The club was on the lower deck, down a short hallway near the dining area. The bass was audible before they even reached the door, and colored light flickered through the gap at the bottom.
Warren kept his voice low as they walked. "I still think this is a bad idea."
"Same," Vin Jin said, watching Moon Seong's back ahead of them.
Warren glanced at Sally. She was talking to Sujin, already speculating about what the inside would look like.
Inside, the space was better than expected. Low lighting, a polished bar along one wall, booths arranged around a small dance floor, and a DJ in the corner. Around twenty or thirty other passengers were scattered through the room. The atmosphere was easy and warm.
A crew member at the entrance checked IDs from a small podium. "Welcome. Just so you know, no alcohol for anyone under twenty." He stamped the hands of Sally, Sujin, Max, Derrick, Vin Jin, and Warren with a bright red mark. "The bartender will know what that means. Soft drinks and mocktails only."
"That's fine," Sally said.
Jenny's group passed through without stamps. Moon Seong grinned. "First round's on me."
They took two large booths near the dance floor. The music was loud but not loud enough to kill conversation. Sally sat between Sujin and Warren. The others spread out around the booths.
Moon Seong stood up. "I'll get the drinks," he said, heading to the bar with Joseph.
The bartender had long, shaggy black hair that fell past his ears, bangs partially covering his eyes. His sleeves were rolled up, showing lean, muscular forearms. His name tag read Minyul Cheon.
"What can I get you?" Minyul asked. His voice was calm and even.
Moon Seong listed the orders. Beer, soju cocktails, wine for Jenny. For the stamped group, he ordered virgin mojitos, fruit smoothies, and sparkling juice. Minyul moved through it efficiently, his hands steady as he mixed everything.
"Big group tonight?" he asked.
Joseph leaned against the bar. "We're doing the Jeju cruise. Celebrating existing, I guess."
Minyul's mouth turned up slightly. "Best reason there is."
They carried the drinks back in batches. Sally's virgin mojito was mint and lime and fizzy. She took a sip and raised her eyebrows. It was actually good.
Max stirred his smoothie. "Bet the real version tastes better."
"You've never had a real mojito," Derrick said.
"I'm making an educated guess."
As the night went on, more passengers came in and the floor got busier. The DJ shifted to faster tracks and people started moving.
Jenny was on her third drink, her cheeks pink. She grabbed Sally's arm. "We should dance!"
Sally laughed. "I'm really not a dancer."
"Just a little!" Jenny tugged harder.
Jaeryeong stood up from the booth. "I'll go too," he said simply.
Hyesun grabbed Sujin by the wrist and pulled her up without asking.
Sally let herself get dragged onto the floor with the rest of them. The music hit her and she stopped thinking about whether she looked awkward. She just moved with it.
Warren stayed in the booth and watched.
Jinho leaned toward him. "You're staring. You like her, don't you?"
"I'm keeping an eye on my friend," Warren said.
Jinho smiled. "Sure."
Moon Seong and Joseph went back to the bar for another round and came back with stronger drinks for the ones who could have them. Jenny took a shot of soju and then another. Jaeryeong followed her, giggling between drinks. Heesu sat back in his seat and stayed quiet the whole time.
An hour passed. Jenny was clearly drunk now, swaying even while seated. Jaeryeong had her head on the table with a sleepy smile. Hyesun nursed what was left of her wine, her eyes heavy.
Jenny stood up fast and nearly tipped over. She grabbed the table edge. "I need the bathroom."
Jaeryeong waved at her weakly from the table. "Go. I'm staying here."
Hyesun just shook her head, barely tracking.
Jenny looked around and found Sally. "Can you come with me?"
Sally was already standing. "Yeah, let's go."
Warren watched Sally loop an arm around Jenny and steer her toward the exit. Something about it sat wrong with him.
Sally looked back. "I'll be right back."
Warren waited about thirty seconds. Then he stood up.
Vin Jin looked at him. "Where are you going?"
"Bathroom," Warren said and walked out.
Vin Jin watched the door close behind him and said nothing. He checked his phone. Fifteen minutes passed. Then closer to twenty. He stood up.
Max looked over. "You heading out?"
"Going to check on them," Vin Jin said. "They've been gone too long."
"Want me to come?"
"No. Stay here."
Vin Jin walked out of the club and into the hallway. The corridor was dim and quiet, a different world from the noise behind him. He put his hands in his pockets and kept moving.