Hyun-ju, along with the others that had survived, was called to testify in the trial, being witnesses to the horrors of the island and the game-makers put them through. There was a mountain of evidence, thanks to the help of Detective Hwang.

However, the testimony that mattered the most was that of Gi-Hun and you. The two of you were the only known winners of the games willing to testify.

And God, had it taken its toll on you.

It was your second day spent on the stand; being grilled for hours about your experience of the games, what you did with your money after and who you harmed in doing so. Questions, photos, having to watch footage of yourself doing traumatizing things.

The media hounded you both within and outside of the courthouse, armed men having to escort you to the trial and back.

During the fifteen minute recess the judge had granted the court, you had all but ran to the bathroom and locked yourself inside to throw up. There was only so much you could force yourself to stay stone-faced through.

You now stand in front of the mirror, rinsing your mouth out with water, ashen and sweating as you try to pull yourself together. However, the creak of the bathroom door opening instantly sets you upright, clearing your throat and trying desperately to look as though you were washing your hands.

Hyun-ju, who sat watching your testimony with Geum-ja, saw your distress as you walked out of the court. She stops in front of the mirror, taking a few moments to fix her hair and reapply her lipstick.

A tense silence falls over you and this woman, in a way that says “we both know you’re having an episode, so which one is going to address it first?”

“If you don’t mind me saying…” She starts, clearing her throat and glancing at you through the bathroom mirror with a small smile. “You look much younger than any of us thought…”