archives

chapter 6

Hajime's POV

I decided to stop by the library before my classes. My first class of the day was canceled due to my teacher announcing personal issues so I figured I'd return that strangers umbrella.

I stepped in and immediately spotted a worker. She had long, light purple hair and she looked intriguing.

"Hi, do you happen to have a person with white hair working here?" I asked, feeling somewhat dumb.

"Uhm... I'm not really too fond of my coworkers, but if I remember correctly there is one guy with white hair. You must be talking about Nagito right?" She responded.

'So that's his name huh' I though as I took out the umbrella from my bag with the note inside.

"Yea I think so, I wasn't able to catch his name however. But would you mind giving this to him? He let me borrow it yesterday but I wasn't sure on how to return it to him" I said as I held out the umbrella.

"Yea sure of course! Did you need help wit-" she answers but is interrupted.

"..Uhm.. Is this for me?", a feminine but soft voice said. I instantly recognized it. I turned my attention away from the worker and looked at Nagito. He looked anxious, and I could tell he was fidgeting with his fingers in his pockets. He wasn't making eye contact with me though. And I wonder why.

"Oh, yea. You lent me this yesterday and I felt bad keeping it so I came here to return it" I say as I fixate my gaze onto him.

"I'll leave you two to talk" the worker says as she walks away.

"You didn't have to come all this way to return it" He says as he slowly looks back up at me. He takes his hand out from his apron pocket and takes the umbrella from my hand.

"No it's alright, it's not that much of a problem for me. I'm glad I could finally get your name though" I reply as my mouth forms a gentle smile.

I can tell he's getting nervous, but his ears are turning a light pink at the tips. Is he nervous because he's talking to me?

"Thank you anyways. Did you need to take something out as well?" Nagito asks as he starts to drum his fingers along the umbrella.

In all honesty, didn't need anything from the library.
But I still said,

"Uhm yea, I was actually looking for a good book to read. Do you know any good ones?"

I just wanted to keep this conversation going. But it wasn't forceful or boring at all. I couldn't stop focusing on all of the small movements he made, whether it was playing with his apron or tapping his fingers. I couldn't get my eyes to drift away from him. His entire face was interesting. From the way that his lips moved when he spoke to the pieces of hair framing his face.

He hesitated before answering, as if he was stuck in thought.

"Sure, follow me" he said. I started walking along side him, and the farther we got into the library the less anxious he became. He seemed to relax more and more even with me by his side.

We got to one of the last aisles in the library. It was labeled "Textbooks" and I wasn't very sure on what good books he could have here. But as he led me around the corner, I was shocked to see a pile of regular books on a small table.

There was a small coffee on the desk, and I assumed that this is where he and others took their breaks. Although I was still wondering on why he would lead me here.

He reached from the pile and took out a book.
"Here. This is one of my personal favorites. I think you'll enjoy it too." He said as he motioned the book towards my direction.

I guess I looked a bit shocked to him because he slowly placed the book back down.

"oh... I'm sorry if I was too sudden." he says and mutters something to himself. I can tell that he's feeling regretful.

Maybe because i seemed so uninterested? No, maybe because he's uncomfortable with me? But he was just so excited a few minutes ago.

I wish that I didn't ruin things, I didn't mean to upset him. In fact I found it quite cute how he was so immediately comfortable with me. But I wasn't sure on how to respond to him.

"That's alright Nagito. I'll give it a shot" I replied as I slowly picked the book back up and put it in my bag.

He stood in shock for a second, maybe because I used his name or maybe because I actually took the book. His fingers were drumming along the side of his leg but I wasn't able to read his emotions. He looked almost confused but yet happy.

"Oh, I forgot to ask. What's your name?" He asks as he looks up at me, making direct contact.

That kind of threw me off. One because he gained such a sudden confidence and two because he looked me right in the eye.

My face started burning up for some reason and I got so nervous for a second.
"My name is Hajime. Hajime Hinata" I replied as i gave him a small smile.