21 Before They Knew It

Devin's footsteps echoed inside the vast library as he walked towards Angeal. He had not said a single word, making Angeal keep her head down.

'Oh, what is he doing at this time... this is making things awkward! I want to read in peace!'

Angeal saw Devin's feet in flip-flops the moment he stopped in front of her. He picked up the book from the floor then handed it over to her.

"Raise your head."

Angeal slowly raised her head and her eyes met his. Then there it was again.

The heavy, depressing atmosphere... like the room could turn into ice at any second.

Why is it always like this every time she is around him? Would it always be like this?

Devin walked to the opposite couch where Angeal was, then sat down.

"Continue reading," he said nonchalantly, as he picked up a book from a nearby shelf then started reading.

The human girl was dumbfounded. She did not know whether to continue reading, or to go elsewhere to read.

To her, the library is the best place to read. If she didn't like the book she was reading, she could always put it down, then look for another book to read. She found it convenient to read in the library and she already found solace in it.

But since the Soul Eater came in unexpectedly, how could she enjoy her usual alone time inside the library?

Deep down, Angeal somehow wished their master didn't come home...

The Soul Eater noticed that she was still standing in place so he looked at her then spoke again.

"I said you can continue what you're doing. Sit down and read."

Angeal's heartbeat doubled its pace when he heard his voice again. She gave a quick, small bow, sat down on the couch, then continued reading the page where she left off.

She had no choice. She wanted to stay in the library to read, then so be it. Even in the presence of their overbearing master.

As time went on, the human girl was still feeling nervous, knowing that their master was sitting right in front of her, reading a book.

With her!

Angeal kept stealing glances of their master as he was reading the book he was holding. Angeal read the title on the cover which said, "Compilation of Short Stories" and it caught her attention.

She knew that book well. She read it years ago and found most of the short stories in the book interesting!

Feeling excited, Angeal quickly got her phone on the side table, opened her app, then typed quickly before she clicked read.

"What short story are you reading now, master?"

Devin looked at her shortly, not expecting that he would be talked to.

'This girl dared talk to me? Others wouldn't even dare initiating a conversation with me unless it is Ivar...'

Angeal cocked her head as she stared at their master in front of her. She blinked her eyes a few times, obviously waiting for Devin's answer.

Shaking himself from his amusement of the human girl talking to him, he returned his gaze on his book then spoke blankly, answering her question.

"A Rose for Emily."

Angeal's eyes lit up like stars. "The story by William Faulkner, right," the phone spoke for her then Devin nodded once and the human girl typed in her phone again. "I like the story. Tell me what you think after you read it," she added and Devin squinted his eyes at the girl, finding her taste in stories peculiar despite her soft and kind appearance.

To Devin, he found those two things contradictory.

"Why do you always read dark themed stories," he asked out of curiosity and Angeal cocked her head to the right. She looked at her phone then typed again.

"What do you mean?"

'She doesn't get it...'

Devin's eyes returned to the book he was reading then answered.

"Well, you were talking about the stories of Edgar Allan Poe earlier and then you know William Faulkner's. Both of them have the same themes. You know what I mean."

Angeal bit her lip, realizing that most of the stories she shared with Devin were indeed dark themed ones.

She typed on the phone again then clicked read.

"Oh, that's just a coincidence."

Devin put down his book for a while then looked at Angeal seriously. His voice sounded snappy as he spoke, making the human girl feel sorry that she conversed with him.

"You're talkative around your master, knowing that you haven't been around me for a long time."

Angeal avoided his eyes, feeling scared, now that he spoke to her that way. She just ignored him and got her book, then continued reading.

'So rude... I thought those in higher positions are nice.'

The moonlight passed through the window, giving the library a mystical vibe. They stayed quiet for an hour already as they read their own books that they were holding. As time went on, the both of them were already comfortable with each other even in silence.

Angeal then realized that the atmosphere no longer felt heavy like it was an hour ago. Now, she felt lighter around their master.

Once in a while, Devin would steal glances of Angeal reading, and Angeal would occasionally steal glances of him, too. When their eyes finally met, they looked at each other for a few seconds, before avoiding each other's gaze.

'Oh, he looked at me!'

Feeling conscious, Angeal completely hid her face behind the book she was holding and Devin just ignored her and continued reading.

'What a peculiar human girl...'

As Angeal took another peek, she realized that their master was indeed exceptionally handsome. His unkempt black hair was a usual look to humans but for Devin, it gave his look uniqueness. His purple eyes looked so mysterious and deep, Angeal felt like the longer she looked at his eyes, she would get lost in it.

Angeal didn't realize that she was looking at Devin secretly for a whole two minutes until he spoke.

"So... have you finalized your schedule for classes?"

When Angeal heard his voice, she suddenly bumped her phone on the side table and it fell on the floor, making their master look at her.

'Oh, Angeal, you clumsy girl,' the girl spoke to herself in her thoughts. She quickly picked up her phone then typed quickly to answer his question.

"Yes, master. I'm going to take 18 units for the next semester. It will start in a week," the phone said and Devin put down his book and with his magic, a pitcher of water appeared on the side table beside him then he prepared himself a glass of water.

"Show me your subjects."

Angeal couldn't understand their master's personality. Days ago he showed how moody he was and now he's engaging himself in a conversation with her.

'How unpredictable...'

The girl opened her notes on the phone then extended her hand to show it to him. This made Devin raise a brow at her. His reaction made Angeal felt stupid for a second.

"You think I have powerful eyesight? Come here and show me!"

When Angeal heard him, she was slightly taken aback the moment he slightly raised his voice at her. She stood up quickly but when she started walking, she stumbled, her foot caught on the coffee table's foot, making her land on their master's chest.

'!!!'

It all happened so fast! Before they knew it... their lips had already met.