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Seeing that she had reached the last page, Izumi Yuki closed the book she was reading and heaved a sigh. She turned it over and glanced at its dark green cover, the golden text on it catching her attention.
"'A heart-pounding romance,' huh," It wasn't a genre she was very familiar with.
"YU-KK-I!"
"...Ugh."
It was a voice she could recognise anywhere. And definitely not one she wanted to hear right now.
But before she could sort out the situation, she felt a familiar warmth of a chin on her shoulder.
"...Don't try to scare people like that," Yuki said with a grimace. "Not to mention, this is the library. Try to be quiet at least when you're here."
Her hands moved as she spoke and she tried to quickly shift the book to her lap, before Ruka could catch hold of it.
"Wait a sec."
A frown crossed Yuki's face. It was too late.
"Isn't that the book I was reading last time?"
Yuki let out another sigh of exasperation, wondering why her captain had to be quick-witted at times like this. She raised the book in defeat, revealing the cover she knew that Ruka would recognise.
"Well, I was kinda curious what it's about since you made a huge fuss after reading it."
"And?" Ruka took a seat next to Yuki's.
"Isn't this just your typical love story?" Yuki stated in a matter-of-fact manner as she passed the book to Ruka. "What about it got you so worked up?"
"Huh, and here I thought that we were the same," Ruka shook her shoulders in exaggerated disappointment.
"Just so you know, I can't read your mind so I have no idea what you're talking about. And besides, haven't you written love songs before? This sort of thing shouldn't be new to you."
"I don't really write them with that kind of mindset. And it's not like I'm experienced when it comes to love and romance."
"Well, I guess that's the same for me. But that's not something to be worried about. We're living in a war-torn era after all."
"Then, what if we weren't…"
"What?" Yuki was taken aback.
"Suppose we lived during peaceful times. Suppose the war never happened… Would you have fallen in love?"
"Why do I feel like you've asked a similar question before?" Yuki sounded hesitant. Something told her that she should be careful with her next words. "Like I've said, I've never really thought about that kind of stuff…"
Ruka smiled as Yuki's sentence trailed off. "Then… Aren't we the same?"
Ruka's words felt like an invitation to Yuki. Of course, it wasn't like she was trying to physically take her away, but the girl's words seemed to suggest something Yuki was afraid to know the implications of.
"Ruka… What do you mean?"
"I don't know how girls my age are supposed to feel but... I want to be with Yukki. That's my love, I guess."
"HUH?!"
"Yukki, this is the library."
"Sorry… But I've a bad feeling about what you're getting at…"
"Yukki, do you love me?"
"'Love' is a bit… I know that I was your fan but..."
"Well, I love Yukki."
The declaration wasn't new or unexpected from Ruka but it was one that made Yuki's heart rise and cheeks turn crimson. She turned away her eyes, ignoring the comment as she internally tried to make her heart calm down.
"No response?" Ruka asked.
"What am I even supposed to say to something so embarrassing?"
"This is where you kiss me while tearfully confessing your passionate affection for me!"
"As if!" Yuki quickly stood up in an attempt to leave the conversation.
Ruka followed suit, leaving the book that was the cause of their current situation on the table.
"Well, it might be too soon for that. Yukki's pretty shy after all. But I'm glad."
"Why?"
"'Cause you didn't say that you didn't want to be with me."
"Well, that's… That's obvious."
"Hm?" Ruka asked, playfully tilting her head.
Yuki turned her eyes away.
"Don't make me say it twice. You know how I feel about being with you…"
The corners of Ruka's mouth twisted into an impish smile and she giggled as she held back the urge to launch herself at Yuki and tightly wrap her in a hug.
"Yup, this really is the best."