Yeji
Contrary to what she was expecting, Yeji actually slept like a baby after the DTR talk with Ryujin. It was the exact opposite of those nights when she was uncertain about everything.
It also ironically didn't feel exactly like how they describe it in the books and movies. Yes, she was giddy and jumping out of joy (internally, of course) when they finished the conversation. Who wouldn't?
But the biggest part of it was the calm – how good and satisfying it felt to finally let go of all the things she's been holding back for so long. It felt like literal baggage had been offloaded from her chest.
When she woke up the day after, the first thought that she had was.
Wow. I have a girlfriend.
She smiled to herself as she stared blankly at the ceiling of her bed.
Not even a minute later, she heard a soft knock on her door.
She panicked a little but then remembered that she had company. Right, Ryujin stayed the night in the guest bedroom.
She cleared her throat and answered. "It's open."
She sat up properly and waited for the other girl to come in.
After a couple of minutes, the door slowly opened and Ryujin's head peeked in.
"H-hey."
"Good morning."
Yeji smiled and motioned for her to come in but Ryujin stayed glued to the door.
"Sorry Yeji-ah. There's a bit of an emergency in the kitchen, if you don't mind checking it out please."
Confused, Yeji stood up and walked directly to the kitchen.
She took her time to look around – the floor was wet. It looked like an aftermath of a poor attempt of cleaning whatever was spilled, or sprinkled. She looked up and saw droplets around the sprinkler. She also spotted the pile of used kitchen tissue sticking out of the garbage can.
She glanced towards the stove and saw burnt bread (?) on a plate. The pan was still full of black crumbs, and the spatula carried some of the evidence too.
She took a breath and started to tie her hair up.
"S-sorry, Yeji-ah. I tried to make breakfast for us and I-"
Ryujin explained behind her, voice shaking.
"I accidentally burnt the bread and activated the sprinkler on."
It took everything in Yeji to hold herself back and not laugh – so as to not make the other girl feel bad. But she must admit that, despite the huge semi-destruction that happened in her once clean kitchen, she found the gesture endearing. Only it didn't result in how she wanted it to.
She turned around and saw the brunette's eyes focused on the floor.
"I appreciate it, really. And it's really cute."
She paused, slowly held Ryujin's chin and tilted her head up so that their eyes were meeting.
"It was really sweet." She reassured her and gave her a quick peck.
Surprise was evident from the brunette's eyes – but really, Yeji was also bewildered by her actions. But she was feeling a little brave since earlier that morning and didn't see anything wrong with making the first move. Besides, they're girlfriends now.
"But someone's gotta clean this up, right? And I'm guessing I'm the only one who knows how to properly do so." She continued in a teasing tone.
"So you better buy me breakfast."
"Of course, is there anything specific that you want, J-jagiya?"
Yeji's brows shoot up, struggling to keep her squeals to herself. It sounded so good leaving her mouth.
"Jagiya? Hmm. Surprise me."
She smirked and this caused an even more reddening of the brunette's cheeks.
After about half an hour, the kitchen looked as clean as it was before. The pan needed a bit more washing but everything else went back to their usual places.
Thinking about it, it was the first time that the fire sprinkler was triggered and she was glad to know that it was indeed working. She chuckled again, recalling the look on her girlfriend's face when she thought Yeji would be mad.
How could she ever get mad at her, though?
Soon after, she heard a knock on the door.
Ryujin came in carrying two big paper bags of food. From the looks of it, she went into at least three different restaurants.
"W- why did you buy food for eight people?"
Yeji's mouth was hanging open as the brunette took out the boxes of food one by one.
"This is an egg and ham sandwich from that local place near the street's corner."
"A doenjang jjigae from your favorite place."
"Gyeran bap."
"Rice cake and vegetable stir fry."
"Boiled eggs."
"And some tea and hot coffee that you can choose from."
She was sporting a proud grin when she finished taking out everything and laying them on the table.
"B-baby, you bought too much." Yeji was still in awe but obliged, anyway, when Ryujin pulled the chair and motioned for her to sit.
"I'm still figuring out everything that you like, so eat up. Baby."
The grin hasn't left the brunette's face since she came back in, and it was a sight that Yeji could get used to every day.
They ate, exchanged stories and soon after, it was time for Ryujin to leave.
"Hey before you go, the girls are asking if we'd like to hang out tomorrow?"
Ryujin pulled out her phone.
"They did? I didn't receive any."
"They texted me, said they knew you'd be here."
Ryujin blushed.
"Oh. Okay. I'm down for a hang out. I'll pick you up here tomorrow?"
"Okay."
"Okay."
Ryujin leaned in for a quick embrace before heading out.
It felt so natural – ironic to the fact that it was both their first time to commit, but more so because of the fact that Yeji has never had any desire, nor curiosity in anything relationship related. And Ryujin felt like the only appropriate force to break that.
Now, she waits for her good morning messages. She looks forward to seeing her every morning before going to class, and their walk back to the dorm when the day ends has become her favorite routine.
She almost found it ridiculous whenever she remembered the time when she wished to go back to being just alright – because Ryujin has made her feel something much more.
Everything feels as if she's discovering new colors for the first time. And she's ready to discover a lot more.
a/n
Almost to the end. I'd like to type in here a quick thank you to all who stuck around until this chapter. Appreciate all of you :'>