"Beyond the Facade"

As Yeji walked back into the living room, her phone still clutched in her hand, her expression had shifted from serene to slightly frustrated. Her brow was furrowed, and she let out a soft sigh as she sat down beside Ryujin on the couch. Ryujin, noticing the change in Yeji's demeanor, turned to her with a concerned gaze. "Everything okay?" she asked lightly, not prying but showing genuine concern. Yeji forced a smile, trying to brush off the tension. "Yeah, just… tired of talking sometimes." Her voice was laced with a hint of frustration, but she seemed determined to downplay it. The others didn't press the issue, and the conversation flowed easily as they chatted and laughed. However, Ryujin's gaze lingered on Yeji for just a second longer than necessary. She could sense that there was more to Yeji's frustration than she was letting on. As Yeji settled in beside her, she began to open up about her boyfriend, her voice laced with annoyance. "I mean, seriously, he's so stubborn sometimes. He never listens to me, and it's like, hello, I'm right here, can't you see I'm trying to tell you something?" The others chimed in, offering words of encouragement and commiseration. Ryujin listened intently, her eyes locked on Yeji's face as she tried to decode the underlying emotions. She thought to herself, She deserves better. I know her better than he does. As Yeji continued to rant about her boyfriend, Ryujin's mind wandered. Was Yeji's frustration just about her boyfriend's annoying habits, or was there something more to it? Just as Yeji was getting into the nitty-gritty of her complaints, she suddenly changed the subject, her face lighting up with a bright smile. "Hey, has anyone tried that new dessert place downtown? I heard their bingsu is amazing!" The others eagerly chimed in, discussing their favorite desserts and making plans to try the new place. As the conversation flowed easily, Ryujin's gaze never left Yeji's face. She was aware of the subtle tension still present, the unspoken emotions that Yeji was trying to keep hidden. Ryujin's thoughts swirled with questions. Was she reading too much into it, or was there something more to Yeji's frustration? As Yeji sat close to her, laughing and chatting with the others, Ryujin couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to Yeji's story than met the eye.