ITSM 18

Chapter 18

After composing my expression, I let out an awkward laugh and asked,

“By the way, this is your bookstore, Mr. Roan. Isn’t there anyone guarding it?”
“Oh, you mean someone who stays here?”
“Yes. What if someone steals something?”

Avoiding Roan’s gaze, I lightly tapped the bookshelf. As if he truly found the question strange, he asked back,

“Who would steal?”

Dare to.

Was it just my imagination that I heard those words…?

“……I’m joking.”

Seeing the playful curve of Roan’s lips, I nodded in understanding.

Who would steal something that belonged to the king? Unless they had a death wish, no one would dare.

“Feel free to look around. I’ll be sitting over there in front.”

It was quite different from how he had stood beside me earlier, helping me choose clothes.

“You’re not interested in books?”
“Not particularly.”

Then why own a bookstore? The faint question crossed my mind.

As if noticing my curiosity, he simply gestured toward the tightly packed shelves without saying much.

“If there’s a book you want to read, take anything.”
“I’ll read them carefully and return them.”
“There’s no need. Take them all.”
“Huh? Why?”
“They’re ownerless books.”

I swallowed unconsciously at the flash of anger that passed through Roan’s eyes.

I didn’t know what had upset him, but it felt best to quietly choose books as he had said.

“Then excuse me for a moment.”

After giving him a quick bow, I slipped between the shelves.

Why does his presence feel so intimidating?

Forcing the image of Roan’s darkened expression out of my mind, I ran my fingers along the spines of the books.

Before long, my worries about him completely evaporated.

“Oh my goodness, this is the out-of-print 〈The Sage’s Dream〉!”

The bookstore he owned was filled with books I had always wanted to read at least once.

“There were only a hundred copies of this printed.”

Even books I had only ever seen in newspaper photographs were here.

“I can’t believe I’m seeing this with my own eyes. This is insane.”

Exclamations spilled out one after another as I looked at the books.

I had always loved reading, and whenever I had spare time, I would read without fail.

If I hadn’t even had this hobby while repaying my father’s debts, I might have given up on life long ago. Books had been what gave me the strength to endure each day.

“They’re dazzling.”

In this space filled with books I’d wondered if I would ever encounter even once in my lifetime, I wandered between the shelves, completely losing track of time.

Then something struck me as odd—the handwriting in all the books was the same.

“Why are they all identical?”

The authors were clearly different.

In this world, books were usually published in the author’s own handwriting. So unless all of these books were written by the same person, the script should have differed.

“Hmm.”

It would only make sense if some madman had personally copied every single book here.

“Well, it’s probably nothing.”

This was the land of demons, after all. There was surely some trick involved. And more important than anything else was that I could see these books with my own eyes.

Hugging an armful of books, I wandered around the store.

Outside, the sun had already set and darkness was creeping in, and I grew anxious. I hadn’t even explored a quarter of the store yet.

As I hurried forward—

Thud. Something caught against the tip of my shoe.

“Ow.”

Crouching down and rubbing my toes, I noticed the title of the book I had tripped over.

〈The War Between Demons and Angels〉…?

But the war hadn’t happened yet.

The war begins when the original story starts. Chronologically, not even the first hint of war should have begun yet.

Was it written by someone preparing for the future?

I was about to rub the cover and open it when Roan’s voice rang out.

“Miss Ria, it’s almost dinner time.”

As if splashed with cold water, I snapped back to my senses. Fear prickled at me—had Roan noticed my interest in demons?

I steadied my voice and replied,

“Is it already that late?”
“Yes. If there’s a book you want, take it with you.”

I heard the steady sound of his footsteps approaching. As they drew nearer, my mind went blank.

I felt like I shouldn’t be caught holding this book, but there was nowhere to hide it.

What do I do? What do I do?

My heart pounded faster and faster. Roan was close enough now that he’d see me just by turning the corner.

“A box!”

Roan’s footsteps stopped.

“Yes?”
“I need a box. There are too many books I want to read.”
“I can carry them for you.”
“No! I think it’ll be more convenient to keep them in a box if I’m going to organize and read them later in my room.”

A brief silence fell. Cold sweat trickled down my back.

Only after ten seconds that felt like a hundred did Roan speak again.

“Could you wait a moment?”
“Yes, yes. If possible, could you bring two?”

With a faint chuckle, Roan’s footsteps grew distant.

Clink—

Only after I heard the door open and close did I let out a quiet sigh of relief.

But this wasn’t the time to relax. If he helped pack the books and discovered this one, it would be a problem.

“I’ll move some books to the front and ask him to pack those.”

I could place half of what I’d chosen in front and ask him to put those in the box, then pack the rest myself from deeper inside.

There was surely a simpler way to resolve this. I had bought time—I could have hidden the book anywhere and avoided all this trouble.

But for some reason, I feel like I absolutely have to take this book today.

It was an action driven by a strange certainty.

The original story hasn’t even begun, yet there’s already a book about the war. It’s unsettling.

It wouldn’t hurt to check it at least once.

Soon Roan returned, and I made my request as planned.

“Should I just pack these?”
“Yes. I’ll gather the rest from inside. Please take care of these.”

Snatching up the box he had brought, I hurried deeper inside and began packing the books.

The book about the war between demons and angels—I carefully hid it among the others so no one would notice.

After shutting the lid tightly, I carried the box out.

“It must be heavy. Give it to me.”

Roan, already finished organizing, strode over and took the box from my arms. Only then did I realize my palms were soaked with sweat.

“It’s not that heavy.”

Wiping my hands on my clothes, I replied awkwardly. It felt as though I was deceiving him. Unaware of my inner turmoil, Roan tilted his head, suggesting we head out.

He spoke to me from time to time, but I was so on edge I barely registered what we were talking about.

“I feel a bit embarrassed for choosing so many books.”
“Did you like this place?”
“Yes, very much. There’s still so much I haven’t seen—I’d like to come again.”
“Is that so?”
“I love books.”
“Shall we spend the whole day here next time?”
“Yes, I’d love that, of course. ……What?”

I faltered at Roan’s sudden remark.

He always spoke as if there would be a next time—words that pointed toward the future. And those words felt burdensome to me.

Perhaps because I would someday leave, and he kept making me think about a future I wouldn’t be part of.

Noticing my hesitation, Roan turned and met my eyes.

“Seeing how much you like it, I’m pleased too.”

His voice sounded slightly awkward.

Did I make it too obvious how much I like it?

Clearing my throat, I answered just as awkwardly,

“You said you’re not interested in books, Mr. Roan. There’s no need to spend time on something you’re not interested in.”
“Hearing Miss Ria walking around the bookstore helps me sleep.”

An unexpected answer.

“……Pardon?”
“Earlier, I was sleeping quite comfortably without realizing how much time had passed. So if you’re apologizing for staying long, there’s no need.”

It wasn’t so much that I felt sorry—I just didn’t want to prolong the time I spent with Roan. But I kept my mouth shut.

“I haven’t slept like that in a long time.”

The corners of his lips were relaxed.

“……Do you have insomnia?”