Unwanted Roommate | An Ryeji Romance

Tensions at Rehearsal

The final day before the talent show dawned bright and clear, the crisp autumn air carrying a sense of anticipation and anxiety. At school, the energy was palpable—students buzzing about upcoming performances, teachers giving last-minute encouragement, and the air filled with the sound of laughter and excitement.

But for Ryujin and the group, there was little time to enjoy the atmosphere. Their minds were focused on one thing: tonight's rehearsal, the last chance to perfect their performance before stepping onto the stage tomorrow.

By late afternoon, they were back in the school's music room, the space that had become their second home over the past two weeks. A sense of urgency hung over them as they set up for the run-through. Lia tuned her guitar with meticulous precision, Yuna stretched to loosen her muscles, and Chaeryeong and Yeji murmured quietly over the vocal arrangements.

Ryujin stood by the window, staring out at the school courtyard, her heart racing in time with the rhythm of their song that seemed to be permanently etched into her mind. Everything had to be perfect. There was no room for mistakes, not after all the hard work they'd put in.

"Hey, Ryujin," Lia called out, snapping her out of her thoughts. "We're ready to start."

Ryujin turned and nodded, joining the others in the center of the room. As she took her position, she glanced at Yeji, who was standing beside her, looking unusually tense. The determined confidence that had fueled their practices over the past few days seemed to be wavering, a shadow of uncertainty clouding Yeji's eyes.

"Hey," Ryujin murmured, leaning closer. "You okay?"

Yeji blinked, startled by the question. She gave Ryujin a small, tight smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... nervous, I guess."

Ryujin frowned, sensing there was more to it than that. But before she could press further, Lia started the count-in, and the music filled the room, leaving no time for questions.

They launched into the routine, their movements sharp and practiced, their voices rising and falling in perfect harmony. But something felt off. Ryujin could sense it almost immediately—a slight hesitation in Yeji's steps, a wavering note in her voice.

"Yeji, watch the timing," Chaeryeong said softly as they moved into the second verse, her brow furrowed in concentration. "You're half a beat behind."

Yeji nodded quickly, adjusting her position, but her expression remained tense. They continued, pushing through the rest of the routine, but the unease only grew. By the time they reached the final chorus, the strain was visible on everyone's faces.

When the last note faded away, a heavy silence fell over the room. No one moved or spoke for several long moments, each of them catching their breath and avoiding each other's eyes.

"That... wasn't great," Yuna said finally, breaking the silence. Her voice was hesitant, edged with worry.

Lia sighed, setting her guitar down and running a hand through her hair. "We're not in sync. And the energy's all over the place. What's going on?"

"I'm sorry," Yeji blurted out, her voice cracking. "I'm trying, I really am, but I keep messing up. I know I'm not as good as Aeri, and I—"

"Stop," Ryujin interrupted, her voice firm but gentle. She stepped forward, placing a hand on Yeji's shoulder. "Don't do that. Don't compare yourself to Aeri. You're doing great. We just... need to figure out what's throwing us off."

Yeji bit her lip, looking down at her feet. "But it's me, isn't it? I'm the one who's out of sync. I'm the reason we're not—"

"Yeji," Ryujin said softly, squeezing her shoulder. "We're a team, remember? If something's off, it's on all of us, not just you. We'll figure it out. Together."