We are pretending....right? - Chapter 1- Strange guy....
Sumire had a hobby to have varieties of books on her shelf which attracts her to libraries or bookstores the most whenever she goes out.
She wasn’t a bookworm and her marks were also around average but she just likes to have her room full of books. It was more of a passion for her.
And so, to pass her time on Sunday morning, she walked into this familiar store where she often comes whenever she has to buy groceries. Even the receptionist was quite familiar to Sumire, who smiled at the girl upon her arrival.
Giving a small nod with a smile, Sumire went inside the bookstore which fortunately never gets extremely crowded thanks to the fact that people like to spend their weekend having fun.
Those who were inside didn’t pay attention to her part from a single guy.
She has sensed him looking at her ever since for some reason.
By appearance, he was a handsome guy, maybe slightly older than her. Sharp hazelnut eyes and long hair of the same shade which was tied messily in a ponytail and some strands freely falling over his forehead.
And what was that…piercing? There was a stud on his left ear as well which Sumire was able to notice as she approached him.
His gaze fixated on him bothered her but with a stern look, she walked ahead of him without batting him another glance.
How shameless could be nowadays!
She soon found shelves filled with books on either side with the smell of newly added books actively permeating the air. It always calms her down.
There was a lot going on with her two idiot friends recently which always has kept her on the edge. So this little break was most welcomed.
“Hmmm? It’s surprising to see plastic wrapping…”
Browsing through the racks she found some cookery books she was intending to buy for some time. She knows how to cook but the basic ones. And since her mother mostly stays out because of her work, especially since this year because of her promotion, Sumire was thinking to learn something more nutritional.
But she was confused about which one of the three she should buy in order since from the outer cover they all seemed intriguing.
Loss of any idea, she just took the yellow one which had a pasta cover on it when suddenly she heard someone calling out for her.
“If you are buying for everyday cooking, then I won’t prefer that one.”
Sumire trembled since she didn’t feel someone approaching this near before she jumped slightly on her feet to turn to her left.
There stood the same flashy handsome guy who was giving her looks ever since.
‘Is he trying to hit on me? I am not in my best version tho…’
Sumire has been flirted with in the past but all those times were when she had make-up on or at least she wasn’t intentionally trying to look like a worn-out girl, like right now.
But the boy had been looking at her face all the time and it seemed he was trying to genuinely help her.
With a courteous smile, she replied.
“Then, can you suggest me, since I indeed am looking for some everyday recipes?”
The boy nodded slightly before he walked forward and bent down at the bookshelf for a moment before pulling out the green book which had a rice ball cover on it. Now, Sumire thinks, she should have guessed the content just by the cover.
‘How perceptive of me…’
Without letting her expression shift, Sumire received the book from the boy with a slight bow in gratitude.
She thought it would be awkward to not say anything further when he helped her on his own initiative but he beat her to it.
“It’s surprising tho…to see Asuzawa-san here. I thought you had an appointment with Kabura-kun, no?”
“Eh?”
Sumire subconsciously let out a sound that replaced the word she had in her mind as she heard the flashy guy speaking her name all of a sudden. There were other parts to concern as well, but the fact he knew her name held her utmost attention.
“Are you a stalker who has hacked my phone and has been following each of my steps from the shadows? I remember that I had my clothes folded one day miraculously even though there was no one at home. Was it you?”
Sumire narrowed her gaze as she spoke in near monotone while trying to think more of pieces of evidence she could speak and leave the guy off-mark.
But she wonderfully succeeded in embarrassing herself…
“2-E, Sanada Sou, 17-year-old, who sit two seats behind you. The fact I know about your appointment comes from the fact that you guys are extremely loud in class.”
Sumire was speechless…
She dropped the last part to protest afterward and focused on the guy once again.
The person whom this flashy guy introduced himself as was actually a classmate who generally stays away from social affairs and pretends to be aloof, just like a protagonist. He wears glasses and scores high in grades is the source why Sumire remembers him so vividly.
But this one in front…
“You sure didn’t take anything suspicious today, sir?”
Sumire spoke without even realizing what she was saying she was having an identity crisis with someone she sees practically daily.
But it seemed the other party didn’t take her words just as a joke, as he narrowed his gaze before turning on his heel.
Sumire was in a daze for several long seconds before she also rushed out of the store in a panic.
“Wait, Sanada-san!”
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A/N; – The story would be short and eventful so brace yourself.