2014

“Austen. 1814, Mansfield Park… 1817, Persuasion… Persuasion… Austen. 1813. Pride and Prejudice.” Kim Joonmyeon smiled after finding the book he’s been looking for. He was about to take it when suddenly, a hand not connected to his own managed to grab it first.

“Ah, here it is!” The girl has long hair. She had brown to almost black shining eyes. The girl noticed the boy staring at her. She barely looked at him, and excused herself by bowing, and mumbled to herself as she walked away.

Joonmyeon was only stunned. He couldn’t believe that some girl took it first. He was the one who saw it first. He continued to look for the last copy, but he realized that it was the last copy of the book store. He ran out of the aisle, and found the girl already paying for the book.

“Excuse me!” He called, but she was too far away and some people glared at him. He made his way against the current of the customers and followed the girl out of the store. “Excuse me!” He called again, but he was not successful on getting her attention. He saw the girl get inside another bookstore as well, and he followed her.

He found her at the classics section of the bookstore, browsing through the shelves. “Excuse me…” He said, still catching his breath. The girl was surprised. She looked at him.

“Are you all right, mister?” The girl asked.

“No. I need the book. Pride and Prejudice by Austen year 1813.” He said, looking at her straight in the eye.

“Ah. You’re the one from earlier. I’m sorry. I badly need it, too. I’ve been looking in three bookstores now, and it was really lucky that I found it.” The girl smiled victoriously, making him want to rip it off of her face.

“Then what are you looking for right now?” He asked.

“The very same book. But you see, their publishers are different, so I’m comparing them. Look here, there are two copies. Now you have your own copy.” The girl expertly pulled a book from the case and handed it to him.

He studied the book. It’s different. “I’m really particular to the publisher, too. The publisher from earlier has the best jackets and the strongest spines.” He reasoned. He couldn’t lose to this competition.

“I know, right? Have you seen their collector’s edition of Fitzgerald's works? It is a must-have.” The girl was getting excited; finally, someone could understand the beauty of book printing.

“No. You see, I am giving the book as a gift. And her birthday is today.” Joonmyeon said, realizing that the girl won’t let him win this clash of reason.

“Oh. I’m sorry. But I’m going to give this a gift, too. It’s a shame.” The girl frowned. However, Joonmyeon didn’t think that her reactions are legit.

“The girl is obsessed with Jane Austen books, I’m begging you, please let me have it.”

“My unnie is obsessed with Austen books as well. Besides, I already paid for it.”

Seeing how they are both desperate to get the same book, and how coincidental the circumstances are, Joonmyeon couldn’t help but be curious. “By any chance, is your unnie named Lee Soonkyu?”

The girl stopped for a moment. “Yes. That’s her very name.” The girl said. They stared at each other’s eyes for a moment, before they found themselves smiling and laughing at each other. “What a small world! I can’t believe that we’re fighting for the love of one person.”

“Well, if that’s the case, you can have the book.” He said. He is satisfied to know that at least she would get her wish for her birthday.

“It’s a shame that this is the last missing piece to her collection…” The girl said. He nodded in agreement. “I can help you look for something else, if you’d like.”

“You’d help me?”

“Of course, any friend of my unnie is also a friend of mine.” The girl took the book from his hand and they walked together to the cashier. “Sunny unnie has many friends. So, how are you related to her?”

“It’s a long story.” Joonmyeon said.

“I like long stories.” The girl said.