After grabbing his keys, Kyle headed down stairs, the music following him as he went.
Today, Kyle was feeling ecstatic. Not only had he accomplished the goals he had set out for himself, he had also managed to make a large sum out of the UA deal.
But that was only the start…
During the festival, Kyle had made sure the brand name was well known, and even went as far as handing out coupons to the customers.
Because of this, the traffic to his cafe would only grow in the coming days, meaning he would be making more money!
Kyle smiled as he hurried down the steps, two steps at a time.
But although he wanted to visit the cafe and organise things, today was specially reserved for someone else, Himiko.
She had been kind enough to wait this long, so Kyle wanted to make sure today would be a memorable one.
That was why he even took out time to dress up… a little at least.
Tsumi had gone to work early as usual so there was no one in the living room when he arrived.
He turned off the lights and locked the door behind him, before going into the garage.
Unlike last time they went out, this time Kyle was the one picking Himiko up, but when Kyle read the address she gave, he raised a brow.
~ Kagura Central library.
'What is she doing at the library?' He wondered as he started the car's engine.
"I guess I'll find out when I get there."
Not long after Kyle began driving, the sky darkened and the rain came down like a dam had broken in the heavens.
The rain splashed against his wind shield with so much intensity that even his wipers were struggling to keep up.
And the wind blew forcefully against the glass, further increasing the intensity of the rain.
Soon, the cars began to drive slowly, red blur of lights in all directions as drivers turned on their caution lights.
"What a way to start the day…"
Although Kyle enjoyed watching storms because of how rhythmic they could be, today was different.
Today, he had a date!
"How are we supposed to go out in this weather?"
Kyle breathed out a sigh and picked up his phone to call Himiko. He wanted to be sure she wasn't standing somewhere under the rain.
But the rain seemed to have affected the network lines as well because all he got was an annoying beep, followed by a feminine voice that told him she was unreachable.
He quickly sent her a text message before focusing on the drive, weaving through the slow cars, while he listened to the pouring rain.
•••
Kagura Central Library was a tall imposing building that looked as though it was built for a different era.
Although it was well maintained, it was hard to not notice the signs of the building's true age.
Two tall pillars stood at the entrance, with a long banner hanging from both sides, the name of the library written on them.
Kyle pulled up to a stop in the parking lot and glanced at the building through his glass, his eyebrows furrowing together.
With the dark clouds, heavy thunder clasps and flashes in the sky, the old building almost seemed haunted…
Using his excellent vision, Kyle scanned the front of the library as well as the areas around it, looking to see if Himiko was somewhere underneath the shades, but there was no one.
He hurried out of his car and sprinted through the pouring rain. But like a devious fiend, the rain was determined to have him in its embrace.
Just in the few seconds in which he had been exposed, Kyle's jacket was thoroughly soaked and was dripping wet.
He entered the library and took off the jacket, looking for where to hang it when he noticed a girl at the information desk.
It was Himiko, although she looked rather… strange.
Kyle walked up to the desk to have a closer look.
She was wearing a white blouse tucked into a long flared skirt that went down past her knees, and she had a pair of clear rimmed reading glasses on.
But on closer inspection, Kyle realised that they were regular glasses.
Without looking up from the book in her hand, Himiko stretched her hand forward.
"What do you want? The library opens by 9AM—heh?"
She suddenly froze when her eyes met him. "K-Kyle??"
Himiko squatted down, hiding underneath the shelf while muttering something to herself.
"What are you doing here?!" She asked, her voice lowered but sharp.
Kyle cocked a brow. "Your text said Kagura central library, 8 -O'clock—"
"I meant 8pm!" She hissed, her face burning red from embarrassment.
"Well anyone would confuse it if you didn't specify. Kyle smiled and leaned over the desk, his tone teasing.
"Why didn't you want me to come early? Are you trying to hide your unique sense of fashi—"
Himiko sprang up, only to bump the center of her head into Kyle's jaw
"Owww!" She held her head with both hands, frowning as her face turned even redder.
When Himiko finally settled down, Kyle idly glanced at the library, before returning his attention to her. "So, why are you dressed this way?"
Himiko sighed, her shoulders slumping. "It's the dress code… I got a job here."
Kyle reigned in his laughter. "I see…"
Himiko playfully punched his arm, then blinked when she noticed how wet he was. "Were you out in the rain?"
"Just a little."
She frowned and glanced at the library, as though looking for something. "Give me your jacket, let me take you somewhere."
Kyle handed her the jacket and she folded it on her arm as she left the information desk, leading him deeper into the library.
He followed Himiko, who was marching through the library with poise befitting a strict librarian.
Now that she had adorned their full regalia, she looked just like those cranky women who were more interested in breathing down your shoulders than doing their jobs.
"Heh~"
Himiko frowned, shooting him a glare as she stared at him from over her shoulder. "This is why I didn't want you to come."
Kyle tilted his head slightly. "I'm glad I came… I wouldn't have seen you dressed up this cutely if I didn't."
Himiko blinked, then she quickly looked forward. "I… guess it's not so… bad…." She said, her voice low.
They ended up walking for about two minutes, even going to the next floor, before arriving in front of an old wooden door.
Himiko took out her keys and stuck them into the hole. "You won't believe what I'm about to show you…"
The door opened with an odious creak that would have alerted the whole library. But because of the pouring rain, and the fact that the library opened at 9am, the library was empty.
Within the room, Kyle saw a large couch in front of an inactive fireplace.
It was like a secluded reading room, and judging by the decor, it was probably built when the library was first constructed several years ago.
Himiko smiled mischievous as she turned to face him. "Since it's raining, we can have a little fun here can't we?"
— — - — – —— — - — – —
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