The Red Drop Mystery

Jisoo steadied herself as she weaved through the crowded dining hall. The noise of chattering girls, clinking trays, and footsteps filled the space. She was searching—scanning every table, every face—until her stomach twisted.

No sign of Kemiko.

Her fingers curled around the Dorami hairclip in her pocket. Panic was creeping in again, tightening around her chest. Did something happen? Was she too late?

Then—

"Ji Soo-ya~!"

A bright, chirpy voice cut through the noise.

"Over hereee~!" ⛅

Heads turned. Conversations paused.

She turned—only to see Kemiko, grinning and waving both arms from the doorway to the back kitchen, her head poking out like a curious kitten.

🐇• • • Oh. My. Goodness.

Heat crawled up her neck as secondhand embarrassment hit her like a truck.

Why are you like this, Kemiko?!

But despite the attention, despite the stares, relief washed over her.

Kemiko was here. Safe.

And as much as she wanted to bury herself alive from the looks people were giving, Jisoo was grateful for how shamelessly innocent Kemiko could be.

Because in that moment...

Kemiko saved Jisoo from another panic crying session. And of course—Saved her time.

...~•~...

Jisoo felt like every stare drilling into her back. It felt illegal to step through that door—like she was breaking some unspoken rule. But before she could overthink it—

⁉️

A sudden warmth crashed into her.

"Ji Soo-ya!"

Kemiko hugged her—tightly, like she'd just found a long-lost friend.

Jisoo froze. Completely.

Someone? Hugging me? — Her mind short-circuited.

...~•~...

I've only ever hugged my family and plushies. Soft and safe plushies. 🐇

Not people.

Especially not a stranger I met yesterday.

But... strangely enough... it wasn't as bad as it should be.

Wait, huh???

...~•~...

Earlier, Kemiko had been waiting in the dining hall for a while, and naturally, her presence didn't go unnoticed.

The head of the girls' dining hall—a warm but no-nonsense lady—had struck up a conversation, charmed by the small, energetic girl. One thing led to another.

And before Kemiko knew it, she was helping out in the kitchen, setting up for dinner.

By the time students flooded in, she was already familiar with the back area, cheerfully moving around while the kitchen staff worked. Even the student council members assigned to the dining hall watched, amused and slightly baffled.

A random first-year student who arrived yesterday, just there—like she belonged.

But Kemiko, as always, was unfazed. 😸

...~•~...

Now, Jisoo stood stiffly, watching Kemiko darted into a nearby public bathroom to freshen up and change to the clothes Jisoo brought her.

And Jisoo?

She was left awkwardly waiting.

Feeling so out of place.

Please don't look at me. Don't perceive me. I am not here, I don't exist — (>_<)

Her shoulders tensed. Too many people.

Jisoo wished she could disappear.

...~•~...

The dining hall was alive with chatter, clinking utensils, and the warm aroma of food filling the air. It was a normal dinner hour for everyone else.

But Jisoo... she barely touched her food, staring at the Kemiko's tray across from her.

"I'm sorry, Jisoo-ya..." — "Sorry for trouble." — " Sorry if I made you worry."

Jisoo nearly choked on her drink to Kemiko's apology.

...~•~...

Worry?

I was worried.

That was a fact.

But why?

I don't do worry. Not for strangers. Not for someone I barely met yesterday.

Worried? For someone outside of my family, my plushies, my things and myself?!

Nope! Not happening!

So why did this tiny, reckless, odd sunny girl made my guts twist in many ways I didn't like??

...~•~...

Jisoo blinked, quickly covering up her momentary inner conflict. She forced herself to look away, pretending the steam from her bowl was suddenly very interesting.

"You took too long changing," she mumbled.

"I know, I know," Kemiko admitted. 😸 "I had to be sure with something."

...~•~...

[Flashback to what took Kemiko so long.]

Inside the bathroom stall, Kemiko meticulously inspected every piece of clothing she had worn.

Every seam, every fold, every possible place something small could be hidden.

A tracker. A transmitter. A hidden bugs.

She wasn't paranoid—she was cautious.

Because she knew what it felt like to be watched.

And she had been alone.

That wasn't normal.

No one had followed her into the building, no one had approached her, yet the feeling never left.

The girls' housing was supposed to be secure. Illegally getting into the girls' housing should have been impossible. (Well... Almost.)

If someone really had eyes on her... How? (I have to know how because doing that is a no no 😾)

So checking? It shouldn't hurt a soul.

...~•~...

Nothing.

Not a single trace of anything suspicious.

That should have been a relief. That should've eased her mind.

But it didn't.

It only left a sinking feeling in her stomach.

Because if there was nothing, then that meant—Kemiko has zero idea of who or what was after her.

That could be far more dangerous. And now—She's back at zero.

Kemiko took a deep breath, shaking her head as she wrapped up her old clothes.

She needs to be careful.

She can't risk herself. She can't risk anyone.

...~•~...

Back in the present, Jisoo eyed the neatly wrapped bundle of clothes near Kemiko's seat.

A tiny thought flickered in the back of her mind.

There was definitely more to this girl than met the eye.

...~•~...

Kemiko swings her feet happily as she admired the outfit choice her roommate had picked for her.

"You're good at this Jisoo-ya." — "Do you like... dress up?" Kemiko's eyes sparkle. "You sew?"

"Not exactly... I..." — "I crochet." — "I design... My crocheted plush & dolls."

The word 'crochet' doesn't exist in the Kemi Verse until now. "Crochet? What is that?"

"It's... Something." Jisoo doesn't know how to explain herself.

??? (Clueless but not any less sunny Kemiko 🧶)

"Whatever it is... It sounds awesome!" ⛅ "Your dolls must be so happy!"

Jisoo nearly choked again. That was not how she expected anyone to react. But then again, Kemiko was an odd one. (I did say Kemiko's odd and it's lovely... But I didn't mean this! 🍓🐇)

She looked away, mumbling, "It's just a hobby."

Still, Jisoo couldn't deny she felt... oddly pleased.

As Kemiko continued rambling about how ✨amazing✨ she was, Jisoo's eyes drifted to the table—

To another wrapped bundle.

She frowned. That wasn't there earlier, was it?

...~•~...

The fabric was different from the one holding Kemiko's clothes. This one was small bundle. Deep blue, neatly folded and tied, like something precious was inside.

Kemiko noticed her staring and tilted her head. Then, as if reading her thoughts, she gave a reassuring smile.

"It's okay. No worry, Jisoo."

Jisoo didn't know why, but that only made her more worried.

...~•~...

Then, Kemiko suddenly perked up.

She spotted someone across the hall— Farasyah. 🦋

Kemiko quickly grabbed the small wrapped bundle and stood up.

"One moment, Jisoo-ya! I'll be back!" She chirped before skipping away. Heading to Farasyah who was going to exit the girls' dining hall.

Jisoo gripped her spoon a little tighter.

She was starting to think—Kemiko was more complicated than she first thought.

...~🇯🇵•🇸🇦~...

⛅ "Farasyah-san!"

She turned just in time to see Kemiko weaving through the tables towards her.

🦋 "Oh, Kemiko! What's up?" ^^

⛅ "I saw you. Want to say hi!" : )

🦋 (chuckled) "Well, hi to you too. You coming to the fun meeting later?"

⛅ "Yes! I'll be there!"

🦋 "Good. I was hoping you'd come." (adjusting her hijab) "Are you heading back to the housing now?"

⛅ "Not yet... maybe later?" — "Are you going back now, Farasyah-san?"

🦋 "Yeah, just for a bit before the event. Need to grab something."

⛅ "Oh, perfect!"

Kemiko quickly held up the deep blue fabric bundle she had been holding.

⛅ "Can you give this for me?" — "To the teacher's room? The one in charge of students?"

🦋 (takes the package carefully) "You mean the teacher in charge of our housing?"

⛅ "Yes!"

Farasyah studied the package, then glanced at Kemiko. Something about this felt... off.

🦋 "Do I need to say anything?" she asked carefully.

⛅ "Just... if possible, ask them to check it. The sooner, the better."

Farasyah's gaze lingered on her, thoughtful. But in the end, she nodded.

🦋 "Got it. I'll take care of it."

⛅ "Thank you!" — "Farasyah-san... you're the best!"

🦋 "Anytime. See you at the event?"

⛅ "Un! See you at the event!"

As Farasyah left, Kemiko stood there for a moment, watching her go.

Then, exhaling softly, she turned back towards the table where Jisoo is waiting.

You had done what you could, Miko.

...~•~...

Jisoo's eyes followed Kemiko from across the hall, watching as she talked to a girl Jisoo obviously doesn't know.

Then— ding!

She checks her phone. Full of message notifications.

She already knew the possibilities—it had to be either her sister, her parents or a school announcement. So she checked. 💌

언니 💕: 수야... 밥은 먹었어? | 그리고, 마음 바꿀 생각 없지? [Soo-ya... Did you eat? | Also, you're still not changing your mind?]

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard.

🍓나: 먹었어, 언니. 그리고 아니, 아직도 그 'Fun Meeting' 안 갈 거야. [I ate, eonnie. And no, I'm still not going to that 'Fun Meeting.']

She stopped.

Her eyes drifted back to Kemiko.

The small girl, bright and full of energy, talking and moving like she belonged here effortlessly.

Unlike herself.

…

…

🍓나: 아니, 잠깐... 아직 결정 못 했어. [Wait, no... I haven't made up my mind yet.]

She hit send before she could think too hard about it.

Then, other notifications caught her eye. This time, from the girls' housing group chat.

Usually, it was just official notices—curfew reminders, maintenance updates, nothing personal. But now, the chat was buzzing.

Her brows furrowed as she clicked in.

The admin had opened the chat for messages. The reason?

...~•~...

[Admin]: Confirming reports for the "Red Drop Mystery"

[Admin]: Who else received a red candy at their door?

Jisoo's stomach flipped.

The chat flooded with responses:

[User1]: I found one outside my room?? Thought my friend left it but no one claimed it??

[User2]: Wait, someone knocked before I found mine... but no one was there when I checked.

[User3]: Is this a prank?

[User4]: What if it's a secret starter? You know, warming up for the fun meeting tonight?

...~•~...

She exhaled sharply.

Red Drop Mystery... They really name it huh? — I don't get people in this school. To be honest... I don't get people anywhere. That's why I stick to my plush & projects.

She looks back at Kemiko who was now walking back. Slowly, Jisoo reached into her pocket, fingers brushing against the Dorami pin and the cherry candy.

This is totally not what I signed up for when I enroll to this school.

The messages continued to flood in, but her mind was already elsewhere.

She switched back to her private chat with her sister, Jihye.

Her hands trembled slightly as she snapped a picture of the two items.

🍓나: 언니... 'Red Drop Mystery' 에 대해서 할 말이 있어. [Eonnie... I have something to say about the 'Red Drop Mystery.']

💬 • • •

...~•~...

She hit send.

And the screen dimmed, leaving only her reflection staring back at her.

...~•~...

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