The first time I saw that person was in the university library .

I’m in the second half of my first year .

The university boasts a vast area in the suburbs .

A huge library located in the middle of the university campus is the pride of our university .

It’s filled with historically valuable doc.u.ments, it seems even professors from other schools visit for that collection .

In such a library, there was person who instantly caught my eye when I came just to gather necessary materials for a report .

Sitting alone at a reading desk in a sunny place in the far back, a man slightly older than me was reading a book with a bulky cover . I was strangely shocked by the serious look he directed at the book . His black rimmed gla.s.ses suited him perfectly . His beautiful skin was so smooth it made me jealous as a woman .

I don’t know what he was reading .

Crossing his long legs, he turned the page with relaxed movements . Even such trivial movements looked extremely good .

It seemed to me the place he was in had a completely different air about it .

My breath was taken away . I could only gaze at him .

… After all he’s beautiful .

Several months has already pa.s.sed since I first caught sight of him .

Since then I’ve went to the library many times, and almost every day he’s been reading some book at his usual window seat .

Since then, I’ve looked up who he is .

Nanaoogi s.h.i.+on-senpai .

A third year student, two years older than me . Enrolled in the same history department under the literature faculty as me .

Rumors say he’s a zealously diligent student who’ll probably advance to the graduate school without hurrying to search for a job .

It was easy to investigate him .

The reason is, in our university he’s a famous beauty who seems to have many secret admirers .

The reason they’re ‘secret’ is simple . It seems Nanaoogi-senpai dislikes dealing with people .

It’s natural to be ignored even if you talk to him .

Everybody would falter hearing that even if you confess, he’ll ignore you without raising his eyes from the book .

Since such a thing repeated, in no time an implicit rule to look at Nanaoogi-senpai from distance spread across the campus .

I watch Nanaoogi-senpai from a seat a little away . That’s been my daily routine recently .

As expected from a person enrolled in the history department, Senpai seems to like history books .

Ah, but today it’s the Romance of the Three Kingdoms . That binding… No way, it’s the Chinese original .

A dry laughter escaped me that he’s as high spec as rumors say .

The season is winter . Even so, the sunlight s.h.i.+ning through the window feels warm .

At his usual position by the window, with his back basked in sun, Senpai was slowly turning the pages . The angle of light changed and illuminated his profile . His dignified and refined features with a straight nose were laid bare in the light .

As always, I secretly gazed at such Senpai’s figure .

Today Senpai is wearing a knit, deep V-neck sweater .

His beautiful collarbones are visible .

His long finger touched the rim of his gla.s.ses as if to ascertain their position .

Having checked Senpai’s figure from distance, I deeply sighed .

There are no other fans here but me .

It’s the depths of the library where important literature is kept . It’s quiet here, so naturally it isn’t an interesting place, as expected Senpai’s fans don’t come here .

As for me, as a matter of fact I’m an unequaled bookworm . I will read anything written, ever since I visited a library in the neighborhood when I was a young child I’ve lived together with books .

That’s why it was perfectly possible for me to find reading material even in this location where slightly difficult books were gathered, and so I don’t suffer spending time here . I read books while admiring Senpai .

I could say it’s a bliss for me .

Of course, reading the originals like Senpai… is something I can’t do . I can only read j.a.panese . Still, I casted my gaze down on the history book about the Roman Empire I picked up a while ago .

I chose history book… because it’s Senpai’s favorite genre .

Looking at such me objectively, I can only describe myself as a maiden .

After entering university every day kept being so busy, I became estranged from reading for some time . I really don’t understand how it happened that since coming here I’ve began reading all sorts of book with great enthusiasm .

I slipped out a little laugh and continued reading the book in a place a little away from Senpai .

I love to feast my eyes on Senpai, but I also like books .

After watching him to a while, I enter my own world . That’s my rule .

I don’t want to disturb Senpai, and I don’t intend to close our distance .

I had long ago realized it was a fleeting love at first sight, but I had absolutely no intention of taking action .

I was okay with watching him from distance and one day remembering that such a thing happened .

That’s why I won’t do anything today either .

Deciding to concentrate on the book, my thoughts turned away from Senpai .

… Yup, it was interesting .

I closed the book with a snap and nodded once . Naturally I know the history of the Roman Empire, but the author’s interpretation was interesting . When the point of view changes, so does the way of looking at things .

Perhaps because I’ve been focusing on reading, it seems quite a lot time has pa.s.sed without me noticing .

Having checked the time on the wrist.w.a.tch I’d placed on the desk I became a little surprised .

I could spend a satisfying afternoon, so I heavily got up to go home .

Then, I heard a voice as if it had been waiting for me .

“Was it interesting?”

“Eh?”

A soft voice hit my earlobe .

When I raised my face at the sudden voice, standing there with a book in his hand was Nanaoogi-senpai, whom I’ve been always secretly watching .

Seeing him from up close for the first time, Senpai was very tall . Maybe it’s just me being small, but reflexively I bent back . Senpai looked down at such me with a gentle look .

“Nanaoogi-senpai…?”

When I reflexively called him by his name, Senpai’s eyes widened a little .

Senpai’s dark brown eyes were dyed with surprise .

Oh no, despite it being our first meeting, I called him by his name .

“Oh, so you know me . I haven’t introduced myself yet”

“S… sorry . It’s because Nanaoogi-senpai is famous”

When I apologized in a fl.u.s.ter, Senpai knit his brows a little .

Such a gesture is also very beautiful . I frantically warned myself to not get fascinated .

“Famous… I am?”

“Umm, you always come to the library so…”

“Aah, because I always come here . I see”

Even though I panicked over my slip of the tongue, Senpai nodded to my excuse as if convinced . I had been shocked he had directed his gaze here, but I noticed . It’s not me that Senpai’s looking at . It’s the book I’m holding .

“It’s about the book you were reading . I’ve been thinking of reading it next . If you finished reading it, would you mind lending it to me?”

“Ah! Sure, of course”

I hurriedly held out the book I’d read to Senpai . It’s surprising I first picked the book Senpai wants to read .

Come to think of it, Senpai should have been reading the Romance of the Three Kingdoms in original, but I wonder if he’d finished it . I thought it’s quite long though .

Just like that, the question rushed from my mouth on its own .

“Um, Senpai . Have you finished reading the Romance of the Three Kingdoms? If I’m not mistaken it was in original, wasn’t it? I thought it’s not something you can finish right away…”

“It’s because I was almost at the end… So you know what books I read”

“Ah”

When Senpai pointed that out, I pressed down on my mouth with both hands .

Oh no, I’ve done it again .

Isn’t it just as if I’m an ill-natured stalker .

When I looked up at Senpai’s face wondering if he finds me creepy, with his gentle face unchanged he smiled .

“Senpai? Um…”

“Yuuki Sakursan, first year”

“Huh?”

Having my name called out, I raised a hysterical voice .

When my eyes blinked in surprise, Senpai’s almond eyes narrowed in interest .

“I also know you . Therefore, we are even . You’ve come here often recently . I don’t want to come off as conceited, but I’ve felt a pa.s.sionate gaze from you many times . Perhaps you’ve been coming here to see me?”

“… Ah…”

There’s nothing more embarra.s.sing than having it pointed out by the person himself .

Understanding that it’s been exposed to Senpai that I’ve been watching him here recently, I evidently flushed .

“That’s… that’s, um… Senpai”

“Yes, what is it”

Unlike me, Senpai was his usual self .

Hearing Senpai reply in a calm voice, I decided .

If it’s come to this, I have nothing to lose . Let’s confess .

If things continue like this, I’ll be just a stalker woman . I absolutely don’t want to appear to Senpai in that manner .

If I confess here and am squarely rejected, I should at least be recognized to be in love rather than a mere stalker .

So that I don’t trouble Senpai later, I’m fine with never approaching him again .

The rumors say that even if you confess to Senpai, you won’t get a response, but Senpai is now having a conversation with me .

It’s unthinkable he’d ignore me now .

After I came up with this much in an instant, I raised my face .

I have to say it before I hesitate . It’s fine if I regret it later .

Thinking so, I spoke before I could think .

I’m not calm at all .

It’s a situation when I can’t think about later .

“Nanaoogi-senpai, I love you”

My straightforwardness goes too far .

Skipping over everything, I confessed to Nanaoogi-senpai .

“I see . Then, it’s fine if I consider you my lover from today?”

“I understand . From now on, I won’t approach Senpai, I also won’t call out to you . Don’t worry, I won’t come to the library either… Eh?”

“I don’t know what you are misunderstanding, but I’m saying I’ll go out with you? Have you not heard that?”

“No, I’ve heard…”

Certainly, I feel like I’ve heard a word like lover, but I thought it’s a hallucination .

When I shook my head in astonishment, Senpai nodded with a serious face .

“I see, I’m glad . Then, can I call you Sakura?”

“Yes… please”

My head can’t keep up with the chaotic developments .

But, there was no choice to decline .

Told that by Senpai, before I noticed I nodded my head .

“Then, Sakura . Please treat me well from now on”

“Y… yes . It is I who should say please treat me well . Nanaoogi-senpai”

When I awkwardly bowed my head, saying No, Nanaoogi-senpai thrust his index finger before me .

“I’m s.h.i.+on . Please call me that”

“… Yes, s.h.i.+on-senpai”

I tried pinching my cheek because of the unbelievable situation .

… Ouch, it’s not a dream .

Seems this isn’t a lie, but the reality .

“What are you doing? Sakura”

“No, I just feel like I lost touch with reality a little…”

“You are an interesting person”

“Err, umm, sorry…”

I reflexively apologized .

How did this happen . Without knowing how it happened, suddenly I got my first boyfriend .

Moreover, my partner is the target of my late first love .

Despite thinking that we’ll break up immediately anyway, I can’t deny that I was happy . Honestly, I felt complicated .

Nevertheless, like this I and s.h.i.+on-senpai began dating .

 . (Sakura’s point of view)

The first time I saw that person was in the university library I’m in the second half of my first year The university boasts a vast area in the suburbs A huge library located in the middle of the university campus is the pride of our university It’s filled with historically valuable doc.u.ments, it seems even professors from other schools visit for that collection In such a library, there was person who instantly caught my eye when I came just to gather necessary materials for a report

Sitting alone at a reading desk in a sunny place in the far back, a man slightly older than me was reading a book with a bulky cover . I was strangely shocked by the serious look he directed at the book . His black rimmed gla.s.ses suited him perfectly . His beautiful skin was so smooth it made me jealous as a woman I don’t know what he was reading Crossing his long legs, he turned the page with relaxed movements . Even such trivial movements looked extremely good It seemed to me the place he was in had a completely different air about it My breath was taken away . I could only gaze at him

 .

◇◇◇.

 .

… After all he’s beautiful

Several months has already pa.s.sed since I first caught sight of him Since then I’ve went to the library many times, and almost every day he’s been reading some book at his usual window seat Since then, I’ve looked up who he is

Nanaoogi s.h.i.+on-senpai A third year student, two years older than me . Enrolled in the same history department under the literature faculty as me Rumors say he’s a zealously diligent student who’ll probably advance to the graduate school without hurrying to search for a job It was easy to investigate him The reason is, in our university he’s a famous beauty who seems to have many secret admirers

The reason they’re ‘secret’ is simple . It seems Nanaoogi-senpai dislikes dealing with people It’s natural to be ignored even if you talk to him Everybody would falter hearing that even if you confess, he’ll ignore you without raising his eyes from the book Since such a thing repeated, in no time an implicit rule to look at Nanaoogi-senpai from distance spread across the campus

I watch Nanaoogi-senpai from a seat a little away . That’s been my daily routine recently As expected from a person enrolled in the history department, Senpai seems to like history books Ah, but today it’s the Romance of the Three Kingdoms . That binding… No way, it’s the Chinese original A dry laughter escaped me that he’s as high spec as rumors say

The season is winter . Even so, the sunlight s.h.i.+ning through the window feels warm At his usual position by the window, with his back basked in sun, Senpai was slowly turning the pages . The angle of light changed and illuminated his profile . His dignified and refined features with a straight nose were laid bare in the light

As always, I secretly gazed at such Senpai’s figure Today Senpai is wearing a knit, deep V-neck sweater His beautiful collarbones are visible His long finger touched the rim of his gla.s.ses as if to ascertain their position

Having checked Senpai’s figure from distance, I deeply sighed There are no other fans here but me It’s the depths of the library where important literature is kept . It’s quiet here, so naturally it isn’t an interesting place, as expected Senpai’s fans don’t come here As for me, as a matter of fact I’m an unequaled bookworm . I will read anything written, ever since I visited a library in the neighborhood when I was a young child I’ve lived together with books That’s why it was perfectly possible for me to find reading material even in this location where slightly difficult books were gathered, and so I don’t suffer spending time here . I read books while admiring Senpai I could say it’s a bliss for me

Of course, reading the originals like Senpai… is something I can’t do . I can only read j.a.panese . Still, I casted my gaze down on the history book about the Roman Empire I picked up a while ago I chose history book… because it’s Senpai’s favorite genre Looking at such me objectively, I can only describe myself as a maiden

After entering university every day kept being so busy, I became estranged from reading for some time . I really don’t understand how it happened that since coming here I’ve began reading all sorts of book with great enthusiasm

I slipped out a little laugh and continued reading the book in a place a little away from Senpai I love to feast my eyes on Senpai, but I also like books After watching him to a while, I enter my own world . That’s my rule I don’t want to disturb Senpai, and I don’t intend to close our distance

I had long ago realized it was a fleeting love at first sight, but I had absolutely no intention of taking action I was okay with watching him from distance and one day remembering that such a thing happened

That’s why I won’t do anything today either Deciding to concentrate on the book, my thoughts turned away from Senpai

 .

◇◇◇.

 .

… Yup, it was interesting

I closed the book with a snap and nodded once . Naturally I know the history of the Roman Empire, but the author’s interpretation was interesting . When the point of view changes, so does the way of looking at things Perhaps because I’ve been focusing on reading, it seems quite a lot time has pa.s.sed without me noticing Having checked the time on the wrist.w.a.tch I’d placed on the desk I became a little surprised I could spend a satisfying afternoon, so I heavily got up to go home Then, I heard a voice as if it had been waiting for me

“Was it interesting?”. “Eh?”.

A soft voice hit my earlobe When I raised my face at the sudden voice, standing there with a book in his hand was Nanaoogi-senpai, whom I’ve been always secretly watching Seeing him from up close for the first time, Senpai was very tall . Maybe it’s just me being small, but reflexively I bent back . Senpai looked down at such me with a gentle look

“Nanaoogi-senpai…?”.

When I reflexively called him by his name, Senpai’s eyes widened a little Senpai’s dark brown eyes were dyed with surprise Oh no, despite it being our first meeting, I called him by his name

“Oh, so you know me . I haven’t introduced myself yet”. “S… sorry . It’s because Nanaoogi-senpai is famous”.

When I apologized in a fl.u.s.ter, Senpai knit his brows a little Such a gesture is also very beautiful . I frantically warned myself to not get fascinated

“Famous… I am?”. “Umm, you always come to the library so…”. “Aah, because I always come here . I see”.

Even though I panicked over my slip of the tongue, Senpai nodded to my excuse as if convinced . I had been shocked he had directed his gaze here, but I noticed . It’s not me that Senpai’s looking at . It’s the book I’m holding

“It’s about the book you were reading . I’ve been thinking of reading it next . If you finished reading it, would you mind lending it to me?”. “Ah! Sure, of course”.

I hurriedly held out the book I’d read to Senpai . It’s surprising I first picked the book Senpai wants to read Come to think of it, Senpai should have been reading the Romance of the Three Kingdoms in original, but I wonder if he’d finished it . I thought it’s quite long though Just like that, the question rushed from my mouth on its own

“Um, Senpai . Have you finished reading the Romance of the Three Kingdoms? If I’m not mistaken it was in original, wasn’t it? I thought it’s not something you can finish right away…”. “It’s because I was almost at the end… So you know what books I read”. “Ah”.

When Senpai pointed that out, I pressed down on my mouth with both hands Oh no, I’ve done it again Isn’t it just as if I’m an ill-natured stalker

When I looked up at Senpai’s face wondering if he finds me creepy, with his gentle face unchanged he smiled

“Senpai? Um…”. “Yuuki Sakursan, first year”. “Huh?”.

Having my name called out, I raised a hysterical voice When my eyes blinked in surprise, Senpai’s almond eyes narrowed in interest

“I also know you . Therefore, we are even . You’ve come here often recently . I don’t want to come off as conceited, but I’ve felt a pa.s.sionate gaze from you many times . Perhaps you’ve been coming here to see me?”. “… Ah…”.

There’s nothing more embarra.s.sing than having it pointed out by the person himself Understanding that it’s been exposed to Senpai that I’ve been watching him here recently, I evidently flushed

“That’s… that’s, um… Senpai”. “Yes, what is it”.

Unlike me, Senpai was his usual self Hearing Senpai reply in a calm voice, I decided If it’s come to this, I have nothing to lose . Let’s confess

If things continue like this, I’ll be just a stalker woman . I absolutely don’t want to appear to Senpai in that manner If I confess here and am squarely rejected, I should at least be recognized to be in love rather than a mere stalker So that I don’t trouble Senpai later, I’m fine with never approaching him again

The rumors say that even if you confess to Senpai, you won’t get a response, but Senpai is now having a conversation with me It’s unthinkable he’d ignore me now

After I came up with this much in an instant, I raised my face I have to say it before I hesitate . It’s fine if I regret it later Thinking so, I spoke before I could think I’m not calm at all It’s a situation when I can’t think about later

“Nanaoogi-senpai, I love you”.

My straightforwardness goes too far Skipping over everything, I confessed to Nanaoogi-senpai

“I see . Then, it’s fine if I consider you my lover from today?”. “I understand . From now on, I won’t approach Senpai, I also won’t call out to you . Don’t worry, I won’t come to the library either… Eh?”. “I don’t know what you are misunderstanding, but I’m saying I’ll go out with you? Have you not heard that?”. “No, I’ve heard…”.

Certainly, I feel like I’ve heard a word like lover, but I thought it’s a hallucination When I shook my head in astonishment, Senpai nodded with a serious face

“I see, I’m glad . Then, can I call you Sakura?”. “Yes… please”.

My head can’t keep up with the chaotic developments But, there was no choice to decline Told that by Senpai, before I noticed I nodded my head

“Then, Sakura . Please treat me well from now on”. “Y… yes . It is I who should say please treat me well . Nanaoogi-senpai”.

When I awkwardly bowed my head, saying No, Nanaoogi-senpai thrust his index finger before me

“I’m s.h.i.+on . Please call me that”. “… Yes, s.h.i.+on-senpai”.

I tried pinching my cheek because of the unbelievable situation … Ouch, it’s not a dream Seems this isn’t a lie, but the reality

“What are you doing? Sakura”. “No, I just feel like I lost touch with reality a little…”. “You are an interesting person”. “Err, umm, sorry…”.

I reflexively apologized How did this happen . Without knowing how it happened, suddenly I got my first boyfriend Moreover, my partner is the target of my late first love Despite thinking that we’ll break up immediately anyway, I can’t deny that I was happy . Honestly, I felt complicated

Nevertheless, like this I and s.h.i.+on-senpai began dating