Ryujin
It has been a few months since Yeji's seeming confession that she likes Ryujin. Well, at least to the brunette that was what it looked and sounded like. And a lot has happened since.
It started with Ryujin walking her to class every morning. Without fail, she would wake up early and fix herself up, drive towards Yeji's dorm, and wait for her to come out so they could head to classes together. Even on days when Ryujin didn't have hers until the latter part of the day.
Later on, she would be invited inside while waiting – drinking the feline eye's brewed coffee, listening to whatever music was put on in the living room.
The old toy came back to its place, and Ryujin relearned how to solve it. Every color would be picked by Yeji, and there's nothing more beautiful than hearing her amused laugh whenever she sees the brunette trying hard, eyebrows crossed and too focused in trying to figure the puzzle out.
She would look up and feign an annoyed face, but always chuckle back after a few seconds, anyway.
It then progressed to them having most lunches together.
Ryuin would buy Yeji's favorites and invite her to eat out in the benches of the track field. Other days, Yeji would bring her her cooking – two lunch boxes and two pairs of matching chopsticks. The latter would always remark that she needs to eat healthier.
Sometimes, they would hold hands – when crossing a street without pedestrians, during a hike that their friend groups went to, when watching a scary movie. Ryujin would hold herself back in holding her hand without purpose. She couldn't count the many times when she wanted to.
The many times when a goodbye hug wasn't just a goodbye hug after walking her to her unit.
The many times when she wanted to stay a little longer. When she wanted to lay it all out there and confess her feelings.
But she halted every time.
She would tell herself not to risk it – that it's better to have her like this than not have her at all.
What if a best friend is all I'll ever be to her?
But she gets more impatient by the day.
Especially when she sees other people staring at the feline eye a little too long. New classmates who ask for her help a little too often. Juniors who conveniently run into her in the library and occupy the space that was once only theirs.
One more trigger might just do it for her.
"Ryuddaeng?"
She was brought to her consciousness by the familiar voice, calling her the nickname she only uses.
She automatically smiled and looked up at her.
"Yeddeong."
"What's on your mind?"
The girl sat in front of her with a smirk on her face.
You.
"Just this... lesson in class I cannot seem to understand."
"Hmmm."
"It's true. There are some concepts that I cannot seem to get. For one-"
Their conversation was cut off by a classmate.
Not hers – Yeji's.
"Yeji-ah. Hey."
Yeji turned her attention to the girl – temporarily forgetting Ryujin in front of her.
Something about a lesson that she missed, asking for notes. And... time? Asking for help from Yeji and asking to meet her somewhere.
"Saturday? Let me recall if I have somewhere to be on Saturday."
Yeji opened up the calendar app on her phone and checked.
Just as she's about to answer, Ryujin wasn't able to control herself and butted in.
"We have somewhere to be."
She smiled timidly and turned her attention to the classmate.
"We do?" The feline eye answered confusedly.
"Yes. I got us tickets to that temporary exhibit and forgot to tell you."
Yeji's eyes lit up.
"Really?"
Ryujin lied.
"Yes."
"Oh. It seems like Saturday is a no for me, Soyeon-ah."
The girl nodded and bowed her way out of the cafeteria.
Yeji steered, shifted her focus on her, and smirked.
"You've never been a good liar, Ryuddaeng."
Her brows crossed.
"W-"
"Even when you were still so closed off, you couldn't lie without giving up a hint."
She paused.
"I consider this a good thing."
Ryujin only nodded.
"So... what's wrong? You've been so distracted recently. And why not let me help a colleague out? Is there a crime you want to confess to me on Saturday?"
Ryujin bowed her head and sighed.
"You're right. There were no tickets left. I tried for three days."
Yeji chuckled and walked towards her side of the bench to sit beside her, held her arm softly and met her eyes.
"So what's up? Are you alright?"
Ryujin gulped. Despite being with her everyday, she still gets nervous whenever they're this close. Something that she has never thought of feeling – ever – had she continued her carefree life of wasting her days with people she cannot even remember the names of.
But everything's different now. She would give up all her memories of the past just to get another chance.
"I- I am alright. I'm just not comfortable with you hanging out with that Soyeon."
"Soyeon-ah? Why, what's wrong with he-"
"Or anyone else." Ryuin cut the brunette off. "At least not any of those who clearly like you."
Yeji paused and gave her an amused look.
"Hmmm."
Another pause.
"I see."
She waited until Ryujin was looking at her before continuing.
"Why don't you do something about it, then?"
The brunette's eyes grew wide and her heart almost leapt out of her chest as Yeji smirked at her playfully and stood up as if nothing happened. As if she didn't just drop the biggest opening, the chance that Ryujin has been waiting for, for months.
The feline eyed grabbed her bag and started to walk away.
"See you after class?"
Ryujin was frozen in place and could only nod.
There was no way that she misheard or misinterpreted any of that.
Despite feeling shaken up because of the interaction, the brunette forced herself to stand up and walk towards her building – a huge smile plastered on her face, and not a care in the world with whoever sees.