#anything else?

You are a fourth-year History of Art student and a part-time librarian. You are passionate about your specific interests and distinctly unmotivated about everything else—and admittedly, the list of things that actually spark your passion is very, very short.

Your world spins slower than everyone else’s... or maybe you just have more patience than the rest of the world combined.

People around you define you as the "Epicenter of Calm."

While others get frustrated when the coffee shop queue is miles long because the POS system crashed, you stand there quietly reading a paperback, waiting twenty minutes without a single complaint (you even smile at the cashier who is so panicked she’s on the verge of tears).

While everyone else in the library looks around awkwardly when a couple starts fighting loudly in the Literature corner (about some Shakespeare’s things), you just rest your chin on your hand, watching the scene with a blank expression like you’re watching a wildlife documentary, counting down the seconds until the "Madam Professor" (the Head Librarian) walks over to scold them herself, saving you the effort of moving.

You are used to other people's chaos.

You like observing it through your glasses, but don't ever expect it to drag you into the fray.

You are always the observer of chaos from within a world of silence.

Until last Tuesday…

You were taking a break, reading by the second-floor window of the library, looking down at the garden wall outside to rest your eyes.

Down in the garden... "Plato" —your fat, community-raised calico cat—was sunbathing. He was perfectly still, looking like a burnt loaf of bread.

So peaceful… A perfect resting spot for a cat slave. Even though there was a speaker from the Music Faculty set up not far from the fluffy ball, he looked too lazy to move, typical of a fat cat.

You couldn't hear the noise from inside, but no matter how loud that speaker was, your Plato wouldn't be affected. He’s just that lazy.

Suddenly... a storm of chaos wearing a workshop shirt and a giant bucket hat rushed into your frame of view.

The boy stopped dead in front of your cat.

He poked its belly. (It didn't wake up).

He made a face like the world was ending because the cat’s breathing was faint (it was just in a deep food coma).

The boy’s face morphed into sheer terror. He scooped the 6-kilo cat into his arms and sprinted toward the Vet Faculty like an Olympic runner.

"Y/N Sunbae!! Plato just got catnapped! Aren't you going to chase him?!" Jang Kyujin, your panicked junior, shrieked.

You looked away from the window, turning back to calmly flip to the next page of your book, replying to Kyujin—a third-year Environmental Science junior and fellow part-time assistant librarian.

"No."

"Huh?!"

"He didn't steal him. He looked like he thought Plato was dying. He meant well," you replied effortlessly. "Besides, Plato weighs a ton. He’ll bring him back."

True to your word, thirty minutes later, the boy returned. Shoulders slumped, he gently placed a very annoyed Plato back on the wall. He pressed his hands together to apologize to the cat two or three times before walking away dejectedly.

You just raised one eyebrow and let out a soft chuckle.

Watched from above, a small, amused smirk playing on your lips.

Fundamentally, you are a calm person—as mentioned before.

So, the universe sent you a best friend who is the exact opposite of you in every way.

Bae Jinsoul, the extrovert among extroverts, fourth-year Art History major, and the perfect embodiment of a Social Butterfly.

"I'm serious, that guy is a total green flag," Jinsoul said while putting a shirt back on the rack after deciding she didn't like it.

You sighed and smiled wearily, not turning to look, continuing to pick a shirt from the rack while mentally comparing prices.

"I don't like younger guys," you replied monotone. "Too loud."

"Why noooot! When that alumni senior asked for your number, you gave him mine and said you didn't like older guys!"

"Well, yes," you nodded, holding a white lace shirt against yourself. "How's this?"

"Very pretty, but I liked the floral one from earlier better," Jinsoul replied before excitedly returning to her topic. "But when my Sports Science friend asked you to dinner, you said you didn't like him either!"

"I didn't say that. I just didn't like him in that way. And Anton didn't actually like me like that either."

You clarified the data for Jinsoul while putting the plain lace shirt back. Jinsoul sighed in boredom, scrunching her face into a cute pout.

"Oh come on, find a boyfriend already. Seriously—my girlfriend is going to get jealous of you and me soon."

"Tell Yoona I was here first."

"Yah!"

You chuckled. It was sweet revenge for her pestering you about the same topic all day.

Jinsoul groaned. "I want to see who finally breaks you. You're like the Ice Queen with a sweet smile."

You smiled and didn't reply.

…But the Slowest cat-owner met her match at the University Festival.

The library was closed today, meaning you were unemployed, and you had no classes.

Jinsoul went on a date with her girlfriend immediately. As for your close junior Kyujin, she had texted ten minutes ago saying she was running late.

You had no problem doing things alone, but walking the entire festival solo was a bit tiring.

The other option was your Plato the Calico Cat, who was currently belly-up, acting like a loaf of bread drying in the sun.

You took Plato to the "Free Pet Health Check" booth at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, just to confirm that he was merely fat, not sick. And that was how you ended up talking to a certain Doctor about the bucket hat boy’s heroics.

You laughed at the story of the 'Emotional Coma' and accidentally complimented him, saying, "He was kind of cute, though," before excusing yourself.

You carried the lazy cat through the Engineering zone to avoid the crowds.

The bass from the Sound Engineering booth was thumping—boom, boom. You frowned slightly, unaccustomed to the loud noise.

"Hey!! That's the Coma Cat!"

A deep voice shouted from behind.

You stopped walking and slowly turned around.

Kim Woonhak stood there, eyes wide, pointing at the cat in your arms.

He remembered the cat clearly... but when his eyes shifted up to meet the Cat Owner, he froze.

You stood there, amidst the dim lights, wearing a soft cardigan, sending him a smile that made Woonhak stop as if the world had ceased spinning.

"Oh..." You greeted calmly. "The cat kidnapper."

Woonhak jumped, waving his hands in frantic denial. "N-No! I didn't steal him! That day I... I thought the kitty was..."

"Thought he was dying of a broken heart?" You finished the sentence. "The doctor told me everything."

Woonhak’s face turned beet red, wanting to bury himself in the ground. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to..."

You stepped a little closer, holding Plato out slightly with your signature smile.

"It's okay... Thank you for worrying about Plato." You looked deep into his eyes, tilting your head slightly out of habit when talking to someone taller. "I saw you from the library window that day... You ran pretty fast. Were you tired?"

Woonhak stood frozen.

Jaehyun's warning that the cat owner was terrifying vanished instantly upon seeing that smile.

All that remained was the image of the woman in front of him, who was the calmest person he had ever met... so cool she completely extinguished the fire of panic in his heart.

No, wait. She extinguished his panic, but somehow made his face heat up instead.

"Y...You saw?" Woonhak stammered. "Then why... why didn't you chase me and scold me?"

You laughed softly.

"Why would I?... I knew a good boy would bring him back eventually."

Oh no. Even though all the older guys called him a brat, he had suddenly decided to be a 'good boy’ for life.

In that second... Woonhak knew immediately that he had fallen.

"Can... Can I make it up to you? Cat treats?" he stammered like a puppy.

"I have plans," you said, watching his face fall before adding, "But if you want to come visit later... feel free."

Even though you meant playing with Plato... Woonhak decided to accept that permission as valid for himself too.

After that, Woonhak became part of the library furniture. Specifically, the table right in front of your counter. He’d tap his foot, mouth lyrics, and stare at you over his laptop and big headphones.

He tried to be as quiet as a high-energy human like him possibly could. But the gaze he used to steal glances at you through the gap in his monitor... was loud.

Too loud. So loud that you couldn't help but glance back at those eyes.

The routine alternated each week. Sometimes he brought Jaehyun (the Drama King who started the rumor that Plato was in a coma), Leehan (who seemed to have been dragged along confusedly but didn't resist), or Taesan (who seemed like the only one who actually wanted to be in the library to read literature).

Until the peace of the library was shattered by the person you saw most often among Woonhak's friends...

"I'm serious, Woonhak! I just said she was interpreting it too much from a social psychology perspective... But she got triggered into this logic-obsessed witch mode who can't stand losing! Just because I divided the work?!"

Taesan slammed the table (lightly) as he blurted out his sense of injustice. Woonhak jumped, looking left and right in panic because their table’s decibel level was attracting stares. "Hyung, calm down..."

But the source of the noise was too deep in his emotions. "Yeah! I know it was a long time ago and I shouldn't be petty about it, but even now! Even though she likes my cologne! She still ignores it and denies herself!"

"Hyung, keep it down..."

Woonhak felt his hands were useless. His eyes kept darting to the calmest person in his life, hoping it would be okay...

...His eyes met yours, and he froze.

It was a cold smile, sent with unreadable eyes. You stood up, walked over to the counter in front of the source of the noise with a deadpan face, and shoved a ‘Silence Please’ sign right into Woonhak’s face (who hadn't done anything wrong but stood up in panic anyway). Then, you walked away toward the thesis section—the deepest, quietest part of the library.

Kyujin, witnessing everything, rushed to charge at her friend from the other faculty who stood frozen there out of worry.

Well, he must be in shock. It was the first time the sweet-smiling angel had scolded him.

"My heart is beating so fast…

This must be love..."

Before he could sigh, Kyujin and Taesan spoke in unison, hopelessly looking at this delirious boy.

"Insane."

"Delusional."

Another Wednesday afternoon, the staring became too much. Instead of scolding him verbally (and breaking the silence rule), you grabbed a bright yellow Post-it note, scribbled on it, and slid it across the counter to him.

("If you stare at me one more time, I will ban you. So read your book.")

Woonhak read it. His eyes lit up mischievously.

He grabbed a pen, scribbled something back, and slid the note to you like it was a top-secret document.

("But the book is boring. You're prettier.") You fought the urge to roll your eyes (and the tiny smile threatening to break out). You wrote back: ("Flattery won't work. The penalty for disrupting a librarian is death.")

He replied instantly: ("What about a penalty of buying me iced coffee instead? I'm broke. And thirsty.")

You looked up. He winked, resting his chin on his hands, looking at you with those expectant puppy eyes.

You sighed, defeated. You grabbed your wallet, pulled out a 5,000 won bill, and flicked it at him.

("Get lost. And buy me one too. Americano, no sugar.")

He caught the money, grinning so wide it probably hurt.

That was the day you realized... his annoyance was starting to become endearing.

Weeks passed. You got used to the Wednesday-Friday routine. You got used to the Post-it notes, the Americanos, and the loud whispers.

But on the Friday before finals week, Woonhak didn't show up.

The library was perfectly silent. No aggressive typing. No foot tapping. No one sliding yellow notes across your desk.

It was exactly what you always wanted. Pure peace. Quiet.

So why did you keep glancing at the empty chair every five minutes?

Kyujin walked by, dropping a stack of books. She noticed you checking the door for the tenth time. "Waiting for your Golden Retriever, Sunbae?" she teased. "No," you replied too quickly, focusing hard on your book. "Just enjoying the silence."

"Sure," Kyujin smirked, leaning in. "You've been reading the same page for twenty minutes, by the way."

You slammed the book shut, cheeks burning.

The silence wasn't peaceful anymore. It felt... heavy. It felt lonely.

You realized with horror that you actually missed the noise.

Later that night, near closing time, the door finally opened.

Woonhak walked in. But he looked like a zombie. Shoulders slumped, dark circles under his eyes. No grin. No energy.

He walked straight to your counter and face-planted onto the desk without a word.

"What's wrong?" you asked, voice softer than usual.

"Ears are broken," he mumbled into the wood. "Mixed the same track for ten hours straight... The ringing won't stop. It hurts."

You watched him, your heart pinching slightly. He looked so small despite his size. Without a word, you walked around the counter.

You stood beside him and gently placed your hands over his ears. He flinched, then froze.

Your palms were warm. They formed a perfect seal, blocking out the hum of the AC, the distant footsteps, the ringing tinnitus.

The world didn't just get quiet; it got soft.

Once again, Woonhak's entire world paused. Time stopped spinning, leaving only silence and peace.

Woonhak looked up at you, eyes wide and vulnerable.

"Better?" you whispered.

He didn't speak. He just closed his eyes, leaned his head into your hands, and let out a long, shaky breath, relaxing his tense shoulders.

"Yeah," he breathed, leaning his weight against you. "Much better."

Please don't let go, he thought.

Woonhak’s project passed successfully after he got enough rest.

The problem now was you. Your exam schedule had been shifted so two brutal subjects were crammed into one day.

And this was the final day of exams.

The Central Library, once your Temple of Silence, had become a Fresh Market.

First-years flocked in to tutor, their chattering voices, the sound of dragging chairs, the sound of chewing snacks echoing everywhere.

Librarian duties were suspended during exams, so Kyujin wasn't here today.

You stood outside, stressed and ready to murder someone.

"Noona."

A familiar deep voice spoke up.

Woonhak stood behind you. "You look like you're ready to kill someone... You okay?"

"Not really," you answered honestly, sighing softly again, inadvertently pouting. "It's so loud. I can't read a thing."

Woonhak smiled with endearment, then looked around. And turned back to you.

"Want to come with me?"

"Where?"

"Somewhere quiet... A million times quieter than this."

Woonhak grabbed your wrist. "Come with me."

Ten minutes later, you were standing confusedly in front of the Engineering Faculty, Department of Audio Engineering.

He took you to Studio 6.

Soundproof walls. Cool air. Absolute silence.

"My private studio," he said. Woonhak gestured to a soft sofa in the corner. "No one will disturb us today... Taesan hyung and Jaehyun hyung didn't say they'd use the studio today either. Just me. So read here. I'll be quiet."

And he was. For three hours, he worked silently while you studied in peace. There was only the sound of soft mouse clicks and slight movements from Woonhak.

You looked up from your book at the broad back of the boy focused on the screen... He looked much cooler than when he was pestering you at the library. He looked mature. Reliable.

Finally, he spun around. "Hungry? I'm ordering chicken."

"In a studio? Professional."

"I'm a growing boy," he teased, sliding his chair over. "I was a good boy today, right? Do I get a reward?"

"Dream on," you poked his forehead, smiling.

"Noona..."

He caught your hand. His playfulness vanished, replaced by a shy nervousness.

He handed you a pair of headphones.

"I have a new demo. Can you... approve it?"

?? — As a history student, you have zero knowledge about what he wants from you but… yeah… anyway…

You put them on.

Instead of a heavy beat, you heard... shuffling paper. A coffee cup being set down. Light footsteps.

It was you. It was the sounds of the library, mixed into a soft, comforting Lo-Fi track.

Then, his voice cut in—a low, recorded whisper over the music.

("I love the silence you bring... it calms me down. But I don't want to be lonely in it. Will you be the only noise on my track?")

The song ended.

You took off the headphones. Woonhak was fidgeting, face red, looking like he was waiting for a verdict on a murder trial.

You placed the headphones on the desk.

You looked at him, and for the first time, you didn't just smile politely. You beamed.

"It's a bit noisy," you said softly.

Woonhak’s face fell.

"But..." you leaned in, poking his nose. "I think I can get used to this frequency."

Woonhak stared. Then he shouted, "YES!!" throwing his hands up.

"Shh!" you pressed a finger to his lips, laughing. "I told you I like quiet people."

He grabbed your hand, pressing it against his cheek, grinning so hard his eyes disappeared.

"I'll be quiet! I promise! Best quiet boyfriend ever!"

A/N

Tinnitus is real, folks. ၊၊||၊ ♪⊹ That ringing sound in your ears after wearing headphones for too long? Yeah, it’s not just you. Scientifically speaking, prolonged exposure to loud noise (over 85 dB) can permanently damage your inner ear. So please, give your ears a break. I’m telling you this as a friend (and a concerned).

Jokes on you: Taesan’s story was the first in this series, and yes, even by the time we reach Woonhak’s timeline (the 5th), Taesan is still painfully single. My bad, but also... it’s kind of funny.

Saving the best (or the longest) for last: Leehan is the final piece of this puzzle. If I told you his part is 7,000 words long, would you guys actually read it?

Anyway, English is not my first language, so please bear with me! ^^ Feel free to interact, scream in the tags, or talk to me about anything. I don’t bite—unless you’re a thesis deadline.

I do have a headcanon where after The Beasts corrupted, their Soul Jams altered them to represent their beastly titles more literally. Shadow Milk Cookie gained an insatiable need to lie pretty much every time he opened his mouth. There was a period while he was sealed that he went completely nonverbal just to avoid being forced to cook up some bullshit to spit out. Of course The Beasts managed to coax him out of this state, but sometimes he still went quiet. Wanting a break from being so deceitful.

Mystic Flour Cookie got her emotions taken away from her. She couldn’t feel anything, and absolutely nothing could make her react to a single thing. It was like her emotions had just been straight up deleted. And any time she came even remotely close to feeling something, her Soul Jam reacted immediately. Smothering the emotion until it dissipated. Whether it be pain, joy, anger, fear, anything.

Burning Spice Cookie gained an urge for destruction. The more he satisfies it, the weaker it is. The less he satisfies it, the stronger it gets. So he didn’t have a great time in The Silver Tree. His need for destruction would almost completely take him over, he’d start clawing, biting, and throwing himself against any solid surface he could find. Damaging his own body in a desperate attempt to make the urge stop. Often resulting in Silent Salt and Shadow Milk outright restraining him so he doesn’t kill himself.

Silent Salt Cookie, on the other hand, had his vocal cords literally melted down. Nothing else, just his vocals. Rendering him permanently mute. It took him a long ass time to figure out how to communicate again now that he can’t talk. Though he didn’t speak up much before, now he couldn’t talk even if he wanted to. Eventually he came up with a system of silent gestures and pointing, basically an archaic version of sign language, but with his entire body instead of just the hands. Only the other Beasts understand what he says.

And finally, Eternal Sugar Cookie got put in a near perpetual state of exhaustion. Feeling way too tired to do much of anything. She spent her days lazily playing her harp to charm cookies into either washing and feeding her, or going away and leaving her in peace. She slept like eighteen hours a day, and only spent an hour or two on her feet. Max.