Jungkook put on his coat, pulled up the hood, and slipped on a mask. The early morning hour meant people were still warm in their beds. A few cars moved silently on the roads, the early commuters sipping coffee on their way to work. He slipped into his car and set the gps for a little bookstore on the outskirts of town. 

Shopping in Seoul would certainly get him spotted, but an unknown shop without a single google review, first thing in the morning meant there was a good chance he would be the only customer. Sure, he could just buy a book online, but he wanted to make the extra effort and pick out something himself for Namjoon's birthday. 

He drove through the streets, wondering when the last time he'd actually spent time alone was. He undulated between the sense of stillness and freedom and wishing he'd invited someone to tag along. 

He parked the car and took a deep breath. Without his friends or bodyguards, getting caught would be a disaster. He looked in the rear view mirror. No one would recognize him.  

He found the shop amongst a strip of small store fronts. A bell jingled above his head as he opened the door. 

The store looked more like an antique shop or an overcrowded garage than a book store. Books lines the walls all the way to the ceiling, boxes of unpacked merchandise cluttered the floor and piles of books filled every counter top space and chair. It smelled like a museum and ink.

He was right. He was the only customer. After a moment, he wondered if he wasn't just the only customer, but the only human.

He glanced at the counter and down the aisles. No one. He began to wander down the first aisle. 

He wondered what type of book to get. Namjoon read everything. Jungkook really didn't know if he had a type. His bookshelves were filled with fiction and nonfiction alike, autobiographies, novels, history, and art. Namjoon's mind simply needed to be filled. He was a devourer. 

Jungkook froze as he heard a small voice behind him, "May I help you find something?"

He turned around and looked at the girl standing in front of him. She drew in a breath and her eyes got big, but just as quickly as he saw it, her face softened and she continued, "Are you looking for yourself or someone else?"

"Someone else. A birthday present for a friend."

"What does your friend like?" She asked.

Jungkook ran his fingers along the book bindings as he walked down the aisle, turning his body to obscure his face even more. "He tries so hard to understand the world, but I think what he really wants is to understand himself."

The girl responded, "I think I know a book."

Jungkook stopped. How did she already have a recommendation with so little information? She turned and walked away and he found himself following her. 

At the front of the store, she stooped down in front of an opened box. She pulled out a book with a black and white sketch across the front.  She gave it a loving pat with her hands and reached her arm out to hand it to him, "I immediately thought of RM when I saw this book, I think he would love it."

Jungkook's hand stopped midreach and he looked into her eyes, "Wha...what?"

The girl blushed, "It's his birthday next week, so I just assumed.....was I mistaken?"

He took the book from her hands and asked with trepidation, "You know who I am?"

The girl looked down and began twisting her hands together. "You're Jeon Jungkook."

His heart fell. Had she been taking pictures? Would she call her friends? 

"I won't tell anyone. Presents are supposed to be a surprise right?"

He looked down at the book in his hands. The Magic of MC Escher.

"What is this book anyway?"

"He's a famous artist. His work is about illusion, questioning reality and perspective. It's a new release, not even on the shelves yet."

Jungkook opened the book and flipped through the pages, taking in the animals, twisted stair cases, and figures. She was right, of course, Namjoon would love it. 

"I'll take it." 

She nodded shyly and walked behind the counter. She slid a tall pile of books to the side to make room for him to place the book down.

"It will take a moment, since it doesn't have a barcode yet, " she said apologetically.

"It's ok. I'm not in a hurry." He didn't know why he said that. He should have been in a hurry. Her friends could be pushing through the door any minute. Why didn't he feel the need to run to the car?

After a moment she looked up at him, "It's ready for you to swipe your card."

"Oh, right!" He reached into his pocket and got out his card and swiped it through the card reader, but it didn't register the transaction.

"It has a hard time waking up in the morning. May I?" She extended her hand for the card.

He looked at her delicate hand. Her nails were painted pink. She took the card with both hands and then gave it a violent slice through the machine. He smiled under his mask as he thought of the phrase, "Don't just a  book by it's cover." It seemed all the funnier in a bookstore, but the contradiction between her tiny hands and act of violence against the machine seemed to bring the phrase alive.

"There we go. It's working now. Would you like me to wrap it for you?"

He shook his head, "No thank you, I want to write something in it first."

She smiled, "That's nice. I never give a book without an inscription. It's just as important as the book itself." 

His face fell, "No pressure then." 

"Oh, I didn't mean to pressure you. I'm sure he'll love whatever you write."

He picked up the book, "Thanks for helping me. I think it's going to be perfect."

She opened her mouth to reply, but then stopped herself. He paused and waited. 

"Can I ask you a favor?" she finally blurted out.

He sunk a little bit. He hated saying no to fans, but he wouldn't be able to take a picture with her.

"I'm sorry. I can't really take a photo right now."

She swayed her arms back and forth, "Oh, no! I don't want a photo!" she paused a moment and continued, "I was wondering if you could tell him something for me? RM, I mean."

Jungkook was glad he had a mask on to hide his momentary embarrassment. "Is his your bias?"

She shook her head, "No, he's not my bias. He just......well.....not to be dramatic, but his words....kept me alive. I was wondering if you could tell him you met someone that lived because of him?"

Jungkook sized the girl up and down. They were used to hearing these words. Those words were both light and heavy. They were the reason they continued to sing, but also the chains of responsibility that often kept them up at night. For some reason, when she said it, the words felt different. He wanted to ask her what she meant, but felt it might be too invasive. 

Jungkook put the book back down on the counter. "Would you like to write it and I'll give it to him?"

The girl's face lit up.  "Really? Just a minute!"

She disappeared, running down the rows of books and into a back room. Once again, he was thankful for the mask. The way her she had smiled had made him feel flush. A minute later she came back with a folded piece of paper. He did his best to ignore the tears forming in her eyes.

She handed it to him tenderly.

"Thank you. I never thought....." her voice trailed off.

He bowed slightly as he took the paper from her hands and tucked it into the book.

Back in the car, he stared at the book. Should he read the note?

He decided if she had meant for him not to read it, she would have sealed it in an envelope. 

He opened the book and took out the folded piece of paper.

Dear Kim Namjoon,

I was in the hospital for a very long time recovering from a terrible accident. At first, no one thought I would live. Then they said I would live, but I'd never walk. Then they said I'd walk, but never run. Now they say I am a miracle, but I am not the miracle. You are the miracle. Your words carried me through. Everyday, when I wanted to give up, I recited your words in my mind, "We are all going to die someday, but not today." I told myself that every day, believing all I needed to do was survive one more day. Everyday became the one day I had to survive until I became well again. I am alive because of you. Your words matter. You matter and I thank you.

Jisoo

Jungkook folded the paper and placed it back in the book. He was  proud of Namjoon and loved him dearly, so why was he feeling jealous? He silently scolded himself. What a petty thing to feel. He gave a final look to the book on the seat next to him, turned the key, and drove home.