"Setting Boundaries"

As they sat in their dorm's living room, surrounded by the familiar comforts of their home, Ryujin and Yeji exchanged a determined glance. They had decided to take matters into their own hands and address the growing rumors head-on. With a deep breath, they pulled out their phones and opened Instagram, the main account of ITZY waiting for them on the screen. "Time to set the record straight," Ryujin said, her fingers hovering over the screen. Yeji nodded, and together, they crafted a message that would put the rumors to rest. When they were satisfied with the response, they hit the "go live" button, and their faces appeared on the screen, bright and cheerful. "Annyeong, ITZY is here!" Ryujin greeted, waving at the camera. The comments started pouring in immediately, a mix of excited fans and curious onlookers. Yeji launched into a cheerful discussion about their upcoming schedule, and Ryujin chimed in, their banter easy and natural. But as they chatted, they both knew that this live stream was about more than just sharing their daily lives. It was about quelling the rumors, about reassuring their fans that they were just friends, nothing more. "We've noticed some of you have been speculating about our relationship," Yeji said, her voice light and airy. "We just wanted to set the record straight – we're just friends, guys. We're just group members who care about each other." The words felt like a betrayal, but they both knew it was necessary. They couldn't let the rumors continue to swirl, not when they had already shared so much with each other in private. As they wrapped up the live stream and shut down their phones, Ryujin felt a pang of sadness. They had taken a step back, pretending to be just friends once more. In the days that followed, they made a conscious effort to tone down their interactions on camera. They avoided physical contact, opting for a more distant, friendly demeanor that was hard to fake. But in private, the tension between them grew. Every glance, every passing touch, was charged with desire and unspoken feelings. One evening, as they were getting ready for bed, Ryujin caught Yeji's eye, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. The air was thick with unspoken emotions, and Ryujin felt her heart racing. She quickly looked away, trying to shake off the feeling. But it was no use. The boundaries they had set only seemed to heighten the attraction between them. They were closer than ever, yet forced to act like they were just friends. The charade was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain, and Ryujin couldn't help but wonder how long they could keep up this act. As they settled into bed, Yeji reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair out of Ryujin's face. The touch was fleeting, but it sent shivers down Ryujin's spine. She looked up at Yeji, their eyes locking in a moment of pure understanding. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them palpable. Then, without a word, they both looked away, trying to compose themselves. The game they were playing was getting harder by the day, and Ryujin wasn't sure how much longer they could keep up the charade.