Saved Me; Ryeji FF

end.

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.