Twisted Games(Ryeji ver)

YEJI[CHAPTER 6]

TRIAL MONTH ONE

“You’re joking.” I pulled the black vest out of the
package, letting it dangle from my fingers like a dirty piece
of laundry.

Ryujin sipped her coffee and didn’t look up from her
newspaper.

“I don’t joke about safety.”

“This is a bulletproof vest.”

“I’m aware. I bought it.”
Inhale. Exhale.

“Ms. Shin, please explain why I need a
bulletproof vest. Where am I supposed to wear it, class? My
next volunteer shift?”

“To protect you against bullets, and sure. If you’d like.”
A muscle twitched beneath my eye. It’d been a month
since we agreed to our deal, and I got it. I’d messed up. I
never should’ve snuck out with Minjeong, but she’d been so down about her relationship troubles with Jimin and I’d wanted to
cheer her up. Obviously, it had backfired, big time.

The kidnapping incident had thrown a bucket of cold
water over my previously rosy outlook on personal safety,
and I was committed to acting more responsibly. I hated
admitting when Ryujin was right because she was such an
arrogant ass about it most of the time, but she put her life on
the line for me every day. However, she also seemed intent on
making me renege on the deal by throwing the most
outrageous suggestions my way.
Like a freakin’ bulletproof vest.

“I bought the vest as a just-in-case item,” Ryujin said
mildly. “Now that you mention it, we should take it for a test
spin next time you’re in public.”

Take out the chip, and I’ll do what you say, when you say it, as
long as it’s security- related. I promise.

I gritted my teeth. Ryujin had taken the chip out, and I
didn’t break my promises.

“Fine.” A lightbulb flashed in my head, and a slow smile
spread across my face. “I’ll put it on now.”
She finally raised her head, her face dark with suspicion at
how easily I’d capitulated.

“Where are we going?”

“Shopping.” If there was one thing Ryujin hated, it was accompanying me shopping.
My smile widened when her face darkened further.
This is going to be fun.
An hour later, we arrived at the Hazelburg Mall, a four-
story mecca of stores I could torture Ryujin with. Luckily, it
was winter, which meant I could hide most of the vest’s bulk
beneath a chunky sweater and coat.

According to Ryujin, she’d bought a lighter version for me,
but the vest was still hot, heavy, and awkward. I almost
regretted my shopping revenge plan, but Ryujin's ferocious
scowl made it all worth it…until catastrophe struck.
I was trying on clothes in our dozenth boutique of the day
when I got stuck in a dress. I’d accidentally grabbed the
wrong size, and the unforgiving material dug into my
ribcage while trapping my arms above my head. I couldn’t
see, and I could barely move.

“Shit.” I rarely cursed, but the situation called for it. One
of my lifelong irrational fears was getting stuck in clothing
in a store.

“What’s wrong?” Ryujin demanded from outside the
dressing room. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes.” I pinched the sides of the dress and tried pulling it
up again, to no avail. “I’m fine.”

Ten minutes later, I was sweating and panting from
exertion and the lack of fresh air, and my arms ached from
being held up so long.
Shit, shit, shit.

“What the hell is going on in there?” Ryujin's annoyance
came through the door, loud and clear. “You’re taking too
long.” I had no choice. I had to ask for help.
“Can you call a sales assistant over? I need their help with a, uh, clothing issue.” There was a long pause.