Break The Distance

6

"Cute but casual... cute but casual... I don't know!" Ryujin cries, frustrated that she can't find the perfect outfit.

The other girls are trying to help her in one of the bedrooms, but it seems like she's still struggling as you overhear the chaos from your spot in their kitchen. Chaeryeong comes out of the room, sighing, and makes a beeline for you to your surprise.

"You're the master of casual disguise, go help Ryujin," she groans, dramatically flopping onto the couch.

You comply and make your way to the now-open door, knocking gently on the frame.

"I heard someone needed help?" You call out.

"Probably, we can't find the right mix for an outfit," Yeji sighs, tossing articles of clothing onto the bed.

"What look are we needing, miss?"

"Something cute but not over the top. Either a subtle designer brand, or not a designer brand at all so she doesn't get spotted," Lia chimes in.

"And it has to go with her mask and hat, otherwise she'll look more out of place," Yuna hums, looking at a pile of casual t-shirts, before tossing one at Ryujin.

"May I take a look?" you ask, glancing at what clothing you can find already around the room.

"Go ahead," Ryujin says, staring at the red shirt Yuna threw at her.

You sort through clothes, handing Yeji a denim jacket and black pants as she's closest to the bed with all the clothes.

"Please have her try this with the red shirt, miss."

The girls comply and Ryujin comes back with the outfit on:

"I like it!" Ryujin twirls for the group.

Yuna taps the inside of her wrist and Ryujin peels off the timer cover she has to keep on most of the time. 4 hours, 13 minutes. Chaeryeong peeks in through the doorway and smiles at the outfit, shoving bracelets over Ryujin's timer before pushing her out of the room.

"Go find your soulmate, we'll clean up here," Chaeryeong says, nodding her head at you to go with Ryujin.

You adjust your mask and grab your coat from the hanger in the entryway while Ryujin puts her shoes on. You follow suit and escort her to the car, holding the passenger's side door open for her before getting in yourself. 

"Where to, miss? You have some time, so please let me know if there's anything you would like to do while waiting." you start the car.

The two of you end up going out to an arcade and then lunch at a ramen shop. You pose as a friend throughout the day to keep a close eye on the girl, and keep people from recognizing her. And now it's time to find Ryujin's soulmate. But she's nervous as you two get back to the car.

"What if I go to the wrong place? What if my timer resets?" she panics.

You pat her hand reassuringly before turning the car on.

"It will be alright, miss. Today is the day you meet your soulmate and I'm sure that if you follow your instincts, we'll go to the right spot," you hum.

Ryujin nods and asks you to just start driving anywhere. Occasionally, she asks you to turn, but she's so nervous she mainly just looks out the window silently. You've been driving for around 30 minutes when she suddenly points at a cafe and tells you to stop. Once the car is parked, you check the area and give Ryujin a thumbs up to wander and find her soulmate. You contact several other members of security on standby with the address and stick to Ryujin's side until they're in place.

"Should I go somewhere nearby, miss? I have some backup with me so if you'd like some privacy, it can be arranged." 

"No, please stay with me. I don't want to go alone," Ryujin points to the entrance of the cafe, "I think we should go inside."

You nod and signal to the backup that you're entering the cafe. Inside, the cafe is mostly empty- which works in your favor. Ryujin stares at the menu for a moment before going up to the counter. She orders and you pay, guiding her to a good seat away from prying eyes, but where you still have a good vantage point of the cafe.

"Almost time," she whispers.

You nod and your eye catches on a girl making Ryujin's drink, she seems to be shaking. You're considering confronting the girl subtly, but Ryujin stands up as the fake name she gave the cashier is called out. You watch closely and stand up to follow, when the girl behind the counter gasps loudly, and the cashier looks at her and Ryujin. You pop up behind Ryujin carefully and note that Ryujin is holding something in her hand, her drink forgotten about.

"We don't want to attract a crowd, miss. Please say my friend here is an old friend of yours and ask for a break to catch up with her. We can explain more, then." You watch the girl closely as she looks between you and Ryujin, nodding softly.

"Sana, this is my old friend from school, can I take my break now to catch up with her? We're slow right now, and it's been so long since we've seen each other!" she calls out to the cashier.

Ryujin sighs in relief, piping in too.

"I promise I won't keep her long, I moved away suddenly and never got the chance to give her my new number. I hope you understand." Ryujin bows slightly at the cashier.

"Very well. You can take your time as long as we don't get busy again." Sana- the cashier- replies, shrugging indifferently.

You let the girls chat as long as possible, Ryujin goes over the company's rules about soulmates with the other girl relatively well, and you only have to chip in a couple of times to add information. Ryujin's soulmate is a girl named Shiori and she takes the news well after Ryujin promises they'll stay in touch via text and call as much as possible. They end up chatting about their likes and dislikes until Sana needs help at the counter. Numbers are exchanged, and the girls exchange a bittersweet hug before you escort Ryujin back to the car.

You're glad she got to talk with her soulmate and they got at least one hug in before not being allowed to see each other. You know Shiori will likely be offered a position at JYP, but you still feel sad that they'll be separated because the girls seemed so genuinely happy and excited to be around each other. Your chest tightens as you think of your soulmate Jisung, and how you never got to really have a conversation in person, let alone hug him. Almost there, you think to yourself, just a bit longer and you'll be able to see him for real. You wonder if you'll sparkle with excitement like Ryujin and Shiori.