Settling boundaries

Chapter 12

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Ryujin woke up with sunlight streaming across her face, realizing she had slept beside Yeji, who was nestled against her chest, hugging her tightly.

She smiled at the sight and gently tucked a strand of Yeji's hair behind her ear, uncovering her face.

For five minutes, Ryujin simply admired Yeji's beauty until Yeji slowly opened her eyes. Seeing Ryujin gazing at her with such admiration, Yeji smiled and buried her face in Ryujin's neck.

"You're so clingy in the morning, baby," Ryujin said, not realizing what had slipped out of her mouth.

Yeji grinned and looked up at her. "Is that so? Baby..."

Ryujin felt her cheeks flush at the word Yeji had used, but being the confident woman she was, she smirked and leaned closer to Yeji.

"Yes, baby, do you have a problem with that?"

Ryujin asked, leaning in for a kiss, but Yeji, her face blushing uncontrollably, pushed her away playfully.

"Okay, fine, you win. Stop teasing me or my heart won't be able to handle it," Yeji joked, hiding her face with her arms.

Ryujin chuckled at her cuteness but felt a pang of sadness remembering Yeji's heart condition.

"As if you didn't kiss me last night," Ryujin said, trying to uncover Yeji's face.

When Yeji finally did, she pouted at Ryujin. "Because you suddenly asked me to be your girlfriend again!"

Ryujin smiled at the admission from the cat-eyed girl in front of her. "Well, don't you want to be my girlfriend again?"

"Of course I want to! But, would you be mad if I said that I'm not sure?" Yeji replied.

"Hmm? Why? Don't you feel the same way as before?" Ryujin asked calmly, though she was internally very nervous.

"What if I don't make it, Ryu? I would leave you with a promise again," Yeji said, frowning at the thought of hurting Ryujin once more.

Hearing this made Ryujin sad, but she fought it with a genuine smile. She took Yeji's hand in hers. "Yeji, you will leave that hospital alive while also being my girlfriend. Stop thinking about negative things, okay?"

Yeji nodded and agreed, but deep inside, she was still unsure if she would make it.

"Enough of this topic, let's eat breakfast, okay?" Ryujin suggested.

Ryujin's suggestion was met with a grateful nod from Yeji. The two got up from bed, Ryujin's hand never letting go of Yeji's. They moved to the kitchen, where Ryujin started preparing breakfast, her movements quick and practiced.

Yeji sat at the counter, watching her. "You're quite the chef in the morning," she teased.

Ryujin laughed. "Well, I have to impress my future girlfriend somehow, don't I?"

Yeji's eyes softened. "You're already impressive enough."

As the smell of eggs and toast filled the room, they chatted about lighter topics. Ryujin set two plates on the table and they sat down to eat.

Midway through their meal, Ryujin reached across the table and took Yeji's hand. "I know you're worried, but I want you to focus on the now. Every moment we have together is precious."

Yeji squeezed her hand, a small smile forming on her lips. "I'll try, Ryu. For us."

After breakfast, they decided to take a walk outside. The morning air was crisp and fresh, and the sunlight warmed their faces. They strolled through the park, Ryujin's arm wrapped protectively around Yeji's shoulders.

They found a bench under a large oak tree and sat down. Yeji rested her head on Ryujin's shoulder, feeling a sense of peace she hadn't felt in a long time.

"Do you remember the first time we came here?" Ryujin asked softly.

Yeji smiled. "Of course I do. You tried to climb that tree to impress me and ended up falling. I thought you'd hurt yourself."

Ryujin laughed. "Yeah, but you kissed me for the first time after that, so it was worth it."

Yeji chuckled, the memory warming her heart. "It was worth it."

They sat in comfortable silence, watching the world go by. Birds chirped in the trees, children played nearby, and the sun continued to shine down on them.

Ryujin turned to Yeji, her expression serious. "No matter what happens, Yeji, know that I love you. And I always will."

Yeji's eyes glistened with tears, but she smiled. "I love you too, Ryujin. More than anything."

They leaned in and shared a tender kiss, sealing their promises to each other. In that moment, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the warmth of their love, they felt a glimmer of hope for the future.

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By afternoon, they found themselves at a small café near the edge of the park. They took a seat by the window, the sun casting a warm glow over their table.

Ryujin ordered their favorite pastries and coffee, and they spent the next hour savoring the flavors and each other's company.

"Do you remember when we used to come here after school?" Yeji asked, her eyes sparkling with nostalgia.

"How could I forget?" Ryujin replied with a grin. "We'd always argue over who got the last piece of cake."

Yeji laughed. "You usually let me have it."

"That's because I love seeing you happy," Ryujin said, reaching across the table to hold Yeji's hand.

As they finished their treats, Yeji looked thoughtful. "There's one place I want to visit before we head back."

"Lead the way," Ryujin said, curious.

They walked hand in hand to an old record store they used to frequent. The bell above the door chimed as they entered, and the familiar scent of vinyl and nostalgia hit them. They browsed through the rows of records, reminiscing about the times they spent there.

"Do you remember our song?" Yeji asked, pulling out a vinyl record with a smile.

"Of course I do," Ryujin said, taking the record and looking at the cover.

"We danced to this in my living room the night you first slept in my house."

Yeji's eyes softened. "That was one of the best nights of my life."

Ryujin smiled and took Yeji's hand, gently pulling her to a small open space in the store. "Dance with me."

Without hesitation, Yeji stepped into Ryujin's arms, and they swayed to the silent melody of their song, the memories of that night washing over them.

My love, there's only you in my life
The only thing that's right

In that moment, it was just the two of them, lost in their own world.

Two hearts
Two hearts that beat as one
Our lives have just begun

"I wish this moment could last forever," Yeji whispered.

"It will," Ryujin replied softly. "As long as we have each other, this moment will always be with us."

Endless love indeed.

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An: Isn't it a wholesome chapter? I'm thinking if I should keep it like that.