The rest of the week blurred into a surprisingly comfortable rhythm.
Wednesday turned into Thursday, and Thursday melted into Friday. The "routine" Ha-neul had promised actually kicked in. I stopped being a headline on Kirin's Secrets (mostly because a third-year drama student broke up with her boyfriend in the cafeteria, stealing the spotlight), and I started feeling like a student.
Weekends passed like a flash. I spent it mostly walking around the neighborhood, working out and preparing for my History test.
Then one more week passed, also without any... complications.
Two major things happened that solidified my status as a human being rather than a "traffic cone."
First, the tailor summoned me. I finally—finally—received my official uniform. Gone was the blinding safety-orange monstrosity. In its place was the sleek, tailored navy blazer with the silver crescent-moon-and-willow-tree crest, the crisp white shirt, and the perfectly fitted trousers. When I looked in the mirror, I didn't see "Motuz the Foreigner." I looked... sharp. I looked like I belonged in a K-drama. Even Ha-neul gave me a curt nod of approval, which was basically a standing ovation coming from her.
Second, Mr. Lee made good on his promise. On Friday night, he slid a sleek, black card across the dinner table. "For essentials," he had said with a wink. "And for emergency taxi rides from Hongdae."
With the uniform on my back and a credit card in my pocket, my confidence skyrocketed.
I also found my anchor in the social storm: Kang Min-ah. Since we sat together in almost every class, we naturally morphed into "best friends"—or at least, she decided we were, and I was happy to be adopted. She was a walking encyclopedia of Kirin's social hierarchy. She explained which teachers to avoid, which vending machine had the best coffee, and exactly why the Visual Arts kids hated the Music kids (jealousy over practice room sizes, apparently).
By Saturday morning, I felt ready for anything.
"Club Fair?" I asked, buttering my toast.
"It's mandatory for first-years to join, but optional others," Ha-neul said, not looking up from her sheet music. "But everyone goes. All the clubs set up tents on the main lawn. It's loud, chaotic, and mostly an excuse to eat street food."
"Sounds perfect. You going?"
"I have a lesson," she said, gesturing to the grand piano where a severe-looking woman—her tutor—was already arranging scores. "Professor Kim is here. I'll come later, around noon."
I grabbed my backpack. "Guess I'm going solo, then."
Ha-neul looked up, a familiar, teasing smirk playing on her lips. "Scared to walk in alone, San-ssi? You could always call your other friends."
"My other friends?"
"You know," she counted on her fingers. "Myung-Dae. Or... your partner, Chae-rin. I'm sure she'd love to walk around with you. You could wear matching outfits."
"Ha-ha. Very funny," I deadpanned. "I'd rather walk with the giraffe statue."
"Go on," she shooed me away as her teacher struck a demanding chord on the piano. "Don't get lost."
I slipped out of the house. The morning air was crisp. Ji-hoon's car was gone—he worked even on Saturdays, apparently—so the driveway was empty except for Mr. Lee's sedan.
I was halfway to the gate when the front door opened.
"San-gun!"
I turned. Mr. Lee was jogging down the steps, keys in hand. He was dressed in "weekend dad" mode—polo shirt and slacks.
"Where are you going?"
"To school, Abeoji. For the Club Fair."
"Bus? No, no," he waved his hand. "Hop in. I'll drop you off."
"It's okay, really! It's just 20 minutes, and—"
"Get in," he insisted, unlocking the car. "I'm heading out anyway. It's on the way."
I didn't argue. I got into the passenger seat of Mr.Lee's Hyundai Genesis. It was nice, actually. The awkwardness of the "Hongdae incident" had faded, replaced by a sort of conspiratorial bond.
"You look good in the uniform," he commented as we drove past the security checkpoint. "Fit in well."
"Thank you, Abeoji. It feels better than the orange tracksuit."
He chuckled. "I can imagine."
We pulled up to the curb near the Kirin gates. Even from here, I could see the transformation. The usually serene campus was exploding with color. White tents lined the main driveway, banners were fluttering, and music was thumping from huge speakers.
"Have fun," Mr. Lee said as I unbuckled. "Oh, and San? I have a meeting with some university friends in Gangnam later. I'll be coming back this way around 4 PM. I can pick you and Ha-neul up."
I paused, my hand on the door handle. A mischievous thought crossed my mind.
"A meeting with 'friends'?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "In Gangnam?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Should I..." I lowered my voice to a whisper. "Should I be prepared to drive home? Will there be horilka involved? Or just 'wine'?"
Mr. Lee's eyes widened, and then he let out a bark of laughter. He swatted at my arm.
"Ya! You rascal! I am a responsible adult! Get out of my car!"
"I'm just checking! Safety first!" I yelled, scrambling out of the car before he could hit me again.
"Get out!" he laughed, shaking his head.
I slammed the door and waved as he drove off. I turned toward the massive, iron gates of Kirin.
Students were pouring in. The air smelled of popcorn and excitement. I smoothed down the lapel of my new navy blazer, smiling to myself.
"Alright," I said to the open air. "Let's find a club."
I walked through the gates, laughing.