The cafeteria buzzed with the usual midday chatter as Karina, Yeji, Ryujin, and Lia made their way through the crowded tables, trays balanced in their hands.

They were a striking group, the kind that turned heads without trying. Karina, of course, was in the middle of a teasing match between Ryujin and Lia, who were debating her choice of snack with a ridiculous seriousness that made her shake her head, laughing.

Just as they turned the corner near the cafeteria's back entrance, Karina's gaze snagged on a familiar silhouette.

Winter was standing a little ways off with Chaeryeong, her expression a blend of amusement and cautious curiosity as she took in their surroundings.

Karina's heart gave an instinctive lurch-she'd recognize Winter's figure anywhere, even with the more relaxed posture she wore now that she was in college.

"Oh, look who's trying to navigate campus life," Lia grinned, nodding toward Winter and Chaeryeong as they wandered into view.

Ryujin immediately perked up, giving Karina a sly glance.

"Well, if it isn't Karina's little freshman girlfriend and her friend," she smirked, nudging Karina playfully.

"Think we should go give them the VIP tour?"

Karina rolled her eyes but felt a warm blush creeping up her cheeks.

"Be nice," she muttered, leading the way over to Winter and her new roommate, who were studying a cafeteria map on the wall as if trying to decode a cryptic message.

Winter spotted Karina first, her eyes lighting up with a warmth that made Karina's pulse skip. Chaeryeong, beside her, looked up as well, giving them a polite smile that held a touch of uncertainty.

"Hey!" Karina called out, waving them over with a bright grin.

Winter's smile grew as they approached, a bit of relief washing over her features.

"Oh, hi! Didn't expect to run into you guys here," she said, her voice carrying that familiar, soft note that Karina had come to love.

Karina introduced herself to Chareyeong with a warm smile, "I'm Karina, remember?" and gestured to her friends.

"These are my friends -Yeji, Lia, and of course, Ryujin," she introduced, emphasizing Ryujin's name with a hint of caution that only made Ryujin's grin widen.

"Guys, this is Chaeryeong, Winter's roommate."

Chaeryeong gave a small, polite wave, knowing Karina the senior who visited days ago.

"Hi, nice to meet you all," she said, a bit shyly, her voice carrying that gentle, considerate tone of someone who was still taking everything in. She glanced at Winter, who gave her a small, reassuring smile.

Ryujin immediately took a step closer, her expression shifting into an exaggerated, flirtatious grin.

"Well, hello there, Chaeryeong," she said, leaning just a bit too close with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

"You know, I don't usually do this, but I could give you the exclusive senior experience if you're interested."

Chaeryeong blinked, clearly caught off guard. She looked over at Winter, who merely raised an eyebrow in amusement, and then at Karina, confusion flickering across her face.

Lia groaned, nudging Ryujin in the shoulder. "Honestly, Ryujin, must you do this with every freshman you meet?"

Yeji crossed her arms with a knowing smirk. "Yeah, don't mind her. This is just Ryujin's signature welcome tactic. Karina got the same treatment when they first met, right?"

Karina stifled a laugh and nodded, looking at Chaeryeong sympathetically.

"Yep. She came up to me with almost exactly the exact same line. And when I told her I'm taken , she just gave me that smug look she's giving you now."

Winter's face softened as she slipped an arm around Karina's waist, pulling her just a bit closer.

"Is that so?" she murmured, her eyes narrowing playfully at Ryujin.

"And here I thought she was the only one you treated so... thoroughly."

Ryujin threw her hands up with a laugh, unaffected by Winter's mock glare. "Hey, I'm just welcoming her to college with style!"

Lia and Yeji exchanged amused glances, clearly enjoying the scene. Yeji raised her eyebrows, grinning as she nudged Karina.

"Looks like someone's getting a bit possessive."

Karina felt her cheeks warm as she shot a look at Winter, who only smirked back, her arm remaining firmly around Karina's waist. They both knew the others were watching, but Karina didn't mind, especially when she caught that glimmer in Winter's eye, both playful and fiercely affectionate.

Chaeryeong watched the whole interaction, her gaze bouncing from Ryujin's antics to Winter's protective stance, and then back to Karina. She laughed, a small sound of wonder escaping her.

"Well, uh, this is... definitely not what I expected," she admitted, giving Winter a slightly dazed smile. "But I think I like it here already."

Ryujin threw an arm around Chaeryeong's shoulders, a look of exaggerated pride on her face.

"Stick with us, and college life won't seem so bad. Plus, we have the cutest couple on campus to set the standard." She winked at Karina and Winter, who just shook their heads, exchanging a look that was half-amused, half-endearing.

"Oh, please," Lia sighed, rolling her eyes as she gestured toward an empty table near the windows.

"Come on, let's sit down before you all scare Chaeryeong off on her first week here."

As they settled into their seats, Chaeryeong glanced between them, looking more comfortable now. A tentative smile appeared as she glanced at Winter, who gave her an encouraging nod.

"Maybe college won't be as hard as I thought," she said, glancing at Ryujin, then Lia, and finally Yeji, whose warm smile made her relax even further.

"Especially with such... uh, colorful upperclassmen around."

Ryujin waggled her eyebrows, and the others chuckled, setting the perfect tone for their new little group.

And as Winter reached over to give Karina's hand a quick, reassuring squeeze beneath the table, Chaeryeong couldn't help but smile, feeling like she was already part of something bigger-and maybe just as weirdly wonderful as she'd hoped.