Meeting at the party is really for the best. If things go sideways, it's easy for them to go their separate ways. Things aren't completely smoothed over with them yet. Seung doesn't expect them to be. What he did to Jay in Japan was nothing short of cruel and he can't expect to be forgiven without some significant effort on his part. And even then, no one says Jay has to get over it. In the end, it's not up to Seung.

So they picked a time and place to meet, some party one of the people in Seung's study group is hosting. He didn't tell Jay what he'd be wearing. It's a ridiculous costume, to be sure. Jay will either find it amusing or absolutely distasteful. At least Seung's giving him a reason to bail on the party if they argue or just hit another bump.

The party's in one of those houses rented to grad students near campus. Five or six people live there; Seung only vaguely knows three of them. It's decorated inside and out with dollar store decorations. A for effort, at least. There's festive food and drinks a-plenty. Seung's got a beer in each hand and he's watching the door for Jay's arrival.