Moving On With You, Jinjoo

31: Infinite Reasons

Getting drunk wasn't on the list for Yujin, and neither was waking up with a headache. The moment her eyes greeted the day, Minju was no longer next to her.

She had to drag herself to the bathroom, and do her morning routine to find out a prominent bruise, just one, was laid on the crevice of her collarbone by her girlfriend who claimed the walls were paper thin.

Yujin brushes her hands through her hair, quickly slipping on a warm, brown hoodie before heading downstairs. Though it was a Friday morning, the house seemed busy as she observed from the stairs. The footsteps and rustling were the most prominent sounds she heard, not voices.

Halmi was helping Minso wear her bag before she was late for school. Mr Kim snagged a piece of sandwich, shoving it into his mouth while he headed for the door, gesturing for his wife he'd be waiting outside. Minju was with her mother, the brunette washing the dishes while Mrs Kim was swiftly packing lunch into a glass container.

Everything was so happening. Witnessing a family getting ready for the day was a first for Yujin, or perhaps, she forgot when was the last time she saw one.

While Minju dried the cutting board with a towel, she noticed Yujin standing by the stairs. She smiled, seeing her all lost yet delight struck her ever-evident bright eyes upon meeting hers. "Why are you standing there?"

Yujin quickly made her way towards Minju, not forgetting to greet everyone in the house with polite bows and awkward sliding past the wooden floors, making Minju chuckle.

Yujin stood next to the girl with a hand holding onto the collar of her hoodie, the other pinching the edge of Minju's shirt as she whispered, "Why didn't you wake me up?"

Minju looked at her and leaned closer. "Why are you whispering?"

"It's quiet," the younger said, still in a trance of the morning.

Minju wiped her hands on the towel that hung off the cabinet's handle before using the back of her hand to lightly nudge Yujin's chin. "Good morning."

"Good morning," the whisper stays in her voice, letting Minju take her wrist.

The older girl brought her to sit at the dining table, on the long bench, that was prepped with breakfast every Korean household makes.

Small portions of stir-fried squid, bean sprouts, braised potatoes, braised beef and quail eggs marinated in soy sauce, and acorn jelly and not to leave out the main dish of hot kimchi soup to cure her hangover.

"You have to finish everything. Halmi made this for you." Minju sat next to her, shifting the soup closer to the girl and seeing Yujin's eyes dazzle with astonishment.

The younger girl looked at her. "Can I marry you now?"

A soft chuckle escaped Minju's throat at her reaction, nudging her head lightly as Yujin picked up the chopsticks. "You won't regret it?"

"I don't think anyone would regret marrying you. Marrying you wouldn't be on a bucket list but a to-do list. I'm definitely marrying you." Yujin's hand held onto her collar as she started with a careful sip of the soup and the moment it entered her body, she exhaled in relief.

All Minju could do was smile at her words. "She made the kimchi."

"No wonder it hits that spot." Yujin smiled excitedly, prepared to devour every drop of soup. "You've eaten?" She saw Minju nod.

"We're leaving! Don't forget to hand out the rice cakes!" Halmi's voice echoed as the two girls waved, Yujin not forgetting to express her gratitude. She waved at Minso who did nothing but give her a little glare.