Lost Identity

Chapter 44

After a few weeks. 
Joanne and Jishin had the least interactions, and only regarding their work. They were both hesitant and awkward every time they stumbled upon each other. 

But one fine morning, Jishin took the initiative to approach her while she was stretching in the backyard. Said hesitating, "Uh, about your offer....can we reconsider it?". She didn't stop to attend to him, just said after a while, "Do you know how to ride a motorcycle?". He was a bit shocked, "Huh? Motor.... cycle?". She slowly turned towards him, with a soft gaze, "Yes. Do you know how to ride it?". He shook his head. She shifted her attention back to her exercises, "Let's go hunting for one today" and left him gapping there in the backyard. After breakfast, Jishin went to Joanne's room. As he was about to knock, the door clicked open. Seeing him, she said, "Let's go". They went out together. 

They visited a motorcycle showroom. She went around taking in every product of that store, and also conversed with a salesman now and then. But Jishin just kept following them like a lost puppy, and observing everything like a curious kid at a planetarium. Joanne finally chose one and proceeded with the purchase. Her purchased product would arrive after a couple of days. Then they went to an ice cream parlor and returned home. 

After a couple of days. 
The day Joanne's motorcycle arrived. She was delighted to have her. And others were awestruck to see it. 

Then one day, Joanne took Jishin on a long ride on her motorcycle as a date. Jishin, as usual, wore all formals regardless of what the occasion was. But Joanne dressed up in leathers. Whatever! During the ride, Jishin was pretty scared, and acted like a cat and held onto her for his dear life. And Joanne was internally screaming in amusement at him. 

A few months passed by as usual. 
She kept doing missions. She also kept training her students.

One day.
Joanne, Levi and Yujun went to a little festival. Although it was mildly crowded, Yujun insisted on staying back at the entrance, near their car, while Levi and Joanne went in. They mingled around, looking for exciting things they wanted. Levi had suddenly stopped at a stall that was selling foreign stuff, while Joanne went on unnoticed. She was looking for a gift for Levi's birthday. After a few moments, Levi realised that he was standing there alone and Joanne had gone ahead without him. After scanning the area for a while, he finally spotted her far ahead in a different stall. He called out to her. Hearing him, Joanne turned around and gestured, "I'm coming". He then pointed at a stall with bows and arrows, and gestured towards her to come and win something for him. As she turned her head to look at that stall, she suddenly noticed something at the top of a tall building far behind that stall, outside the ground. A person in black had a sniper rifle pointed in the direction of where Levi was standing. She sprinted towards him and knocked him down immediately. He was confused, and complained, "Ow!! What's wrong with you?",  and prepared to get up. "I'm sorry, I didn't.." and just then she got hit right in her chest. Levi was stunned. Joanne stumbled back and fell on her knees. Blood kept pouring out, dampening her clothes. Levi then started shouting to call Yujun for help. And he heard. Yujun saw a few people running out of there and, after hearing Levi's voice, ran onto the festival ground. He rushed towards them and saw her wounded and barely awake on the ground. And Levi was crying. They took her to the nearest hospital. On the way, she struggled to say to him, "Don't... lose this...bullet.." and passed out. 

At the hospital. Yujun insisted on accompanying the doctors there in the OT, as he was a doctor too. But the doctors there prohibited him by saying, "We're really sorry but we can't let you operate. Your emotions are at a peak right now. Please just try to stay calm!" and they left quickly.