## Split Seconds

The dimly lit living room was abuzz with the soft hum of the TV and the occasional giggle from the girls as they lounged around, watching a movie. Ryujin leaned back against Yeji's lap, a position they had been in countless times before. It was a comfortable, familiar spot that usually brought a sense of ease and camaraderie. But tonight, as Yeji's hand instinctively reached out to stroke Ryujin's long, wolf-cut hair, Ryujin tensed just slightly. It was a minor reaction, one that Yeji might have missed if she wasn't so attuned to Ryujin's movements. Yeji didn't think much of it, assuming it was just a residual stiffness from a long day of rehearsals. She continued to stroke Ryujin's hair, her fingers gently working out the tangles. Ryujin, however, was acutely aware of Yeji's touch. It sent a shiver down her spine, a sensation she couldn't quite explain. She had always enjoyed the physical affection from the other girls in the group, but this felt different. This felt... electric. The movie ended, and the girls began to disperse, heading to their rooms to get some rest. Ryujin stayed up, her mind racing with thoughts she couldn't quite process. She thought back to her past experiences with boys, specifically a recent make-out session that had left her feeling numb and unsatisfied. She remembered the lack of excitement, the absence of arousal. It was as if her body was waiting for something, or someone, else. Ryujin's thoughts drifted to Yeji, to the way her touch had made her feel. She couldn't shake the sensation, couldn't help but replay the moment over and over in her head. She eventually gave up on sleep, her body tense with unspent energy. The next morning, Yeji noticed that Ryujin seemed distant. She was quieter than usual, her usual spark muted. "Hey, Ryujin, you okay?" Yeji asked, concern etched on her face. Ryujin quickly brushed it off with a smirk, not ready to confront her feelings. "I'm fine, unnie. Just a little tired." Yeji nodded, accepting the explanation, but her eyes lingered on Ryujin's face, searching for something more. As the day went on, Yeji couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She made a mental note to keep an eye on Ryujin, to make sure she was really okay. Little did she know, Ryujin was struggling with her own internal conflict, one that would change the dynamics of their relationship forever. The tension between them was palpable, a silent understanding that something had shifted. They both knew it, but neither was ready to acknowledge it. For now, they would continue to dance around their feelings, trapped in a web of unspoken emotions and unresolved desires.