The apartment felt quieter than ever as I wrapped up the final viewing of the week. The last potential roommate, a charming woman with an impressive personality, had seemed perfect—until the price came up. Even after trying to negotiate, I couldn't make it work. Disappointed, I retreated to my room that night, sitting cross-legged on my bed with my list of candidates spread out before me.
I ran a finger over the names, tapping my pen absently against the paper. Some were easy to cross out—too demanding, too messy, too incompatible. But my thoughts kept circling back to Kai. Was I relieved at the idea of living with someone like him, or was there a part of me that was wary? I wasn't sure if it was his easy confidence or the way he seemed to fit into the space so naturally, but something about him lingered in my mind longer than expected. Something about his demeanor felt right—easygoing, considerate, and the kind of person I could imagine sharing a space with. He had a presence that felt... steady. Like he wouldn't disrupt my rhythm, but rather fit into it in a way that was effortless. I leaned back against the pillows, staring at the ceiling, debating with myself. Was I overthinking it?
After a long moment of deliberation, I grabbed my phone and dialed his number, my thumb hovering over the screen for a second longer than necessary before hitting call.
The phone rang twice before a familiar voice answered. "Hello?"
"Hi, is this Kai? Sorry for interrupting, Noona here," I said, my voice steady but slightly nervous as I clutched the phone tighter.
"No problem at all," Kai replied, his tone warm and curious. "Hey, Noona. What's up? Everything okay?"
I hesitated, suddenly feeling silly for how tense I was over a simple phone call. Maybe it was the lingering uncertainty of letting a stranger into my space, or maybe it was something else—something about Kai in particular that unsettled me in a way I couldn't quite name. "Everything is good, I just wanted to say congratulations. If you're still looking for a room, I think we would be great roommates," I said, my voice lighter now, carrying a hint of excitement.
Kai's voice brightened instantly, a mix of surprise and genuine excitement evident in his tone. "Really? That's great news! Thanks for letting me know so soon," he said warmly, before his tone softened further. "Thanks, Noona. I'm glad it worked out."
I smiled, relaxing into the moment. "Are you available tomorrow? We can go through the contract and the deposit, and I can already give you the keys. Erm, the room is already empty, so it's up to you when you'd like to move in. Just let me know beforehand so I can call a cleaner to do a final deep clean."
Kai chuckled softly on the other end. "Tomorrow works perfectly. I'll swing by after work, and don't worry about the cleaner—I can handle it myself if needed. I'm just excited to get things started."
There was something about his enthusiasm that made me grin. "Alright, sounds like a plan then. What time should I expect you?"
"Probably around six? I'll finish work and head straight over."
"That works," I said, nodding to myself. "I'll have everything ready for you."
A slight pause. I shifted, feeling an odd warmth settle in my chest at his tone. Then, Kai spoke again, his voice lower, almost amused. "You sure you're not just picking me because I was the only applicant you didn't hate?"
I laughed, shaking my head even though he couldn't see me. "I won't deny that played a part. But I think we'll get along just fine."
"I'll try not to ruin your optimism," he teased. "See you tomorrow, Noona."
"See you, Kai."
I ended the call, staring at my phone for a moment before placing it on my nightstand. A slow breath escaped my lips as a small smile formed—relief, anticipation, maybe even something else I couldn't quite name. The weight in my chest lightened. Maybe this would work out. Maybe, for once, things would fall into place smoothly.
I turned off the light and sank into bed, feeling more at ease than I had in weeks. Tomorrow marked a new chapter, and for the first time in a while, I was actually looking forward to it.