𝐈 𝐂𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝

𝐒𝐢𝐩-𝐒𝐚𝐦

The rest of the team didn't take the news well either, but they had no choice but to accept it. Even if Yeji stayed, she's not allowed to be a mentor anymore.

It was a big slap to Ryujin in the face, first she loses Chaeryeong, and now she'll be away from Yeji. Couldn't she just quit this program to be with her freely?

The night before Yeji was sent off, they spent the night together. Neither of them slept, they didn't want to miss a single moment, for these will be their final moments for a while.

They agreed to send letters to one another, like old fashion lovers. Ryujin still worried how she would cope, the only reason she was thriving was because she was always excited to get praise from Yeji. "You'll always feel me in the drift." Yeji had to tell her, her bags all packed, her call time at 7 am.

She hugged Ryujin tightly, resting her chin on top of her head of colored hair.

"That's not the same, and you know it." Ryujin grumbled, trying to hide the tearful wave of her voice.

Yeji couldn't respond because she knew Ryujin was right. She only encouraged them both to meet with the rest of the team to say goodbyes. They met in their headquarters. The rangers lined up for Yeji as she walked in as per usual.

"Rangers, I'm no longer your mentor. You can't line up for me anymore. Break. That's an order."

The girls broke their line, looking at Yeji. She had her arms out for a group hug, which they all took part in. Ryujin took part, gripping Chaeryeong's rank necklace around her neck so she could be a part of it as well.

"We're really gonna miss you, Men- Pilot Hwang." Danielle admitted for everyone, tears wetting her cheeks.

"It's just Yeji Unnie, and I will miss you too. I watched you all grow into the strong young women you are today. I can't wait to see you all in jaegers someday, saving the world." Yeji smiled through the pain, looking at them all like they were her kids.

"You'll miss Chaeryeong's funeral..." Yuna whimpered, looking over to Chaeryeong's now empty space in the room. It was Ryujin's new bed for the time being, until she could move on.

"I've paid my respects; her memorial is already up in the memorial hall."

The hug broke, Ryujin stayed close, taking off Chaeryeong's rank necklace and handing it to her lover. Before Yeji could reject it, she went over to her bed, took Chunga's rank necklace off the headboard and came back.

She pointed to Chunga's necklace after putting it on her own neck, "Your co-pilot." Ryujin whispered, then pointed to Chaeryeong's necklace in Yeji's hand. "My co-pilot." She forced out, her voice breaking.

"This is all you have left of her, Ryujin." Yeji said, gesturing for Ryujin to take the necklace back. But Ryujin refused.

"I'll always find her in the drift."

Yeji smiled weakly, putting the necklace over her head, she looked at the others and asked for some time alone with Ryujin. They scattered, not leaving the room, but going far enough away to give the couple privacy.

Yeji cupped Ryujin's face with a pained smile, "I love you, Shin Ryujin."

The shorter one questioned why she was telling her this now, breaking their agreement.

"The three kaiju are still out there, and I'm not letting either of us die without me bringing my feelings to words. If there's any mission I'm not sure I'll come back from, it's this one. So, just in case I don't make it to the day you become a pilot, I love you. I love you. I love you."