Roses and Thorns (Jinlia)

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆-𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿 | nice company & ice cream

Book 1, Chapter 24
Nice Company and Ice Cream

JISU HAD spent the entire week aimlessly wandering around her locked-up home, with no desire to venture outside. Opting to stay in and immerse herself in movies seemed like the best option.

Lying in bed, Jisu gazed at the ceiling, arms spread wide.

Jisu gazed at the ceiling, engulfed in thoughts. Ignoring Chaeryeong for a week, not exchanging a single word, felt like an unbearable punishment. The cold distance between them was something new and distressing for Jisu.

Jisu was clueless about whether Chaeryeong had attempted to reach out; after all, her phone was off, cutting her off even from Ryujin. It was surprising that neither had come looking for her yet.

Finally deciding to get up due to hunger, Jisu headed towards the kitchen. But as she was about to raid the fridge, a voice unexpectedly made her jump. “Why's your phone off? And locking yourself away for a week? Really?”

Catching her breath, Jisu wondered how Ryujin managed to enter when she was certain everything was securely locked.

“The silent treatment isn't the answer, Jisu.”

With a sigh, Jisu turned to face Ryujin, prepared for the confrontation.

“Why were you avoiding us? Me, specifically?” Ryujin's tone remained neutral, but there was a subtle tremor in her voice, hinting at suppressed emotions that made Jisu uneasy.

“I... I don't know,” Jisu stammered, hoping Ryujin wouldn't be upset with her.

Ryujin sighed, running her fingers through her hair, “You must be relieved I can't stay mad at you,” she said, a hint of exasperation in her voice, before rolling her eyes. Jisu couldn't help but chuckle, moving closer to Ryujin to embrace her.

“I missed you...” Jisu murmured.

“Well, if you hadn't been foolish enough to shut me out too, you wouldn't miss me this much,” Ryujin retorted playfully, earning a playful slap on the butt from Jisu. “Ow!”

“Sorry, but not really sorry,” Jisu replied with a mischievous grin.

“Psh. Come on, let's go to the living room,” Ryujin said, shaking her head with a smile.

“Hey, Ryujin--” Jisu's words trailed off as her eyes landed on the figures lounging on the long couch. It seemed they were the reason Ryujin had led her here.

Instantly, her dormant anger flared up, disproving her belief that it had fizzled out. This simmering rage was precisely why she had been avoiding them.

Withdrawing her hand from Ryujin, Jisu was about to retreat to her room when Ryujin's icy command froze her in place, “Don't walk away from us, Jisu.”

Confronted with the realization that there was no escaping this confrontation, Jisu let out a resigned sigh and returned to Ryujin's side.