## Chapter 2: "Almost"

Ryujin walked into the bedroom, her eyes scanning the room for Yeji. She found her standing in front of the dresser, changing into a new outfit. Yeji's back was to her, her long orange hair cascading down her back like a waterfall. Ryujin's eyes lingered on the sight, her heart skipping a beat. There was an undeniable pause, a glance that spoke volumes without saying a word. Yeji's hands froze, her fingers grasping the hem of her shirt. Ryujin's eyes dropped, her face flushing with a mixture of embarrassment and something else. The tension between them was palpable, a heavy weight that hung in the air. Ryujin quickly turned around, her eyes avoiding Yeji's. "I'll just, uh, go to the bathroom," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. Yeji's eyes followed her, a hint of curiosity sparking in their depths. She wondered what had just happened, why Ryujin had looked at her like that. As soon as Ryujin was out of sight, she let out a deep breath, her body sagging against the dresser. She couldn't explain the sudden jolt of electricity that had run through her body. It was as if she had been punched in the gut, her breath knocked out of her. Ryujin locked herself in the bathroom, her mind racing. She couldn't shake the image of Yeji's back, her skin glowing in the soft light. She felt... restless, her body humming with a tension she couldn't release. She approached the sink, her eyes meeting her own in the mirror. For a moment, she just stared, her expression blank. Then, her hands moved of their own accord, slipping under her tank top. She tried to edge herself, seeking to understand the arousal she had been feeling. But it was frustrating and unfocused, her body not responding the way she wanted it to. As she touched herself, Yeji's name slipped out of her mouth, a whispered mutter that made her freeze. Her eyes widened, her face flushing with shock. What was she doing? Why was she thinking about Yeji like that? The bathroom was silent, the only sound Ryujin's ragged breathing. She felt like she had been caught, like she had been discovered. But she couldn't look away, her eyes fixed on her own reflection. Meanwhile, Yeji had drifted off to sleep, her body sinking into the mattress. But she wasn't really asleep, not fully. She was dreaming, her mind weaving a warm and safe picture. In the dream, Ryujin's hand was on her waist, a gentle touch that made her feel... at peace. When Yeji woke up, she felt a pang of disappointment, her body missing the touch. She sat up, her eyes scanning the room for Ryujin. She found her in the kitchen, making breakfast in nothing but shorts and a tank top. Yeji's heart skipped a beat, her eyes lingering on Ryujin's skin. She felt a sudden rush of desire, a need to touch her. But she pushed it down, her face neutral. "Morning," Yeji said, her voice casual. Ryujin turned around, a smile on her face. "Morning, unnie." The kitchen was filled with the scent of cooking food, the sound of sizzling meat and vegetables. But Yeji's senses were focused on Ryujin, her body tuned to the other girl's every move. As they ate breakfast together, the tension between them was palpable, a heavy weight that hung in the air. Yeji couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted, that their relationship had changed in some fundamental way. And Ryujin... Ryujin was trapped in her own internal conflict, unsure of what she wanted or how to get it. The breakfast was silent, the only sound the clinking of utensils on plates. Yeji and Ryujin avoided eye contact, their gazes drifting around the kitchen. It was as if they were both waiting for something, for some spark to ignite the tension between them. But for now, they just sat there, the silence between them growing thicker and more oppressive with every passing moment.