HEAL ME (RYEJI)

CHAPTER 4

Ryujin paid attention to her professor. she noticed some mistakes and missed details about the topic.

"Karina. What's the first thing you do when you found a long cut on a decomposed body?" the professor asked.

"take samples and observe it under the microscope to find out what caused the cut." She replied.

"yeah, you do that. But before that you should...?" the professor saw Ryujin raised her hand. "alright, you again."

"measuring. Length and depth. How long did the decomposition went and does it affect the wound? A cut can be caused by a huge force of blunt objects. You should consider that too."

"correct." The professor sighed. "shall we move on?"

-

Ryujin spends her time with Karina after their lectures. They got close after a few weeks. Mostly Karina approached her.

"so you think it doesn't matter anymore when the wound is not the main reason they die?" Karina asked her.

"yes. It's a waste of time. At least for me." Ryujin sat up after lying down. "it's easy to know what caused the death. If you found it somewhere vital, even when it's in several places. That's usually the reason they die."

"hm... I still think we should consider every wound we found." Karina pursed her lips.

Ryujin took off her glasses. She looked at Karina and wondered.

"what's the first thing you noticed on a body?"

"general condition?" Karina unsurely replied.

"I wish I can say the same thing." Ryujin smiled at her. "look at their face. Especially the eyes." Ryujin leaned closer to Karina.

Not gonna lie, Karina sometimes got a little freaked out because of her.

"I like the eyes. Sometimes, you can see what they felt before they die." Ryujin looked ahead of her. "that is if it's opened. What if it's closed?"

"let's not talk about that." Karina let out a small giggle.

-

Nayeon have been noticing something from Ryujin. She always came out late night and came home even later.

"darling. let's just sleep." Jeongyeon put his hand on her shoulder.

"I need to wait for her. What if she did something dangerous?" Nayeon massaged her head. "she's been talking to Siyeon again."

"should I call Dr. Hwang?" Jeongyeon offered.

"we have no reason to do that. She's doing well so far. I don't want to bother her anymore. I'm just concerned."

Jeongyeon sighed. He then left her after giving her a kiss on the head.

Ryujin finally arrived. She opened the front door and saw her mother on the couch.

"where were you these days?"

"I'm hunting. I want to train my eyesight so I went to the woods to hunt some birds or any small animals." Ryujin smiled at her.

"are you not comfortable wearing glasses? I can get you Lasik surgery if you want." Nayeon sighed in relieve. Her concerns were for nothing. She then stood up and noticed the sniper that she has. "dad bought you this?"

"I saved some money. Just like my camera. Don't worry. It has license."

"okay. I was worried. You can just tell me, Ryu..." Nayeon gave her a small smile. "get a rest."

-

Ryujin sat alone in the park as she watches over Hawk running around. She put her hands inside her pocket.

"good day."

Ryujin looked to side. Siyeon smiled at her.

"I didn't see her today." Ryujin looked down. "I'm starting to like her. She suddenly didn't show up."

"she's scared of you. She didn't want to be friends with you, Ryu. You know, she needed your help once and now after she got it, she left."

"after I think about it, you're kind of right." Ryujin smiled. "no one got close to me for who I am."

"another target, then?" Siyeon patted her shoulder.

"maybe." Ryujin heard Hawk bark three times. It was his time to go home. "come!" Hawk ran to her and sat in front of her.

Ryujin put on his leash and walked home.

Nayeon greeted her. She then asked Ryujin to sit down.

"I know you're an adult now. I just want to make sure everything is alright." Nayeon sighed. "would you like to visit Dr. Hwang again?"

"suddenly?"

"I just had a feeling. Mother's feelings, Ryu. I promise if you didn't have anything on you, you can do whatever you want." Nayeon said almost pleading. Not that it touched Ryujin.

"okay."

-

Ryujin arrived at the familiar office. Last time she's here, she's just 10 years old. When they came in, the office is empty. Ryujin sat on the couch and her mother followed.

"oh. Good morning."

Ryujin got a little confused. She looked at the name plate. The girl looks a little older than Ryujin. Hwang Yeji.

"good morning." Nayeon stood up and bowed. Ryujin just crossed her legs. "are you Dr. Hwang's relatives?"

"I'm her daughter." Yeji smiled at the mother. "take a seat."

"my daughter is actually Dr. Hwang's old patient. It's been ten years since we came here." Nayeon started.

Meanwhile, Ryujin explored the office. Sure, it looks like the old settings but a few changes have been made. The books are thicker, no signs of child friendly stuff on the other room, the decorations look more minimalist. Ryujin took one book. Edward Hawk. The book she never found on any library.

"can I take this?" Ryujin walked to the other two.

"you like that book?" Yeji questioned.

"yes." Ryujin walked closer to the desk and put the book down. She then leaned in and supported herself with both hands. She fixed her glasses and looked at Yeji. "may I take this book... doc?" Ryujin smirked.

"of- of course." Yeji cleared her throat. "I will ask you a few questions."