When I finished crying outside, I went to my apartment and showered. I looked at the wound on my palm. It wasn't bleeding anymore, but it had left a scar.
I sighed. I had hurt Von—the only person who understood and helped me. But what should I do? I couldn't just let this situation stay like this. I badly needed to go back to the other world. I wanted to fix everything before I left.
Why is it so complicated? Why now, when I thought I was getting close?
After I finished showering, I got dressed and went out to buy some alcohol at the convenience store.
"That would be 100," the seller told me. I took the money from my wallet, paid, and left.
I sat outside the convenience store, still sighing heavily.
I started drinking alcohol. Honestly, I missed the taste, but I still remembered the kind I used to drink in the other world. Funny thing is, when I was there, I desperately wanted to come back home. I missed Von so much, and I wished every day that I'd wake up in my bed, talking with her. But what happened now? Why does it feel like everything has changed?
I gulped down the two bottles of alcohol I had bought. I could feel my body warming up—a sign that I was starting to get drunk.
I remembered that in the other world, every time I got drunk, I always had that same scene where Min Yun or the king kissed me.
I shook my head at the thought. They were just fictional characters. They weren't real. But why did they feel real? Why did I feel like I missed being there? I missed helping the king. I missed talking with Min Yun. If I had known this would happen, I would have cherished the moments I had with them in that world.
"Why... why..." I started sobbing again. I couldn't help but cry. I just couldn't stop myself.
I really wanted to go back.
"Miss, are you okay?" the seller I paid earlier asked me.
"Yes," I said, placing my hands on my forehead and closing my eyes.
"You don't seem okay."
"Why does everyone keep asking me if I'm okay? Just… please leave me alone."
"I'm sorry."
I didn't hear anything else from him, and I instantly regretted what I said. I must've looked like a villain—and I didn't like that.
I stayed there for hours. I only got up when I felt that I had sobered up.
It was already dark, and the alleys were quiet.
I didn't know what came over me, but I found myself standing outside the City Library, staring at its signage.
The library was already closed. This was the place where I had been sucked into the book—where I first found Debris in My Heart.
Tears began to fall again. This was the second time I'd cried every minute of my life. The first was when my parents broke up and started their own families.
I didn't know how long I stood there. I just knew I wanted to wait until the library opened.
I sat by the door, hugged my knees, and buried my face in them, still sobbing.
"Just… please let me go back," I whispered like a helpless child.
****
Von's Pov
Not too far from the library, I stood and watched Teresita. She looked like a helpless and frustrated beggar.
I pitied her so much. But this was for the best. I told her I threw the book because I knew it wouldn't help her.
I sighed. I hoped she would realize what she was doing. I hoped she would understand that I had always been there for her.
I wanted to go to her, to tell her to come home. But my pride and ego held me back. I wanted her to realize her mistake. Hurting me over that book made no sense at all.
I stayed there for a while before getting into my car. I glanced at the passenger seat—at the book.
Yes, I lied. I didn't throw it away like I said in the previous scene. I couldn't. There was something about it—something I needed to understand. Something I needed to unravel.
"I'm sorry, Teresita… but I won't give this back to you," I whispered, then drove away.
***
Teresita's POV
I woke up to the noise of cars and people around me. As I opened my eyes, it was already morning. I looked at the library—it was now open.
I quickly fixed myself. I didn't want them to see me as a crazy person who slept outside the library.
I went inside. Luckily, no one called me out. I hurried straight to the fiction section and began searching for Debris in My Heart.
I checked the shelves one by one, inspecting each thoroughly, not wanting to miss anything.
I had already searched the entire fiction section, but found nothing.
Why am I even here, hoping to find the book Von threw away? I should be looking in the main garbage area instead.
Still, I tried again to find the book in the library, but I failed. It took me half the day to finally realize the book wasn't there.
Frustrated and defeated, I walked out of the library.
As I stepped outside, I saw a familiar face.
"Did you find anything?" Von mocked. Her eyes were red. Maybe she cried overnight.
Tears rolled down my cheeks. I wanted to hug her, but I stopped myself. Instead, I walked away.
"Is that how you treat me now, just because I threw the book?" Von shouted.
I stopped walking, but I didn't look at her.
"You're trying to kill yourself," she said.
I stood still, listening to her.
"Just give up and continue with your life. Your company is looking for you. You've been absent for days—what do you think they'll say? And the medicine the doctor prescribed—did you even take it? Stop acting like you're crazy, because you're not."
She said it while crying.
I glanced at her and saw her clenching her fists in anger.
"Stop it now."
"I'll only stop when I get the book."
"For what? There are so many books in the library. I can even buy you one."
"I only want that book."
"You're impossible to understand."
"You don't understand why I need that book so badly. Just… please, let me."
She shook her head. "I don't know where it is."
I wiped the tears from my cheeks.
"I'm going home," I said, then walked away.
****
Von's Pov
I went home after the encounter between me and Von.
As soon as I got inside, I hurried to my room, carrying the book with me.
I threw it onto the bed."What have you done to her? What have you done?" I shouted in frustration.
Last night, I had spent hours reading the book. The characters— I-jun, Ji Han, Min Yun, and the king—were all there. I read everything, and I couldn't believe what was written inside.
Once again, I cried out of frustration.
***
Teresita's POV
The next day...
I went to the publishing company where I worked. My co-workers were shocked to see me.
"Teresita!" they called out and rushed to hug me. I forced a smile and hugged them back.
"You've been gone for a week without any notice," said Sheila, one of my closest friends in the company.
"I got sick," I replied.
"Yes, that's what Von said."
"Von came here?" I asked, surprised.
She nodded. "She showed up when you didn't report to work."
I frowned. "When did she come?"
"A week ago..."
I silently calculated in my head. That was the same day I got absorbed by the book in the library. But why would Von say I was sick?
"What else did she tell you?" I asked.
"She said you were in the hospital and that she would take care of you. I wanted to visit you, but she said you weren't well enough to accept visitors."
Huh? Why would she lie?
"But I'm really happy you're back," she added with a smile.
"Actually..." I glanced around and noticed the curious eyes on us. I gently took Sheila's arm and led her somewhere quiet.
"Do you want to tell me something?" she asked.
"I'm going to resign," I said.
"What? Why?"
"Like Von said, I'm sick. I need time to heal."
"Is it serious?"
I sighed. "I can't say."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want you to worry."
"But I'm your friend, Teresita."
"I already hurt Von... I don't want to hurt you, too."
She fell silent for a moment.
"Thanks for everything, Sheila. I owe you a lot."
"Will we still see each other?"
I nodded with a gentle smile. "Of course."
"I will miss you."
"I will miss you, too."
And we hugged each other.
After that, I went straight to the HR office and expressed my intention to resign. The HR officer was shocked too, but she respected my decision. I was lucky—they had always been kind to me.
"If you ever need a job, you're welcome to come back anytime."
"Thank you so much."
I genuinely appreciated what she said. If ever I decide to work again, I know where I'll go.
I left the HR office and wandered with no clear destination. I didn't know where to go.
Then I remembered what Sheila said earlier—Von came to the office the same day I got absorbed by the book. But how did she know I had disappeared when the time in our world is different from the book's world?
I decided to go to Von's house. It was about 20 minutes away from the publishing company, so I took a bus.
When I arrived, I stood in front of her house, hesitating. I reached for the doorbell but didn't press it. Something inside me told me not to.
I tried opening the door—it wasn't locked. I glanced around. The place was quiet. It didn't seem like Von was home.
Still, I slowly climbed the stairs to the second floor, where her room was located. The door wasn't closed either. I saw a shadow standing by the bed. Carefully, I peeked through the gap.
Von was there, standing still, staring at the bed. Her face looked blank and empty, almost lifeless.
I followed her gaze—and to my shock, there it was.
The book.
The very same book she claimed to have thrown away.