Chapter 1: In the Shadow of Friendship

The vibrant glow of neon lights streamed into the small confines of the dorm, illuminating the faces of the five members of ITZY as they sprawled across the living room, laughter mingling with the faint sound of the latest hit playing softly in the background. Yeji and Chaeryeong shared a cozy corner, with Yeji's legs draped over Chaeryeong's lap, while Ryujin sat on the floor, her back pressed against the couch, flipping through a magazine. It was a typical post-rehearsal evening, filled with camaraderie and light banter, but there was an undertone in the air, a fragile thread of something unspoken that began to weave itself between Ryujin and Yeji. Though they were best friends, lately they had felt the world shifting around them, tinging their interactions with a different kind of energy. "What’s so interesting in that magazine, Ryujin?" Yeji asked playfully, glancing down with a curious smile that made Ryujin's heart flutter. "Just looking at some fashion ideas. You know how I am with style, right?" Ryujin replied, attempting to sound casual, but her eyes lingered on Yeji, as if discovering a new layer to her best friend. "More like braiding your hair and asking me if it looks cute on you," Chaeryeong teased, earning a light smack on her arm from Yeji. "Hey! It does look cute!" Ryujin defended, a defensive giggle escaping her lips. But a blush crept across her cheeks as she caught Yeji’s gaze, an intensity lighting up the air between them. As the night wore on, the playful banter turned into softer confessions about their dreams, fears, and aspirations. Once the laughter died down, Yeji and Ryujin found themselves, almost by instinct, drifting closer. Chaeryeong glanced sideways, catching sight of the subtle shift in their dynamic. "You two are unusually clingy tonight," she remarked, arching an eyebrow, but both Ryujin and Yeji merely waved it off with laughter. ~~~ Days turned into weeks, and it became a silent agreement—their late-night talks, secret glances, and those accidental brushes of hands became a familiar rhythm. Ryujin started spending more time in Yeji and Chaeryeong's room, ostensibly to play games or review choreographies, but really, it was just to be near Yeji. One day, after an intense practice, Ryujin lingered in Yeji’s dorm, both of them sprawled on the floor, confused by the latest choreography. Chaeryeong had gone to grab snacks, leaving the two alone, the silence stretching into something almost palpable. “Why do you always look at me like that?” Yeji asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her heart racing at the way Ryujin was watching her. “Like what?” Ryujin’s own heart banged against her ribs as she tilted her head slightly—lost in the sweep of Yeji’s long hair and the way the dim light caught her features. Yeji felt the air thicken, charged with an energy that made her lean in closer, just as the door creaked open, and Chaeryeong waltzed back in, arms full of snacks. "You guys better be practicing!" she chirped, completely oblivious to the moment that had hung in the air just before her entrance. Both girls suddenly shifted apart, laughter spilling nervously, and Ryujin shot Yeji a look, a spark of mischief igniting between them. Time went on, and they played it off easily—almost kisses exchanged in fleeting moments, but always interrupted by the other members. Chaeryeong’s suspicious glances turned into playful pokes, turning the dreamlike budding relationship into a thrilling game of cat and mouse. One evening, after a particularly intimate moment was nearly revealed by an accidental walk-in from Lia, Ryujin and Yeji found themselves collapsed against the wall, breathless laughter escaping them. “We’re in so deep,” Ryujin whispered, her forehead resting against Yeji’s, their hearts still racing. "I’m not afraid," Yeji murmured, daringly meeting Ryujin's eyes. Ryujin’s heart soared as she searched Yeji's expression for any sign of fear or hesitation. All she found was truth. And in that moment, tucked away in the cozy intimacy of their shared existence, everything changed.