Y/n stood in the sports biography aisle, scanning the upper shelves. Her practice kit was packed in her bag, ready for the evening session. Her target was a well-thumbed copy of Jonah Lomu: The Power and The Glory, perched just out of easy reach.

She stretched on her toes, fingers brushing the spine. At the same moment, from the other side of the shelf, another hand reached for the exact same book. Their fingers met on the worn cover.

Y/n tilted her head to peer through the gap in the books. On the other side, Arthur Leclerc had done the same. His fluffy, dark blond hair was slightly messy, as if he’d been running a hand through it. His usual guarded expression was gone, replaced by a look of soft, genuine surprise that melted into a small, tentative smile.