Chapter Text
y/n's pov
Okonomiyaki had never tasted any better than on the day you were finally going to purchase the book you’d been eyeing at the bookstore for quite some time.
"Thank you for the meal!" you exclaimed in satisfaction as you finished your meal at the restaurant that your family frequents on a Sunday. It was currently 2 in the afternoon, and you were looking forward to paying the bookstore nearby a visit just like you always do.
Heading to the bookstore after a meal from the restaurant had been your routine during Sundays. Most times, they allowed you. Unfortunately, notorious biker gangs had been sighted raiding the area at present.
"Can I go visit the bookstore?" you asked your parents for permission, who shared a look of hesitation.
You were well aware about the news, yet you still hoped they'd let you go alone this time.
“I think we should let her have this experience.” your dad suggested. Your mom wore a doubtful face, while your dad—though a worrier as well—was always the lenient one.
Your mom’s expression softened as she sighed.
"Alright, y/n. I’ll give you a chance,” said your mom as she caressed your hair. “ Just make sure to be careful on your way home. Stay alert wherever you go, and be home before it gets dark.”
The walk to the bookstore was pleasant under the gentle skies. Basking in its warmth, the sun cast a luminescent afternoon glow on the serenity of the neighborhood. You'd never think such crimes committed by biker gangs had occurred in the same area in the past weeks.
After a couple of minutes, your heart leaped inside your chest at the sight of the bookstore; eager footsteps rushed to reach the place.
The hanging doorbell tinkled as you pushed the door entering the bookstore.
"Oi, y/n-chan. 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 were resting on the counter table.
Baji had grown familiar with you ever since you'd been visiting the bookstore during the previous Sundays.
Today, however, there was a noticeable change in Baji’s appearance. He wore glasses that didn’t seem to complement the features of his face, and his long black hair was tied back into a ponytail. You could easily tell it was a poor attempt at appearing like a poindexter.
"Umm.. Baji-san. What's with your look today?" you examined and questioned his unusual style before making your way to the bookshelves to satisfy your curiosity.
He lowered down the book he was holding and fixed his posture. "Nothing. I just wanted to look smart."
His reason made you chuckle. That was it?
"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."
He gave off a menacing smile as he lowered his head, probably looking down at his feet in reflection and embarrassment.
"Okay, I'll make sure to tell him that."
You made your way through the bookshelves and searched for the book you were currently reading.
The smell of paper books enveloped the bookstore's tranquility—an addicting yet oddly comforting scent you relished. You allowed yourself every time to get lost in it in exchange for the temporary satisfaction of casting reality aside.
The reason for your recurring visits had to do with reading the books you’d longed to buy but couldn’t currently afford. At every visit, you placed a bookmark on the page to know where you left off and have the book purposely inserted last in order for it to stay hidden.
But now you had finally saved up enough money to purchase it.
Five minutes had passed yet the book with your bookmark was nowhere to be found. Panic began to internally swell the more you worried.
"Where are you? I hope you're not yet purchased by someone else." you muttered under your breath, silently praying that it was still somewhere on the shelf.
Just as you were about to give up, your eyes met with the book cover you most wanted to see.
"Ah, there! Who dared to move you from your previous position? God, I was so nervous!" you broke the silence out of relief.
"Tone down your voice, miss ma'am." Baji said from the counter.
Straightaway, you amused your lungs with the scent of the pages before flipping them open.
While flipping to the page where you left off, a folded piece of paper fell in between your feet. You picked it up and checked both sides of your surroundings before reading what was written inside.
What an interesting book you're reading, y/n ;)
Your mouth gaped open—mildly appalled and puzzled, 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 marched your way to the counter, placing the paper on top of it. "Baji-san, would you care to explain?"
"Explain what?" he asked, confusion evident in 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 carefully examined the paper.
"Couldn't possibly be mine. My handwriting isn't that pretty."
He took out a pen and paper and wrote the exact words. Your firmly furrowed brows relaxed upon realizing the significant difference between the two penmanship. Baji was telling the truth. His penmanship was just so him. So unmistakably Baji, if that made sense.
"Do you have any idea as to who would possibly leave this letter on the book I'm reading?"
"Nope. No idea at all."
"I see.” you eyed him warily, reading most of his expressions with suspicion and threat, waiting for him to slip up. But he didn’t. “Guess I'll just let this pass for now."
You returned to the corner where the book shelf was situated, keeping the paper inside the skirt’s pocket. As you positioned yourself on the carpeted floor, you tried your best to disregard what had just happened, picked up another book, and immersed yourself in the words, transporting you to another world.
When the sun’s orange hues peeked inside the store, you knew it was time to get home.
You headed to the counter and paid for the book you’d been meaning to buy—the one you had been reading previously.
As you took your leave, you thanked Baji once again for allowing you to stay and read, despite it being against the bookstore’s policy to do so. It wasn’t a library in the first place, but it would be for you, for as long as Baji tolerated it.
Upon arriving at home, you headed bullet-straight to your room. You lay on your bed, fished out the piece of paper from your pocket, and read it again.
What an interesting book you're reading, y/n ;)
You read it over and over again 'til you tired your eyes out.
"Who are you? How did you know my name and that I was reading that book?"
Unanswered questions swarmed your thoughts, exhausting them to their limit for the day.
The best solution you could think of was to sleep.
And so you did.