Hershe (Ryeji ver.)

21 - Dude

Immediately after Ryujin closed the door behind, her phone rang. She fished for her phone from her back pocket and her lips curved upwards when she saw the caller's name.

"Hey, Dad."

Yeji is in front of the closet, choosing what to wear for the dinner party.

"Yeah. I'm here in Haeundae... We arrived yesterday... I'm with some friends and Heejin... Yeah. The Heejin I introduced to you before. Yes. It was her birthday yesterday... Sure. I'll tell her you said hi... No, Dad. Hahaha! We're not together. No! She's with her boyfriend right now..."

Yeji raised an eyebrow. So Ryujin's dad had met Heejin before.

"What's your plan for your birthday?" Ryujin asked her dad. "Of course, I'll visit you. Oh. I see. Okay. I'll catch you later then... Yeah. Don't forget your dinner too... Bye, Dad... I love you too..."

Ryujin put her phone down on the bedside table and went to the bathroom.

Yeji was getting something from her duffel bag when Ryujin's phone rang again. She took that opportunity to peek at the caller and saw the familiar picture of Ryujin and Chaeryeong with Taipei 101 in the background.

She heard the flush in the bathroom and the door creaked open. Yeji hurried to pretend to do something.

"Oh, is that my phone?" Ryujin picked her phone quickly. "Hey, Chaeryeong. What's up?" She walked towards the balcony door, opening it and stepping outside.

Yeji was left confused inside the room, wondering why Ryujin's okay with her hearing the conversation with her dad but not with Chaeryeong.

---

"Heejin loved your flowers," said Ryujin.

"That's nice to hear. How's your trip so far?" asked Chaeryeong on the other line.

"It's great. We're enjoying our stay here."

"Wait. Wait. You said 'we' or is it just you who's enjoying everything?"

Ryujin glanced at the person inside the room and averted her gaze quickly when their eyes met. "It might be hard to believe it, but I think she's enjoying the trip too."

"To be honest, I won't be surprised if she does. But what makes you think so?"

"She's in the mood to do everything: pretending in front of Heejin and strolling around here. She even asked me to buy a couple's necklace and get a couple's henna tattoo."

"What? She did that? Wow, Ryujin. Don't you think it's too much for acting?"

"I know. But what if she's just having fun? What if she's just doing this to help me?"

"Help you get back with Heejin? Ryujin, if she really wants that to happen there's no need for her to do what she's doing right now," said Chaeryeong. "My deduction is... I think she's doing that because she wants to keep you away from Heejin."

Ryujin knitted her brows, thinking.

"I still stand by my old statement: I really believe that she likes you," added Chaeryeong. "Why don't you confess to her tonight?"

Ryujin never thought of doing it yet because she knows that it's impossible for Yeji to reciprocate her feelings.

"Don't you think it's too early for that?" she said.

"Early for what? You're already doing what a real couple does."

"Not really. We haven't kissed yet." Ryujin giggled at the thought.