Disclaimer: Only the plot and story belong to me
He never gave it much thought but suddenly skinny dipping seemed like a really good idea right now. In fact, the thought of water enveloping his body in its cool embrace made him wish that there was a pool nearby he could jump into. Glancing around he grimly thought that perhaps it was a good thing no pools were in his line of sight because with this kind of heat he strongly felt he would have gone through with it anyway, personal pride be damned. The air was humid and heavy and hot, making Kuroko Tetsuya feel that he was slowly being baked in a giant oven. Even the wind offered no respite as it blew currents of heated air into his face causing him to shiver internally. As the sun mercilessly sent down wave after wave of pure hate down the world, he felt sweaty and sticky and utterly miserable as he sluggishly walked through the heat. Sighing for the hundredth time today and cursing the heat for the thousandth, he consoled himself that at least he was nearing his destination. Weaving and ducking through the crowd he mentally cheered as he finally approached the familiar building and sped up his pace in anticipation. Ascending the steps and pushing the double doors open he enters the building, embracing the cool air as a welcome relief from the heat.
He was greeted by the smell of paper and ink, alongside whispers of muted conversations and the occasional scraping of chairs on the floor. His eyes did a quick scan and he noticed that there were a lot more people today, probably fleeing from the sun's wicked regime and finding refuge in the cold, air-conditioned halls of the library. Striding across the floor he quickly made his way whilst slipping past anyone that might have obstructed his path. Searching the shelves, he located the book he read the last time he was here, grabbed it and headed to a secluded corner.
This section was his favorite area in the library to read. Dedicated to classical literature, historical articles and ancient tomes, it was given a wide berth by most patrons. The comparatively lower foot traffic lessened the chances of his low presence causing a scene. There has been more than one instance of someone bumping into him in the corridors, unknowingly sharing a table with him and yes, even sitting on him that caused said individual to scream bloody murder (although they were not the offended party come on, he was sat on) when they realize that he was there in the first place. To his chagrin, some members of the staff found it so amusing that several patrons seemed to think that library is haunted that they have not taken it upon themselves to dispel any rumors. Begrudgingly, he took solace in the fact that he could at least get away with the occasional scream rippling through the normally silent halls.
He proceeded to a reading nook located at the deep end of the corridor; a hidden alcove designed around an arched glass pane. He happened upon the hidden nook when he was searching for a particularly difficult to find volume and ended up at the far end of the corridor. Walking amidst the shelves positioned on his right, he read the plates indicating the book numbers on its side. He thought he had reached the end of the passage way because the next shelf was instead directly in front of him and appeared to be embedded into the wall marking the end of the hallway. To his surprise, he noticed that the right corner of the wall shelf did not reach all the way to the side of the wall unlike the previous shelves behind him. Peering around it he found a little niche with a sea green window seat and a matching rug spread out on the floor. Delighted, the serendipitous discovery soon became his favorite reading spot. Not only will no one ever intrude (to scream in fright) on him here, he could also fall asleep unnoticed and do his schoolwork without ever being bothered.
Breathing out a sigh of contentment he sank into the cushion, opened the book to the page he was previously on and began to read. However, the heat of the day must have gotten to him because as soon as he hit the cushion his eyes fluttered shut and soon he fell asleep.
~V~
Two hours later Kuroko emerged from his reading nook and rubbed the sleep away from his eyes. He admitted to himself that he might have needed the nap but was slightly irritated that it would now take longer to finish his book. With his limited time cut into by his nap, he determined that the nook was too comfortable for its own good. He decided to go to common area of the floor and find a table there hoping the change in location would make him more alert. Looking around, he noticed that the number of people considerably lessened such that he could have his own table to himself. Pleased, he found an empty table near a window, sat down and pulled out his book to finally finish reading it.
So absorbed was he in his readings that he failed to pick up a figure that slowly approached the table and sat down directly opposite him. The figure placed his own stacks of books on the table and began to read but unlike Kuroko who only had eyes for the text and ink, the figure's eyes occasionally glanced up to observe him then look down at the book below. This continued for the entire time Kuroko was reading, with the figure's glances lasting longer and longer.
Finally, as the glow of the setting sun streamed through the window, Kuroko finally reached upon the last paragraphs of the book. Reading the last lines he sighed and put the book down on the table, a slight frown forming on his face.
"I didn't want to interrupt, but I hope you didn't mind me sitting next to you," A voice suddenly startled Kuroko out of his thoughts and he snapped his head up to find a man sitting in front of him.
"How long have you been sitting there?" Kuroko asked. His heart was thumping faster from the sudden scare but he betrayed nothing of his fright to the stranger. Just too used to covering up any sudden burst of emotions to let any escape through.
"From the start, I was here the whole time," the man replied.
Well that's ironic, Kuroko mused, that's the exactly the same thing I say when I accidentally startle people. As if the man could read his thoughts, he smirked at Kuroko.
"In that case, it was no bother at all. In fact I apologize for not noticing you much sooner." Kuroko said in a monotone voice bowing his head. Since he finished his book, he decided it was best to leave. Not giving the stranger a second glance he gathered the book in his hand and pushed his chair back and motioned to stand up. "It appears that I am finished with my reading and will now take my leave. If you would excuse me-"
"I like you." The stranger interrupted.
Kuroko froze and stared at the stranger who only returned his gaze seriously. Was he mistaken? He didn't imagine anything up right?
"Wha... E-Excuse me!?" he stuttered.
"I like you." He repeated.
"Uh… I'm sorry, are you talking to me?"
"Yes."
Kuroko Tetsuya sat back down and stared in confusion at the man sitting across him from the table. Looking at him properly, the red hair had initially caught his eye but his attention soon drew to his crimson eyes that were now boring into his own. The intensity of his stare unnerved him but he tried to prevent it from showing up on his face.
"Uhm…Thank you?" Kuroko uncertainly said.
The man smiled and his eyes flashed with hints of mirth and laughter. Kuroko took a moment to recollect his thoughts.
"Hold on, so you did say that…you…like… me," Kuroko confirmed, pointing at the stranger then himself. The man simply nodded with an amused expression on his face.
"You know, people usually introduce themselves first, you got the order mixed up," Kuroko dryly stated leaning back into the chair.
This time the man chuckled quietly into his hand. "I already know who you are," he returned.
Kuroko raised an eyebrow at that statement. "You do?" Great, he complained to himself, congratulations Tetsuya you got yourself a stalker.
"I'm not a stalker by the way," the man grinned.
"I figured you weren't," Kuroko sarcastically said clearing his throat, wondering if the man could read minds.
"Oh? Why is that?" the stranger said, daring Kuroko to prove him wrong.
"What kind of stalker would be interested in international trade and tariffs?" nodding to the book the man had in front of him.
"What if I just grabbed it randomly from the shelf?" he prodded.
"I doubt it," Kuroko scoffed, "The economics section is not only far from here, but you would have to lug those huge books up flights of stairs; a waste of time for a stalker if you asked me."
"What if I cared not for the distance?" He countered.
"Doubt it, even for stalking I don't think that much effort is worth it unless you really were interested in reading it," Kuroko replied.
"What if I did that precisely to throw you off guard," he questioned.
"Then you're doing a pretty good job, defending your innocence Mr. Stalker," Kuroko replied leaning forward and placing his hand under his chin.
The man raised his eyebrows at the statement and opened his mouth to speak.
"Furthermore," Kuroko butted in before the man could talk, "You bookmarked your page by folding the upper right corner down. Something you shouldn't do to books by the way." He scolded. "Which proves that not only are you interested in the book but have carried it around for a while now," he concluded flashing a self-satisfied smirk.
The red haired man closed his mouth and smiled once more. "You're observant," he stated, leaning forward and linking his hands in front of him.
Kuroko shrugged, glad he managed to divert attention from the startling announcement the man decided to jump on him. "I guess that is one way to introduce yourself."
"Creative is it not?" he grinned.
Creepy more like, Kuroko thought. "I suppose," he said. "I believe I must take my leave," glancing at his watch he rose and gathered his book.
"I suppose I must take mine as well," the red haired man said grabbing his own stack.
"Here let me help you with that," Kuroko offered.
"Thank you," he nodded. "And if you don't mind I would also like to borrow the book you just finished reading."
Kuroko raised an eyebrow at that but said nothing and simply nodded. They began to weave through the shelves and tables and made their way down to the checkout counter. As the two approached to the counter, the man tried to restart the conversation again, "You don't seem bothered that I know your name."
"Should I?" Kuroko replied.
"Anyone would," the man said.
"You never mentioned it though," Kuroko said placing the books down.
"You don't believe me?" he queried, placing his stack next to Kuroko's.
"I believe you," Kuroko stated.
"But?" the man said.
"Nothing, I believe you," Kuroko said.
The man stared at him for a while, eyes focusing on his face.
"What?" Kuroko said returning his stare. He had this strange feeling of being analyzed and refused to back down from the unspoken challenge.
"Nothing," the man smiled. "Thank you, Kuroko Tetsuya."
"You're welcome," Kuroko said. He stepped back and began to head to the exit, "Akashi Seijuro."
The man jerked from facing the counter and turned around to stare at Kuroko's receding figure.
"Your library card," Kuroko said matter-of-factly, with a small smug smile.
The man then chuckled and shook his head in disbelief.
"Now I know who you are as well Mr. Stalker," Kuroko called out walking away and exited from the library.