You Are My Cure

22

Ryujin's POV

I couldn't sleep all night. The kiss, the way Yeji's lips brushed against mine-it played on an endless loop in my head. Each time I closed my eyes, I relived it, feeling everything come back into focus, not just in my mind, but in my world. For a few fleeting moments, when she kissed me, everything around me wasn't just grayscale-it was in full, vibrant color. I could see everything.

But it wasn't just the kiss. Being around Yeji has always been different. Even without touching me, she's the only one whose face isn't a blur. She's the exception to this condition I've been trapped in for so long. When I'm with her, it's like I'm back to normal. But last night... last night was something else. When her lips touched mine, the whole world changed.

I couldn't explain it. And that's why I needed space.

I dragged myself to school, still dazed, hoping to avoid her today, to figure out what was happening. But when I stepped into the hallway, the familiar ache hit me hard. There she was-Yeji-standing with Yeonjun. He had one arm slung casually over her shoulder, his head tilted close to hers, laughing about something I couldn't hear from where I stood.

They looked like... a couple.

I felt my stomach drop. The world around me was dull, lifeless, the usual grayscale of my vision. But Yeji... she was different, as always. I could see her clearly, every detail, from the softness in her expression to the slight smile on her lips.

Yeonjun leaned closer, whispering something that made her laugh. My fists clenched, and the pain in my chest grew sharper, tighter. I could only see the two of them. Too close. Too familiar.

I was drowning in this gray world, suffocating in the pain that tightened around my chest. What am I even doing?She's always been close to Yeonjun. They have a past, a history I could never understand. And maybe she still likes him... maybe she always will.

I forced myself to look away. I couldn't bear it.

I pulled my phone out and dialed Mommy. She picked up after a few rings.

"Hey, I... I need to get away for a bit," I said, trying to steady my voice. "I think I should go visit the doctor... you know, in Australia."

"Ryujin, are you okay?" she asked, her voice immediately filled with concern. "What happened? Is your vision getting worse?"

I hesitated, swallowing back the tightness in my throat. "No, Mommy. It's not worse. It's... actually getting better. But only when I'm with Yeji. And when she touches me, or touches things... it's like the world changes. I can see color. I can see her face."

There was a long pause on the other end.

"You're sure about this, sweetheart?" she asked softly.

"Yeah. I need to figure out what's happening."

"Alright," she finally said. "We'll make arrangements to get you to the doctor soon. But, Ryujin... don't push yourself too hard, okay? I don't want you to hurt."

"I'll be fine, Mommy," I said quietly, though the truth was far from that. I just needed to get away. From Yeji. From all of this.