James was waiting for an answer and further explanation from Leah, but got it when and where he least expected it. He was sure Leah would show up in the dungeon shop one day, slam a pile of paperwork that he needed to go through, give a cursory explanation, and then leave. Then, he’d spend the entire week trying to read things he couldn't’ understand, until he realized he was 17, which meant he was underage and had no legal rights.

Instead, Leah chose to walk in the door of his classroom as he was waiting for his lecture to begin.

“Oh, a new student? Interesting.” James’ friend Jack informed James and their other friend, Mo..

“Mmhmm,” James responded without thinking. He was trying to finish his math problem so he wouldn’t have to do anything when he got home.

The professor stood up and introduced her.

“This is Lee Ah-Young. She will be in our class from now on.”

Hmm? The name sounded familiar to James. Out of curiosity, he looked up as the new student spoke to the class.

“Hello. Please call me Leah.”

James froze for a moment.

“Hm? James, do you know her?”

“...huh? Oh, yeah. I do.”

James went back to doing his homework, hoping his friends wouldn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. He’d spoken the truth - he did know her. James didn’t think there was a point in hiding that since Leah would probably head directly for the empty seat next to him. But, James didn’t know how he’d explain how he knew a random girl from Korea.

Leah was the same age as James, 17, which meant that she could attend high school as well. But why was she here? Leah, due to the dungeon and her company, had already dropped out of her high school in Korea. But, the most important and most worrying this was: how did she find him?

As he guessed, Leah sat down right next to them, at James, Jack and Mo’s table. She exchanged polite greetings with Jack and Mo,

James looked at her. Aware that Jack and Mo were listening, he said a brief sentence. “Hey. How are you doing?”

“Good. Talk to you later. After school, good?”

“Uh, sure.” James’ home was a 5 minute walk from his school, so his parents wouldn’t mind him coming home 20 minutes late.

James could tell that his friends had questions, and he wanted to answer, but he wasn't sure what Leah was planning. Fortunately, their English teacher had begun preaching about the play they were reading.

School progressed like normal. James wasn’t surprised that Leah asked him a few things during English. After all, it was her second language. However, she didn’t seem to have any problems with math.

“Hey, is it okay if Leah sits with us for lunch?” James asked while waiting in line with his friends to grab his school-provided roast beef sandwich.

“Honestly, I should be asking if she’s okay with it.” Jack laughed. “There’s a reason why we 3 don’t have any other friends here.”

“No problem,” said Leah.

“Sure, then,” said Mo.

Jack said as he placed his tray down. “God, I’m surrounded by geniuses. I think even Leah’s better than I am at English. It’s your second language, right?

Leah nodded. “Speak Korean.”

“Yeah, but you have your thing going on too. Stocks and stuff. You just don’t try, because you don’t need good grades in school,” said James.

“At least you’re the richest here.” Mo took another bite of his food. “Or have the largest inheritance, I guess.”

Leah tilted her head. Mo saw this and explained, “Jack’s dad is actually the owner of Monarch, the famous technology company. I don’t know about over in Korea, but it’s massive here in America. It’s worth over, what was it? 5, 10 billion dollars?”

“It’s approaching 10,” said Jack. “We want to expand internationally, but aren’t ready yet.”

“Oh wow. It’s growing. Anyways, so this guy here will inherit him. I suggest latching onto him like a leech and taking his money. He’ll definitely be the richest here out of all of us.”

James looked at Leah to see if she’d refute Mo. She didn’t.

“Probably. I’m trying to expand my own business into America, which is why I came here.”

“Oh? You own a company?” Jack seemed more interested all of a sudden.

“Technically my dad owns. Started together.”

“I see. What’s your company called? What’s the product?”

“Sporting...apparitions?”

“Apparel,” said James. “Sporting apparel, footwear, and other sports related goods.”

“Yes. Sporting appraisal.”

“Apparel. It’s a fancier word for clothing. Appraisal is different.”

“Apparel. Clothes.”

“Yes.”

Jack and Mo laughed as they saw this exchange between James and Leah. Jack scratched his head. “I mean, I’m probably not one to teach others, but make sure you’ve figured out all the logistics. Watch out for taxes, immigration, and any government regulations, really. And, if the numbers say it's not worth it, then don’t. Why am I saying this? Anybody who’s planning to expand globally should know this.

“Don’t worry,” said Leah. “We’ve been through that too many times. It’s worth the investment.”

“Mhmm, I’m sure you did. The international open market is very alluring to a lot of companies.

“Mainly for exposure. Already big enough in Korea. Expand elsewhere. US is a good place.”

Jack was probably venting because he finally had someone he could talk to. All 3 of them complained about math homework together, but Jack couldn’t complain about all the business things he had to learn. The only thing James knew was supply and demand, plus opportunity cost.

“Got it. So I think, for you, the biggest challenge will be the cultural and language barriers. I don’t really know much about Korean lifestyle, but keep in mind the difference between cultures. I think you’ll get a grasp of it pretty quickly though, if you’re planning to live here. Also, it might be a bit harder to get a worker base here.”

“Don’t worry. That’s what James is for.”

Wait what? James looked at Leah, but she continued to talk with Jack.

====================

“So, why are you in this class?”

It was after the lunch break. James, Jack and Mo had different schedules in the afternoon, so they had left for their own classes. Leah, however, followed James to Spanish. Considering she wasn’t quite fluent in English yet, she’d have even more trouble with another language. So, why was she here?

“I signed up for the same schedule as you.”

“And how do you know my course schedule? Wait, I haven’t even asked you how you found me yet. Have you been stalking me?”

“Yes. Online.”

“...”

“I found your social media. Then I found school. I called them and I paid them money to put me in the same classes with you. By pretending I was a rich friend of yours. Which I am. Your school is desperate for money? Then I flew over after convincing my dad.”

“...you know, you could have just asked me for that? And maybe given me a heads up? Like, ‘hey, I’m going to fly over from my home in Korea all the way to the other side to join your school.’ At least I’d have time to mentally prepare.”

“Lo siento. No lo volveré a hacer.”

James spat out his water.

“YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW SPANISH! DID YOU SEARCH THAT UP?”