The three of us walk down the streets of the near by city. Hanako clings to Lilly as if they were conjoined. They talk about books they've read as I walk with them feeling like a third wheel. Still, two girls and a guy walking down the streets at night...something I never really did back at my old city. I always was alone when exploring the city back then. Walking with two girls is nice, no matter how much I try to mentally make it a small deal. I try not to be too much of a caveman, but I can't help but notice the way they smell. It's that strong, sweet smell, which makes my nose tingle. I can describe it as the girl smell.



Lilly: "Hisao, what good books have you read recently?"



Hisao: "Hmm...uh..there was one romantic book I read in the hospital..."



Lilly: "My, my. I didn't know you were the type that was into romance..."



Hisao: "I'm not. I'm more into sci-fi. I just gave one a try and liked it."



Lilly: "Hmm...Scifi...I know there were a lot in the bookstore."



Hisao: "I love just how amazing and fantastical they are. Plus science is my favorite subject."



Lilly: "I wonder if you enjoy manga. I heard those books were very popular and some featured science fiction."



Hisao: "Books?...Lilly have you read manga."



Lilly: "Well...no. I heard they were really popular. I never read one translated to braille."



Hisao: "I think it's because manga isn't just regular books. They have pictures. There's no narrator."



Lilly: "Really? I wish I could read one. Maybe one day they'll be able to convert pictures to blind people."



We walk and talk for a while until we pass by an ice cream shop. I look at all the flavors, and unknowingly slowed own a little. Hanako stops a little and looks into the store too. We look at each other instantly knowing what the other is thinking.



Lilly: "Why are you stopping Hanako?"



Hisao: "Ice cream."



We stop in and make an order. I get chocolate chip, the other two get vanilla. We decide not to walk while eating ice cream and sit down on a bench. Hanako still clings to Lilly even though we are sitting. She seems to avert her gaze whenever someone passes by and looks at the surprising site of a blonde blind girls and another with her face covered.



Hisao: "So Hanako, what type of book are you looking for?"



Hanako: "I-I also l-like Science Fiction."



Hisao: "Really? It's awesome isn't it."



Hanako: "I-I also like n-non fiction."



Hisao: "Yeah it's nice to learn about stuff. What subjects?"



Hanako: "I r-really like to l-learn about other cultures. Especially th-the middle-east."



Hanako seems more worked up tonight than I thought she would be. She seems to be more nervous whenever people walk by and glance at us. It's sad because I was beginning to think this side of Hanako would go away, at least when I'm around. When I first met her, she looked like she wanted to avoid all contact with me. She started tolerated my existence, and next thing I know, she's the one seeking me out everyday. She met me in the library all week to read together. I might go as far as saying she might have become that one close friend someone has at school. It feels weird to think about , but she might be the one I'm closest to here.



We finish our ice cream and make our way to the bookstore. It's pretty large with 2 floors. There are books on every subject from all sorts of genres. Even manga. We head to the back and find a section of braille translated books. This is something that amazes me. The entire back is a mirror image of the front, with every book being a corresponding translation of the book on the other side. I found it strange why they went through so much trouble at first, but then I thought about it. It's pretty genius. There's a school for disable students near by, why not market to that demographic. Even people with sight will be impressed by the effort.



Hisao: "Wow. This is a pretty impressive book store."



Lilly: "I know. They have a braille translation for every book here."



Hisao: "It doesn't look so busy unfortunately."



Lilly: "Well it's also the night time."



Hisao: "Hanako, what book do you want to find?"



Hanako: "S-something about th-the caliphates w-would be nice..."



Hisao: "Alright there should be a history section here."



Hanako: "I-It's up the stairs."



We walk up the stairs and I notice something about Hanako. Her eyes. Firstly they are pretty easy to get lost in. But she's not adverting her gaze and there's not as much fear. It looks calm now that it's only us two. It looks that way whenever it's just us and books. It's something special honestly.