"Drama at the MAMA's

{Days later}

POV Yeji

We arrived at the huge and long red carpet of the venue. It's the first time since the pandemic started that we got the opportunity to interact with fans and other kpop groups. People were screaming our names. We stood in front of the paparazzi to take our photo, a sasaeng managed to evade security and almost hug Yuna but our manager quickly intervened.

The venue was almost full, there were lots of fans waiting to get in. Every Kpop group was in their designated makeup room, next to us was Mamamoo, Enhypen, and Aespa.

The makeup team started to do some touch ups while the stylist ordered us to put on our stage outfits. We were going to cover them with black hoods. The awards started and the first ones to perform were Enhypen, they combined "fever" with "blessed cursed". Their stage was amazing, they had lights, scenery and back up dancers.

The awards continued as planned until it was our turn to perform. I felt my heart race with each passing second, we walked backstage and the sound team handed our in-ears. Usually at this point I always held Ryujin's hand to calm down but she was on the other side of the stage.

We took our places on the platform under the stage, the intro started to play and Ryujin was the first to appear, the fans went crazy. From my position I could see how she moved perfectly on stage, every move she made was in sync and clean, when she dances she forgets about everything and enjoys the moment.

The platform went up to show the rest of us. We danced "Loco" with all our energy. At the end Ryujin was taken backstage to get ready for the next performance.

The rest of us returned to our seats still wearing the microphones, this wasn't a problem because they were off. "Party monster by The Weekend" started to play and Jimin appeared on stage, he danced beautifully with two pieces of black fabric, later Ryujin appeared next to him and danced as well.

My attention was totally on her. She was flawless, the performance was about to end but they shared a kiss on live television. All the fans went crazy, they stood up from their seats and started to take pictures. Lia took my hand and gasped.

The main camera showed our reaction and my anger was more than obvious. When I realized our faces were on the big screen, I changed my facial expression and smiled.

During the BTS performance I returned to our private room and Ryujin was there, she was half naked, just wearing underwear. She looked at me and said nothing.

-"Good performance" -I broke the awkward silence. This is the first time we talked in days.

-"Thanks" -she put on her red carpet outfit and walked past me.

-"Ryujin?"

-"Yes?" -she closed the door again.

-"Never mind" -I chicken out.

-"Thanks for everything Yeji" -she said sincerely and noticed her eyes watered.

(Play song: Something's gotta give by camila cabello)

I returned to my seat and Ryujin wasn't there. Did she feel sick and return home? No way, her manager would tell us if something changed. After their performance BTS sat behind us and Jimin took the chair right behind me, he leaned a little and talked.

-"Yeji?"

-"Yes?" -I need to look friendly in front of the cameras.

-"Ryujin just left"

-"What? Why?"

-"She had a fight with her manager. Ryujin said something about resignation"

-"Is she going to leave the company?" -I felt how my blood boiled inside my veins.

-"I don't know. She isn't answering her phone either"

-"Shit"

I stood up from my seat and Chaeryeong looked at me in surprise and asked where I was going but I didn't answer. I needed to find Ryujin. In a hurry I walked to the dressing room and found my manager talking on the phone.

-"Where is Ryujin?" -she's angry- "Shin isn't with you?" - "No! Where is she?" -this would be easy if I could hear the other person talking- "I don't know" - "That's your job" -at this point she's screaming at her phone- "Wait, let me call her manager" -a couple of seconds passed and her manager finally answered- "Shin returned to the company? Why?"

Shit, was the word I could only think of. According to all I heard, it is true she is going to quit JYP.

I ran to the back exit of the venue and approached the designated driver of Itzy. I didn't say much, I just needed to arrive at the company building as fast as possible.

He drove fast, the MAMA Awards were still a couple hours till the end but I didn't care. It took me more than an hour to get to the building. I called Ryujin's phone but she didn't answer.

-"Please, please... please answer" -I tried multiple times.

When I arrived at the company, I took the stairs to the practice rooms. She wasn't there, so I looked everywhere. Recording studios, offices, storage rooms until I arrived at the CEO office. I opened the door without asking and Ryujin was signing some papers.

-"Ryujin, don't sign anything!" -I screamed making JYP and Ryujin looked at me.

-"Yeji?" -she is shocked.

-"Miss Hwang?" - JYP said- "What are you doing here?"

-"Ryujin... don't sign... please" -my heart still beats for her.

-"To late miss Hwang" -JYP took the piece of paper- "She already did"

-"What did you sign?" -I asked her- "Tell me Ryujin!"

-"Miss Shin..." -JYP intervened.

I walked closer to them- "Do you love Jimin that much to quit?" -she's not looking at me.

-"Don't answer miss Shin, you are dismissed"

The black haired girl walked past me avoiding eye contact. She left the room and closed the door leaving me with our boss.

-"She took the hit for you. Did you know?"

-"What does it mean?"

JYP laughed sarcastically- "Her relationship with Jimin... is fake. They don't love each other and yet you didn't let Ryujin explain" -why does it sound like he knows something?

I just looked at him, my brain wasn't processing fast enough.

-"She did all of this because I asked her to. My options were you or her, but she is so in love with you that didn't wanted to leave you this responsibility" -the old man said- "She said that you wouldn't be happy"

-"Just like her..." -I said whispering - "She is unhappy because of you"

-"Her name and brand means money. All JYP artists are money but for some reason the lead board decided that she was the right option" -he approached- "You will get over this, don't worry" -he placed his hand on my shoulder.

I walked out of the building and there was no sign of Ryujin. I asked her manager but he didn't know either.  Where could she be? 

I thought for a while until I remembered Ryujin's favorite place since we were trainees. I took a cab to Namsan park.

The park was almost empty, it was late and there were only couples. I took my heels off and ran to her favorite spot. From afar I saw she was sitting on the grass looking at the river in front of her. She had curled up in a ball. Making her arms hold her legs.

-"Can I sit?" -noticed a couple of tears fell on her cheeks- "Please?" -she moved to the side and let me sit without looking at me- "You did all of this because of me?"

No response. 

-"Please Ryujin, talk to me" -I whispered.

-"I did" -she answered minutes later.

-"Why didn't you tell me?"

-"That was the agreement I had with JYP. The "relationship" was going to be a secret until dispatch finds out, but JYP decided to tell everyone sooner" -she moved away- "He found out about us..."

-"That's not fair" -that is the best I can say? Really?

-"Everything was perfect... we were more than happy. The girls accepted our relationship, until fucking JYP ruined everything" -she sounds drunk but there are no empty bottles of soju.

The sound of the river made us stop talking for a while, there were couples walking and laughing behind us. They sound happy.

-"Did you quit?" -I finally asked.

-"No. I just agreed to show affection towards Jimin in public... it hurts you know? To act being in love with someone I'm not"

-"Ryujin... did you really mean what you said to me on the plane?"

By her reaction I noticed she doesn't remember quite well. Her head is full of dark thoughts and sadness.

-"Have you really liked me since we debuted?"

She smiled slightly- "Like is not enough Yeji... but yes, I loved you"

-"Loved? You don't anymore?"

Ryujin made eye contact for the first time in days. She was about to take my chin but doubted, I took her hand and let her caressed my cheek.

-"Yeji... I have never loved someone the way I love you. You make me happy... next to you everything falls into its place" -she took both of my cheeks- "When I'm with you time stops" -her eyes watered even more- "The night we spent together in Chicago, I realized that you are my only one. I don't want or need anyone else... just you"

-"You really mean it?"

-"A million times. I love you Yeji"

-"Say it again" -now I'm crying.

-"I love you..."

Ryujin hugged me but I wanted a kiss. I separated from her and sealed our lips, making some tears go down my cheeks. Her skin was warm even though it was eighteen degrees. Kissing Ryujin is the best feeling in the world. I will never get tired of her soft and pink lips.