The lounge area, though not very spacious, exuded a cozy ambiance with its arrangement of four comfortable armchairs encircling a small coffee table. Souji had spent countless evenings sitting here, engrossed in books during the quieter moments at the bookstore.

And now, he found himself seated across an unknown lady, knowing she was about to inquire about one of the books he had read while occupying this very chair. Anticipation caused his throat to tighten, but he composed himself, ready to engage in the forthcoming conversation.

The lady, Kaori Matsumoto, sat opposite him, leaning forward with her legs and knees pressed together, an air of genuine interest radiating from her demeanor. Her presence felt welcoming, putting Souji slightly at ease. He stole occasional glances at her while averting his eyes, admiring the subtle playfulness that danced in her gaze.

Souji thought a warm gesture would set the right tone for the conversation. "Would you like some tea, Miss Matsumoto? It's one of our specialties here," he offered with a gentle smile.

"That would be lovely, thank you," she replied graciously, her smile widening.

With a sense of hospitality, Souji got up and walked over to a nearby counter where the bookstore kept a small selection of teas for customers to enjoy. He prepared a steaming cup of fragrant jasmine tea and returned to the lounge area, handing it to Kaori.

"Here you go. It's a personal favorite," he said, feeling more at ease as he resumed his seat.

"Thank you, Souji. It smells delightful," Kaori expressed her gratitude, taking a sip from the cup.

The initial silence between them soon became a brief pause, as Kaori patiently waited for Souji to initiate the next topic.

"How do you like the story so far, Miss Matsumoto?" he inquired, taking a gentle sip from his own cup of tea.

"It's a captivating thriller that has kept me on the edge of my seat. I only started reading the series last month, and I can't wait to dive into the events following volume three," she said, a glimmer of excitement in her eyes as she lightly clenched her fist.

"Indeed, volume three left us on a tantalizing cliffhanger. The way the heroine reconciled with her husband after suspecting him of involvement in her amnesia was quite a turning point," Souji remarked, his confidence growing.

"You have a keen eye for the story's nuances. I thought the same about the husband; he appeared quite suspicious in volume two when he prevented the heroine from delving into certain memories. It's intriguing how the plot unfolds," Kaori replied, leaning back into the armchair, engrossed in the discussion.

In "Shattered Memories of Love," the story begins with the protagonist, a high school teacher, waking up with no recollection of her past. Her sister and mother are strangers to her, but surprisingly, she feels a deep emotional connection with her husband. As the plot unfolds, the heroine embarks on a journey to rediscover her lost memories, with her husband by her side. Throughout the story, they visit various places they had frequented together, and she experiences a flood of emotions and nostalgia, reminiscing about all the beautiful memories they shared.

However, as the narrative progresses, the heroine starts to notice subtle inconsistencies and gaps in her recollections. Something seems amiss, and she can't shake the dreadful feelings that arise when her husband is absent. She decides to revisit some of those places alone, hoping to unlock more of her missing memories and understand the hidden truths.

Gradually, the truth unravels, revealing that some of the places they visited together were not just filled with love and happiness. Instead, there were moments of hardships and difficulties, but those memories had been carefully hidden from her. The husband had orchestrated a selective narrative to shield her from the painful events they endured.

As she delves deeper into the mystery of her lost memories, the heroine begins to suspect her husband's involvement in her memory loss. She wonders if he had a hand in her condition, and her once trusting relationship with him becomes clouded with doubt and suspicion. The story becomes a captivating thriller, full of twists and turns, as the heroine uncovers the dark secrets behind her shattered memories of love.

Amidst the suspense and revelations, a captivating romance story unfolds, painting a tale of love, betrayal, and the unyielding strength of the human spirit. The novel grips readers' hearts as they follow the heroine's journey of self-discovery and her quest to reclaim her memories and the truth behind her enigmatic husband.

As Souji and Kaori discuss the story further, they find themselves immersed in the thrilling plot, speculating on the possible twists that may lie ahead in the upcoming volumes. Souji becomes more comfortable discussing the novel, and Kaori's excitement is infectious, making their conversation flow effortlessly.

With a shared passion for romantic mysteries, the two teens lose track of time, engrossed in their animated discussion. The lounge area, once merely a quiet corner of the bookstore, now serves as a cozy sanctuary for two book enthusiasts connecting over the captivating world of "Shattered Memories of Love."

As they delve deeper into the details of the story, Souji can't help but notice how Kaori's eyes light up with enthusiasm. It's as if they share an unspoken connection, their minds united in unraveling the gripping tale of love and mystery.

In "Shattered Memories of Love," the high school teacher protagonist wakes up with amnesia, forgetting her past but feeling close to her husband. As the story progresses, they revisit places from their past, and she uncovers discrepancies in her memories. Later, she discovers that some of those places held hardships, which her husband had concealed from her. Suspicion arises, and the story becomes a captivating thriller of love, betrayal, and self-discovery. Souji and Kaori discuss the novel, their excitement building as they speculate on the twists that lie ahead. Souji, being an avid reader of romantic mysteries, is thrilled to find someone who shares his passion for the genre. Kaori, too, is engrossed in the gripping tale of "Shattered Memories of Love," and they dive into a lively conversation about the characters' complexities and the plot's intriguing developments.

As the day waned and the sun dipped below the horizon, Souji found himself lost in time with Kaori, discussing "Shattered Memories of Love" with an enthusiasm only a hopeless romantic could muster. The cozy lounge area of the bookstore provided the perfect setting for their captivating conversation. Tea had been a catalyst, bringing them together, and now the warmth of their exchange filled the air.

"You know, Kaori, this book... it's more than just a thrilling mystery," Souji confessed, his eyes glowing with passion. "It's like diving into a whirlwind of emotions. The way the heroine wakes up with no memories, but she still feels this inexplicable closeness to her husband... it's heartrending and heartwarming at the same time. I can't help but be enchanted by the idea of such a profound connection, a love that transcends memory."

Kaori was drawn in by Souji's emotive description, her heart stirred by the sentimentality in his words. "I couldn't agree more," she replied softly. "The way they revisit those places together, and how she feels those fragments of memories... It's like piecing together a beautiful puzzle of their past. And when she visits those places alone, feeling that inexplicable dread... it's hauntingly powerful. The complexity of their love just sweeps me away."

Souji smiled, feeling a genuine connection with Kaori as they shared their heartfelt perspectives on the book. He couldn't have asked for a more wonderful evening, engrossed in storytelling and deep emotions.

As the clock ticked, Souji finally realized that he had closed up the shop much earlier than usual. "Oh my, time really flies when you're having a great time, doesn't it?" he chuckled.

"It certainly does," Kaori agreed, a hint of reluctance in her voice. "I guess we should be wrapping things up."

"Indeed," Souji said, though a part of him wished the conversation could last forever.

But just as they began to part ways, Kaori smiled and said, "You know, I can't leave without taking the next two volumes of the series. I can't wait to find out what happens next."

Souji's face lit up with delight. "I'm so glad you're invested in the story too! Let me ring those up for you." He quickly retrieved the volumes and began to process the purchase.

As he scanned the books, Souji's mother, Miyako, walked into the store, a hint of worry on her face. She had expected Souji to be home much earlier, and seeing him still at the shop with a customer made her concerned.

"S-Souji, why are you still here? Is everything alright?" Miyako asked, glancing at Kaori with a polite smile.

"Oh, Mom, I'm sorry, I lost track of time. But it's been wonderful; I've had a lovely conversation with Kaori about this book," Souji explained, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Miyako couldn't help but smile at her son's exuberance. "Well, I'm glad you're having a good time, but you should have let me know you'd be late," she said teasingly.

Souji chuckled, feeling a bit sheepish. "I know, I'm sorry. But Mom, this is Kaori Matsumoto, and she shares my love for romantic mysteries. We had such a great discussion about the book."

"Kaori Matsumoto..." Miyako gazed into the distance, trying to recollect something she had seemingly overlooked.

"Ah! Kaori-chan! It's been so long!" Miyako's face lit up as she pounded one fist into her open palm. "My, my, it's been ages! What brings you to town?"

Souji, still puzzled by the sudden familiarity between his mother and Kaori, asked, "Do you know each other?"

"Yes, yes, we were classmates together," Miyako replied with a smile.

Silence hung in the air for a moment, and then Souji's eyes widened in realization. "Mom, you're 48, so that means..."

"What? You look so young, Miss Matsumoto!" Souji exclaimed, genuinely surprised.

Without warning, Souji felt a light tap on the back of his head, causing him to nearly bump into the counter.

"You don't ask a woman her age, Souji... how rude," Miyako chided with a playful grin. Although the tap caught him off guard, it quickly subsided, leaving him slightly dazed.

Kaori couldn't contain her laughter, covering her mouth to hide her amusement behind her slender hands.

"My, my, you're as strong as ever, Miyako," Kaori remarked, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

"Sorry to disappoint you, Souji, but I am a grown woman," Kaori replied, looking happy to receive the compliment despite Souji's mistaken assumption.

Embarrassed by his blunder, Souji quickly regained his composure and offered sincere apologies to both his mother and Miss Matsumoto. He hadn't meant to be impolite; he genuinely thought she was only slightly older than his sister.

-

end of chapter 3