Obliging Library Aura

Studying was one of the several things that Sugimoto despised, due to the fact that she’s susceptible to distractions. The general exam that was impending forced her to study, and for that, she needed a peaceful area. After attending her last class, she headed to the college’s inclusive library. It was disbelief to see only a handful of students inside on a day so near to the assessment. She presumed they might’ve preferred to apply themselves in their residences or a welcoming place like the bookstore and café she works part time at. A vacant table next to a secluded window seemed alluring, so she occupied it willingly. The leaves barely remained on the saplings that endured the impending cold outside. Sugimoto gathered her notes and shut on her laptop, filled with uncanny stickers. After having the materials set, she lowered her gaze, checking the watch on her wrist.

“It’s not even close to closing time.” She confirms by raising her head and watching the bright afternoon light that shone through the window, upholding her conscious. “I’ll stay a couple more hours…” After pushing a pair of earphones into her ears, she opens a textbook in protest and begins her studies, remaining in the forsaken table.

Unintentionally across the very same library, Kimura studies independently on a crowded, but leisurely table. The most minimal noises don’t dare bother her, unlike Sugimoto, who every once in a while veered around the room, distracted. Although she usually studied by herself like Sugimoto, her friend ocassionally accompanied her. As her hand swerved along the pages of her notebook, a few students at the table briefly looked at her to pull their eyes away from the unexciting textbooks they studied from. Its point deteriorated, Kimura set the pencil on the table before rising from the ungiving library chair to recharge her batteries.

She walked along the brimming shelves, exploring the titles that piqued her curiosity. While examining the ends of the halls she noticed various inanimate tables across, deeming them irrelevant to her main plan. As she leaves the library momentarily, Sugimoto continues studying, even though she despises it.

The yellowing sun shone through the library windows, revealing a more powerful deadpan silence than before. The reality of the hour was covered by the relief that played in Sugimoto's ears and the material Kimura was so enveloped on. It wasn't until a student patted Kimura's shoulder to tell her the library was closing that she realized that she’d been there for a considerable amount of time.

“There's someone sleeping on a table back there. I tried to wake them up but they kept sleeping.” the student informs Kimura, who glances at the table, which indeed has an asleep person. “Studying must’ve tired them out.”

“Thanks for letting me know. Leave it to me.” Kimura thanks the student and gathers her belongings to head over to the table. Merely 3 feet away, Kimura stands, observing the dozing person. Their outfit consists of baggy jeans and a white zip up sweater, reminding her of something Sugimoto would wear. They rest both arms on the tabletop with their head buried inside an open textbook. What seems to be their computer is open, but the screen is black. On the side lies a notebook, filled with words, scratches and notes on the margin. She steps next to the person, lightly patting their shoulders. The only response being breathing movements, once again she pats them on the shoulder with more pressure.

“Hey, wake up, the library’s closing.” she says, determined. The stubborn student persists with their sleep. As Kimura draws nearer, she notices an earphone cable that connects to the computer. Before taking them off, she allows an intrusive thought to take over, waking the resting computer. The screen shows dark mode Spotify on full screen, hiding the millions of research tabs underneath. Before closing the computer, she glances at the playing song: Potion Approaching by Artic Monkeys. Kimura's eyes light up in recognition, courtesy of the setting evening sun.

"I've heard that song somewhere before..." she ponders internally.

“The library’s closing, we’ve gotta leave.” she hurries the student again. The student finally awakens, slowly rising while rubbing their eyes.

“Huh?” they groan drowsily. “The library?...”

“It’s closed…” Kimura lingers, pointing at the desolate library with her hand. The student, disoriented, gathers their things without asking any more questions for the time being. Eventually they stand across from her, with wearied cocoa eyes and humorless expression showing tiredness. Familiarity surges through Kimura, who considered them as just another ordinary student.

Once again, she runs into Sugimoto by chance, this time on a completely unexpected place.

“Shit… I fell asleep again.” Akako yawns, fixing her messy hair that somehow managed to be admirable. “Thanks for waking me up.” She smiles awkwardly.

“No problem!” Aya chuckles nervously. Even if Sugimoto didn't recognize her, she played along.

“Were you studying too?” The cashier adjusts her backpack, which had the zipper open. Even from a distance, you would notice the top of the black and glittery board.

“That’s right.” She nods. Akako walks closer to Kimura, suddenly laying both hands on her shoulders. The compacted distance warms the chilly library with the regular's flushed cheeks. The cashier's inducive eyes capture hers, unable to look away.

“Can you help me study?” She pulls out a pen from her right pocket. Gently, she pushes the sleeves of Kimura's jacket from her wrist and writes her number on her soft, supple skin. The point scratches her a bit, but it's a pain she doesn't mind at all. She stares reluctantly, even after Sugimoto’s finished writing and holding her wrist.

“Call me later, okay?” Sugimoto eagerly waves goodbye. As shemakes her way to the library’s exit, she stops at the librarian's counter to apologize.The flustered regular lowers her gaze towards her arm, rereading the combination of numbers. She covers her face in disbelief.

“What is this obliging library aura?” Kimura follows Sugimoto's way after leaving. "He gave me his number..."