Chapter 1

...Even our hearts need a vacation...

...Oh, just do your job like it's one...

...I'm ill, yeah, I'm the job itself...

...The friend called ‘rest,’ oh, I never liked him...

...How much do you have to earn to be happy?"...

...-Disease...

...BTS...

...—☆—...

"Juok-ah..." The small-looking girl with big, round, golden-brown eyes opened her eyes and looked up. Her older brother sneakily peeked his head in from behind the door and nodded at her. "The way's clear. Let's go."

She excitedly jumped out of bed, grabbed the paper bag and a puffer jacket she had kept ready hours ago, and rushed out behind him.

The lights in the hallway were off. Their father must be in his built-in office doing work, and their mother must be in her room, either watching dramas or working. It's all memorized by then.

They took the left corner and went towards the basement, leading them to the house's back door.

"Don't make a noise." The brother warned softly; she knew that. He needn't tell her that again; she has gained expertise. They crossed the basement, walked upstairs, and unlocked the door with the spare keys the brother steals now and then for the sake of his sister. They finally stepped out of the house before making a run down the lane.

"We're so late today! What if the store closes?" He shouted before taking the bag from her and holding her hand, running fast enough but not so fast, so that his sister could catch on.

"Don't worry, it won't be until 11 PM!" she shouted back.

"Don't trip over and fall! I ain't carrying your heavy body back!" The elder shouted, having a playful grin on his face. His bunny smile displayed all his teeth shining white. She laughed as they reached out from the Elite Society. The bookstore was still 2-3 minutes walk down the corner, so they finally stopped and breathed.

"You okay? Don't pass out on me." The brother asked, just to make sure, while panting a little.

She shook her head. "I'm okay, just not used to running." She stood straight and took a deep breath.

"You shouldn't run, anyway. Let's go, we need to be back in time too."

He ruffled her hair before walking further. She groaned in response and ran behind him to keep up with his long strides while fixing her hair.

The bell chimed as they opened the door of the bookstore.

"Jungkook, Juok! You're here tonight." The old librarian grandpa greeted them. They bowed to him in respect. He has known them for quite a while now, but he didn't know they were siblings. No one knew.

"Good evening, Mr. Ghum. How's your health?" The younger one, Juok, asked with a smile. He was one of the very few people who actually cared for her and saw her as his granddaughter.

"Oh, I'm better than most oldies of my age. Don't question my health, young lady. Tell me about yourself. " Grandpa brushed off with such casualness, making the younger grin and put down the huge paper bag on the table.

"Never been better. I didn't get knocked off for a week!" She exclaimed excitedly. He chuckled.

"That's good news, that means you're improving!" He exclaimed and took the bag, full of books she had borrowed last week.

He knew about her condition.

While checking out the books that she borrowed from the check list, Jungkook, the elder brother came forward, bowing to the grandpa before facing her. "I'll be outside. Be quick on choosing, hmm?"

She nodded as he ruffled her hair again and walked away quickly before she could throw a punch. He knew she hated it. And he loved to do the things she hated.

"Do you think you can find me some new things to read?" She asked Grandpa, and he laughed.

"You've read almost all the books in the store. The writers need to publish more books only for you."

"Yeah, writers write and publish every day. But those are for sale. Not for borrowing. I can't afford that many books to buy." she said while looking around.

The store was exceptionally huge, with old, new, and various types of books. She had read almost all the books except a few that she didn't like. She was thinking of reconsidering reading those that she skipped because she didn't like the first few pages.

Who knows, I might like the ending. She convinced herself.

She turned to the other corner of the bookshelves and picked a few books that she had yet to read or that came in new.

This Library was based on the books that had been donated here. And many people for decades have donated many books... Nowadays, few people donate their books, much rather said they don't. Grandpa said that once.

It was fascinating for her how that library was still alive, giving that desirable, attractive vintage and ethereal feeling. The smell of the books gave her a feeling of warmth, of home.

And she would do anything to stay here longer, if only she could. But as in her imagination, there were two demons in her house, thinking she was in her room. They'll be infuriated if they didn't find her in her in there.

She sighed, remembering about her Mom and Dad before picking up the last book and walking towards Grandpa at the counter desk.

"Only 3 books this time?" Grandpa asked, watching her from the rim of his glasses.

She smiled and nodded. "Maybe I'll come back later if I finish it before the weekend comes."

He nodded and wrote down the books' code numbers. She looked around the beautiful library while it was being done. The lighting was soft and dimmed. Giving a cozy atmosphere despite the huge place.

Jungkook said that the library was bigger than his college's auditorium, which she didn't know how big it was, but she imagined that it must be huge too.

She never went there in the morning, the library. But she imagined the morning sunlight must've made that place even more heavenly. She smiled, thinking to herself, and looked at Grandpa, who was very carefully checking the code numbers, matching them in his diary, and noting them down. He was in his mid 80's probably with very weak eyesight, almost white and thin hair, but other than that, he really is more fit than any man of his age. She couldn't help but be awed about it, about him.

She was looking around when a series of books caught her attention from the bookshelf behind the counter, behind Mr. Ghum. Those books had been there for as long as she could remember. Those looked really old and fancy. She also noticed no one took those so she thought it wasn't for borrowing or sale. But today curiosity got the best of her.

"Mr. Ghum...what are those books?" she worded out the thoughts. Mr. Ghum looked up at where she pointed.

"Ah, these are some untitled books. I don't know who left it here. No one wants to take these either. But these are beautiful, so I guess they found a place to stay just cause of their beauty." He said and closed his diary.

"So is it just for show?"

"You can say that, since no one's interested in reading them. "

"Can I take them?"

He looked at her shocked. As if she asked something unexpected. Which she really did without her knowing.

Something magical started to form within the library, some locks started to unlock, some curses started to break, and words started to flow out into the reality. The old man seemed to realize that, but the girl in the room didn't. So, his shock turned into something unreadable, something she couldn't name.

"Are you sure?" He watched her with anticipation from the edge of his glasses. She nodded innocently.

His lips curved a smile ever so slowly, but he didn't say anything and quietly put the three books in the bag she brought the previous books in.

"Okay. But I can give you only one... for now."

"Why is that?" She asked innocently.

"What do you mean, why? It's almost a century-old book. You can't handle these books altogether, you'll rip them off."

"Huh? No, I won't. I'm not a kid. And I love books more than anything." She protested. Not knowing each person can have only one of these.

He chuckled and put down his glasses. "I'm not saying you can't. But you should take one at a time, hmm?" He said in a much softer manner. She pouted cutely, unknowingly.

"Well, okay- if you say so..." She mumbled, confused as to why he was acting weird so suddenly to her. He turned around and looked at the series of books. 7 in total, before taking the first one and dusting off the dust.

"By the way, did you read it? Is it a series?" She asked curiously, as in, he had low-key knowledge about every book in the library.

He slowly dusted it and put it on the table. The cover was made out of leather, and it was tied with a leather belt too. A weird but beautiful symbol like design on the front cover.

"I didn't read them. But they're not related to each other. However, each one of them has the same magic with a different story. I'll give you this one. You don't need to give it back to me if you want." He said with all seriousness, which she was unable to understand.

"Why not?" She asked, tilting her head in confusion as he put that old-looking book in her bag without taking its code number or anything like usual.

"Just because. " He shrugged. "And remember, you'll find whoever you will be looking for. Trust your fate and let the magic work itself out, okay?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about." His words sounded stupid to her at that time.

"You don't have to. Just remember my words, okay?" She didn't understand, but she nodded anyway. His voice was never this serious, and the look in his eyes was determination.

"Juok, are you done??" Jungkook peeked his head in while looking down at his watch.

"Yeah, almost..." She replied.

Mr. Ghum picked up the bag and handed her that. "Go carefully, okay? Take care of yourself. I hope you'll be happy forever, my child."

She again looked at him in confusion. He was really acting weird that day. They usually talk like they're old buddies for decades but the way he was talking then was really weird to her.

"Aish, just go, shoo. He's waiting for a while now."

She shrugged off her confusion and nodded before bowing down and leaving the store with Jungkook.

"Come on, let's go quickly. Mom must have been done with her work now." Jungkook said, rushing her forward.

"Didn't you check if she's watching drama or working?" She asked while walking beside him.

"Hmm, she was working." He replied, distracted by his own thoughts.

"Shit, let's go, hurry." She panicked and started walking faster.

"Don't run. You'll run out of energy. It'll be trouble if you pass out now." He called back from behind.

"Aish, I'll be fine. Come on." She quickly started walking, almost semi-running. Jungkook sighed before jogging along with her.

"I'll kill you if you lose consciousness," He warned, she giggled at his unserious anger and nodded. "Sure."

And after a while, they finally sneaked into her room while panting. She didn't run hard. But it was enough to tire her, knock her out even. She drank water from her water bottle, but she wasn't calming down.

Jungkook saw how she was losing strength in her body. "I think you need to rest. Lay down. You might pass out, Juok. Come on."

Jungkook made her lie down on her soft bed, took off her shoes, socks, and jacket, and covered her up. Her vision was getting blurry. She managed not to pass out for the last whole week. She thought she could pass through it and improve, but a week wasn't enough. She was passing out again.

"Jungkook..." She barely spoke before her vision turned black, and she fell unconscious.

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