“Im Ha-yeon. I can explain everything.”
Inside the carriage heading to the Tea Bookstore branch.
As soon as Im Ha-yeon read the title of the diary, her expression vanished, and she turned back into the carriage.
I hurriedly caught up with her in the same carriage after asking Miss Zhuge to come with the carriage we arrived in, but her expression showed no sign of changing.
“……”
At least say something. At least look my way.
“Im Ha-yeon.”
“……Who asked you to do this?”
Im Ha-yeon asked with a cold voice while not looking in my direction.
There was really no need to ask anything. I opened my mouth quickly, like a reflex.
“Miss Zhuge herself found it difficult to converse, so she thought it would be easier to communicate in writing and suggested it. Especially since this incident might involve some schemes from Man Geum-jeon.”
I decided to bring up Man Geum-jeon to imply that it was unavoidable.
Although it’s unfair for Man Geum-jeon to be involved, they might as well endure it since I have it tougher on a regular basis.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Well, it’s a diary. It’s a private matter, and I thought it would be rude to share it with you, Miss Zhuge.”
“And what about me?”
Only then did Im Ha-yeon turn her head to look at me.
It’s not like it would be rude to you. I nearly shot off like a rocket at her voice, which was tinged with hurt feelings, but I stopped immediately.
A question that feels like stepping on landmines all around. How should I respond? In situations like this, let’s break through with a crystal-clear approach.
I looked at Im Ha-yeon with eyes full of trust and opened my mouth.
“Im Ha-yeon. Are we really the kind of friends that need to share private matters in writing?”
Aren’t we closer than you and Miss Zhuge? Is this really necessary?
Surprisingly hit by my words, Im Ha-yeon’s lips poked out a little.
She still seemed displeased, but it appeared my answer pleased her ever so slightly.
Are we finally going to clear the air?
“……Hmph.”
Guess not.
————————
“Since the cargo might have mixed up during transit, let’s start by unpacking and sorting into broad categories.”
“Wow, it’ll take an age to fill up the shelves.”
“There’s nothing we can’t do. Just start sorting while comparing it with the prepared list.”
“What about the second-hand books?”
“The first floor is priority, so put them up on the second floor.”
“It’s a bit chaotic.”
Under Im Ha-yeon’s skillful commands, the branch staff began organizing the books in an orderly fashion.
This was originally my job, though. This is why I need to nurture middle management. They do it better than I do.
“Manager, if you’re going up to the second floor, could you take some second-hand books with you?”
“Here, hand them over.”
There’s no need for two leaders on the first floor. I carried a bundle of second-hand books intended for the second-floor café and went upstairs.
I had a lot of worries about how to acquire second-hand books. But with help from Man Geum Battlefield, getting quality second-hand books at a bargain was a piece of cake.
“Cleh-cleh-cleh.”
Upon reaching the second floor, I was greeted by a familiar giggle coming from somewhere.
“There you are.”
In a corner of the second floor, amidst a chaotic pile of books that hadn’t even started being organized, Miss Zhuge seemed to have built her own fortress and was reading within it.
I assumed she hadn’t arrived yet since she was in a different carriage. Apparently, she had arrived earlier.
“Ah, um, it’s just… it’s kind of similar to my room… um, I’ll get up soon!”
Miss Zhuge blushed, hiding her face with the book, and tried to quickly get up.
“Haha, it’s all good. I’ll hide with you.”
“Yeees?”
Let’s leave the hard work to the staff.
I stepped into Miss Zhuge’s fortress and sat between her and the books.
“It’s nice being amidst the piles of books; the smell of old books is delightful. Feels like I’m in an antique bookstore.”
“Yes, yes! It’s a bit cramped, but it gives a sense of security. Ah! I mean, I like spacious places too!”
Thinking she made a slip, Miss Zhuge hurriedly corrected herself.
“Have you heard anything about the mansion where we’ll be living together?”
“I heard they’ll show it to us tomorrow.”
“Then we’ll get to see the place we’ll be living in together tomorrow.”
“Ugh. Yesss.”
Well, that was fast.
It seems Man Geum-jeon is really intent on preparing things for us. But what are we going to do? We’re not going to live alone together.
“What! Why aren’t you working? What were you two doing together?”
Just when I was chatting with Miss Zhuge about our future plans for a moment,
Im Ha-yeon zeroed in on us like a radar detecting her target.
“We were just talking about our future living arrangements.”
I was just enjoying the sweet nectar.
“……”
Im Ha-yeon’s expression began to vanish once again.
“Ha-Ha-yeon, are you… angry?”
Miss Zhuge whispered to me in a trembling voice, covering her ear with her hand.
If anyone sees us busy enjoying ourselves together, it’s natural for her to get upset.
“Is there a need to whisper when I can hear everything?”
Im Ha-yeon’s chilly voice struck Miss Zhuge like an arrow.
“Eek!”
Did Miss Zhuge get startled by Im Ha-yeon’s prayer, as she clung tightly to my sleeve?
“Oof!”
Im Ha-yeon, don’t make such a scary face. Miss Zhuge is delicate, you know.
“Let’s go downstairs. I have things to discuss with the staff.”
At this rate, it might lead to a fight of emotions.
I stood up suddenly, feeling like a responsible superior, and headed downstairs together with Miss Zhuge, who still clutched my sleeve.
“Let’s go down together!”
Why, Im Ha-yeon? Why are you grabbing my sleeve too?
————————
“Thank you for your hard work today. I’ll ask the innkeeper to prepare a nourishing meal, so let’s eat together.”
After finishing the book sorting by dinner time, I returned to the inn with Im Ha-yeon.
“I’m tired. I’ll eat separately today.”
“Im Ha-yeon. Just a moment….”
You usually insist on eating together, yet you coldly retreat to your room?
Is she still upset?
“It’s the exchange diary.”
I returned to the office and placed the exchange diary I had been carrying onto the desk.
An exchange diary, huh?
Who would have thought I’d ever have a day of dealing with this bittersweetness?
The only sweet and slightly bitter note I ever received from a girl back when I lived in the modern world was in the university library.
After heading to the restroom, I returned to find a cute note stuck with a post-it alongside a drink.
“Wow. Am I finally getting myself a romantic interest?”
With a fluttering heart, I read the post-it note.
[My face is kind of a burden; could you move to another seat?]
Truth be told, it’s a rather bittersweet memory from my life.
“Why did I have to get caught?”
Before I could even start reading the diary, I was faced with a challenge.
I let out a small sigh toward the smoothly written words in the exchange diary.
I had been too careless.
Im Ha-yeon was working at the risk of getting caught by a spy.
From her perspective, I must look like someone in the dating game.
No matter how much I insist that I have no intention of such, being the youngest daughter of the Zhuge family will constantly make her suspicious of my motives.
And to top it off, she’s discovered the evidence—the exchange diary.
For Im Ha-yeon, it must feel like I’m now abandoning the purpose of rescuing her and instead aiming to become the husband of the Zhuge family.
How can I soothe Im Ha-yeon’s worries?
As long as we’re doing the exchange diary, my feelings might remain the same moving forward.
I cannot break my promise with Miss Zhuge. Is there not a good way to reassure Im Ha-yeon?
Should I give her a gift like last time?
“Wait… I might have an idea?”
Suddenly, a good thought crossed my mind.
————————
In the middle of the night.
A silhouette sneaked between the rooftops of buildings that even the sharpest of warriors wouldn’t notice.
“Gugu! Gugu-gugu!”
“I’ll take it slow.”
Im Ha-yeon, after finishing her patrol of the branch, paused at Gugu’s strained cries.
“Gugoo? Gugu-gugu.”
The female owner’s face was filled with worry. Gugu cried as if he felt Im Ha-yeon’s concern.
“Nothing’s wrong.”
“Gugu! Gugu-gugoo!”
Oh, dear Gugu. Can’t you lend an ear to the lady owner’s problems? Gugu cried out again with a worried tone.
“Why can’t that guy notice?”
Sitting on the rooftop where the cold wind blew, Im Ha-yeon began to vent her frustrations to Gugu.
“Gugu?”
“From the start, I should have been suspicious.”
Im Ha-yeon frowned, looking at Gugu perched on her hand.
Miss Zhuge. The youngest daughter of the Zhuge family.
She probably had to participate in arranged matches due to family pressure. I foolishly mistook her timid personality.
She probably has no interest in Kang Yoon-ho at all. Unsuspecting, I was at ease.
“It’s an exchange diary. An exchange diary! What kind of girl proposes to do an exchange diary without having feelings?”
Miss Zhuge has feelings for Kang Yoon-ho.
Finally, Im Ha-yeon realized this today.
When a shy girl musters the courage to want to talk to a guy, it means she wants to communicate with someone special.
“That witch!”
The more Im Ha-yeon thought about the woman who had been glued to Kang Yoon-ho all day, the more reasons she had to feel furious.
“Gugu?”
“You should have seen it too. I’ve never done something like that!”
Whispering? Right in front of her like that! Acting all close while whispering!
Isn’t that suggesting she’s closer to Kang Yoon-ho and I’m just a bystander?
And then to add that she’s secretly calling him “Ha-yeon.” Emphasizing the age difference while smoothly getting weak after being a bit harsh.
There’s never been such a slanderous witch.
Is her timid character just a ruse to win over Kang Yoon-ho’s heart?
“Does he not know?”
Im Ha-yeon couldn’t bear to point out to Kang Yoon-ho the facts she had realized today.
He’s a guy without experience with women.
He’s annoyingly bold, stepping into other people’s hearts without care, yet he’s clueless about women’s feelings.
If he finds out that the youngest daughter of the Zhuge family has romantic feelings for him, what would happen?
“Still, would he choose me…?”
Im Ha-yeon cautiously pulled out the worry that had weighed down her heart all day.
“Gugu?”
“… Let’s go.”
Once again, she used the familiar routine of opening Kang Yoon-ho’s window.
It’s become a daily ritual now. For the sake of enjoying his sleeping face.
“……”
His face, blissfully unaware, was sleeping soundly.
If I were to wake him and ask him, would he give me an answer?
What if it’s an answer I don’t wish to hear?
No, this is not the time. Im Ha-yeon lowered her head and turned to leave the room.
‘Huh?’
Just as she turned her head, she noticed something on the empty desk in the office.
[The exchange diary.]
Sitting solitary on the desk, a book called out to her.
