"I was throwing out the trash. Why?"
Slowly taking off his face mask and a cap, Tony bowed slightly to introduce himself, "It's nice to meet you. I'm Jungyeong's good friend Woohyun Ji."
It was as though there were angel lights behind him or something. Her mother's eyes instantly melt into heart signs, "Oh my, you're so handsome! Aren't you the celebrity my daughter's been mentioning that goes to her school. Oh my goodness, are you really her friend?"
Jugyeong was annoyed that her mother was flattering her idol, "Mom, please! Suho, just go now. I'll see you later!!!"
Hearing how her daughter was pushing away her chance to get to know a celebrity she saids in a commanding tone, "Jugyeong! That's no way to treat your friend!"
"Did you have dinner? I was just about to cook dinner. Please join us if you haven't eaten yet," her mother said.
"Mom, what are you talking about?!!"
"I would love to join, if you don't mind I would also love to help you out in the kitchen," Tony replied with a smile.
"What??!! Hey, Wait!" She was shocked that she'd get her wish to talk with him longer by this kind of event.
Seeing Jugyeong's flustered appearance Tony gives her an understanding wink.
Inside the house they were greeted by Jugyeong's older sister and brother who's jaw dropped by the visit of such a handsome stranger.
"OMG!! You're the world-famous writer Woohyun Ji!!! I'm a big fan of your works," she said to Tony then putting her arms around Jugyeong, "Hey! I didn't know you had such a celebrity friend!!! You should have invited him home sooner!"
"Ugh, sis. You're gonna make him feel uncomfortable. Okay?"
In the kitchen her mother was wearing the kitchen gloves and then turned to Tony, "Are you sure? It wouldn't be right to have a guest cook for us."
"It's alright ma'am," he said, giving a reassuring nod.
Pretty soon the family had the table cleared and the dishes were readily cooked as they sat getting their utensils in to taste the food.
"OMG!! Woohyun this dish is delicious! Did you make it," her sister asks as she grabs a bit of the cooked dish made from cucumber. Tony simply replied with a smile.
Her brother keeps observing him as he pretends to not notice his constant watch, "Whoa, is it true that you're already sold your best-seller of over a million copies by 7 years old??? Holy cow! Are you really friends with this orc here?? Why? And How?"
Her brother can't contain his bottled enthusiasm and curiosity. But Jugyeong got annoyed at his questioning, "Juyoung, shut up."
"Jugyeong, your little brother is kind of cute," complimenting Juyoung.
"Cute?!! He drives me bonkers," Jugyeong said.
"Excuse me? He's just telling it like it is! You're just jealous, you nerd!" They start bickering.
"Ugh, could you please stop being so childish in front of my friend," Jugyeong said with a sigh of embarrassment.
"I really don't get why someone so handsome hangs out with this ugly outcast."
"Hey, that's exactly why you're a loser. Judging people by their looks. Tsk tsk." Tony giggles at this familiar scene from the story.
As Tony digs into the cucumber himself the family looks at him with glowing stars in their eyes:
"So handsome…"
"Are we in a commercial?"
"No wonder he's a celebrity."
Her mom had a slight blush as she sits in a position that resembles someone watching a movie scene with her hand supporting her face, "Hohoho! You're so handsome. Even when you eat! Your parents must be so proud."
"Mom, you're seriously scaring him...He might choke," Jugyeong was seriously feeling embarrassed by now. Totally regretting that her wish has come true in this way.
"Oh, was I? Haha, I'm sorry you can eat," trying to cover her laughter with her hand.
Finishing the two headed to her room. It is a small room with little red heart signs on the room's wallpaper. While the wall to where the window is has curtains with rose design.
But what's truly outstanding about her room is the big life size poster of Tony. She was so in the moment at the dinner table that she forgot all about the poster.
"No!!!!" Realizing the poster, she tried to cover it up by standing in front of it trying to block the view.
"Ahahaha. Th-That's a gift for my birthday," Jugyeong explaining nervously.
"What's the matter? I already know you're a huge fangirl. Plus it's cute that you have it," he feels very comfortable as she hangs out with him.
This time her face really starts to turn red from blushing, "Cute!?? Don't be ridiculous."
"But I really like this side of you. Because this is how you really are," Tony explained to her sincerely.
A couple weeks into the school semester Tony saw that Jugyeong seemed kind of absent minded in class. During the break came to check on her, seeing that she was alone drifting into the distance looking at her blank notebook.
"Knock knock. Is anyone home?" Sitting in the chair in front of her desk.
"O-oh. Woohyun!" She wasn't expecting anyone to interrupt her thoughtless daze.
"What's wrong? You seemed so absentminded these days," asking with care.
"...Nothing much...Just some home stuff…" She explained with her head down.
Despite being already pretty close to her, he has never seen her this vulnerable before.
His heart softens, wanting to help her but doesn't want to push too far, "You dummy. Even if you got stuff on your mind you still need to eat right?"
He brings out a glass food container with a plastic cover. Jugyeong is feeling a little more happier as she gets her mind off the matter. And this is the first time she has had the chance to taste his school lunch.
It was filled with rolls of sushi with vegetables like carrots, mushroom, etc. She can feel the grumbling of her tummy, drooling at this beautiful sight of Japanese cuisine.
"Thanks so much," her heart was beginning to run like a racehorse. Staring at her crush with affectionate adoring eyes.
Putting the sushi into her mouth she was overcome with the pure flavor of the simple ingredients rolling on her tongue, "It's so good!!"
Her naive expression caught him off guard, 'So this is true beauty. Loving her not only for her appearance. But appreciating the treasure that can only be found inside.'