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Sange should have known better than to let Hiraya plan their night. The moment she heard "Let's go out and have fun before you start work!" she should have run in the opposite direction. But instead, here she was—dressed up, slightly uncomfortable, and being dragged into one of Seoul's busiest nightclubs.
"I still don't get why we're doing this," Sange grumbled as they walked inside.
Hiraya beamed. "Because, my dear best friend, it's your last night of freedom! After this, you'll be a corporate slave! We need to celebrate."
Sange sighed. This was a terrible idea.
The club was packed. The music vibrated through the floor, neon lights flashed wildly, and the air was thick with energy. Sange immediately felt out of place.
"Relax!" Hiraya shouted over the music. "Let's get drinks!"
Before Sange could protest, Hiraya dragged her to the bar. A bartender smirked at them. "What'll it be?"
Hiraya grinned. "Something strong."
Sange frowned. "Something light."
The bartender chuckled and handed them two colorful drinks. Sange took a cautious sip. It tasted sweet—too sweet. Hiraya downed hers in one go and gasped. "This is amazing!"
Sange rolled her eyes. "You're going to get drunk within an hour."
Hiraya laughed. "That's the goal, babe."
One drink turned into two. Two drinks turned into five. Sange had no idea how it happened. She only remembered Hiraya cheering her on, saying things like "It's just juice!" and "You need to let loose!" And now… everything was a blur.
She was dizzy, giggling, and swaying to the music. The lights were brighter, the music was louder, and everything felt way too funny. Hiraya, meanwhile, was flirting with a ridiculously good-looking Korean man.
Sange squinted. Where did she even find him?!
Hiraya leaned against him, twirling her hair. "You're sooo handsome. Like a K-drama lead."
The man chuckled. "You're cute when you're drunk."
Hiraya gasped. "Wait, say that again—but in slow motion."
Sange facepalmed. Hiraya was GONE.
Meanwhile, Sange was having her own problems.
1. She accidentally stole someone's drink. (She thought it was hers. It wasn't.)
2. She almost tripped on air. (Yes, air.)
3. She got into a deep conversation with a plant. ("You understand me, don't you, Mr. Leaf?")
4. She kept yelling "I'm fine!"—while visibly NOT fine.
Somewhere in the chaos, Hiraya disappeared.
Sange squinted through the flashing lights. "Hiraya?" No response. "Oh no," she muttered. This was bad.
Drunken and determined, Sange wobbled through the club. She checked the dance floor. No Hiraya. She checked the bar. Still no Hiraya. Finally, she spotted her in the corner, sitting on her mystery man's lap.
Sange gasped dramatically. "HIRAYA!"
Hiraya looked up, dazed. "Sange! Meet my boyfriend!"
Sange blinked. "You just met him."
Hiraya grinned. "True love moves fast."
The man chuckled. "She's fun."
Sange sighed. "Sir, you have no idea what you're getting into."
Realizing they needed to get home before things got worse, Sange grabbed Hiraya's wrist.
"We're leaving."
Hiraya pouted. "But my boyfriend—"
Sange groaned. "YOU DON'T HAVE A BOYFRIEND."
Before she could drag Hiraya out, a bouncer blocked their way.
"You need to settle your tab first."
Sange blinked. "Tab?"
The bartender smirked. "Your friend here ordered drinks for everyone at the bar."
Sange froze.
She turned to Hiraya. "Tell me you didn't."
Hiraya grinned. "I felt generous!"
Sange let out a strangled scream.
Sange woke up to the worst headache of her life. Her mouth was dry. Her head was pounding. The sunlight felt offensive. She groaned, rolling over—only to find Hiraya sprawled on the floor, drooling.
Pieces of last night came rushing back.
The drinks.
The chaos.
The random hot guy.
The insane bar tab.
Sange bolted upright.
"Oh. My. God."
Hiraya groaned. "Too loud…"
Sange grabbed her shoulders. "DO YOU KNOW WHAT DAY IT IS?!"
Hiraya blinked sleepily. "Tuesday?"
Sange shook her. "IT'S MY FIRST DAY AT J CORPORATION!"
Hiraya screamed.
They both scrambled to their feet, panicking.
Sange checked the clock. She had 40 minutes to get ready. Her hair was a mess. Her head was killing her. And worst of all—she still smelled like alcohol.
"This is a nightmare," Sange muttered.
Hiraya lay back down. "Good luck, babe. I'm never moving again."
Sange rushed to get dressed, her heart racing.
As she stumbled toward the door, Hiraya groaned and sat up. "Wait." She rubbed her eyes. "You're in no state to survive on an empty stomach."
Sange glared at her. "And whose fault is that?"
Hiraya grinned sheepishly. "Yours, for letting me influence you."
Sange threw a pillow at her. "Unbelievable."
Hiraya dodged it effortlessly. "Look, I'll escort you out and make sure you at least get coffee before you walk into that fancy office looking like death."
Sange hesitated. "…That actually sounds like the best idea you've had all year."
Hiraya grinned. "I know."
Sange grabbed her bag, still half-panicked. "Fine. But if I get fired on day one, I'm blaming you."
Hiraya stretched. "Noted. Now, let's get you caffeine before you collapse."
And with that, the two hungover disasters dragged themselves out the door—one on a mission to start her job, the other on a mission to get coffee.
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