Love Next Door

4

The Showdown

The moment Yeji and Ryujin reached the front door of Yeji's house, an overwhelming sense of dread washed over Yeji. She could practically feel the tension radiating from within the walls. She could almost hear her mother's angry footsteps pacing around the living room.

"Okay, we're doing this," Ryujin said, deadpan, as she reached for the door.

Yeji grabbed her arm in a panic. "Are we though ? Maybe we should just, I don't know, wait until tomorrow ?"

Ryujin raised an eyebrow. "Tomorrow ? So your mom can get even angrier ?"

Yeji winced, knowing she was right. "Fine, but if she throws something, I'm using you as a shield."

Ryujin rolled her eyes but didn't bother replying. She pushed open the door, and the two of them stepped inside.

Yeji's mother was seated on the couch in the living room, her face a mask of simmering fury. And in her hand, just as Yeji had feared, was a shoe. She held it casually, but the implication was clear. She was ready to launch it at a moment's notice.

"Mom ! Before you throw anything—" Yeji raised her hands in defense, backing up slightly. "Calm down ! Let's talk about this like rational adults !"

Her mother's eyes narrowed, and Yeji could practically see the steam coming out of her ears. "You disappeared for years, Yeji, and you didn't even think to tell us you were coming home ! And you ran away earlier ! What do you have to say for yourself ?"

Yeji opened her mouth to respond, but Ryujin, ever the traitor, casually walked over to the door and leaned against it, blocking Yeji's only escape route.

"Seriously ?!" Yeji turned to Ryujin, aghast. "You're locking me in here ? This is a betrayal !"

Ryujin didn't even blink. "You're not running away again."

Yeji made a half-hearted attempt to dart past her, but Ryujin, being much stronger, didn't budge. She tried pushing her out of the way, but it was like trying to move a brick wall. "Ugh ! You're so annoying !" Yeji cried, slapping Ryujin's arm in frustration. "This is a violation of my basic human rights !"

Ryujin glanced down at her with a bored expression. "You done ?"

Yeji groaned, realizing there was no escape. She turned back to face her mother, who hadn't moved from the couch but was watching the whole thing with a look of growing impatience.

"Fine, fine !" Yeji threw her hands up in surrender. "I'll face the music."

Ryujin gave her a satisfied nod, then quietly slipped out the door, leaving Yeji alone to face her parents.

Her father, ever the peacemaker, stood beside her mother, gently patting her arm as if trying to diffuse the tension. "Now, honey, let's just hear what she has to say."

Yeji took a deep breath, her heart racing as she stared at her mother's expectant face. She knew she couldn't keep lying. She had to tell them the truth, no matter how hard it was.

"I..." Yeji started, her voice small. She cleared her throat and tried again. "I didn't just come back to visit. I'm... back for good."

Her mother's brow furrowed, her grip on the shoe tightening. "Back for good ? What does that mean ?"

"It means I quit my job," Yeji said, her voice barely above a whisper.

There was a brief silence. Her father blinked in surprise, and her mother's eyes widened slightly.