Enchanted in the Moonlight ~ Shinra ~ Main Story

2.1 With Shinra at Work

It was almost time to leave for work, so for now I had to leave them at home and head out.

(Ugh! What's going on?)

One day and everything is changed. I can't wrap my mind or my emotions around it all.

"Morning, Ayame." Ikumi greets me before the library.

I've known Ikumi ever since I started at the library. She was hired at the same time as me. We're the same age, so we hit it off. Suddenly Ikumi stares at me.

"Wh-what? Why are you staring at me like that?"

She looks confused. "The aura you're giving off today. There's something complicated about it."

"What?!"

(Ikumi has always had a sixth sense.)

"N-nothing is going on!"

"No? I guess it's my imagination." Ikumi smiles.

(It isn't like I can say that I'm stuck living with ayakashi now.)

She sighs. "Things might get busy. A lot of new releases came in today."

"Yay!" I'm happy.

"Always the book lover!" Ikumi shakes her head.

"Yup. I feel so lucky, coming to work every day and being surrounded by books."

She laughs. "Well, you found your calling."

"Hehe. I guess so."

Talking with Ikumi, I feel like I'm back to my ultra normal, every day life.

(Alright. Time to get to work.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I'm arranging the releases when I hear Ikumi whisper: "Hey, Ayame."

"What's up?"

"I just saw the hottest guy! Here in the library!" She's excited.

"No way! Where? Where is he?"

"He was in the children's section. I've never seen such a good-looking guy." She's totally excited.

"Really! Lucky you. What did he look like?"

Ikumi whispers: "He has got short, red hair and these piercing eyes."

"Uh-huh."

"He's a little on the small side, but... I don't know, he has got this powerful aura about him." She continues.

"Awww... man. I want to see him."

"It's almost like he still has some of his adolescent determinedness about him..." Ikumi looks up. "Oh! It's him!"

"Huh?"

I look where Ikumi is looking.

"Shinra?!"

Shinra realizes we're looking at him and turns to us.

Ikumi excitedly whispers: "Ohhh... wow... He's coming this way!"

"Yo!" He greets me.

Suddenly Ikumi yells: "Whaaat?! Ayame, you know him?!"

"Um, yeah. Sort of..." I turn to Shinra. "What are you doing here?

"I told you yesterday. I'm here to protect yo- Mrrm!" I quickly cover his mouth and pull him away from Ikumi.

(How could he say something like that in a place like this?!"

He annoyed murmurs: "Haha... What are you doing!"

"That's my line. Don't come to where I work."

"Why not? We have an agreement." Shinra is confused.

"I'm fine here. Go home!"

"I can't do that!" He says.

(Ugh! What is with this guy?")

He smiles. "And anyway, what are you doing chatting with me? Don't you have work to do?"

(Ergh...! But he's the one who started talking to me!)

"Yeah. You might not have anything better to do, but I do. I'm going back to work."

"That's right. Beat it." Shinra laughs.

(Well, that ruined my good mood.)

I get back to work, feeling a little annoyed. Soon enough...