Let the world burn

17

The morning after all the chaos, the mansion actually felt... normal. The giant dining table was filled with food, noise, and too many people for it to be peaceful. Plates clinked, syrup bottles passed back and forth, and the smell of pancakes mixed with the laughter that echoed through the halls.

Ryujin sat at the head of the table, arms crossed, trying her best to look scary—but the look didn't really land, not with flour streaks still on her cheeks and a bright pink apron wrapped around her like a hug. It had a big cartoon cat on the front and said "Meow-ster Chef" in bubbly letters. Yeah. Terrifying.

Lisa raised an eyebrow, her mouth twitching into a smirk. "So... domestic now, huh? You doing laundry next?"

Jisoo didn't even bother hiding her laughter. "I never thought I'd live to see the day. Ryujin—the Ryujin—serving up pancakes in a Hello Kitty apron."

Moonbyul sipped her coffee slowly, then muttered, "She's down bad. Like, catastrophically."

Ryujin's glare turned deadly, but it only made them laugh harder.

Tzuyu and Mina just shook their heads at the chaos. "You're all children," Mina said, flipping a page of her book. Tzuyu nodded. "The pancakes are good though."

Right next to Ryujin, Yeji and Little Flower were already laughing so hard Yeji had to hold onto the table for support.

Yeji leaned closer, grinning at her. "You look like an angry cupcake."

Little Flower gasped like it was the best idea ever. "Cupcake Ryu!"

And just like that, Ryujin's sharp eyes softened. Her expression melted the second she looked at Yeji and the tiny girl curled up next to her. That cold glare? Gone. Her eyes went big and sparkly like some anime kitten, and everyone else at the table just stared.

Sana sighed dramatically. "She's so far gone."

Rosé whispered to Chaeyoung, "Did you see her eyes just now? Literal kitten mode."

And then—

A collective sigh rose from the table like a wave.

Yeji blinked in confusion. "Why did everyone just sigh like that?"

The whole table lost it. Laughter exploded everywhere while Yeji sat there, eyes wide like a lost puppy.

Ryujin coughed into her fist, trying to stay composed, but her ears were already turning red.

Eventually, the laughter faded, and Vincenzo cleared his throat. "Alright, children. Enough teasing. We've got actual business to discuss."

The shift in the room was immediate.

Files were opened, phones checked, and voices dropped into more serious tones. There were updates on the Vulture Gang, movement around the docks, whispers about Yeji's father building something big.

Yeji sat straighter, listening closely. She didn't understand everything, not yet, but she wanted to. She needed to.

After a while, the crowd began to thin out. People drifted back to their rooms or the training grounds.

Yeji stood, gathering plates. "I'll do the dishes. It's the least I can do."

Ryujin stood right after her. "I'll help."

Jisoo snorted. "Since when do you volunteer for dishes?"

Lisa laughed. "She's whipped."

In the kitchen, Yeji turned on the water and smiled. "Thank you, Ryujin. For breakfast. For everything, really."

Ryujin leaned on the counter, watching her. Her smirk returned. "Hmm... a thank-you, huh? I think I deserve a reward."

Yeji looked up. "Reward? Like what?"

Ryujin grinned mischievously. "I was thinking maybe a kiss—"

Yeji gasped. "Oh! But I don't really have anything I can give you that you don't already have... You have everything."

Ryujin blinked. The joke died in her throat. She stared at Yeji, absolutely floored by how sincere she sounded.

Yeji tilted her head, looking worried. "Was that a dumb answer?"

Ryujin shook her head slowly and smiled. It was the softest, purest smile.

"No. It was perfect."

Then, gently, she leaned in and kissed Yeji's forehead, like a blessing or a prayer. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "You're right. I have you. What more could I need?"

Yeji frowned slightly. "Still... I want to be useful. I want to help you."

Ryujin thought for a second, then her eyes lit up. "Actually... can you help me meet Yuna?"

Yeji's whole face brightened like someone flipped a light switch. "Yes! I can do that! I'll call her right now!"

She sprinted off to find her phone, nearly tripping over the rug.

Ryujin laughed, shaking her head. She looked like she was glowing.

From the hallway, Mina stepped in slowly, arms crossed.

She placed a hand on Ryujin's shoulder. "You're becoming soft, you know."

Ryujin looked at her, unbothered. "Is that a bad thing?"

Mina smiled faintly. "No. It's a good thing. I like seeing you like this. But..."

Her voice shifted. "As much as I'd love to sit here watching you fall deeper, we have work to do. Basement. Now."

Everything about Ryujin changed in a second. The warmth disappeared. Her posture straightened. Her eyes turned sharp and cold.

That killer instinct? Back.

The aura around her darkened.

She didn't speak, didn't smile. Just nodded and walked out the door.

Because someone had dared to threaten Yeji. And that? That she could never forgive.

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MOON-STAR :  Hello clouds.....yeah I know ..I know...it took me two months to update....alright...well more than 2..and yes i also know that the chapter is short..but ,well...I have been a little busy...i promise to update more often from the next month...

also because I updated this after such a long time even i forgot the details so...plz inform me if something is missing or doesn't  fit right...thankk youuu for waiting...and if i'm am late to update again plz leave a comment
ALSOOO....@SHIN_JOANNE thanks buddy..(plz remind me again if I forget to update or anything  else)

And to everybody else still reading this....thank you very much, love you guys!!
TAKE CARE CLOUDS ☁️❣️