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Ryujin gulped down some more water. She was a lightweight and she hated it.
It wasn’t that she cared if when they returned to the corps the corps saw her as a drunk. She actually preferred their illusion of her as powerless, which she have continued to maintain if it wasn’t for Sayeon. That bastard.
She sighed and took in her rare alone time. After all, Iseul was taking out the trash for the sleeping old grandma and Min was nowhere to be seen. Neither was the corps loving bitch, Sayeon.
She was chugging some more water when Sayeon slammed the door open. Ryujin turned, surprised. Sayeon stood there with eyes beat red from crying and fist quivering. It was off. She looked so emotional, so…genuine. Where there was normally a calculated glare hidden under kind eyebrows, her eyes were soaked and red from tears. Where she normally walked with haste, she stumbled into the room.
“Ryujin.” Sayeon said maliciously, but not with anger toward Ryujin.
Again, this caught Ryujin off guard. Whenever Sayeon said her name it was always with this aura of fake kindness, toxic positivity, but here Ryujin heard nothing but her cellmate’s raw emotions.
“Ryujin, we have to do it.”
“What” Ryujin replied, acting uninterested.
“They killed him. He’s dead and they killed him. We have to kill every one of those sons of bitches officers.”
Ryujin was startled. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m saying you were right.”
Then, Sayeon hugged her. It was a good hug. She hadn’t had a hug like that since before… well. Ryujn felt her hair being shaped by the hat on her head. It was a good hug.
Sayeon released the hug and raised one hand to be level with her face. Her eyes suddenly flashed a brilliant teal.
“What are you?” Ryujin gasped.
And Sayeon fell into a slump.
“The fuck?” Ryujin hoisted the limp body of her cellmate over to the couch. Did the stupid bitch pass out or something? And she had activated her essence but why?
Ryujin rested her head against Sayeon’s chest. There was a heartbeat, good. She felt Sayeon’s forehead. It was warm. Did she have a fever? Ryujin walked over to the kitchen, glancing back to ensure her cell mate was still doing alright. After rummaging for a clean towel, she put it in the cool sink water and scrunched it until it was just damp. She placed it on Sayeon’s forehead.
Sayeon as a person puzzled Ryujin. She was so ordinary, yet it was almost too ordinary, like someone trying to fake it. She seemed extraverted, a genuine corps lover, head full of propaganda and ready for every activity. But especially when standing next to Iseul, Rjuyin could see the imperfections in Iseul’s face and smile, while Sayeon’s seemed too perfectly timed. Even simple behaviors seemed too calculated.
Plus the lies. Even just at Breakfast, Ryujin felt the lies in every word Sayeon said. Even things she did not say. What was up?
Then there was her ability. It was obvious that “gut instinct” or whatever was a lie. But why?
This girl is “absolutely ordinary” but has had multiple high ranking officers look for her specifically. She knew absolutely nothing about aberrants yet seemed to know what to do. She was kind and too scared to hurt a soul, but tricked and used everyone in the cell vs cell matches. She is in love with the corps but would disobey orders to snoop in unauthorized missions with Rjuyin. Sayeon wanting to sneak away on the mission actually had impressed Ryujin. It made her like Sayeon more except–
Except even that fleeting feeling was also probably a lie.
Out of all the shitbags in this hellhole, Ryujin really thought Sayeon could be someone. But she had crushed the hat. The one thing left that was given to her by–
Ryujin sighed. Who was she trying to kid. She was alone.
Sayeon breathed softly in her sleep.
Ryujin looked at the girl’s reddened face and tear stained, blood stained clothes. “Who are you Sayeon Lee?” Ryujin pondered.
Ryujin gently lifted Sayeon’s messy half-bangs to flip the cool wet cloth over.
Sayeon awoke with fiery in her face. It took her a moment to recognize where she was. She looked at the couch, then at the lock on her wrist.
“How long was I out?”
“Maybe seven minutes?”
Sayeon was at a loss for words. She turned away, and looked at her watch then she looked at her hand then she looked at Ryujin.
Ryujin crossed her arms. “Who did they kill?”
“What?” Sayeon avoided it.
Ryujin rolled her eyes. “ You said they killed him. He’s dead and they killed him.” She mimicked. “Who were you talking about?”
Sayeon turned away. They sat in silence.
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Well clearly he did if a little miss ‘I’m going to bring change from within’ suddenly wants to kill the corp’s officers.’
Ryujin didn’t know what was making her act this way. Normally she wouldn’t care. She wasn’t the type to prod at other people, make them open up. She should be adding a snarky remark at this point. But something about Sayeon made Ryujin want to know more, wanting her to change her mindset. But why did she even care if Sayeon’s mindset changed?
“His name was Jaeil” Sayeon paused. “He was just like you said. An aberrant the corps didn’t want so they… they”
“It’s okay. I’m sure he was a necessary sacrifice” Ryujin grimaced sarcastically.
Sayeon flinched.
Ryujin readjusted her hat. Whatever apologeticness Sayeon felt wasn’t enough. Did the girl feel no empathy? Ryujin’s whole family dies and they are “necessary sacrifices,” but some boy gets offed and suddenly Sayeon is ditching her 10 year plan. But still it wasn;t enough.
“I’m sorry Ryujin.” Sayeon sighed. “I-”
“Not accepted.” Ryujin folded her arms and began to get up.
“I wasn’t finished.” Sayeon sat her back down. “I’m sorry for it all. I guess you were right.”
“Like always”
Sayeon rolled her eyes. “I didn’t love my mom. I didn’t love my dad. I don’t love my–. Well all the people we are told we should love, I didn’t. I thought it was, just because I didn't think there was anywhere I felt love. But I did. Jaeil. I’m sorry it took my own experiences for me to realize how hard it is, how hard it is to want vengeance and blood so badly.”
“Wow” Ryujin whistles. “Who would have thought? We’re on the same page.” She joked.
“Not entirely.”Sayeon countered. “I’ve realized how hard it is to want vengeance and blood so badly and be forced to play the long game. About my apology. I don’t need your acceptance, I need your help.”
She paused.
“What do you need help with?”
“I need your help destroying the corps.”
“Wow Glasses.” Ryujin laughed.
This girl continued to surprise her. Destroying the corps? That is all Ryujin ever wanted, but could this girl really manage it? Well, it was the same girl who won them capture the flag, who snuck into and out of an illegal aberrant drug center, who made her believe a little bit more in a chance at vengeance.
“Where do we get started?”