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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Lia felt relieved when they retired.
But over the past few years of retirement, she thought that her life had stalled. Her creativity and inspiration were gone, and unlike the others, she hadn't found anything to replace it yet.
After all, Ryujin and Yeji were jetting around the world trying to find nirvana, and Chae was starting a label on their behalf.
And Yuna was an ambassador. That would never be not-weird. And she and Lia would never be together because Yuna was straight. That was the hardest part.
Lia made a cup of coffee and sat down. She was lonely, and she knew it. She grabbed her phone and called Yeji.
"What's up, gorgeous?" Yeji asked.
"I've made a big decision, unnie. I'm going to ride a bike around the world."
"Do you have a bike?"
"Well... not yet," Lia responded.
"Do you like riding bikes?"
"Well... no, but I guess I could learn to enjoy it," Lia said meekly.
"Do you like the world?"
"The parts that don't have bugs, sure..."
"Lia, sweetheart, you are not riding a bike around the world."
With a sigh, Lia answered "You're right, I'm not riding a bike around the world." She paused. "What if I fly a balloon around the world?"
"Slow down. What's really going on?" Yeji asked in a soothing voice.
"I don't know, unnie. I'm just kind of... lost. Once we retired, I just assumed something new would fill the void. But it's not. I have a lot of money, but can't think of anything to do, or to be, or to go to. I know, I know, First World Problems. This is so silly, really, I know, but the other day I walked on the street and no one recognized me. In my mind, I'm glad to be almost normal again, but my heart and my ego aren't taking it as well. Who am I if I'm... well, not with Itzy? I'm really lonely, unnie. I need someone in my life. Like you have with Ryujin. I'm 32. What am I doing wrong?"
"I get it, babe," Yeji said soothingly. "The adjustment was strange for all of us. I wouldn't have made it without Yeji. We're just now learning to live like regular people, and not 'famous' idols. It's hard, but now we have to learn to handle those things that most people learn when they're young. After all, we were going to school and training 16 hours a day, not doing the normal stuff other teenagers do."
"I know. But it's awful."
"Maybe it's a sign that you've matured, and the things that worked when we were kids don't work anymore."
Lia sighed. "I hope that's the case."
"Why don't you come to Greece? You can stay with us. Forever, if you want."
