Chapter 10: Heartbeats and Bookstores

The incident in history class had thrown Cid's world into a tailspin. He spent the rest of the day replaying the scene in his mind, analyzing every nuance of Kiyomi's accidental confession. "Cid's…impressive contributions…" The words echoed in his head, a sweet melody mixed with the sting of embarrassment. He thought back to the way Kai had teased him relentlessly after class, the playful jabs about his "secret admirer." He remembered the flush on Kiyomi's cheeks, the way she'd avoided his gaze. He recalled the mixture of amusement and…something else…in her eyes when he'd finally talked to her the next morning. Was it pity? Or…could it have been something more? The uncertainty was a constant torment, a tiny, persistent itch he couldn't scratch.

He tried to focus on his homework, but his mind kept wandering. He imagined their future, a future where they were more than just friends, where their laughter filled their days and their dreams were intertwined. He pictured them studying together in the library, sharing late-night snacks and whispered secrets. He imagined holding her hand, feeling the delicate warmth of her skin against his. The images were so vivid, so real, that he could almost taste the sweetness of the possibility.

The weekend arrived, and Cid found himself restless. He wandered around the neighborhood, unable to focus on anything. He even considered going to the library, hoping to run into Kiyomi, but he chickened out at the last minute. He imagined her there, surrounded by books, her brow furrowed in concentration. He wanted to see her, to talk to her, but the fear of rejection, of making things awkward, kept him rooted to the spot.

He was about to head back home when he saw her. Kiyomi was walking down the street, a book tucked under her arm, a gentle smile gracing her lips. She looked peaceful, lost in her own world, and Cid's heart skipped a beat.

Cid's heart leaped into his throat. What should he do? Should he approach her? Should he pretend not to see her? He felt a sudden surge of panic. His palms were sweaty, his heart was racing, and he suddenly felt like he'd forgotten how to walk.

Before he could make a decision, Kiyomi spotted him. "Cid!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise. "What a coincidence! I was just on my way to the library."

"Me too," Cid replied, his voice a little too loud. "I… I was just going to… uh… return a book." Smooth, he thought sarcastically. Real smooth.

Kiyomi smiled. "Well, it seems we're headed in the same direction."

They walked side-by-side, the silence between them strangely comfortable. Cid, determined to break the awkward tension, pointed to a small bookstore nestled between two coffee shops. "Have you been to this bookstore? They have a wonderful selection of rare books."

Kiyomi's eyes lit up. "I've always wanted to check it out. Let's go!"

The bookstore was a cozy haven, with the scent of old paper and leather filling the air. Sunlight streamed through the large windows, illuminating the towering shelves packed with books of every size and description. As they browsed through the shelves, the awkwardness of the previous day seemed to melt away. They laughed as they stumbled upon a collection of hilariously bad poetry, and they shared their favorite childhood books. Cid discovered that Kiyomi had a soft spot for classic fairy tales, while he was more drawn to fantasy and science fiction. He felt a thrill of connection with each shared interest, each shared laugh.

Cid, captivated by her infectious laughter and the way her eyes sparkled when she talked about her favorite authors, felt a sense of peace wash over him. He realized that maybe, just maybe, this unexpected encounter was a sign, a chance to build on the connection they had forged. He watched her as she ran her fingers along the spines of the books, her expression a mixture of curiosity and delight. He longed to know what she was thinking, what stories were hidden within her heart.

As they left the bookstore, Kiyomi turned to him, a thoughtful expression on her face. "This was… this was really fun, Cid," she said softly.

Cid, his heart pounding, could only manage a nod. He knew he had to say something, to express his feelings, but the words seemed to have deserted him. He felt like a character in a play, suddenly forgetting his lines.

He watched as Kiyomi walked away, her figure fading into the distance. He sighed, a mixture of frustration and hope filling his chest.

He knew this was just the beginning, the first step in a journey that promised to be both exciting and terrifying. But one thing was certain: he wasn't going to let fear hold him back anymore. He was going to find a way to tell Kiyomi how he felt, even if it meant facing his fears head-on. But how? he wondered. How do you tell someone you like them without sounding like a complete idiot?

The coincidental encounter with Kiyomi that Saturday lingered in his mind. From the way her eyes lit up when she saw the bookstore, he knew they shared a connection, a spark of understanding that went beyond simple friendship. He couldn't shake off the feeling of a newfound lightness, a sense of possibility he hadn't experienced before.

The next day, Sunday, Cid was sent on an errand by his mom: buy groceries. As he walked down the street, his mind still buzzing with thoughts of Kiyomi, he noticed a familiar rainbow-colored umbrella leaning against a nearby cafe. He recognized it instantly. It was his umbrella, the one he'd lent Kiyomi in the rain. He paused, a smile spreading across his face. He hadn't expected to see it so soon. He wondered if Kiyomi was inside. Maybe I should go in and say hi, he thought. He hesitated, then decided against it. He didn't want to seem too eager, too… something. He'd see her at school tomorrow. He'd return the umbrella then, and maybe, just maybe, he'd find the courage to tell her how he felt. He continued his walk, a quiet sense of anticipation building inside him. He knew, with a certainty that settled deep in his heart, that he was one step closer to where he wanted to be.