Let the world burn

10

Ryujin leaned against the doorframe of Yeji's room, her sharp gaze softening slightly as she observed Yeji's hesitant posture. She crossed her arms, her voice calm yet firm.

"Yeji, it's time. Come downstairs with me," Ryujin said, her tone gentle but leaving no room for argument.

Yeji hesitated, her fingers twisting nervously. She glanced at Ryujin, her lips parting slightly as if to protest but then closing again. Ryujin stepped closer, crouching slightly to meet her gaze.

"Yeji," she said softly, "you're safe here. With me, with them. They're my family, and they'll accept you because you're important to me."

Yeji's eyes widened slightly, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. She hesitated for a long moment before nodding, her movements tentative but resolute.

"Okay," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Ryujin straightened, offering a small, rare smile. "Let's go."

As they descended the stairs, the front door opened, and Little Flower's excited voice echoed through the house.

"Mommy! We're back!"

Rosé followed closely behind, carrying bags of decorations and a beautifully crafted cake. Little Flower spotted Ryujin and froze for a moment before her face lit up like the morning sun.

"Mommy!" she squealed, dropping everything and running into Ryujin's arms.

Ryujin crouched down just in time to catch her, lifting her effortlessly into a tight embrace. Her usually cold demeanor melted away as she buried her face in Little Flower's hair.

"I missed you, baby girl," Ryujin murmured, her voice uncharacteristically soft.

Little Flower giggled, pulling back to look at her mother. "We got you a cake! And decorations! Auntie Rosé let me pick the colors!"

Ryujin smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her daughter's face. "You did all that for me? Thank you, sweetheart."

Rosé, standing nearby, grinned. "She was very particular about the colors. Only the best for her mommy."

Ryujin chuckled, setting Little Flower down. "Let's get everything ready in the garden, then."

As the family began decorating the garden, Little Flower's curious eyes landed on Yeji. Clutching a small flower she had picked earlier, she shyly approached the newcomer, her steps hesitant but determined.

Yeji noticed the little girl's approach and turned, her expression softening. She knelt to Little Flower's level, offering her a kind smile.

Little Flower hesitated, her small hands clutching the flower tightly. Finally, in a quiet voice, she asked, "Are you... an angel?"

Yeji blinked, momentarily stunned by the question. Before she could respond, Little Flower continued, her cheeks pink.

"Mommy says angels make people happy. You... you make everyone happy."

Yeji's heart melted at the little girl's innocence. Little Flower shyly extended the flower to her, and Yeji accepted it with a warm smile. Though she didn't speak, her silence was more eloquent than words.

From a distance, Jennie leaned toward Lisa, smirking. "Little Flower's got her wrapped around her little finger already."

Lisa chuckled. "Like mother, like daughter."

Ryujin, standing nearby, watched the interaction with an unreadable expression. Her arms were crossed, but her icy gaze softened as she saw Yeji's gentle smile and Little Flower's shy giggles.

Later, Ryujin, Vincenzo, Mina, Lisa, Moonbyul, Solar, Chaeyoung, Tzuyu, and Jennie gathered in Ryujin's office to review the footage. The tense atmosphere thickened as the video played, revealing scenes from the auction where Yeji had been saved.

Ryujin's jaw clenched, her eyes narrowing dangerously as the images unfolded.

Vincenzo's voice was calm but laced with fury. "We'll dismantle them, one piece at a time."

Lisa paced the room, her voice sharp and cutting. "Burn their whole operation to the ground. That's the only language people like them understand."

Mina, ever the strategist, folded her arms. "Expose them first. Make sure they're cornered before we strike."

Chaeyoung tried to inject some levity but failed, her voice tight with anger. "Or we could just make them disappear."

Ryujin's voice cut through the discussion, low and deadly. "I'll handle this myself."

The room fell silent. Mina leaned toward Chaeyoung, whispering, "Remember the last time she was this mad? We almost had to buy a new gym."

As Ryujin stormed out, the family exchanged knowing glances.

Lisa smirked. "Ten bucks says she's going straight to the gym to break something."

Tzuyu shook her head. "No, she's heading to the garage. Someone's losing a car tonight."

Chaeyoung grinned. "I'm betting on a phone call to hell itself."

Jennie, leaning back with a smirk, added, "Don't forget to transfer the money, folks. You're all wrong. We have Yeji and Little Flower today."

Ryujin stormed downstairs, her mind filled with plans for revenge. As she neared the kitchen, a sound stopped her in her tracks: laughter.

It wasn't just any laughter. It was Yeji's.

Drawn to the sound, Ryujin stepped into the doorway and froze. The scene before her was nothing short of heartwarming. Little Flower stood on a stool, carefully decorating a cookie with Yeji's help. Yeji's hands were covered in flour, her cheeks pink as she leaned down to listen to Little Flower's instructions.

"No, Angel, like this!" Little Flower insisted. "Mommy says it has to be perfect!"

Yeji smiled, her eyes soft. "Okay, like this?"

Little Flower giggled. "Better! But you're still messy, Angel."

Rosé and Sana chuckled as they watched, while Hong Cha Young observed quietly, her smile warm.

Little Flower smudged a bit of flour on Yeji's nose, causing her to laugh again. The sound was so pure that even Rosé paused to admire it.

Ryujin's anger melted away as she watched the scene. Her thoughts swirled.

How does she do that? How does she make everything... softer?

She didn't realize she was standing there until Little Flower noticed her.

"Mommy! Come help Angel!"

The rest of the family arrived behind Ryujin, expecting chaos. Instead, they found her standing still, her expression unreadable.

Lisa whispered, "No bloodshed? Did hell freeze over?"

Mina smirked. "I think we just witnessed a miracle."

Jennie grinned. "Don't forget to transfer the money, folks."

As Ryujin retreated quietly, her thoughts lingered on Yeji and Little Flower. She glanced back once more, her gaze softening.

Maybe this angel wasn't sent to save herself... maybe she was sent to save me.