The next morning, the loft was filled with the sound of alarms, groans, and the unmistakable rustle of someone rummaging through their suitcase.
"Who took my sunscreen?" Chloe called out from the living room, her voice tinged with irritation.
"Why would anyone take your sunscreen?" Asha replied from the bathroom, toothbrush hanging out of her mouth. "We're all different skin tones here, Chloe. Your SPF 50 isn't going to do anything for me."
Vanessa, still wrapped in her duvet on the couch, raised her hand groggily. "It was me. I used it. My melanin may be popping, but this Seoul sun is trying to humble me."
"Vanessa!" Chloe groaned, stomping over. "I told you to ask first. Now it's all—oh my God, why is the tube almost empty?"
Vanessa shrugged. "I had to make sure I was covered properly. You know me, I can't just rub a pea-sized amount and call it a day. This face must remain flawless."
"You're unbelievable," Chloe muttered, tossing the near-empty tube back into her bag.
"Thank you!" Vanessa said with a grin, settling back into the couch.
"Guys, hurry up," Jisoo called from the kitchen, where she was preparing a quick breakfast. "We have a lot to do today. I want to take you to Bukchon Hanok Village, then Insadong for traditional crafts. And tonight…" She paused dramatically. "We're going clubbing!"
That announcement was met with a chorus of reactions.
"Clubbing?!" Vanessa sat up, her eyes wide. "Ah, finally! I've been waiting for this day. Seoul's nightlife is about to meet its match. I came prepared!"
"You mean you've been waiting to embarrass yourself," Asha quipped, wiping her mouth with a towel as she walked out of the bathroom.
"Speak for yourself," Vanessa retorted. "I have dance moves that can shut down a whole club. Watch and learn, my dear."
Chloe raised a hand. "Okay, but what kind of club are we talking about, Jisoo? Something classy, right? No sticky floors and questionable cocktails."
Jisoo rolled her eyes. "Don't worry. It's one of the hottest spots in Gangnam. Very chic, very trendy. You'll love it."
Vanessa clapped her hands. "Gangnam? As in Gangnam Style? Eh, today will be good!"
The day's touring was a blur of cobblestone streets, traditional hanoks, and a dizzying array of souvenirs. Bukchon Hanok Village had the girls snapping pictures at every corner, with Vanessa insisting on recreating dramatic poses from K-dramas she'd never watched.
"Wait, let me lean against this door like I'm a chaebol heir," Vanessa said, flipping her imaginary long hair. "Take the picture, Jisoo!"
"You don't even know what a chaebol heir is," Asha said, laughing as Jisoo complied.
"I don't need to know," Vanessa replied. "I just need to look rich and mysterious. Now, who wants to be my bodyguard in this photo?"
By the time they reached Insadong, Chloe was weighed down with bags of crafts and trinkets, and Asha was on her third iced coffee. Vanessa, however, was already talking about the club.
"Should I wear heels or boots?" she asked no one in particular. "Heels will make me look tall and intimidating, but boots are better for dancing."
"Wear flats," Asha suggested dryly.
Vanessa gave her a withering look. "Flats? Am I a grandma? Abeg, don't spoil my vibes."
Back at the loft, chaos erupted as the girls got ready for their big night out.
"Where's my black dress?" Vanessa called out, throwing clothes onto the bed.
"You've been yelling about that dress for twenty minutes," Asha said, applying eyeliner in front of the mirror. "Maybe it's time to accept that it doesn't want to be found."
"It's here somewhere!" Vanessa insisted, diving into her suitcase. "If I don't wear that dress, my whole night will be ruined. Chloe, did you steal it?"
"Why would I want your dress?" Chloe asked, struggling to zip up her own outfit. "I have my own problems. Like this zipper that's apparently staging a protest."
"Here, let me help," Jisoo offered, tugging at the zipper while Chloe held her breath.
Meanwhile, Vanessa finally found her dress and held it up triumphantly. "Ah! I told you! This dress is the key to my Seoul nightlife domination."
"Only if you actually put it on," Asha muttered, finishing her makeup.
Vanessa ignored her and started pulling the dress over her head. "Jisoo, what's the vibe at this club? Are we talking classy moves or full-on shaku shaku?"
Jisoo laughed. "Definitely not shaku shaku, Vanessa. Just have fun and try not to scare anyone."
Vanessa gasped. "Scare anyone? Me? Please, they're not ready for my talent."
"You mean your chaos," Asha said under her breath.
"Same thing!" Vanessa shot back.
The final hurdle was the hair situation. Chloe was straightening hers, Asha was pinning hers up, and Vanessa…well, Vanessa was holding a comb and staring at the mirror like it had personally offended her.
"This hair is not cooperating," she grumbled. "I should've braided it before coming. Now it wants to disgrace me in front of Korean men."
"You look fine, Vanessa," Jisoo reassured her.
"Fine? Fine is for average people. I need to look irresistible," Vanessa declared, attacking her curls with the comb.
"You'll look irresistible when you stop fighting your hair," Asha said, smirking.
"Keep talking," Vanessa replied. "When they start flocking to me in the club, don't be jealous."
Finally ready, the girls stood in the living room, admiring their collective effort.
"Wow, we actually cleaned up nice," Chloe said, snapping a group selfie.
"Of course," Vanessa said, striking a pose. "This is Team Slay we're talking about."
"Okay, Team Slay," Jisoo said, grabbing her purse. "Let's hit the club before Vanessa starts hyping herself even more."
"Impossible," Vanessa said with a grin. "I was born to hype."
The night was young, and Seoul was waiting. The girls piled into a taxi, their laughter echoing into the night as they sped off toward Gangnam. It was going to be a night to remember—or at least one they'd be talking about for weeks to come.