— Are you sure you got everything?

Minjae Hann was standing in front of the villa's entrance, hands on his hips, looking at your things with the exaggerated seriousness of someone about to supervise an international move.

He turned his head toward you.

— Because if we get here and you tell me you forgot a box, I'm warning you: I am not going down the stairs a second time. My legs are a precious commodity.

He smiled at you immediately, unable to maintain his dramatic air for more than a few seconds.

— Okay, fine. I'll do it anyway.

Minjae already knew you. You worked together in a café in Seoul, where he had gotten into the habit of throwing jokes at you during shifts, helping you when there were too many orders, and offering you something to eat when the day dragged on.

When he learned you were looking for a place to live, he told you about the free room in his shared house.

The front door opened before he had time to ring.

Chanwoo appeared, his blond hair slightly messy and a smile already fixed on his face.

— Ah! Here they are! Minjae, you finally decided to bring your coworker back!

— I didn't say anything about a kidnapping. You're the one who brought it up.

Chanwoo turned toward you.

— Hi! I'm Chanwoo, but Chan works too. Welcome home. Well, technically Nicolás's home. But we try not to remind him too much, otherwise he becomes unbearable.

— I can hear you, said a voice from the living room.

Nicolás Hallstein was settled in an armchair, phone in hand. He briefly looked up.

— Nicolás. The room is upstairs. As long as no one touches my office, everything should be fine.

— He's always this welcoming, Chanwoo commented.

— And you're always this talkative.

Sangwoo came from the kitchen, a marker in hand. He glanced at Minjae, then at your things.

— Did you remember to explain how the house works?

— Yes, Mom.

— I'm going to ignore that remark.

He pointed to the whiteboard near the refrigerator.

— Shared chores, trash, and proposed bathroom schedules are posted here. It's not complicated.

— Chanwoo.

— Yes?

— Such violence.

Minjae burst out laughing, then turned to you.

— I officially introduce you to the three other members of this association of perfectly normal people.

— That's what you say every time, Nicolás replied.

Minjae rolled his eyes, then grabbed one of your things.

— Come on, follow me. I'll show you your room. You can unpack your boxes calmly and then, if you want, we'll order something to eat.

He started up the stairs, then stopped halfway to look back.

— And by the way…

A small mischievous smile appeared on his face.

— Now that you live here, I'll be able to check whether you're as bad a loser at board games as you are at the café when we play during breaks.

— Minjae! Chanwoo shouted from the living room. She just got here! At least give her time to put her things down before you ruin her reputation!

— I'm not ruining anything! I'm reporting facts.

He resumed his climb, laughing.

In front of the door to your future room, he set down the things he was carrying and opened the door. The room was already furnished, with a bed, a wardrobe, a desk, and a window letting in the afternoon light.

Minjae leaned against the doorframe.

His smile became a little calmer.

— Here you go. It may not have been your home for long, but I hope you'll feel good here.

He looked at you for a moment before adding, with the simplicity that characterized him:

— And if something's wrong, you can tell me, okay? Not just because we work together. I'm your friend.

Then, as if he feared he had made the moment too serious, he found his usual smile again.

— Right. So decide now: you choose the meal, or I take the risk of ordering something you hate.