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You are a freshman at this exclusive college, barely able to afford the lifestyle.
You live off academic scholarships, so you can’t fail-no wrong steps.
You’re minding your own business, avoiding distractions.
But deep down, you wish you knew someone here. Someone you could be friends with, someone smart and driven like you.
The air in the library greets you with the familiar scent of old, well-read books.
You find a spot in a quiet corner near the window, where you can enjoy the beauty of the approaching fall.
You open your book, flipping through the pages, occasionally stopping to admire the view outside, watching a few leaves drift down.
You’re focused on reading every word, sometimes even twice, just to be sure-
when something-someone-catches your attention.
A boy.
He’s wearing a visibly clean uniform, looking completely put together. His shirt lazily peeks out, and his tailored pants fit him perfectly.
Hands in his pockets. But what really caught your eye is his hair-
it’s red.
Not just red, but cherry red-like the first fresh cherries at the beginning of summer, sweet but still a little sour.
He walks around, minding his own business, scanning the shelves, searching for something.
You try not to stare, but it’s hard. He’s different-not just because of his looks.
You go back to your book, trying to refocus, feeling slightly nervous.
You realize you’ve been reading the same sentence over and over.
You hear soft footsteps.
Before you even look up, you hear, “A freshman, huh?”
You quickly glance up.
It’s him-the red-haired boy you’d been staring at a few moments ago.
“Umm… yes… yeah…”
you reply nervously.
“You look like one,”
he says with a smirk.
“Look, I’ll give you one piece of advice: don’t fall behind. Try hard-and when you think you’re trying hard enough, try harder.”
You don’t know what to say. What is this about? Why is he saying this to you?
“Umm… okay… thanks?”
you say, your voice laced with uncertainty.
“It all looks fine at the beginning, but it’s not that easy-especially for… people like you.”
He glances at your visibly worn uniform, your mismatched tie and jacket.
You feel ashamed.
You’re well aware of the elite students at this school-children of wealthy, successful parents. You are not one of them.
You say nothing.
He leans closer.
“I hope I’ll see you here next year.”
And with that, he turns on his heel and disappears into the library aisles.
You sit there, frozen in your seat, watching him leave.
For the next hour, you can’t bring yourself to study.
His words-and your brief conversation-linger in your mind.
He sounded arrogant… but somehow, you don’t think he really is.
He was the first to notice you. The first to speak to you.
He doesn’t show up for days. You catch yourself looking for him in every room you enter. He’s nowhere to be found.
You don’t even know why you’re still thinking about him…
You’re sitting in the library again, in that same warm spot by the window.
You open your book.
Then suddenly, someone sits across from you.
You look up.
It’s the red-haired boy.
He says nothing. Doesn’t even look at you.
You sit in silence for a while, then turn your attention back to your suddenly boring book.
But then his voice pulls you back.
“I’m sorry-I didn’t even ask your name. I’m Taehyun, by the way.”
“I’m… Beomgyu…”
you reply, glancing around as if to make sure he’s really talking to you.
“What are you reading?”
he asks, eyeing the book in your hands.
“The Little Prince.”
He smiles.
“Good pick. I like that one.”
You mimic his smile, yours even wider.
“I wanted to apologize for what I said before. I didn’t mean to offend you.
It’s just—this school, this whole system-it’s harsh.
And I see potential in you.
I don’t want this place, or anyone, to crush that.”
He sighs, looking at you with deep, dark eyes. You see the sincerity in them-his eyes speak louder than his words.
“It’s okay,”
you say softly.
“I don’t blame you. I understand the academic pressure. Not just for people like me-but for anyone.”
You smile, hoping he sees that you truly understand him.
Taehyun smiles back.
“Well… if you don’t have a study buddy, maybe… you could study with me? If you want to.”
Without thinking, you nod.
You want a study buddy.
A friend.
Maybe… more.
“Okay! What about today? Would that be alright?
I can tell you more about first year-and all the important stuff you should know.”
“Yes, I mean-I’m done for today, so…”
He slowly stands.
“So, shall we go then?
Let’s go now-it’s a nice walk.
I always walk home to clear my mind and relax.”
With that, he starts heading for the library entrance.
You grab your bag and book and quickly follow him.
The autumn air wraps around you-the chill breeze, the scent of browning leaves and frozen ground.
Perfect weather for jumping into piles of leaves.
You walk beside him. It’s quiet, the only sound is the crunch of leaves beneath your feet.
You finally arrive-his house, or rather, a mansion. A big, modern-looking place.
He leads you inside. The interior is warm and comforting.
Now you’re standing in front of his room.
Taehyun opens the door to reveal a simple, modest space.
Just a bed, a desk, and bookshelves packed with books.
You’re admiring the collection when he steps closer.
“You like them? I have a big collection.
Books help me forget about school for a while. They stop me from overthinking.”
You nod slowly, eyes on the neatly arranged, dust-free shelves.
“Yes… I know what you mean.”
You glance at him with a soft smile.
“What’s your favorite?”
Without hesitation, he answers,
“The Metamorphosis.”
“It feels like… a quiet, beautiful ruin.
Gregor fades into something unloved, yet still hopes to be seen.
It’s soft, tragic-and deeply familiar.”
You’re stunned by his insight.
After a pause, he asks,
“So… Beomgyu, how have you been adapting? I mean, the school. Any friends yet?”
You sit on his bed.
“It’s great here. Hard, of course-but this was my dream, so I fight for it.
My mom… she’s really proud.”
You smile at the thought of her.
She’s always been there for you.
He looks into your eyes with something you can’t describe.
Something unspoken.
“Oh… do you have a good relationship with your parents?”
You tilt your head.
“Yeah, I do. Especially with my mom.
She works so hard for my dreams…”
He smiles, but you see pain in his eyes.
“And you?”
you ask.
“Do you have a good relationship with your parents?”
He looks down.
“I don’t know.
My dad’s barely around-always on business trips.
And my mom… she’s very pushy.
She wants results. She wants me to be the best version of myself.
But sometimes, she forgets I’m human. That I make mistakes.
I’m just trying… trying to be the best.
For her.”
You sit in silence, taking in what he’s just shared.
You gently take his hand.
“Look… I understand.
But you don’t have to prove anything to anyone.
Not to me.”
Taehyun intertwines his fingers with yours, gazing at you with those beautiful eyes you could get lost in.
“This means a lot to me,”
he says, placing his other hand on your cheek, brushing his thumb against your skin.
His eyes drift to your lips.
Suddenly, the only thing on your mind is how much you want to kiss him.
No-you can’t-
But then he kisses you.
The kiss is full of love, understanding, and something deeper.
It’s not a hungry or rushed kiss.
It’s slow, emotional-meaningful.
You are over the moon.
It feels right-like your lips were meant to find each other.
Like this kiss could last forever.
But it doesn’t.
He pulls away.
“Beomgyu… I’m sorry. I don’t know why I did that…”
Panic.
Did you do something wrong?
“It’s not you, it’s me. Don’t worry,”
he says, as if he could read your thoughts.
“I just don’t want to rush anything.
I mean… I like you.
But you know.”
“You… you like me?”
you ask, surprised.
“Yeah… from the beginning,”
he admits, shyly.
“From the moment I saw you.
I mean… I like how you look-how you’re beautiful without even trying.
Your hair, your eyes… your little mole under your right eye.”
He smiles, brushing your hair away from your face.
“And the way you act.
How you see beauty in everything-even in the little warm corner in the library.
How you’re quiet and shy, but inside… you’re kind and smart-and I don’t mean academically and..”
he sighs
“You understand me. Truly.”
You’re speechless. Flushed.
Instead of replying, you kiss him again-
this time, more passionately, yet still gentle.
When you pull away, you giggle.
“That meant… I like you too.”
He lets out a soft laugh.
“I’m glad you feel the same…”
You spend hours on his bed-talking, laughing, sometimes kissing.
He asks you to stay the night…
You fall asleep in his arms, holding him tightly.
That’s how you met your red-haired boyfriend.
This little library story will be your favorite memory-forever.