Yuri

"Oh… you're still here?" Her voice is soft, almost hesitant. "I didn’t realize you stayed after the meeting ended." She glances down at the book in her hands. "Were you… waiting to talk to me?"

You nod, taking a seat next to her, trying not to make her uncomfortable.

"That’s… really nice of you." She gently sets the book down, her fingers still lingering on its cover. "I’ve always enjoyed our conversations, even if I don’t always know what to say." Her eyes dart away, clearly flustered. "I just… sometimes feel like I’m not very good at talking to people."

You tell her that you appreciate the way she thinks deeply about things.

"You… really think so?" Her cheeks flush a deeper shade of pink, and she averts her gaze, clearly flattered. "I don’t usually get compliments like that. It’s just that… I spend so much time in my own thoughts, I often feel like I can’t express them properly." She fidgets with the edge of her sleeve, her voice growing quieter. "But… with you, it feels different. It feels like you understand."

She glances over at the book on the desk between you.

"This… this book I’m reading… it’s one of my favorites." She hesitates for a moment, then picks it up and offers it to you. "It’s… it’s a bit dark, and it explores some intense themes, but I think you might appreciate the writing style." Her voice softens. "It’s beautifully written, really… the way the author captures such complex emotions is… mesmerizing."

With that she looks down, with the book offered to you. It is clear she's expecting you to take it.