Chapter 200: Neet?

Liam slid his phone into his pocket, feeling oddly pleased with himself.

He hadn’t gotten the book. But he’d gotten something better.

They walked to the register together. The old man looked up from his graphic novel, took one look at the Compendium in Hitomi’s arms, and smiled like a proud grandfather.

"Finally came in, huh?" he said.

Hitomi nodded eagerly.

He rang Liam’s stack up first. Then he scanned the Compendium, and the number that flashed on the little screen made Liam do a double take.

$489.99.

"For one book?" Liam thought to himself.

Hitomi was already digging through the front pocket of her hoodie, pulling out a crumpled wallet. Liam stepped forward before she could open it and tapped his card against the reader.

The machine beeped.

Hitomi froze. She stared at the screen, then at him, eyes wide.

"Consider it an apology," Liam said. "For falling asleep in your shop."

She shook her head quickly and pushed her wallet toward him, insistent.

"Too late. It’s done."

For a moment she just stood there, clutching the book. Then she pressed her free hand flat against her chest and gave him a small, deep bow.

"Thank you."

Liam waved it off. "Don’t mention it."

She smiled at him then. Not the guarded twitch from before, but a real, warm smile that lit up her whole face and made her look years younger.

Liam found himself wondering about her all over again. The piercings, the dark style, the mask she wore at work. On the surface, people probably took her for an alt girl, or some wannabe rockstar trying too hard. But standing here in mismatched socks, beaming over a comic book, she didn’t seem like she was trying to be anything. She just made her own choices and didn’t care whether they fit anyone else’s idea of normal.

He liked that more than he expected.

And she wasn’t shy, either. She hadn’t said a word, but she’d argued, bargained, teased him, and thanked him, all with her hands and her face. She communicated better than half the lawyers he used to work with.

As she waved goodbye and padded out the door, Liam thought about the tattoo again.

Maybe he’d still get one. Bringing her some business couldn’t hurt his chances, either.

And Darren had been talking about getting inked for days.

Liam smiled to himself.

That was a plan for another day.

-

The bell above the door chimed as Hitomi slipped out, hood up, the Compendium clutched to her chest. Through the front window, Liam watched her pad down the sidewalk in her sandals and mismatched socks until she turned the corner and disappeared.

He turned back to the counter.

The old man was already sliding Liam’s stack into a pair of sturdy paper bags, one book at a time, handling each like it was made of glass. Now he looked like a man who’d just had the best sales day of his month.

"Quite the haul," he said, tucking the Jujutsu Kaisen volumes in neatly. "Don’t think I’ve seen you in here before."

"First time," Liam said. "I’m picking these up for a friend’s kid brother."

"Ah. Lucky kid." He held up the Miles Morales paperback and tapped the cover approvingly. "Good taste, too. Chainsaw Man and Court of Owls in one order? That boy knows what he likes."

"He definitely does. He even sent me a list."

"The best customers always come with lists." The man chuckled and pushed his glasses up his nose. "Name’s Walt, by the way. I’ve had this place going on eighteen years."

"Liam." He shook the man’s hand across the counter. "Eighteen years. That’s impressive."

"It’s stubborn, is what it is." Walt smiled. "Big chains moved in, online stores took the rest. But I’ve got my regulars." He nodded toward the door. "Like her."

Liam followed his gaze to the empty sidewalk. "She comes here a lot?"

"Almost every day." Walt folded the top of the first bag over with care. "Sometimes she buys something, sometimes she just browses for an hour and leaves. Reads faster than anyone I’ve ever met. Whatever comes in new, she’s usually the first one to get her hands on it."

"She mentioned she’d been waiting for that book."

"Mentioned?" Walt raised an eyebrow, then seemed to think better of whatever he was about to say. "Well. She’s been after me about it for months. Came in every week asking if it had arrived. I finally ordered one just to get some peace."

Liam laughed. "That sounds about right."

"Most devoted reader I’ve ever had." Walt slid the second bag across to him, then leaned his elbows on the counter, his expression turning thoughtful. "Comes in alone, too. Always has. Never seen her bring a friend, never seen her with anybody." He let that sit for a moment, giving Liam a long look over the top of his glasses. "Just so you know."

Liam blinked. "I... wasn’t asking."

"Course you weren’t." Walt’s mouth curved into a knowing smile. "Young man pays for a stranger’s five-hundred-dollar book. Happens every day."

Liam opened his mouth, found nothing useful to say, and closed it quickly.

Walt’s smile softened, and something protective crept into it. "She’s a good kid. Been coming here since she was barely out of high school. I’ve watched her grow up between these shelves." He tapped the counter once. "So whatever you’re thinking, son, you be decent about it."

"I will," Liam said, and he meant it.

"Good." Walt straightened up and pushed the bags toward him. "Come back soon. Bring that kid’s next list."

"Count on it," Liam said with a grin.

Liam stepped out onto the sidewalk, a bag in each hand, and glanced toward the corner where Hitomi had vanished.

A silent tattoo artist who read manga like it was oxygen and turned down triple her money out of principle.

He smiled to himself.

Somehow, without even trying, he’d found another woman who had caught his interest.