You Are My Cure

25

Yeji's POV

The art class buzzed with energy as students chatted, sharing sketches and ideas. Yeji sat at her desk, her heart racing as she caught Han's eye across the room. He was laughing with a couple of classmates, his smile bright and infectious. Something about his presence made her feel giddy, and she couldn't help but smile back at him.

"Hey, Yeji!" Han called, walking over. "I love your latest piece! The colors you used really bring it to life."

"Thanks, Han!" Yeji replied, her cheeks warming at his compliment. "I've been trying to play around with different shades."

"I can see that. You've got a real knack for it," he said, leaning slightly closer to get a better look at her sketchbook. "You know, I think we should collaborate on something. I'd love to see what we could create together."

Yeji's eyes lit up. "Really? That would be so cool! I've never collaborated with anyone before."

"Let's make it happen," he said, grinning. "We can brainstorm ideas after class."

As they chatted, Han's demeanor was warm and encouraging. He asked her about her favorite techniques and shared his own inspirations, all while keeping his gaze locked on her. Yeji felt a flutter in her stomach; it was as if she were the only person in the room.

The bell rang, signaling the end of class, and students began to pack their bags. Yeji felt a slight pang of disappointment as their conversation came to a close.

"Do you want to grab a coffee or something before heading home?" Han asked, his tone casual but his eyes sparkling with interest.

"Sure! I'd love that," she replied, her heart racing with excitement.

As they walked to a nearby café, Yeji couldn't help but feel lighter, as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Han was easy to talk to; every moment spent with him felt effortless. They found a cozy corner table and settled in, their conversation flowing smoothly as they shared their favorite art styles and personal hobbies.

"I really admire how passionate you are about your art," Han said, leaning in slightly, his tone sincere. "It's refreshing to see someone who loves what they do."

"Thank you! It means a lot to hear that from you," Yeji said, her cheeks flushing. "I've always loved drawing and painting, but I sometimes feel like I don't measure up to others."

Han shook his head. "You have a unique style that nobody else has. Don't ever doubt yourself."

The warmth of his words enveloped her, making her feel valued and understood. Yeji couldn't remember the last time someone had made her feel this way. As they continued to talk, she found herself laughing more and feeling more at ease. It was a welcome distraction, and for the first time in days, she felt genuinely happy.

Ryujin's POv

Sitting on a park bench in Australia, Ryujin tried to gather her thoughts. Surrounded by vibrant colors, her mind remained fixated on Yeji. Each moment with Yeji had been more than just ordinary; it had felt as though her touch, her presence, had brought the world to life again. Every time Yeji kissed her, even something as innocent as a kiss on the cheek, the world around Ryujin seemed to bloom in color, a brief escape from the constant grayscale she lived in.

Could it be that Yeji was the key to her condition? The thought crossed her mind repeatedly. She had no scientific explanation for it, but every time Yeji touched her, kissed her, even spoke to her, the world seemed... brighter. The thought made her heart race, but it also unsettled her. How much of this could she depend on? Was she really so tied to Yeji that her very perception of reality hinged on her?

After mulling over these thoughts, Ryujin finally made her way to her doctor's office. She needed answers, or at least some form of reassurance that she wasn't losing her mind. The familiarity of Dr. Kim Sejeong's office helped settle her nerves. She had been visiting her since childhood, after all, and Kim knew more about her condition than anyone else.

"Ryujin-ah," Sejeong greeted her warmly when she walked in, "it's been a while. What's been going on?"

Ryujin sat down and gave a long sigh. "I think... something's changing, but I don't know what it is or how to deal with it."

Dr. Kim's face grew serious. "Tell me everything."

And Ryujin did. She described how her vision changed whenever Yeji was near, how Yeji made everything around her colorful, like some strange kind of Midas touch. "It's not just red anymore," she said, staring at the floor. "When she kisses me, everything comes into full color, and it lasts longer than before."

Dr. Kim listened closely, her brow furrowing. "That's quite an unusual change. Have there been any other changes in your emotions? Maybe something you've been feeling differently?"

"Yeah, but that's the part I hate," Ryujin said with a bitter laugh. "It's like I'm using Yeji. I can't keep doing this, relying on her just so I can see. What kind of person does that make me?"

The doctor's expression softened. "Ryujin, I don't think you're using her. Emotional connections can have deep effects on how our body and mind function. We can explore more in tests, but don't close yourself off from her. This might be a big part of your healing process."

Ryujin nodded slightly but still felt weighed down by her own confusion. Leaving the clinic, she replayed the conversation in her head. Sejeong had a point-maybe this connection was something she couldn't just walk away from. But she still wasn't sure where it left her.

On her way back to the hotel, Ryujin's thoughts drifted back to a dream she had the night before. In that dream, Yeji had been there, but not the way Ryujin knew her now. It was almost as if they'd met before, a hazy image from some distant part of her childhood. The familiarity in that dream nagged at her, leaving her with more questions than answers.

Walking through the city's colorful streets, Ryujin found herself pulling out her phone. She stared at a photo of herself and Yeji, the last one they took before she left South Korea. Her finger hovered over the messaging app, but she hesitated. Instead of texting, she closed the phone and slipped it back into her pocket. She'd hold onto the memory a little longer.

As the day wore on, Ryujin resolved to focus on her health during this trip. When she returned, she knew things would have to change-but she hoped that somehow, in some way, the connection between her and Yeji could survive whatever came next.