Moving On With You, Jinjoo

18: Her Smile

"That's all for today." A phrase said by the professor that made sure his students weren't statues as they started packing their bags, slamming their laptops, and making plans for dinner.

Yujin felt like she could finally breathe, sitting in the same position for the past three hours, watching the sun's rays make their way from the walls to the ceiling. Her back wasn't cooperating with her at the moment. With every small movement she makes, she hears a soft crack.

She packed her things, shoving her laptop into her sling bag. She picks up her phone from the table while standing up, checking to see if there is her favourite notification but sees none. Sliding her thumb upwards, all she saw was the last message Minju sent her a few hours ago, telling her she'd be sleeping.

One she had not replied to since she didn't want to disturb the girl from her sleep, coming back from her night shift a few hours ago. For a person who prefers calls over texts, Yujin noticed the girl had been leaving certain messages telling her what she was doing, or why she wouldn't be able to reply to her messages. Minju leaving a message was something Yujin came to like and appreciate.

Now she experiences how it feels like to be on the receiving end.

Just when she thinks about her, the phone starts buzzing as Kidnapper calls.

Yujin picked up but heard the professor calling for their attention. "Give me a second." She told the older girl.

"I forgot to tell you guys that the deadline for the individual assignment has been pushed forward in light of your group project." That earned multiple groans from students who were just about to leave. "The submission will be next week. Late submissions, you know what to expect. I've also left an email for you guys if you need an extra reminder." He ends off, not entertaining any negotiation from his students.

Yujin's jaw dropped, knowing she hadn't started on the models, only prototypes that were far from expectations. All she could do was sigh when sleep didn't seem to exist tonight and for the rest of the week. As if it did in the first place.

She nudges the chair to fold forward, allowing her to walk through. "You were saying?" She went back to the call.

"Did I call you at a bad time? Why did you sigh so loudly?"

"Is there ever a bad time?" Yujin's tone was playful as she pushed the door open, adjusting the strap of her bag. "It's nothing. The professor's just being stupid. What is it?"

"Well," Minju starts. "There's this dinner I'm going to. I was wondering if you wanted to come."

"Tonight?"

Minju hums. "I was told to bring someone, and I couldn't think of anyone else but you." Yujin had that sentence engraved in her head.

"Do you really have to think of anyone else?"

"There's free food."

"Where are you? I'll come fetch you."

That was enough to send her running down the hallway.

—

Yujin got to Minju's apartment building a few minutes early. While waiting, she folds the sleeves of her white denim jacket. Pulling down the sun visor, she checked her bangs, ensuring they weren't messy.

Her fingers tapped the bottom of the steering wheel as if it contained her excitement. She didn't ask what dinner it was or who was going. The only thing that mattered to her was Minju. (Maybe the free food)

Just as anticipation was building, Yujin's eyes were drawn to the entrance of Minju's apartment building. There, Minju stepped out of the lobby wearing a sundress that left her utterly speechless.