A Familiar Spring, An Unfamiliar High School
Familiar spring had arrived.
But high school felt utterly alien.
I'd expected it to some degree, but it exceeded my wildest guesses.
"Whoa, you're so pretty. What makeup do you use?"
"Tell me too!"
"Well, it's..."
Girls chatting amiably like old friends.
"Ah! You're friends with her, right? I heard her name last time."
"What? You're from there too?"
"Didn't you know? She's insanely good at games."
Boys gathering in groups of three or five, naturally bonding over shared tastes.
It felt like I'd been dumped alone in a place where I didn't belong.
Was it because Ma Yeonseo, who was always by my side, wasn't there?
Or because of the promise I'd made her—to not get close to just anyone?
I just couldn't adapt to this new environment.
"Yuchan, what're you doing?"
"Phone."
"Ah... okay...?"
"......"
"H-have fun with that..."
Even the kind kids who occasionally approached me got nothing friendly in return.
After repeating that a few times, I naturally became the class loner.
...And yet, for some reason, my heart wasn't at ease.
The library's my only refuge, as always.
When I had nowhere else to lean on, past or present, nothing beat the library.
It was quiet by default—perfect for fiddling with my phone.
And a great place to reconnect with books I'd ignored while chasing romance.
The ultimate loner-friendly spot.
Maybe I should join a club this time.
Once I started showing up at the library, I noticed the club recruitment posters at the entrance and considered signing up again... but
...Nah. No way.
I quickly shelved the idea.
I didn't have the guts to tell Ma Yeonseo I was joining a club.
She's been getting worse lately...
Recently, Ma Yeonseo had been visibly shaken—enough to see it in her eyes.
Not always, though.
She was fine when contact was easy or when we were together, but late at night or in the early hours when it was hard to reach her, she'd suddenly call in a frenzy.
I'd have to soothe her for ages before she finally calmed down and went to sleep.
It had been less frequent back in January and February, but with the new semester, the episodes ramped up.
Needless to say, my sleepless nights were piling up too.
She loves me too much, that's the problem.
For now, the cuteness outweighed the hassle.
How much must she love me to worry like that?
Last time, when she seriously suggested I drop out so she could take care of me forever, I was tempted for a second.
Honestly, with someone like Ma Yeonseo, devoting my whole life wouldn't be enough.
At least so far.
'Eating lunch... heading to the library...'
I'd just sent Ma Yeonseo my routine check-in text and stepped into the library.
Grabbing a random magazine I'd eyed before, I headed to my usual corner seat.
But
'Oh.'
Someone was already there.
Her face looked familiar upon closer inspection—she was from my class.
...She reads books too, huh.
Han Yeoryeon.
She had a flashy beauty different from Ma Yeonseo's and was the most talked-about freshman.
From overheard class chatter, she'd been a trainee idol before quitting.
She's definitely pretty. ...Not quite on Yeonseo's level, though.
From the start of the semester, even upperclassmen sought her out, making her a school celebrity.
So she didn't strike me as the bookish type.
Probably not here because she had no friends like me...
Maybe she genuinely loved books or wanted to get into reading with the new term.
Tch. That's insufferable popular kids for you.
Seat stolen, I inwardly clicked my tongue and glared at her for breaking the library's unspoken reserved-seat rule.
And right then
"......"
She looked up, her gaze meeting mine.
"...!"
Caught off-guard by those big eyes, I awkwardly averted mine and hurried to another spot.
The next day.
How am I supposed to study eating this crap?
Unhappy with the lunch menu, I scarfed down bread I'd bought from the canteen and rushed to the library.
Lunchtime had just started, so I figured I'd snag my seat easily this time.
...Or so I thought.
What the hell.
Han Yeoryeon was in my spot again.
Right at the start of lunch, no less.
Doesn't she have a ton of friends...?
Her consecutive invasions sparked some doubt.
The Han Yeoryeon I knew was always surrounded by people.
Like a magnet drawing metal scraps, kids flocked to her naturally.
Yet here she was, skipping cozy lunches with friends for the library...
Now she's invading even the loners' paradise...!
I was fuming at this outrageous popular kid's audacity when
She glanced over again.
"......"
Those round, utterly harmless eyes.
They had this oddly captivating vibe.
Think I'll dodge again?
This time, I stared right back defiantly, then turned on my heel to find another seat.
Figuring she wouldn't stick around long anyway.
Even if she's curious, how long could it last?
And it didn't take long to realize I was wrong.
N-no way...
Han Yeoryeon kept showing up at the library after that.
Not just dropping by—she arrived earlier than anyone and stayed glued there until right before afternoon classes.
Like a kid who wanted to be alone.
Hmm...
By now, my view of her was shifting.
Maybe she's just a normal nice girl.
Upon closer look, she wasn't the super outgoing type.
"Ah, for real though? I get confessions from boys every lunch."
"She's saying no one's from our school like her. Right, Yeoryeon?"
"Yeah."
"Whoa! Not you too, Han Yeoryeon?!"
"Aha! Liar busted!"
She let the crowds around her chatter endlessly while only reacting herself.
Still a bit reserved, maybe.
Most plausible guess: sudden popularity catching her off-guard.
People flock just 'cause she's pretty.
Life sure felt unfair all of a sudden.
"Yeah. Yeah. Sure. Told ya, everyone's ugly in our class? Yeah. Yeah. Lunch? Ate alone again? There were invites...? Ah... Told them to buzz off...?"
Lunchtime hit, and I was stuck wandering aimlessly, pinned by Ma Yeonseo's call—library forgotten.
Normally I'd shrug it off, but today was the day my favorite author's new book arrived.
What if someone snags it?
A popular author—someone might check it out while I fretted.
"Yeah. See you after school. ...It's a hassle. But I like doing it. Yeah. Love you too."
Finally hanging up, I bolted to the library and asked the familiar librarian about the new release...
"Ah... You should've come sooner. Someone just took the whole set."
Sure enough.
"A-all of them?"
"Yeah. Borrowed all at once."
Some shameless jerk had grabbed all four novels in one go.
Worst of all, weekend meant at least four days' wait.
And max two-week loan? Who knows how long.
My luck sucks.
Swallowing disappointment, I headed to the back corner—my so-called reserved seat.
Not really mine anymore, but checking had become habit.
Of course.
Han Yeoryeon was there, as expected.
Tch.
I smacked my lips and turned to find another spot when
"......?"
My eyes locked on the stack of books beside her on the small desk.
Dark purple hardcovers that looked familiar.
No doubt about it.
Ujangsan's latest works, fresh in the library.
She was the one who checked them out?
I already disliked her, but stealing my book?
Is she doing this on purpose?
I inwardly cursed while secretly pleased someone appreciated my author.
Well... she has good taste, at least.
Then
"...?"
She glanced up at me.
Guess I'd stared too long.
Damn.
I flicked my eyes to the book stack and quietly slipped away.
But the regret lingered, and soon I was searching online for info.
The reading community, usually quick to nitpick, was unanimously raving.
The only complaints? Only four volumes so far.
Even the famously harsh critic gave it five stars and high praise.
That good, huh?
Regret turned to impatience.
Sigh. Maybe just buy it...
I considered owning it outright, but the price tag stopped me.
20,000 won per book. 80,000 for the set.
Tough for someone on allowance.
...Just wait a bit.
I closed the browser, swallowed my disappointment, and decided to bide my time.
One week. Hold out.
...But that resolve lasted less than a day.
"Hi."
"......"
I greeted her softly, and Han Yeoryeon glanced up.
Bright brown hair swaying at her face's edge.
Big, sparkling eyes with pure, refined features.
Not Ma Yeonseo-level, but a subtly curvaceous figure that could stir any guy's heart.
No wonder everyone would buy her as a celebrity.
Made you wonder why she'd quit training.
"Sorry to interrupt suddenly. How far into that book?"
"Which...?"
"That one."
I pointed at Ujangsan's new work she was reading.
She seemed to catch on late.
"Just finished the first volume..."
"So volume one's done?"
"Y-yeah...?"
Chance!
A bit excited, I leaned in desperately.
"Then, um, sorry, but could I read volume one? I'll return it for you!"
"Eh, huh?"
She hid behind her book, leaning back in surprise.
I begged shamelessly.
"I've been dying to read it for ages... Any chance?"
Her big eyes blinked in bewilderment, then she slowly nodded.
"Uh... sure."
Yes!
I clenched my fist in joy at convincing her.
"Um... but the books are at home..."
"What."
Actually getting to read it would come later.