Talking to the moon

Chapter 9

This was a good idea. At least that was what Yunjin was trying to convince herself as she and Eunchae walked hand in hand to the playground down the street. Hanni had suggested this, start to introduce Sakura and Kazuha into Eunchae's life. For what it was worth Eunchae was being very well behaved right now, walking alongside Yunjin, only stopping twice to look at a few bugs on the street.

It was fairly chilly out, Yunjin tugging on her old university jacket, and making Eunchae wear a heavy turtleneck and a sweatshirt. Even still with the heavy layers that were slightly constricting the child's movements, the detective was concerned she would be cold. There was a dark grey overcast, Sakura couldn't have picked a worse day to go to the playground. Chaewon had texted she got there a few minutes early, and Kazuha had called her when they were a couple of minutes away, so everyone was waiting on Yunjin. Usually, she would be on time, but Yunjin didn't take into consideration that Eunchae was a bit slower than she was.

"We're meeting my friends," Yunjin told her as they were turning a corner, the playground now in sight, "Remember you slept over their house a few weeks ago."

"The nice ones with a puppy?"

"Right Chae."

"Are they bringing Kookeu?"

"I don't think so."

"I like your friends," Eunchae hummed, her tone dipping like she was going to say something else. She decided against it, going quiet as they walked up to the park.

Sure enough, everyone was already there, and Eunchae took off to great Chaewon, who in turn seemed just as excited to see her as well. Sakura and Kazuha were setting up a bag of food at one of the picnic tables near the edge of the park. With Eunchae occupied, Yunjin walked up to them, placing her arms on their shoulders, "Hey losers."

Kazuha just smiled at her, while Sakura immediately whipped around and smiled when she saw Eunchae and Chaewon starting to play together on one of the swings near the group. Eunchae was sat, gripping the chains of the swing as Chaewon gently pushed her. "She's so cute."

"I know, you say that every time you see her Kura."

"It's because it's the truth."

"I take it you want to go play with her?" Yunjin asked, chuckling at how eager Sakura was to go start to play with the kid.

With perfect timing, Eunchae ran back over to the group, gently pulling on Yunjin's sleeve, Chaewon standing right next to her, "Let's go play with Chaewon, Yunjin!" She looked so excited, Yunjin almost wanted to go say yes and run with Eunchae through the small playset, but Sakura just looked so eager and so happy to, Yunjin found herself dramatically putting her hand on her back.

"Ow, Eunchae, my back."

"What's wrong?" Eunchae stopped pulling, sounding concerned as Yunjin sat down at the picnic table, "Are you okay?"

"My back hurts, I must have pulled it getting out of bed this morning. Maybe you should ask Sakura if she wants to play?" Yunjin suggested. The youngest seemed a bit hesitant before turning to Sakura.

"Do you want to play with me and Chaewon?"

"Of course!" Sakura gushed, reaching over into the bag Kazuha and her brought pulling out a green playground ball, "Do you want to play catch?"

Eunchae seemed to not like that suggestion one bit, diving behind Chaewon, shaking her head adamantly until Sakura seemed to get the memo and put the ball away. Only then did Eunchae reappear, it struck Yunjin as odd. The three of them went over to the slides, leaving Kazuha and Yunjin at the table.