Love Next Door

14

Rain

Yeji sat on a weathered bench in the park, her eyes lazily following a group of children playing in the distance. The air was warm, filled with the soft chatter of families, the rhythmic bounce of a basketball on the court, and the occasional bark of a dog nearby. Yet, despite the lively surroundings, Yeji felt strangely detached, her mind lost in the question that had been haunting her since that day at the high school : "What's my dream ?"

The question weighed heavy on her chest, almost suffocating. It had been asked by a student during her classroom visit, then echoed by Ryujin during their heated argument. Now, as she sat there, watching strangers move through their day with purpose, she wondered if she even had a dream at all.

She passed the entire morning in that park, lost in thought. Memories of her old ambitions, her studies, and the pressures of her current situation flickered in her mind like short, disjointed scenes. She thought about her time in computer science, and though she had excelled in it, she couldn't recall ever feeling passionate about it. Was it ever really her dream ? Or just something she was good at ?

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Ryujin sat at her desk, tapping a pen against her thigh. Her office was quiet, but her mind was anything but. The meeting with Chan had been awkward, the tension from their argument still lingering. They had both acted like adults, putting the fight behind them for the sake of work, but something still felt unresolved.

Ryujin sighed, running a hand through her hair. Her mind drifted back to the argument with Yeji from the night before. The frustration that had bubbled up between them was more than just about the job—it was deeper. She remembered vividly how hurt she felt when Yeji had dismissed her struggles, acting as though Ryujin couldn't possibly understand what it was like to have dreams crushed. But Yeji had forgotten something vital, something painful for Ryujin : the injury.

Flashback

Ryujin had been pacing in front of Yeji during their argument, her fists clenched as she struggled to keep her voice steady. "You think you're the only one who's been through hell ?!" she had shouted, her voice cracking under the weight of her anger. "Do you not remember what happened to me ?! I lost football because of that injury! My dream was gone just like that !"

Yeji had stood there, frozen, speechless. The guilt in her eyes was undeniable. She hadn't remembered, and it stung Ryujin deeper than any insult. It was like a knife twisting in her gut, a sharp reminder of the pain she'd been carrying alone for so long.

Ryujin let out another heavy sigh, leaning back in her chair. "How could she forget that ?" she muttered to herself, shaking her head. The weight of the past few days was pressing down hard, and the frustration was building. She needed to let it go, but it lingered.

Before she could dwell on it further, the door to her office opened, and Karina and Chan stepped in. Ryujin quickly straightened in her seat, putting on a neutral face as they entered. The tension between her and Chan was still there, but it was much more subdued.

"Alright," Karina began, her bright smile cutting through the air. "Let's talk solutions. We need to figure out a way around these budget cuts, and if anyone can do it, it's you, Ryujin."

Karina's confidence in her was reassuring, and Ryujin felt a small smile tug at her lips. "Thanks, Karina," she said, nodding slightly. "We'll get through this."

Chan joined in, offering a few suggestions about cost-saving measures. Despite the rough patch they'd had earlier, Ryujin could sense that Chan was just as determined to make this project succeed as she was. As the meeting progressed, the ice between them slowly began to thaw, and when it was over, Ryujin handed Chan a cup of coffee with a slight smile.