Shiina Hiyori looked up from her book, her serene expression unchanged as she registered my presence. Her silvery hair caught the light, giving her an almost ethereal glow.
No No No. This is not a fantasy world. Why the hell is the description such elaborate and dramatic?
Well, I can at least say that if one would use literary sense in describing her appearance, it might be a little better.
I have seen a fair share of beauties in my previous life, but..... everyone in this school is like a celebrity.
And Shiina Hiyori is one of the highest tier ones. By the way, I ain't interested in her that way. Age wise, I am probably, 8 years older than her.
Perhaps, I stared at her too much, she waved her hand to snap me out of a very complex thinking process about different tiers I would like to rank, every girl I have seen in this school.
She gave me a small, polite smile, and I noticed the clarity in her eyes and the calmness in her demeanor. Despite her reserved nature, there was an air of quiet confidence about her.
"Good morning, Yamauchi-kun," she said, her voice soft but steady. "Is there something you need?"
What? She recognizes Yamauchi? But there was practically no interaction between the two in any of the volumes I had read, perhaps. Moreover, Shiina is a girl, who is quiet forgetful of faces and names, if my memory serves correctly.
"Ah, Sorry if I was staring. I just wanted to have a chat, if you don't mind."
She tilted her head slightly, studying me for a brief moment before closing her book and setting it aside.
Now I would like to add another item to her collection of traits (in my opinion).
She is quite smart. She looked behind my back for a moment and, probably, understood the situation I was in, as her affirmation was the next in line.
"Of course, I don't mind. Please, have a seat."
I took the seat across from her, placing my coffee on the table.
"Thanks. I've noticed you always have a book with you. What are you reading today?"
She lifted the book slightly, showing me the cover. "It's 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Have you read it?"
Of course I haven't even heard of it.
I shook my head. "No, I haven't. But I've heard good things about it. What's it about?"
Hiyori's eyes brightened as she began to explain.
"It's about the American Dream and the pursuit of wealth and status, but it's also a love story with tragic elements. The characters are complex and flawed, which makes it a fascinating read."
Her passion for books was evident, and it was infectious.
"You must have quite the collection of books. Do you have a favorite genre?"
She thought for a moment. "I enjoy a variety of genres, but I particularly like historical fiction and psychological thrillers. They offer a blend of reality and imagination that I find intriguing."
"That sounds interesting. Maybe I should try reading more. Any recommendations for a beginner like me?"
Hiyori seemed pleased by my interest. "Certainly. I'd recommend starting with something light and engaging, like 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee or 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger. They're both classics and relatively easy to get into."
It seems like picking up 'books' as the topic of conversation was the right thing to do. Her passion is literally visible in her eyes.
Later we chatted on several topics related to books. Well, it was mostly, me asking her questions though. As our conversation spanned for nearly 30 minutes, I realized that my close spectator (spy) was gone, and the cafe was filled with a varied demographics.
"Thank you for today. I would definitely try those books. Would you be at the library tomorrow as well?" I asked her. That 'as well' part was probably what caught her attention the most, as she paused for a moment.
"I have been to the library a few times during the last 2-3 days. That was when I noticed you. I swear there is nothing more than that." As I tried to cover up my mistake in wording, she chuckled a little, perhaps found it funny.
"You don't have to be worried. I was wondering that you almost seem like a different person, Yamauchi-kun."
"I hear that a lot now-a-days."
"And it's true. Anyway, I am in the library during lunchbreak everyday."
"Then I would hit the library tomorrow. Hope you don't mind guiding me to find the books you mentioned."
"Sure." She replied with a smile.
"Then, see you tomorrow."
"Yeah, see you."
Surprisingly, I seemed to enjoy the conversation with her. Perhaps, it was due to her mature demeanor in speaking and perceiving things.
Well, my objective to keep a connection with someone as important as her went smoothly. That might come in handy in future.
As we parted ways, I noticed her going towards the library, perhaps, she was gonna return those books. I might have gone with her, but decided otherwise, as excess friendliness might stir a negative feedback about me in her perception.
At that time, I noticed, the bustling crowd enveloping the mall. As there was nothing I could buy, the thought of just strolling around settled within my mind.
Time passed quietly.
The rhythm of the mall was soothing.
Sometimes I'd step into a trendy store, not to buy, but just to immerse myself in the ambiance. The new fashion trends displayed with meticulous care, the scent of fresh fabric—it all felt like a world away from my responsibilities.
Other times, I'd find myself in a quieter, almost deserted store, where the silence was only broken by the occasional murmur of other shoppers.
As I wandered through the mall, there was a tranquility in these moments that I found myself craving more and more.
The peaceful exchange with Shiina Hiyori, the gentle hum of the bustling crowd, and the simple pleasure of window shopping—all of it brought a sense of calm that felt increasingly rare.
These serene days, filled with small, uneventful activities, had a way of grounding me. I could lose myself in the pages of a book or in a conversation about literature, forget the weight of my past and the complexity of my current life.
It was a stark contrast to the whirlwind of experiences I'd known before, where every interaction seemed charged with expectations and hidden motives.
Each place I visited offered a different slice of life, a different escape. I'd check prices on items I couldn't afford and sigh in helplessness, a small reminder of my limitations, yet it didn't dampen my spirits. Instead, it added to the simple joy of dreaming, of thinking about possibilities without any immediate pressure to act on them.
One of my favorite stops was always the game store in my previous life as well.
Scanning the newly released games, seeing the excitement in the eyes of the kids and the nostalgia in the older crowd—it was a comforting reminder of my own childhood, a simpler time when my biggest worry was leveling up or beating the next boss.
These moments of peaceful wandering were a balm to my soul.
They allowed me to reset, to find joy in the mundane. I realized that these quiet, uneventful days were what I needed more than anything. A break from the complexities and a chance to just be—to observe, to dream, to appreciate the little things.
As I stood in the mall, watching the world move around me, I couldn't help but wish for more of these days.
Days where time seemed to slow down, where my mind could rest, and my heart could find peace in the simplicity of it all.
The longing for such quiet days to stretch on forever filled me with a bittersweet contentment.
For now, I would cherish these moments, holding onto the hope that there would be many more to come.