Shiori Novella

"Thump!"

My back hit something hard and moving. Reflexively, I looked back and realized there was a delivery trolley right behind me. The stack of books on top of it seemed to wobble from the impact. At the same time, I lost my balance and almost tumbled backward.

However, before I could hit the floor, a hand quickly and firmly gripped my arm. The pull restored my balance. I looked up.

Standing before me was Shiori Novella.

She was wearing a dark-colored cafe apron, her long black hair tied with a red ribbon as usual. Her reddish-brown eyes widened in surprise for a second, likely due to her sudden reflex. But the moment her gaze met my face, that surprised expression shifted instantly. Her eyes narrowed, and her jaw tightened.

"You?!" her voice rose slightly, half-whispering, half-hissing. "What are you doing here?!"

She released her grip on my arm somewhat roughly, then quickly checked the trolley beside her, ensuring the stack of new stock books that hadn't been shelved yet hadn't fallen. Once she was sure the books were safe, she turned back to me, her face already flushed with irritation.

"If you want to buy a book, pay attention to your surroundings! The trolley is for transporting goods, not as a back massager for you!" she snapped curtly. "I guess it's no surprise; that genius brain of yours is too busy thinking about unimportant things to notice what's around you."