❛ ↺ front of campus

@t. mark [] there u go

it’s the first night back. yuta spent the semester in study abroad, needing the space and the distance from campus to breathe in reality once again. to be honest, it didn’t feel real yet, the fact that he was back in this hell. he uses ‘hell’ loosely to describe the same musty smell of the apartments he’s partied till dawn in. he uses ‘hell’ to describe the taste of a hashbrown-and-diabetes-laden-breakfast-burger from iseoul after being crossfaded with the likes of old friends who have graduated, like maggie and hoseok and ten. he uses ‘hell’ to describe the same student body that supported his theories when he busted to find the first endangered student, and then him because he was trying to keep more life from being lost. even perrie moved out, leaving the apartment cold, empty, and lifeless. (was it selfish to want her to stay? yes. was he going to voice it ever? no.) yuta exhales a heavy sigh as he leans back on the cement slab he’s seated on, not sure how happy or how sad he was to be back.

a hand comes up to ruffle through his hair as yuta sits there, basking in the cool of dusk, and reveling in the breeze that blows past. fact was weirder than fiction, truly, because it was a fact that he was still here, still in this cesspool of criminals and fiends hidden under carefully carved masks.

the nostalgia living in every step of this place was killing him bit by bit, eating him up as he thinks about starting from scratch again. new friends? new clubs? new classes? new parties? who would fill the spaces open around him, he wondered as he lays back against the chilly cement. the stars keep shining brighter and brighter, twinkling with all the false hope every freshman soaks in at some point or another. he remembers when he gazed up at those same starts, just a year back, thinking how lucky he was for other people in his life. he might not be the closest with them, but the craziness of living so close to apartment a3-101 held a lot of good memories in his heart as did partying with the sweethearts of a3-103.

“in’ idiots,” yuta snorts, hands rubbing up and down his features. packing and unpacking all in a day had thoroughly worn him out, but he was excited to be back. at least... at least here he knew what to expect. but out there? the world was a vicious place. his study abroad experience reminded him how shallow the world was, and how unconcerned it was with the likes of people like A. people wondered why yuta was so closed off, so pushy, so ‘angry’.

“they don’t know what it’s like... heh,” he recalls the numerous times yuqi threw aside her shame and pride to confront A, never letting him get to her. she was one of the first people to stand out to him.

“wonder where she is now... and hayi... wonder where they all are,” he muses, arms coming up and cushioning his head from the cement with his hands. “crazy how time flies...” he was sure there were holes in his memory, but being back felt bittersweet.

@b. joohyun The new piece of information about the older brought a mischievous smile to Wendy's face. "Oh, so it's like that, huh? Maybe one day you can also call me by my Korean name which is reserved for family only," she nodded, chuckling softly. It was true, only her family knew what her Korean name was since she had registered herself on any official papers as "Wendy Son".

"It was nothing big, just some stinky eyes. He had over heard me speaking to my mom in the phone," she paused then sighed, "we were conversing in French. Guess he didn't like it or something like that," she shrugged nonchalantly.

@i. jaebum Yugyeom was sitting down on one of the benches in front of his university's campus, wanting to make use of a lovely summer day which was not as hot as the rest of the days, when he compared it in his mind. And he wanted some air, so it was a win-win situation either way. With his notebook in his lap and books on the right and left side of him, he was scribbling some information down into his trusty notebook, knowing he will probably forget to pay attention to those more important parts in the current lesson he was looking at. There was something that was bothering him for the first half of the day, but he told himself that he will come back to that part later on, sighing softly to himself as it was time to go back to try figuring out how to answer to the question at hand. It wasn't covered in the book and Yugyeom was really tired of thinking about questions and pharmacy as he had been doing that the whole day. And the question wasn't even related to pharmacy, yet the professor told them that it will for sure be in the next exam that was coming up, just around the corner. Biting the end of his pen unconsciously, Yugyeom hummed under his breath as he tried figuring out if he could maybe find it in another book. Shifting his gaze to his left side, he left the pen on his notebook that was lying on top of his lap, from the corner of his eye he noticed a familiar figure and suddenly he didn't feel like he lacked energy to do anything, because he might have found someone who could help him. "Hey, hyung!" He called out, trying to get the older male's attention first, waving both his hands with so much newfound energy, hoping that he won't freak out the older male by the sudden call. He looked like he did not want to be bothered anyway, but Yugyeom did not know better because he needed help anyway and the only bad thing was that he did not know what Jaebum's major is. "What is your major!" He called out, making it more of a statement than a question, because he confused his own self with the fact that he did not know what his major is.

@k. myeongji Patiently waits for your answer to my question before i nod by your words while still smiling like a dork i am. "No need to say sorry hm? Sleeping is way important so sleep lots as soon as you get home alright?" my hand reaches over to lightly pat the top of your head. "How about we have breakfast together tomorrow morning? Also i would love your number!" i take out my lil notepad and pen from my purse before giving it to you so you can write it down. "I wanna get to know you as well! Also lemme take you back to your home just because it's dark and scary during this time of the night."

@e. perrie "it's a pleasure to meet you as well." myeongji replied, her posture loosening up completely realizing that perrie really was just a friendly girl outside at a weird, ungodly hour. looking at her phone and at the time, myeongji weighed the pros and cons in her head about going out to eat. she was dead tired and she wouldn't be any fun for perrie to talk to. however, she didn't want to just outright refuse the girl, she was so kind to offer this to her in the first place. making up her mind, myeongji gave her an apologetic smile "sorry, i was out all day so i really am tired, i think i might pass out once i get back to the dorms. however, i could write down my number for you and we could eat at a later date if that's alright with you? you're very kind, so i would be happy to get to know you better. i really am sorry..."

@s. wendy Irene was simple like that, despite growing up in a famous household and being kinda pampered from the moment she was born. Perhaps because of that she had endure some problems during high school years, being called a nerd for her good grades and simple outfits unlike the others. „That is fine with me, and maybe one day you can call me Joohyun“, the older chuckled in return, nodding her head, „I only allowed my close friends to call me by my birth name.“

Walking down the street, she lead continued to lead them on until turning left at a crossing. „Mhm, he is. And helpful too if you ever get lost, just ask him. Oh? What happened if you don‘t mind me asking?“

@b. joohyun Wendy could barely hear the older woman because of how soft spoken she was, she had to strain her ears. But Wendy liked it. Irene's voice suit her. She could only imagine how great her singing voice was, for now. "I see. I'll just call you Irene then," she nodded, smiling slightly.

"That's nice. He's a great guard then. Unlike this one I met before entering the administration building," she scrunched up her nose at the memory of the encounter before shaking her head slightly.

@s. wendy Slightly tilting her head to the side for a moment, it clicked in her mind what Wendy meant and she shrugged her shoulders. „With some people you don‘t know, yes. Formality is important indeed“,she answered her in a soft tone, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. „But since we’re gonna see each other often due to the clubs, you can lessen the formality with me.“

„Hm? Ah yes, he‘s the same guard since I started my studies here and he was always friendly to me..“, she looked at the younger, nodding her head a few times.

@b. joohyun "No need to be so formal, hmm? Is it really okay? I hear that seniority is taken very seriously here," she nodded, looking slightly worried about it. She never got the chance to mingle with the locals whenever she came for a visit, only surrounded with her extended family.

Seeing the guard smiling at them, Wendy gave a little bow and a beaming smile at the male while following Irene behind. "You know the guard?" She quipped, glancing back at the guard.

@s. wendy "Anytime, sadly they still exist and fools still fall for them..",she nearly drifted off, nearly remembering the painful memory with her ex but she immediately shook that thought off and cleared , smiling more at the younger. "Ah, please. No need to be so formal." Irene waved her hands in denial yet a chuckle slipped from her tiers. She noticed how Wendy reminded her more and more of a squirrel or hamster with her smile like that. "Bubble tea it is then. Alright, I'll lead you to the bubble tea place." With that said, she started to lead them off the campus, flashing a friendly smile at the security guard at the entrance.

@k. nahee "very good we have something in common! listen, no fruit belong on no pizza except tomatoes." i chuckled and nods as i wiggle my finger at her. "awe you're sure, love? you can put something on the pizza you love as well but i'm just gonna let you have the mushrooms aha. awe you're freaking adorable, love." i coo as i reach my hand over to lightly pinch on one of her cheeks. i smile in amusement by her words. "i can understand that as well because i won't eat raisins in general unless it's raisin bran cereal? aha that's more weird than what you said. you're very sure?" i look at her with a lil pout of mines because we was gonna share after all and i wanted her to put toppings that she loved on the pizza too.

@e. perrie "glad we can agree on the pineapple part," nahee says, feigning a gag at the thought of having the tropical fruit on her pizza before she lets out a rather loud laugh. she shakes her head, bringing her hands up to signal 'no' as well, "i'm fine without mushrooms! if you want just extra cheese and pepperoni, i'm fine with that too. trust!" the younger girl says, raising her pinky in the air as if to promise. she shrugs nonchalantly, "it's weird - i don't eat mushrooms anywhere else except on my pizza. it's as if i'm only eating them because the pizza makes them taste good. rest assured, i will not be hurt at all if we don't get mushrooms on it. let's order what you usually get, yeah?"

@b. joohyun She grimaced at the mention of "plastics", Wendy understood very clearly what Irene meant. "Thank you for reminding me about that." Wendy was never one to judge but some people liked going beyond limits. "Well since you're there I think I'm joining both clubs. Please guide me well, sunbae," she bowed her head at the older although her tone was light and definitely teasing.

The smile on Wendy's face was so wide that her dimples appeared and her eyes sparkle with childlike excitement, head bobbing up and down eagerly. "Bubble tea! I love bubble tea. Let's go have some, it'll be my treat!" She nodded.

@s. wendy Now her eyebrows furrowed together at the next reaction of the other, shaking her head as she barely acknowledged the flirt attempt."Maybe, I don't know. But most prefer those plastics..",she visibly shuddered for a moment, before nodding towards a small group in the distance and her face grimaced when one of them flipped her fake blonde hair over her shoulder. "Just no. Anyways, you don't have to if you don't feel like it."

Irene mentally smacked herself and let out a soft laughter before she hummed for a moment. "Right.. sorry, Wendy",she flashed her a smile, tapping her chin as she thought of some places."Well, there's a mcdonalds not far from the campus or a coffee shop? And there's even a bubble tea shop, if you feel like having some?"

@b. joohyun "Anime too?!" The queen of reaction gasped loudly, a hand on her chest. "I apologize for being so forward but damn, you sound too good to be true. I know some people who would go crazy over you, me included," she grinned and wiggled her eyebrows playfully at the last part, Wendy couldn't help herself. "So like, I have to join Music club as well then?" She tilted her head slightly.

Recognizing the direction they were heading, Wendy hummed while lifting a shoulder in a shrug. "I'm not sure. Maybe the cafeteria? Or do you know somewhere better? I'm new here, Irene," she reminded the older with a small smile.

@s. wendy Watching the younger‘s reaction, Irene couldn‘t help but to let out a chuckle in amusement. „Mhm, I‘m into playing video games and anime which surprise the most when they hear about it“,she nodded slowly her head, already used to the reaction but still found an amusement in them.“Oh gosh, I nearly forgot but I‘m in the Music club as well. It‘s kinda like a thing among those who major in music to join the club as well.“ Rubbing the back of her neck, she led them back towards where they started off, since she felt like she didn‘t needed to show Wendy the minor places like the library or the clinic right now. Plus she felt like she needed to eat something. „Alright, let‘s take a break now, shall we? Where do you feel like eating?“

@j. hoseok as soon as i land into your arms, my arms immediately around your shoulders in bridal style. i was relief until i end up squealing a lil as we both end up falling on the ground, me right on top of you sideways which ends up making me laugh. "aha ohmagod, are you alright? i hope i didn't hurt you." i roll off you, laying on my back on the grass as i was beside your feet. "it was so damn scary but yet fun i don't even know why. oh my, was i heavy?" i crawl on the grass towards you, seeing if you was alright before holding three of my fingers up. "how many fingers i'm holding up, love?"

@e. perrie i ball up my fists quickly, preparing to catch you, keeping a focused gaze on the branch and hoping that it will hold for long enough. "i'll be fine-" i mutter before the sight of you leaping off the branch cuts me off. my arms lock in place, reaching out. for a second, you land securely and i feel the weight pull me down. unfortunately the momentum topples us onto the ground and we end up landing on the grass.

@b. joohyun "A gamer girl?" Wendy's eyes widened as she stared at the senior in disbelief. "Honestly, that sounds almost too good to be true," she chuckled lightly, shaking her head. Out of the clubs Irene mentioned, only the Cooking caught her attention. She was already a Music major, so she didn't feel the need to join or should she? Her lips pursed into a thin line as her eyebrows furrowed, deep in her thoughts. Irene herself didn't mention that she was in the Music club. "I think I'm going to check out the Cooking club. And maybe the sports. I play tennis."

@k. nahee "i am very happy to hear that, love! oh the cafeteria food is great, i just love eating papa john's pizza every friday aha." i let out a soft laugh as i nod. ever since i first went in papa john's restaurant here on a friday, i've been going every friday. i listen to her words about her favorite pizza topping, chuckling when she said about the pineapples. "we got something in common because pineapples doesn't belong on pizza. aah interesting but mushrooms?" i said with a disgust look on my face because it sounds disgusting. "i like just pepperoni or/and sausage on my pizza. we can get a half large pizza if you want?"

@s. wendy „Mhm, I‘m the vice president of the cooking club and a member of the gaming club“, Irene answered proudly, grinning at Wendy as they continued their way, passing by the building since it was closed at the moment. „Oh and also the Music club. I wanted to join the Dance team but I realized it would take too much of my time if I joined too many clubs. So if you‘re majoring in music too then I would personally recommend the Music club and one of your personal choice.“

@e. perrie "yes, definitely. i'd love to hang out again," she nods excitedly as she smiles back at you. "every friday? does the campus cafeteria taste bad or do you just like pizza?" she asks with a laugh, "it's an important question." nahee does not want to find out this the hard way - she'd much rather just avoid it if she has to. "yes, i'd love to share a large pizza with you! i'm not really picky about the toppings... just no pineapples. i usually put some type of meat, extra cheese, and mushrooms on mine. how about you?"

@j. hoseok "d don't rush me." i stutter while basically scared to s just because as i look down, i really am high up. i gotta do this or my is sleeping with the squirrels so i slowly breathe in and out with my closed eyes. a few seconds, i end up opening them before i nod with confidence. "alright, i'm ready! if you get injured, i will pay for your medical bill! ok i'm counting to 3 ok? 1....2..." the numbers shakily ecaping from my lips as i move a lil to where you are so you can catch me. "3!!!!" i jump off the branch, screaming like opera lady doing a high asf pitch.

@e. perrie "dude we ain't got time for this, just jump down i can catch ya," i insistently mutter, eyeing the creaking branch with a forceful gaze. there really isn't much time, and if i were to run to grab a chair from the classrooms, i would probably be dragged away by a teacher faster than i can run. stretching my arms out, shaking them once firmly in a gesture to convince the other, i shout firmly "get down right now or we're gonna have two people injured." planting my feet firmly on the ground, i exhale softly and raise my brows.

@b. joohyun She beamed at Irene, ecstatic that the older didn't reject her offer and seemed pretty glad to be invited to lunch. It would be really nice to befriend a senior on her first day. She pursed her lips, deep in thought on the club matter before sighing softly. "I can't pick. I only want to join one.. any recommendations? Are you in any club, Irene?" She blinked at Irene, smiling innocently.

@s. wendy Blinking a few times, she chuckled sheepishly while scratching her cheek with a finger. „Oh? Sure if you want to, I‘ll accept that offer“,she smiled softly at Wendy, before shaking her head, „I planned to do some dance practice and then do a bit laundry, but it‘s okay. I‘m glad to help out whenever I can.“ Her hues averted to the building, humming in reply. „Yea, if you‘re into theater, there‘s a club for it. There‘s actually a lot of clubs to join so I would recommend after this tour to head back to the administration office to ask for the list of available clubs.“

@b. joohyun Wendy glanced at her Apple watch adorning her wrist and hummed, "how about I treat you out for lunch later? As a thank you for showing me around. I'm sure you had something better to do than showing a freshie around," she chuckled sheepishly before the building ahead of her caught her attention. "Ah, do we have a theater club or something like that? I think I'm going to join a club but I don't know which club I want to join.."

@k. myeongji i listen to your words especially your introduction which makes me smile even more than earlier. "it's a big pleasure to meet you, myeongji! aha you're right about that but sadly my phone is dead as ." i chuckled as i nod, my phone dying as soon as my shift was finished but it was my fault that i forgot to bring my charger to work. i continue walking alongside you, listening to your question before i nod quickly. "i don't mind walking with you as we walk to our dorms but to be honest, i don't feel like going home aha. if you want, do you wanna go out to eat? we can know each other as we eat and maybe become friends?" i nudge you a lil as i look at you with curiosity.

@e. perrie myeongji makes a small noise when she hears someone walk up beside her, her head quickly turning to meet the eyes of this new person. when she realizes it's probably just another student, her stiffened stance relaxes, and she smiles awkwardly. "oh- hi there, i'm myeongji. it's not a problem, at all, i'm fine. but... it's dangerous to be out here at night without a phone..." myeongji trailed off and looked at the girl questioningly before gesturing towards where campus housing was. "do you live on campus? we could walk back to the dorms together, if you want?"