In a student apartment near Hanyang University, a young man projected his thesis onto a holographic board. The three-dimensional display shimmered as he attached interactive text panels, sliding them into place with a simple touch.
"Whew! Finally done, Han Dong!" So Hyung wiped the sweat from his brow.
His roommate leapt off the bed where he'd been gaming. "Awesome, thanks, So Hyung! I'll take it from here. All that's left is presenting, then we're free!"
A knock came at the door, rhythmic like a pop song. So Hyung opened it to find three friends carrying bags of drinks and snacks, each with brightly dyed hair that made them instantly recognizable.
"Sorry we're late, the karaoke was freaking insane!" the first one laughed.
"Chaeyeon, Im Hyuk, Dae Ho! Perfect timing, boys. We just finished the project!" Han Dong greeted them with a grin.
Im Hyuk, the one with blue hair, flipped through the holographic slides and whistled. "Whoa, you used a 3D grammar system? That's tough! Even without our help, this looks incredible. Present it like this and the professor will eat it up."
Dae Ho, strawberry-haired, tore open a snack bag and flopped onto So Hyung's bed. "Looks so polished you could enter it in a fair. The coated model's at my place, we'll rehearse tomorrow."
"Hey, don't trash my fuckin' bed!" So Hyung yanked the sheets away.
Im Hyuk leaned in with a teasing grin. "What, worried Yoona won't find the sheets smelling sweet?"
Dae Ho chimed in, smirking. "Secret romance, huh? Lucky guy, your girlfriend's adorable."
So Hyung flushed, trying to cover his mouth. "She's not that… it's just… her heart's in the right place."
"Woah, Her heart's in the right place, or you're hooked?" the four friends chorused, laughing. "Blood type B with AB, that's fuckin' destiny!"
"I've never even… you know… with her. Shut up already!" So turned away, embarrassed.
"Relax, we're just happy for you. The loyal programmer who never cheats," Im Hyuk clapped him on the shoulder.
"Five minutes till Swan vs. Oysters! Betting my ass in the pot." Im Hyuk announced. Han Dong switched on the TV, and everyone piled onto the bed with beers. So Hyung cracked one open, scrolling through his phone.
"Whoa… famous doctor vanished near Fukuoka port this morning. Bloodstains found, but no body." He frowned, then swiped to a message from Yoona, a photo of the bright sky. Scratching his head, he muttered, "What's she sending me now?" She seemed to be flying somewhere. He replied with a heart sticker and typed: 'At Chondang! Watch out for low pressure.'
Her response came quickly: a laughing emoji and the words, 'Don't be silly, I'm pretty fine. Like PRETTY PRETTY!' So Hyung smiled, then turned back to the game with his friends.
"Hey, check this out!" Dae Ho shouted, pulling up a holographic news feed.
"Authorities are hunting an unidentified killer who slipped into Korea. First sighting: Busan Bay, 19:10 last night. Possibly linked to Dr. Takiya Matsugawa's case. Surveillance footage shows a man with a fractured-looking face, hidden under a hood."
Chaeyeon pointed out the window. "Creepy. If he's in here now, we're screwed. Could be a serial killer on the loose. People these day.... freaking weird man."
Han Dong hugged his knees dramatically. "Maybe he's standing right outside our door."
A sudden pounding rattled the door. "Yikes!" Dae Ho squealed. "Han Dong, take that back!"
"Who's out there? Wait, Chaeyeon's gone!" So Hyung gasped.
"He's been taken~Shit! I swear the killer's outside!" Han Dong babbled.
The banging grew louder. So Hyung marched to the door, twisted the lock, and swung it open.
"Fuck's sake. Chaeyeon. Where were you?"
"Sex phoning with my chick. Why the hell'd you lock me out? Did the match start yet?" Chaeyeon peered past him at the TV.
Han Dong collapsed, groaning. "Thought you were the killer. I lost the bet."
"Auto-lock door, sorry," So Hyung laughed awkwardly.
Han Dong raised an eyebrow. "So… what's your girlfriend doing at Jimjaechon Island? Her story showed some kind of aircraft."
"Urgent work. She's interning at a pharm' company. Forget it, let's drink." So Hyung tried to push the thought aside. But even as he laughed with his friends, munching snacks and watching the football game, his mind drifted to her.
Sunlight spilled through the window, warming his face. Outside, birds wheeled toward the horizon. A trail of white smoke cut across the sky, piercing the clouds above the Yellow Sea.