Shiori Novella One-shots

Reading with Shiori

"Oh, hello there."

Shiori greets you as you enter the dimly lit room. As you walk in, she closes her book and gives you her full attention. The evening sky brings in the cold air, and you make it to her home just before the wind grew violent outside. You smile, knowing that you'll always have a comfortable space here.

"Hey. It's getting cold again right when I thought it was finally warming up," you say.

She giggles at your complaint. You smile back when you hear that from her. As usual, it's another everyday conversation with the archiver. No matter how many times you two have small talk like this, it never fails to cheer you up. It's moments like these that become a warm memory that you can look back on later.

"Well, other than being cold, do you have any books you can recommend? I think I'm almost done with this one."

~~~~~

You smile as you hang up your jacket, then walk over and sit next to Shiori.

"Honestly, I don't have anything left to recommend. What do you think of that one?"

She tilts her head as she looks at the book cover and takes a moment before replying.

"Hm... I like the mystery, but there's no one very shippable, and I want *someone* to have a happy ending... It's interesting, but I don't think it's quite for me," Shiori looks back up at you apologetically.

"Well, dystopian books are known for not having happy endings for anyone," you chuckle. "Those are super fair complaints, too, even if they're common."

"Yeah... Well, I'll finish this, then, if that's ok?" Shiori half-asks, returning to the book.

You grin at her avarice for books. You've known each other for years, since she moved into the building, and she's always been like this.

You get up and go to get a drink and maybe make some food for the two of you. Before you get very far, you feel a tug on the hem of your shirt. You look back and see a slightly blushing Shiori, still reading the book.

"... Stay..." she mumbles. "Please..."

"You don't want food or a drink?"

She slowly shakes her head. "I want you to stay..."

"Alright..." You nod, grinning a little. "Your wish is my command... princess," you wink and she blushes a little more.

"No fair..." she mumbles.

You can't help but grin at her response. Every time you're with her, it's hard not to cheer up and just enjoy the little moments like this.

"Can I get a book for myself?" you ask softly.

Shiori just nods. She's not watching you, but you can tell she's keeping a close eye on you.

You go get a book from the shelf at random and return to the couch. You start reading, and soon you feel a weight on your side and shoulder. Looking over, you see Shiori moved over and has leaned onto your shoulder, still reading. She looks up at you out of the corner of her eye.

"What? This much is fine, isn't it?" she asks in a whisper.

"Y-yeah..." you feel your face heat up as you look down at her and feel her warmth so close by.

'I wouldn't trade times like this for anything... I hope we can stay like this for a long time...' you think to yourself.