Contentment reigned as careful steps were taken on the path home, nighttime breeze ruffling inky brown locks in a near negligent manner and drawing previously absent attention toward the present. He smiled at its antics – ever so mischievous the wind could be – hand lifting to let it caress warm skin prior to continuing onward. It was a quarter past ten, streetlights and still open storefronts brightening the way in near sharp relief. Despite the late hour the young man appeared unconcerned, gait smooth and posture relaxed with the ghost of a song hovering on the tip of his tongue. If it was ignorance to the dangers lurking amongst the shadows or great confidence regarding his own capabilities, the answer remained mystifyingly ambiguous.
It wasn’t uncommon for Luka to wander during the journey to and from his current place of residence; in fact it was disastrously second nature as each day collected upon one another into the familiar amalgamation that came with the passage of time. By that very definition, his jaunt inside CafeCozy could’ve almost been predicted; an alarming notion that all too often fled its subject of interest. Sooner or later such antics were likely to cause him trouble, as they had before, but this night was not amongst those past and future unpleasantries.
Starting a block away, a halting pattern commenced as those warm yet unfathomable eyes focused on the many details that surrounded him. The décor on one building’s exterior, a rather ornate gate, the magical residue clinging to a nearby tree (an out of place Elaeocarpus sylvestris), strange cracks in the sidewalk before him. It was the books inside the establishment, bright spines and illegible from that distance titles, that drew him in combined with the promise of a warm beverage – the temperature was quite cold this time of year. His order was quick, a cup of hot jasmine tea that wasn’t sweetened, and paid for with pocket change that a friendly smile accompanied. Sipping as he walked, Luka browsed the titles displayed intently with no clear source for the tugging that lingered under his breastbone. Years of practice whispered that it would be unwise to disregard it this time lest he somehow desperately need whatever was to come.
Deeply immersed in the task, it was quite unintentional that he happened upon a young woman in the aisle he was about to venture down, eyes locked for the barest of seconds until she turned away and all but fled. The moment, however fleeting, magnified perception and without immediate conscious thought elegant fingers plucked the very book that had caught her attention so, tucking his now empty cup into the crook of his arm. Despite the maudlin title and rather poor cover art instinctively he knew this was the item required. But, what next? Briefly unsure of what he was to do as compulsion’s haze lazily made its escape reorientation reinstated itself in stages, however it did not halt the ridiculous spinning in circles motion his body made until true clarity returned. Any bystander having the privilege of viewing his private spectacle was likely to deem him strange, someone clearly any sane person needed to stay away from. It was a depressingly common sentiment.
As a trashcan was located and empty beverage container taken care of, that was the first order of business, his second task answered itself in the form of a rather helpful sign on lending procedures with such an unusual library. Positively delighted at the news, directions were followed and the designated location discovered. Thankfully a living being appeared to be at the specified desk and with a small throat clearing a greeting sounded. “Excuse me, miss, ah, hello. I would like to borrow this book.” The aforementioned item was set upon the table absently and upon locating his ID, he finally looked up. Surprise rapidly made its home upon delicate features as the woman from before stared back at him. Well, this was going to be awkward.
Hastily, Luka spoke, that soft cadence unintentionally smoothing out in a soothing yet shy manner. “If you don’t mind that is. You seemed to be enjoying it so I promise to return it soon.”
The loose strand of hair insisted on annoying Haesoo as she swiped at it again, sliding it behind her ear before it fell out yet again. Dramtically rolling her eyes, she decided to leave it, finding it tpo exhaustive to continuously push it aside every other second. Her sudden encounter made her feel guilty for some reason and she never felt guilty. At least not for something as small as a white lie, but for some reason, she just couldn’t shake the feeling off.
With a heavy sigh, Haesoo returned to the front to find something else to occupy herself with considering that she had already finished all her work. At least all the easy work. She still had to take inventory of all the books to find any misplaced items. It was boring as hell, and made her tired to no end, but a job’s a job.
“Excuse me, miss, ah, hello. I would like to borrow this book.”
Haesoo’s thoughts were cut off from the soothing voice behind her, slightly startling her since she thought that there was no one else left, with the exception of the student and person she had just seen. Her suspicions were confirmed when she turned around to be faced with the person who triggered the guilt in her. When she caught sight of the book in his hand though, she took a moment questioning herself why it had to be that book.
“If you don’t mind that is. You seemed to be enjoying it so I promise to return it soon.”
His comment surprised her and it showed on her face as she stared at him with an open mouth, hesitation filling her as she tried to figure out what to say.
“Uh- um, yeah, that’s totally fine! I just stumbled upon it and found it really intriguing,” Haesoo decided on. It wasn’t her business what they wanted to do with the book, yet she couldn’t help feel suspicious that they would pick that book out of all the books in the library. Especially right after she had just been reading it. But is wasn’t like she could do anything.
