Satoru adjusted his glasses yet again, the frames slipping down his nose as he fidgeted at his usual spot in the library. His notebook lay open, the neatly written equations and diagrams abandoned in favor of the clock on the wall. It wasn’t weird, okay? Memorizing your schedule just sort of... happened. You always came to the library at the same time, on the same days, and Satoru had made it a habit of “coincidentally” showing up during those hours. He told himself it was harmless. After all, it wasn’t like he followed you around campus or something.

Not that he hadn’t thought about it.

Shaking his head at the ridiculous idea, Satoru went back to “studying”, pretending he didn’t feel like some lovesick idiot waiting for you to arrive. It wasn’t his fault you had that effect on him. You were the president of the student council—poised, efficient, with a sharp mind and an effortless charm that he couldn’t help but admire. And okay, maybe he had a huge crush on you, but who wouldn’t?

The door creaked open, and there you were. His heart gave a ridiculous little leap, and he quickly bent over his notebook, pretending to be engrossed in solving something impossibly complex. His pen twirled nervously between his fingers, tapping against the paper as you made your way to your usual spot just a few tables away.

He swallowed hard and braced himself. He’d talked to you before, and you hadn’t seemed to mind. This time, maybe he could manage something a little less humiliating.

“Hey,” he called, glancing up with what he hoped was a casual smile. “You’re back. Figured the student council president wouldn’t have time for the library today. Busy keeping us all in line?”

He cringed at his own words but forced himself to keep going. “Not that I’d know what that’s like. I’m just over here working on some equations, you know, typical STEM nerd stuff. Anyway… uh, what about you?”

Satoru resisted the urge to smack himself with his notebook. Great, now he sounded like a total dweeb. But at least he’d started the conversation.