Impossible Romance - Chapter 71

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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71.

The cover featured the Sea, an Island, a Young Girl, and white clouds—something about it captivated me inexplicably. As I turned the first page, the rough sketches rendered in oil pastels possessed an understated charm that drew me in.
Images I felt I’d seen before, stories that seemed familiar—they pulled at Seok-ha’s gaze like a spell. The author’s name was clearly different, yet I couldn’t understand why these illustrations and narratives felt so recognizable.
He examined the cover again, checking the author’s name.
“Ahn Na-yeon.”
I murmured the unfamiliar name to myself.
“Are you reading children’s books now?”
Hwang Manager appeared beside me at some point, craning his neck to see the picture book I was holding.
“Just happened to pick it up.”
Seok-ha returned the book to its original place.
“The author apparently runs the bookstore in this village.”
“Really? A bookstore on an island like this actually survives?”
Seok-ha tilted his head slightly.
“Surprisingly, it does? They sell beverages like coffee too. Oh, and they run a Reading Club, so it seems to be quite popular with the children.”
Hwang Manager relayed what he’d heard from the Field Team.
“Decent business sense. Let’s visit the bookstore. Do you know where it is?”
Seok-ha began walking immediately. For reasons I couldn’t explain, I felt a strong urge to meet the children’s book author today without fail.
“I’ve heard about it, but what will you do there? You and books are worlds apart, after all.”
Hwang Manager joked with a playful tone.
“The residents’ opposition is apparently more substantial than expected. But they’re also quite interested in children’s education and their children’s employment prospects.”
“Yes, but what does that have to do with a bookstore?”
“The children like the bookstore owner—you said so yourself five minutes ago.”
“Ah!”
Only then did Hwang Manager nod as if he’d grasped something. After all, the primary revenue for a village bookstore like this wouldn’t come from book sales but from space operations and support projects, so a business proposal involving publicity could certainly be worth exploring.
“Let’s meet the bookstore owner and seek their cooperation. We need to do something. And I think the villagers have a good relationship with the owner—you can see how proudly they display the book she published here.”
Seok-ha tapped the picture book with his finger. In truth, beyond the reasons I’d stated, there was another thought driving my desire to meet the bookstore owner. It was unlikely, but I felt I needed to confirm something.
“That makes sense. Is she a village notable? Or perhaps someone’s daughter?”
“I’m not sure if she’s a notable, but she doesn’t seem to have a bad reputation. Let’s go anyway. Since she sells coffee, we can quench our thirst while we’re at it.”
“Yes. The bookstore is very close by. About a 10-minute walk? Follow me.”
Hwang Manager led the way for Seok-ha.
True to his word, the bookstore wasn’t far from the Community Hall. After walking a few steps, a shiny plastic ice cream sign caught my eye.
“That sign is rather tacky.”
Seok-ha made the comment before striding forward on long legs to stand before the bookstore. Despite calling it tacky, the place felt oddly familiar for a first visit.
“What’s this? It’s closed today?”
Hwang Manager looked at the sign hanging in front of the bookstore, his expression turning disappointed.
“Closed? Even if she worked every single day of the year, business would barely survive, yet she takes days off. Remarkable.”
Seok-ha spoke with a hint of sarcasm, then lowered his head to peer inside the bookstore. Through the large storefront window, the interior appeared quaint and charming.
As Seok-ha finished surveying the bookstore, he straightened up. This was the first person since arriving here that I’d wanted to meet, and the disappointment of leaving without seeing her was profound.
“Let’s go.”
“Aren’t you going to meet with the Village Chief?”
Hwang Manager asked as Seok-ha turned to leave.
“The operational teams need to meet and coordinate first. If I show up from the start, they’ll only raise their demands. You know this better than anyone, Hwang Manager. Why are you acting like an amateur?”
Seok-ha chuckled with a slight reproach in his tone.
It was wisdom gained from countless negotiations over the years.
It was always best to let the operational teams handle things first rather than having the top executive appear immediately. Only when that failed to resolve matters would Seok-ha step in—a far more effective approach.
“Well, since you mentioned meeting the bookstore owner, I was just wondering if this was a different strategy than usual.”
Hwang Manager’s expression turned aggrieved.
“When I meet the bookstore owner, I won’t mention being an Executive Director. And Hwang Manager—make sure word doesn’t spread through the village that Seon-jin Executive visited.”
“Yes, understood.”
As Seok-ha listened to Hwang Manager’s confirmation, he took in the view of the village. The dock visible in the distance lay quiet. A ferry would arrive in about an hour—the one he’d be taking. He hoped to meet the bookstore owner on it, yet strangely, a sense of longing kept tugging at his heels.
‘Ice cream.’
He thought the name was oddly random for a bookstore. And at the same time, he recalled the sweet ice cream he’d shared with Jun-hee. Even the lingering warmth of the kiss they’d exchanged while eating it.
“Where are you folks from?”
Just then, someone approached and asked Seok-ha with a wary gaze. It was Byung-ho.
“The bookstore sells beverages, so I came to buy a drink, but the door is closed. Do you happen to know where the owner went?”
Seok-ha asked politely.
“How would I know? Even on a small island like this, we can’t keep track of everyone coming and going.”
Yet Byung-ho maintained his guarded demeanor, his eyes scanning Seok-ha from head to toe.
“I see. Thank you.”
Seok-ha found Byung-ho’s wariness rather peculiar and moved on.

***

At the entrance to the Book Fair, I met a Publishing House staff member and hung an author’s name tag reading “Ahn Na-yeon” around my neck. My heart raced with excitement at the sight of it alone.
As I stepped inside, cool air conditioning washed over me. The expansive space was filled with countless booths set up by various publishing houses, stretching endlessly before my eyes.
“Author, please come this way. The response has been wonderful.”
Following the staff member’s guidance, I made my way to the booth displaying my book.
The Book Fair was thriving with activity. Parents with children, students, young adults, and elderly visitors of all ages filled the space.
People moved joyfully through the aisles, searching for books that matched their tastes. The vibrant atmosphere of being surrounded by so many people felt like a distant memory.
Having spent monotonous days on the Island, I found myself reminiscing about my life in the City, which I had long forgotten.
“Will you sign this for me?”
Just then, a young girl holding a children’s book approached me after spotting my name tag. My heart swelled at the mere fact that my book was on display, and when she asked for my autograph, I smiled shyly.
She was an adorable girl with plump, fair cheeks. I signed her book with gratitude and care. After signing a few more copies, I felt embarrassed and wanted to laugh.
“Well then, I’ll look around a bit more before I go.”
“You’re leaving already?”
“Yes.”
I answered the staff member quietly and moved away. I had only come to confirm that my book had turned out well, so my purpose was already fulfilled. The autographing itself had been so embarrassing that I wanted to leave this place quickly.
If I looked at other books and then returned, today’s outing would be perfectly complete. Each booth displayed a diverse selection of books, and it was a pleasure to see them all. In the reader’s area, a famous author was conversing with readers on stage.
“I’d also like your autograph, Author Ahn Na-yeon.”
At that moment, I heard someone call out to me. I lifted my head to find Kwon Seok-jun standing before me.
“How… how are you here?”
I was so startled that words failed me.
“Is this what they call fate?”
Kwon Seok-jun tilted his head and smiled at me.
In truth, he was also surprised to encounter me here. He had planned to kill time nearby since he disliked going to work on the Island, but to catch such an unexpected prize here…
“Please don’t joke. I’m busy, so I’ll be going now.”
I tried to turn away, but Kwon Seok-jun blocked my path.
“You should sign this before you go.”
Kwon Seok-jun tapped the cover of the children’s book.
“I’d rather not.”
I turned my head away.
My only concern was that getting entangled with Kwon Seok-jun might somehow reach Kwon Seok-ha. I could only hope that since the two of them weren’t on good terms, word of me wouldn’t reach him.
“I told you before to contact me if my aunt was bothering you. Why didn’t you?”
…
“Then you wouldn’t have to hide like this, would you? Don’t you think?”
I lifted my head to face Kwon Seok-jun, who spoke with a hint of mockery.
“I don’t need your help, Department Head. Excuse me.”
“You’ll need my help.”
“What do you mean?”
My eyes widened.
Could Kwon Seok-ha possibly be here at the Book Fair?
My heart raced with anticipation. Even though I knew I should avoid him, I couldn’t calm the frantic beating of my heart.
“You ran away from Seok-ha, didn’t you? I’m saying I’ll keep that secret for you.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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