Hanbok || 2Shin (English version)

Third chapter

Ryujin was, as usual, in her dorm room. It was the beginning of November, which meant that the awards ceremony, which was always held at the end of the year, was just around the corner. She didn't meet Yuna that day, but she had chatted with her. It was something that was never missing in her day-to-day life.

Ryujin was happy. She met with Yuna at least twice a week, sometimes even three or four times. They always did the same thing: they would meet, make sure no one would come to interrupt them and chat, making sure to always practice a choreography. Yuna once asked if it was really necessary.

"It is," Ryujin replied. "It would be strange to leave here fresh as a daisy, don't you think?"

So, they practiced all the time. Although it was fun, the main attraction for Ryujin was being with Yuna. Talking to her, telling her about her day and having Yuna tell her about hers, hugging her, caressing her hair and inhaling her fragrance. And kissing her, of course.

At first, there was some awkwardness in her meetings with Yuna. It was as if the two were meeting for the first time, again. But it didn't take many afternoons for that feeling to disappear. They went back to being the friends they had always been, but with the added bonus of their clandestine relationship.

"I'm bored," Yeji's voice brought Ryujin out of her reverie. "I didn't think I was going to say it, but here I am."

"Lots of free time but little freedom of movement," Ryujin said, distracted.

Yeji grunted.

"That's right. I could join you one of these days to practice with Yuna."

The comment brought Ryujin's attention back. She wouldn't mind if Yeji went once or twice. It would please her, in fact. She just hoped Yeji wouldn't want to go to all their meetings, as Ryujin and Yuna would have to pretend.

"Erm, sure," Ryujin replied. "We could use your help practicing."

Yeji nodded and went back to her computer.

"I'll go to the practice room tomorrow," Ryujin reported.

"Again? You've been there three times this week."

"Yeah, but there's not much else to do, y'know?" Ryujin said, casually.

"Well, have fun and the usual. I'll join you two another time."

---

Hwang Yeji considered herself an observant person. She kept an eye on everything her members did, and was careful about her own actions. She liked to be informed about relevant events and always insisted on being told as soon as possible when they had to prepare for a comeback. She also liked to pay attention to details.

It was Yeji's boredom, combined with her free time and her eye always on the ITZY members, that made her notice the details of Ryujin's outings. When she met twice a week, it seemed totally normal to Yeji. Ryujin liked to dance to songs from other groups and having Yuna accompany her pleased Yeji. It strengthened their relationship. However, when the older Shin started going three, four or even five times a week to practice, Yeji found it strange. Yeji didn't know Ryujin liked dancing that much, especially when they were free. Ryujin preferred to stay in the bedroom watching a series or playing video games, or going to visit her parents' house. The latter wasn't possible since the people upstairs told Yeji that they had to stay in the dorm in case something came up, but there were the other activities.

If it was Chaeryeong who went dancing every day, Yeji wouldn't have even noticed. Or herself, although she didn't feel like it this vacation. Not being able to visit her parents, whom she hadn't seen for so long, made her very sad. She had to spend her days hanging around JYP or going out when she could for a walk in the park. So she watched. She watched Ryujin smile at her phone often, and noticed her enthusiasm to go out to meet Yuna.