bookish love affair

The dead trees never looked pretty, but they surely made autumn...autumn. Since when did something resembling death appear beautiful? During this season, perhaps. Long leafless branches stretched across the air, like bony fingers grasping nothing. Birds perched on them all the time, and whenever these avians would, their silhouettes strongly reminded of the nearing Halloween. But pumpkins and leafless branches did make this season interesting, anyway.

Along the busy pavements, people walked around with their thick long coats on and scarves wrapped on their necks. Each of them scampered down the streets to call a cab and ride away. Some would enter establishments and do their stuff. Other words, everyone got their own businesses to mind. But what they all had in common is the fact that they were avoiding the rain. What do they care for a purple-haired man watching all of this and taking note of the trees?

He shivered. It has been pouring since the last hour so it has gotten chillier than usual. Today's temperature dropped to 48°F as well. His hands that went numb because of the cold, were now stuffed in the deep pockets of his trench coat. The rain splashed a little to him as it cascaded down the place where he refuged, forcing him to hold back all flinches he could have done every time the cold water grazes his face. Kamui Gakupo was standing outside a bookshop after his friend, Meiko, dropped him there. He was supposed to be going to a dinner with Meiko and Kaito - his dear friends, however Kaito canceled it at the last minute.

The man checked the time on his watch, pulling the sleeve until it uncovered his wrist. It was four in the afternoon, too early for the sky to darken. But well, who could stop the weather anyway? None. He shrugged again, unhappy with how things ended up today. Gakupo knew better than to complain so he took a step back, pressing his back against the window pane of the bookshop. His dark blue eyes stared back at the road, watching the street before him passively.

The birds perched on the trees standing alongside the pavement, flew down when rain poured harder; their wings flapped heavily after being wet. Fewer people walked pass by him, ignoring his presence of course. Even if he shivered like a soaked kitten, no one would turn his way - he bet. Cold rain trickled down his purple tresses, indicating that he was drenched enough for standing out there. As he watched the scenery before him blankly, time ticked slower. It felt like the rain wouldn't end soon, like he would be stuck in there forever. This time he let out a sigh, a steamy breath escaped his parted lips. He should have asked Meiko to drop him near his apartment, if he only remembered that the diner was closed today. Well, it was too late to think of that now, no? Regrets - they always come at the end.

A cab suddenly stopped in front him, interrupting his train of thoughts. Gakupo was sure that he was not too soaked with rainwater, so hopefully the cab driver would let him in. He stepped forward, waiting for the passenger to come out so he could ride, but that thought was dismissed as soon as the cab's door swung open and a lady rushed out. She had her purse pressed atop her head as she ran aimlessly, and she crashed into him.

"Sorry," she quickly apologized, pushing him aback. Her long pink hair dangled at the sides of her face. This shushed Gakupo, though. She was really a looker with those round blue eyes staring up to him. "I'm sorry, sir," she bowed a little and stepped aside. Gakupo was not able to utter a response or something because she already entered the bookshop.

He watched her quietly as she made her way between the shelves, diving in a certain part of the bookshop where he couldn't watch her from the outside. Gakupo was too mesmerized to think of anything; it was his first time seeing someone that pretty actually. And you wouldn't meet girls that pretty every day, especially if you were working as a supervisor on construction sites. When he got his engineering degree, he thought it would magnetize girls. Well, that was what he thought. He became too engrossed with work to find romance. There were female engineers but they weren't his type. So, this must be a lucky day?

Gakupo snapped out of his reverie when he heard the screeching tires. When he turned around, the cab moved away. He cursed to himself, kneading his temples quietly for he missed another cab again. Maybe, he wasn't too lucky today? Seeing a beautiful lady was just a bonus. Yeah, he might as well enjoy looking at that girl; he was too fed up with this downpour.

The door dinged as he pushed it open, warm air caressed his cold face in a jiffy. The somewhat orangish bulbs made the books look yellow and old, but the lighting was probably for aesthetic purposes. Personally, he was a part bookworm, part movieworm - if that term exists, he was. Majority of movies were from books, so yes. Gakupo closed the door behind him as he walked inside, footsteps thundered against the silence of the shop. The smell of the pages overwhelmed him, and it was such a nice scent - he admitted to himself. The guy examined the shelf, reading the book titles he had never seen or read before. He had read certain book series and a couple of trilogies before, but after that he was not able to buy a new print to read again. So basically, he had not seen any hardbound books since summer.

He moved to another shelf, coming across the newly published books. Most were from Gaiman, Levithan and Greene. Guess what, he knew none of their works - though Gaiman was familiar. Gakupo had seen the movie Stardust. His hand automatically reached out to a book of the same title, pulling it out of the heap of Gaiman-books. Flipping it back, his eyes read the synopsis silently. Nodding to himself, he decided to buy the book.

"That is a good one," a soft spoken voice commented, it sounded so faint. So soft but clear, he wasn't sure if he was imagining things. He lifted his head around and saw the pink-haired beauty standing a yard away from him. She was pulling out a book from the shelf, a small smile gracing her lips. "Are you going to buy that book?" she turned her head to face him. Blue mesmerizing orbs stared at him, and for a moment he couldn't utter a word.

"Uh," he nodded stiffly. He was obviously taken aback. Well, she was prettier when the lights showed much of her face. Her tiny pointed nose and rosy cheeks, that pristine beauty was precious. Gakupo was sure that her face used no cosmetic products.

"I guess that 'uh' means yes," she chuckled softly. "It's a yes since you nodded, right? I would like to pay for that book, sir? I believe I caused you inconvenience earlier. Other than the fact that I crashed to you, I assume you wanted to ride on that cab as well? But..." she smiled. It was a genuine smile, he supposed. And she really looked good with that smile. It made her round blue eyes crease and cheeks redder.

"You don't have to," he spoke for the first time. Knowing her name would be an enough payment, actually. And yes, he didn't have the guts to say that. "I'm not bothered at all. I guess we all get unlucky sometimes?"

His remark made her laugh. She pushed the book back to the shelf, the smile still adorning her lips. "Yes, I guess? But let me pay the book for you. I'm recommending it as well. It's a good book." Gakupo wanted to protest, however she wasn't done speaking yet. "If people can buy drinks for other people, why not buy a book? Please, just let me do it. My name is Luka, by the way," she stretched out a hand to him.

Answered prayer.

"Okay," he said flatly, reaching out to shake her hand. Such gesture made her laugh again.

"Sorry. I'm asking for the book. I'm going to pay it for you," Luka raised her other hand to hide her laughter, which she obviously failed, and only stopped from giggling when the paperback touched her hand. "Thank you," she muttered and walked to the cashier.