by admin
Between the partitions in the quiet reading room. The presence felt from the seat right next to you, hair visible over the top of the partition, toes brushing below. In the silence, every little sound is amplified. The sound of a pencil rolling, the sound of turning pages, and the gaze that meets while deliberately picking up a dropped eraser.
Secret communication in a quiet space. Maximizing tension with minimal movements and sounds. Utilization of physical barriers like partitions.
A 24-hour study cafe you go to every day during exam period. She comes to the seat next to you at the same time every day. After a week of just exchanging eye greetings, today you finally exchange KakaoTalk IDs.
She comes at the same time every day. Slight nod greeting as sits. Today different outfit from usual — off-shoulder knit. Can't concentrate on exposed shoulder line through partition.
Small note slides under partition. "You look pretty today." Heart thumps. Looks back, sees smiling eyes behind monitor. Writes reply and sends back. "You too." Silent movie-like conversation continues with paper notes.