Lisa doesn't like to stick her nose in much, but something about that man draws her in. He's not too unusual or anything, the only thing that would qualify is his perpetual smile, it's the way he treats her.

"What ya reading?"

"Do you have any recommendations?"

"Have you read this one?" They're normal questions to ask in a library, but the fact he comes in everyday makes it unusual. He's a fast reader, and some of the titles he checks out, makes Lisa's eyes pop out.

"Mr." It isn't her first time talking to him, but it's her first time initiating the conversation. "Why do you always check out books about bombs?"

The man gives her what's supposed to be a sheepish grin, but the mischievous glint in his eyes betray otherwise. "Oh, just a little research," His eyes dart to the book lying nearby her. "How's your book?"

Lisa feels like he's changing the subject, but she decides to let it slide. "The new one by that author I told you about, remember?"

"Yeah, is it any good?"

Lisa bobs her head in excitement. "Umhum, the worldbuilding is incredible, and I love the action scenes."

"Eh, I always felt the action scenes were poorly written compared to the rest."

"Are you kidding me!" She slams her hands down in outrage. "They're so vivid and realistic, how could you dislike them?" Instead of answering, strangely the man starting laughing at that.

"Ha ha ha, I never knew you were so passionate, Miss Mishima, I'm looking further to learning more about you." While Lisa's too shocked he knew her name to reply, the man takes the opportunity to grab his book and leave. It's only a few moments later that she has a name tag reading "Lisa Mishima,"

'Oh well,' She thinks to herself. It's slightly irritating, but this newfound acquaintance isn't as bad as she thought.

Just when the stranger was starting to grow on her, some news start to change her mind. When describing him to the rest of the staff, curly brown hair, white button up, they have no clue who he is. For a man that reads a lot, he always comes in at 12:00pm, the start of her shift. Lisa can't help wonder if this man, or Twelve as she's nicknamed him, is a stalker or something, but so far his presence has been enjoyable. He's never sexual or obsessive when talking to her, just friendly.

"Why do you always come around this time?" The question slips out before Lisa can stop herself.

"It's my lunch break." Oh, that makes since. "Besides it's nice talking to you." Twelve adds on before leaving again with another book. Lisa decides not to look to far into it, but those words linger in the back of her mind.

The next day he arrives at 12 on the dot, but this time he carries a cup of coffee with him.

"You know those aren't allowed, right?" She hates enforcing the rules, but the head librarian has talked to her multiple times about being more mindful.

"Oh, this isn't mine. Here." He grins before laying it on the other side of the desk. "You always look tired, so I thought some coffee would perk you up.

"What? I can't-I mean it's not-" Lisa stutters.

"Don't worry," Twelve leans in and gives her a wink. "It'll be our little secret." He leaves to search for his next book, and she's stuck with the drink. Tentatively, Lisa takes a sip, he bought it for her and it'd be rude to just throw it away.

"Wow," It's better than she expects, and it feels like it's already working. Lisa makes sure to remember to thank him somehow.

"What are these?" Twelve examines her plate of so-called cookies.

"Cookies, I um wanted to thank you for the coffee." Lisa tries to hide her blush. Looking back, it's kinda overkill to make a batch of cookies, when he probably bought the coffee on a whim.

"These are inedible." He spits it out in the nearby trashcan.

"That was really blunt…"

"But it's the truth," Lisa can't blame him there.

"Ugh, I just can't seem to do anything right, Twelve!" She runs her hands through her hair in frustration.

"Twelve?" He gives her an odd look.

"Ah, sorry! It's just I never caught your name and since you always come at 12:00-" Lisa's blush continues to grow and grow.

"I like it!" Twelve laughs. "It's got a nice ring to it." Instead of leaving like normally though, he gives her a concerning look. "Still are you alright? You've seemed more distressed lately."

Lisa sighs before turning back to the computer. "It's not your problem."

"Ah come on! You can tell me about it!"

"I'm working."

"So-" Before Lisa can protest, he jumps the desk and joins her. "There's practically no one but you and me. We got time."

But that's not the point. It's not him, nobody can know. For if she lets one person in, even just a bit, they'll see everything. Her weaknesses, her scars, her flaws. No, Lisa can't allow anyone into her life.

She wants to sigh and refuse, but Twelve is smiling so warmly, and for so long she's carried this burden. Her mind is screaming no, but her body doesn't seem to want to listen.

"Ok," She begins, and soon all her deepest and darkest thoughts are spilled.

Those chats between the duo become daily. Along with talking about books, Lisa starts to open up more. Twelve's a great listener, and she feels comfortable enough to share her feelings with him. He doesn't talk about himself a lot, but Lisa catches a few things, he has a close friend and co-worker he's taken to calling Nine ("I like multiples of three and that's the closest one to twelve"), loves physiological movies, and rides a motorcycle.

"Isn't it dangerous?" Lisa eyes widen when he describes some of the near-death experiences he's experienced while riding.

"A bit," Twelve gives her a coy smile. But it's fun, besides Nine can't follow me and I get some alone time."

"He sounds more like a boyfriend than a co-worker," She teases.

"Nah, he's like my brother, an annoying, nagging older brother. Besides, he's not into romance and all that jazz. I would hook you two up if he was!"

Lisa laughs, it feels like ever since she's meet Twelve she's laughed more than she has before. However, the time catches her eye and it looks like her shift is over.

"Oh, I gotta go." It seems her shift keeps getting shorter and shorter the more she gets to know Twelve.

"Ah," He pouts. "Do you think we can go get a drink or something? Together? We still haven't discussed that book you've just finished." Twelve's smile is so sweet, so convincing.

"Sorry, but I'm busy." Lisa hides behind her black bangs. Those type of things are for other girls, girls who are pretty and have friends and live their lives. Not Lisa.

"You sure?" He holds her hand in his, sending his warmth to her.

"Yeah," She yanks her hand away, afraid she'd enjoy the feel of him holding it. "I'm sure,"

A few weeks later, Lisa works up the courage to ride his motorcycle with him. The only way to describe riding was incredible. She felt like she was flying, all she could concentrate on was the the wind in her hair and how it felt pressed into Twelve's back. Lisa didn't want to get off once he dropped her back off in front the library.

The next day, she made sure to drop off a gift for him.

"What's this?" He points to the box on the desk.

"Open it!" Lisa beamed. Twelve complied and found it was motorcycle helmet.

"I noticed yesterday you weren't wearing a helmet. I don't want you to go get yourself hurt."

He laughs, it seems to be his default response. "I actually do have a helmet-" Lisa had to resist banging her head on the desk for how stupid she was. "-but this works out perfectly! I was planning on buying one for you sooner or later, so this can be your's!" He grins cheekily before putting the helmet on her head.

"Twelve!" She chides. "I can't work with this on!"

"Like you work much at all." He snorts. Besides him, there's usually almost no one in the library. "Anyway, I guess I'll have to get you something else…" He trails off.

"What! No, don't I'll feel horrible for not repaying you."

"But you have!" Twelve grows serious. "I'm repaying you for our companionship. I like you Lisa, I like you a lot. You're very special to me, and I want to thank you for the time spent together."

Lisa blushes at his kind words. He's important to her to, extremely important. In fact, it scares her, for she thinks she might care about him differently than a friend would.

"You're a good friend, too." She wraps her arms around his neck and buries her head into his shoulder, afraid she might cry. Twelve, stiffens up at the contact, but he doesn't pull away. He strokes her hair almost intimately.

"You're a good friend too," Twelve repeats.

So Lisa and Twelve occupy the gray area between friends and partners. For now, Lisa's not ready, and they're happy as friends. It's only when she meets Nine, is when thinks really start to change.

"So this is your girlfriend, Toji." A cold voice interrupts the warm, summer day. Lisa looks up from her book and notices Twelve stopped playing with her hair and gave the man a sheepish look.

"Guess you found me, Nine." Only now does Lisa have a face to put with the name, dark black hair, glasses, and a scowl, almost opposite of Twelve.

"Is she the one you were so concerned about finding a present for?" He avoids eye contact and Lisa thinks this is the first time he's been so shy.

"Excuse me?" Her voice is weak and almost pitiful. "You're Nine?"

The man sighs. "Where did that stupid nickname come from? I'm Arata Kokonoe, Toji Hisami's manager."

Instead of replying, Lisa turns to Twelve in shock. "YOU'RE TOJI HISAMI?"

"Yep!" He smiles at the face she's making. "Sorry I forgot to mention I'm your favorite author." His laugh is the only noise in the library. "This is Lisa Mishima!" He pulls her into a side hug. "She works here at the library and is a fan of my work."

Lisa's still dazed as it is, but the physical contact makes it impossible for her to think straight. All this time, she's been fangirling about his books to him…

"I figured you were sneaking off to see someone." Nine sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "Whatever, you got a book signing in 30 minutes, game's over let's go."

Twelve hurries to follow, but turns to look back at Lisa. "Hey, I know you're 'working', but later do you want to get dinner or something." A flush creeps up his neck. "After all, I should thank my biggest fan somehow,"

Lisa opens her mouth to say no, but honestly she's tried of always declining. Maybe she's still confused over the fact her favorite author was playing with her hair a few minutes ago, or maybe she's just feeling crazy.

"You'll drive?" She smiles.

"At the speed we'll go, we'll fly!" Lisa knows for sure then, that she wouldn't have it any other way.