The library was quieter than usual, as if even the summer air had decided not to disturb it.
Shin Hitori stepped inside, the faint scent of paper and dust greeting him like something familiar. His footsteps were soft against the floor as he made his way toward the librarian's desk, already pulling out the necessary form. But when he reached there, he paused.
No one.
"…She's not here yet," he murmured.
Without much thought, he filled in the details anyway, his handwriting neat and precise, then placed the form aside. With nothing else to do at the desk, he turned and walked deeper into the rows of bookshelves.
The quiet there felt different. Thicker. Almost like the books themselves were listening.
He scanned the shelves lazily, fingers brushing against the spines, until a small movement caught his attention.
A girl stood a few steps ahead, stretching her arm upward, trying to reach a book placed just out of her grasp. She rose slightly on her toes, trying again, but the gap remained the same.
Hitori watched for a second.
Then, without saying anything, he stepped closer.
Before she could try again, his hand reached above hers and pulled the book down effortlessly.
The sudden presence startled her.
"Oh," Tachi said, blinking in surprise.
Hitori handed the book to her.
"I think you have no problem with a little help, have you?" he said calmly.
Tachi looked at the book, then at him, and a small smile formed on her face.
"Ah… thanks."
There was a brief pause, not awkward, just unexpected.
"Long time no see, huh?" she said as she turned and began walking toward the reading area.
"Yeah," Hitori replied, following her at a natural pace. "It's been a while since we talked here."
They reached their usual seats and sat down across from each other, the table between them holding a quiet familiarity.
Hitori glanced at the book in her hands.
"So what are you reading?"
Tachi's eyes lit up slightly.
"Oh, this? It's a mystery novel about a boy who is going to kill his friends one by one, even his parents, and in the end he will try to ki—"
Before she could finish, Hitori leaned forward and covered her mouth with his palm.
"Hey. You're giving me too many spoilers."
"Mmm—mm!" she tried to protest, her voice muffled.
A second passed.
Then Hitori pulled his hand away.
"Oh. Sorry."
Tachi touched her lips lightly, still processing what had just happened.
"No, it's okay. I-I was just… surprised," she said, her face turning slightly red.
Hitori leaned back as if nothing unusual had occurred.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then, trying to shift the moment, Tachi cleared her throat.
"So… are you interested in reading?"
"Yes," he said. "But not this one."
"Oh. Then I can recommend something to you."
"Okay."
She straightened a little, thinking seriously now.
"Well then, what genre do you like?"
Hitori paused, considering.
"Action. Thriller. Crime. Mystery, maybe."
Tachi nodded, then tilted her head slightly.
"Not romance?"
"Huh? No."
The answer came too quickly.
For a brief second, she felt something strange. Not fear exactly, but a chill that ran through her as his dark, steady gaze met hers. It wasn't hostile, just… empty in a way she couldn't explain.
She looked away without realizing why.
Then Hitori spoke again, his tone unchanged.
"Just kidding. I prefer those because they give a stronger adrenaline rush while reading."
Tachi blinked.
"What a twisted taste," she said, making a small face.
Hitori let out a quiet laugh.
"Then can you recommend something like that?"
She folded her arms slightly, pretending to think hard.
"Don't get your hopes too high. But I'll try my best to match your… unique taste."
"Thanks."
They spent some time like that, occasionally speaking, occasionally falling into silence. The pages turned slowly, the quiet of the library wrapping around them again, this time a little softer.
Eventually, the sun shifted, and the light through the windows turned warmer.
They packed their things and left together.
Outside, the air carried the fading heat of the day. As they walked, Hitori stopped by a small shop and bought a drink.
He handed it to her.
"Take this. As a thank you."
Tachi blinked, slightly caught off guard.
"Ah… umm… sure."
They continued walking, their steps falling into a quiet rhythm. Not quite together, not quite apart.
After a while, they reached a point where the road split into two directions.
Hitori stopped.
"So, which way are you going?"
"This way," she said, pointing ahead. "And you?"
"That one."
She followed his gesture.
"Ah… I see."
A small pause.
Then, almost under her breath, she murmured, "We're really close to each other."
Hitori looked at her.
She froze.
"Oh. I-I mean… our way of home."
"Huh?"
"Huh?"
The words tangled.
Her face flushed instantly.
"O-Okay, bye!" she said quickly, turning away and almost rushing ahead.
Hitori stood there for a moment, watching her go.
Then he turned in his own direction, a faint confusion lingering in his expression.
He didn't fully understand what had just happened.
But something about it stayed with him as he walked home.