Chapter Text
The two women stopped by the side of the road taking a break from checking the surrounding area.
Perhaps it was a coincidence but Ryujin and Sayeon were being put on patrols together more and more often.
Sayeon wondered if news of them adopting Hyunsoo had been getting around, she slightly regretted telling Juni.
Leaning by the rails on the sidewalk they watched as the traffic lights turned red, people rushing to get to their destinations. Among those folks were groups of students, running around, chit chatting, playfully bantering, it was nothing out of the ordinary at this time in the morning.
Ryujin would normally pay no mind to something as minor as this but now that Hyunsoo was around she thought.
“Do you think we should get Hyunsoo enrolled in school?” She nudged Sayeon.
“I mean, how old is she? 10? She should be in elementary school at that age right?”
She added.
Sayeon's eyes squinted in concern, remembering her own school experience.
“Ryujin, were you ever in school?”
“No?” Ryujin answered, a confused look on her face.
“You see, school is horrible for those who don't look or act like the majority.” She explained. “I saw the way those kids treated aberrants, Ryujin, I can't imagine what they would do to Hyunsoo…”
“So what do you want us to do? Just not let her have a basic education?”
“You never went to school and you turned out fine.” Sayeon argued.
“That's because I had people around, and I'll have you know I did take some classes.” she retaliated
“So I can just home school her in my free time!”
“You know you don't have enough time for that.”
Sayeon was growing aggravated, she stood firmly on the idea of not getting Hyunsoo enrolled, it wasn't worth it, all of the mockery, the looks, and for what? It didn't matter in the long run, she would just end up in the corps anyway.
The pain of wasting her teenage years still lingering in her mind.
She felt a weight on her shoulder.
“Sayeon..!”
She snapped back to reality realizing she had been zoning out.
Sayeon looked around her, seeing the looks the people around them had been giving. Two aberrants arguing in public, it's bound to catch a few eyes.
She snaps her fingers.
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.
.
Ryujin scoughed. “You know you don't have enough time for that-”
“Fine, I don't want to stretch out this argument longer than it has lasted, have it your way.” Sayeon leaned forwards, preparing to leave.
“Just don't come complaining to me when she comes home crying.” Her words came out cold as she turned.
Sayeon was definitely upset now, and Ryujin didn't want to deal with that.
“What- Glasses, you can't just think about the negatives!” Ryujin followed closely behind her.
“Sorry if I’m acting concerned about my own kid.” She replied, not looking back.
“Think about the upsides, we won't have to keep leaving Hyunsoo alone at home!”
“I would rather have her at home than getting picked on by kids twice her size." She scoughed.
Then a sudden pull on her arm made her turn around.
“Sayeon.” Ryujin was staring straight at her.
“You can't keep her like this forever.”
Sayeon didn't respond, she pulled away.
“Just give it a shot.”
She remained silent for a moment.
“Fine.”
Before giving a one word response.
.
.
.
Hyunsoo swung her legs as she sat by the kitchen counter, toast in one hand, a cup of milk in the other.
Ryujin rummaged through the cabinet.
“So, kid.”
She picked up a small container before turning back to look at Hyunsoo, whose eyes had already darted towards her as soon as she called.
“We're thinking about sending you to school.”
Hyunsoo perked up curiously as Ryujin explained.
Sayeon watched from the corner of the room.
“It's fine. If she doesn't want to stay in school we'll just stop.” She reassured herself in her mind.
.
.
.
Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, Hyunsoo adjusted the collar of her shirt.
She took a step backwards to look at herself in her school uniform.
“You done, buddy?” Ryujin called out to her from outside. “We wouldn't want you being late on your first day.”
She unlocks the door, pulling on her sleeve.
Ryujin is standing at the front door and Sayeon, sitting on the couch, staring at the floor with an anxious expression on her face.
“Alright Glasses, we're heading out.” She said, patting Hyunsoo on the shoulder.
She looked back at the two.
“Right, got it, stay safe.” She quickly replied.
Ryujin sighed, she could tell that Sayeon was still unsure about this decision. To be fair she wasn't the only one.
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.
As they make their way over to the main gate of the school, Ryujin’s eyes nervously scan the area around the entrance.
She held her breath as she placed her hand on Hyunsoo's back
“Do you know where your class room is?” she questioned the smaller girl.
Hyunsoo nodded.
“Good.” She lowered her face to be on the same level as Hyunsoo.
“And if anyone tries to mess with you, don't be afraid of fighting back.” Ryujin whispered half jokingly.
She gently gestured Hyunsoo towards the open gate.
Hyunsoo looked back at her a few times as she made her way to the door, gripping the straps of her backpack.
Ryujin gave her a reassuring look, fighting the urge to walk in with her.