A Silent Love II

In the silent rooftop time stood still and Sora took his time to find the proper words. The distance between them still allowed for a clear conversation. He looked to his phone and backed at Hino several times before finally allowing the words to come out.

"Um... Hino...-san... I brought some mangas that I wanted to show you..." Sora began slowly, slightly unconfident. 

Hino's face instantly turned to Sora. She was excited that this time Sora is the one showing his mangas. And simply that she has the chance to talk wit him.

"But, I forgot my bag at class..." 

Hino stared at Sora with disappointment.

"I'll show you later. In the café." 

Though the disappointment is still seen on Hino's face, she wasn't truly disappointed. Even when it is later, in her heart she was overjoyed from the thought of it. Regardless of what he is going to say, to Hino his words brought her a sense of comfort.

"None of them are romance though." And with that line, Hino heart felt as though it had just been stabbed. Not all words brought her comfort apparently. And these words were one of these exceptions.

"R-Romance is nice, S-Sora...-san." She tried tried to defend her genre with her wavering words. 

But, Sora cold heartedly replied, "The romance stories I've read were boring."

"What did you read S-Sora-san?" 

"The Night At 10PM, Shining Moon Over You and Our Bed Time Story."

"S-S-S-Sora-sann?! T-Those are for adults! Sora-san, why did you buy them?!"

"My little brother recommended them." An image of Natsu with his usual energetic nonchalant smile appeared with into Sora's head.

"Y-Your l-little brother?! Sora-san have a little brother...?" 

"I have a little brother and a big brother. You?"

"Hino don't have siblings... Sora-san, read this. Hino thinks it's good romance." Hino referring to 'My Comfort Place.'

"No. Romance is boring. And cliché." Sora stood firm with his opinion.

"Sora-san." She called his name with a slight pout on her face. 

"When you read action, then I'll read romance."

"..." Sora's words made Hino speechless for a moment. She pondered on what he had said. Soon afterwards she gave Sora her answer. She stared at Sora, her eyes showing her determination to convince Sora to like romance. And she accepted the terms, "Hm." 

"..." This time Sora was made speechless. Her answer wasn't what he expected. But, he was intrigued by the offer he himself made. 

"Then, we trade. You lend me a romance and I lend you an action." 

"Hm." 

"Fine by me." 

Things are getting interesting. What's a good action series to recommend... Maybe one with a bit of romance in it, so that she will like it...

Before Sora could reach a decision, the hushed rooftop was suddenly overpowered by the noise of the school bell. 

"S-Sora-san..." Just before they were about to exit through the door Hino called on Sora and extended her arms, a manga between his her hands. 

The first volume of "My Comfort Place". This is the manga she's recommending me? It's so worn out and messy. What happened to it...

"Sorry Sora-san... it's in a bad state... But, the story is good, Sora-san..." 

"You don't have to give it to me now. I don't even know what to give you yet." Hino simply stood with her hands stretched out looking at Sora, the purple glow of her eyes answering the question for her. Sora understood what was intended by her response and took the book from her hands and brought it with him.

The school bell rings once again, this time marking the end of school. 

Sora packed his books into his bag, which today has another occupant. He saw the manga Hino lended him and remembered that he has to decide a book to lend to her. Reminded of their deal, Sora looked up and around the class, only to find her already gone from the class. As usual. 

Sora picks up his bag and leaves his chair.

Hmm... what should I lend her? "Fight On!" was good and has amazing fight scenes but apparently she didn't like it. Then one with romance? Or maybe a story with a deeper and stronger message, cuz that might give her something to enjoy other than the fights. Well, if that's the case, then there is- 

Sora's thoughts stopped as he passed through the classroom door and saw Hino standing outside beside the door waiting for him. 

But Hino didn't have to explain herself. He was surprised but at the moment he knew she wanted to talk with him together, so, without a word, he kept on walking and she simply followed beside him. 

Sora with his headphone, while Hino with her earphones. Both of them listened to their music as they walked to the café. They were in their separate worlds, but they were there walking together side by side. Different music might be played into their ears, but their hearts shared the same beat. 

"Welcome." The owner of the manga café greeted them with a bewildered look. But he has known the two of them for some time, so he swiftly averted his stare afterwards and continued his work. 

Sora sat in his usual normal seat and Hino followed, sitting in the same table on the seat across of Sora.  

At the table the two of them just did their own thing. Sora took out his school books and continued studying and doing his homework, while Hino reads her manga. She has been holding on to Sora's words, but she understands that he has to study, so she waited.

Though, Sora can't help but wonder if Hino is going to study or not, considering that their exam is in the next three weeks. He knows everyone does it at their own pace, but he still asked her anyways, "Are you not gonna study?" 

She shook his head, "Hino study at home." 

Those were the last sentences before hours passed by in silence. Sora to his studies. Hino and her manga. Independent worlds but the worlds were there side by side. Peaceful and quiet. No words has to be said to the other. The presence of one another is enough, as a certain silent magic filled the air.

Sora closed his book, signifying his studies are finished. He returned his books to his bag, bringing out in exchange a manga, which he handed over to Hino. "Moonless Days."

"There's 11 Volumes, I only have the first six," His gentle voice lead the conversation. 

Hino gave the book a curious glare. She held the book within her hands, turning it and examining each side, seemingly unsure what to do with it, as if it was her first time holding a book. 

Sora took out another manga from the mini-bookshelf that is his bag, "I thought about lending you "Fight On!", but you've already read it." 

"Hino don't like it," a firm but yet soft voice came from her. The firmness in her voice showing her steadfast opinion. She tried to exclaim with more power, but with her quiet voice that faint sound was all she could do. 

Yeah, you said the same thing yesterday...  

Sora continued his elevator pitch, "Fight On!" has good fight scenes. But it wasn't deep. "Moonless Days" is much more emotional and deeper." 

"What other manga Sora-san have?" 

Sora reaches for another manga and lays it on the table. "The first volume of A Family Of Five."

"That one is good!" The two of them finally found a common ground. 

"I haven't read it, though." Sora seemingly frequently bringing false hope. 

"There's three volumes, Sora-san."

"It was actually recommended from discord. I'll try to find a time to read it."

"Sora-san use discord?"

"Yea, you use it too?" 

"Hm." 

"Oh. Then, we can exchange usernames later."

"Hm."

"I also have this manga." 

"Oh, from Todou-sensei."

"Oh, you know him?" Sora bewildered by the fact that she recognized the horror works of Todou-sensei. Based off of her fragile looking body, people wouldn't expect her too read such intense, gory works. Romance and slice of life, sure. But, a violence series would seemingly shatter her tender soul. Nevertheless, that was however not the main reason why Sora was stunned. 

It's not often you can talk with someone who knows about the writers as such. At home Natsu also reads manga, but only those popular at the moment. I don't think he cares about writers and such. This is something new. 

"Hino's favorite is "The Man from the Corridor." 

"Oh, I think that was his second series."

"Third."  

"Oh." Sora's knowledge was overshadowed by hers. But despite that, he was somewhat pleased. He is now aware that he can converse deeper conversations with her. "Do you have the manga?"

"No, Hino read it online."

Yeah, I figured. Todou-sensei's work are hard to come buy and are pretty expensive in print.

Undisturbed in their shared world, the both of them found someone they can share their passion with. Exchanging words with their dim voices. Sometimes having different opinions and different tastes. And even liking opposing genres. But to them, those who isolated themselves from the noises world, they managed to found themselves in the other. 

"My favorite is "Age 86"

"Sora-san have it at home?"

"Hm. Yeah, it's at home. It's a shame he's on a hiatus"

"Todou-sensei deserves a break."

"Yeah, I guess." 

"So, Sora-san have two mangas from Todou-sensei?"

"Yea."

"Hino want one. But it's expensive."

 "Yea, it's expensive. I also brought..."

However, as the two were silently sitting together, a certain noise approaches. At first, it wasn't heard by the two of them, but it grew louder and louder. It was a noise Hino was very familiar with. But it wasn't one she was fond of. The noise came from outside of the store. 

The store owner recognized the sound became concerned. They were footsteps. Each step hitting the ground with intense impact. The intervals between each step grew shorter and shorter until it arrived and the noise st-

"HINO!!! YOU'VE BEEN HERE THE WHOLE TIME?! Oh my... I'VE BEEN LOOKING ALL OVER FOR YOU!!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! WHY ARE YOU NOT AT HOME YET? YOU HAVE EXAMS SOON, REMEMBER!!!"