Proof at the Library
I adjusted my bag securely on my shoulder and headed toward the library. Trailing behind me at regular intervals were the staff, cameras, and mics—an overly flashy procession that felt out of place in the quiet residential alley.
As the library building came into view, I casually scanned my surroundings, feigning indifference. Through the glass doors, I could see the silence notice: "The library is everyone's space. Please be quiet." There was no issue with me coming to the library right now. But filming inside with broadcast cameras? That was questionable. Libraries demanded silence above all else. Bringing these cameras in would surely cause a commotion...
I deliberately slowed my steps. But PD Kwon Sung-gyu remained unfazed. The moment we entered, he sprang into action. With his signature soft smile and smooth talking, he explained the situation to the staff. Low voice, cautious gestures, polite requests for understanding. And just a few minutes later...
"Please keep the filming crew to the minimum and proceed without noise."
Permission granted. I inwardly let out a small sigh of admiration. He had the talent to succeed as a salesman instead of a PD. He might even make more money that way. PDs earned well, sure, but not like top salespeople, who could rake in massive windfalls if they hit it big. Of course, in my era, PDs often went independent and pulled in huge sums freely... but that era was still far off. For it to arrive, Kwon Sung-gyu would need to be over 60, no longer tied to the station.
"Do you come here often?"
The camera turned tentatively toward me.
"Yes. Every day."
"Ah... really?"
The PD's eyes widened slightly. No surprise there. Ordinary people didn't visit libraries much. Among ten people, seven hadn't even cracked open a single book... Factoring in those who read just one or two a month, nearly 90% lived their lives distant from books.
"Hi, Sora~"
The staffer behind the counter waved cheerfully. I bowed my head politely. Genuine delight shone in her eyes—not some forced TV smile, but her usual natural grin. Of course, when a kid like me showed up regularly, the staff would remember. They dealt with crowds daily, but kids like me were rare. An 8-year-old girl coming alone every day to the library. Even if I were the staff, I'd remember her. Adult men and women were common enough to blend in, but for my age... most kids were home watching TV. It wasn't typical for young children to frequent libraries like this. Children's libraries or neighborhood bookstores, sure—full of comics and fun learning books. But a place like this, for adults? The books here would just seem boring and dull to kids.
"Ah, Sora must come here a lot?"
It looked like they were starting an interview with the camera rolling. The staffer nodded and replied.
"Yes. Sora comes to our library every day. She's like our mascot!"
"I see!"
Why did her words make me feel embarrassed? I watched the staff and crew chat, just wanting to slip inside. The more the praise continued, the more awkward I felt.
"Let's go in now..."
I tugged at the hem of the chatty PD Kwon Sung-gyu's clothes. Fortunately, he wasn't the oblivious type.
"Ah... got it!"
He followed my lead inside. Luckily, it wasn't crowded, even on a weekend. Seoul had libraries in every district as standard, plus smaller ones everywhere.
"Hmm..."
I quietly wandered the stacks. That's when certain books caught my eye.
Judging Existence at the Edge of Infinity
On the Silence Before Existence
Why Does Time Pass Through Us?
How Power Organizes Silence
Novels I'd never seen in my previous world. I picked one that looked intriguing. Seeing my choice, the PD's face registered shock. Probably something like, "She picks books this advanced?!"
Fortunately, there was an outdoor reading area where you could even talk.
"Y-you're reading this book, Sora?"
"Yes. It looked interesting."
"Whoa..."
I could sense the staff exchanging glances over the camera. Does she actually understand it?Is she really reading it? Their expressions said it all, even without words. Just from their looks. Everyone reacted the same way watching me.
I opened the book and read, showing them. The cameras captured it all. Ignoring them, I focused on the content. Even with stares, I didn't stop.
Time passed, and I closed the book. Honestly, I'd been so absorbed I ignored the crew and PD. I felt a twinge of guilt. I should've given them broadcast-worthy moments... No viewer wants to watch a kid read for an hour straight. They'd all switch channels. A child reading wasn't exactly rare footage.
But PD Kwon Sung-gyu seemed to have an idea. After conferring with the staff, he turned to me.
"Sora, any thoughts or insights after reading?"
It felt like a test to see if I'd actually read it. I nodded and fluently summarized the content and my takeaways.
"Incredible..."
Seeing their amazed eyes, my shoulders lifted proudly. Praise always felt good.
That wrapped the day's shoot. I showed them my writing process, my room full of books, and ended with library reading reflections. Even edited, these were feats no ordinary kid could pull off.
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Lee Yeon-ji got home early. She had work left, but something urgent waited.
"Mom~"
"Yeah, Mom's home~"
After feeding her child, she sank into the sofa. Her businessman husband rarely came home early. Good thing, too—she could focus on TV. She wasn't a big watcher usually, but today was different. Her prospective grad student (Sora) was on!
With Sora's story airing, she couldn't miss it. Found it!Kid Geniuses started.
She regretted not grabbing popcorn. Watching plain felt too empty.
Lee Yeon-ji's eyes sparkled. Sora was too talented for genre novels—such radiant gifts going to waste... She burned even more to recruit her for Seyeon University. Sora could easily score high enough. A genius shining since childhood. She might even find current studies boring.
"Tch..."
No good sounds escaped her lips. The more famous Sora got, the farther her grad student dreams slipped. Famous writers didn't become grad students. And from talks with Sora, she showed no college ambitions. If interested, she'd ask about university, right? But in all their chats, Seyeon University never came up. Proof of disinterest.
Worse, she'd heard Sora was writing dramas and even eyeing movies—from Kim Min-gyu himself. Sora had discussed a movie scenario with his friend Park Sung-min. Competition was growing, and now this. If the movie blew up, convincing her would be impossible—Yeon-ji's vision darkened.