Roses and Thorns (Jinlia)

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆 | questions & assurances

Book 1, Chapter 20
Questions and Assurances

Ryujin fought to steady her trembling hands, but Jisu didn’t miss the struggle.

As Ryujin clenched her fists tighter, her nails threatened to break the skin of her palms. Noticing the distress, Jisu couldn’t just sit by. She moved to sit closer, placing her left hand on Ryujin's right shoulder and enveloping Ryujin’s clenched fist with her right hand, offering a gentle squeeze in hopes of offering some comfort. Ryujin’s tears continued to flow, a rare and heartbreaking sight.

“My parents put their trust in him! How could he just betray us like that and take my father away? My dad was nothing but kind!”

This betrayal was the root of Ryujin's posttraumatic stress disorder. In the wake of her father’s murder, nightmares began to haunt her sleep. She was tormented by intrusive thoughts and flashbacks that scrambled her sense of peace. Suddenly loud noises became her enemy, triggering her deep-seated trauma. There were moments when she lashed out in anger and aggression, wary of strangers or anyone attempting to get too close.

She found herself engulfed in a world of distrust, isolation, emotional numbness, and disconnection from those around her.

Jisu's understanding deepened: the roots of Ryujin's aversion to people, her instinctual anger, her solitude. Ryujin had severed ties with the world outside her immediate circle.

“So, your plan to reclaim your normalcy involves hosting a grand event here at the university, to officially unveil your true self?” Ryujin gave a nod of confirmation. “You're certain this is what you want?”

“I can't say I am,” she murmured, “But it's now or never.” Ryujin's gaze fixed on Jisu with a mixture of determination and vulnerability. “I've mustered the courage and resolve I need at this moment. It's time I did this.”

Jisu smiled, “You're brave.”

──⇌••⇋──

AT THE front row, Jisu and Chaeryeong easily located their reserved seats.

Glancing around, Jisu felt a wave of concern seeing the packed audience.

“This is way too packed,” Jisu murmured to Chaeryeong, anxiety lacing her voice. “I'm afraid this might be too much for her.”

Soon after, the event kicked off. The bustling crowd fell silent as the lights dimmed and a single spotlight illuminated President Shin at center stage.

“Welcome, everyone,” she began.

Jisu couldn't help but anticipate the shock that would ripple through her classmates once they discovered that the Choi Jin known to them as a classmate and her 'cousin' was about to reveal herself as the mysterious Shin Ryujin they've all been curious about.

“Please welcome my daughter, Shin Ryujin.”

A chorus of gasps swept through the crowd, quickly turning into a wave of excited screams as Ryujin made her way to the spotlight. “Indeed, I'm not Choi Jin, nor am I Choi Jisu's cousin. I am the Shin Ryujin.”

“Think she's on the brink of panicking?” Chaeryeong whispered, her gaze fixed on Ryujin.

“Let's hope she keeps it together.”

As Ryujin's true identity sank in, the auditorium erupted once more with their cheers. The air buzzed with shock and admiration. The students were thrilled to finally place a face to the name Shin Ryujin.