15 The Second Encounter

Hina slipped her hands into the generous pockets of her dress, warming up her hands. The costarellos floral tulle dress had surprised Hina when she noticed the pockets; very different from her usual dresses.

The sun's appearance in the blue skies had a low impact during this chilling period. She had informed Suki to wait with the carriage, making her way into the bookstore alone.

The penetrating chill of the afternoon was momentarily relieved by the warmth of the bookstore. The store was surprisingly very warm and extra clean in comparison to her previous visit. It however still lacked visitors but Hina prefered it that way. She liked the quiet atmosphere.

"Good afternoon, My lady! It's been a while since your last visit" It was the same attendant Hina had met before. The young man had a neat white shirt on and his hair was neatly packed.

"Yes, it has"

"Is there any specific book the lady is searching for?"

"Yes, I'd like to get some history books please.. "

"We have a couple of history books available but I'm afraid they're not for sale, Miss" he gave her an awkward smile as he touched the back of his neck.

"Ah.. then what do I do?"

"If you have the time, you can read them here. Sorry for the inconvenience" he looked truly apologetic.

"It's okay. I'll just read them here. Thank you"

Hina walked through the shelves of neatly arranged books. She searched through the shelves in the history and culture section and found a few history books she deemed useful for her learning.

The bookstore had a small seating area at the back of the shop. Hina assumed it was small since most people bought the books they needed and left rather than to read here. There was also the grand city library that many people preferred to visit, so there was no use for a common bookstore to have a grand seating spot.

The area was cosy and situated in front of a huge glass window with a calming view of vast greenery.

Hina dropped the books on the wooden table before she plopped into the cushioned chair. With a determined mindset, she opened the first book before her; "The History Of The Asahi Empire: The Rise Of The Emperors". The first chapter began with the story of the first emperor. 

"Focus," she told herself.

Hina suddenly felt a presence behind her. Drawing closer and closer. She turned back and caught the towering figure standing behind her.

"Who are you? You scared me"

"Sorry about that. I didn't mean to scare you" his voice was calm and clear.

The figure took a seat beside Hina. She stared at him with suspecting eyes as he opened up a book. The stranger had a black long coat on with a hoodie. He wore black leather gloves and even had a black mask on, covering up his entire face except for his eyes. He had beautiful blue-grey eyes that were weirdly familiar. Hina tried to recall where she had seen those eyes before.

"Don't you think you're coming on to me too strongly?" He asked her as he adjusted his sitting position. He looked at her and she could tell he was smiling underneath that mask.

"What?" She was shocked at his narcissistic remark

"You've been staring at me so intensely for a while now. Are you trying to flirt with me?"

"What are you saying? Why would I flirt with you?"

"So you don't deny staring at me?"

"I wasn't staring"

Embarrassed that she got caught, she turned away and refocused on her book. She didn't like how childish she reacted to his words and she disliked how it seemed like he was enjoying the situation. As she attempted to read the opened page, it all came back to her. She suddenly realised where she had seen the hooded stranger. It was here! Right here in this bookstore! The day she bought some novels and fell on her behind! She felt her face heat up as embarrassment crept up again.

[Damn it. Why did I have to run into him again?]

About thirty minutes had gone by since Hina decided to ignore the stranger sitting beside her. Now disoriented, she could barely focus on her reading. As much as she enjoyed learning about events that were never explained in the novel, it was a bit overwhelming to bear with. The history book also had over a thousand pages and she had barely reached page ninety-three. She had proudly told the attendant that she would read it here, not knowing what she was getting into. There was no way she would finish the book today. It was a task that was simply impossible.

With that thought, she felt her eyes getting heavier as she strained them to read another line of the first emperor's bio. Soon enough she gave in to the sleep, laying her head on the opened pages of the history book.

_____

The hooded stranger closed his book and focused on Hina. She had been his focus all along while he pretended to read. He had watched her from the moment she walked into the bookstore with her hands in her pockets. He immediately recognised her as the strange girl he met before with beautiful golden eyes. Standing up on the second floor, she came into his view as she walked around the shelves. He found himself being drawn to her, while he picked out a random book and headed in her direction. She had caught him by surprise when she noticed him standing behind her. He had been quiet and discreet as usual, gliding soundlessly behind her, unsure of his actions. He had not registered how excited he was to see her again, watching her facial expressions change as he teased her. He found himself pouting as she focused on her book rather than on him.

[Why am I having such silly thoughts? It's so childish of me] but he couldn't pull away from her.

Sunlight spilled over Hina through the glass, warming her skin as she slept peacefully. Her hair soaked in the sunlight as it shone golden beneath it.

Her hair had been decorated with fabric flowers once again. He stretched out his left hand, slowly placing her long strands behind her small ears to get a better view of her face.

[How can she sleep so soundly next to a complete stranger? Is she just clueless or fearless?]

He stared at the flowers on her hair. He had seen many young ladies wear them in the city, but it suited her the most. He carefully picked out the one closest to her ear and stuffed it into his coat, as if it was rightfully his. He still had the white one he had taken during their first encounter. It was always on him, either in his wallet or in his coat; like a talisman. For some reason, he couldn't bring himself to throw it away.

She looked like a doll. He wondered how someone could be so beautiful: calm and undisturbed by his presence.

"Don't hurt me..." she muttered underneath her breath.

His line of thoughts cracked as he heard her words. Her small voice held so much sadness as she sleep talked.

[Who would dare lay a finger on you?]

Her words had strangely upset him as he wondered what and who she dreamt about.

Time went by so quickly as she laid there sleeping beside him. He usually hated being around others but her presence somehow brought him warmth and solace. A soothing feeling he wasn't accustomed to. One he wasn't privileged to feel for so long.

Hina's hand connected with a book, sending it tumbling. It hit the floor with a loud thud, jolting her awake.

In a confused state, she casted her eyes around. She realised she was still sitting in the bookstore. The history book still opened before her. Page ninety-nine. With her mind quickly clearing, she glanced over her watch to see that she'd been asleep for over an hour. She had barely read through the first chapter of the book and the day had gone by.

[I must've been crazy]

"Oh no," she hurriedly jumped out of the chair. She couldn't believe she fell asleep in such an open space, wasting away the time she had dedicated to reading. She was slightly dissatisfied with herself, blaming it on those sleepless nights that seemed to have eventually caught up with her.

Hina glanced at the hooded stranger. He was fully concentrated on his book, paying no attention to her ruckus, which she actually appreciated.

"If only I could get just one of these" She mumbled while closing the history book before her.

"You can borrow them from the city library," he said, flipping to the next page of his book.

Hina was surprised by his sudden remark as she did not think he would be able to hear her.

"Ah..thank you" she replied quietly, looking at him with thankful eyes.

She needed to head back home soon. The sun was already making its final descent and she could only imagine how tired Suki and the others would be having waited for her for so long. As she began to walk away, the stranger softly grabbed onto her left hand, startling the rushing Hina.

"What are you doing?"

"Won't you tell me your name?"

Hina stared at him for a while, contemplating on her reply,  before answering, "I'm Hina. Hina Kudo".

She smoothly brushed off his hand from hers as she hurried away.

He stared in her direction, eyeing her as she got into a carriage.

"At least now I know your name, Hina Kudo"

[Hina Kudo]