Winta’s Perfect Pair – Chapter 18

“Oof, this one’s a real doorstop.” Gia grunts as she heaves another heavy box of books onto the long table we’ve set up. “Whoever decided to collect the entire Nariko Tanaka romance anthology must have had biceps of steel.”

I chuckle at her exaggerated show of exertion and slip up next to her to help redistribute the weight of the books on the table.

“Well, you know how it was back in Tanaka’s heyday.” I extract one of the worn hardcovers and thumb through the pages. “Her epic historical romances were all the rage. Everyone wanted a piece of those lush, sprawling love stories set against the backdrop of old Kyoto.”

Gia uses the back of her hand to wipe a bead of sweat from her brow. “Yeah, well, I’ll take my romance novels a little more… condensed, if you don’t mind. All that flowery pining makes my head spin after the first fifty pages or so.”

“You just have no appreciation for the finer arts,” Yuriko teases as she breezes past us with another armful of books. “Though I have to agree, those Tanaka epics could have benefitted from a slightly more… economical writing style.”

I laugh again, shaking my head at their assessments. It’s moments like these, full of easy conversation and shared history, that I’m going to miss most once the Book Club is gone for good. My smile turns a touch wistful as I line up the Tanaka novels, letting my gaze linger on the familiar spines surrounding us.

So many stories, so many worlds and adventures awaiting between these well-loved pages. Titles I’ve read and reread a hundred times over, from girlhood on. Gia and Yuriko may tease, but these books were my first true friends and companions before I found my way to the Book Club itself.

“You’re getting that misty-eyed look again,” Daichi says from behind me. “Need me to take over the heavy lifting for a while?”

“I’m fine, just…” I gesture at the stacks surrounding us. “You know, reminiscing a bit. There are countless old friends on these shelves.”

Daichi’s expression softens as he comes to wrap his arms around me from behind, resting his chin atop my head. I lean back into his solid warmth, letting him comfort me, even in the full view of other people.

“I can only imagine,” he murmurs, lips brushing my hairline. “It’s bittersweet.”

Bittersweet doesn’t even begin to cover the complex tangle of grief, nostalgia, and hard-won acceptance I’m experiencing. This is killing me.

The Book Club’s been a giant part of who I am for as long as I can remember. Some of my earliest memories are of my big brother Ean bringing me here. He’d let me roam the shelves for hours while he studied or worked on projects. I can still recall the thrill of pulling down a new book, inhaling the scent of aged paper as I cracked open the cover to start a new adventure.

Those romances, those beloved tales of love and courage and unbreakable bonds, they shaped me. Maybe too much. But they gave me so much to hope for. In a very real sense, I grew up within the pages of these books.

“You know…” I tilt my head back to meet Daichi’s warm gaze. “I’ve read allllll of these books.” I sweep my hand over the entire Tanaka series. “And these… and these… Oh, these ones.” I pick up the pirate princess series I finished reading not too long ago. “I loved these.” Pressing my lips together, I hold them to my chest. “They were really hot.”

Daichi laughs. “Is that so? Well, now it all makes perfect sense why you turned into such an insatiable romantic from such an early age.”

I laugh, giving his arm a playful swat that only makes him chuckle. “Hey, be nice! Those books opened up entire worlds. They made me believe in the magic of true love from the very beginning.” It got me into a lot of trouble and heartache in the last few years. “I should use some of my last paycheck to buy the whole series,” I mutter under my breath, turning back to the table.

“And look how that worked out for you in the end,” Daichi says, joining me at my side to brush a lingering kiss against my cheek. “Seems to me those stories did their job and then some.”

I giggle and squeeze him. I’ve been giggling a lot lately, and it’s a vast difference from the sad and heartbreaking weeks I spent cleaning up after the storm. I enjoy being happy again.

Gia and Yuriko both make exaggerated gagging sounds from across the room.

“Get a room, you two!” Gia hollers with an eye roll. “Some of us are still tragically single.”

I don’t even try to hide my smug grin as I turn and wind my arms around Daichi’s neck.

Let Gia and Yuriko make all the gagging sounds they want. I’ve more than earned the right to indulge in a little shameless public canoodling.

We move on to some good-natured bickering and teasing when the doors to the community hall swing open, admitting Maho along with a tall, distinguished-looking man I don’t recognize.

I straighten up and pull away from Daichi’s embrace as they navigate through the dozens of tables we’ve set up for our makeshift book sale. Maho wears her usual serene expression, while her companion looks at the stacks and scattered volumes with an appraising, almost wistful gaze.

“Ah, I see you’ve made excellent progress getting everything organized for the event,” Maho remarks, giving me a nod of approval. “And it seems I’ve arrived just in time to interrupt the playful antics, as well.”

Her grin is conspiratorial. I shrug, not even trying to deny the accusation. Maho’s lips twitch in a suppressed smile before she gestures to the man beside her.

“Everyone, I’d like you to meet Taio Bando. He’s the new regional director for PairTech’s operations here in Yamato.”

PairTech. Sigh. Of course. Their new branch should be open by now.

Taio offers us a polite bow. “It’s a pleasure to meet all of you. Though I wish the circumstances leading to our introduction today were happier ones.”

His gaze sweeps over the assembled books and records with obvious regret.

“I had the privilege of visiting the Book Club a few times over the years,” he continues, shaking his head. “It was always such a warm, welcoming space. To see it reduced to this? It’s truly a tragedy for our entire community.”

This is not the reaction I would have expected from the head of the company that drove the Book Club into obsolescence.

Beside me, Daichi tenses as he threads his arm around my waist. Gia and Yuriko nod at the unexpected display of empathy from someone they no doubt assumed would be gloating over our misfortune.

Taio doesn’t seem to notice our stunned silence. He’s already turning back to Maho with an intent look.

“When I first heard the news about the Book Club’s plight, I’ll admit I was skeptical about the necessity of shuttering it. PairTech’s methods may be rooted in innovative technology, but even we recognize the value of preserving the older mentorship traditions. In fact,” Taio continues, turning to sweep that assessing gaze over me and the others. “I was rather hoping I might make you all an offer of sorts. If you’d be willing to hear me out, that is.”

Maho lifts a hand. “Please do.”

“I’ll be blunt,” he says, clearing his throat and clasping his hands behind his back. “PairTech may have the most advanced genetic analysis and computer modeling algorithms in the matchmaking field. But even our top researchers and behavioral specialists will admit, there’s an… almost spiritual quality to pairing that can never be fully quantified or distilled into data.”

His eyes lock on mine, holding my gaze with surprising intensity.

“Winta, Maho tells me you’ve been the heart and soul of this organization’s mentorship program for years now. You’ve dedicated your entire career to upholding the Book Club’s emotional teachings and intimate approach to matchmaking with unwavering passion. I want you to bring that passion to PairTech.”

What? I glance around to make sure I’m still awake and not dreaming this.

“Let’s integrate the Book Club’s mentorship philosophy and personal methods into our technological approach. We’ve already started doing this at our other locations, but we could use more help. I believe the two methods could complement each other.”

I’m stunned into silence. Daichi’s hand is now on my arm, and Gia and Yuriko whisper to each other.

Is he offering me a chance to carry on the Book Club’s legacy? But within PairTech’s cutting-edge approach?

This is really not how I expected my day to go.

“I – I don’t even know what to say,” I manage to stammer out. “This is… Are you sure? I mean, I admit I scoped you out.”

Maho laughs. “You did what?”

I shrug. “I went to a branch in Izumo, way before the storm, to see what PairTech was all about. I… I was actually pleasantly surprised. I expected a cold and impersonal process, but it wasn’t that different from what we were doing.” Suddenly, my shoes become fascinating. I can’t look up. “I didn’t expect it. At all.”

To his credit, Taio doesn’t laugh. Doesn’t admonish me.

“Change is never easy,” he says. I lift my eyes to meet his. “And it doesn’t happen overnight. But I think the potential rewards of mixing your personal touch with our scientific approach would be huge. The bond between humans and animals is sacred, Winta.”

I’m so relieved to hear him say this. My body relaxes and sheds the last of the stress I’ve been holding onto for weeks.

I smile and nod. “I agree. It is sacred.”

“Will you join us?” he asks me, before turning to Gia and Yuriko. “You as well. We need all the staff we can get.”

Daichi watches me with guarded concern, while Gia and Yuriko exchange stunned looks, waiting for my response.

Gia raises a hand. “I’m good, actually. I’m going to join the family business. But thank you.”

Yuriko shrugs and laughs. “I could use a job.”

For the first time in weeks, that familiar spark of conviction rekindles in my chest, burning with the intensity of a wildfire.

This man is giving me a chance, perhaps the only chance, to ensure that the Book Club’s wisdom lives on and continues evolving for generations to come.

Squaring my shoulders, I lift my chin and meet his eyes. “I’d be honored. Thank you.”

“Excellent,” Taio says, his smile lighting up his face. “Now, someone, please point me to the science fiction.” He rubs his hands together. “My new bookshelf at home is lonely.”

I laugh as I step to the side and gesture the way. “Let me show you one of my favorite series.”

Daichi lifts his eyebrows as I walk by and mouths, “Congrats.”

Looks like I will still have lots of work to do.