I stared at my closet. Or more accurately, the walk-in battlefield that had consumed the better part of my morning.
Day two of my solo civilian life. Day one of my college career.
And I was already having a fashion crisis.
"Am I overdressed for economics?" I muttered, spinning in front of the mirror. "Or underdressed for world domination?"
My reflection stared back in a white blouse tucked into beige wide-leg slacks, a sleek headband taming my curls, and an elegant beige trench coat I'd tossed on at the last minute because, well, Parisian chic. Or at least that was the vibe I thought I was giving.
The problem? Everyone else was probably wearing jeans and sneakers.
I groaned. Too late to change now. My fourth alarm had screamed at me fifteen minutes ago.
"I am a normal student," I chanted under my breath as I locked the penthouse door and stepped into the elevator. "Normal students don't arrive on campus in limousines."
I paused at the lobby.
A sleek black car idled outside. My emergency driver, Park ajusshi, rolled down the window with that familiar expression: professional concern bordering on paternal exasperation.
"Miss, I can still get you there before first period."
"No!" I said quickly. "I'm taking the bus."
His brow twitched. "The what?"
"Public transportation," I repeated proudly, adjusting my tote bag. "Like an average person."
He looked like he wanted to protest, but instead sighed deeply and nodded. "At least avoid route 401. It's cursed during rush hour."
Noted.
Outside, the summer sun was already cooking the pavement. I marched to the bus stop with purpose. A grandmother was already waiting, fanning herself with a folded newspaper. I bowed politely.
I opened the transit app Na Ri had installed for me and… immediately regretted not studying it last night. These lines looked like tangled spaghetti.
Blue? Orange? Wait, why is there a green one inside the blue?
After ten minutes of second-guessing, I got on what I thought was the right bus, only to realize three stops in that I was being taken toward a wholesale market.
Again.
"Noryangjin?" I gasped. "Again?!"
At this point, the driver probably thought I was a seafood enthusiast.
Eventually, after some frantic transfers and a panicked sprint through Exit 9 of Daehan Station, I stumbled through the university gates—sweaty, disoriented, but technically on time.
"Ah Ra-ssi!"
I turned. A vaguely familiar student from orientation waved me over.
"You're in Business Admin, right? Professor Choi?"
"Yes! Yes!" I gasped, half-wheezing, half-bowing. "Bless you. Lead the way, kind savior."
She laughed and pointed up the hill. "We're in the big building near the statue. Come with us!"
We made it just in time. I picked a seat in the second row—and promptly realized I'd randomly chosen one next to the brooding human iceberg himself: Seo Ji Hoon.
Why is this man always here like some kind of stoic destiny NPC?
"Morning," he said, not looking up from his notebook.
He wore a dark gray hoodie, black cargo pants, and that eternal expression of quiet disapproval. The earbuds were around his neck again. Signature look: engaged disinterest.
"Hi," I said brightly. "Do I smell like fish?"
His head turned slowly. "…What?"
"I got lost. Ended up at the fish market. Noryangjin," I added helpfully.
He blinked. "You took the wrong bus?"
"I'm adventurous like that," I said. "Urban exploration. Improvisation. Odor absorption."
That made him laugh. Laugh. Just a quiet, low chuckle—but still. I counted that as a personal victory.
"You're… something," he murmured, turning back to his notes.
"I get that a lot."
The professor entered, saving me from further embarrassment. Professor Choi was energetic and wore red sneakers that squeaked every time he moved.
He launched into the syllabus like a talk show host. I diligently took notes, even though half of the words sounded like gibberish.
"Capstone project…"
"Group dynamics…"
"Participation score 30%…"
Wait. Thirty percent?!
I scribbled everything down while sneaking glances around the room. Everyone else looked normal. Relaxed. Jeans. Hoodies. One guy even wore a Pikachu bucket hat.
My Fashion Week outfit suddenly felt like a high-maintenance costume.
When lunch break rolled around, I followed the herd to the campus food court. There was a long line, but I was determined. No fancy reservations, no butler service, no imported truffle oil. Just me, a tray, and a dream.
I ordered with confidence. "One bulgogi dosirak, please."
"₩7,500," the ahjumma at the counter replied.
I reached into my wallet… and froze. No coins. No student card. Just my emergency ₩50,000 bill and two sleek black cards that definitely screamed not normal.
The cashier looked unimpressed. "No change."
"I, uh…" I glanced behind me.
"Here," said a voice.
A girl with short bangs and glossy pink lips handed over her card with a bright smile. "Use mine. You can pay me back later."
I blinked. "Really? Are you sure?"
"Totally. I'm Jin Hee. Same class. I sit near the windows."
I bowed. "Thank you! I'll treat you to coffee! Or tea! Or a buffet!"
She laughed and waved it off. "Don't worry about it."
Crisis averted. I grabbed my tray and scanned the room. Most seats were taken—except for one occupied by someone who waved a manicured hand in my direction.
"Ah Ra unnie~!"
Seo Yoon, in her pastel yellow cardigan and flawless lip tint, looked like she belonged in a cherry blossom drama scene. I shuffled over.
"Unnie, come sit," she beamed. "Let's eat together!"
"Thanks," I said, lowering my tray. "You're like a human picnic basket."
She giggled. "Was orientation fun for you?"
"Fun? I almost died from soju."
"You're really not used to drinking?"
I shook my head. "I usually drink… wine."
"Waa, so elegant~" she said, tilting her head. "Unnie's taste is fancy."
I smiled awkwardly. "Not really. I just watched a lot of dramas."
"Still," she said sweetly, poking at her rice, "you're kind of mysterious."
"Mysterious?"
"You don't talk about yourself much," she said lightly.
We ate the rest of lunch in silence. My bulgogi was suddenly very chewy.
Back in class, I slumped into my seat and let my head hit the desk.
"Are you okay?" asked a boy sitting behind me.
"I'm conserving energy," I mumbled. "For group dynamics."
A ping sounded from the class group chat.
Seung Ho: Did everyone bring the MT fee? ₩20,000 for now!
Ah Ra: MT…?
Han Seo Yoon: LOL unnie you're so cute. Membership Training! It's a weekend trip for bonding~ 💕
Ah Ra: Training for… what kind of membership?
Seungchan: 😂😂 this is gold
Sohee: It's just a drinking trip. Chill, Ah Ra-ssi
I stared at the screen. More drinking? Already?
My liver whimpered.
"Don't forget to pay the MT fee," said Jin Hee, passing by my desk.
"Right. Totally prepared," I said, shoving ₩20,000 into an envelope.
No black cards this time. Lesson learned.
Ji Hoon glanced sideways as I handed it in. "You really didn't know what MT was?"
"I thought it was a fitness club."
He chuckled again. That was twice in one day. I was on fire.
As the class ended and we filed out of the lecture hall, I took a deep breath.
First day: survived. No broken limbs. No identity leaks. Only mild humiliation and one near-fish incident.
I could do this.
I could totally be normal.
Probably.
Maybe.
…Hopefully.