The sun was slipping down the horizon, casting golden rays across the campus. Students wandered in groups, some heading back to the hostel, others to the library, and a few lounging beneath trees, clutching iced drinks like lifelines. Pearl and Kelly had just wrapped up their last class and were strolling toward the library, bags hanging lazily on their shoulders.
"You know," Kelly said, adjusting her shades dramatically, "if this lecturer mentions 'Group Work' one more time, I might actually throw hands."
Pearl laughed, shaking her head. "You say that every day."
"Yeah, and one day, I'll mean it."
But just as Pearl was about to reply, a familiar beat floated through the air—light, rhythmic, and unmistakable.
Her eyes widened.
It was *BTS*. Specifically, "Spring Day." That song always hit different.
Without thinking, she paused mid-step and spun around, scanning the small crowd near the path. Her heart thudded with excitement. It wasn't every day you heard *that* song in Crestville.
"Hold up," she whispered.
"Oh no," Kelly groaned, already sensing the incoming chaos. "Don't tell me it's that kpop thing again."
Following the melody like it was calling her soul, she spotted a girl hunched over beside a tree, fidgeting with her top. One of her braids had snagged on a loose pin sticking out of her backpack.
Pearl walked up and crouched beside her. "Need help?"
The girl looked up, startled. "Oh—yes, please. This pin is attacking me."
Pearl chuckled, gently loosening the braid from the pin. As she worked, she softly sang along with the music.
The girl's eyes shot open. "WAIT—are you an *ARMY*?"
Pearl blinked, then smiled. "Yes. Since 2018."
The girl screamed. Not a literal scream, but a joyful, high-pitched squeal that startled two passing boys.
"Oh my god! I found an ARMY friend! I found an ARMY friend!!" She hugged Pearl without hesitation, practically bouncing on her toes. "You have no idea how long I've waited for this."
Pearl laughed breathlessly. "I didn't know there were any ARMYs around here."
"There *are*—they're just in hiding!"
Kelly walked up at that moment, brows raised. "What's going on here? Is this a K-drama reunion scene ?"
The girl turned, still smiling. "Hi! I'm Emily. And you are?"
"Kelly. Pearl's loud - mouthed but lovable friend." And just so we're clear—K-pop and I are distant strangers. But I like your energy."
Emily gasped. "You don't watch K-dramas either?"
Kelly mock-gagged. "Give me wrestling, fight scenes, and people flying through glass any day."
Emily burst into laughter. "Okay, now I *really* like you."
Pearl stared at them both. "How are you bonding faster than me and her?"
Emily winked. "Opposites attract. She's chaos. I'm sunshine."
Kelly raised a brow. "More like fire and fire."
****
Later that evening, the trio found themselves squeezed into Pearl's still-scattered corner of Jason's apartment, sipping on cheap fruit juice and laughing over a cracked phone screen.
"I swear," Emily said, scrolling through a campus gist page, "Crestvile students need their own reality show. Look at this—someone posted a thread ranking the 'Top 5 Baddest Girls in Faculty of Science'."
Pearl raised a brow. "Please don't tell me you're on that list."
Emily flipped her braids. "Unfortunately, no. But guess who's number two?"
Kelly leaned over. "marbel "
Pearl also leaned over " why does that looked like Clara?" she questioned
Emily gasped. "You KNOW her?"
Pearl groaned. "Ugh, I know her sister, she worked at the factory I worked in then. That girl breathes drama."
"Apparently, she dated one of the senior lecturers," Emily whispered dramatically.
"Ew. Is that even allowed?" Kelly frowned, then shrugged. "Anyway, she doesn't even look that hot in real life."
"She's got the attitude though," Pearl muttered. "Makes her ten times worse."
Emily added Pearl to a group chat titled *'The Chaotic Angels'*, where they'd already renamed each other: *Captain Chaos*, *Princess Petty*, and *K-Drama Queen*. The chat was buzzing before midnight.
Just then, Jason knocked lightly on the door and pushed it open. His eyes landed on Emily and Kelly lying belly-down on the floor, laughing over gifs.
He blinked. "So this is why the entire house smells like hair cream and roasted peanuts."
Pearl, flustered, stood up. "We were just—um—group bonding."
Jason smirked. "Right. Just don't burn the place down."
Emily leaned over and whispered to Kelly, loud enough for Jason to hear, "Is this him? Mr. Mysterious?"
Jason narrowed his eyes. "I heard that."
Kelly burst out laughing. "I like this one. He's grumpy."
Jason muttered something under his breath as he walked away.
Pearl shook her head, hiding her smile. "This house is turning into a circus."
"Exactly," Emily giggled. "And every good story needs one."