[Short Short] The Library at Twilight
I stood still in front of the bookshelf in the library. It was already the end of May, and the light streaming through the window cast long shadows across the shelves. For the past week, I had been talking to Nakai-kun in the library after school, and I felt like this time was special.
Holding "The Star Route" to my chest, I remembered yesterday. "I really love this book," Nakai-kun had said, his eyes shining as he spoke.
"Oh, Hino-san."
I heard a familiar voice from behind and turned around. Nakai-kun was standing there. He looked a little different than usual.
"Have you read it yet?"
"Yes," my voice sounded a little excited. "I got completely absorbed in it yesterday."
"Really?" Nakai-kun's voice brightened. "I'm glad. If you found it interesting."
Even though our distance had been closing little by little over the past week, something felt different today. My heart was pounding, too.
"Especially the ending," I said, opening the book. "It really made me think."
"The protagonist's choice?" Nakai-kun stepped closer. His serious gaze made my heart skip a beat.
"Yes. It must have been scary to be honest with their own feelings," the words came out naturally. "But the way they tried to move forward was so dazzling."
"Hino-san..." he said, our eyes meeting. "What did you think?"
"I wonder," I said, searching for the words. "I think it's important to walk the path you choose for yourself."
Nakai-kun kept his hand on the bookshelf and looked down as if deep in thought. "This past week," he looked up again, "being able to talk about books with you, Hino-san, I..."
His words trailed off. But I held my breath, wanting to hear the end of that sentence.
The library clock pointed to 5:10. The librarian began tidying up the desk, and the remaining students started to pack up to leave one by one.
While we were talking, we had somehow gotten closer than usual. Nakai-kun's hand brushed against mine. I didn't pull away in surprise. At the next bookshelf, a library committee member was organizing books.
"Um," Nakai-kun stopped as if hiding in the shadow of the bookshelf. "Hino-san..."
Just then, the library's warning bell rang. There were fifteen minutes left until closing time. We moved slightly apart. But the warmth from a moment ago still lingered. Nakai-kun's cheeks were flushed, and he was fidgeting with the second button of his uniform in an unsettled manner.
"So..." his voice trembled slightly. "Would you like to walk to the station together?"
I nod slightly. My face feels hot. I can almost hear my own heartbeat. But I am so happy.
"Yes."
When I answered in a small voice, the tense look on Nakai-kun's face turned into a gentle smile. A softer light than usual was shining into the library at twilight.
#ShortShort #Romance #AnUnforgettableLoveStory