Enchanted in the Moonlight ~ Shinra ~ Main Story

4.3 Do I know him?

I'm at work and talking with Ikumi about my dream. Suddenly someone interrupt us. "How do you remember that stuff?"

I notice Shinra grinning next to me.

"Shinra!"

"I've forgotten everyone from back when I was a kid. What's past is past." He says.

"You were listening?!"

He huffs. "You're loud. I can hear you whether I like it or not."

"Ugh..."

"...You really liked him that much?" He asks.

"I still like him."

Shinra rolls his eyes at my answer. "And yet, you don't even remember his face."

"Um..."

"Well, I guess that's about how much you like him." He snorts.

"That's not true! Anyway, he was the first boy I really liked. It isn't your place to say anything about him!"

"The first boy you really liked... Is that right?" After that Shinra falls silent, his expression suddenly serious.

(Huh? He's quiet now? Did I go a little too far?)

"So, hey..." He says.

"Wh-what?"

He smirks at me. "Is your head just full of rainbows and lollipops or what?"

"!!"

(Ugh! I hate this guy!)

Ikumi whispers to me after Shinra leaves. "What if it's him?"

"If what's him?"

"The signs." She smiles.

"No way! There is absolutely no way! He was really, really nice, someone you could depend on... Don't compare him to this jerk."

Ikumi laughs. "Haha. Sounds like a prince."

"Um, excuse me." Someone says.

"Yes?" I turn around and...

(Oh! It's the guy who picked up the book for me!)

"Oh, you're..." He looks at me surprised.

"Thanks for before."

He laughs. "Not at all."

"Can I help you with something?"

"I would like to get a library card." He says friendly and smiles at me.

"Sure. Let's get that ready for you."

(Yes! I get to talk to him again!)

My heart is doing a happy dance.

"So, you need to fill this form out."

"Okay." He smiles.

He writes, in letters as perfect as his looks, 'Taira Shimano'.

(Taira... Shimano.)

Then he raises his head and asks. "Is that everything?"

"Yup, that's everything. Thank you. Your card will be ready in just a minute."

"This library hasn't changed at all." He looks around and smiles.

"Hm?"

He answers, "I lived around here when I was a kid. I loved books and was always at the library."

"Oh, yeah?"

"I love the atmosphere here. It's relaxing. And it really takes me back." The man smiles friendly.

"I know! I don't know what it is about this place, but I feel so comfortable here."

(He's nice, good-looking and loves books... This is my perfect man.)

He looks me in the eyes and says, "I moved back here for work. And now thar I've moved, my first order of business was to come here."

"Really?"

"When I was little, I'd always read books with a girl from the neighborhood here." He remembered.

(Hey, just like me.)

Then he laughed a little. "To be honest, I had a crush on her. She was the first girl I ever fell for."

(What?)

Taira narrows his eyes and smiles gently. My heart pounds as I look at that smile.

(It's can't be...)