Till There Was You
Bookish Nerds
And believe it or not, for the next few days Natsume Hyuuga read books. He jogged in the morning, went out with his friends in the afternoon, and then read until late in the evening. He was still fascinated with the music theory as he used to be. He got through the books in a week, and on Wednesday, he brought the books back.
Mikan Sakura stared at him in shock once she saw him in front of the counter. This time, she did not wear that hot hot hot outfit. She wore comfortable jeans, a T-shirt, sneakers, and had her hair in a messy bun. ''Oh, hello. Brought the books back already?''
Natsume smirked. ''Yeah. Read them all. Still as cool as always.''
Mikan smiled. ''That's great. If you want other books, feel free to look around.'' She told him and scanned the books again. Natsume walked through the library and looked around. He would never admit that to anyone but Ruka, but he was a huge nerd. A nerd and a geek. If it were not for his music career, he would most probably end up as a computer freak with a love for books. Beside his guitar, books were the only ones making his heart speed up.
He looked around not noticing Mikan Sakura's eyes on his back. She could not believe it. The Natsume Hyuuga was in her library, borrowing books. When she realized who he was last week, she almost freaked out. Having a celebrity as your costumer was mind wrecking, but she stopped herself from causing a ruckus and faced him calmly.
Today he surprised her once again. She did not actually believe he himself would come back. She guessed he would send someone to bring back the books, but here he was. It was not as if she was one of those extreme fans or something. She liked his music and she liked his performances – well RED's performances, and she did like to read about them in the newspaper. However, she was also aware that he was officially still somewhere else and she should not say anything.
Still, her heart beat a little faster and she was very happy to have someone like him in her library. It was something she would squeal about and tell her friends about it, but she kept calm and cool. She needs to stay professional.
She glanced his way one more time, admiring his figure. Gosh… He did look good. Very very good. She just hoped she would not blush like a teenager once he faces her again.
Natsume in the meantime walked around the silent library (no one noticed him for they were too occupied with their books), and checked out books. He took one here and there and leafed it thorugh. After a good hour, he came back to the counter where Mikan handled a few returned books and cleared his throat to make her notice him.
She jumped a little. ''Oh! You found some books. Great. I'll scan them in a minute. Just let me take care of these.''
Natsume shrugged. ''No problem. I can wait.''
Mikan quickly handled the other books and then took his. She noticed that this time, beside the music books, he also borrowed a few fantasy books. ''You know, I can find some books for you until next time, so you won't need to search for them. You just need to write down the genre and then choose from the offered ones.''
''Yeah? Then I'll do that. Although I must admit I like to walk through the library. It's… nice…'' Natsume told her, watching her work. She really was pretty.
''I agree. There's that adrenalin rush while going through these corridors.'' She smiled at him with bright eyes, enthusiasm written all over her face. Natsume guessed she gave him a glance of her true personality. She quickly got serious again and cleared her throat. ''You can put the genres on that paper.'' She indicated to the pile of small papers on the counter.
''All right.'' He wrote down his wishes and looked at her. ''But it's true. We nerds can't help but go mad for a good story.'' He took his books and saluted her in goodbye, a half smile now on his face.
Mikan bowed her head slightly and watched him disappear. She stifled a giggle, but could not prevent the blush to spread all over her face. She could not believe that her favourite singer talked with her casually. She was so happy she could scream.
She looked at the paper Natsume left behind and read it. He wanted many books about music and a few fantasy ones. It was strange having a hard-core musician, who had a love for books, as a customer. Mikan was a little curious about this man, but she knew she should not think about it too much. This was a level above her.
For the next few days, Mikan worked like normally and gathered the books Hyuuga wanted. This time, Natsume did not come on Wednesday but Friday. Mikan blinked at him. ''You're really a fast reader. I'm not sure I've met someone who read so many books in just a week.''
Natsume chuckled. ''As I said – I'm a nerd through and through.''
Mikan smiled. ''That's good. Although one wouldn't attribute that to a musician like- oh… I'm sorry. That was rude of me.'' She blushed a little and averted her eyes. Natsume shrugged and stared at her. ''Nah… It's all right. Just make sure not to tell anyone my secret.'' He grinned at her and Mikan laughed nervously. ''No worries. It's save with me.''
Once she scanned the books he brought back, she showed him the new ones. ''So I thought these might interest you. They are new on the market so I guessed you haven't read them yet. They're quite huge, but don't let it scare you. George Martin is the number one on the fantasy market.''
''Ah, that's the beard guy. I met him on an event – no idea where…'' he casually told her and laughed when he noticed her gape at him. ''You met him in person!?'' she exclaimed, but quickly put her hand over her mouth. ''I mean, yeah, of course you did. Damn… Did you talk to him? What is he like?'' she blurred out like a sugar-high child.
Natsume smiled. ''We talked a little yes. He's as cool as we all thought he is.'' He noticed how the librarian tried to hold back her squeal. She whimpered instead and it brought nasty thoughts to Natsume's perverted mind. ''Seriously… Man… That must have been… Kami-sama…'' she chatted, her eyes bright and a slight blush covering her cheeks.
Natsume fished out his phone. ''Look, I've got a picture.'' Mikan practically jumped as he showed the picture to her and whimpered a little. The picture showed a smirking Natsume Hyuuga with his band mates and George Martin in the middle.
''Damn you… Must have been great…'' she muttered and Natsume chuckled. ''Yeah, it was. You jelly?'' Mikan glared at him playfully and then rolled her eyes. ''Anyway, he's the number one on the fantasy market and I can say he really is great.'' She pouted a little and moved away.
''It's quite great yeah…'' Natsume smirked and laughed when she rolled her eyes. ''Then I'll take these with me. Though, it will take some more time for George Martin…''
''It would be actually weird if you read it in a week. Take your time. I'll just make it a month, all right?'' Mikan smiled and Natsume thanked her. ''Then… See ya.'' He saluted her playfully, put his shades on and his hat, and walked out with a bag full of books.
Mikan waived in goodbye and stared after him. She shook her head in disbelieve and smiled. ''I'm definitely hallucinating…'' Having a celebrity as a regular customer was something new for the young librarian. And having your favourite celebrity as your customer was a dream for Mikan. She was a fan of RED, went to their concerts, and read about them in the magazines. She loved their music and she loved Natsume's Hyuuga voice.
Having him stand in front of her was something that made her knees soft, but she knew she had to stay as professional as possible – because in the end, a customer is a customer. Maybe he will mention the library in one of his interviews, who knows…
As she went home, she thought about her customer and had to listen to his songs again. She always listened to them, but never too often to not get them on her nerves. She checked the band and Natsume Hyuuga on the internet and read about him a little. She was never interested in him in particular, just the band – but having had talked to him three times already, made her a little curious.
He was 28, and officially single – but that was not necessary true, of course. He and his band mates created RED during high school and since then, they toped Japan's music charts. Mikan knew she should not start obsessing over Natsume Hyuuga, so she closed the internet window and turned her attention to her big-eyed black dog Mister Bear.
The next Wednesday, Natsume Hyuuga brought a few books back, but not those from GRRM. ''I'm seriously taking my time with him. I think I'll need a month as you said.''
''But don't tell me you're reading all those books at the same time…'' Mikan stared at him in disbelieve.
''I do have much free time now, you know.'' The star rolled his eyes playfully. ''Doing sports and hanging out gets a little boring after some time.''
Mikan laughed gently, scanning the returned books. ''I believe you. What I don't get is how can you walk around in all these clothes in such a warm weather.''
Natsume shrugged. ''You get used to it. Better some heat from clothes than from running away.''
Once again Mikan laughed. Natsume liked her laugh. ''Ah, I remember the incident. You supposedly forgot to- uh… I mean… I watched the news, so I know…'' she started stuttering once he grinned at her knowingly.
''So… A fan huh?'' he teased.
Mikan blushed. ''Well… I am following music trends, so I do know this and that…'' she tried to explain, but she knew he knew she was a fan. Her face told him so.
''I can give you a signature.'' He teased again, laughing at her flustered face.
''Oh, hush you… I already have it, so there's no need-''
He snorted and she shut her mouth. ''I'll just be quiet now…''
Natsume shrugged. ''Nothing wrong with that. Anyway. What do you have for me?''
''Something old. Ursula LeGuin. Fantastic, I tell you. Read them all. You won't be disappointed.'' She smiled once again and he nodded.
''All right then. I think I'll finish GRRM next month, so don't expect the books until then.'' He joked and Mikan nodded. ''All right then. Enjoy them. That's what they're for.''
He bid her goodbye once again and Mikan patiently waited until next time.
