For the Love of.. Books?

by Eiryia

It was late afternoon and Mino had begun counting the hours until his workday was over. He had spent the last couple of hours reorganizing the kids’ books section, but because no one had entered the shop had he ended up reading one of the books. Now he felt bad for having been so unproductive and had decided to put in an extra effort to make up for it. He assumed no one would stop by this late anyway so he headed to the back of the shop to organize the many boxes he had stuffed in the back room earlier in the day.

He had been unpacking a couple of boxes when he thought he heard a faint unfamiliar sound. He peeked around the corner to look out into the shop. He could see no one, but he was sure there was someone in there because that someone was singing.

He had the most amazing voice; husky and strong, yet clear and reached the higher notes easily enough. He was singing a song Mino had never heard before and so he had no way of telling if it was "right" or not. He had first intended to go help the customer, but the longer he kept singing the more he enjoyed listening in.

Mino moved out of the backroom and rested his back on the door frame. He figured that the customer must be in the one corner of the shop because he could not see from his spot. He was therefore surprised when the stranger suddenly popped up from behind one of the lower rows of books. He had his back to him so he took a moment to have a good look at this unknown stranger whom enjoyed singing so much that he didn't mind the fact that anyone could be listening in.

The stranger was studying the back of a book while humming and swaying a little. Music was playing loudly from tiny pods into his ears. Mino figured that was probably the reason for why he had not noticed him when he was at the back of the store. Even if the shuffling of boxes normally would have made enough sound for customers to come find him.

Mino watched as he put down one book and picked up another. This new customer of his was wearing a thin black coat, probably a trench coat of some sorts and a wide brimmed fedora hat which sat slightly lopsided on his head. The guy was skinny, but there was an aura about him that made him appear to be stronger then what his build would suggest.

Not sure how to approach the mysterious man had he walked down to the counter acting like he had yet to notice the customer and started moving papers around pretending to be busy. Feeling more than a little ridiculous was he silently mocking himself for being such a chicken.

He had never had trouble approaching customers before, but there was something special about this new guy. Was he intrigued? Probably, but most of all was he curious.

Mino had never seen him in the store before and had to admit to himself that there was something about this person that pulled him in. He realized however exactly how silly this was as soon as he thought it and he felt even worse when he thought about how he had not even seen his face yet!

That was now about to change and Mino felt a hint of panic as the guy turned around and walked towards where he was standing. His immediate response had been ruuun but his nerves was also what had kept him in place. The guy pulled out one of his ear pods and put the books on the counter.

"Hello"

He said flashing a bright smile. Mino was happy to find that he still had his voice in place and replied a low Hello back as he scanned the books. He weren't sure what to study first, the strangers face or his choice of books. Figuring that the books could probably tell him as much about the guy as his face would he decided to look at the books. The first book was a book on home renovation, this surprised him because this customer although intriguing didn't look like the crafty kind of guy. The second one was a book on the history of coffee beans and the third weren't a book but blank music sheets.

He looked up after probably taking too long scanning each book. The guy was still smiling at him and what a smile it was. His entire being appeared to radiate warmth and the weak smell of coffee just added to the appeal. He paid for his books and Mino expected him to leave, but he didn't. As he got his books he said

"Oh, wait I almost forgot"

Then his smile turned into the funniest look of sudden realization and he mumbled

“I've been looking for this book.. Just a second"

As he took up his phone and poked around on it for a couple seconds.

"Do you have this? Or is there any way you can get it for me?"

Mino leaned closer to have a look. It was a book on guitars by some unfamiliar publisher. He knew that he didn't have the book, but he might be able to get a hold of it with some luck.

"We don't have it"

He said and the guy looked like he expected the answer.

"I can try to get it for you if you want to? It would probably be easier to get ahold of it online though".

The stranger looked like he was wondering which he would rather go for, online or hope some random person in a book shop would help him.

"Will you let me know if you find it?"

He asked after another moment of consideration.

"Yep"

Mino replied in a cheerful in a bit too cheerful manner for his own liking and took up a pen and some paper.

"Just write your email or phone number here and I'll let you know as soon as I have news"

He had grabbed the pen right away and scribbled away before handing Mino the pen and paper back.

"Thanks a lot"

He said and gave him a small nod.

"I hope to hear from you soon then"

He continued while taking of his hat, shuffling his hair a little and putting his hat back on again.Mino watched the guy walk out of the store before looking down on the paper "Seungyoon wants this book" was scribbled at the top corner with an arrow pointing at the book title.

So his name is Seungyoon? That's nice. Mino continued reading, he had left both his phone number and his email. In the lower corner with another arrow had he written "preferably email since I might not reply as quickly to calls".

This guy really wanted this book eh? Well he would see what he could do to help in the morning. It was time for him to close up the store and head home. The book shop was only a couple of minutes from the subway station or tube as the British called it. The worst rush of people had already passed as it were getting late so he found a seat and picked up a book from his bag to read while waiting.

Mino arrived home half an hour later and was happy to find that in between all his junk mail was a note from the post office telling him he got a package waiting for him. The package was from his sister whom loved sending him stuff, particularly things she thought would make him miss Korea in a hope to get him home.

His plan had only been to stay in London for a year while studying, but he had found this job at the book store and when the old man who used to run it had asked him if he could help him out for a year until his son could take over had he happily approved.

The city of London suited him well with its energetic atmosphere and unending history to explore. He was now half way through his year at the bookshop and he was enjoying it immensely.

The store was on a quiet side street among other tiny shops, propped up between a vintage clothing store and a bakery that had been there since the second great fire of London. The owner, an old proud little lady loved telling the story saying she was almost as old as the bakery. This would confuse customers because some only knew of the first great fire of London which was in 1666 and so she would go on talking for hours if you let her about the second great fire which indeed was in 1940 caused by an air raid on the city during the Second World War.

Mino smiled to himself thinking about this, he knew that story so well by now he could re-tell it as if he were there. Old ladies and their love for history in this country was such a treasure.

His mind wandered as he began cooking himself dinner and soon had it arrived at that stranger from earlier that day. There was just something about him that made him want to know more and luckily enough had he left him with the perfect opportunity.

Unable to wait until the morning had the begun searching a few of the bookstores databases on the hunt for the book. By the time it was time for bed had he still not found it. Scratching his head in frustration he gave a huge sigh. He just had to find it or he would have no reason to contact him. It had to wait until the morning though, he had to get up early for their weekly meeting.

After grabbing breakfast on the way to work had Mino shown up to the meeting as prepared as he could be. The old man had scratched his nose and wondered how they could bring in more customers. Not that they really needed the money because the guy was apparently loaded coming from an old aristocrat family of some sort, but he guessed it came down to reputation.

Promising to give it some thought had he gone out into the store to open for the day and to start the morning ritual of dusting off all the shelves.  Who would have known that old books accumulated this much dust in such a short time.

Mino had managed to sneak in a few searches for the book between his other tasks, but had come up short yet again. He had a secret weapon however and when the time for his break finally came did he hurry.

One of his old friends from school worked at a vintage bookshop in the states, if someone could get the book then it would it be him. He sent the email straight away and crossed his fingers praying to the book god and all other gods that possibly could help him in this search. By the time it was time for him to go home was his reply in his inbox:

 "I got it, but it's in my personal collection. I'll give it to you though, since I owe you one. I'll mail it to you tomorrow. Everything well with you? Cheers"

Mino read the email a few times with a smile slowly creeping across his face. Jackpot! And damn right he owed him one.

Having helped this guy so many times during their school days was it about time he got a chance to pay him back. Mino shuffled down the street feeling happier than he had in a long time. He wanted to email Seungyoon and tell him right away, but that might just make him look too eager. Besides he had to stay professional right? Couldn’t email him about such things late in the evening. Maybe it was best to wait until the book got there as well. In case it got lost on the way.

Spending the evening deliberating what would be the best way to go about it had he decided that waiting for the book to