Jet lag still clings to Ichika’s bones when she wakes up that morning, making them feel too heavy and awkward as she pushes aside her sheets and staggers towards her suitcase, groaning as she bends to open it. She had tried to repack her clothes as neatly as possible once she had returned to her dorm, but through the blur in her eyes, she is less delicate, shifting through her clothes until she had finds what she was looking for. She hardly looks like a princess when she enters the adjoining bathroom and starts getting ready for the day.
She had wanted to get up early but the time change had made it hard and there was no doubt in her mind that people were already up, preparing already for the big meal. So much for a good first impression, she thinks to herself sometime in the shower as she ran her fingers through her hair. She hates not living up to her own plans and standards, but at this point she thinks the least she could do was look presentable.
Sometime later, once her hair had been dried and styled, and her make-up on, Ichika emerges from her room, and carefully makes her way down the hall. She hadn’t expected Alex’s parents' home to be so big, and she really hadn't had a good chance to look when she had arrived late the night before. Just before she reaches the end of the hall, Ichika paused and smooths out her skirt.
With some relief, she notices Alex ( @lgcalex ) first and moves quietly to stand next to him. She doesn’t know if he notices her at first, but she doesn't hesitate before speaking. “Does your mother need help?” She asks softly, unable to completely hide her nervous energy. She hates being nervous but surely being invited to spend Chuseok with her boyfriend's family warranted it somewhat. “I’m sorry I slept so late.”