"Life in the Spotlight"

The days that followed were a blur of rehearsals, interviews, and variety shows. ITZY was in the midst of their world tour, and the schedule was grueling. Despite the chaos, Ryujin and Yeji's fake dating rumors continued to make headlines. During a particularly grueling practice session, the group took a short break to grab some water. As they huddled around the fridge, Lia turned to Ryujin and Yeji with a sly grin. "So, are you two going to confirm the rumors or keep us in suspense?" Ryujin chuckled and playfully rolled her eyes. "You'll just have to keep guessing, Lia." The group's manager, Jiwon, interrupted, her voice firm but amused. "Alright, let's focus on the choreo. We need to nail this routine if we want to impress the crowd tonight." As they dove back into practice, Yeji couldn't help but steal glances at Ryujin. Their manager's plan was working – the rumors were bringing in more fans and attention – but Yeji was starting to feel like she was walking a tightrope. She didn't want to ruin their friendship, but at the same time, she couldn't deny the flutter in her chest whenever Ryujin was near. The next day, ITZY sat down for an interview with a popular entertainment magazine. The questions were standard – about their music, their inspirations, and their experiences on tour – but inevitably, the conversation turned to Ryujin and Yeji's rumored romance. "So, Ryujin, Yeji, can you tell us if there's any truth to the dating rumors?" the interviewer asked, a hint of excitement in her voice. Ryujin smiled mischievously. "Well, I think we can say that we're very close as friends and bandmates. And who knows? Maybe we'll reveal more later." Yeji chimed in, her voice playful. "Or maybe we won't." The interviewer pressed on, but Ryujin and Yeji skillfully dodged her questions, leaving ITZY's members exchanging amused glances. As soon as the interview was over, the rest of the group pounced. "Spill the tea, Ryujin! What's going on with you two?" Shinwon, the magazine's features editor, asked with a chuckle. Chaeryeong snickered. "Come on, Ryujin, don't be shy. We all know you're secretly a couple." Ryujin and Yeji just laughed, shaking their heads. "You guys are something else," Ryujin said, grinning. The group continued to tease them, but they didn't pry further. They all knew that Jiwon was behind the fake dating rumors, and they were happy to let Ryujin and Yeji handle the situation. Later that evening, as they were preparing for a variety show taping, Ryujin sidled up to Yeji, who was adjusting her earpiece. "Hey, girlfriend," Ryujin whispered, winking at her. Yeji playfully swatted at Ryujin's arm. "Stop it," she said, laughing. But as they locked eyes, Yeji felt a spark of electricity. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them palpable. Then, Ryujin grinned and nudged Yeji's shoulder with her own. "Just getting into character," she said, winking. Yeji raised an eyebrow, her heart racing. Was Ryujin just joking, or was there something more behind her words? Yeji couldn't tell, but she couldn't deny the thrill of excitement that ran through her veins. As they took the stage, Yeji pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the performance. But she couldn't shake the feeling that she was in over her head, and that the line between reality and fiction was getting blurrier by the day.