BTS HYYH Notes (Book 1, 2, BUS Game) // COMPLETE [Part 2]

2022, May 5 - Namjoon (Pitiful Moments & Pride)

[Places: Book store, container]

For the first time in 2 months, I finally have the means to buy a book. Which one should I get?

I've narrowed it down to two, but my pondering continues all the way to the register. I would love to buy both, but... I can only afford one this month.

"I can help you over here."

I place one of the books on the counter as the employee presses me to decide. "I'd like this one, please."

"Just this one?" The employee lets out a sigh. "Sir, why did you leaf through the book you weren't even going to buy?"

"I'm sorry."

"So dirty..." She says it so softly, but I hear every syllable, loud and clear.

Dirty? I turn my head to see my reflection in the glass window. Worn clothes and tattered shoes. I smell of gasoline. She was talking about me, not the book. But atleast I've bought a book.

I decided to take off the depressing thoughts.

"Here." The employee tosses the bag with the book onto the counter. I should be used to treatment like this from the gas station, but I'm not. I put the bag into my backpack and move towards the exit, when---

"Excuse me. Wait!"

It's an anti-theft alarm. An employee quickly runs over to me. "Excuse me. Let's check your bag."

"My backpack? Why?"

"The alarm just went off. Have you taken something?"

"Me? I didn't steal anything!"

"I guess you can show me your bag if you didn't steal anything, then?" The employee tugs at my bag while I also keep a firm grip on it.

"What are you going to do if I'm innocent?"

"Huh, how is a thief so shameless?"

"What?"

"I knew you were suspicious just judging by your clothes. You took something while I wasn't looking, didn't you? Just confess." Their certainty of my theft makes me overcome with anger. "Hurry up and open your bag!"

"Okay, fine! Take a look!"

The employee finishes checking my bag with a triumphant look. "I knew it. What's this book, then?" She lifts the book from my backpack. It's the one I packed to read. "It's obviously a new book! You just stole it!"

"That book's mine."

"Make up a believable excuse!"

"I always keep my books---," I try to respond, but I can't bring myself to. Even if I say I take a good care of my books and don't crease them, I don't think they'll believe me.

"Stay right here. I'm going to call the police."

"Please stop."

It's a familiar voice. I turn my head towards the speaker.

"He didn't steal anything. I saw everything."

Everything wraps up pretty quickly once Seokjin hyung steps in to vouch for me. The alarm is revealed to have malfunctioned, and the employees' suspicion and rudeness gets chalked up to being an error; a mistake. Do I have to be treated this way?

I've been cleared on the accusations, but it doesn't feel great.

"Are you alright?" Hyung asks the question cautiously.

"I'm alright." I would have been labeled a thief if it wasn't for him. Though I'm thankful, a part of me wonders. How is it that he's right there next to me when I need him?