Roses and Thorns (Jinlia)

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻 | out

Book 1, Chapter 16
𝖮𝗎𝗍

Three days had passed since that pivotal moment between Jisu and Ryujin, where they explored the depths of their budding relationship. It had been the same amount of time since Jisu had finally found the courage to acknowledge her own feelings for Ryujin.

“Jisu, I really like you,” Ryujin confessed earnestly. “Please believe me.”

At a loss for words, Ryujin pulled Jisu into an embrace.

This was new territory for them. Beyond hand-holding or casual touches, they were now sharing a hugㅡone initiated by Ryujin... and it didn’t bother her.

As she felt Jisu’s heart hammering against her chest, Ryujin dared to hope that this was a sign. Perhaps, just perhaps, it signified shared feelings. She was yearning for even the slightest hint that her affection was reciprocated, that maybe Jisu’s heart beat in tandem with her own.

Does her heart race like this because of me?

“Please don’t question what I feel for you,” Ryujin whispered, tightening her embrace, noticing how Jisu’s heartbeat only seemed to quicken.

But Jisu remained silent, and Ryujin grew anxious as the quiet stretched between them. “You’re so quiet, Jisu. Am I overstepping?” she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Hearing the uncertainty in Ryujin’s voice, Jisu couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. The absurdity of the situation wasn’t lost on her. Was she really witnessing this vulnerable side of the usually aloof and distant Shin Ryujin?

Ryujin pulled back slightly to meet Jisu’s eyes, her brows furrowed in confusion. “Why did you laugh?” she asked, curiosity flickering in her gaze.

Jisu’s lips curved into a mischievous grin. “You’re falling for me too hard, Shin.”

Ryujin rolled her eyes, but the hint of a smile tugged at her lips.

“I haven’t even done anything to make you like me,” Jisu teased, clearly enjoying the rare sight of Ryujin’s discomfort.

Ryujin opened her mouth, ready to retort, but Jisu silenced her with a soft, “Shh.” Suddenly serious, she leaned closer, her eyes never leaving Ryujin’s. “Close your eyes,” she instructed.

Ryujin was already halfway through closing her eyes when Jisu’s unexpected request registered. “Wait... what?” she stammered, bewildered.

“Close your eyes,” Jisu repeated, her tone leaving no room for argument. “I... don’t want you to see me leaving.”

The words struck Ryujin like a blow. For a moment, she couldn’t process what Jisu had just said. But as she stared into Jisu’s resolute expression, a pang of hurt sliced through her. The idea of Jisu walking away felt unbearable, so Ryujin did as she was told. She closed her eyes, her heart sinking.

But instead of the sound of retreating footsteps, there was only silence.

Jisu’s serious facade slipped, replaced by a sly smirk. She stepped closer, defying her own words. For a fleeting moment, she admired the way Ryujin looked with her eyes shut, so unguarded, so vulnerable. Her smile softened, and before Ryujin could sense her presence, Jisu leaned in, brushing her lips against Ryujin’s in a soft, unexpected kiss.

Ryujin’s eyes flew open just as Jisu pulled back slightly, their faces still inches apart. Breathless, Jisu murmured against Ryujin’s lips, “I’m sure you understand what that means, Ryujin.”

Ryujin blinked, her mind struggling to catch up, but the smile that spread across her face spoke volumes.

“Chaeryeong eonni, is it just my imagination, or does the air smell kinda odd?” Yuna whispered, her voice just loud enough for Chaeryeong to hear.

Jisu, sitting nearby, couldn't help but overhear their hushed conversation. She couldn’t tell if they were genuinely trying to be subtle or just outright teasing her.

“It’s not just you,” Chaeryeong replied with a smirk. “Something’s definitely up with the air.”

Jisu turned to face them, a mix of curiosity and irritation in her eyes. “Care to share what’s so funny?”

Chaeryeong merely shrugged, a sly grin spreading across her lips. “Why would we share when you already know what it is?” she teased, giving Yuna a playful nudge. The two of them snickered like children with a secret.

“Stop it!” Jisu hissed, her face turning pink.

“Shh!” they both hushed her, exaggeratedly glancing toward the couch. “Keep it down, or you’ll wake the baby,” Yuna added, nodding toward Ryujin, who was fast asleep with her head resting on Jisu’s lap.

Ryujin had shown up at Jisu’s door at 3:00 AM, unable to sleep and looking more disheveled than usual. Jisu, being Jisu, had ushered her to the living room, and it wasn’t long before Ryujin had drifted off, lulled by the quiet and Jisu’s presence. Now, at 6:00 AM, Yuna and Chaeryeong had walked in on the scene.

Yuna’s eyes sparkled with a sudden realization. “And Ryujin eonni doesn’t just do that.” She gestured dramatically toward her cousin. “She’s not the type to engage in physical closeness easily, especially not with strangersㅡthough you’re definitely not one. But... just look at her!”

Chaeryeong’s face softened, and she cooed, “Aww~” while Jisu shot her an unimpressed glare.

“So what happened, eonni?” Yuna asked, her tone shifting to something more serious, her curiosity piqued.

“I... uh...” Jisu stammered, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of red. She was far too bashful to spill the details. “Well, uh...”

“‘Uh’ what?” Chaeryeong pressed, leaning forward in anticipation.

Jisu hesitated for a moment, then nervously pointed toward Ryujin’s lips.

The room fell silent as Yuna and Chaeryeong’s eyes followed Jisu’s gesture. They looked at Ryujin, then at each other, their eyes wide in shock, and then back at Jisu.

Before they could explode with excitement, Jisu frantically waved her hands, signaling them to keep quiet.

But Yuna couldn’t contain herself. She grabbed Chaeryeong by the shoulders, her eyes sparkling with glee, “They kissed!” she whispered, barely able to contain her excitement, her words tumbling out in a rushed whisper.

Chaeryeong gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. “Seriously? You kissed her?”

Jisu buried her face in her hands, wishing the floor would just swallow her up. “Can we please not make a big deal out of this?” she muttered, her voice muffled by her palms.

But it was too late. The delighted squeals of Yuna and Chaeryeong filled the room, the two practically bouncing on their feet, thrilled by the revelation.