Unwanted Roommate | An Ryeji Romance

Confession

The morning after the talent show was a blur of congratulations and excited chatter. News of their flawless performance had spread like wildfire through the school, and students stopped them in the hallways to gush about how amazing they'd been on stage. Teachers praised their teamwork and dedication, and even students who usually ignored them couldn't stop talking about how they'd "killed it" and "brought the house down."

But for Ryujin, none of that registered. Every smile, every cheer, every compliment slid right past her. Because all she could think about was Yeji—the way her eyes had shone with something deep and unspoken when they'd stood together backstage after the show, the way her smile had trembled, just a little, when she'd whispered that she wanted to "try."

They hadn't talked much after that. Everything had been too chaotic, too loud, with their friends pulling them into celebratory hugs and the constant barrage of congratulations. By the time they'd made it home, Ryujin had been exhausted, too drained to even think straight.

But now, with the aftermath of the performance settling into a steady hum of excitement, Ryujin knew she couldn't keep avoiding it. She had to talk to Yeji—really talk to her. About what had happened on stage, about what it meant, about what they were to each other.

And about the kiss.

That kiss.

Her cheeks flushed just thinking about it, and she ducked her head, avoiding the curious glances of a few classmates as she made her way through the crowded hallway. She needed to find Yeji. She needed to say all the things she hadn't been able to say last night.

Ryujin found Yeji in the school courtyard during lunch, sitting alone on a bench beneath the sprawling branches of a cherry blossom tree. The pale pink petals fluttered in the breeze, some drifting down to settle on Yeji's hair and shoulders. She looked almost ethereal, her face tilted up to the sunlight, eyes half-closed as if lost in thought.

For a moment, Ryujin hesitated, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. What if she messed this up? What if she said the wrong thing, and it pushed Yeji away? But then she remembered the way Yeji had held her hand last night, the way she'd whispered that she wanted to try. And that gave Ryujin the courage she needed.

Taking a deep breath, Ryujin stepped forward, the sound of her footsteps breaking the stillness of the courtyard.

"Yeji."

Yeji's eyes snapped open, and she turned, surprise flashing across her face. "Ryujin... Hey."

"Hey," Ryujin murmured, stopping a few feet away. "Can I... sit?"

Yeji nodded slowly, her gaze searching Ryujin's face. "Yeah, of course."

Ryujin lowered herself onto the bench, the silence between them heavy with everything they hadn't yet said. For a few long moments, they just sat there, neither of them speaking, the tension crackling like static in the air.

Finally, Ryujin cleared her throat, her voice coming out softer than she'd intended. "About last night..."

Yeji looked down at her hands, her fingers twisting together. "Right. Last night."

"I—" Ryujin hesitated, then forced herself to keep going. "I'm sorry if I surprised you. I didn't mean to—well, I mean, I did mean to, but I—" She broke off, groaning in frustration. Why was it so hard to get the words out? Why did she feel like she was back on stage, her heart in her throat, unsure of what to do next?

"Ryujin," Yeji said softly, cutting through Ryujin's spiraling thoughts. "It's okay. You don't have to apologize."

Ryujin blinked, surprised. "I don't?"