Roses and Thorns (Jinlia)

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻 | under the tree

Book 1, Chapter 15
𝖴𝗇𝖽𝖾𝗋 𝖳𝗁𝖾 𝖳𝗋𝖾𝖾

Chaeryeong’s heart twisted as she watched Jisu retreat, her shoulders heavy with sorrow.

Was this the right move? Had she made a mistake?

Yuna’s voice broke through the heavy silence. “What’s our next step, eonni?” She asked Ryujin, her gaze lingering on the fading silhouette of Jisu as she walked away.

The plan had been intentional. Chaeryeong and Yuna had exaggerated their affection for each other in front of Jisu, all at Ryujin’s request, after hearing about the sudden confession. Their goal had been to provoke a reaction from Jisu, to get under her skinㅡand it worked. The move had given Ryujin the perfect opening to push further.

“Ryu, you know I was reluctant from the start to go along with this scheme,” Chaeryeong confessed, leaning against Yuna for emotional support. The thought of Jisu, upset and resentful, made her knees weak.

“I understand, but--”

Chaeryeong cut her off, her voice barely more than a whisper, her frustration laced with weariness. “Which is why, if you’re not going to make a move now...” She paused, exhaling a troubled sigh, the weight of it pulling at her chest. “...just leave Jisu alone. Leave us alone.”

Chaeryeong’s nerves were frayed as she retreated to Jisu’s room, seeking refuge after her abrupt exit.

What if Jisu now harbored resentment towards me? What if she’s drowning in guilt, thinking she’s upset me? What if this changes everything between us?

The door creaked slightly, drawing her attention, and she saw Yuna’s face peeking around the corner.

“Chaeryeong eonni...?” Yuna’s voice was soft, yet it carried a sense of urgency. “Come on out, Ryujin eonni is back.”

──⇌••⇋──

Ryujin sat in silence, her thoughts far away, her gaze unfocused.

Chaeryeong and Yuna exchanged a brief look, the weight of unspoken concern between them.

Yuna, ever the cautious one, made her way toward Ryujin. Her steps were slow, tentative. “Eonni?”

Chaeryeong remained still, sensing that this moment wasn’t one for her to intrude upon.

But the question lingered heavily in the airㅡif Ryujin had bared her heart, where was Jisu now?

“So, what went down?” Yuna asked, her tone measured, aware of how swiftly Ryujin’s moods could shift.

Ryujin’s answer was blunt. “I confessed, as planned.”

“Good,” Chaeryeong murmured, her voice filled with hope as she followed up, “And what was Jisu eonni’s reaction?”

Ryujin met Chaeryeong’s eyes with an icy gaze. “She was taken aback. Didn’t outright reject me, but she didn’t respond to my confession either.”

Yuna’s concern deepened. “Then what’s our next move?” Her worry for both her cousin and Jisu was evidentㅡshe didn’t want this situation to damage their friendship.