episode_0010

Spring arrived, familiar yet high school felt unfamiliar. It was somewhat expected, but it exceeded those expectations.

“Wow, you look so pretty. What cosmetics are you using?”

“Tell me too!”

“Well, I use…”

Girls chatting affectionately like old friends.

“Oh! You’re friends with her! I heard her name before.”

“What? Are you from there too?”

“You didn’t know? She’s really good at games.”

Even boys naturally gathering in groups to share their interests.

I felt like I was awkwardly placed where I shouldn’t be, perhaps because Mayeonseo, who was always by my side, wasn’t there. Or maybe it was due to the promise she made, urging me not to make friends with just anyone. I simply couldn’t adapt to this new environment.

“Yuchan, what are you doing?”

“Using my phone.”

“Oh… okay…”

“….”

“Have… have fun…”

Consequently, I couldn’t bring myself to be friendly to the kind kids who occasionally approached me. After repeating this behavior a few times, I naturally became an outsider.

…For some reason, even then, I didn’t feel at ease.

“As expected, there’s nowhere else but the library.” Whether now or in the past, when I needed a place to rely on, there was hardly anywhere as suitable as the library. It was inherently quiet and perfect for fiddling with my phone. Getting lost in books, which I had distanced myself from due to being caught up in romance, was also pleasant. One could truly call it a friendly place for outsiders.

“Maybe I should try joining a club.” As I began to frequent the library, I considered trying out a club after seeing a recruitment poster at the entrance, but… “No, what club?” Before long, I quietly gave up on the idea. I couldn’t muster the courage to tell Mayeonseo that I would be engaging in club activities.

“It seems to have worsened lately…” Recently, Mayeonseo has been visibly unstable. It’s not always like this. When we’re in touch or together, everything seems fine, but during difficult-to-reach late nights or early mornings, she suddenly calls, almost having a fit. After much persuasion, she finally manages to calm down and go to sleep. Until February, it was definitely less frequent, but as the new semester began, the frequency started increasing.

Thanks to her, I found myself staying up late more often.

“I can’t believe I like her so much.”

My feeling of finding it cute rather than annoying still prevails.

How much must she love me to be this persistent?

Last time, when she seriously suggested that I drop out of school because she would take care of me for the rest of my life, I was slightly taken aback.

Honestly, if it’s Myeonseo, I feel like dedicating my entire life wouldn’t be enough.

At least, until now.

“After eating… heading to the library….”

Sending my regular check-in message to Myeonseo, I entered the library as usual.

Picking up a magazine I usually enjoy, I moved to my favorite spot.

However…

“Oops.”

Someone else had already taken the seat.

Upon closer inspection, I recognized her face; she was from my class.

“…So she reads books too.”

Hanyerwon.

With a different vibe from Myeonseo, she was the most attention-grabbing student among the new admissions, possessing a dazzling appearance.

Rumors around the school suggested she used to be a trainee idol before quitting.

“She certainly has a pretty face. …Not as good as Yeonseo though.”

From the beginning of the semester, she had been approaching students from other grades, making herself known throughout the school.

Perhaps that’s why she didn’t give off a bookish image.

It’s probably not because she doesn’t have friends like me….

I wonder if she genuinely loves books or came to get acquainted with them at the start of the new semester.

“Tsk. This is why they’re called ‘insiders.’”

Having lost my seat, I glared at her in annoyance, breaking the unspoken rule of designated seats in the library.

And at that moment…

“……”

She raised her head and sent a glance my way.

“…!”

Caught off guard by her large pupils meeting mine, I awkwardly averted my gaze and quickly changed seats.

*

The next day.

“How can you study properly after eating such things?”

Not satisfied with the lunch menu, I hastily made my way to the library after hastily having bread I bought from the store for lunch.

In terms of time, it was just after the start of lunchtime, so I thought I could leisurely take my seat this time.

…That’s how it should have been.

“What’s up with that?”

Once again, Hanryeowon had taken my designated seat. It meant she had come to the library as soon as lunch began.

“No, didn’t she have a lot of friends…?”

I slightly questioned her consecutive actions. The Hanryeowon I knew was always surrounded by many kids. Like iron filings drawn to a magnet, children were naturally attracted to her, and she was always bustling with people.

But now, she was giving up the lively lunchtime with her friends and showing up at the library…

“Now she’s even taking over the library…!”

It was a moment when I trembled at the behavior of this audacious insider who invaded even the paradise of bookworms.

Swoosh. Once again, she shifted her gaze towards me.

“……”

Her innocently round eyes.

It was an image that seemed oddly captivating.

“Do I look like someone who would back off?”

This time, I confidently met her gaze with open eyes, then promptly turned my head and found another spot.

After all, I thought it wouldn’t be long before she came to the library.

“It’s not like she’ll stay interested for long.”

And it didn’t take long for me to realize that it was my misconception.

“No way….”

Hanryeowon continued to show up at the library thereafter.

Not just dropping by, but arriving faster than anyone else and staying glued to the library until just before the afternoon classes.

As if… hoping to be alone.

“Hmm….”

By this point, my perception of her was slowly changing.

“Was she just a normal, kind kid?”

Come to think of it, Hanryeowon didn’t seem like the overly outgoing type.

“Oh, really? You get confessed to by guys every day during lunch?”

“He says he’s from a different school. Isn’t that right, Ryeowon?”

“Yeah.”

“Wow! Even you, Hanryeowon?!”

“Ah, busted! Liar apprehended!”

While the kids around us chattered away, she only reacted.

She still seemed cautious in some way.

Unintentionally, the most plausible speculation was that I suddenly became popular.

“Because of being pretty, people gather around.”

Suddenly, life felt so unfair.

“Yeah. Yeah. Okay. I know. I told you, our classmates are all ugly, right? Yeah. Yeah. Did you eat? Did you eat alone again? There were people who wanted to eat with you… Ah… They told you to go away again…?”

Having just finished lunch, I was caught up in a call from Ma Yeon-seo, and instead of going to the library, I found myself aimlessly wandering around.

Normally, I might have let it slide, but today happened to be the day when the new work by my favorite author was due to arrive at the library.

“Am I going to lose out on this?”

Being a somewhat popular author, I was quite anxious that someone might borrow it before me.

“Yeah. Let’s meet after school. …It’s a hassle. But I do it because I like it. Yeah. I love you too.”

After managing to hang up, I headed to the library, and asked the librarian, whose face I had become familiar with, about the whereabouts of the new book…

“Oh… Come a little earlier. Someone just borrowed it.”

Sure enough, someone had borrowed it.

“All of them?”

“Yeah. They borrowed all four at once.”

I didn’t know who this shameless person was, but they had borrowed all four volumes of the novel at once.

Moreover, it was almost the weekend, so I would have to wait at least four days.

And considering the maximum borrowing period is two weeks, who knows how long it will take.

“My luck really sucks.”

Putting my disappointment aside, I turned my steps towards the designated seat in the far corner of the library.

In truth, it was practically my designated seat now, but checking for it every time I came had become a kind of habit.

“Well, I guess so.”

Of course, Hanyeo-won was sitting in her usual spot today as well.

“Tsk.”

Feeling a bit disgruntled, I tried to find another seat quietly…

“…?”

Suddenly, my attention was drawn to the pile of books on her small desk.

A dark purple hardcover book that felt somewhat familiar.

There was no mistaking it.

It was the latest work by the author Woo Jang-san, which had just come in.

“Was she the one who borrowed it?”

Not only did I not like her much, but now she had even taken the book I had marked!

“Did she do that on purpose?”

Internally pouring out malicious comments, I felt a slight sense of satisfaction at the thought of recognizing my favorite author.

‘Well, still… seems like they’ve got an eye for good stuff.’

It was at that moment.

“…?”

She glanced at me, raising her head.

Seems like I’ve been staring for too long.

“Tsk.”

I casually glanced at the stack of books on the desk and quietly moved away.

Unable to shake off my disappointment, I found myself searching for information about the book.

[ This new work by Woo Jang-san is seriously amazing, so make sure to check it out. ]

[ Woo Jang-san, please keep serializing until you die, or else I’ll die. ]

[ Seriously, I think he could aim for the Nobel Prize in Literature. ]

[ If you want to keep Woo Jang-san locked up and writing, give him a thumbs up. ]

[ Hm, is it really that good? -> Yeah, it’s that good… ]

In a reading community that loves to criticize everything, it was unusual to see nothing but praise.

The only regrettable criticism was limited to just four reviews.

[ Book Review – The masterpiece of Woo Jang-san, which we’d still want to read 100 years from now. ]

Even a critic famous for blunt reviews sent five stars and praise, showing how well-crafted the work was.

‘Wait, is it really that enjoyable?’

My sense of disappointment slowly turned into anxiety.

“Sigh. Should I just buy it…?”

I even thought about owning the book itself, but the price of the book held me back.

Around 20,000 won per book. Buying all four would cost 80,000 won.

For someone who only receives pocket money, it was a difficult price to readily pay.

“…Let’s just wait a little longer.”

I closed the internet immediately, swallowing my disappointment, and decided to patiently wait for the next allowance.

Just endure and wait for a week.

…But that determination didn’t even last a day.

“Hello.”

“…….”

As I greeted her in a low voice, Han Rye-won glanced at me.

Flowing bright brown hair at the end of her face.

Large, sparkling eyes with delicate and sophisticated features.

Not as stunning as a celebrity, but enough to captivate any man with subtle curves in her body.

Surprisingly, she had the kind of appearance that everyone would have accepted if she became a celebrity.

It was actually surprising why she quit being a trainee.

“Sorry for interrupting suddenly. How far have you gotten with that? The book, I mean.”

“What…?”

I gestured toward the latest work by Woo Jang-san, which she had been engrossed in reading.

As if understanding belatedly, Han Rye-won spoke, “I’ve only managed to finish one volume so far…”

“So, you’ve finished one volume then?”

“Uh… have I?”

‘A chance!’

Unintentionally, I found myself getting a little excited and earnestly pleaded with her, leaning in with anticipation.

“Sorry, but if it’s okay, could I read that one volume? I’ll return it for you!”

“Huh, what?”

Han Rye-won, looking flustered, hid her face behind the book and leaned back slightly.

Ignoring her discomfort, I fervently continued, “I’ve been waiting forever to read that book… What if something happens to it?”

Looking bewildered, Han Rye-won slowly nodded, blinking her large eyes.

“Um… okay, then.”

It was a yes.

‘Got it!’

Having persuaded her with great effort, I clenched my fist in joy.

“Well… but the thing is, the book is at home…”

“What.”

However, being able to read the book came after this incident.