"I want the single bed."
Minjun demanded, subtly glancing at the caraman who followed them in before facing Ari and Carlos.
"Okay."
"That's fine with ."
At the nonchalant response from the two other people, Minjun blinked and looked a bit unhappy at the lack of reaction, and continued speaking while still peeking at the cara, hoping to gain sympathy points.
"I wanted the single bed because I've never shared a bunk bed or room with anyone but my twin brother, so I feel really uncomfortable with other people in my space. It's not that I'm being picky."
"Yeah, we said okay. You can have the single bed. There's nothing we can do about sharing the room, though so you'll just have to get used to it." Ari replied calmly before turning to Carlos.
"Top or bottom bunk?"
"I'll take what's left after you choose," Carlos replied with a small smile.
"I don't care one way or another since I can sleep through literally anything, anywhere. Top or bottom?" Ari replied.
Having been holess and lived on the street for almost two years, he had beco a light sleeper, but he had the ability to go back to sleep instantly, so he wasn't worried about people climbing up and down or entering the room.
"Sa. I told you that I have a lot of siblings, right? My house is always noisy, so I'm used to them shaking around and screaming when I'm sleeping. Whatever works for you, I'll just take the other one." Carlos replied again in a quiet tone with a slightly sad expression on his face that quickly disappeared.
Ari glanced at him for a mont before nodding, "Then you take the top bunk. That way, if I go to bed early or late, I won't disturb you. If you ever want to switch, let know."
"Are you sure? Apparently, the top bunk is more fun. At least that's what my siblings say."
"Test it out for yourself and let know."
After he was done speaking, Ari began unpacking his duffel bag and sliding the snacks Granny Choi had packed for him and his spare shoes underneath the bed.
The caraman left, seeing that this room dynamics was pretty dull, so Ari sat on the bed covers, watching Carlos stare at him for a mont before beginning to unpack his own things.
As he was about to doze off from boredom, Minjun walked in front of him with a weird look on his face.
"Hey."
"What?"
"Switch rooms with my brother. He's in-"
"No." Ari cut in, not even pretending to listen.
"But he's in an A-room too. Just go switch your cards with him. It's not like the PDs are going to check."
"Then you go and switch with his roommate. Why are you bothering ? Or could it be that you waited for the cara to leave before asking ? Trying to get to break the rules first?"
Ari glanced down at the phone in Minjun's hands with a pointed look.
"If you want to room with your brother so much, instead of texting him, go over there and leave out of it."
At the sharp words that nailed the situation, Minjun's face turned red in embarrassnt.
In truth, Minjun wanted Ari to go and do it so that he and his brother could claim he was forced to switch, which is why he waited for the caraman to leave first.
Having his little plan called out by sobody his age was completely embarrassing, so he put on an angry face and aggressively unpacked his things, slamming them on the ground each ti.
Seeing the childish behavior that would only break his stuff, Ari snorted while thinking about whether he could take a nap.
If he fell asleep right at this mont....
He would have about 40 minutes before they had to go to et the trainers.
Ari doubted that they would let him wear his snail mask to film, which ant he couldn't smudge the paint on his face, which ant sleeping upright or on his back.
After setting an alarm on his phone, just as Ari was about to lie down on his back and comfortably sleep, PD Park Ji-ho, a caraman, and Suzuki Rei barged in.
"Contestant Ariel Matisse, how are you liking your room so far? I see that you've made yourself quite comfortable."
PD Ji-ho questioned Ari with a kind smile on his face.
Finding it suspicious, Ari did his best to reply politely in front of the cara while glancing at Suzuki Rei's baggage and obvious smirk.
He sincerely hoped that the boy was just visiting without any shady dealings going on but he had a sinking feeling that just wouldn't go away.
"I like the room. It's spacious, quiet, and it doesn't have a lot of people like so other rooms. And I think I'll get along with my roommates."
"Ah, such fantastic feedback. It almost hurts my heart to do this to you, but a prize is a prize. Since Suzuki Rei was one of the top 20 contestants to exit the maze, he has the privilege of exchanging rooms with anybody, and he chose you!"
Ari: "...."
There were 99 other people he could have chosen, and he chose ?
Am I supposed to feel special or sothing?
At his silence, PD Park continued speaking as if he didn't notice, "Contestant Suzuki Rei, could you please share your reasoning as to why you chose Contestant Ariel Matisse?"
"When I spoke with Ariel, I felt that he was very generous and kind and wouldn't hold it against if I switched rooms. Additionally, I heard him telling his roommate that he could sleep anywhere and didn't care, so I felt that he wouldn't care either if I swapped with him." Rei replied with surprising eloquence as he looked innocently at the cara while tucking his red and black hair behind his ears.
To Ari, he looked like a demon from another dinsion.
Sure, he had said he didn't care about where he slept, but that was in relation to which bunk bed!
Who in their right mind would want to leave a three-person room for a 10-person room full of strange boys who had to share one bathroom?
That seed like a nightmare waiting to happen.
"Contestant Ariel Matisse, how do you feel about the room switch?"
I HATE IT!
Ari glanced from the cara that was pointed directly at him to the PD, who seed to have devil horns on his head.
Since he couldn't say what he truly wanted to, Ari curved his eyes into the semblance of a smile and replied as gently as he could.
"I'm glad that contestant Rei feels that way about . Since I briefly got the chance to experience an A-rank room, I'll certainly do my best so that I have the opportunity to experience it again."
"Wonderful words from Contestant Ariel Matisse. Please pack your things and head down to F-1, where you'll be sleeping from now on. Mr. Rei, enjoy your new ho."
PD Park and the caraman quickly left the room, and once they were out of sight, Suzuki Rei turned and smirked at Ari.
"I told you that was my seat. PD Emily is not here to help you out now."
Ari: "..."
Really? You're still holding a grudge? Wow. Just wow.
Restraining the angry words that wanted to co flying out of his mouth, Ari just grabbed his two bags, waved goodbye to Carlos, and headed out the door while ignoring Suzuki Rei's smug face.
Thankfully, he wasn't alone in his walk of sha, as quite a few people were grumbling and reshuffling rooms with a cara following their every action.
Not wanting to be caught on cara among the whining people, Ari just calmly took the steps down to the F1 room.
When Ari entered, he saw that all of the bunk beds had occupants, so he would have to sleep on the orange sleeping bag in the middle of the room, which was the only available free space because of all the luggage.
Restraining a sigh, he waved his hand and introduced himself.
"Hello, I'm Ari."
9 heads turned to look at him and, a blond boy with a small nose piercing on the top bunk waved before speaking.
"I'm Gale. Since you ca late, I'm letting you know that we have already decided on the order for bathroom use. You're last. both in the mornings and in the evenings."
"Fine. Where do I put my stuff?"
"Wherever you can find space, I guess."
Ari glanced around the crowded room full of 10 suitcases before sighing for real this ti.
Sohow, he already missed sleeping in the church.
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