Chapter 51: Foundation of friendship.
Ren sighed, shaking his head slightly. "Saying that with that expressionless face of yours... really?"
Ji-eun stepped closer, her eyes unwavering. "Is there something wrong with my expressionless face?" she asked, her tone neutral. "Or is it that you feel frustrated because you can't see my heart?" She leaned in, closing the distance between them until only a few centimeters separated their faces.
Ren's exterior remained calm, but internally, he was struggling to keep it together. He had been in such situations before, with women even more stunning than Song Ji-eun. Despite his calm demeanor in front of them, he would often vent his embarrassment in private.
"Hm, you are different from all those guys who would blush after I did this," she observed, stepping back.
"Was there something wrong with what I did? Any gesture..." she muttered to herself, though Ren heard her clearly.
*Knock! Knock!*
"Come in," Ji-eun said as the door opened and a woman entered.
"Tell me why you knocked on the door, Head Maid," Ji-eun asked the woman who bowed her head in respect.
"The old master sent me to bring you, young mistress, for dinner," the woman said.
"Take your leave. I will be there shortly." The head maid bowed again and left the room.
"Let's go and have some food. I'm hungry, and you must be too," Ji-eun suggested.
Ren nodded and followed her out of the room.
As they walked, Ren pondered, 'How did she know I was trying to see through her? I made sure my expression didn't give it away. Did she see through me before I could even try? That seems plausible.'
However, Ji-eun's actions were a combination of prediction, intuition, and guesswork. She had observed Ren's actions closely, noting where he looked and how he interacted with the environment. By watching his behavior and responses, she made educated guesses about his thoughts and reactions.
Despite their age, Ren exhibited a composure and an experienced gaze that intrigued Ji-eun. 'He isn't like other boys our age,' she thought. 'Perhaps it's because of that girl he mentioned earlier...'
They arrived at the dining hall where their grandfathers were seated. There were also a man and a woman, whom Ren recognized as Ji-eun's parents from a family photo he had glimpsed briefly before being whisked away by Ji-eun.
"Come, take a seat," Il-sun said, gesturing with his fork.
The two kids sat down.
"Let me introduce myself. I am Song Junhyeok, Ji-eun's father, and this is my wife, Song Minji. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"I am Tokusake Ren. It's a pleasure to meet you as well."
With introductions complete, they began to eat.
••••••
After dinner, Ren and Ji-eun strolled outside, admiring the flowers in the garden.
"Do you think our ideology, philosophy, and views toward society or the world are shaped by our environment?" Ji-eun asked, touching a sunflower gently.
Ren considered her question before answering. "I firmly believe that our environment plays a vital role in shaping our ideology and worldview. The culture we're raised in, the values our family instills in us, and the socio-economic conditions we grow up in all contribute to the formation of our beliefs and perspectives."
Ji-eun nodded thoughtfully. "I agree that our environment has an impact, but I think there's more to it than that. While external influences shape our initial outlook, our personal experiences and critical thinking abilities allow us to refine and sometimes even challenge the beliefs we've inherited from our environment."
"True, personal experiences can lead to introspection and growth, but they're still influenced by the environment in which they occur. For example, someone growing up in a wealthy, liberal society is more likely to have different views on social issues compared to someone raised in a conservative, traditional environment."
"That's a valid point," Ji-eun acknowledged. "Our environment provides the framework within which we navigate the world and interpret our experiences. However, individuals have agency and the capacity to question and reinterpret the norms and values they've been exposed to."
"But even our ability to question and reinterpret is influenced by the values and ideologies prevalent in our environment. It's like swimming against a current – possible, but significantly more challenging. And let's not forget the role of media and technology, which constantly bombard us with information and shape our perceptions of reality."
"I acknowledge the power of societal influences," Ji-eun said, "but I also believe in the resilience of the human spirit. Throughout history, individuals have emerged who have challenged the status quo and reshaped society's understanding of the world. These individuals often come from diverse backgrounds and have been exposed to a variety of environments, highlighting the complexity of human thought and experience."
"That's true, and it speaks to the dynamic nature of ideology and philosophy. Our views are not static; they evolve over time in response to new information, experiences, and changing social conditions. However, it's important to recognize the profound impact our environment has on shaping the initial framework from which our ideas and beliefs emerge."
"Absolutely. By acknowledging the influence of our environment, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. It's a reminder to remain open-minded, empathetic, and critical in our engagement with differing perspectives and experiences."
Ji-eun sighed. "Thanks, I really needed to have this kind of talk with someone. Most kids our age aren't like this."
Ren smiled. "You're quite smart, aren't you? I don't think I've ever heard someone talk like this, especially at our age."
"Then does that mean 'you' have already gained wisdom?" Ji-eun asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Ren's eyes widened in surprise. "Don't try to hide it. I can tell that you have already experienced life."
"And what about you?" he countered, trying to divert attention.
"Well, everything I said just now is from different books. And from what I know, you aren't from a well-off family, are you? Your style of talking gives it away."
Ren stared at her, dumbfounded, as she continued.
"It's simple, really. If you've talked with kids from well-off families, you can tell who is sincere and who isn't. But still, thanks."
"Why?" Ren asked, genuinely curious.
"For giving me a chance to talk about such stuff. I hope we can have conversations like this again."
Ren smiled. "Sure. Sounds like a plan."
"Young mistress, please come inside. Your teacher has arrived," the head maid informed Ji-eun.
"Teacher?" Ren questioned internally.
"Yes, teacher," Ji-eun confirmed, then turned to the head maid. "I will come in a while." The head maid bowed and walked away.
"Well, it was a nice conversation," Ji-eun said, heading inside with Ren following.
"No problem," Ren replied.
"Hey, can we talk for more time?" Ji-eun asked.
"Sure."
They continued their conversation, discussing various topics and deepening their relationship. What started as a chance meeting evolved into a meaningful friendship, built on mutual respect and shared intellectual curiosity.