**Chapter 3: Settling In**

As we entered the apartment, Jason's eyes widened in awe, taking in the sleek, modern decor and the sprawling city view beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, mingling with the hum of gaming equipment and the soft chatter of our team. He looked like a small fish in a big pond, but we were determined to make him feel at home. "Make yourself at ease, Jay," Rain said, dropping onto the couch and kicking off his shoes. "We've got a bunch of rooms set up for you to crash in. You can pick whichever one you like." Jason nodded, his gaze darting between the rows of gaming stations and the stacks of equipment. "Thanks... I don't want to be a bother." Apex clapped him on the back. "You're not a bother, kid. You're our new friend. Now, let's get you settled in and show you around." As Apex led Jason on a tour of the apartment, I couldn't help but notice the way Jason's eyes lit up when he saw the gaming stations. His shoulders relaxed, and his smile grew, revealing a hint of excitement. He seemed to be in his element, and I found myself smiling along with him. Banks, meanwhile, was busy rummaging through the fridge, pulling out snacks and drinks. "Hey, Jay, what do you like to eat? We've got pizza, sandwiches, or... uh, more pizza." Jason laughed, his cheeks flushing. "Uh, pizza sounds great, thanks." As we sat down to eat, I found myself sitting next to Jason, trying to make conversation. He was easy to talk to, and we chatted about everything from gaming to anime to our favorite TV shows. I was surprised by how much we had in common, and I found myself feeling more and more at ease around him. As the evening wore on, we started to get settled in for the night. Rain and Apex began setting up their gaming stations, the sound of controllers and consoles humming to life. Banks pulled out his phone, scrolling through social media. I, however, found myself lingering by Jason, chatting with him about his favorite games. It wasn't until he yawned, his eyes drooping, that I realized how late it was. "Hey, Jay, you should get some rest," I said, standing up. "We've got a big day ahead of us tomorrow." Jason nodded, rubbing his eyes. "Yeah, I guess I am pretty tired." As he followed me to the room that would be his for the week, I couldn't help but feel a pang of... something. It wasn't quite responsibility, but it was a sense of duty, a desire to make sure Jason felt welcome and included. I showed him to the room, which was decorated with posters of his favorite games and anime shows. His eyes widened in surprise, and he smiled, looking more at ease than he had all day. "Thanks, this is really cool," he said, his voice soft. I smiled back, feeling a sense of warmth towards him. "We're glad you like it. Get some rest, Jay. We'll wake you up bright and early tomorrow." As I turned to leave, Jason called out, his voice hesitant. "Hey, Nick?" I turned back to him. "Yeah?" "Thanks for... everything. I'm really excited to be here." My heart skipped a beat as I smiled at him. "We're excited to have you, Jay." As I closed the door behind me, I couldn't shake the feeling that this week was going to be a lot more than just a simple meet-and-greet. Jason was going to change things, and I wasn't quite sure if I was ready.