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Yeji strolled into the pharmacy, her phone nestled between her ear and shoulder as she browsed the aisles. "Yuna-yah. I’ll be home soon, how’s everything holding up?"
She leisurely scanned the shelves, plucking a mascara from the display. “Hmm, this one looks good,”
Yuna's voice chimed through the phone. "We're doing just fine! Chaeryeong-unnie is done putting her make-up on, and so is Lia-unnie."
"And Ryujin?" Yeji replied, inspecting an eyeliner. "She hasn’t done her make-up yet?"
She meandered through the store, casually perusing the lipstick section. “I’ll get this one.”
"Well," Yuna sighed. "She’s.. she hasn’t woke up from her nap yet."
Yeji chuckled, grabbing a couple of lipsticks. "As if, she knows we’re only a couple of hours away from MMA’s."
She made her way to the counter, smiling at the cashier as she placed her items on the conveyor belt.
"Yeah, I know," Yuna agreed. "Oh. I think she’s waking up now."
"That’s what I like to hear," Yeji said, handing the cashier her card. "Tell her to get ready. I’m seeing a lot of cars outside."
Yuna laughed. "Of course! Will do!"
Yeji grabbed her bag, thanking the cashier before heading out of the pharmacy. "Great. Just let me know if there’s something else to pick up before I get home, okay?."
She stepped out into the street, a content smile on her face. “Right, let’s knock that red carpet away.”
Yeji navigated through the streets, her shopping bag swinging from her arm as she dodged pedestrians and cars alike. “The traffic's insane today,” she mused, glancing at her watch. “We're cutting it close.”
She quickened her pace, her heels clicking against the pavement as she rounded the corner to their apartment building. Yeji hurried inside, jabbing the elevator button impatiently.
“Come on, come on,” she urged silently, tapping her foot. The doors finally opened, and she stepped inside, hitting the button for their floor.
As soon as the elevator doors parted, Yeji strode down the hallway, fishing her keys out of her purse. She unlocked the door and pushed it open, calling out, "I'm back! Is everyone ready?"
Silence greeted her. Yeji furrowed her brow, venturing further into the apartment. "Guys?"
She found Yuna sprawled on the couch, scrolling through her phone. "Yuna! Why aren't you dressed?"
Yuna looked up, eyes wide. "Oh, you're back already?"
Yeji sighed, exasperated. "Yes, and we need to leave soon. Where are the others?"
Chaeryeong emerged from her room, still in her pajamas. "Hey, unnie. Welcome back."
"Chaeryeong, why aren't you ready?" Yeji’s teeth began to grit, frustration mounting.
Chaeryeong shrugged. "I was waiting for the bathroom to be free."
Yeji marched down the hall, knocking on the bathroom’s door. "Lia, are you ready?"
A muffled voice responded, "Almost! Just a few more minutes!"
“Unbelievable,” Yeji whispered, shaking her head. She turned to Ryujin's door, pounding on it. "Ryujin! Wake up and get ready, now!"
A groan emanated from behind the door. "Five more minutes..."
Yeji threw her hands up, storming back into the living room. "I can't believe this. We're going to be late!"
Yuna sat up, looking sheepish. "Sorry, unnie. We'll get ready now."
Yeji pinched the bridge of her nose, taking a deep breath. "Okay, everyone, listen up! We have thirty minutes to get dressed and out the door. Move it!"
The girls sprang into action, scurrying to their rooms. Yeji collapsed onto the couch, her head in her hands. “We'll make it,” she whispered to herself, trying to stay positive. “We have to.”
Chaeryeong approached Yeji, her leg bouncing from side to side as she glanced at her phone.
"Hey, unnie," Chaeryeong began softly, taking a seat beside her. "You okay? You seem really winded up."
Yeji looked up, her eyes filled with worry. "I just don't want us to be late, Chaeryeong. This event is important, and I feel like I'm the only one taking it seriously."
Chaeryeong placed a comforting hand on Yeji's shoulder. "I understand, but we're getting ready now."
Yeji shrugged off Chaeryeong's hand, standing abruptly. "That's not what I meant, Chaeryeong-ah! You were all supposed to be ready by the time I got back!"
She paced the room, her hands balled into fists at her sides. "I reminded you multiple times. I even called Yuna to make sure everyone was getting ready."
Chaeryeong stood, her own frustration bubbling to the surface. "Yeji-ah, we're doing our best. It's not like we're intentionally trying to make us late."
Yeji whirled around, her eyes flashing. "Well, your best isn't good enough right now! We have a responsibility to be on time and represent our group professionally."
Lia stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. "Unnie, take a breath. Getting angry isn't going to help us get ready faster."
Yeji spun to face Lia, her eyes narrowing. "Oh, it's not? Well, maybe a little pressure is exactly what you all need to start taking this seriously!"
She stalked closer to Lia, her voice rising with each word. "If me getting angry is what it takes to get you all moving, then that's what I'll do!"
Lia stood her ground, meeting Yeji's gaze unflinchingly. "Unnie, this isn't like you. We're all trying our best."
Yeji scoffed, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "Your best? If this is your best, then we're in trouble. We can't afford to be late, not tonight!"
Ryujin stepped between them, her hands raised in a placating gesture. "Okay, okay, everyone, let's all just take a step back and breathe."
Yeji's eyes widened as she took in Ryujin's appearance. "Ryujin-ah, are you serious right now? You haven't even put on any makeup!"
Ryujin's hands dropped to her sides, her eyes darting away from Yeji's gaze. "I, uh, I was just about to start?"
Yeji's jaw clenched, her hands balling into fists. "Just about to start? Ryujin, we're leaving in minutes! How could you not have your makeup done by now?"
Ryujin shifted her weight, her voice small. "I thought I could do it quickly in the car on the way there..."
Yeji's eyes nearly bulged out of her head. "In the car!? Are you joking!?"
She advanced on Ryujin, her finger pointing accusingly. "Do you even care about this event? About our image? About the group?"
Ryujin's eyes flashed, her own temper flaring. "Of course I care! I just lost track of time, okay? It's not like I did it on purpose!"
Yeji scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, you lost track of time? That's your excuse? Ryujin, we've been preparing for this for weeks!"
Chaeryeong stepped forward, her hands raised in a calming gesture. "Guys, arguing isn't going to solve anything. Ryujin, just go do your makeup quickly, and we'll wait for you."
Yeji whirled on Chaeryeong, her eyes blazing. "Wait for her? We don't have time to wait! We're going to be late because of this!"
Lia placed a hand on Yeji's shoulder, her voice firm. "Enough. We'll make it work. Ryujin, go get ready. The rest of us will figure this out."
Ryujin nodded, hurrying off to her room. Yeji watched her go, her chest heaving with anger. I can't believe this. How could she be so irresponsible?
Yuna approached Yeji, her voice soft. "Unnie, I know you're stressed, but we need to work together. Fighting isn't going to get us there any faster."
Yeji closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. “Right. I need to calm down and focus on solutions.”
Yeji's eyes snapped open, her frustration boiling over once more. "You know what? I do have a solution. How about everyone stops wandering around the room and actually gets ready?"
She threw her hands up in exasperation, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I mean, it's just a thought, but maybe, just maybe, if we all focused on preparing instead of having this pointless discussion, we wouldn't be in this mess!"
Yuna blinked, a smile spreading across her face. "You know what, Unnie? That actually works!"
Yeji stared at her, momentarily taken aback. "What?"
Yuna clapped her hands, her voice bright. "Your solution! Everyone getting ready instead of standing around. It's perfect!"
She turned to the others, her enthusiasm infectious. "You heard Yeji-unnie! Let's get moving, girls!"
Chaeryeong and Lia exchanged a glance, shrugging before hurrying off to finish their preparations. Yuna winked at Yeji before dashing to her room, leaving Yeji standing alone in the living room.
Yeji just blinked.
"Has anyone seen my red lipstick?" Lia called out, her voice muffled by the closed door.
"Check the bathroom counter!" Chaeryeong shouted back, the sound of drawers slamming punctuating her words.
Yeji sighed, glancing at her watch for the umpteenth time. “How long does it take to get ready? We're going to be so late…”
Yuna poked her head out of her room, a hairbrush in hand. "Ryujin-ah, can you help me with my hair? I can't get this braid right."
Ryujin's voice floated from her room, "Give me a sec, I'm almost done with my eyeliner!"
Yeji closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. “Patience, Yeji-ah. They're doing their best.”
"Found it!" Lia exclaimed triumphantly, emerging from her room with the red lipstick in hand. "Chaeryeong-ah, do you have the setting spray?"
Chaeryeong appeared in the hallway, tossing the spray to Lia. "Here, catch!"
Lia caught it deftly, grinning. "Thanks!"
Yeji watched the exchange, a small smile tugging at her lips despite her anxiety. They work well together, even under pressure.
Ryujin finally emerged from her room, making a beeline for Yuna's. "Alright, let's tackle that braid."
Yuna sat down, handing Ryujin the brush. "You're a lifesaver, Ryujin-unnie."
Yeji checked her watch again, her nerves fraying. Five more minutes. That's all we have.
Lia and Chaeryeong joined Yeji in the living room, their makeup flawless and their outfits pristine. "We're ready," Chaeryeong said, adjusting her earrings.
Yeji nodded, her eyes fixed on the hallway. "Yuna, Ryujin, we need to leave now!"
"Coming!" Yuna called, emerging from her room with Ryujin close behind, the braid now perfect in her hair.
Yeji clapped her hands, ushering the girls towards the door. "Alright, let's go!"
The members filed out of the apartment, their heels clicking on the floor as they hurried to the elevator. Yeji brought up the rear, locking the door behind them.
The girls piled into the car. Yeji slid into the passenger seat, her eyes meeting Ryujin's in the rearview mirror.
"Ryujin-ah, this is the last time you pull something like this," Yeji said, her voice stern. "We can't afford to be late to events because of poor time management."
Ryujin's eyes narrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line. "It wasn't just my fault, unnie. We all could have been more prepared."
Yeji twisted in her seat, facing Ryujin directly. "But you were the last one ready, and that put us all at risk. As a member of ITZY, you have a responsibility to be punctual."
Ryujin crossed her arms, her voice rising. "I know! But singling me out isn't fair. We all made mistakes today."
Lia leaned forward, placing a hand on Yeji's shoulder. "Guys, let's not do this now. We're on our way, and that's what matters."
Yeji sighed, turning back to face the front. She's right. Arguing won't change anything now.
Yuna piped up from the back. "Hey, let's focus on the positive! We're going to rock this event, no matter what!"
Chaeryeong nodded, smiling. "Yuna's right. We've prepared for this, and we're going to show everyone what ITZY is made of!"
Yeji felt a smile tug at her lips, her members' enthusiasm infectious. They're right.
—
Ryujin leaned back in her chair, surveying the hall. She turned to her members, a mischievous glint in her eye. "So, should we grab some drinks?"
Yeji's head snapped towards Ryujin, her brows furrowing. "Absolutely not. We're here to perform, not party."
Lia, sensing the tension, interjected, "Maybe just some water? It's important to stay hydrated."
Chaeryeong nodded. "I could use a drink. My throat's feeling a bit dry."
Yuna bounced in her seat. "Ooh, do you think they have those fancy lemonades?"
Ryujin smirked. "See? The girls are on board. Come on, unnie, live a little."
Yeji's jaw clenched. Unbelievable. She leaned forward, her voice low. "Ryujin, I said no. We need to focus."
Ryujin rolled her eyes. "It's just a drink, unnie. It's not like I'm suggesting we get wasted."
Lia placed a hand on Yeji's arm. "Yeji-ah, maybe we could compromise? One drink, then we focus on the performance."
Yeji sighed. Can't let them get distracted. But I can’t be the bad guy either. She met Lia's eyes, finding a silent plea there. "Fine. One drink. But that's it."
Yuna clapped her hands, grinning. "Yes! I'm gonna find the fanciest lemonade they have!"
Chaeryeong stood, smoothing her dress. "I'll come with you, Yuna-yah. I need to stretch my legs anyway."
As the two youngest members walked away, Ryujin leaned towards Yeji, her voice softening. "Unnie, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to undermine you. But maybe... maybe we could have more than one drink? Just to loosen up a bit?"
Yeji's eyes widened, her voice sharp. "Ryujin! We just agreed on one. Don't push it."
Lia's gaze darted between the two, her hands fidgeting in her lap. "Guys, let's not argue. We're here to have fun and perform, remember?"
Ryujin leaned back, her lips twisting into a pout. "I know, I know. But a little liquid courage never hurt anyone."
Yeji's nostrils flared. Is she serious right now? "More like liquid disaster."
Ryujin's eyes narrowed. "You think I'd let a couple of drinks ruin our performance? I'm not an amateur."
Lia's voice cut through the tension. "Enough! Both of you. This isn't helping."
Yeji and Ryujin fell silent, their gazes locked in a silent battle.
Ryujin broke the stare first, her shoulders slumping. "Fine. One drink. I got it."
Yeji's jaw unclenched, a sigh escaping her lips. "Thank you. That's all I'm asking."
Lia's eyes softened, a small smile gracing her features. "See? Now, let's focus on the positive. We're going to crush this stage."
Ryujin's lips twitched, a hint of her usual mischief returning. "You're right, Lia-unnie. ITZY on top, always."
Yeji felt a smile tugging at her own lips, the tension slowly dissipating. They drive me crazy sometimes, but I couldn't ask for a better group.
Yuna and Chaeryeong returned, drinks in hand, their faces lit up with excitement. "Guys, you won't believe the lemonades they have here! They're like works of art!"
Chaeryeong nodded, sipping her own drink. "They almost look too pretty to drink. Almost."
Yeji shook her head, a chuckle escaping her. "Alright, girls. Enjoy your drinks. But remember, we've got a stage to kill soon."
The members nodded, their faces set with determination. This is it. Our moment to shine.