Chapter 112: Shiina Hiyori!
Since borrowing books from the library did not cost any points, many students enjoyed checking them out.
This often led to someone finishing the first volume of a book, only to discover that another student had borrowed the second.
It gave the same frustrating feeling as reaching the middle of a novel only for the author to suddenly stop updating.
"Mm..."
While Yuto was examining the mystery novels on the shelves, he heard a troubled female voice.
He looked in the direction it came from.
Yuto saw a silver-haired girl standing on her toes.
She stretched her arm as far as she could, trying to return a book to a shelf higher than she was.
But because she was not tall enough, she could not return it no matter how hard she tried.
Yuto unexpectedly noticed that the book she was holding was the second volume of Higashino Keigo's Journey Under the Midnight Sun.
It was exactly the book he had come to find.
So Yuto walked toward the silver-haired girl.
Shiina Hiyori stood on her toes, trying to return the mystery novel she had finished.
But if she could not reach it, she could not reach it.
Standing any higher would not help.
'I suppose I'll have to find a stool.'
The moment Hiyori relaxed, the book slipped from her hand and fell straight toward her head.
"!"
Startled, Hiyori instinctively closed her eyes and ducked her head.
She knew the falling book was about to hit her.
But just as she braced herself, someone suddenly pulled her arm.
Her body fell into a warm embrace.
The book struck the floor with a thud, and a boy's concerned voice reached her ears.
"Are you all right?"
His voice was steady and deep, carrying a calm warmth that eased Hiyori's heart.
Her long eyelashes trembled slightly.
Hiyori opened her eyes and raised her head, finally seeing the boy's face.
He had a strikingly handsome face and bright, clear eyes.
"Ah, it's you," Hiyori exclaimed softly.
She recognized the boy who had pulled her out of danger.
Wasn't he Shimizu Yuto, the student who had taught Ryuen Kakeru a harsh lesson?
Yuto also looked surprised when he recognized the girl before him.
"It's you."
Yuto remembered Hiyori from Class C quite clearly.
When he had beaten Ryuen, every Class C student had looked at him with fear.
Only this gentle silver-haired girl had not.
She had stood out like a ray of silver light in a dark sea, drawing Yuto's attention.
Yuto released Hiyori, then bent down and picked up the second volume of Journey Under the Midnight Sun.
"Hello, Shimizu-kun. I'm Shiina Hiyori from Class 1-C."
"Hello. I'm Shimizu Yuto from Class 1-D."
After introducing themselves, Hiyori bowed slightly.
She thanked him in a soft, sweet voice.
"Thank you very much for helping me. Otherwise, that book probably would have hit my head."
"You're welcome."
After responding, Yuto took the first volume of Journey Under the Midnight Sun from his school bag.
He easily returned it to the high shelf.
Hiyori quietly watched him.
When she noticed that the mystery novel he had returned was the first volume of Journey Under the Midnight Sun, her eyes immediately lit up.
"Shimizu-kun, you're returning the first volume. Does that mean you've already finished it?"
"Mm."
Yuto nodded.
He looked at Hiyori, whose mood had suddenly brightened.
"That's why I came to the library to find the second volume. It's quite a coincidence that you were returning it."
"It really is."
Hiyori stepped slightly closer and enthusiastically began talking about her favorite scenes from the first volume.
Yuto responded with a smile.
The two began discussing the plot of Journey Under the Midnight Sun, sharing their opinions and interpretations.
The way Yuto and Hiyori happily conversed did not resemble two strangers who had only met a few times.
Instead, they looked like old friends who had known each other for years.
"Shimizu-kun, let's exchange contact information!"
Hiyori took out her school phone with a calm but delighted smile.
"After you finish the second volume, we can discuss what we each thought about it!"
"That's fine, but aren't you afraid of Ryuen Kakeru?" Yuto asked.
"Ryuen-kun?"
Hiyori tilted her head slightly, looking adorably confused.
"Why would I be afraid?"
"Ryuen and I have a serious conflict, and he's Class C's leader."
"If he finds out you've been talking with me, he might take his anger out on you," Yuto explained.
"Mm... It doesn't matter."
Hiyori shook her head.
"Even if Ryuen-kun is Class C's leader, he can't stop me from choosing my friends."
"Is that so?"
Yuto blinked.
The strange light in his eyes disappeared.
He ended his mind-reading ability.
Yuto discovered that this girl named Shiina Hiyori sincerely wanted to become his friend.
She was not a spy sent by Ryuen or part of some conspiracy.
After learning Ryuen and Nagumo had met, Yuto believed their scheme against him would soon begin.
So when he met Hiyori from Class C in the library, he instinctively suspected that Ryuen had sent her.
However, after reading her thoughts, Yuto realized he had overthought it.
Their meeting and the second volume of Journey Under the Midnight Sun were both pure coincidence.
Through his mind-reading ability, Yuto also understood why Hiyori wanted to exchange contact information.
No one in Class C enjoyed mystery novels.
Because of that, Hiyori did not even have someone to discuss them with.
She desperately wanted a friend who shared her interests.
After talking with Yuto, who had returned the first volume, Hiyori decided he was exactly the kind of friend she wanted.
That was why she had taken the initiative to exchange contact information.
Yuto looked at Hiyori.
The soft-looking silver-haired girl was watching him hopefully, clearly eager to discuss mystery novels with him in the future.
"Since you aren't worried about Ryuen becoming angry, I don't mind either."
"Let's exchange contact information."
"Mm!"
The hope in Hiyori's eyes transformed into a joyful smile.
She had finally found a friend who shared her interests.
In Class C, Hiyori appeared to enjoy being alone.
But in truth, she was simply poor at socializing and found it difficult to connect with other people.
Yuto was the first real friend she had made at this school.
Yuto and Hiyori exchanged contact information.
Since Yuto had found the mystery novel he wanted, he said goodbye and returned to meet Kei and Suzune.
"Shimizu-kun, after you finish the second volume, please tell me."
"I want to discuss its plot with you."
"Mm. I will."
Hiyori watched Yuto leave with gentle eyes.
She planned to recommend some of her favorite mystery novels after he finished Journey Under the Midnight Sun.
Then, after Yuto read her recommendations, they could discuss those stories too.
Just imagining herself discussing books with her new friend made Hiyori seem even softer and happier.
...
Holding the second volume of Journey Under the Midnight Sun, Yuto returned to where Suzune was sitting.
When he did not see Kei, he asked in surprise, "Horikita, did Kei come over earlier?"
"She did."
"Then where is she?"
"I don't know. She said a few things to me and left," Suzune answered coldly.
Yuto glanced at Suzune's stiff expression.
He did not even need to ask.
The two had probably exchanged a few words, argued, and then Kei had stormed away.
Kei was probably searching for Yuto somewhere in the library now.
Yuto took out his phone and sent Kei a message on Line, asking where she was.
While Yuto waited for her reply, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka entered the library with Sudo Ken, Ike Kanji, and Yamauchi Haruki.
Following behind them was...
Class D's little angel, Kushida Kikyo!
Ayanokouji had messaged Suzune earlier, saying they were about to arrive.
Because of that, Suzune had been watching the library entrance.
Now she not only saw Ayanokouji and the others.
She also saw Kikyo.
"Shimizu! Why is Kushida-san here with them?"
Suzune raised her eyebrows and spoke to Yuto with dissatisfaction.
"Didn't I say she wasn't allowed to get involved?"
"Why are you asking me?"
"I wasn't the one responsible for convincing Sudo and the others to come study. You should ask Ayanokouji," Yuto said innocently.
"You told Ayanokouji to ask Kushida-san for help, didn't you?" Suzune asked, her fox-like eyes sharpening.
"Why would I deliberately do something that would trouble you?" Yuto said irritably.
"..."
Those words seemed unexpectedly effective.
Suzune's raised eyebrows relaxed, and her sharp gaze softened slightly.
"Sorry... Shimizu. It seems I misunderstood you."
Yuto looked at Suzune, who had turned her head away while awkwardly apologizing.
He teased her with a smile.
"When apologizing, shouldn't you look someone in the eyes? Otherwise, it doesn't seem sincere."
Suzune immediately turned back.
Her fox-like eyes sharpened again as she glared straight into Yuto's eyes.
"Sorry! Is that good enough?"
"Good enough, good enough."
"If you keep staring at me like that, your gaze might injure my eyes."
"Hmph!"
Suzune gave a tsundere snort.
Then she narrowed her eyes at Ayanokouji and the others approaching their table.
Ayanokouji felt confused.
Suzune's gaze toward him was far too frightening.
Kikyo jogged over and stopped beside Yuto with a bright, cheerful smile.
"Yuto~ You're here too. What a coincidence."
"It really is. Kikyo, why did you come?"
"Mm~"
Kikyo turned slightly toward the cold-faced Suzune.
"Ayanokouji-kun said Horikita-san planned to tutor Sudo-kun and the others."
"But Ayanokouji-kun couldn't persuade them, so he asked me to help gather everyone."
"You've already gathered them."
"There's no need for you to come too, is there?" Suzune asked with clear rejection in her tone.
"Of course I needed to come."
Kikyo answered as if it were obvious.
"I only convinced everyone by saying I would also participate in the tutoring."
"That's right!"
"If Kikyo-chan weren't going to study with us, we never would have come!" Ike quickly agreed.
He had feelings for Kikyo, which was why he had readily agreed to accept Suzune's tutoring.
Suzune ignored Ike.
She coldly addressed the smiling Kikyo.
"Kushida-san, your quiz results were fairly good."
"You don't need my tutoring. Staying here will only create extra trouble and waste your time."
"Eh, well..."
Kikyo scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"That score was probably just luck."
"There were many multiple-choice questions on the quiz, and I guessed most of them."
"So I also want to make sure I pass the midterm and receive Horikita-san's personal guidance."
"..."
Suzune fell completely silent.
She looked toward Yuto, who was watching the scene from the side.
Her fox-like eyes seemed to be telling him to take this clingy Kushida Kikyo away.
Yuto pretended not to understand Suzune's gaze.
Holding his phone, he continued chatting with Kei on Line.
Suzune secretly glared at Yuto for refusing to help.
Finally, she sighed inwardly.
"I understand. If you want to join, then join, Kushida-san."
"Hehe. Thank you, Horikita-san."
…
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