Page 43 of Sixty Meters Under
“It’s her demeanor really,” Aki said and rolled her eyes. “The way she struts around clearly seeking attention. Her arrogance is bothersome. I find it so annoying. She acts like she’s the queen of the bunker.”
“Well, I have to admit that she seems confident, but she looks quite nice.”
Aki rolled her eyes again. “Did you also fall for hercharm?”
“What is it with women that sometimes makes you so hostile towards each other?” Ryosuke asked, amused with her reaction.
Aki huffed and grimaced. She crossed her arms over her chest and clicked her tongue.
Ryosuke laughed and shook his head. “Alright, what do we have here?” he asked, patting the books Aki brought to the table.
“Nothing special, just some novels.” Aki shrugged.
“Romantic, I suppose?” Ryosuke teased.
“Eeeh–!”
“I knew it!”
“No, they’re notthatromantic!”
“We’ll see. Hmm,Only you?” Ryosuke read the first title and looked playfully at her, “orLove’s Relativity. Nothing romantic at all.”
“Hey!”
“Find Me? Hmm… I wonder what part of this book is not romantic.” Ryosuke grinned.
“Ugh! Just give me these books!”
“Calm down, sis. I’m almost done.”
Ryosuke entered the titles in the laptop, and when he finished Aki said with a loud sigh, “Thanks.”
Ryosuke checked his wristwatch, and added, “It’s getting late. I need to close the library soon.” He looked around in hopes to spot the red-haired woman.
“Be careful, bro, I wouldn’t trust that woman,” Aki warned and looked around to make sure the said woman wasn’t close.
“You don’t have to worry about that, little sister.”
“And you don’t want to end up in hot water with Ayame.” Aki raised her index finger.
Ryosuke laughed and shook his head, “I don’t.”
Ryosuke knew that Aki was as protective over him as he was over her, but he also knew she didn’t have to worry. It hadn’t once crossed his mind to become involved with another woman. One was enough for him.
It was almost time to close the library, but the red-haired woman continued to search the shelves. Ryosuke was convinced with each passing minute that he would have to go and remind her about closing hours. There was one more resident in the library, but that reader came to his table on time. After Ryosuke wished him goodnight, he set out to find the woman.
He spotted her beside the shelf, so deeply immersed that she didn’t notice his approach. It was only when Ryosuke stopped next to her that she tore her eyes away from the page. Surprised, her lips stretched into a smile.
“I’m closing the library,” Ryosuke started.
“Really? I didn’t realize the time.”
“It’s almost 21:00.”
“Oh, I apologize. I guess I got a little carried away.” Her eyes landed on the two books in her hands, and she looked up at him again. “Okay. I think I’ll take these.”
“Very well, but I have to put it in our record first.”
