Going out on a trip is always associated with entertainment.
It doesn't matter whether you go out with a friend, a group of friends, your family, or even… a partner.
The main goal of your outing will be enjoyment, so you'll prefer going to cafés, cinemas, parks—anything that fulfills the condition of entertainment.
But it's hard to decide to go to places like… the library.
Well, the library is always associated with studying, quietness, and boredom.
But I, Hikigaya Hachiman, decided to go with Yukinoshita Yukino to the library.
I'm sure it's a place that suits us.
In the past, whenever I entered that room in the special building, I would see her holding a book.
I don't know its content or what she was reading because of the paper cover that hid it.
But I'm sure she's a book lover.
And that suits me too, since I find comfort in reading different novels.
So going to the library isn't a bad idea for us.
Who wouldn't want a bit of quiet?
Yukinoshita and I headed straight to the library after leaving the shopping center.
Well, it had a lot of things that would cost many points, so wandering there was a bad idea.
We walked along the road under the warm sunlight toward the library.
After entering, we were shocked by its massive size—it looked like something out of a fantasy story.
Is this whole school fictional?
It's truly a paradise for book lovers.
Yukinoshita didn't show any reaction.
Did she lose her ability to speak?
"Yukinoshita, what's wrong?" I called out—we didn't want to stand at the entrance too long.
"Ah… sorry. I was thinking about the number of books here. Hikigaya-kun, it was a great idea to come here."
She seems happy. I made the right choice.
That's good.
"Well then, let's browse some books." "Yeah."
We didn't come just to be amazed by the library—the goal is to enjoy ourselves.
After wandering between the shelves for about 20 minutes, we finally chose what we wanted.
Yukinoshita chose what looked like a short story. She said she saw a review of it online.
Well, you always get curious about something many people like, and eventually decide to try it.
As for me, I chose something bigger: "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky.
It's a complex novel about a poor student who kills a pawnbroker to prove to himself that he is "above humans," but he sinks into a psychological hell and a bitter struggle with guilt and police pursuit.
I had wanted to read it for a long time, but I couldn't find it in stores.
But this huge library provides all kinds of books—it will satisfy you no matter your taste.
We decided to sit at the tables provided by the library.
Everything—from their arrangement, to their design, to even the type of wood—looked luxurious and elegant.
Although it seemed there were no visitors in the library except for a girl with silver hair.
I couldn't see her face because she was immersed in the book in her hands, but she looked like she was enjoying it.
Well, you don't need a companion to enjoy reading a book.
It's the number one hobby of loners.
We decided to relax since the place was empty and choose any table we wanted.
We sat next to each other, each holding a book.
I looked at Yukinoshita—she was reading her book with her usual calm expression.
I looked at the book in my hands and began exploring it.
This calmness and tranquility…
Is this what happiness is?
To do what you love with the person you… care about?
Let's stop thinking and focus on what's in front of me.
I started reading the novel. At first, it seemed really complex—the kind I like.
I got lost in the pages to the point that I lost connection with the outside world.
I was far from reality until I heard Yukinoshita's voice—it seemed she was talking to someone.
I raised my head to find a girl with long hair similar to Yukinoshita's, with a displeased expression.
It's Horikita. Is she always this annoyed?
"Yukinoshita-san, I want to talk to you," she said while looking at me.
Am I not welcome here? Should I leave?
"Horikita-san, I assume you want to talk about the system, right?"
Yukinoshita understood what Horikita wanted to talk about from the start.
She had mentioned before that they had a discussion—did she come here to continue it?
"Yes."
Does she not want me to hear this conversation?
No problem, I'll leave.
"Horikita-san, I don't know if you've met Hikigaya-kun before, but you can tell from his rotten eyes that he doesn't understand simple words, so you can talk in front of him."
What is this? Does she want me to stay and listen?
Yukinoshita-san, you could've been kinder.
"Well, if you say so."
No, there's no way you'd accept that so easily.
I looked at Yukinoshita—there was a calm smile on her lips.
Hmm… I don't mind.
I'm not interested in your conversation anyway. I put my eyes back on the book to continue reading.
"After our last talk about the system, I thought a lot and realized that the evaluation might affect the entire class."
It seems she's still thinking deeply about it.
If she figured that out on her own, then she's… smart.
"So?" Yukinoshita said, as if waiting for the other side to continue.
"I think the points we receive are tied to the behavior of the entire class," Horikita said as she sat in the opposite chair.
Seems like she got tired of standing.
"And is that a problem?"
It seems Yukinoshita wants Horikita to reveal all her thoughts.
Is that why she wanted me to hear this?
"I don't know if you noticed, but our classmates' barbaric behavior—what they do in class is just as bad, and I think the school's evaluation includes even outside class hours," she said, fidgeting with her fingers.
"I see… I understand now."
She clearly understands how dangerous her classmates' behavior is.
So…
"Do I understand that you want to correct their behavior before it's too late?" Yukinoshita said the same words I had in mind.
Although the first impression of Horikita is that she's uncooperative and withdrawn, much like Yukinoshita.
But will she… try to help them?
"Of course not. It would be a waste of time. They'll only hold me back, so I was thinking of something like… the top students supporting each other. I still don't know."
Is she trying… to abandon the failing students?
Does she see herself as so superior that she thinks they'll only hinder her?
"I understand what you're saying, Horikita-san. I think I need some time to think about it," Yukinoshita said, placing her hand on her chin.
There was a hint of annoyance on her face.
Even Horikita stood up—I guess she finished speaking.
"Thank you, Yukinoshita-san, for listening to my thoughts. After our previous discussion, I truly acknowledge your abilities."
Horikita understood that Yukinoshita is an outstanding student.
"Thank you, Horikita-san. The feeling is mutual."
Horikita nodded, then turned to leave.
But… she suddenly stopped.
Is there still something she wants to discuss?
Wait, she didn't say goodbye to me—did she come back to do that?
Maybe she's a kind person after all.
Horikita turned and bowed her head slightly.
"It seems someone reading 'Crime and Punishment' wouldn't have trouble understanding my words. A poor trick."
She leaned closer to look at the cover of my book.
Usually, I cover my book with cheap paper so others can't see its title or content, but now…
Yukinoshita's trick was really bad.
In the end, Yukinoshita Yukino doesn't lie.
"Well… if you want to discuss the system and what the school is hiding, I'm not interested at all."
I don't know if pretending not to care will work now, but I have no other choice.
"Hm…" Horikita said, raising an eyebrow, "it seems there's someone else here with a brain who doesn't want to use it."
"What?"
Has she met someone like that before?
"I just wanted to discuss some things with Yukinoshita-san. If she wants you to hear it, I don't mind."
With those words, Horikita left.
"So… what do you think?" Yukinoshita began rubbing her temples.
"Uncooperative, bad attitude. She might be talented, but her self-confidence is excessive."
It's fine to be confident, but to consider yourself above everyone else—and that the rest are trash who might hinder you…
I think that's very bad.
"Yeah, I also see her as one of the outstanding students in our class, but… she needs to change her mindset a little."
Yukinoshita lived a school life where she was always the top student.
A high academic and athletic level always made her the center of attention.
That made her experience what it means to truly be outstanding, and also taught her how to deal with those below her level.
She may resemble Horikita in her coldness and isolation…
But Yukinoshita would never see others as obstacles, no matter how poor their level is—instead, she would try to help them.
She always talks about how those who are capable should help those in need.
Is that what Horikita needs?
No, she needs to mature. Someone needs to guide her so she can grow…
Before she herself becomes an obstacle.
×××
After Horikita left, Yukinoshita and I continued enjoying reading together in the library.
But afterward, we decided to return to the dorm since Yukinoshita wanted to rest.
Yukinoshita decided to cook for herself to save points, and also because she enjoys it as a hobby.
Even I will show some of my skills and cook at home—I haven't cooked in a while.
But I can still make some simple dishes.
Before heading to the dorm, we passed by the lake.
It's necessary to get some Max Coffee.
I took my usual drink, while Yukinoshita stood in front of the machine for a moment before choosing a carbonated drink from another one.
She deserves to try something new.
We sat together by the lake, enjoying the drinks and the view.
It was truly an enjoyable outing.
I looked at Yukinoshita and saw her opening her drink nervously.
Is she upset?
"Is something wrong?" I won't know unless I ask.
"Well…" Yukinoshita moved her hands toward her jacket pocket and took out her phone. "Can we… take a picture?"
Uh… what?
She wants to take a picture?
It seems she no longer surprises me by taking photos without telling me.
Since she asked…
Even though I don't like photos…
"Y-Yeah, of course."
She raised her small hand holding the phone at an angle so we could both appear.
I tried to smile a little so it wouldn't be a scary picture.
Yukinoshita looked at me.
"Are you ready?" "Uh, yeah."
She pressed the button with her slender finger and took the picture.
She slowly lowered her hand and looked at the phone.
I leaned closer to see.
On the screen, Yukinoshita had a gentle, beautiful smile…
While I… my eyes still looked lifeless.
"It's… beautiful," Yukinoshita murmured while looking at the screen.
Well… if she says so, then it is.
"Send it to me, please."
"Ah, sure."
She moved her fingers quickly.
A few seconds later, my phone vibrated in my jacket pocket.
I took it out and looked at the picture.
She's smiling…
I have to protect that smile.
Not because Haruno told me to…
First, because it's my responsibility…
No…
Because I want to.