"Beyond the Studio Lights"

As the long rehearsal finally came to an end, Yeji let out a sigh of relief. She was exhausted but still had a craving for something sweet. Spotting Ryujin packing up her things, Yeji approached her. "Hey, want to grab some bungeoppang with me? I'm buying." Ryujin raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement on her face. "You're buying? What's the occasion?" Yeji shrugged. "Just celebrating the end of that grueling rehearsal, I guess." The two of them walked out of the JYPE building, into the crisp night air. The neon signs of the surrounding buildings reflected off the wet pavement, casting a colorful glow over the deserted streets. The cold air stung their cheeks, but the warmth of the snack cart a block away drew them in. As they waited in line, Ryujin teased Yeji about her constant need for snacks. Yeji playfully rolled her eyes, laughing. When it was their turn to order, Yeji opted for a few pieces of bungeoppang and a hotteok, while Ryujin chose a bungeo-ppang and a cup of hot chocolate. As they walked down the street, munching on their snacks, Yeji found herself stealing glances at Ryujin. She was captivated by the way Ryujin's mouth moved when she spoke, the way her lips curled up when she smiled. It was a strange fascination, one Yeji couldn't quite explain. Ryujin noticed Yeji's gaze and chuckled. "You okay? You've been staring at me for a while." Yeji's cheeks flushed as she quickly looked away. "I was just...admiring the street lights." The conversation flowed easily, with Ryujin sharing stories about her childhood and Yeji giggling at her impressions. But as they turned onto a quieter street, the atmosphere shifted. The soft hum of the city and the minimal lighting created an intimate setting, one that seemed to encourage vulnerability. Ryujin's expression turned serious, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's hard being yourself in here," she said, her eyes scanning the dark street. "Sometimes I feel like I'm just pretending to be someone I'm not." Yeji's ears perked up, her heart going out to Ryujin. She listened closely as Ryujin spoke about the pressures of being a trainee, the constant scrutiny and criticism. Yeji shared her own struggles, and for a moment, they just walked in silence, the only sound the soft crunch of gravel beneath their feet. As they approached Yeji's dorm, Ryujin slowed down, her eyes locked onto Yeji's. "I'm glad I have you, Yeji. You're one of the few people who gets it." Yeji's heart swelled, and she felt a pang of gratitude towards Ryujin. "I'm here for you, Ryujin. We're in this together." Ryujin's gaze lingered, and for a moment, Yeji thought she saw something more in her eyes. Something that made Yeji's breath catch in her throat. "Thanks, Yeji," Ryujin said, her voice low and husky. "You're a good friend." Yeji smiled, feeling a sense of warmth towards Ryujin. As they stood outside her dorm, Yeji unlocked the door but didn't step inside. Ryujin didn't move, her eyes still fixed on Yeji's. The night air was heavy with tension, Yeji's breath held in her throat. She felt like she was on the cusp of something, but she couldn't quite grasp it. "Goodnight, Ryujin," Yeji said finally, turning to face her. Ryujin's gaze followed her, her eyes burning with an intensity that made Yeji's skin prickle. "Goodnight, Yeji." As Yeji stepped inside, she turned back, catching Ryujin staring at her. For a moment, they just looked at each other, the world around them melting away. Yeji's heart was racing, her mind reeling with emotions she couldn't quite process. She pulled away, reminding herself that she was straight, that she couldn't feel what she thought she felt. But as she closed the door behind her, Yeji couldn't shake off the feeling that something had shifted between them, something that would change their friendship forever.