Daichi was brooding. Like, full-out, Dark-Knight-standing-atop-a-lonely-building level brooding. And he hated it. It shouldn't even bother him that much in the first place, so why was it? It had been a week. A full fucking week of no response whatsoever. Not like he had been really expecting anything new to appear on the typewriter, (especially not a note for him specifically), but maybe he actually had because now that seven days had gone by without any new messages of any kind (he didn't count the one where someone wrote 'That's what she said'), Daichi was pissed.

"Duuuude, what's got your panties all in a twist?" Kuroo threw a french fry across the table at his grumpy looking roommate. It was the third straight day he'd noticed Daichi's sour-grape mood at lunch, which was unusual. Sure, the guy normally had a bit of a temper and could sulk about shit like a petty teenager, but he normally got over it after a few hours, or a less-than-friendly game of volleyball. Day three of this shit was just too much. "Whatever it is, you better get over it before the party tonight or you're gonna scare all the hot chicks away."

Daichi rolled his eyes. God forbid he ruin some lame party. Although he didn't say that, because he knew how Kuroo would respond. The first big keg party of the year was always held in their dorm building, and every year it turned into some out of control rager. It was a legendary night in the minds of some, where alcohol flowed more than water and made people do the stupidest stunts. Last year some idiot had decided to try and swing from a third story window using only knotted bedsheets. It hadn't ended well. For those not risking their lives as daredevils, the party was the perfect place to find the first casual hookup of the year. Kuroo had met his current arm candy at last year's shindig. Hence why he always thought of it as the most important and memorable party at the school. And he had finally convinced Kenma to go instead of hiding in the library like he did for the last two. He would not let anyone dampen the mood. "Daichi, I love ya man, but I will not be stuck with all the hopeless nerds tonight just because you decided to try out your Heath Ledger Joker face. Lighten up, my dude."

"You're a Biology and Chemistry double major, Kuroo, you don't need my help to be tagged a nerd." Daichi retorted sarcastically, tossing the soggy french fry back at his face. "And I don't know what you're talking about, I'm fine." The gruff way in which he responded gave him away, however. Maybe he really was more pissed than he thought, because normally Kuroo's jabs didn't bother him that much.

He just couldn't get whoever it was that left that damn note out of his head. Daichi had even stopped by the Hobbit Hole every night this week just to check. Annoyingly, that stupid ancient excuse for a word processor remained silent. How hard was it to type a simple response? It didn't even need to be anything that poetic or profound. But nothing appeared. Sighing angrily, Daichi shoved back from the table harshly and swiped his black leather jacket off the chair. He obviously wasn't going to stop thinking about it anytime soon so might as well take Kuroo's advice and try and get over it. Maybe a walk would clear his head.

"Leaving so soon, Princess Pouty?" Kuroo smirked, enjoying far too much how Daichi's face turned an angry shade of purple. The guy was just too easy to tease.

"Well I'm not going to sit around here and listen to your bullshit anymore. Or do you have a problem with that, mom?"

Finally glad to see a bit of sarcasm return to his friend, Kuroo winked and played along, "Just make sure you're back before 11, sweet-cheeks, that's when the creeps go out a-prowling."

"Go to hell."

"Aw, I love you too."

***

"Jun why are you still here?"

It was almost midnight. Jun had finished her shift two hours ago, but rather than return to her dorm room, she'd stayed behind to help with the end of the month inventory. Tadaari-San hadn't minded the help at first, but now was starting to reconsider. "It's Friday night. You're a youngun'. You should be out at those college parties or spending your time with friends, not some old crank like me."

Jun dropped the stack of papers she'd been sorting through into the 'complete' pile and gave her boss an inquisitive frown. "But you are my friend, Tadaari-San. And besides, parties aren't really my cup of tea." Was she using the bookshop as an excuse to avoid the major party she knew was happening in her dorm building this evening? Absolutely. Every year she would avoid the building like the plague, sometimes even caving and going home for the weekend just to make sure she would miss the anxiety inducing crowd of drunks. So when Tadaari-San had asked if she wanted a few extra hours of work, it was like a godsend. "I couldn't leave you with all this work and no one to help."

"Are you calling me old?" Feigning hurt, the elderly man had to chuckle when Jun instantly started to backpedal. "I'm kidding Jun, calm down. I know I'm an old geezer. But this old geezer can still manage a little bit of work on his own." He took the fresh stack of papers from Jun's hands and made shooing gestures towards the door. "Go have a little bit of fun tonight, kiddo. Why don't you go check out that party Mai was blabbering about. It might be good to try something new for once."

A sick feeling curdled in Jun's stomach. Mai had tried to convince her to go as well, claiming it wouldn't be as bad as Jun was imagining. But she'd seen the aftermath of the previous few; the questionable stains and sticky residue she was forced to clean up while stepping over an uncomfortable amount of people still passed out in the hallways the next morning. Not to mention watching the ambulance cart that one kid away after he fell from the window. Jun couldn't decline strongly enough or fast enough when Mai had asked. And was adamant she wouldn't change her mind. But she couldn't be so callous to Tadaari.

"I don't know Tadaari-San, parties aren't that much fun for me." Jun tried to remain polite, but clear in her decision about going. Parties and her mixed about as well as oil and water. They weren't fun for someone like her. Not when all that happened at parties was an excessive amount of rowdy people dancing provocatively to loud music while someone else did Jell-O shots in the corner. Not exactly the best place to read uninterrupted. "And I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm not exactly good with 'trying new things.'" The very thought sent a wave of chills running uncomfortably down her spine.

But Tadaari-San wasn't taking no for an answer. The poor girl already spent too much of her time at the bookstore with him, or alone. While it wasn't his place to meddle in the lives of his employees, Tadaari was definitely worried about his protégé. "Tell you what," he wrapped an arm around Jun in a grandfatherly way, beckoning her towards the shop door, "I'll make you a deal. You go to this 'raging party' I've heard so much about, give it the 'ole college try, and I'll set aside that first edition Salinger I know you've had your eyes on."

"Really?" Jun's ears perked with sudden interest, the prospect of a new book making her eyes sparkle. All anxiety plaguing her about the party suddenly disappeared, "Deal!"

"But you have to promise to stay at least an hour and a half." Tadaari added wisely, enjoying watching how quickly Jun went from anxious to excited just at the mention of a new book. "And don't just sit in a corner. You have to try and meet someone new or have a good time. Branch out a bit, plum blossom. You deserve a fun night."

***

"It's a girl isn't it? That's what's got you all worked up, I know it."

Daichi had shown up at the now very boisterous scene from a leisurely walk around campus, fashionably late and in a relatively better mood. The crisp night air and lack of people around had done its job to rid his mind of what was starting to feel like an obsession, but it seemed like Kuroo couldn't let it go, and had already gossiped to the rest of their suite mates. Daichi had just opened his first beer for the night when Suga's optimistically chipper voice sounded behind him.

Rather than respond, Daichi shoved his way through the mass of people in search of peace and quiet. But this was a lost cause on many fronts; whoever was controlling the music had decided to play it at full volume, the bass notes of the old school dubstep reverberating in Daichi's chest with every stride he took. And even if he could outrun the music, the junior still had to deal with the nosy questions from at least two of his roommates.

"So who is she?"

"Does she go to school here too?"

"More importantly, what did you do that made her give you the cold shoulder?"

"Will you two shut up!" As if they had nothing better to do, Kuroo and Suga launched question after question at Daichi, even going so far as to follow him through the crowded hallways when he had tried to escape their presence. "And what makes you think I did anything wrong in the first place?"

Finally breaking free from the almost sardine like packed hallways, the three made their way over to the least crowded portion of the dorm's common area. With more space and semi-comfortable furniture, it had become a popular location for the party's couples to make out. Luckily, Asahi and Kenma had snagged a corner of the room furthest away from the obnoxious spit swappers. Daichi gratefully took the lounge chair next to his quietest roommate, while Kuroo and Suga fought over the last remaining chair.

"Well I mean, it's pretty obvious you messed up man," Kuroo commented dryly from his spot on the floor, "Why else would you be such a ray of sunshine for this long?"

"I didn't do anything!" He began balling the fabric of his jeans tightly between his fists, "And it doesn't involve a girl anyways, so can we just drop it?"

"I got a 98 on my most recent political science essay." Asahi chipped in quietly, more than happy to choose a less volatile topic. "And Suga was telling me he finally aced that physics test he's been studying for." Asahi's lifeline (albeit somewhat boring) transition of a conversation seemed to work for a while at least. Daichi sipped at his beer and listened to his roommates discuss their majors and exams they were worried about, offering his two-bits every once in a while. He was finally starting to relax and enjoy the company when Kuroo piped up again, clearly not ready to let things go.

"You can tell us you know, if it is about some chick." He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, "I mean, I know you haven't exactly had the best luck in that category lately, but we folks in happy relationships can still be sympathetic."

Rather than bite back with what he really wanted to say about Kuroo's so called 'committed relationship' that was no more than a casual hookup every week, Daichi grumbled something about fresh air and stalked off away from his suite mates, suddenly feeling as if the room's walls were closing in around him and trapping him with the same pestering questions. Only Suga tried to call him back, but Daichi didn't acknowledge him.

'Fresh air' turned out to really just mean lighting a cigarette or two from the back door of the dorm building, but he never even got that chance either. With the lighter already in hand and ready with a cigarette between his lips, his hands had stopped just short of lighting it when he saw he wasn't alone as he originally thought. She had curled herself so tightly into a ball that whoever it was had almost appeared like some sort of funky looking garden gnome until Daichi also took note of her entire body shaking slightly. An open beer bottle was clutched tightly in her hand, but it still looked full, so she obviously wasn't drunk, but there was still something off about her. Rather than deter him, Daichi felt a bit empathetic; it hadn't exactly been an ideal day for him either.

"Rough day, or is this how you always pass the time at parties?" Daichi took a seat on the concrete steps next to the girl and finally took a moment to light the cigarette still held between his teeth. He took a few calming drags, tilting his head back slightly to blow the smoke towards the sky, chuckling a bit when he heard a small squeak from her; she hadn't realized someone else was here.

"Bit of both I guess..." Jun replied so quietly, Daichi had to lean in to catch it. "I-I don't normally like parties that much, but I promised a friend I would come. And it was an easy enough promise at first....but then..."

"But then you showed up to the actual party and realized what a terrible mistake you made?" Daichi interrupted casually, flicking a few ashes from the end of his cigarette, "Been there, done that." Whoever this chick was nodded quickly, the first hint of something other than anxiety lighting on her face. Parties weren't exactly his favorite either; not because he didn't like the atmosphere, but more so because it was almost always ruined by some schmuck trying to be cool but then failing so spectacularly it killed the mood of the party. He much preferred going to a bar or club for fun.

Jun curled her knees closer to her chest, wrapping her arms protectively around them. She had hated the party as soon as she had arrived and someone had forced a drink into her hand before shoving her into the throng of dancing bodies. Almost immediately her lungs had constricted painfully, making it hard to breathe and she had sought refuge outside to try and keep from passing out. "But I made a deal, so I can't leave yet, even though I really want to."

"What kind of shitty deal forces you to do something you clearly don't want to do?" The more he watched the girl sitting so uncomfortably looking next to him, the stronger the feelings of dejavu felt; he'd definitely seen her before, but couldn't place where. "I'd say just blow it off, it's not worth it."

"But it is!" Jun's voice suddenly rose defensively and she turned to glare directly up at Daichi, making the junior lean back in his seat to avoid their heads colliding. The abrupt change in her entire demeanor made him almost drop the still lit cigarette balanced in his hand. "I want that book!"

Now he was intrigued. "You made a deal to go to some lame party in exchange for a book?" Smirking devilishly, Daichi turned so that he was sitting facing the girl, noticing how determined she now appeared. She clenched her fists tightly as she waved them about for emphasis, her soft blue eyes suddenly twinkling brightly. "Better be some good book."

Somehow more energetic than before, Jun nodded vigorously, "A first edition manuscript from J.D Salinger. I've been admiring it ever since Tadaari-San showed it to me."

Now Daichi really did drop his cigarette. Just the mention of Salinger would have been enough to pique Daichi's interest, but the mention of the Hobbit Hole's owner made him physically lean forward to make sure he didn't miss a word. "Not that copy of A Perfect Day for Bananafish he's been touting around the store?" He'd seen it too, Tadaari had been so proud when he'd found it in a donation pile that he had pranced around the shop showing it off to anyone he thought might be interested. But he also made clear he'd never sell it to anyone. Instantly a little jealous she was offered such a rare prize from the bookshop owner, Daichi whistled softly while snuffing out the embers of his smoke, "Well shit, I never thought he'd ever let it out of his sight. How long do you have to hold out here to win?"

Jun didn't know what was more exciting, finding someone who clearly liked books as much as her, or that they knew of the lesser known Salinger work. "I have to stay at least for an hour and a half." She sheepishly glanced back down at her hands as they twirled the untouched bottle back and forth, "But, it's worth it, right?"

"Are you kidding? It's fucking fantastic." Daichi hummed. Checking his watch to find the time, he added bluntly, "So what, you've got another twenty minutes or so?" Not to make too many assumptions, but she definitely looked like someone who would show up to a party right on time: a round, honest looking face, long skirt, clean blouse with a Peter Pan collar and her strawberry blonde hair pulled back neatly. Not to mention the lack of any type of jewelry or piercings that he could see; she practically screamed 'square.' So when she blushed deeply and mumbled it had only been a half an hour, Daichi let out a bark of a laugh. "If you're gonna hold out for much longer you'll need more than just that one beer you haven't even touched yet. Hang on..."

With more enthusiasm than when arriving, Daichi wandered back in to the thriving party, returning a few long minutes later with two chilled bottles in hand. Popping both open with ease, he passed one to her, replacing the one she still held with the new bottle before she could even complain. "Before you freak out, it's root beer." Maybe it was just the expressive way her face seemed to fall slightly, then pinch together anxiously, but Daichi could tell she had been about to refuse the drink. "Figured you weren't much of a connoisseur when you barely touched the one you already had. More for me."

He was right, which only made Jun even more frazzled than actually accepting a drink she wouldn't consume. But it wasn't just that. He still made her nervous. It hadn't been so long ago that this exact same person had been in the bookstore, terrifying her with just a sharp look and even sharper comments for no reason that she could determine. Yet now as they sat side by side, both equally ignoring the party they meant to be attending, he somehow seemed softer, less intimidating. She took a small sip and Daichi grinned, holding out his own bottle to clink lightly with hers.

"Cheers. To J.D. Salinger."

It turned out, that parties were exponentially more entertaining when there was someone to talk to that shared the same interests. With such a good distraction, it was much easier to ignore the time and instead focus on discussing the best novels of the twentieth century. For Jun, it felt like talking to Tadaari-San; the more she talked the easier it became, animating her comments with more sweeping gestures and goofy but genuine smiles. Daichi wasn't at all what she had expected of someone so scary looking, and as soon as he began talking about the underlying themes in A Perfect Day for Bananafish, she was responding with her own very opinionated beliefs. It felt natural, as if they had known each other for years and yet they had only briefly met before, and didn't even officially know each other's names. But Jun had never felt more comfortable. Anyone who read that much classic literature was ok in her mind.

During the time they sat and chatted, Daichi polished off his drink and quickly started on the second, the one Jun had abandoned. She didn't seem to mind, in fact even inched it closer to him as a silent plea to 'please take it so I won't have to'. As they drank and talked, Daichi had to admit his judgements had been wrong, to some extent at least. Jun was most definitely the hoity-toity innocent little wallflower he coined her as, but the excitement with which she discussed the books she'd read and the characters she liked was truly surprising. It didn't take long for both of them to lose themselves in the conversation, and soon Jun had even stopped checking the time on her phone every ten minutes. They were still in the middle of debating the tragic demise of Seymour Glass when the sound of actual breaking glass sounded close behind them, making Jun jump and Daichi glower. Someone inside had knocked over a table of empty bottles, sending glass shards flying across the floor and just asking for someone to fall and cut themselves on. A roar of laughter followed as a pair of very inebriated frat boys began to try and clean up the mess with only a few paper towels and their bare hands. Daichi watched for a brief moment and could only sigh and shake his head at the stupidity of drunk college students, but it was enough to remind Jun where she was, and cause the panic to re-settle itself in her stomach, the spell of a good conversation broken like the shattered bottles.

Placing her empty bottle very carefully on the cement next to her, Jun hastily went to stand and began brushing dirt off her skirt awkwardly. "Uh, I think I should probably go, parties are definitely not for me. And it's probably been at least an hour and a half now so I don't have to stay anymore."

Picking up their empty bottles so as not to tempt the idiotic frat boys to break more glass, Daichi took another glance at his watch and let out a low chuckle. "Yeah, but you overshot it a bit, because it's almost 3:30." Without either even realizing it, they'd been talking for practically three hours. Jun's face visibly paled as she too checked her phone to confirm, and then balked when she saw it was true. Barely even saying goodbye, Jun was flying back inside, through the crowd and up the stairs towards the sanctuary of her room, only offering a hasty backwards wave to Daichi as she went. Daichi snorted at the comical way she left, almost expecting to see a cloud of dust left in her wake as she sprinted away. But it seemed typical, even though he didn't quite know why. She just seemed like the kind of person who would freak out after overstaying their intended timeframe.

Rather than rejoin the party and find his roommates, Daichi turned around and sauntered off into the cool evening for another late night walk, though this time thinking of the painfully shy girl who still somehow caught his attention. As he went, he casually crossed his arms behind his head, which turned to call out quietly to the same path Jun had taken in her retreat.

"G'night, Wallflower."

***

Sometime the next afternoon, only after sleeping in well past breakfast and lunch, Daichi found himself wandering in to the Hobbit Hole for a cup of coffee and a chance to browse the shelves again. It had become habit now to continue his search for his long lost book, but now it was also essential to stop by the back of the store, to check the typewriter. Not that he even expected anything anymore, not after a full week with nothing. So he genuinely thought his eyes were playing tricks on him when a new poem appeared, freshly written that very morning:

Shrinking in a corner,
pressed into the wall;
do they know I'm present,
am I here at all?

Is there a written rule book,
that tells you how to be—
all the right things to talk about—
that everyone has but me?

Slowly I am withering—
a flowered deprived of sun;
longing to belong to—
somewhere or someone.

Wallflower
~Lang Leav

Daichi told himself he was smiling so brightly because the typist had finally grown the balls to stop hiding in a corner and write something. That was the most logical explanation since it had been what consumed his mind all week. Yet as he paused to consider how he'd respond (because there was no way in hell he would pass up the opportunity now), his thoughts didn't linger long on the typist, whoever it was. But instead were flooded with the same image over and over again: the bright, glistening smile that had spread like a sunrise across that girl's face last night and the warmth it seemed to radiate even now. And while he typed a response that felt fitting, it would be hard to deny who it was really meant for.

When you
do things
from your soul,
other people
really dig
that shit.