Love Next Door

3

Yeji glanced sideways at Ryujin as they walked. The girl—no, the woman—had grown into her charisma over the years, with that same effortlessly cool demeanor she had even as a kid. And of course, her mother adored her. She would probably welcome Ryujin with open arms, even if she knew all about the hiding incident. But Yeji ? She'd get the full wrath of parental disappointment.

When they reached the back gate to Yeji's house, Ryujin stopped, giving her a look. "You ready for this ?"

"Ready to face my mother after disappearing for years and withholding the fact that I'm unemployed and divorced ? Nope. Not even close."

Ryujin smirked. "You always were a drama queen."

Yeji rolled her eyes but couldn't help a small smile. "Shut up. You're lucky I'm too scared to throw you under the bus."

Just as she was about to push the gate open, a familiar voice rang out from behind them.

"Yeji? Is that you and Ryujin ?"

Yeji froze mid-step, her hand hovering over the gate. She exchanged a wide-eyed look with Ryujin before slowly turning around to see her mother standing on the front steps, hands on her hips, looking every bit the storm Yeji had been dreading. Beside her, Yeji's father stood, his expression much softer but no less surprised.

"Mom ! Hi !" Yeji waved awkwardly, attempting a bright smile that immediately felt fake. "I was just, um... admiring the back gate. It's... really sturdy."

"Don't you hi me, young lady !" her mother snapped, marching forward. "You come back to Korea without telling us ? No call, no message ? And then you try to sneak in like some kind of thief? What on earth were you thinking ?"

Yeji winced, feeling the full weight of her mother's fury. Ryujin, on the other hand, stood beside her, completely unfazed, probably used to this kind of thing after growing up next door. It didn't help that her mom loved Ryujin like a second daughter.

"I was, uh, going to surprise you," Yeji tried weakly, backing up a step. "Surprise ?"

"Surprise ?!" Her mother threw her hands in the air. "Yeji, you disappeared for years ! You didn't even tell me you were coming back, and now you're trying to sneak in ? You've lost your mind !"

Yeji's father, ever the peacemaker, stepped in front of his wife, hands raised in a calming gesture. "Now, honey, let's not get too worked up. I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation."

"A reasonable explanation?" her mother shot back. "She didn't tell us anything! She's been hiding something, I just know it."

Yeji bit her lip, glancing at Ryujin for backup. But Ryujin just stood there with a smirk that said, You're on your own, princess.

Without another word, Yeji grabbed Ryujin's wrist and tugged her toward the gate. "Okay ! Time to go !"

"Yeji, get back here right now !" her mother yelled, but Yeji was already pulling Ryujin through the gate, sprinting down the alleyway with her suitcase bouncing behind them.

"Why are you taking me with you ?!" Ryujin said effortlessly while being dragged by Yeji.

"Shut up and run if you don't wanna die !"

They ran, laughing despite the chaos, until they reached the small park a few blocks away. It was quiet, the only sound the rustle of leaves in the breeze and the distant hum of the city. They collapsed onto a bench, breathless but grinning.

"Wow." Ryujin leaned back, shaking her head. "You really do know how to make an entrance."

Yeji groaned, covering her face with her hands. "That was a disaster. I knew this was going to happen."

"Yeah, well, it could've been worse. Your mom didn't throw a shoe at you."

"Yet." Yeji peeked out from behind her fingers, then dropped her hands into her lap with a sigh. "God, why am I even here ?"

Ryujin, still catching her breath, gave her a sideways glance. "That's what I'm wondering too. Why did you come back, Yeji ?"

Yeji stiffened slightly at the question, her automatic defenses kicking in. She couldn't tell Ryujin the truth—couldn't tell her about the breakdown at work, the bullying, the crushing loneliness, and the decision to end a loveless marriage. That wasn't something she wanted anyone to know, least of all Ryujin, who had always been effortlessly perfect.

Instead, she tilted her head, plastering on a smirk. "I cheated on him."

Ryujin's eyebrows shot up, clearly not expecting that answer. "You what ?"

Yeji shrugged dramatically, leaning back on the bench like it was no big deal. "Yeah, I had an affair. The whole thing was just—" She waved her hand nonchalantly. "You know how it is."

Ryujin stared at her, her face unreadable for a moment before she scoffed. "You're a terrible liar, Yeji."

Yeji blinked in mock surprise. "What ? You don't believe me ? Maybe I'm a femme fatale. A mysterious, alluring woman who leaves broken hearts in her wake."

Ryujin snorted. "Right. You, the femme fatale. Sure, because 'mysterious' is the first word that comes to mind when I think of you."

Yeji gasped, clutching her chest dramatically. "How dare you. I am incredibly mysterious ! I could have been a secret spy for all you know."

"Uh-huh," Ryujin said, dry as ever. "You're about as mysterious as a used napkin. So, what's the real reason you're back ?"

Yeji felt her playful expression falter for just a second, but she quickly covered it with another smirk. "Maybe I just missed your charming company."

"Yeah, right. Try again."

They fell into a familiar rhythm of bickering, the back-and-forth that always felt like home to Yeji, even when everything else in her life felt completely out of control. Ryujin's grumpy but unshakable presence was a strange comfort, even if Yeji would never admit it.

Ryujin's eyes softened just a little, though she kept up her usual tough facade. "You don't have to tell me, you know. But whatever happened... just don't lie about it. I'm not one of your parents."

Yeji swallowed, her sarcastic mask slipping just slightly. Ryujin always had a way of cutting through her defenses, which was both annoying and strangely reassuring. "Yeah, well," she said, staring up at the night sky, "some things are better left unsaid."

Ryujin didn't push, and for once, the silence between them was comfortable. The tension of their past—whatever it was—hovered in the background, but for now, they just sat there, side by side, under the stars.

Finally, Ryujin broke the silence, her tone lighter again. "So, you ready to face your mom tomorrow ? Or do you want me to build you a bunker to hide in ?"

Yeji snorted. "Tempting, but I think I've done enough hiding for one day."

Ryujin smirked. "Good. Besides, it's way more fun watching you try to talk your way out of things."

"Glad I can provide endless amusement for you, Ryujin."

"Hey, someone's gotta keep you on your toes," Ryujin said with a smirk, before standing up and stretching. "Come on, troublemaker. Let's get you home before your mom sends a search party."

Yeji sighed but smiled despite herself, grabbing her suitcase as she stood up. "Fine. But if I die tonight, just know it's your fault."

Ryujin chuckled. "You're not getting off that easy, Yeji. I'll make sure of it."

And with that, they walked back toward the neighborhood, the night wrapping around them like an old, familiar blanket.

———