#bookstore lover

your eyes went to scan his feature as he reached for your book. he looks good. you wondered what good things you did in your past life to have a handsome stranger helping you reach for your book. "thank you," you muttered, taking the book from his hand. "do you always come here?"

his question caught you off guard. you hadn't expect for him to be interested in getting to know you at all. "y-yeah," you managed to stuttered. "i come here twice a month. it's after i finish a book. to buy a new one," you rambled awkwardly.

atsume chuckled to himself. you were so damn cute. did you know that?

"well, i don't come here often. in fact, it's my first time here," he smiled proudly. "so, you don't like reading then?" you asked him with an amused smile. "mhm. i'm just here with my friend. he likes reading," the blond shrugged.

the two of you fell in a comfortable silence before he cleared his throat nervously. "right! i'll- i'll go and find my friend now. see you around," he waved at you before walking away.

your heart were thumping like crazy inside your chest.

.

atsumu felt like he was on cloud nine. he felt hazy. like he was dreaming. he didn't even realize that he had arrived home. but even then, he failed to notice osamu calling his name. that is, until his brother decided to get physical - by smacking the back of his head.

"what was that all about?!" he hissed slightly. "done daydreaming? i've been calling your ass for the eighth time," osamu sighed, face-palming himself. "i wasn't daydreaming," atsumu pouted his lips, his eyes looking away from his brother. "what do you want to eat?" osamu asked, his attention returning to the rice ball that he had been holding this entire time.

the blond male only shrugged. "you're the cook," he laid his head on the table, watching his brother pulling out ingredients from the fridge. "is that the girl you're hung up on?" osamu peeked at his brother's phone. atsumu immediately turned his screen to the table and looked up at his brother in annoyance. it wasn't like he had found your socials. he doesn't even know what your name is. so why was he so effected by the question. "it's no one," he huffed, crossing his arms together like a child.

"no one that got your cheeks red. sure," osamu laughed before going back to cooking. atsumu lets out an annoyed huff. "you're such a busybody," the blond muttered under his breath with an eyeroll. atsumu watch as his brother proceed to make dinner for the two of them. "when are you moving out?" the older male suddenly asked. 

"you tired with me already?" atsumu scoffed. "'m still searching for an apartment," he continued, his finger drawing mindlessly on the table. "just tell me if you need help," atsumu only hummed at the offer.

.

it was unexpected. but the next thing he knew, he was already setting his foot inside the bookstore. this time, alone. his eyes wander around, taking in every corner of the store and every aisle to find you. he figured that you wouldn't be here so he wondered why he was even walking around the store like he had something better to do. 

but of course you wouldn't be here. he remembered. when you said that you're only here twice a month. but it had only been a week after your encounter with him. surely you haven't finish reading the book you just bought, right? it was stupid how badly he wanted to see you. how badly he wanted to introduce himself properly this time. 

for the next few weeks, he kept on coming back to the bookstore but ended up empty-handed every time he turned up at his apartment. "where have you been? i asked your friends and they said you didn't show up for training," osamu questioned his brother while keeping his eyes focused on the tv. "the bookstore," atsumu shrugged and flopped onto the couch. "the bookstore? since when did you like reading?" 

"i didn't. just bored," he huffed and scrolled through his phone. "so bored that you would visit the bookstore?" osamu teased. he ignored his brother's comment and focused on the screen of his phone instead. for a while, they sat in a comfortable silence when suddenly, atsumu threw his phone to the wall. "what the hell?!"

the blond's face were red and he was too flustered to say a thing. he had found your social. and it was through your mutual friend. he slowly went to pick up his phone, checking it for any damage. when he finds none, he immediately drag himself to his bedroom. osamu was still surprised by his brother's odd behaviour before deciding that he had always been odd and this was just one more thing added to the list.

when he was alone in his room, atsumu lets out a sigh of relief and turned on his phone once again to check out your social media. he had finally found your instagram handle. laying down in bed, he scrolled through your past post mindlessly, smiling to himself as he takes in every post.

he learned that you had a huge interest in books. also the fact that you owned a house with a bunch of cats as your roommate. and from that, he learned that you were definitely a cat person.

his finger hover over the follow button. should he? he asked himself. maybe he shouldn't. he doesn't want you to be thinking that he was a stalker or something. or maybe he should. you probably wouldn't mind right? it wasn't like he actually stalked you or something. it just so happen that you two have a mutual friend and you showed up on said friend's post. plus, he could just explain it to you if you ever ask the question. but then again, why would you text someone you don't know. a stranger at that.

.

.

.

atsumu felt bored. he was so bored that even practicing volleyball was boring. and that speaks volume because volleyball is practically the love of his life. well — perhaps that is slightly exaggerated. 

"atsumu, you're not focusing on the game. is something wrong?" hinata asked, his expression slightly concerned. the question breaks him out of his stupor and he looks at the shorter male sheepishly. "just bored," he shrugged.

"i'm going to leave early today," he wipes away his sweat with his shirt before drinking the water from the bottle he brought to every practice. hinata only nodded in understatement, not wanting to push him further for answer.

after changing into a clean shirt, atsumu walk around the town mindlessly, not realizing that his legs were taking him to the bookstore.

he didn't even think that he would step foot at the store again. and alone at that. he lets out a chuckle, slightly amused by how smitten he is with you. "wouldn't hurt to look around," he spoke to himself. 

atsumu lets his foot drags him from aisle to aisle. until it stopped. right at the aisle you were in. a smile made its way to his face and his legs started moving towards you without needing him telling them. "hey," he greeted.

the surprised look on your face when you saw him were quickly washed away when you realized who it was. "oh! hi!" you greeted him back, a little bit too quickly. "you're here again," the blond continued. "i finished my book earlier than i expected," that was a lie. you were hoping that you could see him again. "what are you doing here?" you strike him back with a question.

"i don't know. i got bored," the male only shrugged, giving you a sheepish smile. "i uh... i've never introduced myself properly," he chuckled. "atsumu miya," he held his hand out to you. "i'm y/n l/n," you shake his hand. "thanks again for last time," you smiled.

"um... you're free right now, right?" you asked him hesitantly. "let me treat you to coffee — or any drink you like," you stuttered. "to thank you for last time," you quickly added with an awkward smile. "that sounds great. sure," atsumu agreed without missing a beat. it was painfully embarrassing how quickly he agreed to it.

the two of you walked down the street, hand slightly brushing against each other. it caused his ear to redden a bit but he doesn't mind it. he doesn't want to put a safe distance between you two.

arriving at the cafe that you always frequent. the cashier greeted you quickly the moment he recognises you. "hey, short-stuff,"

you snorted at the nickname before greeting him back. "give me the usual and..." your eyes trailed to atsumu who's looking around the cafe. "what would you like?" you asked him with a smile. "i'll have whatever you're having," atsumu quickly responded. he doesn't want to take too much of your time just by picking out a drink.

"well, two of the usual," you smiled and paid for both drinks.

atsumu had already picked a table by the window. you quickly join him at the table and wait for your drink.

"so..." the blond started. but seeing how he was fidgeting with his fingers, he probably doesn't know what to say. "did you finish reading your book?" he asked after racking up his brain for a topic. "well, yeah. it's why i'm back at the book store," you smiled.

then the silence fell over you two again that was quickly saved my the waitress.

you muttered a thank you and immediately bring your drink to your lips, trying to dissipate the somewhat awkward situation.

.

after getting the drink, atsumu invited you out to take a walk at the park. but both of you didn't say a word. you didn't know what to say. plus, the silence this time seems more... comfortable.

the male suddenly let out a chuckle which caught your attention. you looked at him with curiosity. what could be so funny that it made him laugh all alone?

"sorry, it's just... i'm actually very interested in you. i wanted to take it slow but it doesn't seem like it's going well," he explained.

"i'll just get straight to the point. can i ask you out for dinner? lunch is okay, too. or anytime, really," he rubbed his neck nervously. it wasn't like him to be acting this shy. where did all the confidence from playing volleyball go?

you could feel your face getting hot. yes, you were definitely attracted to him. and yes, you also wanted to take it slow. but like he said, the slow pace doesn't seem to work well on you two. "i mean, y-yes. sure," you agreed, your eyes darting around nervously. "great! i'll uh... text you about the details," his smile widens as he handed you his phone number.

after that, he walked you back home. thankfully, it wasn't that far away from the park. but truly, he wouldn't mind taking the long way home. he likes spending more time with you.

his eyes followed you until you were finally inside your house, making sure you made it home safely.