CHAPTER 5

The man's face is on the small side, his features regular. Pretty, rather than handsome, might describe him best. When he looks down his longish hair falls over his brow, and occasionally he notices this and fingers it back. His sleeves are rolled up to the elbows, revealing slender white wrists. Delicately framed glasses nicely complement his features. The small plastic name tag pinned to his chest says Oshima. Not exactly the type of librarian I'm used to.

"Feel free to use the stacks," he tells me, "and if you find a book you'd like to read, just bring it to the reading room," He lays his pencil on the desk and adds, "Are you in high school?"

"Yes, I am," I say after taking a deep breath.

"This library is a little different from the ones you're probably used to," he says. "We specialize in certain genres of books, mainly old books by tanka and haiku poets. We might get the occasional graduate student, but very seldom someone your age. So – are you researching tanka or haiku then?"

"No," I answer.

"That's what I thought."

"Is it still okay for me to use the library?" I ask timidly, trying to keep my voice from cracking.

"Of course." He smiles and places both hands on the desk. "This is a library, and anybody who wants to read is welcome."

"It's a really beautiful building," I say.

He nods. "The Komura family's been a major sake producer since the Edo period, he explains, "and the previous head of the family was quite a bibliophile, nationally famous for scouring the country in search of books. If you're really interested in this building I suggest you take the little tour at two. I know you'll enjoy it."

"Are you the one who does the tour?"

Oshima smiles. "No, I'm just a lowly assistant, I'm afraid. A lady named Miss Saeki is in charge here – my boss. She's related to the Komuras and does the tour herself. I know you'll like her. She's a wonderful person."