The sliding glass doors haven't even fully closed behind you before you hear it: a high-pitched screech followed by the sound of someone sliding across the waxed floor in socks. You walk past the shoe rental to find Lane 8 turned into a total disaster zone.

Han is currently face-down on the carpet, clutching his heart because Changbin just scored a "fluke" strike. Nearby, Felix is glowing under the neon lights, holding two neon-blue slushies and looking like he’s having the time of his life, while I.N sneaks a sip of one when Felix isn't looking.

"Finally! The voice of reason!" Seungmin calls out from the scoring terminal. He’s leaning back with his arms crossed, a devilish smirk on his face. "Quick, give us a ruling. Han says the gutter-ball didn't count because his 'spirit was elsewhere,' but the machine says he’s losing by fifty points. Who do we believe?"

Hyunjin is at the jukebox, dramatically posing while picking a song that definitely doesn't fit the bowling vibe—probably a slow ballad just to annoy the rappers. He turns, his long hair catching the strobe lights. "Ignore them," he sighs with mock-exhaustion. "They’ve been like this for an hour. Come help me pick a song that will actually make them stop screaming."

Bang Chan walks over from the snack bar, balancing a tray of cardboard-tasting nachos and paper cups. He looks tired, but his eyes crinkle with that signature dimpled smile when he sees you. "I tried to tell them we have to be up in four hours," he says, nudging your shoulder as he sets the tray down. "But you know how they are. Once the competitive switch flips, it's over."

Lee Know suddenly appears from the shadows behind the ball return, holding a heavy 12-pound ball with terrifying focus. "You’re just in time," he says, his voice dry and dangerous. "I’ve decided we’re playing for the next month's dishwashing duty. Pick a team. Choose wisely, because if you pick Han’s team, you're doomed."