TBBS 04

Chapter 04…

“So, the rumor’s true? You really are doing an internship at the library?”

Erik shrugged lightly at the question from Liam, a third-year student and the captain of the rowing club.

“What’s the big deal about doing a library internship?”

“Is it the same as what everyone else is doing?”

Liam asked, then laughed so hard that his tall frame seemed to sway.

“Why on earth? Did His Grace the Marquis say you lack a sense of service? Is this the sacrifice of an heir for the Branel Foundation or something?”

Erik smiled faintly at Liam, enough to be polite.

No one cared about what I truly want or who I really am.

He had long realized even his family felt the same way, so he trusted no one at this school sincerely.

The only reason he occasionally confided in Liam was because Liam wasn’t the kind to rush off and report everything to their parents—he could be trusted on a basic human level.

Even though Liam was part of the Gardie family, he wasn’t in the RS, so it was less of a burden.

“Also, I needed an excuse to skip the swimming club,” Erik added a small truth.

Liam’s large hand lightly tapped Erik’s shoulder.

“Hah… aren’t you at least a little sad?”

Erik shrugged again, but this time faintly smiled.

“Not really. I wasn’t skilled enough to be a national-level swimmer anyway.”

“You haven’t even competed!”

Liam countered.

“I’ve always said this, but I never thought you’d swim with all your might. Yet you still represented Stockholm.”

“That was when I was in middle school,” Erik replied.

At that age, it was still forgivable to dream that dream. Not anymore.

Blocking Liam’s nagging, Erik cut him off.

“Anyway, you said you’d never quit rowing, right? And now you’re complaining even though I did as you wished?”

“…I’m just feeling guilty,” Liam finally admitted his true feelings.

Erik tapped Liam’s arm lightly.

“If you’re feeling guilty, maybe ease up on afternoon practice during weekdays. My library internship schedule is tight.”

“Wow, how long are you going to do that?”

“I was planning to try it for just three months…”

“Was?”

Erik sighed as he watched groups of girls rushing to the library.

“Too much of a nuisance, I can’t really tell.”

Liam smirked.

“Miss Schellin must be excited. When would Branel Library ever get so many applications?”

“They said no extra positions can be created due to my repeating the year.”

“Think carefully. If you quit, all those applications will go down with you.”

While Erik repeated his sighs, Liam lowered his voice.

“By the way, what’s going on with Oxenscherna? According to the Lagerlöf kids, he seems really determined this semester.”

Erik shook his head, clearly not wanting to talk about it.

“It’s nothing. He didn’t log into Instagram all vacation, so people thought he made a private account because he got a girlfriend.”

Liam tilted his head in confusion.

“What does that have to do with him?”

“Exactly.”

“But… do you have a girlfriend?”

Erik twisted his long eyes into a grimace.

“Why you too?”

Liam laughed at his sharp reaction and lightly tapped his shoulder with a fist.

“I’ll overlook you skipping afternoon practice sometimes, as long as you don’t miss morning training.”

“Have I ever been late without permission even once?”

“No. And that’s exactly why you had to quit swimming, diligent junior of the rowing club.”

Liam laughed as he left first. It was time for Erik to head to the library.

In truth, his purpose there was only to observe someone.

Her name was Bibi, wasn’t it?

The third-generation immigrant who, instead of taking a 3 million krona (about 390 million KRW) reward, only wanted to become a high school scholarship student—a ridiculous choice.

Since none of her reasons made any sense, he decided he would find out for himself why she even came to this school.

The ominous feeling he had at the dorm bulletin board the night before persisted throughout his first shift at the library, manifesting in the presence of actual students and pressing on him—though it was bearable until he saw familiar faces.

Specifically, until Christina Oxenscherna—whom he had some prejudice against—and her friend… no, best friend, Karin Rapaporte appeared.

“I’d like to apply for the library internship, Miss Schellin.”

Hearing Karin’s voice, Erik focused on the cutter blade as if a single millimeter off would be fatal.

If he kept his head down like this, maybe they wouldn’t recognize him. After all, they always sat far from him in the cafeteria.

Thanks to that, the new labels were cut perfectly straight, as if by a machine.

The librarian repeated what she had already said several times today.

“Sorry, but the library internship for this semester is closed. The notice will go up today.”

Then a kind, composed voice interjected.

“Hello, Miss Schellin. I’m second-year student Christina Oxenscherna.”

The librarian smiled slightly.

“It’s not that I don’t know your name, Christina. Our library can only hire three interns per semester, and those spots are all filled.”

Erik wanted to see Christina’s expression but still couldn’t lift his head.

Her clear voice continued.

“Then, what about volunteering?”

Her voice carried the confidence of someone who had never been rejected in her life, yet the librarian remained unmoved.

“For volunteering, you can apply separately on the website. It’s on weekends…”

“Oh, I think I can make time on weekdays too.”

Christina’s interruption caused a brief pause, but the librarian remained patient.

“Well, Christina, volunteers already have a waiting list for the next few months. Since you’re a second-year, I’m just asking, but you know it’s better to volunteer consistently in one place for points, right?”

“Yes, I’ve been volunteering steadily at the Shute Museum…”

Just then, Erik returned to his seat, carrying a huge pile of books.

He brought so many that the stack almost completely hid his face, leaving only his green eyes visible.

“Not a word, Erik Branel,” Erik thought, hoping for a little help from him as he tried to avoid Christina’s gaze.

“This is the last batch, Bibi.”

A voice came from behind the pile.

Why call me by name now, when they’ve always called me “transfer student”?

Erik’s voice was quiet enough that only Erik next to him could hear, but Christina Oxenscherna’s gaze was like an arrow shot straight at them.

Still, Erik calmly put the books down and looked at him as if he couldn’t notice anyone else’s stare.

“The labeling seems difficult… Let me cut the rest, and you can show me by sticking them on?”

Three hours flew by while Christina and her friend lingered in the library.

Erik attached new labels to the books under their intense gazes, pretended not to hear Christina whispering to Karin, and eventually reprinted labels Erik had cut poorly.

During that time, Erik treated Christina as invisible, learned the library work, and probably said “sorry” to him six times…

How nice it would have been if he hadn’t! Every time Erik smiled apologetically, it felt like their glares would pierce his cheek.

Once they finally disappeared, a breath of relief came, and it was time to leave.

“Good job today, everyone. Especially Bibi.”

After thanking the librarian and picking up her bag, Erik followed.

She thought it was lucky that Sigvan was on the opposite side and walked down the hallway, not needing to make small talk with Erik.

But just as they neared the exit, a familiar blond head brushed past the glass on the door.

Ah… Christina.

She hadn’t left yet?

Surprised, she probably had business with Erik, and she had to avoid getting caught in it quickly.

Just as she hurried forward, Erik grabbed her wrist.

“Sorry.”