Chapter Text
The sound of cicadas perched on trees, the light breeze and striking heat that prickled the skin, the cheerful laughter of groups of students chatting excitedly about their activity during summer vacation, and the sharp trill of a whistle cut through the air, mingling with the thud of a soccer ball and the shouts of players drenched in sweat, were familiar signs that marked the beginning of the new school term.
Lee Minhyeong walked slowly through the crowded corridor, and the lively noise gradually shifted into faint whispers. Minhyeong frowned, trying to keep his expression composed. The glare of sunlight reflecting off the corridor windows forced him to shield his eyes for a moment. The whispers that had started softly soon grew louder.
"Hey, isn’t that Lee Minhyeong? Wow, he really does look scary."
"Yeah, with that build, no wonder he dared to hit his senior."
"Can you believe he still has the guts to show his face after being punished?"
Hearing those whispers, Minhyeong let out a quiet scoff. Adjusting the strap of his bag, he turned away from the classroom he’d been heading to. He needed some space. Somewhere quiet, away from all the noise and stares.
The school library became his new destination. Tucked away in a far corner of the building, it was a place only few students bothered to visit. Most students preferred to start their day with something more exciting than sitting still in silence. Though Minhyeong didn’t look the type, he actually enjoyed reading. Light books, things that sparked his curiosity or might be useful someday. He decided to cross the infirmary from his list of destination since he didn't want to get scolded by the school physician.
When he pushed open the library door, a gentle, musty scent of aged paper and timeworn books greeted him, curling around his senses like a familiar, unspoken comfort. The world outside, the laughter, the shouts, the sun glaring through the windows has faded away. For the first time that morning, he finally felt the peace he was looking for.
He stepped further into the library, his footsteps muted by the worn carpet. Walking through rows of shelves Minhyeong ran his fingers along the edges of the books, pausing now and then to pull one out, skim a page, and then carefully slide it back into place. So many book with various premise making him having a hard time to choose. Then a thin book with illustration of small boy with blonde hair standing alone on top of planet with rough surface caught his attention. He picked up the book and began to immerse himself in its world. After he finished reading it, when he put the book back on the shelf, a whiff faint scent of apricot drifted through the air. He turned his back, and the owner of the scent finally could be seen from his sight.
It was Lee Sanghyeok.
A famous senior at his school. Someone everyone knew. If there's someone who didn’t recognize him, they probably didn’t attend the same school. His photo was always on the hallway board, beside important figures or surrounded by countless gold trophies he had earned through his own hard work.
“Nice book you picked,” he commented, while passing by the bookshelf.
Taken aback by his hospitality, Minhyeong nodded quickly, like a broken robot. His awkward reaction resulting a small laugh coming from the older person. When he heard his laugh, it reminded him of wind bells that swayed gently by passing breeze.
Did you already finish it? He asked once more and Minhyeong, still stun locked in his place nodded for the second time.
Not affected by the awkward atmosphere surrounding them, Lee Sanghyeok still continuing the conversation that he had initiated.
"Between the adult that Little Prince met, who do you think resembles me more?" Lee Sanghyeok asked in carefree tone with a hint of curiosity, seemingly indifferent whether his answer is right or wrong, but his question makes Lee Minhyeong fell into deep tought.
What kind of person Lee Sanghyeok is? From what had seen or heard, he's someone who's pretty smart with deep knowledge, coming from pestigious family and rich background supported by wealth that had given him the best education, meaning he's someone who's looks like the closest in definition of perfection. But is there any perfect person in this world? Minhyeong didn't think so. He believed that each people deep down has their own issues which they try to hide or fix. So what is Lee Sanghyeok lacking? Hes seemed obsessed with accumulating knowledge, spending hours in a deserted library that no one else visited. He clearly understood himself well, so he couldn’t be The Businessman or The Lamplighter, those roles didn’t fit him. Maybe he was The Geographer, someone too busy to experience life because he was so focused on his education, like many rich kids in dramas. Preparing the stereotipe answer, he finally spoke after giving some tought.
"The Geographer?" He answered in small voice. Sanghyeok’s eyebrows lifted slightly in amusement, his expression unreadable for a moment.
That’s what most people think, too," he said casually, brushing his fingers over the spine of a book that seemed to appear out of nowhere. "But I had so many opportunity to try so many things and I’m satisfied with my experiences so far." He explained while looking at him directly.
"Then which one do you think resembles you the most?" The curiosity got better hold on him and he couldn't back off from the conversation anymore.
"Hmm...maybe The Merchant" He softly answered while stroking his chin. "Lately, I feel like I'm carrying the weight of too many things. Worrying about the future and pushing myself too hard. It makes me forget to really enjoy the present." He paused, reflecting on his words. "Sometimes, I wonder if it's all worth it." He answered honestly after giving it some thoughtful consideration.
Minhyeong hadn’t expected Sanghyeok to reveal something so personal. He could only stare at him in silence, surprised by the admission. Seeing Minhyeong’s reaction, Sanghyeok smiled faintly, patted his shoulder, and disappeared around the corner of the bookshelves, leaving behind only the faint echo of his presence and the lingering scent of old paper.