The soft morning light filtered through the small slits of the blinds, slowly stirring Yeji awake. Clothes scattered across the floor, the remnants of their passionate late-night activities. With a soft groan, she rolled over to see Ryujin still fast asleep, her neck and collarbones covered with visible strawberry kisses that she left.
Yeji's fingers gently traced the scar that marked the centre of Ryujin's face, a constant reminder of the life she had left behind. In the quiet of that moment, she marvelled at how much their lives had transformed since they first met. It was as if fate or some celestial being had brought them together, two souls from vastly different worlds had woven their destinies into something that was out of a love story.
Ryujin, still drowsy from her sleep, blinked her eyes open, meeting Yeji's gaze with a soft, affectionate smile.
"You've been awake this whole time?" She spoke in a soft tone, her voice still raspy from the previous night. Her fingers continued to brush against her scar.
"Didn't want to spook you." The former hitman joked lightly before shuffling herself closer to her girlfriend. "And cause I enjoy you touching me."
"Oh yeah, I know very well."
Yeji leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to Ryujin's scar before trailing down to her lips. As their passion escalated, they surrendered to the heat of the moment. Their lips locked in a fervent kiss, their tongues exploring each others. The dark-haired woman's fingers traced the contours of Yeji's back, leaving behind red marks. Yeji's hand clasped onto Ryujin's breast as her breath grew heavier.
As the photographer straddled her girlfriend, the unexpected presence of the white kitten interrupted their tender moment. The couple broke their makeout session and stared at the cat that hopped onto the bed. They couldn't help but chuckle at the timing.
"We got cockblocked." Ryujin giggled as Yeji got off of her and laid back down.
"Pussyblocked." Yeji corrected as she extended her hand towards the feline which nuzzled her fingers affectionately.
The former hitman poked her fingers out from beneath the blanket, catching the cat's attention. The kitten pounded her hand, playfully swatting her fingertips with its tiny paws inducing a laughing fit from both of them. They watched the cat chase imaginary foes in the folds of their bedsheets for several minutes before Yeji got out of bed to get ready to pick up Yuna from the airport.
Ryujin picked up the kitten and placed it on her chest as she spoke softly to the feline, "Do you see it too?"
She whispered, her eyes following Yeji's naked frame walking into the bathroom, "Isn't she just the most beautiful person you've ever seen, Chaeri?"
The kitten purred contentedly in response, nestled against Ryujin's chest.
-
-
-
The airport terminal buzzed with activity, travellers rushing to and fro with suitcases and luggage in hand. Ryujin could feel the subtle tension in Yeji's grip, the mix of excitement for Yuna's return and the anticipation of her graduation ceremony.
Amid the seas of people emerging from the terminal, Yuna's eyes darted around, scanning the crowd for a familiar face. She clutched her suitcase handle as she navigated herself through the bustling swarm of people. Then, in the distance, she spotted it- a sign held high above their heads. It read "Welcome Home, Tall Baby." in Yeji's elegant handwriting.
A beaming smile spread across Yuna's face as she made a beeline for the sign. The couple spotted her rushing through the chaos and ran towards her. The trio came together in a warm heartfelt embrace, the happiness of the reunion washing away any remnants of nerves.
"You made it!" Yeji said ecstatically as she pulled away, wiping a stray tear.
Yuna smiled gleefully, "Obviously, I have to come back to see you graduate."
As they settled into the car, Yuna couldn't help but let curiosity get the better of her.
"Ryu?"
She looked through the rearview mirror, "What?"
"Are you still..."
"No, I'm not." Ryujin answered, her hands steady on the wheel as she looked back into the mirror with a serious expression. "Haven't done anything since I killed Giselle."
The younger sister felt conflicted by the response, but nevertheless, she was relieved. "Good to hear, Ryujin."
The moment the front door opened, Yuna's eyes widened with surprise as she spotted a white kitten darting around the apartment.
"You guys got a fucking cat?!" The younger Shin yelped in delight while she bent down to try to pet the feline but it scampered away with a playful and energetic leap.
"Well, she came to us." Yeji replied, taking Yuna's luggage into her old bedroom.
The older sister bent down and extended her hand out slowly, using a gentle tone to coax the cat over. "C'mere Chaeri."
The kitten, seemingly won over by Ryujin's soothing tone, quickly bounced towards them and allowed her to touch its fur. Yuna lowered her hand down and allowed the kitten to sniff her fingers before brushing its body against her.
"You know, cats have a remarkable sense in judging character." Yuna said while looking at her sister. "If she trusts you, it must be a pretty good sign, don't you think?"
Before Ryujin could come up with a response, a knock on the door suddenly surprised the both of them.
"I'll get it." Yeji announced as she sped and walked over to the door.
Her eyes widened in surprise when she opened the door and found her best friend standing there with a bouquet of yellow tulips in hand. It had been a while since they'd seen Lia, given her busy schedule at the medical clinic. She had dyed her hair back to black, making her look as ethereal as ever.
"Lia!" She exclaimed, a warm smile breaking across her face. "It's been too long!"
The doctor stepped inside with a tired but contented smile. "It has been."
Yuna's eyes lit up with joy as she rushed forward to embrace Lia in a warm, heartfelt hug. "I missed you."
Lia hugged the younger back tightly, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten in the warmth of her friend's embrace. "Missed you too."
As they separated, Yuna looked at the doctor with a concerned expression. "You lost weight, and you look exhausted. Have you been working too hard?"
She chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Yeah, it's been busy lately. But I'm fine."
The doctor looked past Yuna's shoulder to see Ryujin standing there with a nervous smile. She walked over to the dark-haired woman and pulled her into a tight, heartfelt hug. "How have you been, Ryujin?"
"I've been good. But I have something to tell you, Lia."
She pulled away from the hug and led Lia into her bedroom. Ryujin took a deep breath before recounting what she had done several months ago, hoping to bring some sort of closure for her.
Lia's eyes widened in shock,, and she grabbed onto the former hitman's arm for support. "You really did it?"
Ryujin nodded, her gaze never leaving Lia's. "I had to do it for her."
"Thank you." The doctor whispered before hugging her again. She was finally able to move on knowing that her girlfriend's killer ceased to exist.
"I wanted to ask you something, Lia."
She stood in front of her and gave her a reassuring smile. "Yes?"
"Do you know anything about what's going on with Yeji?"
The doctor's expression shifted into confusion, "What do you mean?"
"She's been coughing a lot, especially at night. Then she's been going out for doctor appointments more frequently than usual-"
"She hasn't told you?"
"No, she hasn't. That's why I'm asking you." Ryujin took hold of Lia's forearm, silently pleading with her to give her the answers.
"As a doctor, I can't tell you." She said softly, placing her hand on top of Ryujin's. "But as your friend, it's not my place to tell you. She'll tell you soon enough, but try to look after her."
Yuna's entrance with the kitten in her arms interrupted their conversation.
"Hey, you two, we need to get ready for Yeji's graduation ceremony."
Ryujin and Lia nodded, sharing a look to set aside their concerns and focus on celebrating this significant moment in Yeji's life.
-
-
-
As Ryujin adjusted her black tie in front of the mirror, her mind drifted back to that unfateful day when she saw Chaeryeong for the last time. The memories came rushing back, vivid and painful. Chaeryeong's smile, her laughter, the last time she walked out that door.
What if something happens to Yeji?
The fear of losing Yeji gnawed at Ryujin's heart. All the worst-case scenarios playing through her mind so graphically, that she had to steady herself with her hand on the mirror. The heart pumping through her ears with her heart racing intensely disoriented her.
"Ryujin, do you have any perfume-" Lia asked as she walked into her bedroom. "Ryu, are you okay?"
The doctor rushed into the room and guided her onto the bed. She noticed the subtle signs of distress in Ryujin. The rapid rise and fall of her chest, the slight tremble in her hands, the small beads of sweat dripping down the side of her head.
"Hey, Ryujin. It's okay." Lia said, her warm brown eyes filled with concern. "Take deep breaths with me."
"What if the same thing happens with Yeji?" Ryujin whispered, her tunnel vision focusing on the space in front of her. "What if I'm not there to protect her? I already lost Chaer, I can't lose her too."
"It won't. Trust me." The doctor said firmly, placing her hand on her back. "Nothing is going to happen, okay?"
Ryujin closed her eyes, trying to quieten her racing thoughts.
"We are going to drive her, we are going to walk her in, then we are going to see her walk the stage." Lia leaned on Ryujin, also closing her eyes. "We won't let the same thing happen again."
-
-
-
Once they took their seats in the crowded auditorium, Ryujin felt her nerves tightening like a noose around her neck. The weight of the occasion bore down on her and the memory of Chaeryeong's graduation played like a haunting echo in her mind. She fidgeted in her seat, her foot tapping an erratic rhythm as her eyes scanned the names of the graduates on the program, searching for any names of potential danger.
Beside her, Yuna sensed her sister's unease and gently placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Everything is okay, Yeji just texted me that she got the cap and gown on now."
Ryujin nodded, grateful for her girlfriend's update as she placed the program under her seat. As the ceremony began, her impatience grew like a restless storm inside her. Each name seemed to elongate the minutes, and her heart pounded louder with every passing second.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the moment arrived.
"Hwang Yeji."
Her breath caught in her throat as she watched Yeji walk across the stage, her eyes shimmering beneath the bright spotlights. Ryujin stared in awe, starstruck by Yeji's grace; as effortless as a swan gliding across a tranquil lake. Her smile when she took the diploma in her hand, was like the first bloom of spring, her eyes sparkled like stairs in a moonlit sky, guiding Ryujin's lost soul through the darkness of life's night.
As Yeji turned to the crowd, spotting her friends and the love of her life hidden amongst the darkness. She held her diploma up into the air in triumph while the group stood up and applauded her.
When the ceremony came to a close, Ryujin got out of her seat and printed towards Yeji, her heart racing with fierce intensity. The moment their eyes locked, the world seemed to vanish, leaving only the two of them in a moment suspended in time.
And then, with an unspoken desire, their lips met in a passionate kiss. The cheers of the surrounding crowd melted away, leaving only the echo of their affectionate embrace. It was as if the universe itself had conspired to create this perfect, stolen moment. Their kiss was a symphony of passion and relief, a crescendo that had been building since the day they met.
It was intoxicating.
Ryujin pulled back from the kiss, resting her forehead against Yeji's as she caught her breath.
"Congrats, my love."