Spectrum of Red. [LISRENE]

24

"I am sorry it's not in my hands anymore, I have to do this."
-RM

"Chief Superintendent Lalisa Manoban, you are to be terminated from your position due to Monochromacy, which disqualifies you from duty."

"Yes, sir"

"It was nice having you here kid."

RM said and Lisa nodded absent-mindedly.

As Lisa walked out of the department for the last time, she felt strangely numb, almost as though she was floating through a hazy dream. Jennie, Jisoo, Jeongyeon, and a few of her closest colleagues stood waiting, their faces heavy with grief.

Even though she told herself she was strong, a tiny part of her felt the sting of losing her badge, her career, and the life she had built here.

Jisoo and Jeongyeon stepped forward first, pulling Lisa into a fierce hug. She chuckled weakly, trying to lighten the mood.

"Hey, I’m just jobless, not dead,"

She said with a shaky smile.

"No need to get so emotional."

But when they pulled away, Jisoo saw the forced smile lingering on Lisa’s face, the sadness she couldn’t hide.

“You’re strong, Lisa,”

Jisoo whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Before Lisa could respond, Jennie reached out and wrapped her arms around her tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“This isn’t fair, Lisa,”

Jennie murmured, her voice barely audible.

“They had no right to fire you just because of… of something so small. You’re one of the best officers they have.”

She sniffled, her head buried in Lisa's shoulder, clinging on as though letting go would make everything real.

Lisa hugged Jennie back, brushing her fingers gently through her hair, chuckling softly to keep her own emotions at bay.

“Hey now, come on,”

She murmured, looking around at her friends.

“Let’s be honest, I’m too handsome to be a cop anyway, right?”

Her quip pulled a few reluctant chuckles from her friends, and she grinned through the tears threatening to fall.

She pulled away from Jennie, gathering her courage as she bid a final farewell to each of her friends. Hugging Ryujin, Karina, and Yuna, she whispered her thanks. She exchanged fist bumps with Taehyung and Bambam, even managing a teasing wink. But as she left the department, reality sank in—she was leaving behind her whole world, and now she would have to start from scratch.

Later, Lisa returned to the condominium. She knew it wouldn’t be her home for long; it was department housing, and without her badge, she had to leave. Her mind buzzed with worry. Where would they go? How would she take care of Tzuyu, keep her in school, and find a new place in time?

As she approached, she saw Tzuyu standing outside, waiting, her face a mixture of concern and confusion. Lisa had called her school and asked her to leave early, a rarity in itself. Lisa took a deep breath and walked over to her sister, her heart hammering in her chest.

“What happened, unnie?”

Tzuyu asked immediately, her voice filled with worry.

“Is everything okay?”