Kim Nam Joon POV
August 6, 2019
I had showered and dressed, I saw that it was 7 o'clock in the morning. I'm not usually like this. When we are on free day, usually I will wake up very late and laz around. But today is different, I feel nervous and also excited. I left my room and headed for the kitchen. I saw Jin making breakfast.
"Wow hyung ... smells so good ... what are you cooking?", I asked, wanting to know
"I made kimchi fried rice, do you want some?", He asked as he continued to look at the pan
"Ne, gomawo yo (thank you)", I said excitedly
Jin took 2 plates from the kitchen cupboard and placed kimchi fried rice on both plates.
"Do you want some coffee, hyung?", I asked, taking a glass to make coffee
"Ani (no)", he said
We sat at the dining table to eat our breakfast.
"What time will we leave?", Asked Jin
"At 8.30 ... the book cafe opens at 9 am. So that we will be the first to come and not meet many people," I explained
"Okay," he said, feeding a spoonful of fried rice into his mouth
"How do you know this place? Is it a good place?", He asked again after swallowing his food
"Well, This is a book cafe owned by women who have played the piano on our fansign," I said again looking at him
"Eh?", He said, trying to remember. "Aaah ... microcosmos piano girl ??", he asked in disbelief
"Ne!", I replied nodding my head while spooning rice into my mouth
"Wow, how did you know?", He asked
"I remember her saying that she had a book cafe in Yongsandong ... then I searched on the internet. And I saw that the cafe was quite popular in Seoul," I explained as I sipped my coffee.
Jin just nodded his head. We decided to bring a car there. Jin is driving, of course, because I haven't passed the driving test yet. So sad.
Today I wear a blue shirt, black jeans, hat and mask. While Jin wears a long sleeve shirt that is rolled up to the elbows, jeans, glasses and masks.
At 8.30, we were ready in the car to go to Minerva. The journey from Hannam dong to Yongsandong should not be too far. During the trip we discussed the preparation of our new album. Me and the other members are still trying to finish the songs for the album.
At 9.05 we arrived in front of Minerva. After parking the car, we walked to the entrance of Minerva. The book cafe building is quite impressive from the outside. Almost all walls are made of glass. Jin and I immediately went up the stairs to the first floor, the place where the entrance to the cafe is. When we opened the door, we immediately felt the impression of being open, bright and comfortable place. The floor is made of wood and the ceiling is quite high. Bossa nova jazz music played softly.
In front of the entrance, a display of best seller books neatly arranged. To the right of the entrance there is a receptionist. Next to the receptionist is a ladder to the 2nd floor with the "Children Area & Rooftop' sign. Besides the stairs there are many chairs, tables and sofas. Then on the back are a toilet and a door labeled 'staff only'.
In the middle of the room there is a small stage containing piano, guitar, bass and percussion. Looks like this book cafe also holds musical performances like the piano girl once said. Then in the back there is a small open kitchen and coffee shop. While on the left is filled with bookshelves with chairs and sofas.
"Wow daebak!", Said Jin amazed
"This is a great book cafe," I said
"Annyeong haseyo, welcome to Minerva", welcomed the female employee standing behind the reception desk
"Annyeong", I and Jin answered in unison
We headed to the reception desk to ask further. "We want to read here, what is the procedure?", Asked Jin
"I am Song Ae Ri. Please fill in your visitor data first", pointing at the tablet above the reception desk
Jin and I immediately filled in the data containing the name, address, and email. While waiting for Jin to fill in the data, I saw an info board that contained this book cafe information. If you are not a member, you are required to pay 5000 won/arrival. And free to read for one full day. But if you want to borrow a book you will be charged another 3000 won / book. As for members, the registration fee is 75,000 won / year. For students the fee is 50,000 won / year. And you are free to come at any time and can borrow books without being charged again. Hmmm this book cafe deserves to be famous in Seoul, it's cheaper than you have to buy books, I thought to myself.
After we fill in the visitor data, we pay an entrance fee of 10,000 won. Jin went straight to the left side where the bookshelfs are. While I'm still at the reception desk to ask something.
"Song Ae Ri ssi ... is the owner of this book cafe here?" I asked
"Kim So Ra ssi hasn't arrived yet ... but surely she will arrive soon. Do you have anything to do with her?", Asked Ae Ri
"no. I just know her and hope to meet here," I explained
"When Kim So Ra ssi arrives, I will tell her that you're looking for her", she said again with a smile
"Okay, gomawo yo..." I answered
Kim So Ra ... that's her name. Smiling, I began to surround Minerva. Lots of books here. Her books are divided by categories, including music, fiction, business, hobbies, education, art, psychology, and more. I saw Jin look around for a book in the hobby section. Jin brought some books and started reading on the sofa beside the window. I smiled, it seems like he really enjoyed this place, I thought.
I went to the art section and started looking for interesting books. I was still walking around when I saw a woman entering Minerva. She wears a pink knee-length dress with a golden pattern, black wedges and a black bag. Her hair hung beautifully on her back. Her beautiful face shines, just like when I met her when fansigned. That's her, the woman I want to meet, Piano girl, Kim So Ra ...