"Excuse me, I'd like to borrow this book."
A soft thud echoed as a book was gently placed on the library counter, interrupting Anna's reading.
Though working as a librarian wasn't exactly a busy job, it was still a role that involved serving others.
Anna had been sitting there all afternoon, and she had just reached the climax of her book. But now, she had no choice but to set it aside.
She casually grabbed a bookmark and slipped it between the pages, then discreetly tucked the book into a hidden spot behind the counter—somewhere no one else would notice.
It wasn't easy to pull herself out of the story, but Anna composed herself and smiled at the girl standing in front of her.
"Hi, are you just borrowing this one?"
"Yes, just this one."
Anna smiled politely, her demeanor calm and graceful, like a lazy but elegant ragdoll cat. The girl shyly nodded and pointed to the book she had placed on the counter.