He raised his hand to wipe his mouth.
Luna's eyes caught a brief glint of something shining beneath the boy's sleeve.
"That—"
Leo stiffened. He suddenly pulled his sleeve down, too fast to be casual.
Luna frowned. "That—"
Before she could finish, he spoke quickly, cutting her off.
"So, Luna… what kind of book are you looking for?"
Luna froze.
Her eyes slowly lifted to his face.
"How do you know my name?"
For just a heartbeat, his expression shifted.
Then he smiled.
"You told me," he said lightly. "Don't you remember?"
Luna hesitated. She searched her memory—nothing. Still, after a moment, she nodded.
"Oh. Right… yeah."
An awkward silence settled between them. Both of them looked around, anywhere but at each other.
Then Luna clapped her hands lightly.
"Oh! Could you show me where the fantasy section is?"
"Of course," Leo said. "This way."
He stood up, adjusted his hoodie, and gestured for Luna to follow him. She walked ahead as he led her through the narrow, twisting aisles between the shelves.
Suddenly, Leo stopped and motioned toward an entire wall filled with books.
"These are all our fantasy novels."
Luna's eyes lit up instantly. She spun around, excitement written all over her face.
"All of them?"
That crooked smile appeared again.
"Yes. All of them."
Luna rushed forward, pulling books off the shelves one by one. Without realizing it, she started talking fast, and Leo followed her for no clear reason.
"This one's really old," Luna said, holding up a book. "Where did you even find it?"
Before Leo could answer, she grabbed another book.
"I've read every volume of this series—did you know that…"
She stopped mid-sentence.
Luna noticed the way Leo was looking at her. Still smiling. Still watching.
She suddenly cleared her throat, the excitement draining from her expression.
"Um… could I get a library card?"
For a split second, Leo seemed to snap back to himself.
His hand lifted to his mouth, fingers brushing over that crooked smile as if he were trying to wipe it away.
"Yeah," he said quickly. "Of course."
He turned and walked toward the desk, and Luna followed.
A black motorcycle helmet rested on the corner of the table.
Luna glanced at it, a thought slipping through her mind.
*So… he rides a motorcycle?*
Leo reached for a form.
"So," he asked casually, "Luna… what's your last name?"
Luna blinked.
"Oh. Um. It's Morin."
Leo nodded.
He was about to hand her the card when the sound of the front door opening echoed through the library.
Leo tilted his head, glancing toward the entrance.
Then suddenly, he turned back to Luna—his eyes dropping to her wrist.
"Do you have anything," he asked fast, a sharp edge to his voice now, "to cover your wrist?"
Luna frowned.
"What? Why would I..."
Before she could finish, Leo grabbed the helmet from the desk and pushed it into her hands.
"Hold this," he said. "Cover it."
"Why?" Luna asked, completely confused.
"Just do what I'm saying," Leo muttered. "Please."
His tone left no room for questions.
A woman stepped inside.
"Hello," Leo said immediately.
Luna echoed the greeting, a little awkwardly.
The woman—around fifty, wearing a long burgundy dress—studied Luna closely. Not rudely. Carefully. As if she were examining a puzzle.
"A new member?" the woman asked.
"Yes," Luna replied.
The woman smiled.
"Welcome. I'm Jalin. I run the library. And this is my son."
Luna opened her mouth to speak—but she caught Leo's gaze.
It was sharp. Urgent. Almost pleading.
*Go.*
The word wasn't spoken, but it was clear enough.
"Oh—um," Luna said quickly. "Nice to meet you. Goodbye."
She turned and hurried out.
The moment the door closed behind her, Jalin's smile faded.
She looked at Leo, her gaze heavy.
"That was her, wasn't it?"
Leo leaned back against the desk, perfectly calm.
"No," he said lightly. "Why would you think that?"