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Ugh, these books are so fucking heavy.
When joining the library club, Moondae initially just wanted to spend his time studying. No one warned him that joining this club meant becoming an errand boy and carrying books from one place to another. So now, instead of using this precious time to study for upcoming tests, he was carrying reference books the teachers used from the faculty room to the library.
My student record better be immaculate or I'm going to burn these.
The small consolation he had was that he had not bumped into anyone. His vision was obscured by the large stack of books, so he could do nothing but trust the other students to see him coming and move.
Like any person with common sense should. Perhaps he was being too cranky from the amount of strain the books were putting on his arm. They hurt like hell, but a win is a win.
Although the so-called win only lasted a while. When Moondae was about to turn the corner, a student ran past him. He could only huff in irritation at the blatant rule-breaking behavior (he had better things to worry about), and turned the corner to see-
another student running. This time, he could not avoid it.
Crash.
There's a reason why people say don't run in the hallway...! Moondae hissed while rubbing his arms. He was about to scold the student but froze upon seeing him. Ear piercings, unkept uniform, even a cigarette... he looked like a stereotypical delinquent.
... Shit, I'm going to get beaten up.
Moondae was debating on groveling on the floor while apologizing because he was way too tired to pick a fight, but that would hurt his pride. He couldn’t choose to sacrifice his money though, he was struggling as is. Maybe there was a way he could slip out of this situation. He was good with his words.
But then—
Thud.
"I'm so sorry, sunbae-nim!"
"...?"
The delinquent bowed, his forehead against the floor.
What the fuck is going on...
He lifted his head and worriedly asked, "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
You're the one who should be asked that. You have a huge bump on your forehead.
"Ah, are you heading to the library? I'll help you carry those books!" He said, springing up, and started picking up the books. For a moment, Moondae thought he was still sleeping.
After confirming it wasn't a dream with a pinch to his upper arm, he started cleaning up too. Wasting time wondering about things like that would only waste his time for studying. Once they finished, the delinquent somehow ended up with more books on his hands.
"I'm fine on my own, so you can hand over the books," Moondae said, positioning his forearms lower so that the delinquent could stack them easily, but he refused.
"I caused sunbae-nim a lot of trouble. This is the least that I can do."
This kid is speaking so respectfully... Moondae thought with a hum and let him do what he wanted. This won't cause any unnecessary trouble since the delinquent believed that he was the one in debt, so there's no need to worry about repaying him. Besides, his arms were having an easier time too.
Moondae studied him as they walked to the library, eyeing his cigarette in particular. Smoking in school wasn't allowed, so how has it not been confiscated yet? They had passed by a few teachers already. Was he a really scary delinquent that even the teachers wouldn't bother him? Was he just acting nice earlier and was going to extort a shit ton of money from him? Did he just doom himself to trouble?
But then, the delinquent moved it around his mouth.
Oh.
"Is that a lollipop?"
The delinquent nodded his head with a bright expression and answered, "It's watermelon flavored."
I wasn't asking but okay.
Moondae felt the tension leave his shoulders. Perhaps he was mistaken and the student wasn't a delinquent. He should seriously change his style, though.
"Thanks for your efforts as usual, Moondae-ya, and thanks for helping him, Raebin-ssi. I'll take things from here." The librarian said, taking the books away and went to arrange them.
The underclassman—Raebin, Moondae mentally noted—gave a polite bow and was about to leave.
"Wait a minute, Raebin-ssi,"
Whoosh!
The underclassman turned around to see something flying at him. He acted quickly and caught the item. Slowly, his fist lowered and opened to reveal a piece of watermelon-flavored candy.
"Thanks for your help," Moondae said and turned around to go study. Good kids deserve something good in return.