"Stop building a wall, it's me. I wont do anything."

"You don't understand."

Chapter IV: Just A Little Bit Closer

"Hello, hyung. It's me. I need a favor..." I say as the voice over there answered me.

We talk a little bit and when he's done, I hung up and cant help but grinning. Got you.

My finger press the number and I wait up...

"Hello?" A raspy morning voice welcomes me.

"Good morning, Ahreum-ssi."

She asks the first question that I know she will ask.

"From that one person that we know."

I laugh as she's complaining about need more sleep.

"I'll bring you coffee, and by the way you have a debt." I say to her.

I stiffle my laugh when she groans loudly. She clearly didnt like my idea.

"You better brought a food with your coffee then." She says finally.

Wow, she finally agrees.

"And Ahreum-ssi," I called. "Thank you for saying yes." I add with smile.

She didn't say anything for a while, "You're lucky I hate being on debt, Park Bogum-ssi. Or else I'll put a poison on your food next time we meet again." and then she laughs a little.

Now she threw a joke? A progress, even just a little.

Wait? Does that mean she didnt object to meet me again? And why do this simple thought makes me smile?

And when she hungs up, I take my blue shirt to my bedroom and starts planning everything.

***

"No offense, but I'm kind of doubting your driving skill." She says when she meet me at her door.

It surprised me that she knows that, "It looks like someone does a research." I try to look surprised.

She shrugs, "I would like to know whether there's a possibility that you're a dangerous murderer."

"Believe me, I hate blood. I would just pay someone to do it instead."

She smiles a little, "Arrogant snob."

"I'm much better in driving now, really. But it might be better if you didn't do anything to me while I am driving."

"Let me call my insurance company, I have a feeling that I might need them."

I laugh, she's pretty funny when she lets it.

"Stop teasing me, Ahreum-ssi, let's just go. And here's your coffee." I smiled as I handed her the coffee and bread.

***

Ahreum notices how when he smiles, he also smiles with his eyes.

All lights up and sincere.

It makes her heart tug a little. Doubting her judgement.

Maybe he really is a nice person with no intention.

He helped her several times and she has seen how he treats others. Everyone says that he's a nice person.

So maybe, for this time, she would open her heart just for a little bit.

***

"So, how old are you?" Bogum asks her as his eyes focused on the road.

"I'm turning 21 this November." She said while munching her bread.

"What? You're younger than me? You should call me oppa then." Bogum looks at her with this surprise look.

"Eyes on the road." She demands, "It's not like we're that close anyway." Ahreum looks indifferent.

"I thought we were friends." His puppy eyes look hurt. Ouch. Ahreum can't stand the sight.

"Maybe, I've never agreed that we are friends. Where are we going anyway?" Ahreum stirs the conversation in hope to not see his sad puppy eyes anymore.

Fortunately it works, because right now his eyes light up gleefully, "How do you feel about ice skating?"

"Hate it."

"But we will make a great memory." He pouts and Ahreum stops herself from pinching his cheeks.

"Okay then, let's go ice skating in this cold weather." She shivers, imagining it. "But after that, you need to treat me with a lot of foods, I'm making the list right now."

He laughs and Ahreum's heart skip a beat.

She didn't realize that his laugh has that effect to her now.

Focus, Yoon Ahreum.

"Okay, I will buy you delicious meal. You eat a lot for a girl." He complains playfully.

"Speak for yourself, mr. I-will-take-my-third-plate-of-this-food." Ahreum mocks him.

He shrugs, "I need a lot of nutrition, beside, it's not my fault that the food tastes delicious." Bogum looks at her as he says, "You should cook for me again in the future."

Ahreum didn't object, maybe because she feels good that someone loves her food. Or maybe she's just wanna see that smile again.

***

"I. Hate. Ice. Skating." Ahreum muttered as she grabs the rail and walks clumsily meanwhile Bogum skates with ease, clearly enjoying this.

"Ahreum-ssi, do you want me to help?" He said as he sees that Ahreum didn't make any progress (he said this while trying not to laugh)

"No."

Bogum laughs, "Come on, it's not fun when I am the only one who enjoy this." He said as he holds out his hand.

Ahreum takes a moment to made up her mind and Bogum notices that.