Looks around for the bookend one is after (5)

I believe the answer is:

seeks

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'the bookend one is after' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'looks around for' is the wordplay.
'looks' becomes 'sees'.
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'for' becomes 'k' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'sees' placed around 'k' is 'SEEKS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for seeks that I've seen before include "Goes in pursuit" , "Hunts" , "Looks for" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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