The Hidden Treasure

~47~

Namjoon walked into the small shop, breathing in the smell of the books. They needed to put this scent into a candle. He would buy the entire batch. He looked around, looking for someone in particular.

Tapping on the small bell at the counter, he waited just a moment before Mr. Oh came through the side door, huffing and puffing.

"Sorry, Namjoon-ah, I was taking out some garbage. Are you here to pick up your book?" The small man quickly pushed up his glasses and wiped a bit of sweat off his forehead with a small red handkerchief.

Namjoon smiled and nodded. It was almost the end of autumn and Mr. Oh was still sweating just taking out the garbage. He tried not to giggle at his own train of thought.

"Okay, I have it in the office. I'll be right back." Mr. Oh disappeared and Namjoon sighed, patted the counter once and then turned around.

He had been visiting this book shop since his underground days. He had come across it one night when he was performing nearby. It was so small, but it had the best atmosphere and the best selection of random and foreign books.

Mr. Oh had never changed anything about the shop. The tables and chairs were worn, but it showed some personality and character. There was a small photo wall of frequent customers, some of them celebrities. All of them had fallen in love with the small older man. He was like a grandfather to anyone he came in contact with.

Namjoon was no different. He loved the little old guy. Mr. Oh had recommended some great books to Namjoon over the years. Some had changed his viewpoint on the entire world. He looked over at the photo wall and wondered why he had never taken a picture with the shop owner.

"Here we go!" Mr. Oh handed the small book to Namjoon who smiled at the cover.

"Forgiveness In My Heart."

"I guess she came and got the book," he said, looking up at the older man.

"Mm hm. Why don't you just contact her personally, Namjoon-ah?"

"It's complicated, Mr. Oh. This is how it has to be for a while." He caught sight of a piece of paper peeking out from the top of the cover. He wanted to quickly pull it out and devour it with his eyes, but he also wanted to wait till he was alone.

"She left you a note as well," grinned Mr. Oh. "She's a pretty one," he hummed.

Namjoon felt his face grow warm and he laughed nervously. "Yeah, she is," he said softly, images of Hyejin running through his mind. "Thanks, Mr. Oh. I'll be back in a few days. Okay? I have to do some research first."

Mr. Oh laughed and nodded his head. "You're so clever, Namjoon-ah. You know, if you two keep this up, you'll help an old man retire early." He winked slyly and nudged Namjoon's arm, making the younger man laugh heartily.

"Mr. Oh! You'll never retire!" Namjoon threw an arm around the small man's round shoulders.

"Ahhhh Namjoon-ah, you don't know how bad I wish to retire and see the world before I can no longer see it." He sniffed a little, wiping his eyes with the same red handkerchief from before.

Namjoon felt a bit of gravity in his words and he let go of the man, coming around to the front of him and leaning down. "Is there some kind of hidden meaning in that, Mr. Oh?"

"Ah, it's nothing! If my wife were still around she would scold me for sharing my troubles with customers again," he laughed. He waved Namjoon off and walked off further into the book shop.

Namjoon frowned as he watched the man toddle away. He looked down at the book and his curiosity about Mr. Oh momentarily disappeared. He could no longer hold his curiosity in check and as he walked out of the shop he pulled out the small white piece of paper.