Chapter 2 - Bookstore Incident

A week has passed, before I realized it… I was accepted for my part-time job. My schedule is every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It's not that hard, they trained me. How do I do like this, or how do I do like that. And yep, I can tell I'm an expert now.

Anyway, Tomorrow is my first day of school, the day that my fate is gonna be sealed. I sat down on the sofa thinking it's just a normal day of school, nothing to worry about.

But I still kept worrying. I don't know why, but suddenly... I remembered—I forgot to buy my school supplies! And the fact that it's getting late… is there any bookstore open at this hour? Poor me.

I grabbed my hoodie, and ran like it was my last day.

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As I was walking, I couldn't stop wondering how I passed the test in that school. Oh right. I almost forgot how I even got into this mess. It all started last week…

So this is what happened. Last week as I was walking back to my apartment I spotted a scattered newspaper, and I saw the Top 2 Rating School - Yamagiri High School. I was curious at that time, so I went to that school since it's just a 15-minute walk from my apartment. When I arrived I was dumbfounded.

It was a big high school, with a large campus that housed everything from multiple sports facilities to several academic buildings.

And as I was peeking, I heard a voice behind me saying “What's good with this view kid?”

Someone saw me peeking at the most hideous spot ever, while I was holding a newspaper.

So I cursed at myself because of the shock. “Shit!” That was the good spot for peeking, but I didn't realize someone really saw me.

I looked behind me. A man was standing, wearing white t-shirt and sweat pants.

“Oh, I wa-was just cu-curious about this school,” I said, while stuttering.

“Did you see it in the newspaper?” he asked.

“Ah, yeah I did,” I answered, as I stood up.

Man this is kinda awkward. I was caught red-handed. Now we're having a conversation.

“What's your name?” he asked.

“My na-name is Yuri Takeshi…”

“I am one of the best teachers here — Aizawa,” he said.

It's my first time seeing one of the “best teachers” wearing white tee and sweat pants, I thought.

“Now then, since we already know each other, and you're already here I'm gonna show you around.” he said.

I was confused back then, but he showed me around. Everything I see is unbelievable.

Even though the outside view of this school is clear and big, it can't compare to how dirty the inside is. Hallways full of scattered paper. The classroom was filled with so much choke dust. Even the teacher's offices seemed to be so messed up. And the scent of mixed perfumes, used by countless students, spreading through every single classroom, as if the memories they had never faded.

“It's kinda dirty right?” he said, as he chuckled.

“Yeah… didn't expect this.” I replied.

“Well you see, this school is originally super clean. It just happened to have a goodbye party for the first year student.”

Goodbye party? I don't understand the concept of a goodbye party.

Why are you guys wasting time for that? I thought.

“RIght” I said.

“You know,” he said, “I used to peek at that spot too when I was your age.”

“I see…”

“I never forgot how I ended up getting caught at that time. HAHAHA”

What's with this teacher? Is he really telling his story?

.

.

.

As we continued looking around, he asked me something.

“Are you planning to enroll here?”

Where the hell did that come from?... Enroll here?

Changing school is like being a new person, new place, new classmates, and… new personality.

But… it won't change a thing at all.

“What's the point?” I accidentally whispered.

“Huh?” he asked.

“Oh, nothing. But to answer your question, I think nope this school is surely just for gifted students, and this school seems valuable.” I answered.

“Oh, come on. After you take a peek? I mean, since you are already here, why don't you take a test? If ever you change your mind.” he said.

A test? It's a written test for every student who enrolls at any school, most of the school passing are 50 percent. Since I'm at the finest high school maybe this could be 80 percent. After you answer every question your test score will depend if you are really worthy of that school but if it's below average maybe they will suggest you to another school.

“I wish I could, but I'm not that smart either.” I said.

“Oh come on, we're already here,” He said, while we entered the testing office.

He said those words that caught me off guard, and didn't realize we were already at the testing office.

Wait!...What!? Why the hell we’re at the testing office?

“I'm sorry but I really am not smart.” I said, as I stopped mid entering.

“Smart? Do you really think this school is just for smart students?”

“Umm… yeah I guess.”

What's up with this guy? First he showed me around, and talked about nonsense stuff, now he wants me to enroll here?

“Then why did you go here?” he asked.

Why did I go here?...

to take a peek?...

Why did I really go here?

“Because I want to take a peek” I answered.

“Why would you waste your time peeking at a random school? If you knew it would be impossible to enroll here?”

My real motive here is to take a peek.

But I'm not that person who is gonna take a sneak peek just to see a random school.

Why am I like this?...

It's not because I'm bored.

Definitely not because I'm interested.

It's something else, I never understand yet.

As I was thinking about why I am here, I decided to take the test.

I don't know why.

It's just my brain decided to function on its own.

“Im gonna take the test!” I said.

“There we go, I see the fire dude!”

And yep that's what happened. I knew that I really didn't get all of the answers right but I'm pretty sure I did my best. The question is about the scenario, what will you do if you see this or that.

When the test came up, I was dumbfounded. I did pass the test,

Is this school really for me?

“Congrats kid!”

“See now, it's not that hard. We don't care about how smart you are as long as you have principles and will in life you can answer them.”

“Ano… I want to enroll here!” I snapped, as I wondered what would happen to me if I enrolled here.

“Say less!”

And just like that, I somehow became a student of Yamagiri High.

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POV: Hina Hanakawa

“Aaahhhn”

I stretched out my arms as sunlight peeked through my curtains, casting golden light in my morning eye. “Good morning earth!” I shouted out of excitement.

Today is the day. It's been a week since Reiji Yukimura published his new book. Meaning this exact day they're gonna ship the new book. I grabbed my phone and checked the time. “It's already 6:00 P.M.?!” I accidentally shouted. Don't tell me that I slept the whole day? Is it just me or my body doesn't make sense?

For some unknown reason, I felt the world was gonna end. My heart raced for a moment and I felt the invisible motivation spark my brain, as if I became super human.

I quickly get off my bed, and take a quick shower before I go out. I also don't have enough time so I wear my short pleated skirt, with an oversized hoodie.

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.

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After a 15-minute walk, I already got here. I take a deep breath just to calm my nerves.

As soon as I entered the bookstore, it felt like a different world. Smell of new books, tons of bookshelves, as if they are trying to build a maze here. And the quiet atmosphere, that never ends.

I walk down the aisle and look for the book named, People Lie When They Smile.

Each shelf I passed, the more excited I got.

And for some unknown reason I saw it, the title is very clear. “People Lie When They Smile”

The atmosphere surrounding me changed, it feels like it is really waiting for me.

It feels like I'm so lucky, the fact that it's the last one?

I lift my arm and reach out.

But just as my fingers touched the cover, someone else held it at the same time.

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POV: Yuri Takeshi

A few minutes flew by, I'm already here—”Huff…Huff…Huff”

I can't believe that this bookshop is big, I thought, well that makes sense… since this is my first time going out by myself.

I entered the bookshop and the scent of new books greeted me, spreading a nostalgic smell

I grabbed a basket and began picking out the materials I needed.

But as I walked down the aisle, something caught my eye.

People Lie When They Smile by Reiji Yukimura? Interesting… This book is all about human behavior. It might sound crazy, but I’ve actually learned to read people’s thoughts on my own. Maybe this book is meant for me.

I stood in front of the shelf, staring.

People Lie When They Smile… and it was the last book, It kinda felt like it was waiting for me.

I reached out, thinking maybe I should buy it.

But just as my fingers touched the cover, someone else grabbed it at the same time.

I looked beside me. A girl was standing right next to me, her eyes wide like she didn’t expect someone else to go for the same book.

And the fact that we’re still standing here? awkwardly holding the same book for like three hours…

Well, not exactly…

But it sure feels like it.

Well… as a gentleman, I am willingly gonna give her the book, maybe… it's not just for me right?

She laughed awkwardly. “hehehe” It was the kind of laugh people do when they’re pretending not to care, but secretly really care.

“You a fa-fan too? of Reiji Yukimura?” she stuttered, as she glanced at me.

I put my hands down and said, “...Nope, never he-heard of him,“

As I looked at her something kinda felt off.

At that exact moment, I can't stop wondering how someone came here at the exact time and date as me.

I figured it out now.

“Are you expecting this book?” I asked.

She looked down and said, “Yeah! Reiji Yukimura announced his latest book last week, and I got to know when it's gonna release,”

“So… I came here hoping it's still available,” she said, as her cheeks turned red.

I'm right. She obviously waited patiently over a week, just to get this book. Her eyes say it all. When she looked at me, I know that I had seen those eyes before, the look of disappointment.

Suggesting she's disappointed, it's certainly obvious she's expecting this.

“Oh, I'm sorry I talk too much.” she mumbled, then suddenly stopped talking.

“It's fine, You can have it.” I said, as I grabbed the book and gave it to her.

She looked at me, and said “Th-Thank you.” As she reaches out, and takes the book.

“Your welcome…”

If I'm gonna think rationally, should it be that we are supposed to share that book? I mean we held it at the same time?

But sometimes… things don't work as you want or if it's right. I'm just a random person that happens to see that new book, but she waited for so long.

I choose not to get it not because of rational thinking of mine, it's because that's what my instinct tells me.

“I’m about to read one of his books, any recommendations? I asked.

She glanced at me and said. “Sure, but his book is so rare… This is the last one in this place, because they only released 20 books per region.”

I blinked, and snapped. “Wait… 20 books per region? What is the point of selling it in a local bookstore?”

“Right? And… I do really appreciate you giving this book to me, if ever we can share reading this book—” she said, as she was about to grab the book.

“No, it's alright… I'm pretty sure you need it the most.”

I low-key want to grab that book and run like it's my last day, imagine having the rarest book in the world.

“Thanks… Ow, I got lost track of my time, I still got stuff to buy.” she mumbled, as she looked at her watch.

“If you don't mind, I have to go.”

“Umm, yeah… su-sure.”

I watch as she turns around… and slowly walks back to the aisle. She seemed really into books… her eyes while I'm talking to her shines, as if she wants to continue our topic about the book.

(...)

I finally finished picking out all my school supplies and headed to the cashier. One by one, each item beeped as it was scanned. After paying, I walk out of the bookstore and begin walking.

As I was about to walk back home, I saw a familiar girl walking. She is wearing a familiar outfit I saw earlier. Oversized hoodie, with short pleated skirt.

Also she got so much stuff! Will she walk back home without any ride? Poor her.

I was about to lose my sight to her, when she glanced at me. Wait!... I know her, that's the girl who bought that book.

She locked her eyes at me, then raised her hand a little.

Her fingers moved, like she was telling me to come over.

No words, just that small gesture.

Crap! I know how this is gonna end!

I came up to her and saw how miserable she looked, her shy eyes covering her messy bangs.

Suggesting why she called me, it hints that she wants me to help her. So I took the initiative to speak.

“Umm… Do you need something?”

She swayed her bangs and said, “Ano… can you he-help me bring this to my ho-house.” We can say she just randomly recruited a helper without knowing who he was.

Yep I know this is gonna happen. Why the hell did she buy all of this if she can't carry it?!

Well… who’s person gonna reject that favor? She asked me nicely, nothing with just pure innocent cuteness in her eyes.

“Fine…” I said. as we walked to her house.

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.

It's been 10-minutes, and we're still walking side by side in a street that feels empty. The way ahead was dark, lit only by streetlights, as if this place was prepared only for us, and the sound of each step we took echoed in my ear.

I looked up at the sky and noticed how quiet it was. The night sky is something else.

I felt a strange feeling inside my chest.

It's not sadness.

Nor happiness.

A feeling I've never felt before.

So this is what they called being free.

It is a sensation that conveys your feeling into reality.

As I was observing the sky I saw her glancing at me, like she wanted to say something.

She looked up and said, "It's really quite right?”

I glanced at her and said, “Yeah, It does.”

“Is this your first time going out at night?” she asked.

“Yeah, you can say th-that”

I never saw this side of the sky. The cold air floats through transparent space. The quiet defining sound, piercing my ear. And the Countless stars that are impossible to reach.

Turns out even the night has beauty after all.

There was a small silence.

She glanced at me again, but quickly removed it.

I was about to say something, “Umm… —” But she cut me off, “He-hey…”

“yes?” I said,

“Do you believe in timing?”

“What do you mean by that?” I wonder.

“You know, like when we met in a bookstore, and when I spotted you walking.” she said, teasingly.

“I think it's just a coincidence.” I said, as I scratched my nape.

She looked up at the vast, dark sky, dotted with stars, and the crescent moon hanging faintly.

"Do you think the sun and moon ever truly meet?"

I glanced at the sky, and observed the moon. Just barely. The moon is almost like a sun, it glows like a light bulb in a small empty room. But the difference is sun is only for a day and moon is only for the night. When it's time for the day, the moon vanishes as if it's trying to avoid the sun. Same as the night.

“You mean, solar eclipse?” I asked.

“Solar eclipse never existed, you know!” she said, as she looked at me looking disappointed.

She is right. They teach us about the solar eclipse, as if they were trying to force us to believe in it. But it was a lie… no one’s ever actually seen one. Since the earth was made, a solar eclipse never happened, till now.

“Yeah, but who knows?” I said, as I can't help wondering. What if they did? What if they did really meet? In the most unknown way, maybe tomorrow… maybe later… or maybe now.

“I wonder?” she said.

“What is it?”

“If ever they did really meet… what does it look like?”

“No idea, but maybe it would look really cool seeing them meet.” I said, as I looked at her.

“Yeah…” she said, as she glanced at me smiling.

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After a few minutes, we finally got to her house. My arms were so sore! didn't realize what if she carried this stuff on her own?

“Th-This is our home” she stuttered, and took the initiative to take her stuff in my hands.

Finally this misery will end. just wondering out of many strangers. Why me? As I was about to turn my back I heard a voice coming from that house “Hina-chan!”

I looked up and I saw a girl, is that her mom? “Oh… you got a visitor,” she said.

Talking about timing! better be kind than never, “Ano, I just help h-” I was about to say my motives when her mother cut me off, “Is he your boyfriend?”

Wait!... What? Ok now I didn't sign up for this one.

I glanced at the girl, and saw her shy face. Her cheeks turned red and her eyes looked so embarrassed.

This is so awkward. In my life I never experience this awkwardness, this sucks. I need to speak, “No-” As I was just about to speak to reduce the awkwardness, the girl spoke. “He is my fr-friend.” her voice was so serious that got me off guard.

I looked at her, and she just stood there awkwardly saying those lines. Is she serious right now?! I don't even know her name.

“We spotted each other at the bookstore, so I asked him to help me!” the girl said.

“That's so… What's your friend's name?” her mom asked, as she came closer to me.

“I am Yu-Yuri Takeshi,” I stuttered.

“Do you want to eat dinner with us, Takeshi-kun?” her mom asked. teasingly.

The girl stood up and suddenly snapped, “He got something important to do mom!”

Her mom said “Ok, fine…” as she walked back inside the house.

This is kinda awkward, but looks like it's my time to leave.

“Ano, I'm gonna go now.” I said.

She looked at me and put her stuff down, raised her hands, signaling to wait.

“… please wait here” she blurted.

2 minutes have passed, and she's already here.

Her hands filled with small pouches of cookies.

“This is my payment,” she said, as she lifted her arms, filled with pouches of cookies.

Those lines took my soul so hard, I didn't realize my face turned red.

Her voice when she said those lines was so soft, as if she's saying her good bye.

As I took the cookies, I felt her hands were so soft, yet warm. “Tha-Thanks” I mumbled.

I was about to move my feet, when she blurted something.

“Hina Hanakawa”

“I am Hi-Hina Hanakawa!”

I look and I sense her voice, mixed with confidence and shyness.

I chuckled, “I am Yuri Takeshi”

(...)

[Scene: Evening back Home]

I already got home, and my whole body is sore. Feels like my body is tearing apart. So I tossed my stuff somewhere else, and went straight to shower.

After that I went to my room, and lay down on my bed thinking about what happened in the bookstore.

Her voice echoes in my head, as if that's the only thing I remember earlier.

“Ano, this is my payment”

Dang this sucks, this day is really weird. I met a random girl, became a good samaritan, and talked about nonsense stuff.

I might fall asleep now I'm kinda tired.

I slipped my earphones in and let sleep slowly take over.

[End of Chapter 2]