The library was nearly empty that afternoon. The air was still, thick with the faint scent of old paper and rain seeping through the cracked windows.
Jujube stood by the return counter, stacking a small pile of books in front of the man seated there. He didn't look like a librarian. His name tag read Sora, but he wore a black wool cap pulled low over his head, tattoos snaking up to his neck, and a heavy jacket over a vest. He looked more like someone who'd wandered in off the street than someone who worked there.
He scanned the barcodes quietly, glancing up at her once or twice. Jujube slid another stack toward him, the next batch she wanted to borrow.
"You already finished these?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
She nodded.
"You seem like a good student," he said, half-grinning.
She nodded again.
He leaned back in his chair, curiosity getting the better of him. "You know, I've never actually heard you talk."
"No talking here," she said simply pointing at the sign on the board saying to stay quiet in the library.
He blinked. "Yeah… fair point." He didn't seem like a person who would tlak a lot as well let alone so calmly but he did.
He wondered if her silence had less to do with library rules and more to do with him. Maybe she thought he looked like trouble.
Sora entered the books into the system and slid them back to her. "You've got a month to return these,
She nodded again. "Thank you."
Outside, the sky had darkened to a soft grey. When she stepped toward the glass door, she saw the drizzle had thickened. Her lips pressed together; her books would be ruined. Before she could step out, Sora appeared beside her, holding out a folded umbrella.
"Here."
She hesitated, then accepted it with a small nod. "Thank you."
The umbrella was bent on one side, one rib sticking out awkwardly, but she opened it anyway and stepped into the rain.
The drizzle turned harsh fast. Water lashed against the street, soaking her shoes. She hugged her books to her chest, head lowered as cars sped by, throwing up waves from the puddles. One of them honked sharply behind her.
She turned.
A black car was rushing straight toward her. Her breath caught—too fast to move.
The tires screeched, water splashing against her legs, and she stumbled back. Her shoulder slammed into a wall, the impact sharp enough to make her vision flash white. The books slipped from her arms, scattering into the mud and water. The car didn't stop. It roared past her, horn blaring, and disappeared around the corner.
Jujube stayed frozen for a second, rain plastering her hair to her face. Then her eyes narrowed.
Her foot throbbed as she tried to stand, pain shooting up her leg. She gritted her teeth and bent to pick up the books, each one dripping and ruined. Her expression didn't change from pain — but the moment she saw the pages soaked through, her jaw tightened.
Her face flushed red with anger. She looked in the direction the car had gone, breathing hard. Then, clutching the ruined books to her chest, she limped across the street.
At the next intersection, she saw it — the same black car parked by the curb. Her steps were uneven, but she didn't stop until she reached it. Through the rain-smeared window, she saw someone inside. A man. And beside him, a girl leaning close.
She knocked twice — sharp, hard.
The window rolled down halfway.Kingston looked out, brows furrowed, his hair slightly messy, collar loose, and the faint trace of lipstick still smeared near his mouth.
"What?" he asked sharply, like she'd interrupted something important.
Jujube stood there, drenched, clutching the soggy pile of books to her chest. "You did this."
He blinked once, then leaned forward, frowning. "So?"
"Apologize," she said quietly.
A short, mocking laugh escaped him. "You serious right now? What, this your little trick to get my attention? Gotta say, weird choice."
He pushed the door open and stepped out, the girl in his passenger seat staring after him, confused. Rain poured harder, splashing against his expensive shoes as he stood in front of Jujube. He was taller, smug, and so sure of himself it practically radiated off him.
"Pay for these," she said again, voice steady.
"Or what?" Kingston tilted his head, a grin playing on his lips. "You gonna cry at me or something?"
He jabbed her shoulder lightly, then again, each time pushing her back a step. "C'mon. Say it. What're you gonna do, huh?"
Jujube didn't move. Her teeth clenched, but her eyes stayed locked on him. That calm stare made something twist in his chest—an irritation he couldn't explain.
"Say it!" he barked suddenly, voice rising, as if he couldn't stand her silence anymore. Then, smirking, he bent down, flicked the books out of her hands, and let them hit the wet pavement with a dull thud.
"Oops." He pressed his shoe down on the drenched cover. "You know, if you're that desperate for money, there are better ways to get it. This little act?" He leaned closer, his voice low and cruel. "Won't earn you more than a few bucks."
For a moment, the only sound was the rain pounding around them. Then — sirens.
Two police cars screeched to a halt at the intersection, the red and blue lights slicing through the rain. The reflections rippled in the puddles, casting color over Kingston's stunned face.
"Miss, we received a call. Did you report an incident here?" one officer asked, approaching carefully.
Kingston spun around, disbelief written all over him. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Jujube didn't answer right away. She just lifted her hand, pointing straight at him. "That's him."
Kingston laughed, sharp and disbelieving. "You? You called the cops on me?"
"Sir, please step aside," one officer ordered.
Kingston's laugh turned bitter. "Are you kidding me? She's trying to scam me! Look at her! You people even know who I am?"
One officer stepped closer to Jujube, lowering his voice. "Miss, has this man threatened or hurt you?"
She nodded slightly, pointing at her bleeding feet. "He caused accident," she said robotically almost unable to form full words with her mouth, then gestured to the soaked books on the ground. "He ruined books."
The officer's eyes flicked between her and Kingston. "You're sure it was him?"
Jujube pointed down the street. "Street has CCTV."
That made the officer's tone shift, more businesslike now. "Alright, we'll verify that. We'll get you to a hospital first, then you'll need to come to the station to file a full report."
Jujube nodded quietly.
"As for you, sir," another officer said, stepping toward Kingston, "you'll need to come with us."
The girl from his car rushed over, clutching her bag. "Kingston, what's going on? Why are they..."
"Don't touch me!" he snapped, jerking his arm away from an officer's grip. "Do you idiots even know who my father is? You can't arrest me like this! I'll have your jobs!"
But the officers didn't even blink. "Mister you are threatening officers. This could cause you an extended jail time so I suggest you keep your mouth shut." They restrained him easily, ignoring his shouts as they guided him toward the police car.
Jujube stood still, soaked to the bone, her hair stuck to her cheeks, her eyes fixed on him.
Kingston turned his head just before they pushed him inside. His expression twisted and the look of pure revenge swan in his eyes.