The alarm's shrill cry cut through the predawn darkness at 5:30 AM.
I bolted upright, my heart already racing before consciousness fully settled.
Today was the midweek evaluation.
Around me, my roommates stirred with varying degrees of enthusiasm.
Jisoo groaned dramatically, pulling his pillow over his head. "Five more minutes."
"Get up," Jinwook's voice carried its usual efficiency as he swung his legs over the side of his bunk. "We need time to warm up."
Yuhyun sat up slowly, running fingers through his messy hair. His eyes found mine in the dim light, a silent check-in that made my chest tighten.
I nodded slightly. I was fine. Had to be.
We moved through our morning routine—four boys sharing one small bathroom, navigating around each other's nerves and pre-performance jitters.
The walk to the main hall felt different this time.
Fewer footsteps echoed through the corridors.
Fewer voices filled the space between dormitory wings.
