Dear Roommate Please Stop Being Hot [BL]
Chapter 102: Where Futures Begin

Chapter 102: Where Futures Begin

Professor Thompson strode in with his usual brisk air, glasses halfway down his nose, eyes already on the tablet. "Morning, everyone. I trust your weekend was theoretically productive?"

A quiet ripple of laughter moved through the hall — the polite kind that said no, it wasn’t, but no one dared say it aloud.

Noel sat upright, pulling his notebook forward with one hand while the other remained loosely held in Luca’s.

Their fingers rested on Luca’s thigh, hidden from view — a small, steady tether in a room full of future plans he wasn’t quite ready to chase.

"Today we’re diving into real-world applications," the professor continued, tapping the board. A new slide flicked up behind him: ’Case Study: Market Expansion in Southeast Asia.’

Emily leaned forward, already scribbling in her spiral notebook.

Luca blinked, forcing himself to look up. He could feel his brain trying to float elsewhere — like to the warmth of Noel’s skin, the way their arms lightly brushed. But he stayed put.

Professor Thompson moved across the stage with practiced ease. "Now, in the last few weeks, we’ve discussed market analysis, localization strategy, and cross-cultural barriers. But here’s the catch — theory is safe. Reality? It’s unpredictable. That’s why this case study matters."

He turned and gestured to the slide.

A set of logos appeared, showcasing failed and successful product launches.

"Let’s talk about failure first," he said, smirking. "Everyone loves a success story — but we learn more from the mistakes."

Noel’s pen flew across the page in clean, sharp strokes.

Luca followed slower, more distracted, but never let go of Noel’s hand.

Emily glanced back once, noticed it, and smiled to herself — quietly, without teasing this time.

Then the professor clapped his hands once. "Group discussion time. Five minutes. I want you to brainstorm one cultural barrier a company might face expanding into a non-Western market — and how they might approach it differently."

Chairs shifted. Students leaned toward their seatmates.

Noel finally turned to Luca and raised a brow. "Ready to sound smart?"

Luca chuckled softly. "Define ’smart.’"

"Just try," Noel said, nudging his knee gently. "You promised."

Luca grinned. "Alright, alright. Language barrier? That’s a classic."

Noel nodded. "Good. Let’s add that. Also—don’t forget how important symbolism is. A brand’s logo, color, name..."

"Like that time Pepsi messed up in China?" Luca asked.

"You were listening," Noel said, eyebrows lifted, impressed.

"I listen when you talk," Luca replied, softer now.

Their eyes caught briefly — a quiet flicker — before they went back to their notes.

Just two students in class.

Holding hands under the desk.

Choosing each other in silence.

Professor Thompson glanced at his watch, then tapped the tablet once more, bringing up the final slide.

"That’s all for today," he said, voice firm but even. "But before you pack up—listen up, this matters."

The quiet rustling of bags paused.

"I know the word exam sends some of you into hiding," he added, "but yes — our final assessment is scheduled for Friday morning. It’ll be comprehensive. So review your notes, your readings, and don’t count on it being easy."

Luca winced. Noel smirked.

"Now — for those of you preparing to start your internship after the break," Professor Thompson continued, "you’ll need to pick up your internship placement forms from the bursary office by tomorrow. No form, no placement — don’t say I didn’t warn you."

Some students groaned.

He let it settle, then leaned against the desk.

"And before you ask — no, I’m not assigning you to companies. But I’ll tell you this — the ones who take initiative always land better spots."

He tapped the desk lightly.

"Past students have done well at firms like Infinity Business Partners, GlobalTrade Co. And BizNexus — especially those brave enough to push themselves."

Noel scribbled down the names. Luca... just stared, mildly overwhelmed.

"Any questions?" the professor asked, scanning the room. Silence.

"Good," he said. "Now go. And try to survive the week."

The room exhaled together, chairs sliding and papers shuffling.

The moment Professor Thompson stepped out, chairs scraped back and the usual hum of post-lecture chaos returned.

Luca slumped over his desk dramatically. "I blinked, and suddenly we have an exam and an internship form to fill. I need emotional compensation."

Emily snorted. "You need sleep and a personality reset."

George zipped his bag and leaned back with a lazy grin. "Noel, how are you dating someone with the attention span of a goldfish?"

"Selective attention," Luca said proudly. "I focus only on what’s important."

"Like flirting instead of finals?"

"I ask myself that every day," Noel said dryly, but his hand found Luca’s knee under the desk anyway.

Luca perked up. "Rude. And for the record, I was paying attention—"

"Mm-hmm," Emily teased. "That’s why you asked me three times what page we’re on."

George laughed. "Anyway, did you guys catch the professor’s hint? Those top three companies? He was basically begging us to aim higher."

"I wrote them down," Noel said, pulling his notebook slightly toward Emily. Infinity Business Partners GlobalTrade Co. BizNexu. Might check them out tonight."

Emily scanned the list. "They’re competitive, though. You’d actually need a stellar resume."

George sighed. "Well, there goes my plan of winging it through life."

Luca yawned into Noel’s shoulder. "Can’t we all just open a cozy café somewhere and skip the corporate dread?"

Noel tilted his head. "You’d burn the coffee."

"I’d manage the vibe," Luca said, proudly.

George chuckled. "You’d manage to flirt with half the customers and forget to charge them."

Emily stood, slinging her tote bag over her shoulder. "Come on, let’s go. If I sit in here another second, my brain’s going to leak out of my ears."

They gathered their things and slowly filed out together — the comfort of light banter softening the sharp edge of reality waiting just beyond the lecture hall door.

The sun filtered gently through the campus trees as the four of them strolled toward the cafeteria.

It was one of those easy late mornings — class behind them, exams looming, but the air still felt light.

George walked ahead, leading the way like a man with a mission — most likely food.

Emily fell into step beside him, still nursing the last of her iced coffee. Noel and Luca lingered behind, their steps slower, closer — the space between them always just enough to let their fingers brush.

"Can we just pretend exams aren’t real?" Luca muttered.

Noel smiled sideways at him. "And wake up jobless by next year?"

"Tempting."

Up ahead, George glanced back. "Don’t worry, you’ll both be too busy with internships to think about exams."

Emily raised an eyebrow. "You applying already?"

George nodded. "My cousin gave me a list. But the prof mentioned three top companies today. I’m trying all three."

Luca’s eyes flicked to Noel then. "What about you? Thinking of applying to any of them?"

Noel shrugged. "Yeah. I mean... I guess I have to."

Luca tilted his head. "Have to?"

"Yeah. If I don’t get placed, I’m screwed." His voice was calm, but there was a quiet tension behind it.

Luca looked ahead again, jaw tight for a second — then softened. "Well... I was thinking of applying too. Same ones. Maybe we could, I don’t know, apply together?"

Noel blinked at him, surprised. "You mean like... the same company?"

Luca gave a small nod, casual. "Wouldn’t be the worst thing, working in the same building."

Emily, listening in now, turned with a teasing grin. "God. Imagine them working side by side. One file goes missing and suddenly they’re kissing in the supply room."

Luca didn’t even blink. "God We’d be professional."

Noel turned red instantly. "We absolutely would not."

George snorted. "I’m already rooting for chaos."

They all laughed as they reached the cafeteria doors, the scent of fresh pastries and warm bread curling out.

Inside, the air was cooler — tiled floors, murmured conversations, trays clattering in the distance.

They grabbed their food and found a corner table.

And as they sat, Luca nudged Noel lightly under the table.

"Think about it," he said softly. "It could be good. We apply together — same energy, no pressure. Just... do it our way."

Noel looked at him for a second.

"Okay."

Then nodded.

The cafeteria buzzed around them — soft chatter, chairs scraping, the hiss of espresso machines.

But in their little corner, the world felt slowed.

Luca picked at his croissant, flaking it apart lazily while Noel sipped his coffee and scrolled his phone for the company list the professor had mentioned earlier.

George was halfway through his sandwich already, eyes scanning an article on his screen. "So, hear me out," he said suddenly. "If I get into OakBridge Limited, I’m buying myself noise-canceling headphones. First paycheck."

Emily rolled her eyes, popping a grape into her mouth. "You don’t need headphones, you need self-control."

Luca smirked. "Same thing, different packaging."

Noel glanced up. "OakBridge is the logistics one, right?"

"Yeah." George leaned in. "And—get this—they’ve got a three-month international placement for top interns. London or Cape Town."

Emily whistled. "Wow. You aiming for the passport stamp, huh?"

George shrugged. "I like options."

Luca leaned into Noel slightly, voice low enough for just him to hear. "I looked up the companies already. I heard they’re tough but worth it. Might be the one."

Noel tilted his head. "You think I could make it?"

Luca looked at him fully then, his gaze steady. "I know you could."

Noel’s throat bobbed, just a little. The sincerity in Luca’s voice wasn’t loud, but it hit him deeper than expected.

Emily saw it too — the way they looked at each other — and smiled faintly as she peeled open her yogurt cup. "Okay, lovebirds, are you two applying or eloping?"

Luca didn’t even flinch. "Can’t it be both?"

Noel choked on his drink.

George grinned. "Bro, give us a warning next time."

Luca was still calm, tearing his croissant. "What? Just covering all options."

Emily snorted. "Honestly, I support it."

They ate quietly for a few more minutes after that — the kind of silence only close friends could share comfortably. Trays slowly emptied. The sun through the high windows warmed their faces.

Eventually, George pushed his chair back. "I need to stop by admin before lunch ends."

Emily checked her phone. "Lina’s probably on campus by now. I’ll go find her."

As they stood, Noel gathered the paper coffee cups into one hand.

Luca waited a moment longer, still seated, his leg brushing Noel’s beneath the table.

"I wasn’t kidding, by the way," he said softly.

Noel looked at him.

"About applying together. About wanting us there, too."

Noel nodded once, quietly. "I know. I want that too."

They stood, shoulder to shoulder, and followed the others out into the brightness of early afternoon — already carrying the quiet weight of what the future might hold.

Beside him, Noel’s shoulder brushed his. Not a promise, but something close.