Acting

It was a rainy day. After finishing her classes, So Eun decided to savor a warm coffee from the automated coffee machine to keep her warm. She put some coins and patiently waited for the coffee to be poured. Because it was very hot, So Eun didn’t sip immediately. With the coffee in hand, she approached the glass doors and was mesmerized by the rain. The rain seemed to be one of the things which could soothe her heart, and she loved it. She loved to lose herself in trying to count the raindrops fallen on the window glass, and breathing the ionized air. After rain, everything seems purer, a new, with a fresh smell.

          Suddenly, the memories of having been asked by Hyuk Soo what is her name clouded her vision, just like the vapors from the coffee she held in her hand steamed the glass doors. “Aish, couldn’t he ask what my name is in a nicer way?” So Eun said to herself, pouting.  At the thought of paying him a visit, she grinned widely, but then wondered which kind of excuse she should use to pop there.

         At a loss of ideas, she thought that borrowing a book seemed the most plausible and believable. “Well, I need a book anyway” she said, smiling brightly. Near the coffee machine, there was an old heater she used as a support for her cappuccino while she opened her umbrella. The young actress walked confidently into the rain, heading to Hyuk Soo’s workplace, the library, which wasn’t far from her department’s building.

          She mumbled some song while walking and sipped from her cappuccino. When she reached the library, through the transparent doors, she could see him helping the visitors. Much to her surprise, he accidentally looked towards the entrance doors and found her standing by herself. Hyuk Soo smiled instinctively and went straight to So Eun after the customer left, and welcomed her.

          “You’ve come to see me? “ Hyuk Soo asked So Eun, making her feel a bit embarrassed about the real reason she came there with.

           “Ah, why would I want to see you? I came for a book.” So Eun tried to escape from his trap.

         “You’ve even brought me a drink?” he added as he stole the cappuccino from her hand and had a taste of it. He gave her a hint about his preferences, saying he rather likes black coffee and Americano, and she should bring that next time.

         So Eun couldn’t believe her eyes, such scene had actually happened, and the idea of an indirect kiss with the librarian let her completely dumbfounded. It was really awkward. She masked everything with smile and laughter, and made fun of him.

         “Kekeke, so you’re a funny one! Boy, appearances are really deceitful. You’re mistaken, I really haven’t brought it for you….” Stated So Eun, thinking at how absurd this situation is.

         “Just come in, it is cold outside” said the man, and came back to his desk, took a magazine and began to read while enjoying So Eun’s cappuccino.

         “Whaat? He didn’t even offered to help me with the umbrella and now he’s drinking my cappuccino! What a cold hearted man!” she cursed him in her mind. She went past him glaring, but he didn’t notice.

         She spent a quarter of an hour looking for an entertaining novel, and when she found one, she sat on the place by the window. Soon, her mind was completely captured by the book she began to read.

        Sometime later, she heard a deep voice asking her “You’re reading a novel?” naturally lifted her head and saw Hyuk Soo sitting on the chair, in front of her.

      “Why? I don’t read only things relevant to my studies. I need a break” So Eun told him.  He answered laconic as always. So Eun closed her book and asked him why he’s here and doesn’t do his job as a librarian. He casually answered and told her his shift has ended and continued to read from the magazine he had started the day before.

        She couldn’t take her eyes off him, and he knew that, so he stopped his activity and stared at her. To cover her nervousness, she asked the handsome librarian why he has to share a table with her.

       “Aren’t we supposed to be together as much as we can?” he remarked, trying to remind her of their fake relationship. At first, So Eun was confused and didn’t understand.  Hyuk Soo helped her remember by mentioning her past intention of wanting to help him get rid of unwanted attention from those scary girls.

        He clearly was trying to take advantage of the situation, saying they should make it even more believable. This awoke So Eun’s curiosity, who wondered if what she has done wasn’t enough to repel those girls.

       “You would think they’d get lost after watching you, right?” Hyuk Soo hinted her. Upon realization that the culprits still haven’t quit, she was amazed and upset in the same time.  He chuckled and said she’s stupid to believe the pests would quit that easily.

      “Stop calling me stupid! Aigoo, they’re really something! These girls aren’t ashamed to chase a man! “So Eun said, in disbelief. He suggested they maintain the act they have started, and smiled.

       “You should to send them more intimidating signals, just visit me every day, okay?” he said, and made her feel unsure if she should go that far. With this occasion, she was able to discover more of his playful nature hidden under the appearance of a stoic person. Hyuk Soo actually started to tease her saying “Are you that kind of person who doesn’t finish what she has started? Waa, that’s so mean from your part!”, and he really enjoyed it, but So Eun got really angry and shouted she’s not that kind of person. He fastly covered her mouth with his hand and reminded her they’re in a library. She nod her head and her mouth was freed immediately.

         “You can visit me as much as you can, and we can have lunches and coffee breaks together”, he proposed, and prompted her to wonder if he’s seriously asking her out for a date.

         “I am”, Hyuk Soo responded casually, with a big smile. The level of awkwardness just got raised up, and So Eun stared at him in disbelief.

        “You don’t have to make that serious face “, he smirked. The librarian felt that the girl is cute and teasing her gives him so much fun. On the outside, he may look distant, but on the inside he’s completely different.

        “Hehe, you do enjoy making jokes, don’t you?” So Eun remarked ironically.

        “Kind of”, said Hyuk Soo.

       “I feel like I am starting to regret it”, So Eun expressed her annoyance at him making fun of her and enjoying it. He just smiled.

        “But, Hyuk Soo –ssi…”

       “Doesn’t oppa sound better?” he asked So Eun, but she hesitated to call him that way. She felt they don’t have that kind of relationship required for it to happen, and her face betrayed her confusion. Why should she do that?

       “We’re still in the library”, Hyuk Soo affirmed.

       “Aaah”, So Eun understood.

        She glared at him once again for mocking her telling her she’s so slow in everything she does. But there was a thing she felt she must confirm, that they’re going to pretend they’re lovers in the library, they don’t need to have lunch together at all.

       “I’d love to do all of it “said Hyuk soo, focusing again on his magazine, to avoid any further conversation.

      “Why?” So Eun asked him.

     “Just because” he answered laconically.