Chaos Theory

The senior clapped her hands sharply, making everyone flinch.

Senior (brightly):
"Now, before we end today's orientation -
one last announcement!"

She picked up a clipboard and flipped a few pages dramatically, clearly enjoying the suspense.

Senior:
"Tomorrow morning, we'll be holding our Ice-Breaking Activities!
Attendance is mandatory.
Dress comfortably - because you'll be moving a lot!"

The students groaned quietly.

Even Love slumped in her seat next to Dunk, whispering,
"I hate running..."

Dunk, on the other hand, was calculating silently.

Dunk (thinking, dryly):
Ice-breaking activities, huh?
Yea right....public humiliation games.

Senior:
"And finally -
the dormitory allocations have been posted on the bulletin board outside this auditorium!"

She smiled brightly again, like she hadn't just dropped another bomb.

Senior:
"Please check your assigned dorms before you leave and the location will be sent to you shortly.
You'll be expected to move in tonight.
And remember -
we provide everything.
You just have to bring yourself!"

She gave a cheery wink that somehow felt more threatening than reassuring.

Dunk (thinking, stone-faced):
Bring yourself...
and lose your freedom.

The lights in the auditorium began to brighten slowly, signaling the end of the meeting.
Students started shuffling awkwardly, whispering anxiously to each other.

Love tugged on Dunk's sleeve.

Love (whispering excitedly):
"Let's go see our dorms, Dunk!"

Dunk didn't move immediately.

Instead, he sat back in his seat for a second longer, eyes sharp, brain ticking faster than ever.

He had a bad feeling about this "free dorm" situation.

Very bad.

But for now?

He pushed up from his seat with a cold, patient smile.

Dunk (thinking, amused):
Let's play along a little longer.

The scene shifts -
the golden evening sun bleeding into the city skyline.

It was a little past 7:00 PM when Dunk finally finished packing his things into two heavy looking bags.
The dorm location had been sent to his phone just minutes ago.
Almost immediately after, Love had called, shrieking excitedly about how they should meet in front of the building.

Dunk had reluctantly agreed.

Now, standing outside his house, he watched as Pond heaved Dunk's luggage into the trunk of their worn-out family car.

Pond (grinning):
"Come on, genius.
First day of your new prison."

Dunk rolled his eyes but smirked a little.

The drive was short, filled with Pond's terrible jokes and Dunk's dry replies.
But when they finally pulled up to the university dormitory gates -
something tightened in Dunk's chest.

At the main gate, a group of seniors stood in neat rows, wearing the club's signature jackets -
waiting like prison guards for fresh inmates.

Dunk's stomach twisted, but he shoved the feeling down.

Pond parked the car nearby and got out first, hauling Dunk's luggage easily.
Without a word, he walked up to Dunk, shoved one of the heavier bags into his arms -and then, unexpectedly, Pond pulled Dunk into a tight hug -
and just before letting go, he leaned down and pressed a firm kiss to Dunk's head.

It wasn't something they did often anymore, not since they were kids.
But tonight, Pond's touch was full of a quiet, desperate relief -
as if he was finally sure Dunk would be okay here.

Dunk froze for half a second -
then hugged him back just as tight.

For a brief moment, the chaos, the rules, the fake smiles - it all disappeared.

It was just him and Pond.
The only person he could ever fully trust.

Pond (smiling, voice low):
"Be careful, kid and Call me if anything weird happens, okay?"

Dunk (muttering):
"Hmm...I will" .

Far behind the gates, among the row of watching seniors,
Joong leaned casually against a pillar -
eyes dark, watching everything.

His gaze was sharp, lingering longer than necessary on the way Pond ruffled Dunk's hair and smiled.
There was a flicker - something complicated - that crossed Joong's face.

Pond finally stepped back ,ruffled Dunk's hair. giving Dunk one last crooked grin before walking to the car.
The engine started.
The taillights flashed once.

Dunk stood there, heavy bag slung over his shoulder,
watching Pond drive away - longer than he probably should have.His chest ached strangely.
The evening air felt colder without his brother's presence.

He was still standing there - feeling a little too raw -
when a loud, shrill voice snapped him out of it.

From behind the main gates, one of the seniors was already barking orders:

Senior (loudly):
"Newcomers, line up! Quickly!"

Love came running up, waving frantically.

Love:
"Dunk! Dunk! Over here!"

Dunk sighed heavily.

As Dunk and Love passed through the main gates,
he finally looked up -
and his footsteps halted instantly.

For a full five seconds, he just stared, completely shocked.

This was no ordinary dormitory.

In front of him stood a towering glass skyscraper,
its surface catching the dying sunlight and scattering it like diamonds.
Rows of perfectly trimmed parks and glistening fountains lined the entrance,
and uniformed security guards flanked the front doors, looking deadly serious.

Dunk (thinking, completely thrown off):
What... the hell is this place?
Is this a dorm or a five-star hotel?

He blinked hard - but no, it wasn't an illusion.

Love was already bouncing ahead, practically vibrating with excitement.

Love (gasping dramatically):
"Can you believe this?! Look at the FOUNTAINS, Dunk! Oh my God, I feel like I'm in a K-drama!"

Dunk didn't answer.

His brain was still catching up.

This wasn't what he expected at all -
after the crazy "no phones allowed" jail rules and the scary seniors,
he'd been mentally preparing himself for a dark, moldy building with broken fans and flickering lights.

Not... this.

He tightened the strap of his bag on his shoulder,
still scanning the surroundings suspiciously.

Something about this didn't feel right.
It was too polished.
Too good to be true .

Thank you for reading! I'd love to hear your thoughts-please leave a comment below. Stay healthy and take care!

<3