Roses and Thorns (Jinlia)

Chapter 27: Will You Look After Me?

The car hummed softly beneath them as it glided along the quiet road toward the Shin family’s exclusive mall. Jisu sat in silence, her thoughts swirling with the echo of a voice she couldn't forget.

Mrs. Shin’s warning still lingered, sharp and cold, threading itself through the cracks in her composure: But I’d advise you to always be on your guard from now on.

She lowered her gaze to the hand resting in her lap, cushioned gently on a pillow. Wrapped in a firm brace, her knucklesㅡonce nimble, expressiveㅡhad undergone surgery just a day ago. The doctor had spoken with urgency about the risk of permanent damage if the injury wasn't treated immediately. Now, this brace would be her companion for the next four to six weeks.

A quiet sigh escaped her lips. The regret came in waves. Her actions had been reckless. Foolish, even. And yet, part of her believed this was a kind of penanceㅡthe price of pushing too far.

But there was a silver lining in the haze. Her ambidexterityㅡsomething she’d nurtured through years of sketching, painting, and journalingㅡmeant her world wouldn’t grind to a halt. Her art could continue, even if one hand was temporarily silenced. It gave her something to hold on to, something that reminded her she wasn’t broken. Not entirely.

──⇌••⇋──

“Why are we here again?” Jisu asked as she stepped out of the car, her eyes drawn upward to the gleaming structure that loomed ahead. The mall was colossal, opulent in its architectureㅡa reflection of the Shin legacy.

Ryujin didn’t answer at once. She stood still beside the car, her face unreadable. Yet, beneath that practiced calm, Jisu could feel itㅡthe weight in Ryujin’s chest, the storm of memories surfacing.

“This place was my father’s idea,” she said at last, her voice low, touched with something more fragile than nostalgia. “I thought it was just another business project. But it wasn’t. It was something personal. Something... for me.”

The words hung in the air, delicate as glass.

Jisu watched Ryujin closely, her heart tightening. The grief was still alive inside herㅡraw and restless.

“To him, I was his little princess,” Ryujin continued. “His only child. He gave me everything. Not just gifts or vacations... He gave me time. Even when he was exhausted, he’d play pretend with me, or read my favorite stories until I fell asleep.”

Her voice faltered, even as her eyes remained dry. She curled her hand into a fist, the nails digging into her palm.

“I still can’t accept that he’s gone. And I hate the man who took him from me. If I could bring my father back just for one moment... I’d kill the bastard myself.”

Jisu reached for her gently. “I think,” she said softly, “he’d be proud of who you’ve become, Ryujin. Even without him here to guide you.”

But Ryujin only shook her head, brushing the sentiment aside. “Forget it. I shouldn’t have brought this up. I didn’t mean to ruin today. It’s supposed to be about us.”

──⇌••⇋──

Inside, the mall glistened with quiet luxury.

“Pick out anything you like,” Ryujin said with a wink, her tone returning to its familiar playfulness. “Since this mall belongs to my family, and you’re my partner, it’s practically yours too.”

Jisu blinked at her, half-laughing, half-stunned. “Excuse me?”

Ryujin shot her a grin and turned on her heel, striding forward. A faint blush colored her cheeks, and Jisu laughed again, jogging a few steps to catch up.

“Wait up, Ryujin!” she called. When she finally reached her, she looped an arm around Ryujin’s waist and leaned into her shoulder.

Ryujin tilted her head toward her, voice teasing. “Hey, easy with that hand. You did just have surgery, remember?”

Jisu pouted and reluctantly dropped her arm.

“I’m thinking...” Ryujin’s eyes sparkled. “We try some masculine styles on you. I bet they’d look amazing.”

──⇌••⇋──

Later, as they emerged from the last boutique, hands full of sleek shopping bags, Ryujin glanced over with a faint, satisfied smile.

“Shopping isn’t exactly my idea of a thrill,” she said, “but... did you have fun?”

Jisu turned to her, radiant. “Nothing’s ever dull when I’m with you.”

A soft blush touched Ryujin’s ears. She looked down, then murmured, “I love you.”

It was so quiet, so vulnerable, Jisu barely caught it.

They walked in silence for a time, footsteps echoing down the polished marble halls. Jisu’s mind wandered, brushing against shadowsㅡpast and future. There was still so much to face. So many things she feared. But with Ryujin beside her, the weight didn’t feel as heavy.

She wanted this moment to stretch just a little longer.

“Ryujin...?” she said before she could stop herself.

Ryujin turned her head slightly. “Hm?”

“Will you look after me?”

The question hovered in the air.

But I’d advise you to always be on your guard from now on.

Mrs. Shin’s words flashed again, uninvited.

Jisu pushed the thought away.

Ryujin took her hand gently, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “I will look after you, Jisu. That’s a promise.”

──⇌••⇋──

Back at the house, Ryujin set the boxes down neatly by the door.

“Make sure you always lock up when you’re inside, alright?” she said, pausing by the threshold. Her voice was calm, but beneath it, a current of worry stirred.

Jisu nodded. “Got it.”

Ryujin leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “And take care of that hand. Seriously.”

“Yes, Miss Shin,” Jisu teased with a playful salute. “I’ll be careful.”

“I’ll head out now,” Ryujin said. Her eyes lingered on Jisu for a moment longer. “I love you.”

As the door closed behind her, Jisu stood in the silence of the apartment, her heart uneasy.

Come on, Choi Jisu. Stop fretting.

She stepped closer to the door and raised her voice.

“Take care, Ryujin! I love you too! See you soon!”