Embracing The Memories | COMPLETED | KOREAN STAND ALONE #1 ✒

제42장: Again?

Note before reading: If the scenes feel rushed, that means that the book still needs to be revised after completion. As I said, feedbacks are highly appreciated if there are mistakes or anything that you want to let the author know. Lovelots! 💕

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After that little encounter with Jihun, I immediately went back to our room and heard the bell ring. At least I wasn't late for the next schedule. This time, Naehyun saw the book I was carrying and widened his eyes at this.

"Is that for the essay next week? Woah, don't you think that book is too thick?" he asked me with curious eyes. I only took a little bit of a gaze on the book and shook my head at him.

"아니요? I think this is better since I got most outlines already," I shortly replied as he took the paper from my hands before sighing in exasperation. He then sat on my seat and pouted, crossing his arms after.

"I'm still stuck on what book to get. Can you help me later with it, Eysee?" There were no other deadlines so I accepted. After all, I still got a list of books that he can get. I had jotted down some books just in case this wasn't available anyway.

Gunyeo couldn't help but overhear our conversation and insisted he'd come as well. But, he got his own book in mind. Since the library at school was only open for only a specific time, we decided that we'll go to the city's library so we could even have more time to take a stroll. I wanted to take a bite after the classes anyway.

As soon as we saw the professor walking in, Naehyun ran to his seat and Gunyeo just cleared his throat and sat properly — putting his notes out to listen to the lecture. Since we were both next to each other, we tried to look for more books as references.

Time passed by like a second as we all stood up as the last bell rang. Naehyun was quite excited since he was jumping all around as Gunyeo and I fixed our belongings and took off. The seniors had told us that they'd stay up a bit — telling us that they still have some things to do in the music room. I had already known that they were a band so practicing was a must after classes.

Gunyeo and Naehyun had already notified them that we still had essays to do so they had agreed. Since I was also the type of person who doesn't travel much, I wasn't aware of the directions where the library would be. All I had were maps to lead me where I go.

"Do you think that these books would really be there? I mean, I only searched it online but the physical copy may not be there," I asked them both as they shrugged, not knowing the answer about it as well. Not all libraries would have the right edition and the right parts so it would be hard if we weren't sure if the library has them.

As soon as we arrived, we saw a lot of people yet it was too silent, even a needle dropped could be heard by many. Walking inside, we decided to split up so we can at least find it as soon as possible. The librarian had gone out so we knew that we had to find it ourselves. Since it was a history book, it would take a while.

Looking one by one on the shelves, I got scared when Jihun almost bumped into me. He looked as surprised as I am as I knitted my eyebrows and tilted them to the right in confusion.

"Wait, I thought you were with Heejun and Yoonwoo?" He only disagreed with it and showed me his list in his journal. As soon as I read it, I smiled.

"I didn't know you read novels too." I decided to walk a bit and look at the shelves while engaging in a talk. "Most people would spend their time at the malls or even restaurants. But seeing you here made me think otherwise."

"Not all people like the busy places," he replied before he saw Gunyeo and Naehyun walking past us. "Are you perhaps looking for something?"

"Ah, yes, we were looking for Tragedy and Hope by Carroll Quigley but it seems that the library—" he didn't even let me finish as he pulled me to one of the sections and grinned.

"I used that book for one of my history homework back then and I'm sure they have that book here," he replied and I nodded, thanking him after.

Though, I was shocked when he started looking after it too. I tried to tell him that it was alright if we'll be the ones to search for it but he kept on insisting that he'd help us. After a few minutes, I decided to give in and let him. There was no persuading him anyway.

Gunyeo and Naehyun had already gone up the stairs, so it would be a little while until they come back. When Jihun had finally found it, I thought at first that he'd give it to me after. Yet, it made me curious when he wrote something on a piece of paper and then put it in between the pages.

After that, he finally gave it to me and smiled. "Wrote something inside. You can open it after I leave. Don't let Naehyun and Gunyeo see it."

"Let's keep in touch then," he continued before leaving the section, right before Gunyeo and Naehyun went back downstairs and saw me — waving.

"Eysee, we got a few books around here too!" Smiling back, I nodded and ran to them, but I couldn't help but look back to where Jihun had gone to. Though, I didn't expect him to disappear so soon. All I saw were people quietly looking for books and those at the table.

I guess he had already left then.

Looking at the book, I opened the pages before Gunyeo and Naehyun could even realize what it was before handing it to them. "Here you go."

"I saw something in your hands," Gunyeo noted and I just nodded.

"Ah, it was just a crumpled paper between pages. I'm guessing the last owner didn't notice."

But to be honest, it was a paper with Jihun's name.

And a phone number under it.