THE CHECK-OUT GUY,

Juwon didn't expect a passing grade on her literature assignment. She had made it so painfully obvious that she believed Romeo and Juliet was the worst "love story" on the planet that she wasn't even expecting her paper to be read. But surprisingly, Juwon's professor loved it so to celebrate, Heeseung suggested they book-hunt.

Any normal person would've found this a ridiculous way to celebrate a good grade, but this was perfect for Juwon. Book-hunting meant scavenging the city's bookstores, spending hundreds of dollars (Heeseung was providing, hoping his card didn't decline this time around) on every book she had found interest in — and being Juwon, she had around thirty books on her list, waiting to be read.

What a perfect day for her.

"Wait wait!" she yelled excitedly, repeatedly hitting Heeseung's arm as she pointed towards the poetry section. "Look! Look!!"

"I'm looking," Heeseung said, watching her run off towards the shelves. She scanned through the shelves, her eyes lighting up in excitement every time she saw a book she already read or one that had been on her list. Just the sight of books in general made Juwon unrealistically happy.

He liked seeing her like that, happy.

Juwon ran back to Heeseung with three books in her arms, jumping up and down excitedly. "Look," she said, smiling. "I have books."

"I can see that." In all honesty, Heeseung was tired. He knew what book-hunting meant and how long Juwon could spend in just one bookstore, but he suggested it anyway. One, because Juwon needed a break from studying, working, and looking after a fifteen year old. Two, because Heeseung just wanted to see her smile.

If books made her smile, he would gladly buy the entire bookstore — after a few card declines.

"Are you ready to check out or do you still need more?" Heeseung asked her, watching her run back to the shelves and collect more books. "You still have more stores to raid."

"I am not raiding them," Juwon scoffed, holding the books close to her chest. "They're the ones benefiting from this, after all."

"Right," he nodded. "Because watching a twenty year old run around their store is very benefitting."

Juwon glared at him, snatching his credit card from his hand. "If you don't remember, you're the one who suggested we go book-hunting in the first place," she said, walking off to the counter. She set them down and the person behind the counter started to scan them. "So in retrospect, this is your fault."

"I'm aware, Juwon," Heeseung said, silently praying that he still had enough money left to pay for the five books she had picked out. (Fortunately, he did.) "But I didn't know you'd be so energetic. I offer to take you out for lunch and you don't even move a muscle. I mention a book and you're already out the door."

"Books are my food source, old man."

"Pfft, nerd."

The person behind the counter gave Heeseung a look before continuing to scan Juwon's books. Juwon noticed and snorted, trying her best to hold in her laughter. "Don't mind him," she said to them. "He doesn't know what real art is."

"I noticed," they said, bagging her books. "I've been doing this for years — I noticed the moment he entered the store."

"Can you believe it?" Heeseung asked himself in disbelief. "She's talking about me to the check-out guy. The check-out guy!"

"Hey! The check-out guy has a name!" Juwon said, giving them Heeseung's card to pay. "Right—"

"Jake."

"Right, Jake?"

Jake, the check-out guy, smiled and handed her back the card, following her two bags of books. "Right," he said. "Books are masterpieces, very underappreciated by people. Words deserve to be read."

"Exactly! You know," Juwon started, taking the card and bag from him. "You'd get along perfectly with my son."

"Your son?"

"He's not her son," Heeseung said, rolling his eyes and taking his card back. "It's weird, don't question it."

"I don't want to hear anything from a guy who doesn't like books," Jake said, narrowing his eyes at Heeseung. He looked back at Juwon, his expression changing completely. "I think I'd like to meet your son."

"That would be nice," Juwon said.

Heeseung gagged. "They're flirting," he said to himself. "Gross."

"Shut it, loser." Juwon said goodbye to Jake, the check-out guy, and walked out of the bookstore with Heeseung. "He wasn't flirting, he was being nice — something you most definitely are not."

"Juwon, please," Heeseung sighed. "At least wait until my hair grows a little longer before you take an interest in boys."

"Now look who's flirting," she laughed. "I don't care about your hair, Heeseung. If you grow it out or not has nothing to do with me."

"Whatever," Heeseung said. "I'm hungry. Buy me food."

"I thought you were paying?" Juwon looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying you've run out of money?"

"Listen, woman," he started. "I've been running after you for five hours. We've gone to seven bookstores, you've bought over fifteen of them, and I just got a text from the bank saying I have $1.03 left in my account." Heeseung stared at her blankly. "Pay for my food."

"Ugh." She rolled her eyes, "Fine, I'll pay for your food but only because I pity you. Come on." Heeseung smiled, clapping excitedly as he followed after Juwon in search of the nearest restaurant.

Heeseung took the bags of books she carried and clinged onto her arm, just like he always did. "Juwon," he called. "Did you know I love you?"

"It's just food, Heeseung," Juwon replied. "There's no need to get so sappy over it."

"But did you know?"

She didn't know why it took her so long to respond. It was obvious she knew that he loved her — hell, she loved him too! Even Sunghoon knows! But Juwon's head didn't manage to process his words correctly. "I know," she said to him.

She just didn't know in what way.

• • •

juju tf away from me 👽

seung the rat 🐀
IT'S OVER ALREADY
STOP