Two Years.
Autumn had draped the world in a tapestry of golden hues, brown leaves tumbling from the trees. Ryujin stood outside a school, wearing a black overcoat that billowed slightly in the crisp, cool breeze. Children poured out of the school gate like a vibrant river, their backpacks bouncing and their voices filled with stories from the day. They ran into the open arms of waiting parents, who embraced them with smiles and hugs.
She couldn't help but notice the subtle moments of tenderness between parents and children—a mother fixing her child's dishevelled hair, a father lifting his daughter onto his shoulders, and a shared secret whispered between siblings.
Ryujin held a small, black helmet in her hand, patiently waiting outside the school gate. The little girl spotted Ryujin and her face lit up with a brilliant smile. With her backpack bouncing, she ran towards Ryujin. The moment they met, she embraced Ryujin's legs tightly.
"Hey, kiddo." Ryujin bent down and placed the helmet gently on her adopted daughter's head. "How's school today?"
The small cat-eyed girl smiled widely through her mask, her eyes creasing as she enthusiastically told the dark-haired woman about her day. Ryujin chuckled at the excitement of her daughter's great day at school.
"Alrighty, ready to go home?"
She nodded, lifting her arms. Ryujin gently picked up her kid and placed her on the back of the motorbike. She ensured that her daughter's helmet was securely fastened and then double-checked that her prosthetic leg was secured to the peg. Safety was paramount, especially when they went on their motorcycle rides.
With a reassuring smile and a nod to each other, they put on their matching helmets. Ryujin started the engine, and the motorcycle roared to life. The wind tousled their hair as they set off to go back to the apartment.
As they cruised along the road, Ryujin couldn't help but be reminded of the day that she adopted her. She had never forgotten about Isa, how she was one of the victims, collateral damage to her deadly game with Aespa.
Ryujin walked down the street, her eyes fixed on her phone, reading information given to her by a client. She was tasked to gather intel, to study their routines and patterns in exchange for money. It was similar to her old profession, but she enjoyed the lack of blood on her hands.
Mindlessly walking, she found herself standing in front of an orphanage. Flashbacks of the woman she had met at the park ran through her mind, and her daughter who was left without parents. With a heavy sigh, she decided to walk in, curious to see how that little girl was.
Inside, the orphanage was bustling with activity. Children of various ages played together in the communal area, some sitting together, sharing stories and laughter. Ryujin watched them for a moment, her heart softening at the sight of their innocence.
Approaching the caretaker, Ryujin inquired about a particular little girl that she wanted to visit. The caretaker told her that there were plenty of children that fit the description, so the dark-haired woman pulled out a small photo of the girl that she had kept in her wallet for years. As the caretaker had come to the realisation, she led her to the girl's room, where she found her sitting on her bed, lost in thought.
Ryujin smiled gently and sat beside her, "Hello."
The young girl kept quiet, staring at her fingers with her legs dangling off the edge of the bed.
The private investigator's breath hitched as she saw the prosthetic leg. Then she remembered how Isa desperately needed the money, and how Yongsun used loved ones as leverage to take advantage of his workers.
"What's your name?"
"Seoyoon." The little girl mumbled softly, avoiding eye contact with the older woman.
"I'm Ryujin."
An awkward silence fell upon them, leaving Ryujin to look around the room. Seoyoon's bedroom was bare, wallpaper peeling near the ceiling with mould forming around the corners. As she continued to look around, she noticed a drawing of a cat on the bedside table.
"Do you like cats?" Ryujin asked softly, reaching over to the paper and holding it on her lap.
The little girl's face lit up immediately at the sudden mention of cats, spilling all the fun cat facts that she read in books during her time in the orphanage. Ryujin couldn't help but smile along with her, her thoughts falling back onto a woman who shared the same enthusiasm with facts about sea creatures.
Ryujin found herself frequenting the orphanage, bringing in new toys and snacks for the young girl to enjoy. Their bond quickly grew stronger with each visit, her heart growing fond of Seoyoon.
One sunny day, she decided to sign the papers, adopting Seoyoon as her own. That she brought her home was perhaps one of the moments she could never forget.
Ryujin smiled warmly as she opened the apartment door, allowing her adopted daughter, Seoyoon, to rush inside.
"Aunty Yeji!!"
She ran into her arms, giving her a big, heartfelt hug. Yeji embraced Seoyoon with tenderness, her heart swelling with affection for the young girl. (Ryujin and Yeji asked to be addressed as Aunty because they didn't want to replace her parents but to be her caretakers. But Seoyoon considers them her parents.)
"Hey, little one. How's school?" The cat-eyed woman asked with a fond smile as she picked her up.
Ryujin stood back, a quiet observer, as Seoyoon and Yeji chatted animatedly about their respective days. She couldn't help but marvel at the bond that had formed between them over the years.
The experimental treatment worked effectively, leading to a quick recovery for her. As Yeji was in remission from her lung cancer, Ryujin told her about a little girl that she bonded with at the orphanage. Her heart melted at the way her girlfriend would constantly bring her up in their conversations, recalling all the fun cat facts that Seoyoon had told her previously.
"Let's adopt her." Yeji suggested excitedly as they walked back to the car after one of her regular checkups.
Ryujin stopped in her tracks, in disbelief. "Seriously?"
The photographer nodded with a grin, "Yeah, I mean if you want to." She walked back to Ryujin, holding her hands tightly. "I've always wanted a family. And I want you to be a part of it."
"I love you, Yej." She said before locking her lips on hers.
Yeji gently lowered her back onto the ground before gently ruffling Seoyoon's hair. "Alright, you can tell me more about it later, okay? It's time for you to do your homework."
The little girl pouted before crossing her arms, "I don't want to."
"I'm going to make dinner for us. We'll have your favourite tonight!"
Seoyoon's lips curled into a smile, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, "Okay, Aunty Yeji! I'll finish it quickly!"
The couple watched the little girl bolt into her bedroom, while the white cat chased behind her. With a bright smile, Yeji turned and headed to the kitchen, ready to prepare a delicious meal for her two favourite people in the world.
Ryujin came up behind her love, wrapping her arms tightly around her waist and placing a small, tender kiss on the side of her neck. "Hey..."
Yeji placed her hand on the back of Ryujin's head, leaning on her lips, and smiling through the kiss. "Hey, Ryu. How's work going?"
"It's good, I'm still gathering info on this guy, I reckon it would be done by tomorrow." The private investigator smiled before pulling away to help prepare dinner. "How about your pictorial?"
The photographer hummed, focusing on stirring the pot of pasta, "Got a new intern, she's doing well but so damn slow."
Ryujin chuckled a little, "Got to be tough being the boss of your studio, right?"
"You know it."
Soon dinner was ready, Yeji asked Ryujin to let their daughter know that it was time to eat. Ryujin entered the bedroom, finding Seoyoon deep in thought, her tiny brows furrowed as she tried to solve a math problem. She sat down beside her daughter, rubbing her back.
"Chaeri isn't being a good tutor?" She joked before shifting the paper to take a look at the math equation.
Seoyoon looked up at her with those innocent eyes, "Aunty Ryu, I don't know this one."
Ryujin couldn't help but smile. She had never been great at math either, but she was determined to help Seoyoon understand. Together, they went over the problem step by step, with Ryujin providing gentle guidance and encouragement. Slowly but surely, Seoyoon's face lit up as she grasped the concept.
"Aunty Ryujin, you're the best!" Seoyoon exclaimed with a big grin.
The dark-haired woman chucked as she ruffled her hair, "I know I am. Also, dinner is ready."
Excitement radiated from Seoyoon as she bounded out of the bedroom and made a beeline for the dining table. Ryujin followed her daughter into the cozy dining area, a smile playing on her lips as she watched Seoyoon take her seat
Yeji's homemade spaghetti was a family favourite, and it didn't take long for Seoyoon to start twirling the pasta onto her fork and eagerly taking bites. "You're the best, Aunty Yeji!"
Ryujin's jaw dropped in shock, she placed the fork down on her plate and stood up. "Hey!"
Seoyoon let out a loud, childish crackle, finding the sight of Yeji holding back Ryujin from attacking her hilarious. Eventually, Ryujin gave up and sat back down, pouting as she ate her spaghetti.
"Seoyoon's appointment is tomorrow." Yeji reminded before taking a sip of water. "Your new leg just came in."
The little girl nodded, her bright eyes showing a hint of excitement mixed with a little apprehension. Ryujin reached over and gently squeezed her daughter's hand, offering a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Seoyoon. Everything will be just fine," she said, her voice filled with encouragement.
-
-
-
As they entered the prosthetist clinic, Seoyoon's grip on Yeji's hand tightened. She glanced around the waiting room, taking in the various patients, some with prosthetic limbs, and others in the process of getting fitted.
Yeji crouched down, her eyes meeting Seoyoon's. "Hey, sweetie, it's okay to be nervous. Aunty Ryujin is here to protect you."
The dark-haired woman subtly flexed her biceps, causing their laughter to ring out through the clinic.
Seoyoon clung to her mom's hand as they waited in the room, her nervousness palpable. She had grown attached to her current prosthetic leg, and the idea of changes, even improvements, made her apprehensive.
Yeji, trying to ease her daughter's anxiety, leaned down and whispered reassuringly, "It's going to be okay, Seoyoon. Remember, this new leg will help you run even faster." She offered a comforting smile, brushing a strand of hair from Seoyoon's face.
The creak of the doctor's office alerted them. Ryujin's eyes widened in surprise as the doctor who came out to greet them turned out to be Winter.
Winter, in her white coat and professional demeanour, greeted them with a warm smile. "Hello there. You must be Seoyoon," she said, bending down to be at the little girl's eye level.
Seoyoon nodded, albeit shyly.
The doctor stood back up and looked at Ryujin and Yeji in the eyes, "Nice to see you both again."
They both returned a slight smile before following her down the hallway to one of the examination rooms. As she gestured for them to take a seat, Winter walked into the storeroom and returned with a prosthetic leg that was unlike anything they'd seen before.
"Here's your new leg, Seoyoon. It's specially designed for you." Winter announced cheerfully.
Seoyoon's eyes widened in awe as she looked at the high-tech prosthetic. It was a far cry from her old one, and she couldn't help but feel nervous about it.
Sensing Seoyoon's apprehension, she decided to share a little secret with her to make her feel more at ease. She slowly removed her glove, revealing her bionic hand. The intricate design of the mechanical fingers and the faint hum of technology drew Seoyoon's attention.
"You see, Seoyoon," Winter began gently, "I have something special too. Just like your new leg, my hand is not like everyone else's. But that's what makes us unique."
Ryujin couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt when she saw Winter's bionic hand. She remembered the incident that had led to Winter losing her hand.
She extended her bionic hand towards Seoyoon, encouraging her to touch it if she wanted. "This leg that I made for you will let you walk and run around faster than before. It's like a real leg."
Seoyoon hesitated for a moment before gently reaching out to touch Winter's bionic hand, intrigued by the cold metal. "I want to try it on!"
Winter carefully attached the bionic leg, explaining each step to Seoyoon to ease her apprehension. As Seoyeon took her first steps with the new leg, a mixture of excitement and uncertainty washed over her. The leg felt different, but she could sense the potential for newfound freedom.
Seoyoon's face lit up with a smile as she gained more confidence with each step. "It's amazing!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.
The doctor smiled warmly at the young girl's reaction. "I'm glad you like it."
After the appointment, Yeji led her daughter out of the room, allowing Ryujin and WInter to have a moment to themselves.
"You look like you're enjoying this new job." Ryujin said, leaning into the chair. "You look happier."
Winter couldn't help but chuckle a little, "It's definitely better than the old job."
"And you also turned in Yongsun?"
"I couldn't leave any loose ends, could I?" Winter answered, twirling a pen around her metal fingers. "How about you? Did you leave?"
Ryujin smiled a little, "Well, I can't have a kid anywhere near that damned world. But I'm glad to put it all behind me now."
The doctor nodded in agreement, before showing her bionic hand, "Well, not everything."
"Likewise" The dark-haired woman pointed to the faint outline of the scar. "I got to ask."
"Ask then."
"How did you know we were coming in? I mean you had an advanced bionic leg ready for Seoyoon."
Winter sighed while rubbing small circles with her metal fingertips. "I'll always remember what I did to her mother."
"Right..."
"I spent a lot of time trying to track down where the kid was until I saw her name in the record. I wanted to help out any way I could."
"Thank you for that." Ryujin smiled, placing her hand on the table.
"Yeji seems like she's been doing good now, last time I saw her was at the karaoke room with Karin-"
Ryujin nodded, looking down at her fingers. "I'm still grateful that you were there that day and helped me find Yeji."
Winter bit her bottom lip, "Just because I wasn't loved, it didn't mean I could allow your love to be killed."
"I appreciate it, Minjeong."
The doctor was notified of the next client's appointment so they headed out of the examination room and into the reception area where Yeji and Seoyoon were waiting.
"Before I go." Ryujin said as she turned around to Winter and extended her hand out to her. "Thank you for saving us."
"And thank you for giving me a second chance, Ryujin." Winter replied, wrapping her cold, metal fingers around her hand.
At that moment, they buried the blood-stained hatched and felt nothing but peace for one another. They were able to push the past away, and live in the present, looking optimistic for the future.
-
-
-
The sun was setting, casting a warm, golden hue over the tranquil lake. Ryujin, Yeji and Seoyoon stood at the familiar spot by the lakeside where they had released Chaeryeong's ashes, surrounded by the beauty of nature.
Soon, Yuna and Lia arrived, immediately running to hug the child and ignoring the other two. They both loved to spoil the youngest, and bring boxes of chocolates for her. They all sat down on the grass, gazing out at the shimmering water.
All of them took turns sharing stories and memories they had of their friend, Seoyoon listened attentively, imagining what kind of person Chaeryeong was. The wind rustled the leaves, and it felt as though a sense of familiarity surrounded them.
Soon, they began to share updates on their lives. Lia opened up her own clinic, willing to treat anyone who walked through the doors. In the coming month, she was to fly to Canada to give a presentation at a medical convention sharing her discovery with cancer research.
Yuna graduated from university with a degree in Liberal Arts and was on her way to becoming a high school teacher. Ryujin joked that all the teenagers would go after her which landed the older sister fighting for her life from Yuna's tickles.
They talked about Seoyoon's progress with her new prosthetic leg, Yeji's photography career, and Ryujin's role as a private investigator. The pain of the past was still there, but they had all come a long way in healing and finding happiness in their ways.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a rosy glow over the lake, they took a moment to reflect on the journey that had brought them here. They knew that Chaeryeong would always be a part of their lives, guiding them with her memory and the love they had for her.
Ryujin leaned on Yeji, her head resting gently on her shoulder. They sat there, side by side, looking out at the serene lake. The ripples on the water's surface danced in the fading light, reflecting the deep bond between them.
With a contented sigh, Ryujin closed her eyes, and Yeji held her even closer. They found solace and hope, knowing that their love would be the guiding light that led them into the uncharted territories of tomorrow.
note:
well, that's the end.
thank you all for reading, and bearing with my terrible updating schedule.
it's been a fun ride. as i stated a couple chapters back, this may be my last book. however, my dumbass managed to write up a couple chapters for another book ha ha ha
it will take some time for me to post that story, mainly because i'm completing the whole book rather than writing then posting every day.
a hint for the theme? *bRaInS*
anyways, i hoped you enjoyed this book and i'll be back in a couple months (hopefully)
see you soon,
CAL