Day One

Takao found himself in a small daze as he ventured down the busting street. Spring had just rolled in and school was slowly beginning to get busier with the Shuutoku basketball club returning back to its usual practices. His upperclassmen were somewhat serious sticks, especially the fresh-looking Miyaji Kiyoshi who had the habit of releasing threats to throw pineapples at them. He still couldn't believe he got stuck with such a stiff team; the addition of Midorima had done nothing to improve the team's spirit whatsoever.

Breathing out a sigh, he dropped his shoulders tiredly at the thought of his new team. Whist they were good at the sport and kind enough, Takao couldn't help but want someone who didn't mind talking a lot to help him out in raising the atmosphere. It was pretty tiring being the energetic guy all the time and the thought of doing it for the year made him cringe. Would he be the guy that people would depend on to cheer his teammates up if something happened? It was a crude idea that others would automatically assume after witnessing the team's interactions with one another.

It was tiring, really.

Takao's silver-blue eyes peeked up at a passing sign and he stopped in his tracks. It was a bookstore by the name of 'Hino Books'. The store was fairly large and the male could see some customers littering around the store, grasping various different books in their hands. Signs that announced new releases glittered the entrance and students were starting to walk into the shop. He raised a brow as students from different schools all went in happily whilst they chatted amongst themselves.

With a shrug, Takao followed their example and wandered into the store lazily. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his pants and let his bag hang loose off his shoulder. Just like every other bookstore, the male raven haired teen searched for the manga section, and after a few seconds of scanning the shelves he finally found his beloved graphic novels.

Lightly pointing a finger at the spines of the comics, he ran his index across the shelf carefully and making sure to read the titles on sale. Unbeknownst of him, there was another beside him and if it wasn't for his sharp hawk eye at the last minute then he would have completely smashed into them. Takao bounced back in surprise and with eyes widened he immediately apologized.

"It's alright. Is there anything I can help you with?" A soft voice replied as she turned to him after pushing a volume into the shelf.

He had almost bumped into an employee. Her green gems bore into his own as she straightened up her red store apron. Her bangs stopped just before her eyes with some brown strands escaping her hair tie and framing the sides of her face nicely. Takao blinked when he noticed that he had not replied yet and let a sheepish chuckle leave him.

"I-I'm fine. Sorry about that…" He half-grinned. She nodded before bending down to pick up a box and walking off back to the front desk. Takao watched her leave before returning back to the shelf and finding the volumes that the employee had just pushed in. He read the title and felt a wave of excitement run through his body.

It was his favorite series.

Day Three

Takao found himself in the store once again, but this time he had a manga volume stuck underneath his arm with his hands in his warm pockets. Two days ago he had come to realize he was a few yen short and decided to reluctantly leave the shop in defeat. After some persuading, his mother had decided to give in and give him his weekly allowance early after hearing that he was going to buy a book with the cash.

Though, she was not aware that it was manga but it wasn't lying at all since comics were considered books. Takao was always proud of the way he worded things, it was kind of a skill of his now. He lined up behind another teen who just like him was carrying the same series in her hands. The series was super popular amongst people his age.

The line became shorter and before he knew it, Takao was already at the front of the cashier. He slid the book towards the employee and grabbed his wallet from his school bag. He grabbed the amount of money he required and placed it on the desk as the worker scanned the book into the system.

"Would you like it to be wrapped?"

Takao looked up at the sound of the familiar voice and found the same female employee he had almost crushed two days ago. He shook his head in reply and she proceeded to slide the volume into a paper bag. The raven haired student noticed the nametag he had missed the day before clipped on her apron.

Haruyama.

It wasn't a surname one would encounter so often. Takao found it amusing that not only did she have the kanji for spring in her name, but he also half-met her in the same season. He watched as she ripped the receipt off the machine and slipped it into his bag. Haruyama handed the paper bag to him and flashed a modest professional smile.

"Thank you. Please come again." Her gentle voice resonated in his ears once again and Takao couldn't help but genuinely smile back at her.

"Yeah, thanks." He replied before taking the bag out of her hands. Skin touched and the first thing he noticed was how soft her hands were. Takao was in a way surprised that someone could have such smooth hands. Most of the guys he knew had rough and unsightly to look at. Maybe it was because she was a girl?

The basketball player spun on his heel and headed for the exit, purchase resting in his bag and protected by his school notebooks. He spared another glance towards the brunette over his shoulder, watching as she dealt with another customer but this time and elderly woman. Haruyama gave the woman the same smile she presented to him and returned to work. He looked back ahead as he left the store.

Takao could not wait to read the volume when he got home.

Day Four

When his teammates asked him if he was busy after practice, Takao nodded with a grin and explained that he had to get the next volume of a particular series. Midorima had sighed in disappointment after finding out that it was manga that his partner was going to be wasting money on. Takao ignored him and made his way towards 'Hino Books' again to purchase the next installment.

He came a bit late and majority of students had already left. The store was filled with college students and working adults. Takao dodged the other customers as he floated over to the manga department and found Haruyama cutting open a box right in front of the display. He awkwardly stood beside her and kept his eyes on the shelves as he scanned the numbers of the books. He couldn't find the volume he was searching for and he pouted in response.

Takao scratched his raven colored hair in wonder before a familiar voice made it's way to his ears once again. "Are you after volume sixteen?" Haruyama asked beside him politely. Takao blinked in surprise, he wasn't expecting her to talk to him at all but she did. He nodded sheepishly and she pulled out the book he was after out of the box she was just unpacking. Haruyama handed the book over to him with a smile and Takao took the volume out of her hands thankfully.

The teen could not help but glance at her as she returned to sliding books into the shelves. There was something about her polite and gentle nature that called to him. She wasn't anything like him and he had no problem with that. Takao was aware she wasn't treating him any different from how she treated everyone else and he had no problem with that. Haruyama was someone who was currently out of reach and he didn't know how to grasp at any chance to talk to her. He was gifted with opportunities but he couldn't take them for some reason.

It was strange. Takao usually had no problem talking to anyone but Haruyama was different and he didn't know why. She wasn't a drop-dead beauty nor was she terrible looking. Haruyama was average and the point guard kind of liked that.

A simple girl who worked at the bookstore near his school. That was all she was, yet Takao longed to know more about her. So, just when she picked up the now empty box and began to walk away, he made his move.

"Hey!"

Haruyama turned her head back at him and sent him a confused look over her shoulder. Her brows furrowed and her green eyes twinkled in curiosity towards him. Takao grinned at her and waved the volume in his hands.

"Thanks a lot for this!"

What she did next wasn't expected. Haruyama gave him a genuine smile as she nodded her head and made her way back to the front desk. Takao lowered his arm and let it fall to his side in mild surprise. It wasn't the same as the smile she gave him before. It was different to the professional one she gave to other customers.

It was a real smile and Takao liked it.

A/N: neeeee, i made a thing. reviews would be lovely. lol. i really think that takao needs more love tbh!

i'd love to hear what you think so please do review alright! the pacing will be slow so i hope you'll be patient and continue reading on!