"Technically?"
"It's the same thing, right?"
Drew closes his eyes. Takes a long, deep breath. The kind of breath that suggests he's counting to ten in multiple languages.
Tyler reaches over and bumps his fist against Drew's shoulder. "Yeah, man. It's the same thing."
Drew doesn't look convinced, but he moves on.
"Alright." Tyler claps his hands together. "Got an announcement. Haru has officially decided to pledge!"
A cheer goes up, much louder this time. I spot Haru near the back of the room, eyes wide at the sudden attention.
"However," Drew continues, "he won't be moving into the house due to extenuating circumstances."
Caleb's head snaps up from his laptop. "Wait, how come he gets to stay at his place? I had to move in!"
Drew raises an eyebrow. "Because Haru has a living situation with people he cares about. You were a lonely disaster heading for a complete meltdown."
Caleb opens his mouth. Closes it. Considers.
"Fair point."
He turns, kisses James firmly, then goes back to his computer as if nothing had happened.
Haru stands, which immediately draws every eye in the room. Then he bows, a full, formal bow, and clears his throat.
"I am deeply honored to be invited to pledge Delta Psi Omega," he says solemnly. "I will work hard to uphold the values of this brotherhood and contribute meaningfully to?—"
"Haru, buddy," I call out. "You can just say thank you."
Haru blinks. "Ah." A pause. "Thank you." Another small bow. "I am still learning the appropriate level of formality."
The room fills with warm laughter.
"We'll corrupt you soon enough!" someone shouts.
Haru looks mildly alarmed by this.
Drew scans the room. "Anything else before we wrap up?"
Doc turns in my lap and kisses me softly. Then he climbs off and gives me a look that saysYou've got this.
I stand up.
Every eye in the room turns to me.
Here goes nothing.
"So," I start, and my voice comes out steadier than I expected. "You guys are going to need to replace me as recruitment officer for next year."
Silence.
Then chaos.
"What the fuck?"
"Oh hell no!"
