As you noticed, I ditched the chapter titles and opted for passages from romantic books. I hope it worked, though. I made tremendous differences in the former Chapter 2. It might get resurrected in the next chapter but I'm not so sure yet. I'm afraid too that the treatment of this story might be different than the previous version. Also, please forgive some grammar lapses, I'm using a new laptop so I'm still getting used to it.

Obsessed Dreamer: Glad you like the new version! ^_^

Wolf Goddess of Siberia: I might be updating like crazy. (I tend to do that when I'm in the zone.) Right now, this fic has my full attention.

Leerara: Thanks! You spoil me too much. :)

Disclaimer: FY is not mine.

"There are some things that are as ancient as time,

and knowing when a man desires you is one of those."

Jude Deveraux, Secrets

Yui was the type of girl who notices many things. It was very seldom for girls to be observant, but she was one. And right now, she noticed the small paper posited at the window of the old-fashioned community bookstore. It was so small and too taped to the side that it would have been easily passed off as another paper.

WANTED: Bookstore-sitter

The ad was written in beautiful cursive handwriting. She blinked, deliberating with herself whether applying for the job—or entertaining the thought of applying for the job—was a good idea. Well, the bookstore seemed like a nice place, it has lots of titles she normally can't find in other bookstores. The place was cozy and maybe the pay won't be so bad.

"We'd appreciate the help," a deep familiar voice reverberated through Yui's internal discussion and she turned to find the smiling face of the man behind the cashier yesterday.

It was only then that Yui saw him—and it hit her that he was handsome, in a mature type of way. His long jet black hair was tied in a neat ponytail, revealing an ageless face. He smiled wider, noticing the way she looked through his face.

"Oh my god, I'm sorry for staring," she said, bowing to complement her apology. The man laughed lightly.

"Its fine," he answered. "Are you applying?" Yui lifted her head and blinked at him. Applying?

"Oh—you mean, this—" she said, pointing at the advertisement. The man smiled wider, nodding. "I, I don't know… I mean…" She doesn't know what to say. She wanted, correction: needed, the job but the thought of being with the redhead, who was one of the staff in this bookstore, was not very enticing. "There's always so many people, I mean girls, here…"

"Oh, you shouldn't worry about that," he pointed out. "The reason we're hiring a female bookstore-sitter is because we want to make good business. We haven't had a decent sale in months because girls just go here to look at Suzaku—he's the redhead you met last night," he pointed out. "And my other brothers."

Yui frowned at the thought. "Oh, I'm not sure I can help out in that area, though." She was getting uncomfortable and would do anything to end the conversation. Maybe she should say her goodbyes now.

"We pay really well," he started, oblivious to her nonchalance. "And we'll give you a 50% discount on all titles if you decide to work for us," he said. Yui looked up, blinking. "You can even read the book samples inside—and," he said. Yui inhaled, hanging on to every word. His words were saccharine temptations. "We'll even give you a free book every month." Yui swallowed hard. "You choose the title of course."

Yui was speechless. The man knew the offer was too good to be true. And that only an insane person would pass it up. She shivered, deliberating. No, the other her has decided. She closed her eyes. Books, oh god. Maybe they even have medical books she can read and study on so she won't need to buy the thick volumes. She can even buy those or get it at the end of the month. Yui wanted that! She can save greatly, and she'll even earn.

"Oh yes, we have medical books. So, when can you start?" he asked, smiling. Yui looked up to him. She blinked, surprised.

"Did I just, uhm, think aloud?" she asked. The man laughed lightly, nodding. Yui flushed from humiliation. Sometimes, when she talks to herself, she ends up voicing her thoughts. "Well, I… I think I can start as soon as possible," she said.

"That's great. Can you drop by this afternoon to talk about your schedule?" he asked. He was such a nice older man. Yui wouldn't mind having him for a brother.

"Oh yes, I'll drop by later." She was so happy. "I'm Hongou Yui, by the way." She bowed at him. The older man nodded.

"Hongou… Yui…" He seemed to be placing her name somewhere in his memory. But probably not finding it familiar enough, he shook his head and bowed in response. "I'm Jin," he said. "I'll just see you later then, Yui-san," he said.

Yui nodded. They said their goodbyes and she continued walking toward university, smiling like a madman. After days of looking for a part-time job, she finally found one—and it's even so close to her apartment. She hugged the brown book she was holding into and made her way to the library. She won't be dropping by now that she had herself a part-time job. She wondered, would he be here today?

Yui was going through the list of titles, figuring out which ones to borrow. She has been standing in the same spot for probably an hour now. She figured that since she'll be working in a bookstore, she'd have to carefully choose which books to take home from the library. She also contemplated stopping borrowing titles. You know, she doesn't want to end up reading all day. Reading doesn't make the most sociable people.

She shook her head and closed her eyes. She raised her hand and fingered the books, choosing by fate the book to take home. She was silently counting in her head. A slim book caught her senses. It was between two huge and thick ones. She was partially sorry it got placed in a very uncompromising situation and decided she'll have this book. She immediately pulling it out of the shelf but doing so made her push the other titles. It crashed to the floor on the other side of the shelf.

"Ow!" a voice came and Yui opened her eyes.

"I'm sorry!" she hissed, leaning to the other side. Her clumsiness had caused an accident! The image on the other side made her flush, though. The man she accidentally hit with a pile of books was none other than the handsome bluenette—Ryuuki Tennokami! She held her breath. He was frownin. Yui realized then and there that he was scary when he's angry. He exuded a fierce almost vicious aura when he's annoyed. "I'm really sorry…"

He looked up and the anger in his eyes dissipated when their eyes met. "It's you again," he noted.

"I'm really sorry… I was, I had my eyes closed," she explained lamely. She leaned at the now open shelf and muttered another round of apologies. "Does it hurt? I can take you the clinic—"

"Am fine," he muttered. "Why the hell were your eyes closed?" he asked, still staring at her.

"I was, er, choosing a book," she answered. He raised an eyebrow. "I can't decide what to get so I closed my eyes and let my fingers choose," she explained. The childish explanation made her flush. She expected him to get angry but it made him laugh instead.

"That's cute," he said, amused. Her face burned. "But dangerous."

"I'm really sorry—"

"Stop apologizing, it's getting annoying," he hissed and she shut up. She stood up, still watching him on the other side. He was doing the same and the act made her conscious of herself. Now she doesn't know what to say or do. What's a girl supposed to do when a handsome man openly stares at her? It was one of those things she never asked herself at night. Not many men stare at her anyway.

"I guess I'll just go—"

"What's your name?" he grumbled. He placed a hand inside the shelf to offer a handshake. "Tennokami Ryuuki," he mentioned.

"I know," she muttered lamely as she took his hand and shook it.

"What do you know?"

"I know you," she answered and immediately regretted doing so. "I mean… you're kinda popular," she said softly. She took her hand away but he held on to it. He cleared his throat. "Oh, I'm Hongou Yui."

"Hongou Yui..." he mentioned again, shaking her hand for the second time. "Your name's not as clumsy as you are," he quipped and Yui immediately pulled her hand, flushed. That was not a nice thing to say at all. Well, he meant it as a joke. But Yui hated jokes.

"Well, I'm sorry again," she said before completely walking away. She was a few steps away when she realized she left the book on the shelf. Without a second thought, she returned to pick up the slim book, not even turning to him. He chuckled when she turned away again, this time, leaving for good.

She hurriedly moved to another bookshelf and opened the book, muttering curses as she dug her nose into the text, pretending to read it. She wanted to slap her head, realizing how childish she acted in front of him. But how was she supposed to react? He was a grown man with beautiful dark blue eyes that always draw her in. Oh no, she was not attracted to him. And there was no way he'd notice her—she's so simple! Calm down, Yui, she told herself. He's just a guy who's used to having women ogle at him. Don't mind him, he's probably not interested.

"There you are," the deep voice came again and Yui's back prickled. A hand reached for the bookshelf in front of her right ear while the voice… the voice was on her left. She could make out his face, inches away, from hers. He was literally all covering her and the proximity made her cold all over.

"Don't walk away like that, especially not to a sempai," he whispered on her ear, making her heart do somersaults. He was a sempai? Why hadn't she noticed?! "You make being disrespectful look so darn cute."

He picked a book on top of her head and moved away, whistling. When he was gone, Yui buried her face in the opened book and held back a scream. Yui doubted Tennokami Ryuuki was aware that he left her with wobbly knees, a heart that won't stop flipping, and that warm warm sensation all over her body.

A/N: Okay, this one's a little boring since it's in the library (of all places!) but I'll make progress once Yui starts the job. Heehee.