III.

Beyond Pages

There is a certain charm, indeed, to see a beautiful woman, wearing a pristine uniform, immersed in a book, seemingly lost in its contents as she reads on while standing between shelves. I find it amusing how this charming woman, who is always busy, is now here frolicking in the library, enjoying a good book in hand.

…oh my, did I seriously just call her charming?

Perhaps I shouldn't have slept here. I wonder how she does it? Then again, has she ever slept in her office? I should ask her about it soon, about how she felt the morning after.

In any case, I could go for another cup of tea. The library's still empty at the moment, since people don't come here this early.

Which means I can keep looking at the acting Grandmaster as she reads a new book. She should really let her hair down more often.

It only highlights how beautiful she is.

I poured myself another cup of said tea.

"That reminds me, Lisa," Jean then spoke, as she returned yet another book to its proper place on the shelf. I looked at her, sipping from my cup. "Are we expecting a new shipment of books today?" she asked.

"Ah, thanks for reminding me, Jean." I then replied. I almost forgot about that.

She walked towards where I am while I took out a list from my drawer. She was waiting in front of the table. This is the second time today that I saw Jean with her hair down up close.

I smiled. "You seem to be enjoying this, Jean." I managed to tell her. She looked confused. "How so?" she asked.

I giggled. "Are you going to let your hair down in the coming days as well, or is it just reserved for today?" I asked her. 'Specifically, is it solely for me?' I thought. An afterthought, but I do wonder how she would've looked if I voiced that out.

Something is definitely wrong with me today. How peculiar.

As I kept looking at her, I noticed a slight flush on her cheeks. Yet she remains composed, a far cry from what happened earlier.

I then found myself laughing. "Oh my, I shouldn't get too carried away with my teasing~" I spoke, and Jean cleared her throat.

"What is that, Lisa?" she then asked. Very well, I suppose she can not answer my playful question.

"This is a list of books I specifically requested from a publishing house. The said establishment is based in Inazuma." I then told her. I handed her the list.

She eyed them all one by one, and I saw a perplexed expression on her face. She looked at me, clearly wanting an explanation. "These titles...they don't seem to be academic-sounding." She told me.

I simply smiled at her. "Indeed they are not, Jean, for they are books of fiction." I then giggled. "And even if they were academic books, I personally think such titles would pique anyone's interest, no?" I added.

Jean looked embarrassed a bit, and cleared her throat. "You do have a point, my apologies." She immediately said. I stood up and took the list from her. "Ease up, dear Jean, I was merely teasing. There's something about you today that makes me want to do so in excess~"

I managed to say something that was only meant for myself. It wasn't my intention to voice it out, even more so that I am pertaining to her, and she's right in front of me.

I wanted to look away, to hide away my embarrassment, but her eyes…

…she looked surprised, but her eyes were gleaming.

There certainly is something about today. I thought I was the only one acting strange, but it seems even Lisa is being…odd.

Her words rang in my mind clearly, and yet, now that our eyes have locked into each other, I cannot gaze away.

I wonder why?

I remember reading about how a simple moment can feel like an eternity. How something so instant can last a lifetime.

Especially with someone whom you deem special. I have read about how these things leads to sparks of emotions, one that would eventually blossom into something even more beautiful.

I remember viewing such things as mere nonsense. How could something like a moment feel long? How could it go into something so passionate?

…and yet I believed it to be true. I found solace in such thoughts. That something simple can be so…explosive, gives me a strange sense of comfort.

And now, staring at the librarian I have known for a long time, I only believed it further.

It was her that broke away from the gaze. She looked away, tipping her hat forwards in an attempt to cover her flustered. She cleared her throat. "I suppose that came out of nowhere. My sincerest apologies." She softly spoke.

"Its…alright, Lisa." I managed to reply, as I looked away as well.

We did not speak for a few minutes. An awkward silence passed over us.

This day truly is a strange one. I let out a sigh and went to tie my hair back to a ponytail. The rays of the sun are getting brighter as it enters the library, signaling that it is time for me to do my work.

Lisa seem to have noticed this, as she also began to compose herself. She averted her gaze, however, as she went back to her table.

Somehow, I share the same sentiment: I cannot seem to look at her directly without feeling hot in my cheeks. How…frustrating.

"L-Lisa." I managed to call her name. "Yes~?" she replied, with the usual tone of voice she uses. "I would like a final list of these books to be received, as well as the date of when it will be delivered. I expect that within the day, just enter my office. Is that alright?" I told her.

She finally looked at me, smiling as she nodded. "Of course. I'll work on it right away." She assured me.

I smiled back at her, and left the library feeling…relieved.

…although, there's something about her smile. It felt…different.

Is it different? Or…is it because I felt it looked special?

The moment I entered my office and closed the door behind me did I hear how erratic and loud my heartbeats were.

It was maddening, and yet it also felt exciting. This emotion that I feel…

"…could it be?" I softly asked, placing my hand on my chest, hoping to calm this heart of mine down.

"So all of these are romance novels…" I spoke, and Lisa giggled. I reread the titles of the books on the list she provided me with, alongside their synopses that she graciously provided.

"And all of these are coming tomorrow by nightfall?" I asked her.

She went to the bookshelves of my office, smiling to herself. "I told them I want it to be delivered by midday, and they simply said they'll try their best. Their borders aren't fully open, after all." She replied.

"I see. That is indeed true." I spoke, as I placed the list on my table. "I do hope these books get delivered."

"My, interested in reading any of them, acting Grandmaster~?" then chided Lisa, in that teasing tone of hers once again.

I looked away, clearing my throat. "I simply wish to widen my reading selection." I told her, although I'm not quite sure if it counts as an excuse.

Not that I'm…trying to give an excuse, anyway.

Lisa giggled. "That is a good thing to do indeed, considering how you've been reading Vera's Melancholy over and over." She then said.

I got wide-eyed and flustered. "Y-You saw?" I asked, and she looked at me, winking. "My lips are sealed~" she replied.

I let out a sigh of relief, although I'm still embarrassed. Even though I am much at fault for sometimes reading the story here in my office during my break time, I didn't expect Lisa to actually catch me reading it.

Still, that…strangely puts me at ease. I feel relieved that it was Lisa who saw me, instead of anyone else.

I observed her as she browsed the books that I have here in my office. She seemed so…immersed in those pages, in the words inscribed upon it. I found myself smiling as her face looked serious as she flipped the pages.

…I wonder if there are things beyond those pages that make her look so serious, as well.

"How long are you going to stare at me, Jean?" she then asked, looking at me. Her eyes were still serious.

I got nervous for a bit, but merely smiled at her. I did not answer her question, and instead looked at the list once more.

"Aw why did you look away~" she then whined. I managed to let out a giggle. "Get back to work, Lisa. We have much to do. I'll be keeping the list here with me, by the way." I then told her.

She sighed but smiled as well. "Alright then. I'll see you later~" she replied, before she exited my office.