Chapter Two:
A Week After the Neko Café
Vali's Perspective:
I was looking for a temporary job for the holidays—it would be nice to have some extra cash to buy a book or a small treat. I went out to get the new edition of my favorite novel at a branch of the bookstore chain I used to visit in my old city, but this time at the one closest to my new home in the city I'd just moved to.
The sign on the bookstore door, "Help Wanted: Temporary Position," felt like a beacon lighting the way. I was searching for a part-time job for the holidays, and since I'm only 16 and still in school, it would have to be part-time even after classes started. Still, working at my favorite bookstore sounded exciting. Without hesitation, I walked in and asked about the position and the book I was looking for. The manager, a kind woman with thick-rimmed glasses, explained the tasks (organizing, helping customers, restocking) and gave me a short interview. To my surprise, she told me I could start the next day—and I even managed to buy the book I wanted.
Awesome! I'd have something to do during the holidays besides wanting to hang out with Eris every day but never actually texting her. The one time she messaged me, I was busy, so I told her I'd get back to her when I could make plans, but I always got too shy and never followed through.
The next day, I arrived at the bookstore feeling a bit nervous. I didn't know what to expect, but the idea of being surrounded by books all day thrilled me. I introduced myself to the manager, who gave me some basic instructions and said she'd introduce me to my coworkers. As she led me through the aisles lined with shelves, a familiar figure behind the counter caught my eye… It was Eris!
My brain took a couple of seconds to process. Eris working here? What a coincidence! Or… maybe it wasn't a coincidence? A wave of surprise, followed by a strange mix of relief and nerves, washed over me. She looked up, her eyes widening with the same surprise I felt, though she quickly tried to hide it with a small smile.
Eris's Thoughts:
Did he figure out that I started working here to understand why he loves books so much? What do I do, what do I do? It's got to be a coincidence… or did he really find out I started working here because of him?
Back to Reality (Vali's Perspective):
"Eris! What are you doing here?" I asked, surprised.
"I could ask you the same thing," she replied, her tone trying to sound casual but betraying her shock.
"I came… to work," I said, feeling a bit awkward. "You… work here?"
"Yeah, during the holidays. I didn't know you were looking for a job," she answered, her eyes reflecting happiness at seeing me, though she tried to hide it by pretending to cough and covering her face.
"So, you two know each other. Where'd you meet?" the manager said, her gaze practically screaming, What a cute couple they'd make. They're clearly not dating yet, but they'll probably start soon. This is going to be fun to watch. Her look made me glance at Eris, who was looking at me at the same time. We both quickly turned away, blushing.
"N-No, it's not what you think! We met last week at a concert and just went to a Neko café together," I said, trying to clear things up.
"What did you think I was thinking? I just asked where you met. Besides, the way you answered makes it sound like you're thinking romantically about her, or that your Neko café outing was a date," the manager teased.
"We did go out, just Eris and me, but… it wasn't a date, just a friendly hangout," I said, trying to stay calm.
"Yeah, yeah, we're not dating, and we'd never date," Eris chimed in. Noticing my disappointment when she said we'd never date, she whispered to me, "It's not like I find you gross or anything. Actually, I wouldn't mind if we did go out."
"You sure you two aren't into each other? That quick denial seemed a bit suspicious. And going to a Neko café alone together? Isn't that a date?" the manager pressed.
"It wasn't a date," I mumbled.
"Well, I've explained everything about the job, so I'll leave you two. Lovebirds need some alone time, right? And if you're not in love, it shouldn't bother you to be alone for a bit, should it?" the manager said with a mischievous grin before walking away, leaving Eris and me alone since there were no customers in the store at the moment.
"Wait, don't leave us alone!" I said, feeling heat rise to my neck. The idea of being alone with Eris in the bookstore, with the manager's "lovebirds" comment still lingering, was more than my nervous system could handle.
"If you're not in love, it shouldn't be a big deal to be alone together," the manager replied with a sly smile before disappearing through the employee door. The sound of crunching, which I suspected was popcorn, faintly echoed from inside, confirming she was watching us with amusement.
An awkward silence settled between Eris and me. We avoided eye contact, busying ourselves with organizing books on the counter that had somehow multiplied.
After a few minutes of tense silence, Eris sighed softly and, without looking up from the books, asked, "So… this bookstore is pretty different from the one in your old city, huh? Does anything here remind you of… someone from there?" Her tone was casual, but I caught a hint of curiosity in her words.
I cleared my throat. "Well… both, I guess," I replied, feeling my cheeks flush again. "I needed the job to… buy some stuff. And, well, I love reading, so working at a bookstore seemed like a good fit." I avoided mentioning how shocked I was to see her here.
"What kind of stuff do you like to read?" she asked, staring at me intently, as if my answer was the most important thing in the world. She subtly pulled out a notebook and pencil to jot down my response, trying to hide how much she cared.
"Well, the usual, I guess—mystery, light novels, manga, stuff like that," I said as she scribbled notes.
Just then, a customer came in looking for a children's book with animal illustrations. Eris offered to help and headed to that section, telling me to stay at the counter. A few minutes later, I heard a loud thud followed by a yelp of pain. I turned quickly and saw Eris on the floor, surrounded by a cascade of large-format books that had apparently fallen from a high shelf when she tried to grab one for the customer. The customer, a burly man with a beard, looked more concerned than annoyed.
I rushed over to help her up. "Are you okay?" I asked, my voice full of worry.
Eris was red to her ears, brushing dust off her clothes. "Y-Yeah, I'm fine. Just… a little accident," she muttered, avoiding my eyes. Several books lay open, revealing colorful dinosaur illustrations.
Together, we cleaned up the mess, our hands brushing accidentally a few times, which only made me more nervous. Eris seemed especially embarrassed, so I tried to lighten the mood by sharing a story about my own clumsy moments. Her eyes lit up, and she blushed before looking away.
The customer bought the book and left.
After the customer left and we finished organizing the fallen books, Eris, still slightly flushed, asked softly, "Vali… back at the café, you mentioned a childhood friend who recommended the place. Is she… someone important to you?" There was a slight hesitation in her voice, as if she wasn't sure she wanted to ask.
A soft smile crossed my lips as I thought of Akari. "Oh, Akari… Yeah, I've known her forever. She's an amazing friend, super fun and outgoing. She's like an older sister to me, always looking out for me and giving me advice… And she's got great taste in themed cafés," I said sincerely, recalling all the times Akari had helped me.
I noticed a subtle shift in Eris's expression. Her eyes, previously curious, now seemed a bit… jealous? Her grip on the books she was organizing tightened noticeably.
Realizing her change in mood and feeling a mix of guilt and a strange satisfaction at her possible jealousy, I leaned closer to Eris and whispered, so the manager—who was still eavesdropping from the employee door—wouldn't hear, "But… I like you a lot more, Eris, and in a different way." A mischievous smile crept onto my face as her cheeks turned volcanic red.
Eris quickly looked away, pretending to be fascinated by a cookbook cover. "S-Shut up, idiot," she muttered, her tone feigning annoyance but unable to hide her nervous excitement. "Don't say stupid things. I was just… curious about your friend." Her voice trembled slightly, and the way she clutched the book to her chest told me my words had hit their mark.
I let out a quiet chuckle. "Whatever you say, Eris," I replied, returning to organizing books, feeling inexplicably happy with her reaction.
Eris's Thoughts:
Why did he have to say that? My heart did somersaults when he mentioned Akari… The way he talked about her, with that soft smile and that sparkle in his eyes, made her seem… important. Way more important than just a friend. I felt a weird pang in my chest—anger? No, it couldn't be that. I barely know him. But… why does it bother me so much?
His next words caught me off guard. "I like you a lot more and in a different way"? What's that supposed to mean? My face lit up like a lantern. How embarrassing! Did he notice I was… a little jealous? No, impossible. I'm way more subtle than that. Or maybe not. That mischievous smile when he said it… How cheeky! I'm supposed to be the one making him jealous and flustered!
"In a different way"? What kind of "different way"? Like… more than a friend? The idea was… tempting. Dangerously tempting. But I couldn't let him know that. I couldn't seem too eager. I have to act like nothing happened.
I gripped the book tightly against my chest, as if it could hold back the whirlwind of emotions threatening to spill over. I was just curious about his… friend. That's all. A simple, innocent question. No reason for my heart to be racing like this. No reason for my cheeks to be burning. No reason for a silly little smile to keep trying to sneak onto my face despite my efforts to act like we barely know each other.
He's an idiot. A cute idiot. An idiot who remembers I like cats. An idiot who gave me a shirt. An idiot who now says… that. What am I going to do with you, Vali? Whenever I'm around you, I get this weird feeling like my heart's about to burst from how fast it's beating.
Back to Reality:
The rest of our shift passed with a tension so thick it was almost tangible, like you could cut it with a knife. Oddly, it wasn't uncomfortable. There were moments of silence, sure, but also stolen glances and small smiles we both refused to fully acknowledge. Something felt different between us, something that hadn't been there before I said she interested me "in a different way."
While I was organizing a shelf of mystery novels, my mind wandered. Had I been too forward? Had I scared her? On one hand, Eris's shyness was sometimes frustrating, but on the other, her reaction to my words was… intriguing. That mix of denial and nervousness made me want to keep figuring out what was behind her occasional "tsundere" attitude.
"Vali," Eris said, her expression suggesting she'd finally mustered the courage to speak. "I was wondering if… I don't know, you'd walk me home, or close to my place, after our shift. But don't get any weird ideas—it's just because it's late, and I'd like to talk a bit." Her voice was soft, and though it was a subtle gesture, after her reaction in the bookstore, I took it as a sign that, despite her denials, something was shifting between us.
After our shift, we walked in silence for a few minutes, the sound of someone eating popcorn trailing behind us. I glanced back and saw it was the manager, who'd apparently decided to follow us after her shift to see what happened between Eris and me.
Finally, Eris broke the silence. "So… Akari," she said, her tone more neutral now, though I could still sense a slight tension. "Does she… live here in the city?"
This was my chance. "No, she actually lives in the city I moved from. She visits sometimes, though. I think she's coming soon," I said, trying to sound casual, but a small alarm went off in my head. Akari's visit could complicate things… or maybe she'd tease me for falling for Eris and make her realize I like her—or worse, Akari might mention my feelings for Eris, and Eris might reject me.
Eris's reaction was subtle, but I noticed it. Her steps slowed slightly, and she looked away. "I see," she murmured, saying nothing more.
Noticing her reaction, I decided to take another step beyond what I'd said in the bookstore. "Eris," I said loudly, making her turn to look at me. "It's not too late, and we didn't talk much at the bookstore, so I was wondering if you'd like to come to my place so we can chat a bit. We're close to my house." Noticing her intense blush, I quickly added, "N-Not that I mean anything by it, just to talk!"
"I know, idiot, you didn't have to clarify," she said, touching her hair. "But are you sure? I don't know your parents or family, and they might not like you bringing a friend who's not your girlfriend out of nowhere. Plus, I'd die of embarrassment."
"I moved here alone, and I don't have a girlfriend, so that's not an issue. I live by myself, and you're my only friend in the city," I said, trying to convince her.
"W-Well, fine, but don't let it go to your head, got it?" she said, fidgeting with her hair.
Eris's Perspective:
W-What is he saying? How does he just suggest that? We'd be alone together, and that makes me happy, but also… we'd be alone. I love that he notices when I get jealous, but being alone at his place is a bit… too embarrassing. But he doesn't have a girlfriend, which makes me happy, and it doesn't seem like he's into his childhood friend. Wait, wait, wait—what am I thinking? I barely know him! Why am I overthinking everything when it comes to him, and why do I feel jealous? It can't be that. It must be something else.
"W-Well, fine, but don't let it go to your head, got it?" I said, touching my hair without knowing why. Oh god, why does Vali smell so good? What am I thinking? I'm going crazy, obsessing over his scent and the smell of the shirt he gave me. And why is the manager still following us? Does she think we don't notice she's trying to see what we're up to? She's our boss—she should be working!
As Vali and I walked to his place, we started to relax and talk more normally, though there was still this repetitive awkwardness and brief silences where we kept looking at each other more and more. In the end, nothing happened between us, partly because I couldn't stop thinking about the manager spying on us.
When we finally got to his place, it wasn't too far, but the awkwardness made the walk feel eternal. His home wasn't huge, but it wasn't tiny either. It was organized and smelled like him, which distracted me. He went to change in his room while I sat in his living room, lost in my thoughts.
What am I doing? We're alone in his house, and why does everything smell so good? It smells like him, and why do I recognize his scent? Ugh, I'm going to snoop around. Maybe he has a photo of his family or his childhood friend, and I can figure out what I'm up against. What am I thinking—"what I'm up against"? It's not like I like Vali. We've only known each other for a few days. I shouldn't be overthinking this. And why am I lying on his couch, hugging his pillow to my chest and sniffing it? I hope I'm not giving him the wrong impression.
As I sat up, trying to organize my thoughts after snooping around and lying on his couch, Vali came back from changing and offered me something to drink. "I'm back, sorry for making you wait so long. Want something to drink, or are you good? I could make something, though I'm not great in the kitchen," he said. I couldn't stop noticing how good he looked in those clothes.
"Hello?" Vali said, snapping me back to reality and making me jump from embarrassment. I'd been staring at him! He looked so… handsome and relaxed in that casual outfit.
"Oh, sorry, I got distracted for a second," I replied, trying to hide my blush with a fake cough. "Yeah, thanks for offering something to drink or eat. And since you say you're not great at cooking, I could help or teach you if you want." It was the only thing I could think of, and it might bring us closer.
His smile as he accepted my offer made my heart race twice as fast. "Really? That'd be a huge help. My cooking skills are limited to sandwiches and instant food. If it's not too much trouble, could you teach me?"
His kitchen was connected to his living room. As soon as we stepped into the small space, I felt inexplicably happy to be there with him. I also understood why he hesitated to let me in—though he'd tried to tidy up, it was still a mess. I helped him finish organizing, then we got to work. If I had to pinpoint what made me happiest in that moment, it might be how close we were in the tiny kitchen or how I could smell him while we worked together.
While searching for ingredients in the fridge, our arms brushed a few times, sending little sparks of happiness and embarrassment through both of us.
"What are we cooking?" he asked. His gaze made me completely forget what I had in mind.
I looked at the ingredients and remembered I'd planned to make curry, so I told him. He wasn't great in the kitchen, but he tried hard. At one point, while showing him how to use a kitchen tool, I noticed how close we were. I wanted to get even closer, so I inched nearer until, when he turned to look at me, our lips brushed for a second that felt like an eternity. We both looked away, my face burning. I was so embarrassed but also so happy—happier than I'd ever been, though I didn't know why. He was just a friend I'd met recently, right?
"S-Sorry, I didn't realize you were so close, and I turned," he said, covering his lips.
"No, I'm sorry. It's my fault for getting so close, and I didn't move when you turned," I said, still looking away, touching my lips shyly and with a thrill. I hadn't disliked our lips brushing—in fact, I loved the feeling. It couldn't really count as a kiss, but it still felt amazing. Now I wanted to kiss Vali for real, maybe even a deeper kiss. I wanted him to be my first kiss, though could I count this brush of lips as a kiss? Probably not, but still.
What am I thinking? He's just a friend I met recently. But he makes me feel more comfortable and special than anyone else. No, it can't be that I've already fallen for him. Don't overthink it. Yet I kept overthinking the whole time.
Afterward, things felt a bit awkward. We talked a little, but there was this silence—not uncomfortable, but a mix of embarrassment and happiness. We ate what we made, and he walked me home. How was I going to face him tomorrow after all the cheesy, inappropriate scenarios I imagined with him? I got home, and after overthinking everything, I fell asleep from mental exhaustion.
Vali's Perspective:
What am I going to do? We almost kissed, and my heart was racing more than ever. I managed to play it cool until then, but after that, I couldn't hide how excited and happy I was. I hope it didn't bother her. She didn't seem upset—she seemed… happy, in a way, just too embarrassed to admit it. I hope she didn't notice how thrilled I was or all the things I was imagining with her. Did I make it too obvious, or is she mad? Ugh, I don't know. I'll figure it out tomorrow at work.
In the end, the manager saw everything. She followed us, spying through a window with binoculars from her balcony, using a lip-reading book. She didn't catch everything but got the gist. By the next day, the gossip was spreading among the neighborhood's rumor mill, including the owner of the Neko café we'd visited, who added her own details based on what she'd seen at her business.