Moving On With You, Jinjoo

32: A Walk

As the sun dips past the clouds, Yujin was seen stretching herself an inch taller, looking over the crowd of parents for a little girl.

Minso wore her pink backpack with the help of Hanni, adjusting the straps to sit tightly on her shoulders. When she lifted her head, she saw Yujin waving from the back. The sight of the girl made her little smile disappear.

She turned to Hanni who had her eyes on the same person, the corner of her lips curling upwards instead. The older girl leaned lower and asked, "You said she's not your sister's girlfriend, right?"

"Sadly, she is." Minso sighed in disappointment. "Bye," she said, waving nonchalantly as she walked down the small flight of stairs towards Yujin.

The taller girl's legs followed Minso, turning around to give Hanni a polite bow before chasing after the little girl. She matched her pace with Minso, gently tugging on her bag.

"I can carry it on my own."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

"You're not going to complain that it's heavy halfway?"

Minso gave Yujin a side eye, slightly distancing herself from the older girl. "It's not heavy..."
She'd think she was walking on her own but Yujin had her eyes on incoming cars and bicycles, making sure they weren't coming their way.

Yujin reached into her pocket and pulled out a pack of gummies in hopes it could influence a smile on that small face of hers. She extended it to Minso who glanced at her before shifting her gaze to the fun-sized pack of gummy bears.

She hesitated but took it from Yujin and softly voiced out, "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Yujin smiled gently, reaching for the girl's bag anyway so she could eat comfortably.

Minso carefully tore the plastic, shoving her tiny fingers through the hole and pulling out an orange gummy. She frowned, giving it to Yujin who hummed in confusion.

"For you," Minso said.

The older girl took it and put it into her mouth. "Thank you."

Minso glanced at the taller girl and let out a small sigh, knowing Yujin was not who she had in mind. "You're not her..." She mumbled silently, gently forcing a red gummy past her lips.

Yujin looked at her and asked, "What did you do today?"

"Musical chairs," Minso answered. "We went to the park because it's Friday. But it's so cold." She shivered, putting another red gummy into her mouth.

The taller girl took a heat pack out of her pocket and gently slid it into the pocket of Minso's padding jacket, hoping it would keep her warm. "You go to parks on Fridays?"

Minso hummed but started frowning. "I hate it." Her strong words caught Yujin off guard.

"Why do you not like it?"

"I hate it. Because every time we go to the park, I have to hold his hand. I hate holding his hand. He thinks I like him because I let him hold mine but that's not true. I'm only doing it because the teachers told us to so we won't get lost."

Yujin smiled when she got all grumpy. "What made you not like him?"

"He's dirty and irresponsible. When we brush our teeth after eating, he just leaves his toothbrush on the sink and runs away. He also pushed a girl earlier because she found another guy more handsome. He's a jerk. I'm glad I knocked out his teeth."

"I'm glad you did too." Yujin took the empty pack of gummies and shoved it into her pocket before reaching to hold the latter's hand.

Minso looked at her. "You're glad I punched him in the face?"