Pretend (Ryeji)

Chapter 39: Movie Premiere

"Ryujin~ " Her lover cooed, calling out from who knows where in the house. Truth be told, Ryujin didn't hear her.

Eyes trailed every inch of Yeji's closet for the box, a hint of curiosity and dread visible in them. Ryujin had spent the night again, but doing so may not have aided her paranoia. Such a feeling might be justified, or should it be after all that's happened? What probably shouldn't make sense did, and what probably should make sense didn't.

Maybe that's the most ludicrous thought she's ever contemplated in her life, specifically in this absurd context. Still, over the course of a few days, her mind has worked to no end with no limit. It's managed to rewire her initial, less panicky train of thought and believe an outlandish possibility she neglected to consider beforehand. Perhaps if she had paid attention sooner, she would've already had her answer.

But she doesn't, and it appears the only way to deal with this now is to dive headfirst. No more testing the waters.

"Ready to go?" Yeji held out her palm, a wiggling of her fingers indicating she'd like for Ryujin to accept her silent request to hold hands. They've been busy lately, and she's learned that after spending some time apart, Yeji fancies the way their palms fit together. It appears she's fond of the feeling she receives when their fingers interlock loosely, similar to how the younger particularly enjoys Yeji's shoulders or arms as a headrest after a long day.

Ryujin had determined by now that it was a preference of Yeji's, that the only time Yeji would settle for a firm hold was when an emotional topic was brought up or somebody around them had sparked some jealousy. Although a rare sight as of recent, the latter was certainly amusing.

"Yeah." She sighs, a crooked smile present on her lips. Regardless of her worries, it's the content type.

It seems diving right in will have to wait several hours.

Today was the day. Looking back on it, Ryujin deduced it all to be quite the handful. Any guesses she developed regarding the outcome of her and Yeji''s journey together would've never reached this end.

Yet somehow, it has.

Despite the pitiful hatred she carried around toward a particular Hwang throughout her day-to-day life in the past, somehow that anger dissipated into understanding, not just about Yeji but also herself. The feeble flame that had kindled in their time spent together before that day seemed to linger since their teenage years, supposing that deep down, Ryujin recognized her older sister's advice early on.

Considering neither Ryujin nor Yeji truly exited each other's lives since they'd met and simply continued to add fuel to the fire between them, Ryujin found their story a bit ridiculous. She's grateful, though, for this outcome. Out of the millions of possibilities she could've been left with, even if she had no idea it could be what she wanted at the start, they were the product of it all. And after the hardships they faced during their beginning, now that the once rapid waves are calm...

It almost feels too good to be true.

Maybe Yeji's excitement is why she doesn't stop to question her girlfriend on the lack of words exchanged through them today or yesterday. Or maybe she has noticed and doesn't want to ask before the big event, desiring to save the topic for when they leave later tonight. Whatever the case, the oddity surrounding it baffles Ryujin.

Yeji usually never hesitated to improve her partner's mood, often discovering new ways to complete that goal. If she's aware a part of Ryujin has reason to be unsettled, that could be the answer to that question.

The drive didn't take long, or maybe that's because her mind was racing the entire time. At their designated location, in seats reserved explicitly for them two, Ryujin leans back and gets comfortable, adjusting her shoulders as she saw fit. If her unwanted thoughts didn't keep her busy, this premiere would be the runner-up.