"ugh. what are we even doing here, (y/n)?"
"you don't have the rights to complain, sweetie."

shinra has been asking the same question towards his (e/c)-eyed companion for over 10 times now, only to be given the same exact answer over and over again. i mean, who would even want to stay inside a humongous library in the middle of the day? he thought that annoying her with a stupid question would've changed her mind and immediately dragged him away from the place, but it just doesn't seem to work. what in the heck does she even intend to learn, anyway?

having enough of the black-haired male's antics, (y/n) heaved out a deep, irritated sigh before she deliberately slammed the book in her hand close, looking straight into shinra's crimson orbs with her shining yet deadly (e/c) hues. luckily for her, the library they were currently in was large enough to cover the noise she made, so she didn't have to deal with necessary shushes. "shinra, i didn't ask you to come with me. you tailed me like a creepy ass stalker, you know? now, don't go blabbering nonsense with that mouth of yours. i'm trying to read."

the male quirked an eyebrow. c-creepy ass– "what!?" shinra yelled in both shock and disbelief, cutting his own thoughts off as he slightly stood up from his seat whilst snarling at his friend.

however, (y/n) only raised an eyebrow at him, her eyes landing straight on shinra's once again. he didn't know as to why she seemed so mad after the commotion, but as soon as the (h/c)nette stood up and walked away with her book towards an unoccupied table, then he realized what his mistake was. oh, god.

bowing respectfully towards the customers he had interrupted as an apology, he slowly walked his way towards (y/n) who was already immersed on the contents of the book she was currently reading, not giving shinra a single glance, like as if he was only a stranger to her after the small ruckus he caused.

shinra sighed, taking a seat beside his now awfully hostile companion, taking a glimpse on what book she was currently reading, and as soon as he spotted the word infernals, he started up a conversation. "you're learning about infernals? what for?"

though his approach was calm, (y/n) faced shinra with the same expression she used when she left their previous table. "sorry. i don't talk to strangers."

hearing her reply, the black-haired male nearly ticked off, yet he tried his very best to remain calm for the sake of his reputation and resorted to a pointless and silent bicker.

"okay, then. have fun being chased by flames."
"sure will. have a safe trip back home, sir."
"(y/n), i swear to god if you don't stop-"
"i was just kidding, dumbass."

their whisper-yells got shinra clicking his tounge in annoyance and avoid (y/n)'s eyes while the latter seemed to be unbothered by the scene, for she has kept her expression stoic, but as soon as she saw how shinra reacted to her words, she stifled a giggle, only to fail.

"whatever. just tell me what the hell's up." shinra replied to her laughter, his head still facing the opposite direction.

with a hum, the female replied. "i just got curious, that's all. besides, i think that this book is awfully rare 'cause apparently, no one inside this room but us can see it. even the librarian can't see it, which is why i got curious and here i am."

due to her words, shinra slightly got taken aback, his eyes landing back on (y/n)'s direction. she's right. why and how would a book that contains information about his world even show up on a world that's completely its opposite?

he couldn't connect any dots at all. what was going on? even he from a world full of blazing disasters didn't know. all he wanted was to have more clues to try and link everything together, but he didn't know where to start.

he panicked, panicked, and panicked. he didn't know what to do at the very moment. it just seemed so... odd. the adolla link, the campus fire, the visions. everything was just so weird. he didn't want to waste his time and energy on panicking like this, but he didn't want to put the person that accepted him without any doubts in danger. he couldn't bring himself to he selfish at this kind of situation. just what was going on, exactly!?

"if you're done thinking out loud, then can you please shut up? i can't focus right here." shinra heard from beside him, snapping him out of his depthless thoughts, only to be met by (y/n)'s cold gaze. d-did she just say i was thinking out loud!? oh, geez. i'm gonna make her worry about this, aren't i? he thought, mentally nervous as he gulped his saliva down.

sighing, (y/n) genuinely smiled towards the male. "you don't have to worry about me, dumbass. i can protect myself, so you should be worrying about yourself." she stated, giving shinra's head a pat before looking down to her knees and back at shinra's crimson hues. "but if i ever come across something that i can't overcome myself, i'll make sure to come to you, and vice versa, is that clear? we're each other's heroes, anyway." the (h/c)nette giggled, pouring her attention back to the book.

it was truly nice to hear her say things like this, so shinra tried to reply to her words, but unfortunately for him, (y/n)'s next action left him utterly speechless.

"this might be able to calm your nerves a bit, so ease up. now kindly shut the fuck up because i'm trying to read." the (h/c)nette said, back with the cold demaenor, slowly running her delicate digits on the latter's hand and intertwining her fingers with his, giving shinra's calloused hand a small squeeze with her nose still stuck on a book.