06/11/2026 Ryujin - I'm Everything You Need

“What is your motto?” The professor asked you and the whole class.

“...”

“Time is gold? But all of you are late.” The professor slammed his podium, but his lips curled up into a smile.

You all laughed instead of being terrified; you knew he was joking. 

“What’s with the question, Professor?” A student from your farthest right asked.

“We’ll visit a design exhibit at Jeju. Many artists are willing to showcase their masterpieces. I asked that question earlier to know whether you already had your motto in life or you are yet to discover it. You know, some artists use their mottos as inspiration; it even shapes the way they make their pieces.” The professor was walking slowly to the front while explaining.

“Who knows? You might be big if you find your motto in life.” He added.

The whole class is amused by the way he explained it, including you.

“But Professor, when will we go to Jeju?” The same student who had asked him earlier threw another question.

“That’s for… next week! be ready.” Your professor confirmed.

Next week… already? You don’t even consider it— no, you don’t even know about it, and you doubt anybody knows about it.

“And… oh? It’s time out already. Alright! class dismissed.” He turned around and left the room.

“...”

“...”

“...”

There are rustling and chairs scraping the floors. Other students also started leaving, and you were left together with your friend, Nagyung.

“That’s next week? Already!?” Your friend exclaimed in disbelief upon hearing the news you just received.

“Yeah… that’s too fast.” And you’re already thinking about how you would handle it.

There will be an educational trip for your department in Jeju. Your main concern is expenses, which you can barely cover with your daily needs and tuition.

“Now, it looks like I have to work overtime for 7 days.” You sighed.

“You know what? Just take the job I offered you.” Nakyung tapped your back.

“You know that it’s too far from where I was staying, right?”

Nagyung’s family has been running a bakery that has been famous enough to run for 20 years. It wasn’t that big, but it wasn’t small either. It’s just the perfect business that requires a perfect amount of effort to maintain.

She offered you a part-time job that pays you double and cuts your working hours in half. That sounds nice, but it’s miles away.

But that’s not the main reason.

You don't want to depend on others; you always find a way; maybe you’ll find one in this situation, too.

“Should I ask her— no. I shouldn’t.” You instantly shut down one of your options.

“Huh? Are you saying something?” Nagyung turned her head to you. She’s playing on her phone again; you sometimes envied her since she had time to have fun.

“Nothing.” You slung your bag over your shoulder. 

“I’ll have to go. Are you coming?” You noticed that she stopped playing.

"Yeah! Let's go." She grabbed her bag and followed. 

You were walking together with Nagyung, catching up on each other’s lectures. Then the massive LED located at the top of the glassy structure lit up. The screen showcased a girl group comeback; you recognised them: ITZY.

Their title track’s called Motto- what a coincidence, on what you’ve been discussing earlier.

“ITZY!? At Sangam Culture Square right now!? Let’s go! I love them!” Nagyung hooked her arm into you and dragged you all the way to where ITZY’s having a fan meet.

“Oh— Nagyung— wait!” For some reason, you don’t want to go there.

Especially with someone else, and your arm hooked with hers? You’ll feel the wrath of God.

Boom!

“Huh? Thunder? But it’s sunny?” Nagyung stopped in her tracks.

“Right? Let’s go home— Nagyung!” You didn’t know whether she heard your imagination, but she ignored your protest and dragged you toward Sangam Culture Square. 

The sky is still clear, yet you keep hearing thunderclaps somewhere.

At Sangam Culture Square, a lot of people came, encircling some celebrity you supposed, and you knew that it was ITZY. 

“Yeji-ssi! Look at the camera, please! Pose!” A fan site caught the idol’s attention.

“Lia-ssi! A heart, please!” Another one which you supposed from the fansite on your left. It’s pretty obvious: wearing Lia’s shirt, Lia’s headband, and an ITZY light ring? He must be it.

“Chaeryeong-ssi! You look so cool!” A girl's fan site this time, and Chaeryeong gave her a flying kiss.

“Yuna-ssi! ICE! CREAM!” Her fansite shouted, which caused the idol and other fansites to laugh.

“Ryujin-ssi!”

“Hic–!!”

It’s not a fansite that called her; it’s Nagyung.

Ryujin instantly turned to look around to see who called her. The moment she saw Nagyung, her lips curled up, but when she saw who was on her side, her smile remained, and her head tilted slightly to the side.

“...”