Gomi glanced at her watch. 8:10 a.m.

She sighed, her breath escaping in a soft huff. Of course, Jenny was late. Jenny knew how precious daylight was to her, especially since it was the only time Gomi could function without the risk of snapping and becoming a menace to society.

She had ended up in jail one too many times for disorderly conduct.

"GomiiiiiiiI!" Jenny’s familiar voice echoed through the morning air as she bolted across the crosswalk, her arm waving dramatically. By the time she reached Gomi, Jenny was hunched over, hands on her knees, huffing like she’d just run a marathon.

“You’re late,” Gomi said, her tone deadpan.

Jenny flashed a wide, unapologetic grin. “Sorry, friend. I just couldn’t decide what to wear! First impressions, you know?” She twirled, making her floral babydoll dress flutter around her.

Gomi had to admit, Jenny did look adorable—definitely the type to make boys do a double-take with her long blonde hair and wispy bangs that framed her heart-shaped face.

Jenny linked her arm with Gomi’s, tugging her through the gate. “Come on, let’s not waste any more daylight!”

It was the unofficial first day of college, and K University’s main courtyard was buzzing with life. Tented stations popped up everywhere, with students handing out flyers or enthusiastically showing off their clubs to the sea of incoming first-year students.

A lean student wearing a sash that read Campus Aide handed them a pamphlet with a map and a list of clubs.

“Thanks,” Gomi smiled politely at him.

He blinked in surprise. “N-no problem! Let me know if you need help with anything!”

As they walked away, Jenny stifled a giggle. “Tone down the charm a bit, will you?”

Gomi scrunched her face. “Since when did basic courtesy become ‘charm’?”

Jenny shook her head dramatically. “When you’re as tall as a model, with curves for days, and a smile that could melt the iciest of hearts.”

Gomi felt her cheeks warm, shaking her head. “You’re ridiculous…”

Jenny laughed. “No, it’s true! We’re the ultimate duo—femme fatale and cute cinnamon roll.”

They both laughed, strolling from one club station to another, catching up like no time had passed. Jenny had been Gomi’s closest friend for years.

Growing up together in Jeonju had forged an unbreakable bond between them, even after Jenny’s family moved away when her dad landed a high-paying job at Daesung Enterprise.

Despite the two-year gap since Jenny moved, Gomi had missed the effortless, no-hiding friendship they shared. Being with Jenny always felt like a breath of fresh air.

“Oh! Look!” Jenny’s eyes sparkled as she pointed to a station. “A Tea Club!”

Gomi’s eyes widened. Tea.

Jenny, sensing Gomi’s sudden stillness, tugged her forward. “Come on, we have to check it out!”

A student with chai tea-colored hair smiled as they approached. He was slightly taller than Gomi, and when he handed them a pamphlet, she noticed how his eyes flickered between them nervously.

“Are you interested in tea?” he asked, his voice smooth but a bit hesitant.

“Not me, but she definitely is.” Jenny grinned, pushing Gomi directly in front of the boy.

“If you like tea, we have weekly meetings. We even travel to Japan to make our own tea blends,” he explained. “I’m Dukhwan, a second-year.”

“I’m Gomi Kim,” she said, catching his eyes.

“If you’d like, you can give me your phone number, and we’ll send you info about our first meeting,” Dukhwan said, his cheeks flushing ever so slightly.

Jenny’s hands flew to her mouth, suppressing a squeal.

Realizing what he just said, Dukhwan stumbled over his words, “I-I mean, we have a sign-up sheet! You can write your name and number to get info. We ask everyone, not just you, I promise!”

Gomi laughed. “Okay, sure. That sounds good.”

Dukhwan handed her the clipboard, quickly turning his face away and pretending to arrange the pamphlets while Gomi wrote down her information.

After handing it back, she smiled. “Thanks. I’ll look forward to the message.”

“S-sure!” he stammered, still flustered.

As they walked away, Gomi noticed Dukhwan getting playfully smacked by a female sunbae who was clearly teasing him about their interaction.

Jenny sighed dramatically. “He was cute! I’d join the Tea Club just to see him once a month.”

Gomi’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She smiled, thinking of Dukhwan’s flustered expression, and pulled out her phone.

Seoul Medical Facility.

Her smile vanished. Her heart sank, and the world around her suddenly felt distant. The medical facility never called unless something was wrong.

“What’s wrong?” Jenny’s voice was soft, filled with concern as she peered over.

The blood drained from Gomi’s face as she answered the call.