Hot Chocolate || RYEJI

3

There was a time in Ryujin's life when she fell down a deep hole.

It started with the passing of both parents, then how she had to graduate right afterwards as if nothing happened. She could still remember that moment when the lump in her throat was throbbing, when her uniform suddenly felt tight around her body, especially her neck, and she could still particularly remember the tears rolling down her cheeks as she scanned the crowd. Her brother was late, and her parents died only a few days ago.

It was a vivid memory for Ryujin, but she's been trying to cope with it.

As for her coping methods, they weren't too grand. She didn't do anything like write her emotions in a journal or to take a small walk and everything would feel lighter, no. Ryujin found herself often visiting the rooftop of her apartment. The air was fresh, it was quiet, the breeze was never too cold—unless it was freezing winter like now, and the people from down there never noticed her.

And so, Ryujin presses her lips tight at her unpleasant memories and leans against the ledge of the rooftop. In that second, she wasn't at all focused on what was happening on the ground floor. Well, that was until she heard a distinctive meow.

She looks down and her eyes lights up instantly; it's the stray cat that has visited almost every week. Until last week, for some strange reason Ryujin was desperately seeking for. Now that she can identify the kitty, Ryujin spends no time running down the stairs of her apartment.

But when she reaches the bottom and emerges from the entrance, she immediately freezes at the sight of a certain brunette angel petting the cat.

"You shouldn't run so far, kitty," she cooed.

What a great coincidence.

Ryujin hesitates on whether or not to greet the familiar cat, or to walk back into her apartment and rant to Chaeryeong about a missed opportunity. Which was better?

Obviously the first. For extra reasons that Ryujin wouldn't not dare to say in case she exposes herself.

As soon as she takes a few steps towards the cat and the brunette, the animal's head snaps to her and she meows once more. Ryujin smiles.

The kitty abandons the warm hand that was currently caressing her back and runs to Ryujin, snuggling her legs while purring.

She didn't expect it, but a voice broke the verbal silence.

"Man, and I thought I was her favourite."

Ryujin's head lifts and meets the smiling eyes of the brunette. She didn't know it until then, but the other girl seems to be a tad bit taller than her. Due to that new information, plus the mesmerizing orbs that are currently staring right back at hers expectantly, Ryujin stammers, "Well, I... I've been um, feeding it, since like, like last year. So..."

The brown-haired girl nods in understanding and folds her arms in front of her. "Why do I feel like I've seen you somewhere?" Her eyebrows scrunches together as she says.

It only hits her then that the other girl does not remember her. An unknown part of her didn't feel the need to inform the latter girl that they have met before. "I believe not. My features are common, that's probably why."

"Hm... I don't think so," the girl mumbles, her cat eyes narrowing in thought before they returned to their natural state. "Whatever. It'll come back to me. So, what's your name?"

Ryujin's mouth opens and closes for a few moments. It's already been a week and a half ever since they actually saw each other, excluding the multiple times when Ryujin would sneak glances at the brunette in the cafeteria, or when she would see the girl at the entrance heading to her first lecture. She pretends like none of that occurs on a daily basis and instead, wears a soft smile, "Shin Ryujin. You?"

"Hwang Yeji!" The brown-haired girl replies, extending her hand. "That's a pretty name."

You're prettier.

Ryujin bites down at her bottom lip, shaking the taller girl's warm hand. "Uh, thank you. Nice to meet you."

The cat meows once more and catches both their attentions. Sadly, it also causes their hands to disconnect.

"This little thing has been with me for a bit," Yeji said with a small grin. She crouches down and smoothes over the uneven fur on the kitty's head. "I don't know why but she keeps clawing at the door and doesn't eat anything I feed her."

When a surprising frown appears on the brunette's face, Ryujin finds herself practically melting into a blob in front of her, but she disguises it as crouching down as well. "Really? That's odd. She eats everything in those bowls right there." She points at the two filled bowls by the entrance of their apartment complex, the ones that she fills weekly unless the cat does not visit her.

Yeji's brows twists together as she looks back at Ryujin. "What? So she does like you more?" She exclaims, as if in disbelief when in reality, she was only joking.

Ryujin only shrugs. She fears that if she dares open her mouth right now, something ardent will escape her lips. Perhaps, something that would expose her true feelings about this angel. It's the close proximity that did it for her. "Maybe she's attached. Did you take her in?"

Yeji purses her pouty lips and shakes her head. "I tried to since it didn't seem like she has an owner, but she's always darting off. I try my best to take care of her though."

"Ah," Ryujin nods, "She likes going to the park though. Plus an hour long bubble bath."

At that, the chocolate-haired girl retracts her hand and tilts her head. "Are you not her owner?"

"Nope," Ryujin chuckles. Her nerves from earlier seems to be drifting away with each passing second. "I would take her in but, my studies right now are what's important and um..." She pauses, knowing that most people would ask about why her parents wouldn't take care of the animal. Yeji appears to be quite the curious one as well, so Ryujin chooses her words carefully, "My family's not around here, so leaving this little one in my apartment alone isn't the best."

On the contrary, Yeji takes notice of the girl's pause before her statement about her family. It doesn't take much brain power to know the reason why, and although she would really like to know the detailed explanation, she respects this acquaintance she made just now and nods. "I understand. I have too much extra time on my hands, so I can't imagine not taking her in."

Ryujin smiles as a reply. She has nothing else to say, at least not in this moment. She's sure that when she gets back home, she'd start stressing over everything she could've said.

Soon, Yeji lifts her head and glances at the setting sun. "Oh, well. It's getting dark soon, I should probably get back." She stands up and adjusts her slightly wrinkled clothing. "It was nice meeting you, Ryujin."

The shorter girl quickly raises to her feet and clears her throat. Suddenly, she's conscious again. "Thanks? Uh, you too— I mean, nice meeting you... too."

Yeji's lips stretch into a wide, cheeky smile. For the first time ever, Ryujin finds herself mirroring it too. "Of course. If you don't mind, I'll take the kitten with me too."

The dark-haired Shin hums in agreement and watches as the two leave. However, Yeji turns back around when she realizes that the kitten in question keeps looking back at the former.

"Oh my goodness," Yeji murmurs before returning to Ryujin. The latter girl stands still in surprise as she finds herself in close proximity with the brunette again. "Can I have your number? I don't think she can live without seeing you for at least once a week."

Ryujin practically brightens up at those words. She can feel her heart drumming, threatening to burst out of her ribcage. But at the same time, she can also feel the nerves in her system buzzing against her body. It's almost like a chain reaction. "Uh... Sure! Yeah, for the cat, right?"

Yeji's eyes linger on Ryujin's for a couple of long seconds, but eventually, she nods. "Yes, the cat."

And so, after they exchanged numbers, you bet that Ryujin ran back up her apartment and dialled Chaeryeong's number.

Ryujin has a long night of enlightening grins while Chaeryeong has an extended period of keeping herself from falling asleep.

Today was the most progress Ryujin's had.