Love is an Open...Book?

Umi sat groaning at her favorite book that she was reading what felt like the billionth time. "I love this book but I need something new to read," she thought as she got up from her spot and walked around the guild library. She found nothing literally nothing that seemed to interest her at all. She sighed in defeat and began to head up towards ground level of the guild. "Guess I have to go to the bookstore in town," Umi thought as she headed towards the doors until two people yelled her name causing a few guild mates to giggle. The duo that called her were none other than Mizore and Infinie whom asked Umi where she was going. "I'm going book shopping," Umi claimed with a smirk. The duo dramatically groaned, they hate book shopping. "Fine you guys can stay here," Umi claimed then the duo cheered causing the guild mates to laugh at their dramatic actions. Umi turned and left the guild and headed towards town. When Umi reached town she was heading straight for what she thought was the only bookstore.

As she walked something caught the corner of her eye. There in a beautiful, rustic store window laid a new blue book from her favorite author that she's never seen or heard of before along with other books from other authors she's familiar with. "Since when has this store been here and when did this book come out?!" she thought very confusedly but none the less walked right in and grabbed the book. After admiring the book's beauty and read it's summary she looked over at the cash register but no one was there so she decided to continue to look at other books that could catch her interest. As she looked at each book intensely she didn't realize that someone had walked right next to her. "Hello miss can I help you," a voice said making Umi slightly jump in her place. She turned and saw a man who looked just a bit older than herself with a caring smile and gentle eyes. "Um I would actually like to buy this book," Umi claimed while admiring his gleaming eyes hidden behind glasses. "Of course I'll be glad to help," man said as he headed towards the register and Umi followed.

The man then broke the peaceful and comfortable silence between them asked if she had read this author before. "This is actually my favorite author but I didn't know about this book and to be honest I didn't realize your store was here," Umi claimed as she rubbed her neck feeling somewhat bad. "We're kind of hidden but I'm surprised to see someone else like this author too," the man claimed who had finish everything and started to rub his own neck shyly. "You're a fan of her too? I thought I was alone," Umi giggled and the man's smile grew a bit. "Oh where are my manners, I'm Takeo," the man claimed as he gave Umi her book and put his hand out for her to shake. "I'm Umi," she claimed as she shook his hand and took her book and gave him the jewels she owed. "So I'm guessing you've read the book already huh," Umi said wanting to keep talking to Takeo for some unknown reason. "Actually I was going to start it today once I finish up my shift," Takeo explained. Umi looked to her left out the window and noticed the sun was slowly setting giving a beautiful orange and pink glow into the bookstore. "As much as I want to continue our conversations I think I should get going, it was nice to meet you Takeo I hope the rest of your day goes great," Umi claimed with a big grin on her face as she slowly began to leave. "Um you too," Takao claimed trying to hide his sadness of Umi leaving.

Umi left the bookstore and headed towards the guild excited to read her new book and then to maybe go back to the bookstore to get another book and talk to Takao again. Umi stopped in her tracks, "To talk to Takeo again.. Obviously about the book....," Umi thought but something inside her said other wise but she shook it off and continued her walk through the town that was slowly became silent. Time pasted and Umi was surprised and confused on how crowded the town became when she got closer to the end of town and that she had to maneuver around people to get through. As she was finally able to get out of the crowd but just as she was about to continue her way someone had yelled out her name and told her to wait. She stopped in her place and turned to see Takao moving through people trying to catch up to her. "Takeo?" Umi asked confusedly as the man stopped right in front of her panting. "Umi um I just wanted to see if you'd like to go to a cafe or something to um get to maybe know each other?" Takeo asked once he got his breath but stuttered, "and talk about the book," Takeo quickly added due to his embarrassment. Umi's face became as red as a tomato and a billion thoughts went through her head. "Is this a date? Which cafe? What do I wear? What else would we talk about?" Umi thought silently which made Takeo accidentally think her answer was a no. "Ah I'm sorry to bug you um I'll get going," Takeo claimed sadly as he began to walk away which made Umi snap out of her thoughts. "Wait! Takeo! Sorry it's just a guy has ever asked me out or something like this," Umi claimed making Takeo blush as red as a tomato now. "Ah I see so um how is tomorrow?" Takeo stuttered. "Tomorrow is perfect," Umi claimed with a smile feeling really happy. "I get off work at 4 tomorrow is that okay?" Takeo asked. Umi nodded in agreement that caused Takeo to smile. "So I guess I'll see you tomorrow," Umi claimed as she was about to continue to walk again. "Um well I'm off work can I um walk you back?" Takeo asked with a hint concern in his voice. "If you can if you'd like to but my guild isn't far from here," Umi explained. "Guild? As in Koma Inu?" Takeo asked now very curious. Umi nodded in agreement feeling very proud. "Wow that's awesome," Takeo claimed with excitement. The both of them began to walk a short walk to the guild talking about their favorite author once again.

After the short walk they both stopped in front of the guild doors and as they were about to say their goodbyes and duo came running out. "Umi!" The duo yelled out. "Hey guys," Umi claimed with a wave. "Who's this?" Mizore asked as she stared at Takeo. "Um this is Takeo he works at a bookstore in town," Umi explained. "Nice  to meet you Takeo," the duo said together. "Nice to me- wait did your cat just talk?" Takao asked now feeling really confused. "Yes I did and I'm an Exceed," Infinie claimed proudly. "Oh I've read about exceeds does that means you're a dragon slayer?" Takeo asked Mizore who proudly said yes. "Oh I'm Mizore and this is Infinie," Mizore claimed as she pointed to Infinie on her head who waves a paw at Takeo. "Nice to meet you Mizore and Infinie," Takeo claimed with his caring smile as he waves at Infinie. "Well now that you met my sister and Exceed you should probably get going because it's dark out," Umi claimed as she noticed that the sun was now fully set and it was dark and the stars shined bright in the cloudless sky. "Ah you're right I'll see you tomorrow," Takeo claimed with a gentle smile as he looked at Umi hoping she'll keep her promise. "I'll see you tomorrow," Umi claimed with her own gentle smile. With the goodbyes done Takeo left back towards town leaving Umi alone with the duo whom have evil grins on their faces. "You like himmm," the duo teased the older girl causing her to blush a lot. "Mizore! Infinie!" Umi claimed loudly from her embarrassment as the duo laughed and ran into the guild yelled all around the guild that Umi got a date. Umi sighed and walked into the guild and as she walked she couldn't help but smile.

~Tomorrow~

Umi had a hard time sleeping but none the less got some sleep. She woke up from the early morning rays from the sun and slowly got out of her comfy bed and went and woke up the duo then prepared them and herself a nice breakfast and ate. Once Umi had eaten she went back to her room and got ready for the day. She grabbed an outfit she had bought a while ago, it was a simple black skirt the went down to her mid thighs and and pretty blue shirt with white polka dots that was neatly tucked into her skirt and nice black flats. She then worked on her hair, after she thought to herself and asked the duo she decided to let her hair down and let it flow naturally straight. Once her hair was done she chose not to wear makeup other than some lipstick to give some color to her lips but she chose to do that when it was closer to meeting with Takeo. Finally, when she was felt like she was done she grabbed her new book and told the duo that she's going to the guild and, of course, the duo decided to tag along. Once they got to the guild Umi went down to the library to read since she has a long time to wait until Takeo got off work. The duo stayed at ground level to talk to guild mates but little did Umi knew what they talked about. When the coast was cleared the duo went around and asked a few guild mates to see if they want to stalk Umi's date with them. After going around ground level and even through the sparring field the duo got Nova and Dakota to join in their little spy adventure.

~Few Hours Pasted~

After Umi read the whole book twice she looked at the time and noticed it was 3:45 and decided it's time to leave and head into town. She got up from her seat and began to go upstairs to ground level. Once she was upstairs she walked up to Mizore and Infinie whom were whispering to Nova and Dakota and when Dakota noticed Umi coming she told them to quiet down and they all stopped talking which made Umi confused. "What were you guys talking about?" Umi asked with curiosity in her voice. "Nothing really," Nova said calmly causing Umi to shrug it off and left the guild. As Umi approached the town she realized something, they never talked about which cafe to meet in. She stopped in her place and pondered whether or not she should go interrupt Takeo at work or just walk around for the time being so he's not bothered. Without Umi realizing there were four people behind a building that watched her every move.

"What is she doing?" Dakota asked noticing Umi just standing doing nothing. "How are we supposed to know," Mizore claimed annoyed not knowing what's going on in her sister's head. Umi stopped pondering and decided that she'll go and to meet up with him at work so she began to walk towards the bookstore and applied a light layer of chapstick as she walked. "She on the move lets go," Nova claimed as they moved slowly from one building to other keeping a distance between them and Umi. "So why are we stalking her on her date?" Dakota asked the duo. "Um well cause..," Mizore mumbled not having a real reason. Dakota and Nova look at each other and sigh then turned their attention back at the duo. "You're such a little kid," Nova claimed giggling and Dakota joined in. Mizore's and Infinie's face turned into a little pout that made the girls to laugh a bit more. "Sooo we can still follow her right?" Infinie asked as Nova and Dakota calmed down from their laughing fit and immediately answered yes. Thanks to their conversation they didn't noticed that Umi walked into the bookstore and waved at Takeo, who was busy with a customer. Once he was done he looked over towards the door and noticed Umi walked in and waved at her with a smile but than began to get nervous. "I'm not late am I?" Takeo quickly asked nervously. Umi explained quickly, "No your not late don't worry! It's just um we never decided which cafe to meet at so I thought I'd just meet up with you here." Takeo calmed down with a smile and said, "Well let me quickly clean up and lock up then we can go," Takeo claimed as he grabbed keys from a drawer below the register. He walked around the small store quickly to make sure everything was in place and clean then he walked up to Umi, who was patiently waited, and walked her out of the store and locked the door. "Ready to go?" Takeo asked he slowly walked across the store to a small, rustic cafe. Umi nodded with a smile as she walked up next to him and walked to the cafe together. Once they approached the cafe Takeo opened the door and held it out for Umi to go first. "Thank you," Umi thanked and Takeo just smiled and nodded. As they both stood in the small but comfortable cafe they both order the same thing and laughed lightly at how they enjoy many of the same things and sat down at table by the huge window that allowed you to easily see the townspeople walk by.

~Meanwhile~

The spy group stopped their chatting about who's childish or not and realized they've lost Umi. They looked around frantically until Infinie pointed out that she's in the cafe with Takeo, with the same drinks and laughing. "Oh so that's Takeo, he looks so cute!" Dakota claimed in a slight fangirl way feeling happy that Umi found someone cute. Nova and the duo agreed as watched the couple in their "date".

~Back at the cafe~

Umi and Takeo both take a sip of their drink and Umi began to ask, "So Takeo how long have you worked in that bookstore?" Takeo looked up from his drink and said, "Well I've been going to that store for as long as I can remember because it was my grandfathers until he past away and my father took over it and now I work there with him." "I'm sorry to hear about your grandfather, it sounds like you two were close," Umi claimed with a hint of sadness in her voice. Takeo noticed and began to feel bad and started waving his hands, "It's fine it was actually thanks to him for the love of books I have," he claimed to try to cheer her up. Umi noticed how hard he tried to cheer her up she started to laugh which caused Takeo to join in with a slight blush of embarrassment. "Umi what kind of magic do you use?" Takeo asked wanting to change the subject. "Ice-Make," Umi proudly claimed as she made the Koma Inu symbol with her magic. "Wow that's amazing! I just remembered I went and watched you and the guild at the Grand Magic Games. You guys were amazing, I was cheering you guys all the way, but I enjoyed your fights the most... I can't believe I didn't recognize you from there," Takeo babbled on. Umi slightly blush but laughed lightly, "It's fine but thank you for cheering us on." Takeo chuckled a little, "Actually I know some magic but I've never really thought about joining a guild...". Umi looked interested, "That's amazing, what magic do you have?" Takeo smiled and place his hands in front of him and a small screen appeared, "Archive." Umi looked excited, "That's cool! We have a couple of mages who use Super Archive." Takeo frowned for a moment but then covered it quickly with a smile, "Wow that's impressive," he then thought, "I wanted to impress her but I guess that didn't work.." Umi began to giggle uncontrollably and Takeo looked her confusedly. "You used telepathy by accident and I heard you, trust me Takeo I'm impressed with you as yourself, you don't need your magic to impress," Umi claimed once she stopped with a truthful smile. Takeo started to blush that his face was brighter than the sun, "Th-thank you, sorry about that." Umi did a slight chuckle, "It's okay don't worry.. I found it kind of adorable," Umi mumbled the last part with a slight blush but Takeo heard causing him to blush more than he already had. ~Outside the cafe~

Mizore and Infinie sighed for the 50th time. "This is boring~ all they've done is accidentally tease each other," Mizore sighed annoyingly and Infinie nodded in agreement. Nova and Dakota looked at each other and smiled, "Do you guys want to go," Nova asked knowing what the answer would be. Mizore and Infinie looked at each other and nodded in agreement. "Let's go she tells us what happens," Mizore sighed in defeat of boredom. The duo started to walk leaving Nova and Dakota behind with a smirk on their faces. "You were right, they did get bored," Dakota whispered to Nova. "Yeah I knew they were probably going to get bored, let's just go before Umi finds out because I don't how she'd feel about this," Nova claimed as she and Dakota caught up to the duo.

~At the cafe~

Umi and Takeo were laughing about something he had done and something caught Umi's attention but brushed it off. They went on and on talking about different things: themselves, funny stories, books, and the book they both just read. A waitress walked over to them, "Sorry to interrupt but we have to close now." Umi and Takeo looked at the waitress then outside and saw it pitch black filled star then looked back at the tired waitress. They quickly started to get up and apologized multiple times and walked out the door. They stood couple few feet from the small cafe and watched as the lights went out, the began to laugh. After what felt like hours they stopped laughing and went into a small chuckle. "Wow I can't believe we were there for that long," Takeo claimed as he calmed down. "I guess time really does fly by when you're having fun," Umi claimed with a playful grin on her face. Takeo chuckled in agreement, "Shall I walk you to the guild?" he bowed with a childish grin holding one hand out towards Umi and one towards the direction of the guild. "You may," Umi giggled as she placed her hand on his.

They walked hand-in-hand in the clear night, "Takeo you should join the guild," Umi claimed breaking the peaceful silence between them. They approached the entrance of the guild where you could still hear everyone talking joyfully, "I think I will," Takeo claimed with a smile and gave Umi a peck on the cheek leaving her to be red as a tomato and Takeo soon did too. "Sorry about that it just um," Takeo rambled. Umi walked up closer to him and gave him a hug, "It's fine I kind of liked it." Takeo had steam coming out of his ears as he placed his arms around her and returned the hug. Just a few moments later they break the hug and they each felt a little disappointment knowing that their date was at an end. "You should get going it's really dark out," Umi claimed as she looked at the dark sky. "I guess I should... I'll see you tomorrow here at the guild?" Takeo claimed. "I'll see you here tomorrow, goodnight," Umi claimed as she gave a small wave bidding him a goodbye. "Goodnight," Takeo claimed as he also did a small wave and began to walk back towards town.

Umi turned around and saw four heads scurry into the guild. Umi sighed and walked in scanning around and found whom she was looking for. "Mizore, Infinie, Nova, and Dakota," Umi shouted slightly causing them to turn their heads slightly. "Hey how was the date?" Dakota asked. "It was amazing but I think you guys already know that," Umi claimed as her voice got a bit deeper. "What do you mean we've been at the guild the whole time," Infinie claimed nervously. "Hm but I swear I saw two familiar redheads and a girl with what looks like a blue cat looking into the cafe," Umi claimed as she tapped her chin with her index finger acting as if she's trying to remember something. The four girls began to get nervous. Umi sighed, "Next time don't stalk me when I go out with Takeo." They looked at each other, "Next time?!" they shouted unanimously. Umi nodded and the girls started going off about how happy they were for Umi and such. Umi eventually walked away to the library and sat down in her favorite spot and began to reread the book with a slight blush on her face.