Echoes of the Rain

Back to home 🏠

I enter my house, and as always, there's no one to welcome me or ask how my day went. The silence is something I've grown accustomed to, but it doesn't make it any less lonely. After a quick change of clothes, I get ready for my part-time job at the bookshop, where I spend most of my evenings.

When I arrive, Mrs. Yoo, the kind-hearted owner, greets me warmly. Her gentle smile always makes the shop feel like a second home, even if only for a few hours. She informs me that a new part-timer is joining today, which catches me off guard. I've always worked alone during my shifts, so the idea of having someone else around feels... strange.

As my shift comes to an end, I find myself waiting for this new part-timer. The shop keys need to be handed over, and I can't leave until they show up. After a while, Jiho walks in. His face is familiar, and it takes me a second to place him. Then it clicks-Mr. Seo from college.

He looks around the shop, his expression unreadable. I offer him a smile, trying to be the polite shopkeeper Mrs. Yoo taught me to be. "Good evening, sir," I greet him.

He looks at me, seemingly surprised. "Where is Mrs. Yoo?" he asks, his voice as serious as ever.

"Ah... She's not here right now. Is there any problem? You can tell me," I reply, trying to keep things professional.

Jiho doesn't say anything immediately, his eyes scanning the shelves as if he's searching for something, or maybe just trying to avoid the conversation.

I can't help but feel a bit irritated. I just want him to leave so I can go home, but I know that's not an option. So, I ask again, "Sir, are you looking for a specific book? You can tell me the author or give me a description, and I'll help you find it."

He finally looks at me and says, "No, I'm not here to buy any books. I'm here for work... Mrs. Yoo didn't tell you?"

It takes a moment for his words to sink in. "Oh... You're the new part-timer," I say, realization dawning on me.

"Yes," he replies, still as stoic as ever.

I frown, a mix of frustration and disbelief creeping in. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

He just stands there, not offering any explanation for his lateness, which only irritates me more.

"You're late," I tell him bluntly, hoping to get some kind of reaction or at least an apology. But he says nothing, just looks at me with that same unreadable expression.

Sighing, I hand him the shop keys. "Here's the key. After your shift is over, take it over to Mr. Jhon."

Without another word, I leave the shop, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on me. The thought of working with Jiho from now on isn't exactly comforting, but it's just another thing I'll have to deal with.

The next day, as I reached school, I noticed a new announcement posted on the blackboard. It was about the selection process for the head girl, which was set to begin tomorrow. I didn't pay much attention to it since I had no interest in such activities. Instead, I headed to my bench. The classroom was empty since I had arrived early.

A moment later, Jiho entered with two backpacks. He placed his own bag beside me and the other on Yohan's seat. He glanced at me and said, "You... are you working at the bookshop?"

I thought to myself, *Now you notice it.*

"Ah... yes," I replied.

"I see," was all he said, and with that, our conversation ended.

Jiho sat down next to me, and I realized I hadn't paid much attention to who sat around me before, except for Yohan due to his noticeable personality-or rather, his popularity.

Slowly, the classroom began to fill with students. Yohan walked in, surrounded by a group of other boys, as usual.

Yohan walked over to my desk, a smile lighting up his face. "Good morning," he greeted me warmly.

"Good morning," I replied, still unsure how to act around him.

"Sorry about yesterday," he continued, "I didn't have time to treat you. How about today?"

"As I told you, it's really not that big of a deal..." I began to say, but before I could finish, a boy interrupted our conversation, and Yohan quickly turned to him.

"Okay, today at 5 p.m. after class ends, alright?" Yohan said, almost as if he had already decided.

Before I could protest, he left with the boy, not even waiting for my reply. How busy can he be? But I don't have time for this; I have my job at 5. I wanted to turn down his offer, but he didn't give me the chance.

I noticed Jiho glancing at me from his seat. He must have overheard our conversation. I quickly shifted my gaze to my book, trying to focus as the classes began.

A few periods later, Yohan leaned over and said in a low voice, "Hey, Yuri..."