Let the world burn

19

The dining room buzzed with life. Plates clinked. Forks scraped. Voices overlapped as everyone tried to talk at once.

"So... she's really your sister?" Rosé leaned forward, smirking. "Ryujin finally told everyone?"

"Big reveal," Sana said, waving her chopsticks. "Did she freak out? Cry? Something cute?"

"She didn't freak out," Moonbyul muttered, smirking. "Even though her big sis is low-key terrifying."

"Terrifying, that's Ryujin for you," Jennie added.

Little footsteps scuttled across the floor.

"Mom! You promised!"

Little Flower burst in, cheeks flushed, eyes wide. "The trip! You said we'd go!"

Ryujin's fork hovered mid-air. Calm, controlled. "We'll go later."

"You said that last time too!" Little Flower whined, tugging at her sleeves. Lip trembling, fingers fidgeting, eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Ryujin finally looked at her, voice low, cutting through the room like steel:
"Shin Ji Woo."

The words hit like a wall. The little girl froze. Shoulders shook. A single tear slid down her cheek. She spun and ran upstairs, small sobs fading behind her.

Yeji slammed her chopsticks down. "You can't just—look at her like that and act like nothing! She's a kid, Ryujin! She was scared! She was upset! And you... you just sit there, calm like it's nothing!"

Her voice wavered, breath catching. "I get that you're trying to protect her, but... it's hard to watch, Ryujin. You promised I could live freely. And now... it feels like you're forgetting that."

Ryujin's hand tightened slightly on her chopsticks. She leaned forward, voice low, soft but firm:
"But, Angel—"

"Don't, Angel me!" Yeji snapped, slamming her chopsticks down again. "I said it! You promised! So now... do it!"

She spun on her heel, boots clicking across the floor, heading to Little Flower's room. Ryujin's jaw tightened, a faint crease forming on her forehead. She stayed seated, silent, watching her go.

Lisa muttered under her breath, barely audible: "Wow... thought Ryujin was scary... but Yeji... she's even more terrifying ..."

Jennie spun and smacked her lightly on the back of the head. Lisa yelped, frozen.

Sana stifled a small laugh behind her hand. Moonbyul shook her head with a smirk, glancing at the table.

Ryujin's eyes flicked toward Lisa. Just a stare. Piercing. Silent. Lisa's face flushed; words died in her throat.
____________________

A few minutes later, Ryujin entered the private room. Vincenzo and Mina were already there. Rose joined, then Moonbyul and Solar entered last, catching the tail end of the discussion.

Rose spoke first. "We caught some of the moles, but it's messy. We need time. We can't rush pulling the rest out of their holes."

Mina's voice was calm, strategic, measured. "Half the team goes on vacation with Yeji. The rest stay with Vincenzo. That's the only way to keep her safe while we root out the spies."

"I'll stay," Moonbyul said.

"I'll stay," Solar added.

"I'll stay," Rose said.

Mina gave a subtle nod.

Vincenzo's gaze swept the room. "Jisoo, Rose, Solar, Moonbyul will stay with me. The rest go with Ryujin and Yeji. Give everyone a duty—follow it at all costs. Chae , Sana, Tzuyu stay with Little Flower at all times. The others—Yeji."

As the room began to clear, Vincenzo quietly held Mina back. "Take care of them. And Ryujin too. Don't forget about yourself. Keep them safe. Make sure she doesn't overdo it protecting everyone else."

Mina nodded, expression softening. Responsibility settling over her like a quiet weight.

______________________

Ryujin wandered through the quiet halls, her footsteps slow, searching. The dinner table felt colder without Yeji and Little Flower. She checked the study, the living room, even the garden. Nothing. Finally, faint giggles drifted from the kitchen.

She stopped at the doorway.

There they were—Yeji and Little Flower sitting on the counter, a huge tub of ice cream between them. Hong Cha Young leaned against the counter, amused, spoon in hand, letting the two chatter away.

Ryujin hadn't expected this.

Both Yeji and Little Flower turned their heads when she stepped inside. Their smiles faltered, replaced with cautious silence.

Ryujin didn't hesitate. She crossed the room, stopping beside Little Flower, then crouched down to her level. Her voice softened, sweet, almost playful:
"Ji Woo..."

The little girl pouted, cheeks puffed out, arms crossed tight. Still upset.

"Will you forgive Mom if she says sorry?" Ryujin asked gently.

Little Flower shook her head hard, lips pressed together, making her pout even bigger.

Ryujin sighed dramatically, pretending to get up. "Aww... that's too bad. I was just about to tell you we're going on vacation after you forgive me. Guess not..."

Little Flower's eyes widened. She gasped, nearly dropping her spoon. "Really?!"

Ryujin looked at her with exaggerated sadness. "Only if you forgive me. Do you?"

The little girl nodded frantically, throwing her arms around Ryujin's neck. "I forgive you! I forgive you! Trip, trip, trip!"

Ryujin smiled, holding her close. "Guess we're going on a trip now."

Yeji's eyes softened as she watched them, guilt flickering across her face. She already regretted the harsh words at dinner.

Little Flower tugged on Ryujin's sleeve. "I'm gonna tell grandpa so we can decide where to go!" She hopped off the counter, ice cream spoon in hand, and scampered out with Hong Cha Young following behind, shaking her head with a fond smile.

The kitchen fell quiet. Just Ryujin and Yeji left.

Neither spoke at first. Silence stretched, awkward but heavy with unspoken words.

Then both blurted at once:
"I'm sorry."

They blinked, surprised, before a laugh broke the tension.

Yeji bit her lip, lowering her gaze. "I shouldn't have said all that. I know you care about Ji Woo. I just... I saw her cry and it hit me. I couldn't stop myself. So I—"

Ryujin cut her off, voice low but steady. "Yeji. You were right. You did the right thing. Thank you... for that. I was just being... overprotective. Of the person I love the most."

Yeji's breath caught. Her lips curled into the smallest smile. "You're impossible sometimes, you know that?"

Ryujin smirked faintly. "And yet... you love me "

Yeji rolled her eyes, but her cheeks warmed. She slid the tub of ice cream toward Ryujin. "Eat. Before Little Flower comes back and finds out we finished all the American nuts."

Ryujin picked up the spoon, their hands brushing. She didn't pull away. Neither did Yeji.

The two of them sat side by side, eating in quiet peace.