I Used To Be Alright

Chapter 7

Ryujin

She was already out of her senses when she entered the shower to wash up, but got even more confused when her Lia started questioning her as soon as she got out.

Something along the lines of – you better tell me what you're doing, are you thinking straight?

Half of the group are still outside so the two felt the need to sit down and talk properly before they came back.

"What do you mean, Lia-ah?"

"You know what I mean, don't play dumb with me."

Ryujin took a deep breath and prepared for the next statements.

"You know how Minjeong feels about her. And you and I both know that that girl doesn't feel the same. So if you could spare her from your list of prospects and not add salt to our friend's impending wound, that would be very human of you."

Ryujin instantly felt anger boiling in her stomach – her jaw tightened and her breathing increased rapidly.

"Wait, what are you-"

She laughed bitterly.

"You really think I'm that unhinged huh, Lia?"

Lia maintained her stance.

"Then stop keeping her on the hook. Exclude her from all your games. She's too pure for that."

By the time Lia finished her sentence, Ryujin had already started walking out of the room. She couldn't believe what she just heard. A part of it might be the alcohol that they shared earlier that night, but the gravity of her statements felt like a punch to the gut.

Of course she wasn't planning to involve Yeji in whatever strive she's in, she has long given up on the idea of that. And she cares about the feline eye a lot, especially now that they've been friends for quite some time.

But a part of the hurt was because she has also been questioning herself for the past few weeks – trying to name the weird feeling that she gets in her stomach everytime she talks to Yeji.

In an attempt not to cause any kind of discomfort or argument, Ryujin spent the last two days in the living room of a girl she met at the bar on their first night on the island. Although Lia seemed to be the only one who's aware of their angry exchange, she still didn't want to risk it.

Well I'm glad you're maximizing our last two days here. You really are a legend. Stay safe and meet you tomorrow, dude. Don't be late.

Stated by Minju's text. She received a couple of ones from Minjeong making jokes about how she cannot keep anything in her pants, to which she replied with a couple of banters back.

She didn't hear anything from Yeji – aside from that already being expected (they don't update each other all time, anyway, and why would they?), she probably felt weird after Ryujin's awkward attempt to hold her hand and stop her from leaving.

She felt extremely uncomfortable when Minjeong blurted out that she already asked the feline eye to date her, and that mood carried out all the way through their conversation. Hence, the impulsive decision to hold her hand.

She has been itching to go out and enjoy the island but didn't want to gamble and accidentally ran into her friends – so instead, she made use of her time by tidying up the place. Jimin, the girl who owned the place, was kind enough to let her stay freely.

Surprisingly, Ryujin actually enjoyed her company. She was very considerate and stayed home with Ryujin for most of her stay – leaving only to attend some urgent tasks at work, or to buy ingredients for the days' meals.

"So... what are you planning to do once you meet her again?"

Jimin asked as she took a bite of her braised beef – their last meal before Ryujin's departure tomorrow. Aside from being hospitable, she learned that the girl was also straightforward and could read through bullshit, so she had been nothing but honest throughout their conversations.

"Act normal... I guess. Besides, she has probably already said yes to Minjeong's invite. She's probably too shy to say no, anyway."

"You're sure she doesn't like your friend, too?"

Ryujin chuckled lightly.

"Yeah. She doesn't like anyone."

"She likes you."

"Well, yeah. But not like that."

"Not like what? So she does like someone."

Ryujin's sighed as she realized that she probably won't win in an argument with her.

"Yeah, I guess she does."

"Why don't you confront your feelings for her, then?"

Why couldn't she? Or the appropriate question should be – how? If she doesn't even understand it herself.

"Based on my impression of you in the short time that you're here, you're a lot more... chill and straightforward than this."

"I don't know. I don't really understand much about what's happening, Jimin."

She let out another sigh and slumped back in her chair.

This was the most honest she has been since Minjeong's party. For some reason, she couldn't keep herself from feeling bothered with what's going on between Minjeong and Yeji. But with the current conversation she's having, she's already starting to question if it's really just her being protective of a friend; or is it something else?

"You know what I'm thinking? Everything would be easier if you'd just talk to her about it. Yeji – was it? Chances are, she might be in the same state that you are."

Jimin's statement left a weird feeling in Ryujin's stomach.

Soon after, the brunette was left alone with her thoughts. She spent the rest of the day in bed, mentally preparing herself to meet the group the next day.

Is it really possible?