Mr. Kim decided to go to a bookstore the next day. He made a plan to check out a bookstore, take a break at a cafe, then go to another bookstore.
Mr. Kim knew that he wanted various books on omegas, pheromones and alphas. He wrote down the titles of a few that seemed to have good reviews and relevant information.
He made his way to the first store using the bus and walking part of the way, as even with a face mask, the scent of pheromones in the crowded train was still too overwhelming.
After walking into the store, there was a worker making a display in the front.
"Welcome~!" the worker greeted him.
"Hello," Mr. Kim greeted back.
Mr. Kim was the type to try and look for what he needs without asking for help. So he looked through every aisle, searching for a book titled "Omegas, betas and alphas. Oh My!"
Instead of the book he wanted, he saw Mr. Lim in the last aisle. He was in what Mr. Kim assumed to be his version of casual clothes. A pair of black slacks and a brown knit sweater with a collar to it.
He was reading a book that looked to be about business and economics.
Mr. Lim lifted his head up, looking towards Mr. Kim, "Mr. Kim?" he spoke.
"Hello, Sir."
Mr. Lim closed the book and put it back onto the shelf.
"You don't have to be so formal. What're you here for?"
"I'm looking for a book,"
"Ah, I guess that makes sense."
Without letting the atmosphere turn awkward at his previous question, Mr. Lim asked another,"What's it called? I can help you search for it."
"It's-" Mr. Kim paused.
Although the book wasn’t about anything embarrassing, he still felt a little hesitant to say it’s full title.
"It’s called omegas, betas, and alphas." He answered.
"Omegas, betas and alphas. Sounds like that'd be in the science section," Mr. Lim seem to be thinking,
"or maybe humanities.” he said.
He pointed to the science section, "I'll go look over there, Mr. Kim," he said.
"Okay, thank you."
"No need to thank me," he smiled.
It was only a few minutes later that Mr. Lim appeared before Mr. Kim again, holding a book.
"Mr. Kim, is this the book?"
He held up the book entitled, 'omegas, betas and alphas. Oh My!'
Mr. Kim was a little surprised how seemingly easy it was to find it. And also how much more embarrassing the book looks in person. It was a pink book with a bright rainbow wording and red hearts across it. Mr. Kim wondered if the author designed the cover themselves or if they hired someone. Either way, it was a rather interesting choice for a book that was simply about characteristics of omegas and alphas.
"Ye-yes, that's it. Thank you for finding it."
"It's no problem, I asked someone for help."
Unlike Mr. Kim, Mr. Lim had no problem with asking a worker for help. When it wasn’t in the science section like he had thought, he simply went up to someone and asked if they could show him where it was.
He handed the book to Mr. Kim, "Are you reading books about omegas?" Mr. Lim asked.
"Yes."
"I can recommend a few more, if that's okay with you."
Although Mr. Kim already had a few other titles he had picked out beforehand, he was interested in what Mr. Lim would recommend him.
"I'd like that."
The two went through each aisle, as Mr. Lim took book after book out from the shelves,
"Here," he said. Placing a book onto the growing pile in Mr. Kim’s arms.
They went to another section, "This one," Mr. Lim placed another.
"And these too," he placed a few more atop.
Before he knew it, Mr. Kim's arms were full of various books, all of which were selected by Mr. Lim.
Although he wanted to read a lot about omegas and other things, Mr. Kim didn't have the money to buy all of them at once. So he decided to pick two for now, the one he was first searching for and one that Mr. Lim picked out.
After checking out, the two headed out the store.
"Thank you for helping me, Mr. Lim."
"It's no problem, I had fun. I just hope that I wasn't bothering you."
"Don't worry, you weren't."
There was a slight pause between the two before Mr. Kim spoke again, "Mr. Lim, I was planning to head to a cafe after this."
He contiued, "Would you like to come with me?"
"I'd love to."
Before the two set off for their next destitation, Mr. Lim looked as if he had suddenly remembered something."Oh, Mr. Kim, if you don't mind, can you wait for a bit? There's a book I was going to buy."
"Sure, I must have been taking your time."
"It's okay, I'll be right back."
Mr. Lim was only in the store for about five minutes and he came out carrying a paper bag.
He walked up to Mr. Kim and stretched the bag towards him, “here you go," he said.
Mr. Kim was confused as to why he was trying to hand it to him.
"Yes?"
"This is for you, it's one of the books we picked out."
"Mr. Lim, I already own you a lot."
"Mr. Kim, I wanted to help you somehow. I thought that buying you a book would be better than any advice I could give. If it’s too much, you don’t have to take it, I can return it.”
Mr. Kim thought that his boss was too nice for his own good. Telling him to take it easy at work and buying him books. Still, Mr. Kim didn’t want to disregard his thoughtful actions because he was truly thankful for them.
"Thank you Mr. Lim, I'll buy the coffee. For this and for helping me last time too."
"I'll pay for it this time, I'd like to be prepared for when you buy it for me."
Mr. Kim didn't understand why Mr. Lim needed to be prepared for someone else buying him some coffee. But, he let him pay as Mr. Kim hadn’t planned to buy coffee for anyone else today.
The two went to sit down with their drinks. Mr. Kim was drinking an iced americano, while Mr. Lim ordered a green smoothie. The two slowly sipped on their drinks, neither one speaking, the silence was quite obvious because the cafe had only a few other customers. Mr. Kim picked a cafe that was said to be less busy on the weekends, as to avoid crowded places. Although, if he had known he was going with Mr. Lim, he would have picked somewhere that he wanted to go to. Because it seemed like Mr. Lim’s pheromones made his stomach ease a little, enough to be okay in a crowded store or cafe. He was looking forward to going somewhere with Mr. Lim.
Mr. Kim had remembered that he didn’t have Mr. Lim’s number to schedule that day and before he forgot, he broke the silence between the two.
“Can I have your number?"
As if he had just forgotten what he said about setting up a date, Mr. Lim was surprised that Mr. Kim was asking for his personal number.
Mr. Kim spoke again while he was lost in thought, "We can set up a date later. So that you can be prepared."
Mr. Lim reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. Although he tried to not seem flustered, it showed a little in his voice as he handed his phone to Mr. Kim.
"Ye-yes, here, you can enter your number." he said.
After Mr. Kim entered his number, the two finished their coffee and parted ways for the day.
***
Later that night, Mr. Kim was sitting on his couch, reading one of the books he had bought earlier that day.
Ding!
His phone lit up with a text message from Mr. Lim.
[Mr. Kim, it was fun shopping for books with you today. I hope we can go get coffee again soon]
Mr. Kim read the message rather quickly, however, he couldn't reply as fast. He kept writing out texts only to delete them. Without realizing it, Mr. Kim continued to type out texts and delete them for well over thirty minutes.
He finally settled on something to say back for now.
[I had fun today as well.]
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