Chapter Text
Yoo Joonghyuk was one of the best teachers at Star Stream High School, but he had a dilemma. He needed to read a book for his new course, but the textbook was like a legendary class item that could not be found without a hell ton of side quests. If he went to buy it in person, he stood before crazy prices, and it simply did not exist online. So he resorted to the public libraries.
He'd only gone to the library within his school, so this was the first time Joonghyuk had heard of Salvation's Archive, one of the only libraries in Seoul with over 15 million books so it must have the one he needs.
Joonghyuk decided that weekend was when he go. On Saturday, so on Sunday, he had time to read it. Effective.
__________
The weekend came and Joonghyuk woke up at 8 and began to cook up breakfast for his little sister Yoo Mia and himself. Not wanting to get clothes dirty, he put an apron with 'Best Brother' on over his pajamas.
The rice from yesterday was at the perfect consistency to pair with a steamed egg. He cracked some eggs, whipped them, and incorporated a savory mushroom broth and let it steam.
While waiting for the eggs, he chopped up some scallions and green onions to top, and prepared cucumber salad. Joonghyuk set it out on the counter an went to wake Mia.
He walked down the hall of their house to find Mia already awake and reading. The door cracked open already with her sitting in the middle of her bed surrounded by plushies and blankets.
"Mia, I made breakfast," Joonghyuk said while looming in the doorway.
"Good morning Oppa!", Mia said with a smile, still with a bedhead and in her pajamas.
Joonghyuk finally stepped into her room and petted her messy hair, waiting for a response since he cooked food.
"What did you make?" Mia asked, putting her book down and turning to face Joonghyuk without breaking the headpat.
"I made steamed Egg, cucumber salad, and rice from yesterday," Joonghyuk said in such a voice that looked so warm for a man like himself.
"Okay, I'm gonna come out in a bit," Mia said her smile still bright.
Joonghyuk nodded in response before saying, "I'll be going to the library, I need a book for class."
"Okay Oppa." Mia said, put down from being left, "When will you be back?"
"Hopefully before 11.", it was already 9 and it took 40 minutes to get there without traffic and Joonghyuk had no idea how many people would actually be at the library.
"Make sure to eat and study; call me if you want to go to Yoosung's place."
Mia smiled again "Okay, okay, I'm not a kid," she said despite being 11.
The corner of Joonghyuk's lips tilted up, not sufficient to be a smile but still an expression of emotion.
Joonghyuk left his sister to eat and get ready, he slid into some black slacks, a black button-up, and black leather loafers, and he slipped on a sleek black smartwatch. An all-black ensemble but a handsome man in them made it all come together regardless. He grabbed his phone made his way out the door and yelled,
"Goodbye Mia!", before heading out.
__________
It ended up taking an hour and Joonghyuk would definitely be late home. An hour there, an hour back, and it's already 10. He huffed and headed into the grand library; it looked out of place compared to the city with its grand walls and clear roof,
It had four floors filled with books; the fifth level had tables and chairs underneath the roof, showcasing the sky. The bookshelves lining each floor were a deep and rich oak and contrasted perfectly against the off-white walls with beautiful paintings, and frames detailed with intricacies and neatness. Signs with the genre were hanging off every shelf, and the signs went on for miles.
But while looking through this beautiful library, Joonghyuks' eyes fell upon the most beautiful person there. The spacious library almost seemed to illuminate the man standing behind the ornate counter reading. His nose was deep in the book, so only his eyes were visible from Joonghuyk's current angle, but his eyes were gorgeous. They were filled with stars and were filled with emotion as he read.
'What is he reading?' Joonghyuk couldn't help but think, the man looked so focused. So he took some steps towards the counter, close enough to observe but not interrupt.
"The CEO and his Strongest Bodyguard 18+".
...
...
'What kind of book is that?' Joonghyuk wouldn't have imagined such an ethereal man to read that. He took a few steps closer to the counter.
The man who was reading must have felt Joonghyuk's staring because he looked up from the book and said,
"Hello, Welcome to Salvation's Archive, anything you need help with today?"
Joonghyuk was still out of it and couldn't come to his senses, he looked at the man's name tag. 'Kim Dokja', such an interesting name for such a man.
It was perfect.
Kim Dokja spoke again, "Hello, sir? Do you need anything?", he looked confused and prompted again.
"Sir-"
"Yes. I would like the book-"
"Cognitive Mathematics? We have it! Please give me a moment; I'll bring it." He said with a bright smile.
Joonghyuk knew it was a customer service smile but still so, so incredibly beautiful.
Jooghyuk nodded as the man whisked away and up some stairs, he walked towards the downstairs seating area by the public computers. He took a seat at the end of a bookshelf; it was still in view of the counter and comfortable.
He was left with his thoughts, sad the man was gone but still giddy from the smile that flashed in his mind. 'What is wrong with me?' Joonghyuk thought as he felt his ears burn a little and tried to calm down.
It felt like an eternity while Kim Dokja was gone. Joonghyuk immediately snapped out of it when he caught a glimpse of the man. He carried a book and a few more and was walking in Joonghyuk's direction.
"Sir, I got you Cognitive Mathematics and some related works." Kim Dokja said with another customer smile.
"Thank you," Joonghyuk said flatly.
"Are you reading it here or would you like to take it home?" Kim Dokja asked, unfazed by the boring response.
Joonghyuk truly wanted to read it here just so he could see Kim Dokja for a bit longer, but Mia was home alone and he still had to work on course material for his class. So with disappointment, he decided that he should take it home.
"I will take it home to read, please."
Kim Dokja ushered Joonghyuk to the counter and pulled out some paperwork.
"Please fill this out." Kim Dokja said handing the clipboard with papers to Joonghyuk.
Joonghyuk began filling out the papers and Kim Dokja interjected, "Don't forget to return the book within a week or renew it."
"Yes," Joonghyuk said giving back the clipboard with all his information filled out. Smiling as his hand grazed Kim Dokjas' when he handed it back.
Kim Dokja smiled again, "Have a great day, Yoo Joonghyuk!" Joonghyuks' heart stopped. He quickly accepted the books after getting them checked out and sat in his car with the receipt.
It was only when he got in the car that he realized he was smiling like a fool since he barely skimmed Kim Dokjas' hand and when he said his name.
'My name sounded so nice coming from him.'
'Kim Dokja.'
"Kim Dokja.", Joonghyuk said his name out loud.
"Kim Dokja." He said it again.
'This is strange,' he thought to himself.
He put the receipt inside of one of the books and put it in the passenger seat of his Ferraghini.
__________
By the time Joonghyuk got home, it was about 11:20 and he was late. As he expected since the time to get to Salvation was insane. Also, he got caught up basking in another man's beauty, but Mia didn't have to know that.
Joonghyuk stepped out of the car and unlocked the door to see Mia sitting on the couch pouting.
She got up as soon as he stepped into the house and had her fists clenched.
"Oppa, you said you would be home before 11!" She said crossing her arms.
"Sorry there was traffic Mia", Joonghyuk took a few steps towards her and petted her hair, brushed and in ponytails.
"Hmph! Fine, you better make dumplings." Mia mumbled as she lost her barely lit anger.
"Maybe," Joonghyuk said with a sneer, flashing a bit of teeth still in a good mood from the library.
"Whatever. Can I go to Yoosung's? We need to uh, work on work." Mia said,
"Sure, text me when you get there," Joonghyuk said lifting his hand from her head and proceeding to get his work ready.
"Do you want anything like snacks before you leave?" Joonhyuk asked.
"Nope!" Mia said while putting on her jacket.
Mia was about to leave but ran back and gave Joonghyuk a light hug before running out the door to the neighbour Yoo Shinsung's house, only a block away.
Joonghyuk was still elated from earlier and heavily motivated to use the books Kim Dokja picked out for him.