Hair clip and Jealousy?

The three cardboard boxes were heavier than they looked.

"...Why do teachers keep every book since the dinosaur era?" Yijin muttered to himself as he adjusted the stack in his arms.

A passing teacher laughed. "You volunteered." Yijin laughed awkwardly, "...I really should stop doing that."

"You won't," The teacher smiled. "...You're right," If Yijin could scratch the back of his head, he would. But his hands are currently occupied.

Five minutes later, the boxes finally found their new home inside the faculty office.

"Thank you, Yijin,” The teacher patted his back. “Youth really gives tons of energy, huh?” All Yijin could do was to laugh. Not because it's funny, but because of who said it, "No problem, sir.”

As soon as the last box touched the floor, he stretched both arms above his head.

Crack.

A sound came from his back. "...That felt illegal."

The teachers chuckled as he waved goodbye.

"I'm heading home."

"Try not to get hurt."

"...I'll do my best."

Nobody sounded convinced.

***

The hallway had grown noticeably quieter. Most students had already gone home. Golden afternoon sunlight poured through the windows, painting long rectangles across the polished floor.

Yijin shoved both hands into his pockets. "My bag..." He had left it in the classroom, "...Minju's going to say I have the memory of a goldfish." She wasn't wrong and she'd definitely say it.

He smiled to himself as he walked down the empty corridor. Just as he reached the corner—

Someone else turned it at exactly the same time.

Thump.

"...Ah."

"Oof—"

Neither of them fell. Yijin instinctively stepped back. Yijin looked at her, "Sorry!"

"N-No..." The girl in front of him immediately lowered her head. "...I wasn't looking," Her voice was soft. Almost whispering.

Yijin blinked. "...Huh?" She looked…familiar.

Yesterday, a girl was busy looking for something on the grass in the school garden. “Where is it…” She mumbled. Looking very troubled.

“You lost something?” A voice at her right made her jump a bit. “Oh, sorry.” Yijin said while scratching the back of his head.

She looked at his uniform. Instead of the elderly caretaker, it's a tall student. Holding a grass cutter. “Hair clip…” She mumbled. Almost a whisper.

“A what?” Yijin tilts his head. Wondering if he's deaf.

The girl looked at his face. “...a hair clip.. I lost it.” then quickly shifted her gaze to the grass when their eyes met.

“What does it look like?”

“It's white.. and there's a cat paw on it.”

Yijin didn't say anything. Just crouched down and started looking for it. She just stared at him for a minute before starting to look for her hair clip too.

Moments later. Yijin suddenly stood up, arm raised like he found gold. “I found it!”

That almost made her soul leave her body. Then her eyes land on his hand. A white cat paw hair clip. Her hair clip.

“You found it.” She repeated. A bit louder than her usual tone.

Yijin handed it to her. “Here's your hair clip.”

She looked at it and smiled, but her eyes looked like it would shed tears any minute from now. “Than-”

Before she could finish a word. Yijin's eyes widened, “Oh! Minju.” She tilted her head. Looking confused. “Yunah is taking the bus,” Yijin looks at his wrist even though he's not wearing any wrist watch, “I can't let her walk home alone.”

“Take care!” Yijin called out as he started to run. The girl stood still. Confused. “Shin Yijin…” She whispered to herself.

Long dark brown hair. Small face. Gentle dark brown eyes and holding a white cat paw hair clip. “...Oh,” Recognition finally clicked. "The garden."

The girl slowly looked up. "...You remember?"

"Of course,” Yijin smiled. "You're the girl who lost her hair clip."

She froze.

He remembered. She had spent the entire evening wondering if he'd forgotten about her five minutes after helping. Apparently, he hadn't.

"...Yes, I'm Anna." There was a tiny pause. "...Tanaka Anna."

Yijin smiled. "I'm Shin Yijin."

"I know,” Her eyes widened a bit. “I-I mean.. I saw it on your name plate yesterday…”