At the café, they settled into a cozy corner by the window, each with a cup of steaming coffee and a plate of cookies between them. The warmth of the drinks, paired with the calm ambiance of the café, created the perfect atmosphere for conversation.
Kokoro took a sip of her coffee, the rich flavor soothing her as she looked across at Nezumi, who seemed to be in a particularly good mood today. "I'm glad we did this," Kokoro said, her voice light and content. "It's been way too long since we hung out like this."
Nezumi smiled, her eyes gleaming with a spark of amusement. "Yeah, it's been a while. I could get used to this."
They spent a few moments in comfortable silence, savoring their treats. Eventually, Nezumi spoke up again, her voice playful. "So, what do you think? Are we ready for the bookstore?"
Kokoro raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. "Oh, definitely. Let's see if we can find something interesting."
Once they finished their coffee and cookies, they made their way to the bookstore, which wasn't far from the café. As they stepped inside, the familiar scent of fresh paper and the soft murmur of other patrons browsing made them feel at home. The place had an inviting, almost magical atmosphere—shelves stacked high with books of all kinds.
They wandered down aisles of fiction, non-fiction, and fantasy, exchanging their thoughts on the titles they passed. Kokoro picked up a novel with a dark, intriguing cover, holding it out to Nezumi. "I think you'll like this one," she said, a hopeful gleam in her eye.
Nezumi took the book in her hands, her eyes scanning the cover and then looking back at Kokoro. She smirked, her tone teasing. "You know me too well. But I think you should read this one instead." She reached for a different book, one with an adventurous theme, and handed it over to Kokoro.
Kokoro laughed, taking the book from Nezumi's hands and giving it a quick glance. "Well, I'm always up for a good adventure."
"Exactly," Nezumi said, her grin widening. "I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Just don't expect me to go on one of those wild, impossible journeys anytime soon."
They spent more time in the bookstore, chatting about the kinds of books they liked and laughing at the occasional strange or funny title. Each moment seemed to pass effortlessly, as they bounced from shelf to shelf, sharing their thoughts on the stories they found.
Eventually, they settled on a couple of books each and made their way to the checkout. The cashier smiled at them as they handed over their selections, and Nezumi couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth as she glanced at Kokoro, who looked just as content as she felt.
As they left the bookstore and walked back outside, the late afternoon sun cast a soft glow over the city streets. "I think that was a successful trip," Kokoro said, her voice light.
Nezumi nodded in agreement. "Absolutely. And next time, we'll come here with even more books in hand."
With a shared laugh, they walked down the street, ready for whatever else the day had in store for them.
They each bought a book and stepped outside, the cool air greeting them as they exited the bookstore. The streets were beginning to empty as evening approached, the sun casting long shadows over the pavement.
Kokoro tucked her new book under her arm and turned to Nezumi with a bright smile. "Read it and let me know if you like it. I want your feedback, okay?" she said with a playful tone.
Nezumi grinned, holding her own book tightly. "Of course! I'll let you know as soon as I finish. You know how fast I read," she teased, giving Kokoro a wink.
Kokoro rolled her eyes, but the smile never left her face. "Right, I don't think I've ever seen someone devour books the way you do."
Nezumi chuckled. "Well, you know what they say—readers are leaders."
Kokoro laughed lightly. "Just don't get too ahead of me with your reading, okay? I still have to catch up."
"Don't worry, I'll wait for you," Nezumi said, her tone teasing but warm.
Kokoro nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she took a small step back. "Alright, I should get going now. Bye!" she said, her voice light and cheerful.
Nezumi waved, her hand lingering for a moment. "Bye! See you later." Her voice softened, but there was a sense of comfort in it—like the kind of goodbye you say to someone you know you'll see again very soon.
Kokoro gave a final wave and started walking down the street, her footsteps light. Nezumi stood there for a moment, watching her friend disappear into the distance, feeling content. It had been a good day—a simple day, filled with laughter, books, and quiet moments of connection.
As Nezumi turned to head home herself, the world felt a little brighter, and she couldn't help but smile. She was looking forward to their next hangout, their next adventure, and the shared stories that would come with it.
*****
A/N:support me by saving this book to your library and voting for it. Also, feel free to comment on any paragraphs where you notice mistakes. I'm especially looking for things like actions that don't make sense (for example, using a phone without picking it up or similar inconsistencies). If you spot anything like that, please let me know, and I'll correct it. Your feedback is really appreciated!