This was a way to pass the time. She swore on it. Contrary to what Horio Satoshi had claimed back in junior high, Echizen Rika actually enjoyed working in the library. Why else would she keep coming back to the job and not switch it up more?

Now, she worked a larger one. It was grand scale. They had needed more help and were willing to pay, generously. Generous to those who actually could keep the library in order. Being the prideful, confident girl she was, the black-green haired female took to the job, fully expecting her pay at the end of the day.

She was almost on break, her fingers gliding over the surface of a book moved out of the way. A Shakespearean play, she would recognize the writing anywhere. Hard cover, edges of the paper worn, golden-browning from age she breathed in and released a sigh-

"Ah~n? Is that the Princess of Tennis I see?"

-her eyes darted, quickly, quickly, behind her. She frowned at the ground, before looking up and smirking, "So what if it is, Monkey King?"

She gave a tilt of her head, amused, as she turned and picked up the book, looking at the number on its binding before opening it and walking toward its home shelf, reading it along the way.

"You enjoy Shakespeare as well then, Echizen?"

She paused and shut the book, climbing the ladder and putting it on the shelf.

"I was reading it to ignore you," she said.

"Oresama doesn't believe you," the light-brown haired male said, taking a step toward Echizen.

Brown orbs examined him.

"Is there a certain book you are looking for, Atobe-san?" She asked, hoping to just point him in the right direction. She descended from the ladder, hopping down from the last step, pushing her hat slightly down.

"Just looking around. If a book comes to mind, Oresama will call for you."

Echizen nodded, promptly turning around a shelf corner, picking up and moving around a few more thrown aside books. Books, books, everywhere, who could own such a vast library that was willing to pay so kindly for helping out with the books. Sure, it was a large library, newly public, or something like that.

Books, books to hide faces that could be looking at others. Emotions made, hidden in the safety of a story. All the admiration, hate, could easily be blamed on the book.

Break was upon her and she reached to the magazine rack and picked up one about tennis. She planned on practicing after her work. A few more hours until then, then she'd be free.

Lazy eyes looked through the magazine, fingers carefully moving each page.

Blue eyes on looked the female that was daring enough to take a razor to his hair while he was unconscious. They stared at her, the female who had defeated his World of Ice, his Insight, avoided his advancements. Wore her hat to such a job of which his employees wouldn't dream of doing. He snapped and one of the library workers came over.

"Yes, Atobe-sama?"

"Keep the new one. She's doing a good job."

"Of course, Atobe-sama!" the librarian nodded.

Atobe turned his attention back to Echizen. He gave a smirk and looked to the gently placed card on the table with the library's name on it.

Atobe Library

He'd enjoy having her work here, among the books, watching, talking, straight up bluntness.

She wouldn't be able to hide behind them, not his books.

He knew and he liked.