Ji Eun held her hand up, opting for a chance to speak and slightly getting annoyed by Daehyun's constant babbling of buying her time so he can become number one... if that even makes sense. 

"I don't really get where you're going with this," she said with her head leaning against the back of the chair in boredom, "but can you please clarify at least why you want to buy my time?"

He sighed. "Alright, I guess I'll explain it again." He pointed to his head. "This right here is my brain. It's large, and it has more knowledge stored into it than the average man. But you-" He then landed his finger on Ji Eun, "Why does it seem like your head is vastly larger than mine? I try so hard, it when it does seem like I'll win, I never do."

Ji Eun cocked her head to the side. "But what does this have to do with the buying thing again?"

Daehyun sighed once again, taking the time to massage his temples. 

"Alright, listen here Lee Ji Eun. I want to know your method. How you study at night. How you somehow get a hundred-ten points on a hundred point quiz. There must be some kind of trick, tactic--whatever you'd like to call it--and you're going to teach me."

'At least this way, she'll have less time studying, which means more of a chance for me to place as Number One,' he thought, though he'd never admit his real intentions to her face.

She barely opened her lips to move, unable to comprehend his need for a tutor. She stuttered, "B-but how you're so sma-"

"I'm smart. But I'm not a genius. Now, if you're uncomfortable with being paid through cash, I can buy your meals everyday from now on. You can still save a bunch that way. Now what do you say? Deal?

She was reluctant for a few seconds, but that look in her eyes assured Daehyun that she was determined.

"Deal."

He smiled, overcome with joy and the feeling of success.

"Now, give me your phone number. It'll be easier for me to contact you this way." He took out his own cell, opening to the contacts tab, and ready to type in Ji Eun's address.

"I don't have one. My mom almost forced me to buy one, but I find it useless and a waste of money."

Daehyun grew infuriated with such a simple statement, one that any normal being would never be so infected by. He was angered by her uncaring attitude for her own protection. It shocked him, really.

"You're from a single-parent family--just you and your mom--and these days, it's too risky to trust landlines. If something goes wrong and your landline isn't up and working, who are you going to call for help then-" he abruptly stopped, noticing the sharp rise in his voice. His face softened. "Listen Ji Eun, I don't want to yell at you, but it's really important for you to have one. We'll meet on the weekend. Saturday. And we're getting you a phone alright?"

"Alright."

In three days, Daehyun showed up in front of the station as suggested by Ji Eun. She specified coming at noon, but he came twenty minutes early because he was afraid of the thought of Ji Eun arriving before him. His father had always taught him to be the one to greet the lady, not the opposite.

He was dressed in a sleek, casual attire: black skinny jeans with a white tee and a grey blazer to go over it. And of course, he wore expensive accessories just to show the world of his rich heir status. Everything was branded, some were limited edition, and most were customized to his tastes.

As usual, he indulged himself in the sweet sounds of girls ogling at him. He kept his ear out to eavesdrop on anyone with female organs, talking about how "hot" he was, or if he was single and had a girlfriend. It was all amusing, and much appreciated boost of self esteem from what was to come. Lee Ji Eun. the girl who would never ever look at him.

"Daehyun! Sorry I'm late!" Daehyun turned around, and the moment he did, it felt as if his bulging eyes would fall out of their sockets in minute from now. Ji Eun was running over to his side, wearing a purely white long-sleeved shirt with a collar and ruffles, along with a fitted red cardigan to match with it. And she wore a skirt. A floral skirt that went all the way down to her knees, but nonetheless feminine and dare he say--cute.

"J-J-Ji Eun! You're dressed so formal!" He was blushing a beet red color, and he hovered his hands of her his cheeks as an attempt to cover him. He turned around to fan himself.

'Why in the world is she dressed like that? God she's making me so red. Are people staring at me? Why are there so many couples around? Wait, we must look like a couple to everyone. Does this mean we're on a date? No, we're just two fri--I mean acquaintances out to buy a new phone. But this really looks like a date to others!'

He swore he heard the voice of one of the girls who previously checked him out saying, "Damn. I guess that guy's taken. Let's go Sumin!"

Ji Eun stared at Daehyun's jeans, letting out an adorable little chuckle. "Daehyun, are you short on money? Why are your jeans broken?"

Daehyun shook his head in defeat, seeing as though his efforts to look good were completely wasted. This girl didn't even know fashion, and he made up his mind that this was definitely not a date.

"They're called destroy jeans Ji Eun, and let's get going now, shall we?"

At the shop, one of the assistants attended to the pair and showed all the latest mobiles. It looked as if Ji Eun was confused by all the technical features of each newer model, and Daehyun couldn't help but laugh. 

"Which phone shall it be?" Daehyun asked, still laughing.

But Ji Eun ignored his question, and walked over to the same assistant from before. "Excuse me, I know you showed me all the newest models and they're very beautiful, but is there possibly anything cheaper and with fewer functions for a first timer like me?"

"Right away. I'll surely find a phone that will suit your nee-"

Daehyun invaded the conversation. "Now hold up." He replaced the old model Ji Eun had in her hand with the latest version the shop had. "We're getting this one ma'am. I'll be the one to pay for it."

"No." Ji Eun said, and the menace found in her voice was one which he'd only ever seen during their first fight in elementary school. It still scared him either way.

"What do you mean, no? I suggested buying a cellphone, and it doesn't even cost that much money."

"Listen up Daehyun, you suggested it, but I'm the one buying it. Don't pay for me."

After buying the new phone, they headed downtown to a nearby coffee shop. There was no more talking between the two of them, and the mood was quite silent with neither wanting to be the first to break the silence. Only the sounds of chattering from the others around them filled the air, none with words from their own voices. 

Ji Eun finally decided to be the first to speak. "This manual's extremely thick for a device of such a small size."

He didn't like how her topic starter was completely irrelevant to everything that had just happened earlier. His mind was still caught up with before, and he didn't want it to change now.

"Look Ji Eun, if you want you and your mom to have a better life, maybe you can try depending on other's help from time to time."

"I know you're thinking it's all about money issues to me, but that's not the case." She finally looked up from her manual and stared directly into his eyes. "My mom has been working hard for me ever since the day I was born. She doesn't have the support of a father like other families do. And I want to repay her for everything, but I won't be able to do that unless I do so independently." 

Daehyun's face fell upon hearing those words slip out from her lips. Ji Eun had always been such a strong girl. She still was, and it was astonishing how dedicated she was to growing up and supporting her mother. Unlike her, he had spent his whole life just trying to impress everyone and seem like the best man in the world.

And then Daehyun thought. Ji Eun was an iron daughter, one who wouldn't be easy at all to get married to. But if she ever happened to fall in love, it wouldn't be because of that's man's looks, social status, family prestige, or any other superficial factor. It would just be because she likes him and wants to be with him. Daehyun fisted his knuckles into a bloodless white.

He would be a very lucky man.

However, immediately a few seconds after, Daehyun fiercely shook his head no and banged it with his palms. What was he thinking, wanting to be liked by Ji Eun. Almost embarassing, really.

Daehyun changed the subject, wanting to drift his mind away from such weird and crazy imaginations spouting from his mind. 

"So, why don't I walk you back home now?" he suggested.

"Fine with me."

As the two began walking back home, Ji Eun couldn't help but shift from page to page in her manual, carefully reading each and every sentence, including the irrelevant ones in small print. 

She spoke her mind. "Daehyun, I really don't understand this device."

He chuckled, grabbing the phone out of her hand. He inserted his phone number.

"Just call or text me when you get phone. I'll teach you then."

Daehyun fidgeted around in his seat, every now and then checking his phone for any incoming calls or text messages. He was always met with disappointment every time he found out that she didn't send him anything, but the thought of Ji Eun eventually giving him a call made him smile like a dork.

His sister began to .

"What's going on Daehyun? The sight of you all pearly white with smiles disgust me. Why are you in such a good mood? Is it because of a girl?"

He blushed furiously and retorted, "There's no girl. Pft. And back off. Since when were you the time to into your brother's privacy?"

"Well then why do you keep checking your phone?"

"I don't!"

"You liar!"

His screams at his sister was cut off by the beeping notification of his phone. It was a text from Ji Eun. He huddled to the corner with the biggest smile his family has ever seen plastered onto his face. Then he checked the message.

'This is Lee Ji Eun. I learned how to send mail. That's all.'

Daehyun hunched his back low, completely disappointed with such an unthoughtful message after having waiting so long. All for this. No emotions. No feelings. Nothing memorable in any case. It seemed more like an automated message from advertisement companies, and the thought of it was saddening.

But still.

His heart was pounding rapidly against his chest, and he couldn't get over the fact that it was.

I actually updated today which is an amazing feat for me, considering the fact that the fastest I've ever updated was once a week.

OTL. But I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter. It got me all smiley and stuff.