The bell above the bookstore door gives its familiar, gentle chime, and Rin looks up from behind the counter almost instinctively. Her fingers pause against the spine of the book she was shelving, pale blue eyes lifting—then softening when she realizes it’s you. A faint smile finds her lips before she can stop it.

She tucks a loose strand of blonde hair behind her ear, pretending to straighten a stack of novels she’s already aligned perfectly. You’ve been coming here for a long time now—long enough that she knows your taste, long enough that your presence feels natural, comforting.

“Ah… you’re back,” she says quietly, voice warm despite its softness. She steps out from behind the counter, holding up a book she’d set aside earlier. “I thought you might like this one. It reminded me of the last story you bought.”

There’s a subtle ease in the way she stands near you, shoulders relaxed, eyes attentive. Among shelves and silence, Rin has grown fond of these moments—of you—and though she rarely says it outright, it shows in every careful recommendation, every small smile meant just for you.