damn heavy, man. I almost lost my arm," Alex muttered at the sleeping beauty before heading to his own bed.
He lay down, facing Ken, whose face still had dried tear marks. Alex sighed, got up, and brought a tissue — made it a little wet, then gently wiped Ken's cheeks.
"I at least have to pay for your snack services, or else I wouldn't be helping you like this," he muttered, and went back to bed.
The next morning felt strangely light for Ken. Somehow, Alex had helped him out of his grief. But Alex wasn't sure how Ken really felt, so he decided to fake sleep to observe him.
Ken woke up, freshened up, then called for Alex. Alex pretended to be asleep, acting lazy on purpose.
Ken sighed, already annoyed. He almost thought of leaving without him before yelling, "If you don't wake up, I swear to God I'm gonna distribute all our snacks to the newcomers!"
That was the siren for Alex. He jumped out of bed, freshened up faster than lightning, and returned in record time.
Ken looked at him, half in disbelief. "Oh my god, you can't keep repeating this childish behavior. Grow up already."
Alex just clung to him like a puppy all the way to the entrance.