Rent A Girlfriend - Ryuryeong

Chap 23

It was when Chaeryeong licked tenderly at her bottom lip that Ryujin decided to pull away. Chaeryeong was fuming at her own actions and Ryujin looked guilty.

"Sorry-" Chaeryeong tried to apologize immediately

"Sorry!" Ryujin said at the same time she did, guilty expression deepening. Eyes widening, they looked awkwardly away from each other.

"Wait, why're you sorry?" Chaeryeong asked, confused.

"A lot of reasons." Ryujin mumbled, crossing her arms.

"I dunno. I feel bad that I won't do more than...kissing, I guess. I don't know. I'm sorry."

She expected Chaeryeong to graciously accept her apology and maybe continue kissing her. She didn't expect a rough jab in the arm.

"Ow! The heck was that for?!"

"You're an idiot." Chaeryeong deadpanned, looking part exasperated and part regretful.

"Ryujin, honestly, if...say, Hyunjin, came to you and and said that she felt bad because some fuckboy she was dating was trying to take things further, and she didn't, what would you say?"

"I would be confused, because Hyunjin is asexual and not interested in guys? And how did you know her?"

"For the love of-" Chaeryeong ran a hand down her tired, tired face.

"I was just using her as an example, you potato."

"An example for what?"

"For you, Shin. Ugh, do I have to spell it out? Y-O-U have your own boundaries. It's your choice to have someone cross them. If I," Chaeryeong pointedly gestured to Ryujin, then at herself.

"Do something that you aren't sure you want, please tell me. Punch the hell out of me too, if I'm being particularly idiotic. No one should ever feel bad for not wanting to do something sexually, under no circumstances. I was a dumbass. I should have let you take the lead, but instead I went too far."

"But-"

"But nothing. I'm sorry, okay? I'm the only one who should be sorry."

"No!" Ryujin persisted.

"And why not?"

"Because-" Ryujin fumbled for words.

"You're...you're so pretty and talented and...I don't know what the people at school see in me. You're sweeter than people peg you for, and you're beautiful, and I'm just, just not. I know appearances are a stupid thing to care about, but mine is so plain and yours is the complete opposite. Hell, even my grades are mediocre compared to yours."

Silence. Chaeryeong was partly stunned, staring at Ryujin wordlessly.

She'd always had an inkling that the other girl's self esteem could be better, but she had no idea that she felt so poorly about herself. How could she hold someone like Chaeryeong in such high regard, and treat herself this way? It made no sense.

"Ryujin, why would you even...you're amazing." She said truthfully, absolutely none of the snark or sarcasm she usually had was present.

"I have no idea what you could dislike about yourself. You're caring, sweet, selfless, and you've basically changed my opinion on the popularity ranking in the school. Everyone loves you, reasonably so!"

"But-" Ryujin tried to interrupt, but Chaeryeong continued.

"And about your appearance?" Chaeryeong made a 'ppft!' sound to hopefully show how all of what Ryujin just said was a load of bull.

"Excuse me, but you're hot. As fuck. We may be complete opposites, appearance-wise, but that doesn't mean at all that you aren't gorgeous. Your hair? Hot damn. Your eyes? Someone call the sky and tell it that it's fired because your eyes are even tho they're dark. Your everything? I'm drooling, practically."

"Ryujin, I obsess over my appearance and use a fuckton of ridiculously overpriced beauty products because of how insecure I am. I'm no goddess, even after all that. You," She smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair away that hung in Ryujin's face.

"Are gorgeous without trying"

Now it was Ryujin's turn to stare at Chaeryeong in awe.

Normally, Chaeryeong was sparse with her genuine compliments, due to her cynical and sarcastic nature she proudly sported. But she'd practically wrote a novel on how beautiful and amazing she thought Ryujin was, without a single trace of dishonesty.

In the next instant, Ryujin's arms were wrapped around her waist in a crushing hug, loud thank yous practically screamed in her ear. Chaeryeong endured it for Ryujin, and she had to admit, it did feel nice to be hugged by the person you were kind of in love with. Even if Ryujin did hug way too hard.

"You know, one day, just one day. Maybe till then you can teach me, I'm quite a quick learner" Ryujin said snugged her head against the latter.

"Yeah right, want to make a bet on that?" Chaeryeong rolled her eyes as she lightly shaked her head in the unbelievable way.

"Hell yeah, but I will tell you the reward later"

Spoiler alert: Chaeryeong lost that bet.

No less than fifteen more minutes of never ending gratitude from Ryujin, Chaeryeong asked her to check the time.

"Almost 1am. Why, you getting tired?"

"Actually, yeah." Chaeryeong replied, scooting away slightly just so she could lay down.

"So much for our scandalous game of truth or dare, huh?" Ryujin laughed, moving to lay down alongside her.

"Maybe we can continue after school tomorrow?"

"It's a date." Chaeryeong grinned, eyes closing.

"We're sleeping on the same bed, I assume?"

"Mmm." Ryujin hummed.

"That's so gay."

"I know. I love it."

———

At first I want Ryujin simping for Chaeryeong but somehow Chaeryeong end up whipped for Ryujin.

Anw the story is about to come to and end.