Since Day One | taeryeong ᯓᡣ𐭩

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟙: ℍ𝕠𝕨 𝕀𝕥 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕖𝕕

The clock showed its arrow between 3 and 4, signaling that the class for the last course of the day was over. The classroom began to buzz as the lecturer closed the class and allowed the students to leave.

One by one, the students started to leave the room, while some were still busy packing up their study materials. Among them was a girl who was putting her laptop into her tote bag in the corner seat, until one of her friends approached her and tapped her on the shoulder.

"Chaeryeong! Are you heading out through the front gate today?" Her friend asked, watching Chaeryeong who seemed a bit rushed.

Their faculty building was actually at the back of the campus, so it was closer to exit through the back gate.

However, because of the campus's serene atmosphere, with plenty of trees and a few cats wandering around, Chaeryeong and her friend Somi usually preferred to walk and enjoy the campus scenery in the late afternoon on their way to the front gate.

"I'm really sorry, but I think I'll just go through the back gate today." Chaeryeong replied, slinging her tote bag over her right shoulder.

"I'm about to meet up with a friend. She's from another city and is visiting. She has been waiting for a while. I'm really sorry I can't accompany you today." She added while looking at her with her puppy eyes.

"Oh... It's all good, girl. No need to be worry about it." Somi replied.

They finally took the elevator down together and parted ways in the lobby. Each waved their hands goodbye.

Feeling a bit guilty for making her friend —the one she has plan with— wait, Chaeryeong quickly ordered a ride-hailing motorcycle and jogged toward the back gate.

── ๑♡⁠๑ ──

Chaeryeong arrived at her destination in about 10 minutes, as it wasn't too far from campus-fairly close, in fact.

After taking off her helmet and thanking the driver, Chaeryeong went straight into the cafe where she's about to meet her friend. Online friend to be precise.

It wasn't hard to find her friend since they had already shared their seating location through chat.

"LIA UNNIEEEE!!!" Chaeryeong called out, waving her hand.

A petite girl with long wavy hair turned her head. At the same time, a smile could visibly seen on her beautiful face.

"Oh my God, Chaeryeong, we finally meet!" Lia responded with equal excitement.

With only a one-year age difference, Chaeryeong addressed Lia as "unnie". The two had met online through the same fandom, kpop fandom. And after four years of friendship, they finally had the chance to meet in person.

It's basically because Chaeryeong was prioritizing her academic life. So she had never thought of spending her time on solo vacation yet. Planning everything all by herself would take too much of her time and she prefered to use that time to study. As a study freak she was.

On the other hand, Lia had once visited this city. But they couldn't meet up back then since she spent almost 24/7 with her family until it was the time for her to go back.

After a brief hug, Lia looked Chaeryeong up and down. Her brunette hair tied up in a messy bun, sleeves rolled up on her shirt, tightly laced black shoes, and a tote bag slung over her shoulder.

"Wow, you totally look like a student! It wouldn't be Chaeryeong if her academic oriented vibe didn't shine through." Lia teased.

"Hahaha, Lia Unnie! I am a student and I did just come from class. Of course I look like a student!" Chaeryeong replied, giggling as Lia laughed playfully.