Library of Almosts

The library smelled like old books and whispers—a place where even breathing too loudly felt like a crime. It was Eve’s sanctuary, her quiet space away from the noise and rumors that followed her around like shadows.

She tucked herself into her usual corner near the fiction shelves and pulled out her notebook. For once, Han Jin hadn’t followed her. No juice box. No teasing comments. No unreadable stares.

Part of her was relieved.

Part of her wasn’t.

She was halfway through sketching a flower in the margin of her notes when a voice spoke from beside her.

“Excuse me… You dropped this.”

She looked up.

The boy standing there wasn’t Han Jin. He had light brown hair that flopped into his eyes, a pair of round glasses sliding down his nose, and a gentle smile. He held out a pen—hers.

“Oh—thank you,” she said, blinking.

“I’ve seen you here a few times,” he said, sliding into the seat across from her. “You always sit alone.”

Eve tilted her head. “Is that your way of saying I look lonely?”

He chuckled. “Not lonely. Just… focused. I’m Jun-ho, by the way. Second year.”

“Eve.”

“I know.” He smiled, a little shy. “You kind of… stand out.”

Eve didn’t know what to say to that. No one had ever said it like that before.

He glanced at her notebook. “You draw?”

“Just doodles.”

“They’re good. You should join the art club. We’re always looking for people who see things differently.”

Her cheeks warmed. “Maybe.”

For the first time since transferring, Eve felt something that wasn’t fear or anxiety. It was… light. Curious. Like she had options.

But just as she smiled back at Jun-ho, she felt a prickling at the back of her neck.

She turned toward the doorway.

Han Jin stood there, half-shadowed by the stacks. His expression unreadable, but his eyes were locked on her.

On them.

He didn’t move.

Didn’t come closer.

Didn’t say a word.

He just watched.

Eve felt her heart jolt like someone had yanked the floor from beneath her.

Jun-ho followed her gaze. “Friend of yours?”

She hesitated. “Something like that.”

“Well, I’ll let you get back to it.” He stood, his smile easy and kind. “But I meant what I said. About the art club.”

She nodded, forcing a smile. “Thanks.”

Jun-ho left. Han Jin didn’t.

Not until she packed up and walked toward the exit. Only then did he step out of the shadows, casually blocking her path like he always did.

“You make new friends fast,” he said.

Eve crossed her arms. “Do you follow me now?”

“You didn’t say no.”

“I didn’t know I had to.”

His jaw flexed. “He seems nice.”

“He is nice,” she said. “Why do you care?”

“I don’t,” Han Jin replied, too quickly.

But his eyes told a different story—one that flickered with something sharp and quiet. Possessive.

Eve walked past him without another word.

But her pulse was still racing as she left the library.

Because for the first time… it wasn’t just a game anymore.

Someone else had noticed her.

And Han Jin had noticed that.

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