7th August 2018
The late afternoon sun cast a golden hue across the neighborhood, bathing everything in a warm glow. Ryujin walked down the narrow alleyway leading home, a slight smile on her face as she balanced a grocery bag brimming with ingredients. Her mind lingered on the recent phone call with her younger sister, Yuna.
“Yuna-ah, go back to the house immediately after your practice. Unnie will cook something special for you,” she had said, her voice filled with warmth.
“Really? Why?” Yuna had sounded surprised, her tone as light and curious as always.
“To celebrate your first win. I’m so proud of you,” Ryujin replied, her heart swelling with pride. She could almost picture Yuna’s wide smile on the other end, and it made the day feel even brighter.
“Oww, unnie. I’m so grateful for having you as my sister. I’ll come back as soon as practice ends,” Yuna had said, her voice softened with affection that made Ryujin’s heart ache with love.
“Okay. See you soon, baby,” Ryujin whispered, her eyes softening as she imagined Yuna’s excitement upon seeing the meal she was preparing.
“Bye, unnie,” Yuna replied before the line went silent.
Ryujin pocketed her phone, humming to herself as she headed inside. The small house was quiet, filled with the comforting smells of simmering spices and rich broth as she carefully prepared Yuna’s favorite dishes. She moved around the kitchen with a practiced ease, tasting the broth, adjusting the seasoning, and imagining Yuna’s reaction to each dish. Cooking was one of the ways Ryujin showed her love, and she poured every ounce of affection into the meal.
Just as she was placing the final dish on the table, a memory surfaced—a warm afternoon when Yuna had excitedly mentioned wanting to share a fresh watermelon together. Ryujin’s face lit up with a sudden thought. Yuna had a special fondness for watermelon, and she had always promised to buy one for a celebratory meal.
Without a second thought, Ryujin grabbed her wallet, leaving her phone on the kitchen counter. She told herself she’d be back in a few minutes—just long enough to pick up the watermelon before Yuna arrived home. As she stepped outside, the breeze gently swept across her face, almost like a whisper reminding her of the love that drove her to these small acts.
The nearest store was only a few blocks away. The sun was just beginning to dip behind the trees, casting long shadows across the road. As Ryujin picked out the freshest watermelon, she couldn’t help but imagine Yuna’s face lighting up, that innocent, pure joy that always made Ryujin’s day a little brighter.
Lost in her thoughts, she barely noticed the figure walking along the sidewalk across the street until she heard the familiar sound of laughter—sharp, high-pitched, and laced with arrogance. Turning her head, she saw Kwon Eunbi. Dressed impeccably as always, Eunbi had that air of indifference about her, as if the world around her barely registered.
Ryujin felt a pang of annoyance but immediately softened. It wasn’t in her nature to hold grudges, and despite everything Eunbi had done to Yuna, she didn’t see the point of carrying hatred in her heart. After all, she had always believed that kindness could reach even the hardest hearts, a lesson she had hoped Yuna would one day understand too.
Just then, a blinding flash of light caught her eye—a car, speeding down the narrow street without any sign of slowing. Her heart froze as she realized it was barreling straight toward Eunbi, who remained oblivious, lost in her own world, unaware of the danger only seconds away.
Instinct took over. Without a second thought, Ryujin dropped the watermelon, and in a heartbeat, she was sprinting across the road. Her pulse roared in her ears as her feet hit the pavement, every ounce of her energy pouring into each desperate step. She reached Eunbi just in time, her hands finding purchase on Eunbi’s shoulders, shoving her out of harm’s way with a force she didn’t know she had.
The last thing she saw was Eunbi’s wide-eyed look of shock as she flew sideways, out of the path of the speeding car. And then, in an instant, there was only the blinding headlights, the deafening screech of tires, and a split second of unbearable impact.
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Eunbi scrambled to her feet, heart racing, her mind struggling to catch up with what had just happened. She looked around frantically until her eyes landed on Ryujin’s broken form lying still on the road. Blood pooled beneath her, staining the pavement in dark red that seemed to spread like ink on paper.
Eunbi felt her heart plummet. She stumbled forward, sinking to her knees beside Ryujin, who lay gasping, her face pale and twisted in pain. Eunbi’s hands shook as she gently lifted Ryujin’s head, placing it on her lap. The girl who she’d known only as Yuna’s quiet, resilient sister was now a shattered, fragile shell.
“R-Ryujin…” Eunbi stammered, her voice choked with guilt and horror.
Ryujin’s eyes fluttered open, their usual warmth dimmed by the creeping shadow of death. Her breaths came in shallow, painful gasps as she struggled to form words. She reached a trembling hand toward Eunbi, her fingers barely grazing Eunbi’s cheek before they fell back.
“My… Y-Yuna…” Ryujin’s voice was barely a whisper, each word labored and fragile. “Please…take care…”
She couldn’t finish. Her vision darkened, her breath catching as the pain overwhelmed her. But in her mind, she saw Yuna’s face, her sweet, smiling face, and she clung to that image, holding onto it with every part of her soul.
Eunbi’s eyes filled with tears as she held Ryujin’s hand, squeezing it tightly as if trying to keep her anchored to the world. “I’m so sorry… I’m so sorry, Ryujin. I swear… I swear I’ll take care of her. I promise.”
But Ryujin didn’t hear her. Her body went still, her last breath escaping in a soft sigh, her hand slipping from Eunbi’s grasp as the light faded from her eyes. For a long moment, there was only silence. She had taken something precious from Yuna—the sister who had loved her more than anything in the world. And as she looked down at Ryujin’s peaceful, unmoving face, Eunbi made a silent vow.
“I’m so sorry, Ryujin,” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. “I’ll protect Yuna. I’ll be there for her. I swear it.”
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So we finally know how Ryujin died and how Eunbi involved with it 🥲
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Guardian <remake>
FanfictionYuna is just an ordinary high school girl, and for her, bullying has become a routine part of life. But her older sister has always been there for her-protecting, caring, and standing by her side. Yuna couldn't be more grateful to have such a sister...
