. "I'll pick you up in an hour. Get ready to shine, girl!" Mina said, before hanging up. Yujin stared at the phone for a moment, processing what she'd just agreed to. She wasn't sure what she was

wing with excitement. She bounced on the balls of her feet, practically vibrating with energy. "Because you need to have fun, Yujin! It's been too long! You've been holed up in your apartment, wallowing in rejection emails. It's time to forget all that crap for one night." Yujin let out a sigh, feeling a twinge of guilt for abandoning her responsibilities, but she couldn't help it. Mina was right. Maybe one night wouldn't kill her. Mina grinned and pulled something out of her pocket-a small, sleek package, which she waved in front of Yujin's face like it was some kind of treasure. "Guess what? I got us Dream Bliss! You know, that herbal thing everyone's talking about? It's supposed to make you feel like you're in a dream, like floating." Yujin frowned, raising an eyebrow. "Isn't that the drug that got banned in Japan?" Mina just shrugged, her grin widening. "Legal here, babe. Besides, people swear by it. They say it's the best way to get that floating feeling without having to deal with the aftermath of something stronger." Yujin hesitated, her fingers gripping her drink tighter as she processed the offer. She wasn't usually one for taking risks like this, but then her mind wandered. The constant stream of rejection emails. Her landlord's condescending stare when she couldn't pay on time. The mounting pressure of having nothing to show for her degree. It felt like everything was closing in on her, and suddenly, a small, irrational part of her thought: Maybe this is the escape I need. With a deep breath, she grabbed the small package from Mina and tore it open. She didn't even ask what was inside. She just wanted to feel something-anything-that wasn't failure. The rich scent of chocolate hit her nose first. It was a brownie. Dense, slightly warm, flecked with crumbs sticking to the wrapping. Without hesitation,