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10. The One With The Fact Check

"I don't see you fit for researching purposes at the moment," you averted your eyes to the disposable cup he was carrying in his hand, filled with orange juice.

"Oh this?" He turned to the cup and grinned sheepishly. "No, no, I was just thirsty."

"You do know food and drinks aren't allowed inside the library, right? I'm reporting this to Guanlin," you were about to walk off when Jihoon exclaimed hurriedly.

"No wait-you don't have to!" He gulped it down in an instant and you watched him in awe.

Once he was finished with it, he showed the empty cup to you as proof. "All done!"

You nodded. "Now go find your stuff before the bell rings," you added dismissively and went back to clearing some of the other messes on the shelf.

Despite how you were expecting him to leave, he stood exactly where he was. "Why does a library have to be so huge?"

You pretended like you didn't hear him, hoping that it would relay a message and let him know that you preferred being alone at the moment. He didn't get that message.

"There's so many books but so little people to read them."

The lack of reaction or response he was receiving from you seemed to spark up his game.

He leaned in closer, eyes twinkling. "Did you know that every book you've ever read is a combination of 26 letters?"

"You sound like an idiot," you lazily rebuked. It was a library for Pete's sake, what was he so loud for?

And yet being the playful person he was, he placed his arms on the shelf and rested his chin on it, looking up at you innocently. "Exactly! I'm an idiot. And I need help?"

You spared him a questioning glance.

"Help me find that history book and I'll leave you alone," he offered fairly. Okay, maybe the idea of that must be thrilling for you. But before you could blurt out a yes, he added a quiet "for a day," and blinked at you eagerly.

You looked over your options, then turned back to face him. You weren't someone who'd want to turn down a person in need. No matter how bratty or annoying that someone might be, so you huffed out a "fine, let's check the other row."

Jihoon's eyes lit up in joy and he dashed to the other end of the shelves to come meet you on the other side.

"You owe me one. These books aren't easy to find," you reminded.

"Don't need to worry about that. I'll get you something back," Jihoon chimed and busied his hand with shuffling the books on the shelf.

"I've checked that row, there's nothing there."

"Oh, okay then," he retracted his hand from the shelf with a frown.

You wondered if anyone would find it weird that the two of you were walking together in a library, side by side. You and Jihoon weren't exactly that close before the "unfortunate incident." Back then, you wouldn't let yourself within a couple feet's radius near him. And now here you were, helping him pick out a book when he was supposed to be your competitor or rival or any of the sort.