Chapter 4: Soothing

Chapter 4

Soothing

The surrounding portrayed Tsubasa's frustration very well to the point she muttered curses while she walked. She could not forget how solemn that Takato man has been whereas he has said (precisely written) something awful to her. Even when she abruptly rose and left the library, he did not seem to bother. The worst part was he continued writing and did not turn around to wave her goodbye – wait. She did not need that.

That Takato man has really lost his mind. They barely knew each other but he had the guts to say something like that? With that poker face? Tsubasa kicked pebbles along her way and believably stressed every words uttered with her teeth until fine veins were visibly witnessed by almost everyone on the same path.

Do I need to care? But why?

The light was still on red colour. Probably she ought to wait for around 15 seconds more. She kept her hands in the pockets to avoid touching others accidentally. Her heart and mind went blank as she reminisced what has happened in the Library of Amethyst College earlier. It angered her, but deep inside, it was not something that should be an issue. She had plentiful essays needed to be submitted by next Friday and the funny thing was she was supposed to begin writing on that day.

Stalking that Takato man was definitely not an example.

A long sigh escaped from Tsubasa. The timer counted for another five seconds. In those seconds, she fished out two pieces of letters given by that Takato man. No matter how irritated she was, to have something from that Takato man was already surreal. If he was a famous novelist who could be using nickname for his novels, she has miraculously received an unofficial gift from him. If he was not, she was blessed by letters from a 'secret admirer'. She has never received love letters in her life so she would consider Takato as her fan instead.

No one could really change her once she has begun daydreaming.

People around her hurriedly crossed the road. She was shocked a little, but then she came to her sense and crossed as well. Both the letters were kept in her wallet as she would treasure it whole heartedly. Even though that Takato man literally pissed her off, she still could not run from getting very interested of his personality. He was really serious and mysterious which lured her to investigate him further. He did not seem like a bad person, but he did not sound nice too, especially after what he has told her. Nevertheless, she unconsciously forgot the real reason of her resentment towards him.

Well, she did blurt her mind out when that Takato man gave her the first letter, and she did not really look like she has forgiven him completely soon after. That could be the reason he wrote the second letter – He thought that his presence before her eyes was a total ruin. As far as she could recall, that Takato man at first has, by any chance, released his pen and it went to her side. She was mad because he did not thank her. That simple incident triggered her wrath – apparently proved her childishness even more.

"Tsk! I'm just a spoilt brat!" realizing her face was turning reddish, she decided to keep on walking without going to any stores along the way.

Tsubasa stood with her forearm leaning against the lamp post. Her eyes gazed at the road full of vehicles of different sizes and types. She was self-reflecting due to her immaturity. How could she get enraged by someone she practically had no idea who he was in the first place? She could have just considered that Takato man a pervert who paid overwhelming attention towards her.

"I wonder if a woman nowadays really has loud intuition."

Having that Takato man sending a love letter to her was really surprising, and it was spiced up by someone suddenly spoke to her from her hind. Plus, detected from the voice, she could guess it was a he, and he was accosting her whether to initiate a cosier conversation, or just random comments on anyone he bumped into. Tsubasa slowly turned to see who has spoken to her very mannerly.

There was a young man, but probably a few years older than her, standing one meter from her spot. He was wearing a sweater over his sky-blue T-shirt, jeans, and a backpack which has almost the same design as hers. She blinked as she was confused whether to reply or to pretend by ignoring him.

"I'm sorry," the man apologized straightway. "I don't mean to meddle into your life, but I don't think you should prolong your habit of talking to yourself, or people may find it conventional to find your secrets, faults, and humiliating moments in your life."

Tsubasa has never been aware of her particular habit until this one man approached her. It took less than 10 milliseconds for her to cup her mouth and gape in disbelief. So she was watched by someone random instead of getting friends at college. This was definitely scary.

"I'm sorry, I tend to do so when I was troubled," Tsubasa could not mask her anxiety anymore. A little provocation more, and she was fully prepared to burst to tears. She could sense her sweat was breaking, yet she did not attempt on covering any of her flaws including her reddish face.

That man smiled at her. Damn! His smile was so sweet thus cherishing his handsomeness. He had fair skin and nice body cutting, wore cool outfit and he even posed while talking to Tsubasa. Her heart pounded crazily as if it would fall off the muscles.

It was the most sinful day for Tsubasa.

"It's a spectacular trait of yours, but I hope people won't take advantage of you," the man said. The smile never ceased and the tone never deafened. He was basically a gentleman who talked kindly even to people he obviously did not know.

Tsubasa fidgeted with her fingers. "Thank you for your compliment," It could be one, but she did not feel that good from it. Perhaps, it was more to a tackling line by a sweet talker. She chose to turn to deaf ears.

The man chuckled. "You are a very honest girl I've ever found. You might be able to deceive me but not your face."

Tsubasa covered the side of her face with one palm. "Yeah, right," came as a reply. Then she gradually evaded away, avoiding more nonsensical dialogue.

Nevertheless, the man did not seem to just give in. It was not that transparent, but the man really portrayed his wish to talk to her. When she was facing to the west, he would drag his feet to the direction meant to stare blankly at her face. Whenever she put her palm upon her face, he would stand a little closer than before. This surely irritated her as she disliked oppression from other party.

"Excuse me. I don't think I've ever recognised you in the first place," Tsubasa gritted her teeth and clenched her fists. She was holding her anger from punching the man right at the face.

"My name is Takuya," the man responded, totally neglected the fact that the girl before him was frantic. "Actually, I've been seeing you around the college, but it seems like you don't know me."

"I'm a first year. I've no idea what you are talking about." Tsubasa said.

The man who called himself Takuya chuckled again, "I'm one of the student representatives of Amethyst College, and I walk around a lot to survey. I saw you several times entering the library, and you don't seem to get bored coming every day."

"Then, does that bother you, or your club, or your life?" this sounded pretty harsh but she had to do it to end the meaningless conversation. She was not in the mood to talk to people, remarkably after the incident with Takato earlier.

"It's not even bothering me," Takuya apparently leant his forearm against the lamp post just like Tsubasa. They shared the same pole, "I'm very impressed of people who reads. Especially girls. I'm not down grading anyone – I'm more to finding the real bookworms rather than those who admit booklovers but not even willing to own physical books."

"How do you know I go there to read? People nowadays don't only go to the library to read. They do researches and use the facilities there." Tsubasa rolled her eyes in displease. She hoped this Takuya man did not approach her, but it was already too late.

She unconsciously got along with the conversation Takuya has initiated.

"It's more to my reliable instinct. You read," Takuya's eyes laid on Tsubasa's matric card hung from her neck, "See? You are an English Literature student. You won't take the course if you are not keen."

"How do you know I took this course because of my liking?" After a few argument, Tsubasa turned to face Takuya. They exchanged glances and literally spoke to each other.

Takuya shrugged. "Just because."

Tsubasa exhaled in frustration. She disliked the behaviour of Takuya, as if he was taking everything in his life lightly. It was their first meeting, but Takuya has already proved his mischievous side, thus it turned her off. Possessing an attractive facial meant nothing if you are a dumbass.

"So," Takuya tilted his head on one side, "Do you read Arthur Conan Doyle?"

"Surely I do."

They again exchanged glances. Due to her fondness of books, she acted much faster than her mind when someone has mentioned of anything related to it. Arthur Conan Doyle was one of the famous British writer and physician. He was the one created Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson – the most memorable characters in the world of detective fictions. Arthur Conan Doyle's masterpiece The Lost World was one of her favourite titles in her own collection. Tsubasa furrowed as she comprehended her own overdoing.

"I like English novels, but I prefer Japanese more," Takuya commented as he folded his both arms against his chest. His eyes viewed the road before them, "It's not that I'm discriminating. It's just that I think reading Japanese novel gives more mysterious vibes compared to English."

There was an awkward silence lingered between them. It lasted for almost five minutes.

"That means you haven't read many," Tsubasa sighed, "You have to read more until you won't have any other intention to compare."

"Then, who do you like?"

Tsubasa's brows curled, "It's so difficult to choose. But lately I read The Miracle of Namiya General Store, and I must say that it's highly recommended."

After the infinite minutes of attempts, Takuya sensed that Tsubasa has cooled down. She did not seem mad like before even though she still frowned and refrained herself from smiling like an idiot.

"If I wasn't mistaken, The Miracle of Namiya General Store was written by Higashino Keigo." He propped his chin with his hands. "I once saw the promotional poster. Plus, I heard it would be adapted to live action."

"For real?"

The chat felt much pleasant than before. Tsubasa did not stress her words to show her disgust.

"I hope it would be as good as the novel."

"It will," Takuya thumbed up, "The main character Atsuya will be Yamada Ryousuke. I guess you know him."

"That idol? Well, he acts a lot compared to his group."

"Just like I expected. I got a feeling most girls have a crush on him."

A brow raised. "I don't."

Takuya's too. "But why?"

Tsubasa did pause. "I- I have someone else on my list."

"You even created a list?"

"Of the characteristics that I hope I could get in one single man."

"It does sound fishy. Then, what is the characteristic that you want the most?" Gently and persuasive – Takuya's good charm. But there were times he sounded forceful.

"Obviously someone who has the same hobby as I am." Tsubasa jeered at the latter.

It was hilarious how delightful Tsubasa was when Takuya first drew himself nearer to her, but later she was the one getting annoyed by his talkativeness. Somehow finding a man who reads was a rare issue to her, and while she babbled with this Takuya man, a brief picture of that Takato man emerged in her mind. Tsubasa could not help but to get him into one of the infrequent male population available on the Earth.