Hot Chocolate || RYEJI

7

Ryujin takes note of the time when she finally stops informing Chaeryeong of her planned dinners with Yeji. It's not that they're drifting apart, but it's simply because it's been happening way too much that Chaeryeong didn't even need to ask and Ryujin didn't need to tell her for the girl to be aware.

She isn't entirely sure what this meant, yet all she knows is that she's been spending quite the hours with Hwang Yeji and it is no longer just because of the kitten.

"Thanks for paying, Ryu," Yeji says as she walks past the girl, patting her on her left shoulder before she exits the restaurant. Ryujin holds back a smile and quickly finishes up, then trails behind the brunette.

Once Ryujin catches up with her, the first thing she notices is the slight quiver of Yeji's bottom lip. The latter is wearing a casual yet eye-catching dress with her skin mostly exposed to the winter air. At that second, Ryujin mentally pats herself on the back for remembering to bring a hoodie.

"Wait a second," she says before running to her parked car only meters away from them. All the while, Yeji curiously watches as the girl retrieves something from the backseats. Her lips curl into a tiny grin when Ryujin jogs back with a hoodie. "You're cold, aren't you?"

"Yes," Yeji responds with a delightful smile, her eyes undoubtedly crinkling at the corners when she accepts the thick piece of clothing. "Thank you, Ryujin. You're too nice."

"Only for you," Ryujin grins jokingly, a giggle escaping her when she finds the light trail of pink across the brunette's cheek. Although she wants to assume, she knows that it wasn't because of her. After all, they just had some wine to celebrate the end of their finals week.

"So," Yeji clears her throat after she throws on the hoodie, "Should we get back to the kitty before she wakes up?"

"Aw," Ryujin fakes a pout, "I wanted to take a stroll around here for a bit, but going back before your apartment turns into a disaster is probably a better idea."

"We can take a stroll later," Yeji replies suggestively. She smiles when she catches the other's glance. "I don't trust that little devil that much though. Unlock the car."

Racing back to the brunette's apartment, Ryujin indulges in the Christmas music playing on the radio. The grand holiday is nearing soon and it causes her to wonder if the girl beside her has got any plans for the break.

However, before she herself can ask the question, Yeji beats her to the buzzer.

"Do you have any plans for Christmas? Visiting family, maybe?"

Now that, unbeknownst to the cat-eyed, hits a sensitive button in Ryujin that hasn't been pressed as of recent. It crashes into her almost like a heavy truck. Even if she's mostly gotten over the passing of her parents, it stings a little when she's reminded of them.

She doesn't even understand why she can't just straight up tell the girl that her parents passed two years ago. There's a possible chance it's because Yeji is a naturally empathetic person. Being bombarded with concerned looks and 'are you okay's is not how she wants their relationship to go.

"...No. They're busy, as always," Ryujin mutters when she snaps out of her head. She isn't sure how long she was out of it for, but the strange look Yeji is currently giving her gives her somewhat of an idea. No part of her likes it. "How about you?"

Yet again, Yeji takes notice of the odd and intriguing fiddles of Ryujin's fingers, as well as the subtle, frantic diverting of the eyes. There is definitely something more than what meets the eye. Nonetheless, Yeji doesn't have any plans on pressuring the black-haired Shin. Instead, she leans back and puts on a light grin. "Not at all. The fur monster in my apartment's hogged my schedule."

Ryujin's shoulders relax a little. "Yeah? Sorry about that."

"No, it's alright!" Yeji reassures. "I signed up for this anyway. Plus, it's not so bad having to take care of her."

"Ah, right. What are you thinking of naming her?" Ryujin questions, a lone hand on the steering wheel while the other rests on the open car window. The earlier topic was forgotten.

Come to think of it, they've always called the kitten "little one" or "kitty", and many other alternatives to that. But, nothing official yet.

Yeji hums for a couple of moments, filling in the pauses between the transition of the tracks. Her hand rubs her bare neck when she speaks, "Honestly, I haven't thought much about it. What do you think?"

"Uh... I'm not sure. Bob?" Ryujin tries.

Yeji's jaw drops open and terror is written all over her expression. "I hope your future partner never lets you name your kids."

"I was joking!" The driver lets out a few giggles, but soon enough, Yeji could tell that she was quite crestfallen. "But you did not have to say that. Bob's not so bad, is it?"

The brunette heaves a heavy sigh and turns to the road. "Not for a girl's name, no."

Ryujin's lips fold into a tight line as she nods. "Okay. That's a great point."

Before they even realize it, the car's locked in park and they're riding up the elevator to Yeji's unit. The air is light and comfortable. Ryujin doesn't have any problem when Yeji yawns and interlinks their arms. Why would she?

After the ding of the elevator, the two silently make their way towards the familiar door of the brunette's unit, and it doesn't take long until they both hear a certain meow.