BTS IMAGINES AND SCENARIOS

Bibliophile✿ (Kim Namjoon/RM)

The rain had been pouring down for hours, casting a gloomy veil over the city. You ducked into the quiet bookstore, shaking the droplets from your umbrella. The bell above the door jingled softly as you stepped inside, enveloping you in the warm scent of old books and the gentle hum of quiet conversation.

The store was dimly lit, with soft, golden lighting that highlighted the rows of books. You wandered through the shelves, running your fingers over the spines of the volumes, feeling the worn leather and the rough texture of the pages. As you turned a corner, you noticed a figure sitting behind the counter, nose buried in a book.

He looked up as you approached, his eyes locking onto yours. Soft, gentle eyes that seemed to warm with a quiet smile. "Welcome to Between the Pages," he said, his voice low and soothing.

You browsed the shelves, occasionally glancing over at him. He'd look up, smile, and return to his book. After a while, you found yourself drawn to the counter, where he was sitting with a pen in hand, scribbling notes in the margins of his book.

"Finding anything interesting?" he asked, looking up at you.

You hesitated, then pointed to the book in his hand. "What's that?"

He smiled, showing you the cover. "A collection of poetry by Rumi. I'm trying to translate some of the verses into Korean."

You leaned against the counter, intrigued. "I've always loved his work. 'The wound is the place where the light enters you.'"

His eyes lit up. "Exactly! It's like he's speaking directly to the soul."

As you talked, the hours slipped away. You discussed literature, life, and everything in between. The rain outside slowed to a gentle patter, and the store grew quieter. The owner would occasionally nod or smile, his eyes sparkling with interest.

At one point, he got up to get you a cup of tea, and you sat down in the cozy armchair by the window. The rain-soaked streets outside seemed to fade away as you lost yourself in conversation.

As you prepared to leave, your eyes landed on a book on the shelf behind him. The title was familiar, and as you pulled it out, a dedication caught your eye: "To my dearest, with love, Joon."

Your heart skipped a beat. It couldn't be. You hadn't thought about him in years. The memories came flooding back, and you felt a lump form in your throat.

The owner noticed your reaction and looked up, concern etched on his face. "Is everything okay?"

You hesitated, unsure how to respond. "This book...where did you get it?"

He leaned forward, his eyes searching yours. "I found it in a used book store a few years ago. Why?"

You took a deep breath, the past and present colliding in your mind. "I think it might be connected to someone from my past."

He nodded slowly, his expression softening. "Sometimes, the books we find can lead us to unexpected places."

As you stood there, the connection between you grew stronger. You realized that this chance encounter might be the start of something new, something meaningful.

"Would you like to talk more about it?" he asked, his voice gentle.

You nodded, and he smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'd like that."

He closed the store early, and you sat down at a small table by the window. The rain outside began to clear, casting a warm glow over the city. You talked for hours, sharing stories and memories.

As the night wore on, you felt a sense of hope and possibility. Maybe, just maybe, this bookstore between you was the start of a new chapter.

The owner's eyes sparkled with warmth as he smiled at you. "I'm Namjoon, by the way," he said, extending his hand.

You took it, feeling a jolt of electricity. "I'm...," you began, but he just smiled and nodded.

"We can talk about that later," he said. "For now, let's just enjoy the moment."

And as you sat there, surrounded by books and the quiet of the store, you felt a sense of peace wash over you. Maybe this was the start of something special.