Hiroshi adjusted his glasses as he entered the bookstore once again. He had always loved the quiet atmosphere of the place, with its neatly arranged shelves and soft murmurs of customers flipping through pages. The scent of books was comforting, like a warm embrace.
He approached the counter, where Max was stationed. Kota sat beside Kyoshi, perched on a high chair, chewing on a teething toy. The baby's wide, curious eyes locked onto Hiroshi the moment he walked in.
"Excuse me," Hiroshi began, his voice soft but clear. "Do you have the book *The Garden of Eternal Love*?"
Max glanced up from the computer and gave a slight nod. "Let me check. Hold on."
Hiroshi shifted awkwardly on his feet, noticing Kota's intense stare. Trying to break the awkward silence, he crouched down to Kota's level. "Hey there, little guy," he said with a friendly smile. He reached out and gently pinched Kota's cheek. "You're so cute!"
Kota immediately frowned, pulling his cheek away with a loud babble. Translation: *Cute? That's the best you can come up with? I'm a baby, not your pet.*
Hiroshi laughed nervously, unsure what the baby was trying to say but feeling slightly judged. "You've got a strong personality, huh?"
Max , still typing on the computer, smirked. "He's probably mocking you. Kota's got a talent for making people feel small in his baby language."
Hiroshi chuckled nervously. "That's... comforting to know."
Max looked up. "The book's in the third aisle, second shelf from the top. Let me know if you need anything else."
"Thanks," Hiroshi said, giving Kota one last glance. The baby narrowed his eyes and stuck out his tongue. Translation: *Later, glasses boy.*
Hiroshi shook his head, laughing to himself as he walked toward the aisle.
---
The book was exactly where max said it would be. Hiroshi pulled it off the shelf and settled into one of the chairs by the reading area. He flipped open the cover and started to read, his shoulders relaxing as he lost himself in the words.
But it wasn't long before his thoughts drifted. As much as he tried to focus on the story, his mind kept wandering to the girl he had seen last time he was here. She wasn't like the other girls at his school. There was something about her—something vibrant and unpredictable.
Hiroshi sighed, setting the book down on his lap. His cheeks warmed as he thought about how she had looked at him that day. He couldn't tell if she was interested or just amused by his awkwardness, but the memory was enough to make his heart race.
Suddenly, movement outside the bookstore caught his attention. Hiroshi froze, his heart skipping a beat. It was her.
She was walking past the storefront, her long hair swaying gently as she glanced at her phone. Hiroshi panicked, instinctively ducking behind the bookshelf. "Why now?" he whispered to himself. "Why here?"
Peeking out cautiously, he noticed something that made his chest tighten. She wasn't alone.
Walking beside her was another boy—tall, broad-shouldered, and confident. He was laughing at something she had said, and she was smiling back, her expression bright and carefree.
Hiroshi clenched the book in his hands, his knuckles turning white.
---
Kota, perched on his chair at the counter, had been watching the entire scene unfold. His sharp little eyes caught every detail: Hiroshi hiding behind the shelf, the girl outside, and the tall boy walking beside her.
The baby sighed dramatically, shaking his head. Translation: *So this is heartbreak. Tragic. Glasses boy didn't stand a chance.*
Max noticed Kota's exaggerated expression and raised an eyebrow. "What's with you? You look like you just witnessed a soap opera."
Kota babbled in response, waving his bunny toy in the air. Translation: *Because I did. Glasses boy is losing his love story before it even starts.*
Max laughed softly. "You're too young to be this cynical."
Kota ignored him, continuing to watch Hiroshi like a tiny, judgmental observer.
---
Hiroshi, still hiding behind the shelf, peeked out again cautiously. His heart sank further when he saw the girl and the boy pause just outside the store, their heads close together as they looked at something on her phone.
"They look so... perfect together," Hiroshi muttered bitterly to himself. He felt foolish for even thinking he had a chance.
He glanced back at his book, but the words blurred on the page. All he could think about was how she had looked at him that day, and how she didn't even seem to notice him now.
Gathering his courage, Hiroshi looked out one more time. This time, the girl and the boy were gone, but the lingering ache in his chest remained. He sighed deeply, closing the book and placing it back on the shelf.
As he made his way back to the counter, he tried to force a smile. "Thanks for your help," he said to Max.
Max nodded. "Anytime."
Kota, however, wasn't done. He babbled loudly, waving his toy at Kota . Translation: *Don't give up, glasses boy. Even hopeless romantics deserve a chance.*
Hiroshi gave Kota a small, amused smile. "You're quite the character, aren't you?"
Kota crossed his arms and huffed. Translation: *Takes one to know one.*
---
As Hiroshi left the bookstore, the sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the street. He adjusted his glasses, his thoughts still tangled in the memory of the girl and the boy.
From inside the store, Kota watched him go, shaking his head like a tiny sage. Translation: *Love is complicated, even for nerds. But hey, who knows? Maybe his story isn't over yet.*
Max noticed Kota's thoughtful expression and chuckled. "What's on your mind now, little guy?"
Kota babbled softly, hugging his bunny. Translation: *Just thinking about how even the most ordinary people can have extraordinary stories.*
Max smiled, ruffling Kota's hair. "You're something else, you know that?"
Kota grinned, his toothy smile full of mischief. Translation: *Don't I know it.*
Hina###
The streets of the small town buzzed with life as the sun began its descent, casting golden streaks across the pavements. Hina adjusted the straps of her schoolbag as she strolled leisurely home, her mind still lingering on the day's events.
She had stayed at the bookstore longer than usual, pretending to browse the shelves when, in reality, she was sneaking glances at Hiroshi. The image of him sitting there, so immersed in his book, tugged at her thoughts.
"Get it together, Hina," she muttered under her breath.
Just then, a soft meow broke her reverie. She glanced to her right and spotted a scruffy-looking cat lounging on a low wall. Its gray fur looked like it had seen better days, and one ear was slightly torn, but its big, curious eyes sparkled in the sunlight.
"Hey there," Hina cooed, crouching down to the cat's level. "You look like you've been through some things, huh?"
The cat stretched lazily before hopping down and rubbing against her legs. She giggled, scratching behind its ears.
"You're adorable," she said. "I wish I could take you home, but Mom would throw a fit."
The cat meowed in protest as if understanding her rejection. Hina sighed, giving it one last pat before standing up and continuing on her way.
Not far from where she left the cat, a familiar voice called out.
"Hina! Hey, wait up!"
She turned to see her classmate, Aiko, jogging toward her. Aiko was a bubbly girl with an endless stream of energy and a penchant for gossip.
"Oh, Aiko, what's up?" Hina asked as her friend caught up.
"Not much, just heading home. Hey, did you hear about the new café that opened near the train station? It's supposed to be super cute! We should go sometime!"
Hina smiled. "Sure, sounds fun. Let me know when."
They walked together for a bit, chatting about random things—their teacher's quirks, upcoming school events, and Aiko's latest crush.
"Oh, by the way," Aiko said, her tone suddenly conspiratorial. "You were at the bookstore earlier, right? Were you there… for a *reason*?"
Hina's cheeks turned pink. "What? No! I just like books!"
"Uh-huh." Aiko gave her a knowing look. "Well, if you ever need advice on… you know, certain matters, I'm here for you."
"Goodbye, Aiko," Hina said quickly, waving her off as they reached a fork in the road.
Aiko laughed. "See you tomorrow, Hina!"
Finally alone again, Hina sighed, shaking her head. "That girl is too much sometimes."
As she rounded the corner, the familiar glow of a convenience store caught her eye. She was about to pass it when she noticed a tall figure near the counter. Her steps slowed as recognition set in.
"Big brother?" she called out hesitantly, stepping into the store.
Ren turned, his broad shoulders filling the space as he grinned at her. "Hina! Fancy running into you here."
"What are you doing here?" she asked, approaching him.
"Stocking up," he said, holding up a pack of chips and a bottle of iced tea. "Long day at work. What about you? Just got out of school?"
"Yeah."
"Well, let me walk you home. It's been a while since we've caught up."
Hina nodded, secretly glad for the company. They left the store together, falling into an easy rhythm as they walked.
Ren had always been a source of stability in her life. Despite his teasing and occasional overprotectiveness, he had a knack for making her feel safe. His confidence and charm were something she admired, even if she'd never admit it to his face.
"So," Ren said, breaking the silence. "Anything interesting happen at school today?"
"Not really," Hina replied, shrugging.
Ren gave her a sidelong glance. "You sure? You've got that look."
"What look?"
"The 'I'm thinking about something but don't want to talk about it' look."
Hina rolled her eyes. "You're imagining things."
"Am I?" Ren smirked, clearly not convinced. "Well, if you don't want to tell me, that's fine. But I've got a joke that might cheer you up."
Hina groaned. "Do I have a choice?"
"Not really." He cleared his throat dramatically. "Alright, why don't skeletons fight each other?"
"I don't know. Why?"
"Because they don't have the guts!"
Hina groaned again, but this time it was accompanied by laughter.
"That was terrible," she said, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.
"But you laughed!" Ren pointed out triumphantly. "Mission accomplished."
"You're so annoying," she said, though her tone was fond.
"I know." Ren grinned. "But I'm also the best big brother you've got."
Their banter continued as they neared the bookstore. Hina's steps faltered when her eyes caught sight of Hiroshi through the window. He was sitting at his usual spot, completely engrossed in a book.
A giggle escaped her before she could stop it.
"What's so funny?" Ren asked, following her gaze.
"Nothing," she said quickly, her cheeks turning pink.
Ren raised an eyebrow. "You're a terrible liar, you know that?"
"Just drop it," Hina muttered, picking up her pace.
But Ren wasn't one to let things go. "Wait, is it that guy in there? The one with the glasses?"
Hina didn't answer, which was answer enough for him.
"Oh, this is gold," Ren said, grinning ear to ear. "You've got a crush, don't you?"
"Ren!" Hina hissed, her face now fully crimson.
"Relax, I'm just teasing," he said, though his mischievous expression didn't fade.
To Hina's relief, Ren let the subject drop as they continued their walk. By the time they reached their house, she was grateful for the distraction his jokes and stories had provided.
"Thanks for walking me home," she said as they stepped inside.
"Anytime, sis," Ren replied, ruffling her hair. "But don't think I'm letting you off the hook about that bookstore boy."
Hina groaned. "You're impossible."
"And you're adorable." Ren winked before heading to the kitchen, leaving Hina to retreat to her room.
Sitting by her window, she gazed out at the darkening sky, her thoughts inevitably drifting back to Hiroshi. Despite Ren's teasing, she couldn't help but wonder—did Hiroshi ever think about her the way she thought about him?
CHAPTER END 🫠