The Sun Before My Eyes (Michaeng)

6

"The company will recognize us as a partnership, but we'll still be working as soloists. We'll take on jobs but we'll work alone as we always have been."

Chaeyoung laughed at Mina's mischievous smile. The ghost never knew the exorcist had such antics up her sleeve. She expected for Mina to follow the new rule, which she did to some extent.

"Why don't you want to work with anyone? Is a partner that much of a hassle?" The ghost ended up asking.

Mina looked far into the park they were at. Her soft gaze landed on a group of children playing tag. They were both sitting down on a bench. Mina's backpack was on Chaeyoung's lap so no one would take the ghosts spot.

"I was the first recruit of the company, there wasn't exactly others to rely on. There was Jeongyeon and Nayeon but they were already partners so I trained under their guidance before starting work." Mina looked down to her folded hands. "I guess I'm used to it" she shrugged.

"But didn't you work with that tall exorcist once? You guys have a great working chemistry" Chaeyoung mentioned.

Mina sighed, sitting back. "We nearly died that day…having a partner is a bigger responsibility because you are now in charge of your job and your partner. Partners make an oath to protect each other"

The ghost nodded in understanding. The day she met the exorcist, she was bleeding out on the restroom floor. Mina and Tzuyu were both injured. Despite that fact, she recalled seeing Tzuyu throwing herself at the ghost so it wouldn't harm Mina anymore.

Exorcists have to hold the responsibility for three things when they have partners.

Their assigned job, their partners life…

And of course, their own life.

Chaeyoung thought back to Dahyun's act of courage. The tracker herself told her that she initially ran at first according to Momo's wishes. However, she couldn't just run and leave her there. When partners are formed, they swear an oath to protect each other. Holding the oath, Dahyun went back and decided to try to save her partner, even though it meant that they were both possibly going to die.

She began to understand the amount of trust you need with a partner. The ghost was able to see why people like Mina or Tzuyu prefer to work alone. The job is dangerous like Mina stated, but it's worse to have someone you swore to protect die during the job.

"Exorcist Chou is actually going to give it a try—a partner I mean," Mina checked the time on her phone. "Remember Sana? She's going to train her how to be a tracker. If it works out well, Tzuyu might have an official partner"

"What will happen to you then?" Chaeyoung turned to the exorcist.

Mina looked down at the ground. A grim expression appeared on her face.

"I think it's time for my retirement."

The ghost was startled by the words. "You're going to quit then?"  She didn't understand why such a good exorcist like her would quit. The Japanese girl then sighed, crossing her arms. "Originally, exorcism was just to pay bills, nothing else. Working this trade for a long time made me see what it does to people. Nothing good ever comes out." Mina began to think of Jihyo.

A well known and worshipped prodigy, broken down in a solid night. Her eyes were taken from her, stripped from most of her spiritual power.

It's heartbreaking to see someone you admire tumble down to their lowest point.

"I had my fair share of scary moments" Mina chuckled, trying to lighten up the mood. Her hand gently patted down to where her stab wound that was still in the process of healing. Her shoulder was also in the slow process of getting better.