Pleasant Imagines (Jinjoo)

I felt empty till I met you

A little girl was seen carrying a box the size of her body, heaving herself into the lift. "Which level?" A lady asked, seeing how she was struggling to press the floor number.

"Level 3 please." She politely asked. "That makes us neighbours then." The lady pressed the button.

"Moving day?" she gently asked while the little girl nodded. The woman wondered why she didn't feel as enthralled as she thought she would be.

"What's your name?" the girl looked up. "Kim Minju," she answered, fingers tapping against the box as the lady cooed softly.

"You have a pretty name." she complimented while the door opened.

"Thank you. See you around ma'am." Minju bowed slightly, walking towards her family's apartment unit.

She used her feet and pushed the door open, mouth opening in awe. "This is big." She mumbled, closing the door, and heading straight to her room.

It was way bigger than her previous room with the bed and study table laid out nicely, a wooden wardrobe with windows beside the bed.

She places the box down, going towards where the window is, looking out to see the view. The whole apartment complex was visible from her room.

But no matter how big her room is, it'll always feel empty.

Minju took out some stuff, placed them on the study table, arranging them nicely as well as putting her soft toys on her bed. Those are her only form of comfort.

"Minju-ah." She halted her movements in an instant as she walked out of her room.

"Yes, eomma?" she called, seeing her mom walk toward her with a cooler bag of stuff.

"Wanna go hand these out?" the lady placed it on the floor.

Minju looked into it, realising it was a bag filled with packets of handmade rice cakes for the neighbours.

"Okay." Minju carried the cooler bag, walking down the living room. "Be nice." Her mother reminded her.

She hummed, putting on her slippers. She looks left and right, seeing an array of units, comfortably carrying the gifts.

After a second of thinking about which way to go, she turns to her right, knocking on the door. Not long after, the same lady she saw opened the door with a gentle smile on her face.

"Oh, Minju-ah." The girl reached into the bag and pulled out a box. "My mom asked me to hand these out." she gives her one, bowing slightly, noticing someone coming from the back.

"Eomma, who's that?" a boy half a head taller than her asked. "The new family living next door." She told her son.

Minju just stood there staring at the guy who eye smiled, waving his hand. "Hello." The girl bowed upon his greeting.

"How old are you?" he asked, leaning against the door frame. "12," Minju replied, hands fiddling with the strap of the bag.

"I'm older." He mumbled, smiling as he looked up at his mother. "You can call me Yujin oppa." He said, looking at Minju who nodded slowly.

"Go on, we have many neighbours on this floor." The lady urged Minju who smiled and bowed once more, taking a step back.

"I'll see you around." Yujin waved, walking backwards while Minju went on handing the rice cakes out to the rest.

...

"Still giving them out?" Yujin asked the moment she saw Minju walking back toward her apartment. She showed him how there was one box left.