Work Text:
Chapter 1
y/n's pov
"Thank you for the meal!" you exclaimed in satisfaction after finishing your meal at the okonomiyaki restaurant you usually eat lunch with your family on a Sunday.
It was currently 2 in the afternoon, and you were looking forward to pay the bookstore nearby a visit.
"Can I visit the bookstore again?" you asked your parents for permission.
Your parents shared a look, quite hesitant at first. It has been your routine to head straight to the bookstore from the okonomiyaki restaurant before going home. For most times they allow you. Unfortunately, biker gangs have been rampant at present.
You were aware as well, yet you still hoped they'll let you go alone this time.
"Okay, y/n. Just make sure to be careful on your way home. Stay alert wherever you go, and be home before it gets dark," says your mom while caressing your hair.
You thanked them and gave your reassurance, waving at them as you bid good bye.
You took your time walking on the way to the bookstore.
The weather was fair, the sun casted a luminescent glow, and the neighborhood was serene. You'd never think such crimes committed by biker gangs occurred in same neighborhood in the past weeks.
The bookstore was now in sight after walking for about 15 minutes. The closer you got, the more enthusiastic you were.
The hanging doorbell tinkled as you pushed the door entering the bookstore.
"Heya, y/n. So you're back to resume your reading session."
"Good afternoon, Baji-san" You greeted the guy at the counter who was about your age. He was reading a book, seated in a laid back manner, and his legs resting on the counter table.
Baji had grown familiar of you since you have been visiting the bookstore during the previous Sundays.
You can't help but notice that there was something unusual with Baji today. He wore glasses that didn't match the features his face and his long black hair was tied back in a ponytail.
Before proceeding to the bookshelves, you can't help but ask to satisfy your curiosity. "Umm, Baji-san... What's with your look today?"
He lowered down the book he was holding and fixed his posture. "Nothing. I just wanted to look smart."
His reason astounded you, it made you chuckle.
"You weren't... impressed?"
"Not at all. Your unusual look more like.. bothered me" you teased.
Baji clicked his tongue. "Chifuyu, that dimwit. He told me I would pull off this smart look and impress the ladies."
"Well, it didn't work on me. It might on others though. Or you could just tell your friend to try another strategy."
Giving off a menacing smile, he lowered his head, probably looking down at his feet in embarrassment. "Okay, I'll make sure to tell him that."
—
You made your way through the bookshelves and looked for the book you were currently reading.
The smell of paper books lingered around the bookstore's tranquil environment. The scent of books always brought you comfort, and to be surrounded by it was your safe haven.
The reason why you often visited the bookstore was to read the books you've longed to buy but can't afford at the moment. So you placed a bookmark on the book's page to know where you left off, and had the book inserted at the back part so it would stay hidden.
Five minutes have passed and you haven't found the book with your bookmark yet, and so you began to feel a bit of panic.
"Where are you, book? I hope you're not yet purchased by someone else." You muttered under your breath, silently praying that the book was still somewhere in the shelf.
A couple of minutes passed and you still haven't found your book. Just as you were about to give up, you finally found it.
"AH THERE! WHO MOVED YOU FROM YOUR PREVIOUS POSITION? GOD I WAS SO NERVOUS!" you exclaimed a bit too loudly out of relief.
"Tone down your voice, miss ma'am." Baji said from the counter.
You were too overjoyed and excited to respond. You smelled the pages and got high on it for a while, and then you started flipping the pages.
As you flipped to the page where you left off, a folded piece of paper fell in between your feet.
You picked it up and checked your surroundings in both sides before reading what was written inside.
What an interesting book you're reading, y/n ;))
You were surprised to see what was written, especially when it had your name on it.
This must be one of Baji-san's pranks. Please, I'm the wrong target for this, you thought to yourself.
You marched your way to the counter, placing the paper on top of it. "Baji, would you care to explain?"
"Explain what?" He asked, confusion evident on his tone.
"Stop pretending, I know you're pulling pranks on me." you said as you held the piece of paper in front of his face.
He examined the paper carefully.
"Couldn't possibly be mine. My hand writing isn't that pretty." He took out a pen and paper and wrote the same thing. You compared the two penmanships. He was right, both were different.
"Do you have any idea as to who would possibly leave this letter on the book I'm reading?"
"Nope. No idea at all."
"Mmkay, guess I'll just let this pass for now."
You returned to the corner where the shelf of the book belonged, placing the paper inside the pocket of your skirt. As you squatted on the carpeted floor, you continued to read.
—
2 hours had passed and you decided to stop on the middle part of the book. The scenes were starting to get thrilling, but you knew you had to stop so you'd get home before dark.
You said good bye to Baji and thanked him for allowing you to stay and read, even though it was against the bookstore's policy to do so.
Once you arrived home, you headed straight to your room. You lay on your bed and pulled out the piece of paper from your pocket and read what was written again.
What an interesting book you're reading, y/n ;))
You read it over and over again 'til you got tired.
"Who are you? How did you know my name and that I was reading that book?" Unanswered questions swarmed your thoughts. You felt mentally drained after thinking too hard, that it brought you to sleep.