This is the story of Ryujin & Yeji from childhood, through Itzy, and into retirement. During that time, an intense and sometimes painful love blossoms, made difficult by the demands of fame and the search for meaning and purpose during Itzy and afte...
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Ryujin collapsed on the couch in the main room. From there she could watch the sun rise.
They had had the house built on a hill overlooking the ocean on the island of Naxos, off the coast of Greece. Yuna had recommended it after vacationing here. The exterior walls of the house were nothing but floor-to-ceiling glass, and the interior was built from imported cedar, which gave the inside an incredible aroma of fresh wood. The trim and fixtures were all stainless steel, in the most modern style. It cost a lot of money - over five million dollars. But they needed a sanctuary.
Every day Yujin rose at 5am to go for a five-mile run down the hill and through the winding streets of the small village by the ocean. When she got back from the run, typically around 7am, she could usually hear music pumping in the practice room that they had included in the design of their home.
Yeji's daily exercise was two hours of dancing. She was still an amazing dancer and singer. She could move like lightning and did great looks to go along with each move, which made them electric. She still had amazing visuals. Ryujin still got shivers when she watched.
Usually she improvised, but she had created a number of routines herself. Yujin sometimes danced with her and it was incredible how in-sync they still were, like they shared the same mind and the same body. They'd both feel the same strange and incredible energy. It was also fun to dance some old Itzy songs and choreo. When they did it, they left the empty spaces where the other members would be. It was almost like those spaces were invitations.
Ryujin heard Yeji's footsteps approaching the couch from behind, barefoot steps on a smooth granite floor. Yujin held her breath: she felt hands on her shoulders, and Yeji's long hair seemed to pour over her.
Yeji kissed her on the neck, just below her ear. Her lips were damp with sweat. She whispered "Good morning, my love. How was your run?"
"It was great. It's nice and cool, and this sunrise is so beautiful it hurts."
"Did you get chased again?" Yeji asked, smiling.
Ryujin laughed. "Nope. Maybe Itzy is old news now?"
About a week after their house was finished, they had been walking through the village when a group of teenage girls surrounded them.
"OMG YOU'RE ITZY!!!" they screamed. They were maybe 14, and it seemed like they were having trouble breathing from excitement. Yeji and Ryujin posed for pictures with each girl. It made them remember their dear Midzy. They weren't like other fans. There was a generous back-and-forth between them. Itzy sometimes got off the tour bus and met their fans, hundreds of them, face-to-face. They didn't have to worry about being mobbed, or pushed around, or attacked for souvenirs.
There were hugs, and smiles, and Midzy even gave them ideas for choreo or for their song lists for concerts. Idols from other groups had told them how lucky they were to have fans like Midzy. Other idols had to sometimes hide from their fans or have lots of security people around them. Some didn't even like their fans.
Yeji's favorite story was a time when the group was getting ready to leave for the next stop on their tour, and suddenly everyone realized Yuna was missing. Idols don't go missing! Especially maknae!
Yeji unnie was not happy about this situation.
About 45 minutes later Yuna hopped on the bus, breathless and holding a paper bag. "Does anyone want some tacos?"
All the members were speechless. Finally, Yeji frowned and asked "Um, maknae, do you mind telling me where you went?"
Yuna smiled that luminous, glowing, happy Yuna smile. "Me and some Midzy went out to eat!"
Yeji sighed. "Of course you did. Makes 100% perfect scientific sense. We're in a foreign country, so at 11pm you took a bunch of strangers out for a late dinner. The rest of us are going to have to use Find My Phone to keep track of you."
That was Yuna - all heart, and always seeing the best in people. Lia always thought that she had a light around her, that made people feel safe and made it so no one could ever hurt her.
That's what Yeji and Ryujin had in Naxos. A safe, quiet place that would let them truly be with each other, without the scrutiny of the world. A place where they could be quiet and at peace, but at the same time, they could dance and sing, which was where they were both the most authentic.
Yujin stood and stretched. She went in the kitchen and made them both espressos. Yeji had wandered off to somewhere else in the house. Yujin picked up both of the small cups. Wherever Yeji was, she'd find her. Always.
