The library promise

Part 5

In Korea...

The heavy door groaned open, and a tall figure stepped out from the pitch-black room. Then another shadow moved to join him as they walked through the cavernous facility together.

"How many children have they brought here so far?" The cold voice belonged to Jeon Sung.

"31 children, 31 children in one day!" Woosan chuckled darkly, flashing a grotesque smile. "Isn't that enough for just one day?"

"Wow!" Jeon Sung's lips curled in approval. "Great job." His expression hardened as he turned to Woosan. "Go and show them their work. If one of them doesn't agree, kill them immediately." A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes. "I don't want a problem like 8 years ago."

"Of course Sir, of course." Woosan bowed slightly, the wicked grin never leaving his face.

---

The classroom hummed with pre-lesson chatter as the group of friends sat clustered together at their desks.

"I heard a new girl transferred to the class next to ours," Han said, leaning back dreamily.

"So?" then Yeji replied with an unimpressed glance.

"They say she's gorgeous," Han sighed, closing his eyes dramatically.

"Oh, here we go again!" Leeknow groaned, throwing his hands up in exasperation.

"Ya yaaa! You don't get to talk - you know nothing about love!" Han fired back, face flushing.

"Is it 'love' when you fall for every girl in school?" Leeknow retorted, raising a challenging eyebrow.

"W-What?!" Han sputtered, accidentally spraying juice from his mouth.

"Leeknow, if you love your life, run now," Bangchan warned through laughter.

In a flash, Leeknow was sprinting across the courtyard with Han hot on his heels.

"Hey Leeknow come here! Don't run!" Han shouted angrily.

"Leeknow, Han, stop right now! The teacher's coming!" Yeji called after them in warning.

"I'll kill you, Leeknow!" Han threatened between panting breaths.

"Then catch me first!" Leeknow taunted over his shoulder.

As the teacher rounded the corner, Leeknow miraculously slid into his seat while Han tumbled face-first to the floor. The entire class burst into laughter.

"What is this? Explain yourself!" the teacher demanded sternly.

"I'm... sorry... It won't... happen again," Han stammered, scrambling to his feet.

"Go sit down. Now," the teacher ordered with finality.

From his seat, Leeknow stuck out his tongue at Han, who was now seated several spaces away.

"YAAA!" Han suddenly shouted, jumping up again.

"What is this disgraceful behavior , Han Jisung ?!" the teacher thundered.

"Sorry... please sorry teacher... It won't... be repeated," then Han mumbled, sinking back down in humiliation.

At their desks, Leeknow and Yeji were shaking with silent laughter, tears forming in their eyes from the effort to stay quiet.

Golden afternoon light filtered through the studio windows as charcoal dust swirled around Hyunjin's trembling hands. The half-finished portrait of a smiling boy seemed to glow on the paper.

"My angel," Hyunjin choked out, a tear splattering on the drawing board.

Eight Years Earlier

The sleek black car navigated through bustling city streets, its air conditioning humming against the summer heat. A young face peered out at the vibrant cityscape.

"Where are we going?" then the excited voice piped up from the backseat.

"That's our special surprise," his father responded with a warm chuckle, adjusting the rearview mirror.

Meanwhile, in a hillside mansion...

A bedroom door slid open as socked feet padded across polished hardwood floors.

"Mother?" the hesitant voice called down the grand staircase.

"What do you need?" the impeccably dressed woman answered without looking up from her magazine.

"May I go to the library today? I've finished all my books," the eager voice requested, fingers nervously twisting the hem of his t-shirt.

"The shelves here are full," the disinterested voice replied. "Go swim in the pool or something."

"But I've read them all! Please?" the pleading tone cracked slightly.

"Housekeeper!" the woman called out sharply.

"Yes, madam?" the uniformed staff member appeared promptly.

"Have the driver take him to the library," the mother instructed.

The grand library's glass doors slid open, revealing towering shelves that stretched toward the vaulted ceiling.

"It's amazing!" the awestruck voice gasped, small hands gripping his father's fingers.

"Now where did I..." a frustrated mutter came from between the shelves.

"Found it!" then a cheerful voice announced as two hands reached for the same worn copy of "The Little Prince."

"I was looking for that!" the first boy declared, his grip tightening.

"Oh! You're...!" the surprised boy blinked up in recognition.

"Felix? Lee Felix, right?" the defensive tone softened into realization.

"That's me," the freckled face broke into a sunny smile, extending his hand. "Hi, Hyunjin."

"You remembered my name," the shy voice responded, suddenly conscious of his messy hair.

"You came for this book?" the generous boy asked, already pushing it toward him. "You should take it first."

"But you found it..." the hesitant voice trailed off.

"We're neighbors! You can lend it to me after," the smiling voice insisted. "Promise?"

"I promise," the grateful voice vowed as they hugged in the golden afternoon light filtering through the library windows.

End flashback

The same worn copy of "The Little Prince" slipped from his lap as he stared at the childhood photo beside his drawing.

"I promised...to return this..." the broken whisper dissolved into quiet sobs.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***