a group of orphaned girls, down on their luck, infiltrate high society in order to live the high life. but the socialites they're trying to trick may very well find a place in their hearts.
a riize apply fic | closed
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Today was the first time the girl's jjokbang had welcomed any guest, at least since the landlord had come to fix a creaky window, or since an elderly lady had mistaken it for hers. Sihyeon had only announced she would be coming ten minutes prior, and Solhwi had had to make up excuses for the remaining girls to vacate the premises for a bit. After all, she didn't want any of them to know what sort of deal she'd struck with the older girl. Even Sangah might have turned her nose up at that one.
The small square they called an apartment seemed to have the same effect on just about anyone who saw it. Sihyeon had frozen in the doorway, which, coincidentally, was also the living room, perhaps even the kitchen if you stretched it a bit. She'd fallen silent for a few seconds, before turning back to Solhwi with an uneasy expression.
"So this is where you live..." she murmured, unable to hold back what Solhwi could only read as pity.
"Yup. It's not much."
"Oh Solhwi, I had no idea... It must be so difficult, with the seven of you." She finally took another step in, heaving a wistful sigh. "I wish I could get you out of here, but I can't help all of you alone..."
Solhwi closed the door. "It's okay. We can take care of ourselves."
Although she'd been offered help, she'd made it clear she wouldn’t go anywhere without the rest of her friends. To abandon them after they'd done so much for her just wouldn’t be fair, and Solhwi was willing to spend more time waiting here if it meant staying with them. Perhaps it was foolish, considering how close their current lifestyle was to crumbling down, but she couldn’t imagine saving her own skin and leaving the others to figure it out themselves. She couldn’t quite get herself to reach for Sihyeon's outstretched hand. The others wouldn’t, would they?
"Speaking of..." Sihyeon started, observing the apartment in search of an appropriate seat. "How's your... Scheme going?"
The topic made Solhwi wince. "It's going," was all she could say.
"I understand why you're doing this, but it's not a long-term solution. It won't help you find jobs or homes."
"No, but at least when we're invited on trips or to restaurants, we don't have to worry about rent or food. It's temporary," she quickly added, feeling a tinge of embarrassment color her cheeks.
