Kai Watanabe loved books. The way it smelled, to the way it carried meaning, he appreciates it. Yet, his level of admiration of that object is not as half as Honey's devotion to the paper bound object.
Kai was the type to care more of what the book contained than what it looked like. Even her textbooks were still probably immaculate today too. He also folds the corner as a bookmark sometimes, so he knows what page he was in, but Honey found that sacrilegious. She had lectured him before when they were in University for not taking care of his books properly. He remembered grinning to the end, which angered her more, but she was just too cute when ruffled.
Without hesitation, once he was done with his duty at the hospital, Kai drove to the new bookstore, knowing full well who would come. Honey had not been able to enter yesterday, and he knew she would try again today. If she were the same as she had been in University, she would probably be already there.
Arriving at the bookstore, Kai's confident strides grew gentle as he entered into the newly released books, searching for that one person that had plagued his thoughts for how many years now? The last time he saw her was at their graduation, twelve years ago, plus he knew her two years prior when they had two minor subjects together, so fourteen years. Had he been harboring these stupid feelings for that long?
Seeing the familiar womanly back with her hair unusually untied, Kai was a bit surprised. Honey had always tied her hair. She hated the annoyance of hair getting in the way of her reading. She hated having a strand of hair tucked in a book in an accident too. Kai picked up the book nearest to her and said, "I know you'd be here."
Honey looked up from her book, slightly annoyed at being disturb from reading the summary at the back cover, "Oh, it's just you."
"What a bland reaction," Kai commented while putting the book back, and picking up a fantasy novel. His peripheral vision saw Honey returning to the book in her hands. The distance between them was slowly growing closer.
"Sorry," Honey help up on finger to signal one minute, and continued to read, as her mouth mumbled, "...let me finish this..."
Kai read another book's summary on the back cover. Keeping Honey near him, almost afraid he'd lost her. The distance between them was small, but to him, it felt further than the next country. They were friends. He should be grateful... but it wasn't just friendship that he was hopelessly coveting. Waiting for her to finish the summary of the book was easy. Kai had waited more than a decade; a few minutes is a piece of cake.
"Okay, that's done!" Honey interrupted the silence while putting the book in a metal-plastic that was already filled with four books. She turned to face him and asked with arms crossed, "What do you want?"
Deadpanned, Kai remarked, "First, where's that enthusiastic greeting I expected?"
Honey stared at the man with a little bit of annoyance and mirth bleeding from her eyes, and she then cleared her throat before exaggerating, "How was work? Did you miss me? I miss you, oh, wonderful Kai senpai!"
Kai grinned at her, his teeth showing how white it was. Honey's lower lip pursed out, as she regretted her impulsive actions again. Why was she so impulsive with her actions in front of him of all places?!
Kai nodded at Honey and mockingly said, "A passable greeting. I expect something greater than that next time."
Honey scowled. She turned away from him, and picked up another book, flipped it to read the words at the back cover, and ignored the well-dressed man on her side.
Chuckling, Kai pulled another book from the shelf. He might as well try the books she likes.
Both of them focused on the books in their hands, but not genuinely comprehending. Both of them filled with thoughts different than what they were reading. Both of them filled with thoughts about each other.
When they exited the bookstore, Honey had eight new books in her arms, carrying the brown paper bag like a baby instead of its handle. Kai only had two books since he already bought some of his preferred genres yesterday.
Honey loved all kinds of books regardless of the genre, but she often rereads Romance than most. Kai, on the other hand, likes Fantasy and Sci-Fi. With that known information, Honey raised an eyebrow when she saw the two romance books that Kai had purchased, which was only replied with a shrug. She didn't persist with her curiosity since she didn't want to be judgemental. Romance was for everyone with a heart!
Before she could utter her goodbye, Kai blocked her way towards her street and grinned, "Work was boring. I am glad to know you missed me. To remedy that, how about dinner?"
It took Honey a while to process the words that he was saying. His hands were slowly prying the brown paper bag full of books from her arms before she realized that he was mocking about the words that she had said as a joke too! Her lips scowled, and without shyness, she also scoffed—her nose wrinkling in annoyance.
Kai did not reply, but his grin stayed the same.
"I'll pay since I did the inviting," Kai added some weight on his offer.
Honey debated with herself. Since she had spent some money on her books, she could use the treat. Shamelessly, Honey nodded. She followed after Kai after she said, "I want fast food."
Kai grinned, "Dine in?"
Honey shook her head, "Drive through. Think about how busy it is at this time."
Glancing at the time using his wristwatch, Kai almost applauded from her fast thinking. Knowing that she was correct, he didn't dare to resist. Wasn't it a bit romantic to eat in the car, though? Or was he just overthinking things again?
As the night continued to creep into the horizon, two people were inside the car parked in a random parking lot of a local convenience store, sharing a large french fries, and eating their burgers while reading a few pages of their newly bought book.
There were a few conversations, but it was comfortable.
To them, it felt as if being with someone that knows and understand that not all communications have to be forced, that silence doesn't always mean awkwardness.