Little Things

"Your friend is amazing," Yeo Ri whispered to Gun after settling down on the sofa again.

"Mm," Gun replied with a noncommittal smile. He was glad that Yeo Ri was having fun.

After the mood became more loose, Gun handed the birthday pair the gift which Yeo Ri had helped him prepare. Since they didn't have enough time or budget to go out and prepare a nice present, Yeo Ri had asked Gun to buy some supplies from the art store. Then, she had made a pair of matching patchwork keychains for the two.

"It's not much, but I hope you like it," Yeo Ri says bashfully. It was the first time she gave a present to someone else other than Min Chae and Jang Mi, so she was rather nervous.

"Wow, how cute!" Da Na's eyes glittered as she held up the animal-shaped keychain. This would look well on her backpack, she thought.

"Thanks, Yeo Ri-ah." He beamed at the girl. Ha Jun similarly praised the gift. Although it was a tad too cute for a boy his age, he still appreciated it. After all, it matched with Da Na's. An affectionate look crossed his face fleetingly without anyone else's notice.

After the present-giving, they ate and talked and played games until it was time for the Lee duo to go home. Though, the ones who did most of the talking were Da Na and Ha Jun, since, Yeo Ri was the youngest, so it was inappropriate for her to butt into the conversations, and Gun was not the talkative kind in the first place.

Before they left, Yeo Ri smiled politely and wished the two a happy birthday again. "Happy birthday, Da Na-unnie, Ha Jun-oppa."

The two grinned happily in return. Yeo Ri was such a sweet girl that they could not help but like her. "Thanks, Yeo Ri-ah. Come and play with us again, okay?" Da Na says.

"Mm!" Yeo Ri nodded in agreement. It was always nice to have more friends. She thought that it was good that Gun had such nice friends. At least now she would not need to worry about whether he would be alone when she's gone.

As soon as they got on the bus, with nothing else to do, Yeo Ri took out her phone. Her phone buzzed busily.

Whatever that she was looking at made her smile in amusement. She laughed quietly, murmuring, "Stupid."

Gun's sharp eyes noticed her actions and frowned. An uneasy feeling sprouted in his heart. No way, was she... texting Hyuk?

"Yeo Ri-ah, what are you looking at?" He asked mildly. His eyes narrowed at the girl.

"Huh? Ah, i-it's no one, Oppa," Yeo Ri quickly hid the screen from him, acting suspiciously flustered.

"Are you texting that *sshole?" He suddenly asked.

"Huh?" Yeo Ri furrowed her eyebrows. "What are you talking about?"

"Lee Hyuk, that *sshole! I told you not talk to him!" He erupted. "Why do you never listen to me?"

Yeo Ri flinched at his hostile words. "I wasn't texting him! I... I was texting Min Chae!" She defended herself.

"Give it to me," he says, snatching the phone away from the girl. He had to make sure that the girl was not contacting that piece of sh*t.

Yeo Ri immediately fought back, trying to hide the phone away from him. "Stop it, Oppa!" She tried to swat his hands off but he deftly stole it.

He scrolled through the chat.

"..."

So, she was really texting Min Chae...

He had been mistaken.

Gun glanced at Yeo Ri's teary face guiltily. "This... Yeo Ri-ah, I didn't mean—"

"I told you, didn't I?! I was only chatting with Min Chae! Why didn't you believe me!" She stomped her feet, feeling wronged and vexed.

The reason why she had not wanted Gun to see the screen was because Min Chae kept sending her nonsensical things, and some of them were quite funny and embarrassing. Min Chae especially liked to send somewhat lewd jokes as well, and it was not something she wanted other people to see. Previously, Min Chae had sent those types of things to Jang Mi, but now that Yeo Ri had gotten her own phone, she switched her target. With ample free time due to the winter holidays, she texted Yeo Ri nonstop.

"I'm sorry, Yeo Ri-ah," he immediately apologised, "Oppa was just worried—"

"Hmph!" She took back her phone and turned away from him sulkily.

Gun's heart felt as if it was being squeezed. He felt bad for suspecting Yeo Ri. "Sorry, Yeo Ri-ah. I'll do whatever you want, so don't be angry at Oppa, okay?" He tried coaxing her.

Yeo Ri ignored him. As soon as the bus stopped, Yeo Ri quickly ran out.

Gun chased after her, ignoring the looks the other passengers were giving them.