The Girl Who Teases Me

The school library was quieter than usual. Sunlight streamed through tall windows, casting golden patches across the wooden tables. Rows of neatly stacked books stretched into the distance, it was a quiet space to study and earn knowledge.

Riku wandered between the shelves, pretending to browse the books. In truth, he just needed a break from the chaos of the cafeteria.

He reached for a random book, not even reading the title. His mind was elsewhere—more specifically on the girl he'd been spending unexpected time with lately. Yumi.

Ever since their study session at her house, she'd been occupying far more of his thoughts than he was comfortable admitting. Her confident teasing, that rare moment when she'd turned red after his accidental compliment—it all replayed in his head far too often.

As he pulled the book off the shelf, a familiar voice cut through the quiet.

"Riku?"

He nearly dropped the book. Turning slowly, he found Yumi standing at the end of the aisle, holding a thick book in one hand. Her blue eyes sparkled with amusement.

"Fancy seeing you here," she said, walking toward him.

"I, uh... just needed a quiet space," Riku mumbled, shifting awkwardly.

Yumi tilted her head, a playful grin forming. "Didn't take you for a library guy."

"I'm not," he admitted.

She chuckled softly. "So you're just here hiding from the world and its wordly matters?"

"Something like that," he muttered.

Yumi leaned casually against the shelf, tapping the book against her leg. "You sure you're not hiding from me?"

Riku's face warmed. "Why would I—?"

"Relax," she said, cutting him off with a laugh. "I'm just messing with you. You're way too easy to fluster."

Riku sighed. He was starting to wonder if she'd ever let him win a conversation.

"What about you?" he asked, trying to shift the focus. "What brings you here?"

"Needed a book for an assignment," she said, waving the book in her hand. "But I got distracted and started wandering around. Then I saw you looking all serious."

"I wasn't that serious," Riku muttered.

"Please," she teased. "You looked like you were contemplating the meaning of the universe."

Riku opened his mouth to respond but shut it again, realizing he had no good comeback.

Mabye he really was.

Yumi seemed pleased with his silence, her grin widening.

They wandered down the library aisles, the faint scent of old books filling the air. The quiet atmosphere wrapped around them, but Yumi never seemed one to completely embrace silence.

Riku kept his eyes focused on the shelves, hoping the quiet would last. But, of course, it didn't.

"You always this quiet, or is it just around me?" Yumi asked, tilting her head with a teasing grin.

Riku hesitated. "Uh... I guess I'm just... quiet?"

She smirked. "Good answer. Mysterious guys are popular, you know."

Riku blinked, caught off guard. "I-I'm not trying to be mysterious."

"Could've fooled me," she teased. "Next thing I know, you'll have a secret double life as a spy or something."

Riku sighed. "Yeah, because spies hang out in school libraries."

"Exactly," she whispered dramatically, leaning a little closer, "the perfect cover."

Riku couldn't help having his face turn red from her leaning in closer towards him, and whispering.

"Your turning into a tomato again Riku" She said, while laughing with her hand on her mouth, her body trembling to not make noise.

He was about to run away when he heard her speak again.

"Well, since we're both here, want to grab a table?" she offered. After calming herself down.

"O-okay," Riku agreed, after a short pause.

---

They found a table near the window, where sunlight streamed in warmly. Yumi plopped down across from him, setting her book on the table with a thud.

"So," she said, leaning forward slightly, "what brings Mr. Anti-Social to the library today?"

"I'm not anti-social." Said Riku, with a low voice

"You kinda are" she said with a smirk. "No offense."

"Thanks i guess?" he muttered. Not knowing how to respond to that

Yumi rested her chin on her hand, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Hey, I'm just stating facts. But I guess you're improving."

Riku raised an eyebrow. "Improving?"

"Yeah," she said matter-of-factly. "You're talking to me without stammering every five seconds. That's progress."

Riku sighed. "You're really something, you know that?"

"I'll take that as a compliment," she said cheerfully.

Before Riku could respond, a group of noisy students entered the library, their laughter breaking the peaceful atmosphere. Yumi frowned, glancing toward them.

"Some people have no respect for library rules," she muttered.

Riku chuckled. "You sound like a librarian."

"Maybe I missed my calling," she said dramatically. "Imagine me shushing people all day."

"Terrifying thought," Riku said dryly.

Yumi grinned. "Glad you agree."

As the noise faded, Yumi leaned back in her chair, her expression thoughtful.

"So, what's your favorite book?" she asked suddenly.

Riku blinked. "Uh... I don't really have one."

Yumi gasped in horror. "Seriously? Not even one?"

"I'm not much of a reader," he admitted.

"That explains why you were wandering around like a lost puppy," she teased. "Guess I'll have to recommend something for you."

"You don't have to—"

"Too late," she said, cutting him off. "I've already decided."

Riku sighed. "You decide a lot of things for me, don't you?"

"Someone has to," she said with a grin.

Riku shook his head, knowing he wouldn't win against her wit. But for some reason, he didn't mind.

As they continued talking, Riku realized something. Being around Yumi was surprisingly easy—even fun. Her teasing, while relentless, had a warmth to it that made him feel less invisible.

And for the first time in a long while, he didn't feel like blending into the background.