Work Text:
There's plenty of work needing to be done in a library, especially one as prestigious as Trinity's. The obvious responsibilities like shelving and checkouts are only a portion of the tasks a librarian must take care of. Requests from other libraries must be filled. New works must be categorised and entered into the system. Trinity's rare specialty, high-quality book repair, is constantly busy, despite a recent (albeit clumsy) addition to the force. And sometimes, a special request comes in that requires the utmost discretion to fulfill. Shimiko always takes her responsibilites seriously, even if, like now, it seems entirely unwarranted.
Pulling out an opaque plastic bag, Shimiko checks her list of specially requested books one last time. 'A Student's Guide to Gehenna', check. 'Inter-Academy Tolerance for Idiots', check. 'Healthy Eating for Two', check. She slides the books into the bag and seals it shut, followed by sticking on a shipping label. She makes a mental note to report the improper use of confidential shipping as she sets the package in the outgoing mail cart. The sound of the help counter's bell pulls her out of thought and quickly back to the library proper.
"How can I help you?"
An unfamiliar girl with glasses and a minigun stands across the desk, slightly startled. "Wow, that was fast! Anyways, I'm looking for books and such about ancient mystic students and magic, but I can't seem to find anything in the mythology section. Can you help?"
"Certainly. I believe the works you are looking for would be in the ancient history section, not the mythology section, though. I can show you if you'd like."
"Sure, lead the way!"
Shimiko steps through a side door and leads her through the shelves, striking up a conversation.
"I haven't seen you around here before. Are you from outside Trinity?"
"Yep! I'm Kotori, from the Engineering Club at Milennium."
"Interesting. What brings you here?"
"We've been trying to artificially replicate mystic power, so I'm going around Kivotos to research the different manifestations of it over time. I can tell you more if you'd like?"
"I would, but-" Shimiko stops and turns. "Here we are. Do you need anything else?"
"Nope, I can take it from here." Kotori says. "Thanks again."
"You're welcome. Now if you'd excuse me, I am expecting some company." Right on cue, a gangster struts through the door and knocks over a chair. Shimiko unslings her assault rifle and sprints off.
"I warned you about coming here again! Put that book down! If you break its spine, I'll break your own!"
-
The moon is high in the sky as Shimiko finishes the last of her rounds. Most all the students have cleared out and gone home, while the night patrols are keeping all the troublemakers off the streets. Putting away the last books on her returns cart, she still hears the muffled sound of page turning from the ancient history section. She rounds a corner and notices Kotori with her nose stuck in a tome.
"Excuse me, but we're closing soon."
"Ah! Already!? I've barely even reached when Arius split!"
"Oh? Not many people are able to get through the pre-Trinity era so quickly."
"It was a bit complex, but I think I got it. With the three primary factions, you just have to..."
Kotori begins to recap her newfound knowledge, in excruciating detail. Shimiko follows along for a few minutes, but when it's clear she wouldn't stop soon, she acts. After a few attempts to verbally interupt, she grabs her lips and holds them shut. Kotori quickly takes the hint and quiets down. Shimiko pulls back her hand, and the two blush at the contact.
'Her lips are so soft...'
'Her finger smelled kinda nice...'
Kotori coughs and breaks the silence. "Sorry, I got carried away again."
"It's fine. Besides, it was kinda cute seeing you like that."
"O-oh, uh, thanks, I mean it. Only Sensei ever said that to me before."
"Yeah, and I can tell you really understood what you had read. I didn't notice anything wrong, and you managed to see some of the nuances others skip."
"You understood all that?"
"I did, though I had already read every book in that section. Say, would you like to discuss it sometime over coffee?"
"I-I'd love to! I'll be here tomorrow as well, so we can go sometime then."
"Sure, I have some time to spare."
"Great! Then it's a date. A-a date, yeah! Gotta go! See ya tomorrow!"
Kotori flees the scene, blushing furiously. Shimiko, left behind, feels a blush across hers as well. She glances back over at the shelves, and notices that, despite having been clearly removed, all the books are put back perfectly in order.
'A date, huh? I should probably grab a book on that before I leave...'