Chapter 11

“Yes. I’m fine.”

“Your expression doesn’t look good.”

“…It’s just, yes. I’m okay.”

“Is the wound not hurting?”

“Yes. Thanks to your good treatment…”

The conversation didn’t break off. This wasn’t good. Vivi quickly found the book and placed it in Sir Costance’s hands. He quietly looked down at the four books beneath him.

“Are these the books you were looking for?”

As she was about to return to her seat, Sir Costance urgently grabbed her wrist.

“Vivi.”

Sir Costance’s expression was somehow strange.

Not only had she embarrassed herself in the morning, but her responses were also insincere. He must have been completely put off by her now.  She wouldn’t be able to say anything if Sir Costance pointed out her rudeness here.

Yes, this was what she wanted. If they avoided each other with this misunderstanding, everything would be resolved.

‘Then I can work comfortably again.’

…This was definitely what she wanted, so why did her heart feel heavy?

She wanted to apologize. To say she was grateful for yesterday and sorry for misunderstanding him. To ask him not to resent her too much.

“Um, Sir…”

“I’m sorry.”

“What?”

The words from Sir Costance’s mouth shattered her expectations. His hand, which held her wrist, trembled slightly.

Soon, even the slight strength in that hand was completely released. His hand was gently holding hers without any force.

“I’m sure I must have wronged you, Vivi. I want to apologize.”

“…Apologize?”

Sir, you did nothing wrong.

“Or is there something about me that you didn’t like? If you tell me, I’ll fix it right away.”

“No, Sir.”

“If it’s not that… Is it because of what happened yesterday?”

Oh no.

Even his voice started trembling.

“Sir, calm down…”

“It was thoughtless of me. No matter how injured or drunk you were, I shouldn’t have taken you to the hotel.”

“Sir.”

“I just wanted you to be comfortable. You seemed dizzy… But that’s just my excuse.”

Footsteps could be heard from afar.

‘Oh no.’

Vivi instinctively knew that Julia was coming to find her.

“Vivi. I know it’s selfish of me, but if you could forgive my actions… Umph!”

“Haha. Sir. This is a library. Please keep quiet, okay?”

She hurriedly covered his mouth. He blinked and looked at her.

“Oh? You were here after all. Vivi… and Sir Costance?”

Julia, who appeared at just the right time, alternated her gaze between Vivi and Sir Costance.

“Julia. Yes, that’s right. Sir Costance was looking for a book, so I helped.”

She calmly lowered her hand from his mouth and spoke.

“Really? Did you find all the books?”

“Yes. Sir, if there’s anything else you need, please let me know.”

She then pushed Julia’s back. Julia, who moved along in surprise, examined Vivi’s face with a suspicious look.

“Vivi.”

“Yes.”

“What were you doing with Sir Costance?”

“Well, I think it was an apology.”

“An apology?”

Julia paused for a moment, then realized.

“He must have been really upset. Did he forgive you?”

“No.”

“If you show him you’re sincere, I’m sure he’ll forgive you. So don’t be too downhearted.”

But Vivi couldn’t smile at that.

* * *

She tidied up the empty reading room. Once she moved the return bin in the hallway, her work for the day would be done.

‘Huh?’

A white note was stuck to the top of the return bin.

Please come to ‘Atlantis’ on Baton Street 13 after work. I will be waiting for you there.

Neat and tidy handwriting.

The note was undoubtedly from Sir Costance. Having attended the library daily, he must have known all about her duties.

Before anyone else could see the note, Vivi hurriedly crumpled it into her pocket.

“Vivi. You have the key to the reading room, right?”

The director, who came out of the reading room, asked while adjusting her coat.

“Oh, yes!”

“Make sure to lock the door when you’re done. And check if all the lights are off, okay?”

“Of course. Take care on your way home.”

After the director left, Vivi was truly alone in the library. She turned off the hallway lights one by one. Darkness and emptiness settled in the space.

The seniors said it was scary to be alone in the library. But strangely, Vivi felt a strong sense of emptiness instead. What would remain for her if she lived so diligently like this?

‘……How long do I have to live with my heart pounding?’

In the distance, the sound of the clock tower striking the hour could be heard.

Enough of these idle thoughts, let’s close up now.

After turning off the last light at the entrance and locking the library door, Vivi fiddled with the note in her pocket.

‘Atlantis, huh…’

It’s the most famous café in town. It’s popular among the town’s women for its spacious interior and uniquely decorated with colorful flowers.

At the crossroads, Vivi stopped walking. To the right was the café. To the left was the road home.

Should I… meet Sir Costance?

Would it be okay to talk?

‘No. I’m afraid of everything Sir Costance will say.’

What happened in the morning made it worse.

Sir Costance would continue the apology he couldn’t finish earlier.

She couldn’t forget the trembling in his voice. She also didn’t know how to respond to his apology.

In the first place, was there even a reason for him to apologize to me? If I don’t want to continue this relationship, I can just ignore it…

If she were an ordinary woman, she would have run straight to ‘Atlantis.’ She would have been so happy with his kindness that she couldn’t hide her smile all day.

Her foot, which had been lifted off the ground, moved toward the left path.

* * *

A few days passed after that. The wind was colder than usual.

Today, too, Sir Costance came to the library. Even while reading, he glanced at her.

“It seems Sir Costance is quite upset.”

His gaze was so intense that during break time, Julia and the seniors comforted her.

“You even threw up in front of him? Why not give him a gift? Although, no matter what kind of gift, it probably won’t please him.”

“Yes.”

Vivi let the senior’s words go in one ear and out the other. She absolutely didn’t want to get involved with him anymore. She sat down and slowly tackled her backlog of work.

“Vivi!”

Julia, who was next to her, called out in a small voice.

“Now’s your chance to apologize!”

Julia gestured towards Sir Costance and urged her to apologize. But it was just unnecessary meddling.

“Please, I’ll handle it myself.”

“But you’re not doing anything!”

That’s because Sir Costance isn’t actually angry.

“Vivi. I understand that you’re scared and anxious, but it would be best to resolve things with him. Okay?”

Julia’s sincere words troubled Vivi. If this situation kept repeating, it would only become more exhausting.

“Can I borrow this?”

A calm voice came from above her head.

“….”

“….”

The person in question appeared. Vivi and Julia froze when they saw Sir Costance.

Julia, regaining her composure first, nudged Vivi’s arm.

“Oh. B-borrow?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Vivi took the book he handed her.

“I-I’ll lend it to you.”

Was he not planning to ask about the other day? Or was he really angry and didn’t want to have any personal conversations with me?

‘Huh?’

Then she noticed the book he handed her. It was a dictionary. Dictionaries, not only in their library but in others as well, were not available for borrowing.

Anyone who frequently used the library would know that.

“Um, Sir…”

“Please, go ahead, Vivi.”

“I’m sorry. Dictionaries can’t be borrowed.”

“Is that so?”

He spoke as if it wasn’t a big deal at all.

“Yes. But if you request it from the director, you can fill out a special loan application. Would you like me to call the director for you?”

“No, that’s fine. Could you please put the book back? I forgot where I took it from.”

“Of course. That’s my job.”

Receiving the dictionary, Vivi awkwardly smiled. Now that the business was over, she hoped Sir Costance would quickly leave the reading room.

As if reading her mind, he indeed left the reading room.

Without realizing it, Vivi stared blankly at the door he exited through.

“You’re so timid.”

Julia clicked her tongue at Vivi’s behavior.

“I’m going to put the dictionary back.”

She stood up. As she headed to the correct shelf, she noticed a piece of paper sticking out from the middle of the dictionary. Upon closer inspection, it looked like a bill.

Could he have forgotten and left money there?

‘…This is.’

It wasn’t just any bill. Although small in denomination, it was a commemorative bill of immense value. It was issued to celebrate the peace that came after the war. It was said to be hard to obtain due to the limited number issued… She never thought she’d see it in person.

While marveling at the bill, she noticed his handwriting.

I sincerely wish to apologize to you. I will be waiting at ‘Atlantis’ on Baton Street 13 until you come.

Ah… What a predicament.