Snake Pit (Ryeji)

Outpatient

Opening the doors to the hospital wing she discovered Ryujin already had a visitor. Professor Park sat poised by the bedside deep in conversation with Ryujin who was sitting upright against the bed head.

This was the first time Yeji had seen the professor since the incident last week and a jolt ran through her body as she remembered the dull look in the Professor's eyes as they dueled. Yeji's hands clenched around the book she was holding, her fight or flight reflexes bubbling under her makeshift calm facade.

When Professor Park then noticed Yeji she gave her a small smile and stood up, bidding her farewells and best wishes for Ryujn's swift recovery before walking towards Yeji. Yeji's back stiffened as they came face to face once again however the tension was broken when Professor Perk bowed her head with a guilty look on her face.

"Yeji." She said, "I am so sorry. I can't express how awful I feel about what happened. I hope you weren't hurt."

Yeji shifted awkwardly. It was strange having a Professor apologizing to her in such a manner. "Not badly." Yeji replied, her gaze fell to the floor. "I know it wasn't really you. I can't imagine what it must have been like." She added.

"Yes well, I would hope you never have to experience something like that. I'm only sorry I couldn't do anything to stop myself, so I'm glad you were able to. How fortunate you're such a capable student Yeji."

Yeji blushed slightly at Professor Park's words. "I didn't do much." She mumbled. "It was really Ryujin."

Professor Park put both her hands up in acceptance. "Well then I'm thankful you were both there. Anyway, if you'll excuse me, I have a class to get to. I'll see you tomorrow for our lesson."

Yeji smiled and nodded her head, clutching the book tighter than ever as the Professor walked away. How lucky she was to have her as a teacher, Yeji thought, stunned. How she managed to stay so positive despite the awful nature of the curse she had been put under was a mystery and yet there she was. It gave her hope that perhaps Ryujin would be able to live her life normally one day despite her harrowing experience too.

And, although so far on the whole Ryujin had always been happy to see Yeji, smiling and laughing whenever they talked, Yeji always caught glimpses of a painful sadness brimming on the surface of Ryujin's eyes when Ryujin thought she wasn't looking.

Yeji took a deep breath and exhaled loudly, readying herself before bounding over to where Ryujin was sitting up in bed, white sheets tucked neatly round her waist.

"Hey!" Yeji said as brightly as she could.

"Hey." Ryujin replied quietly, a small smile accompanying it.

"I brought you the next book in the series!" Yeji handed over the book she'd been clutching. "Professor Im says she's already reserved the next two for you!"

Ryujin graciously took the book and handed over the one had had just finished. "What did Professor Park say to you just now?" She asked.

"Oh, she was just apologizing. She's very sweet." Yeji said and Ryujin nodded in understanding. "Is that why she had come to see you too?"

"Yeah. Although she also said that the potion I messed up last lesson that, you know..."

"Exploded?"

"Yeah." Ryujin glanced awkwardly around. "Well she said it wasn't my fault and that actually she had done something to it when she came and looked at it."

"Wait really!?" Yeji said with excitement, "Do you know what she did?" However she then noticed Ryujin gripping her bedsheets uncomfortably and realized the other was still probably finding it hard to shift any guilt or embarrassment she might feel onto a Professor. "Hey, sorry you don't have to-"