Chapter 6
Practice room.
It was a normal day for the group. They were about to come back with a new album and they had to learn the choreography for their title track first. It was the second crucial thing after nailing the vocals and the lyrics for the song. The dance line (Chaeryeong, Ryujin and Yeji) was the quickest to learn the new moves, but the rest needed a little extra practice to accomplish the same. As the leader Yeji took responsibility to teach them separately, btu she also paid attention to everyone else. She noticed that Ryujin sat alone, away from the others. She wondered why that was. After the end of the dancing session she knelt next to Ryujin.
„What’s wrong?” She asked, still catching her breath.
„You are always with Yuna.” Ryujin didn’t even look at her when she answered.
Yeji took a sip of water, frowning.
„Yes, because she is the maknae and she needs extra attention and guidance.”
She tried to explain it plainly, but apparently Ryujin wasn’t satisfied with her answer.
„U-hu.”
„As the leader it’s my job to –„ She continued to explain but she was cut off with an attitude.
„To make everyone the best version of themselves. Yes, I know. But what about your other responsibilities?” Ryujin looked at her, her eyebrows curled upwards questioningly.
„Like what?” Yeji was confused. She thought she did her best to be there for everyone and fulfil her duty.
„Making sure each member is okay.” Ryujin added.
„I just asked you what’s wrong! If you keep talking in riddles I can’t help.” She started to grow impatient so she stood up, still recovering strength in her legs. She paced up and down for a few moments when finally Ryujin spoke, but in a faint voice.
„I need you.”
She looked at the smaller girl. Ryujin always showed to be tough but now all she could see was a helpless, soft and sad kitten sitting on the floor.
„Aw, but I’m right here.” She hugged Ryujin who reluctantly acceptted. „I’m always here for you.” She felt Ryujin nuzzling into her neck but the moment only lasted for a few seconds because she pulled away. „Listen, I will practise a little more with Yuna and then meet you in our room. You go eat and rest. Okay?” She squeezed Ryujin’s shoulders softly.
„Sure...”
It broke her heart to see Ryujinnie so gloomy but she also had to put success of the group first. She had something in her mind to make up with Ryujin.
„See you soon!”
They parted ways and Yeji stayed to practice. It took longer than she expected it and it was almost midnight when she arrived back to the dormitory. She opened the door slowly and gently, luckily it didn’t creak, then she proceeded to tiptoe around the small room.
„Hey, Ryujinnie, are you still up?” She asked in a whisper, afraid she would wake Ryujin if she was sleeping.
„Yeah.” A faint sound came from the direction of the lowed bunkbed so Yeji took out her phone to have a little light and sat next to Ryujin.
„Are you still upset about that?” She asked after seeing the gloom hasn’t left Ryujin’s face.
„About what?”
„Me...spending time with Yuna.”
„Maybe...”
Again with the not looking at her and the attitude. She was sure Ryujin would drive her crazy someday.
„I can’t believe you are jealous of her.” She tried to cheer the other up, nudging her side playfully. „Come on, Ryujin! We have been roommates for years! You know I care about you!”
„Do you?” But Ryujin was not ready to give in yet so she played her reverse card.
„Yes. In fact, I should be the one to be jealous.” Now it got Ryujin’s attention and finally looked at her.
„Oh really? Why is that?” Ryujin sat up, pulling her knees up.
„I’m always the last one on your mind. Like, whenever someone asks during an interview who you would date if you were a boy in the group, you never say my name! Like last time, you said Lia had the cutest smile and straight on rejected me. In front of the camera!” It was not only a tease, it truly hurt Yeji. After all the precious time spent together, the teasing, the signals…she was hurt because she felt played.
It has been bothering Yeji for a while and now seemed to be the perfect moment to bring it up as they were both talking about their feelings. But apparently it only made Ryujin even sadder.
„You know why I do it?” Ryujin spoke in a low but soft tone while she played with her fingers.
„I don’t know, why?” Yeji noticed the other’s anxiousness and frowned.
„Because I’m afraid if I said your name all my acting skills would disappear and people would notice it. So I just say random stuff.”
Yeji blinked slowly. The words took their time to reach her brain and the process took even longer. The realization of what Ryujin was saying only hit her now in the face.
„You fancy me?” She asked bluntly, then quickly covered her mouth when she realized what she just asked.
Ryujin’s hair fell into her face and hid it so Yeji couldn’t tell if she was blushing or not.
„Of course I do! I have been flirting with you ever since we chatted for the first time and I saw your profile picture!”
Yeji blinked again and warmth filled her chest. The room felt hot but she was frozen in place. All this time, she was so blind. The signals were plain, she was just too busy with her own feelings to notice. The other girl turned to face her and their eyes locked. Yeji gulped and her gaze unintentionally dropped down to Ryujin’s lips. They slowly leaned towards each other. Yeji’s heart was thumping uncontrollably as they got so close they were only a few inches away.
-Knock knock–
They both turned to the door hastily, like scared cats who were just about to steal the butter.
„Who is it?!” Ryujin shouted, annoyed.
„It’s me, Yuna.” The voice from the other side of the door was soft.
Yeji looked at Ryujin who seemed to be disappointed. It was a really bad timing, to say the least, but Yeji was determined, now that she knew the truth.
„Come in!” Yeji shouted, inviting Yuna inside.
„Hey guys, sorry. You left this at the practise room.” The youngest girl was humbly apologizing, a piece of fabric in her hand.
Yuna handed Yeji her sweatshirt.
„Oh, thank you!” Yeji took the clothing and put on a small smile.
„You’re welcome. Sorry girls, good night!”
She left as fast as she came and the girls fell into silence. Ryujin broke the ice first with a sigh and leaned on her back, covering her eyes with her forearm.
Yeji threw the sweatshirt on the floor and without contemplation she crawled on top of Ryujin. The other girl had no time to react because Yeji already leaned down to kiss her exposed lips.
It was a brief but passionate kiss. Yeji broke it and straightened her back, looking down on Ryujin, trying to read her expression.
„Wow.” Ryujin breathed out and Yeji panicked.
„I’m sorry. Was it bad? Am I a bad kisser? I’ve never kissed anyone bef-„
„Shut up and do it again.”
Ryujin grabbed her by the fabric of her shirt and pulled her down for another kiss, this time holding on to it much longer.
After that night no more complaints were received from Ryujin.