The Hunter

Light footsteps rippled through the quiet library, like a pebble tossed into a still lake.

They easily caught Shiina Hiyori's attention. She looked up slightly and saw two first-year students.

She hadn't expected anyone else to head straight for the library on the first day of school, just like her.

Maybe she could become friends with them.

Shiina Hiyori pretended to read, but her gaze followed the pair as they moved around.

They wandered between the bookshelves, where there were plenty of books she'd already read.

Hoshino Kanade's fingertips brushed the edge of the bookshelf without thinking. Her eyes skimmed the rows of book spines amid the shifting light and shadow, finally coming to rest on a yellowed mystery novel.

"Shff—"

The sound of a book being pulled from the shelf seemed to echo through the library.

Shiina Hiyori could barely sit still. But it was too soon. She might scare them off. Stay calm. Keep your composure, Shiina Hiyori.

Shiina Hiyori forced herself to calm down. There was still plenty of time; she needed to take things slowly.

"Do you like mystery novels, Kanade?"

Kiyona leaned closer and asked in a quiet voice.

"I've read a bit of everything. This book's cover looks like it's been around for a while."

Of course, that was because Shiina Hiyori was watching her. Otherwise, Hoshino Kanade would've just grabbed some random book and absorbed its contents in an instant.

That way, she could quickly take in all the knowledge inside.

"Is that so? I want that one."

Kiyona pointed to a book on the top shelf, Midnight Cinderella. As far as she knew, it was a mystery novel too.

Well, given Kiyona's height, she probably couldn't reach it even if she stood on tiptoe. She was already asking for help without even trying? Hakinai, you little...

Then again, Hoshino Kanade wasn't much taller than Kiyona. She was just tall enough to reach Midnight Cinderella without trouble.

When Shiina Hiyori saw that both Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona had picked up mystery novels, her eyes lit up.

The two of them took their books and started looking for seats. In the spacious library, there was no way they'd sit next to her.

Shiina Hiyori had to consider whether this might be the only chance she'd ever get.

After much deliberation, Shiina Hiyori still didn't approach them.

Her shy personality, combined with the obvious closeness between the two, made it too difficult to go up and start talking without any preparation.

Next time, Shiina Hiyori would make thorough preparations and carefully plan a "chance encounter." That was the only way she could successfully make book-loving friends.

After memorizing what the two looked like, Shiina Hiyori kept up the pretense of reading while she began to work out a script in her head.

Hoshino Kanade wasn't in a hurry to talk to Shiina Hiyori either. She'd read a few mystery novels in middle school, but their tastes didn't seem to overlap much, so they wouldn't have much to discuss just yet.

Besides, she had plenty of time, and Kiyona was with her today.

After that, the only sound in the library was the occasional rustle of turning pages.

From now on, Hoshino Kanade would have to be more selective about what she read. First, she'd read books she could discuss with Shiina Hiyori, then practical subjects like psychology and logical deduction.

As for the textbooks for each subject, she'd already finished those back in middle school.

Classes didn't officially begin until the second day of school.

Although most teachers had only completed the initial drafts of their lesson plans on the first day, every teacher had a distinctive teaching style and body of knowledge.

They were remarkably tolerant in their approach, all but letting students do whatever they wanted in class. Whether the room was noisy or quiet, they maintained the same cheerfully formulaic demeanor. Even students like Ken Sudō could sleep through the entire lesson without being disturbed.

This strange situation didn't give Class D pause for thought. They were all too caught up in the relaxed learning environment.

Hoshino Kanade spent her free time reading. First, she worked through all the books Shiina Hiyori liked, then the genres she liked, and finally the ones she might like.

The first morning passed, and the students in class gradually grew bolder. With the atmosphere already like this, even some of the top students who wanted to study joined the ranks of those slacking off.

At lunch, she ate with Kiyona as usual. In the eyes of some of the boys in Class D, Hoshino Kanade was already living the dream. It was only the second day of school, and she'd already won over an ultimate beauty.

It was worth mentioning that while they were eating, Kushida came over to ask Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona for their contact information, then added them to the class group chat.

Well, there were thirty-nine people in it.

They couldn't guess who the one missing person was.

Hoshino Kanade felt like Kushida treated her differently. That was a man's sixth sense, not wishful thinking.

Two people had been missing from the Opening Ceremony the day before. The popular Kushida had volunteered to handle it. With only half a day of school behind them, matching everyone's faces to their names was undoubtedly a difficult task.

After going through the process of elimination with great effort, she'd narrowed it down to Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona. Today, she'd simply come over with a sweet smile, saying she'd been worried that something had happened because they hadn't gone to the Opening Ceremony.

She patted her ample chest, looking relieved, and said, "I'm so glad you're okay."

As for why Hoshino Kanade felt Kushida treated her differently, it was mainly because Kushida had stood closer to her when she came over. She could even smell Kushida's perfume.

While talking with Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona, Kushida mostly looked Hoshino Kanade in the eye.

Maybe it was because Kiyona had a look on her face that warned strangers to stay away. Or maybe, after yesterday's argument with Horikita, Kushida had put Hoshino Kanade in the "anti-Horikita" camp.

After all, the enemy of your enemy is your friend. If Kushida ever did something behind the scenes to worsen the conflict between her and Horikita, it could make things uncomfortable for Horikita too.

After lunch, they returned to the classroom. There was still some time before class, and quite a few students had either just finished eating or had stayed in the room to munch on bread.

Before long, music played over the school's broadcast system, followed by a cute female voice.

"The club orientation will be held at the First Gymnasium starting at five o'clock this afternoon. Students interested in joining a club, please gather at the First Gymnasium. I repeat..."

The students who'd been chatting in the classroom gradually turned their conversation to club activities.

"Kanade..."

Kiyona's voice came from behind her.

"I'm not interested in clubs."

"I haven't even said anything yet."

"Then what were you going to say?"

"Are you going to the club orientation this afternoon?"

Hoshino Kanade knew it would be something like that.

"I don't want to go. I'm not interested in clubs."

"I've never joined a club before, not once in my life. I want to go and take a look."

"Oh~"

"Kanade, you're so mean~ Whenever you've had something to do, I've always gone with you..."

As Kiyona spoke, she repeatedly poked Hoshino Kanade in the back.

Hoshino Kanade had no choice but to turn around.

Kiyona suddenly lowered her head, covered her face with delicate fingers, and gently bit her lip as she made a sobbing sound. Through the slight gaps between her fingers, her eyes gave away the playful glint within them—she was stealing glances at Hoshino Kanade's reaction between sobs.

"Fine, I'll go, okay?"

Hoshino Kanade gently pushed aside the hand covering Kiyona's face, her fingertips brushing against her cool skin.

She really couldn't handle Kiyona. Her theatrics were getting more elaborate, though she was adorable.

Kiyona took the hand Hoshino Kanade hadn't yet withdrawn and pressed her head into its palm, bumping her crown against Hoshino Kanade's knuckles. Her eyes narrowed, and she let out a puppy-like whine through her nose. "I knew you were the best, Kanade."

Kiyona was so adorable that she was like fireworks bursting without warning, making Hoshino Kanade's breath catch.

By the time she came back to herself, Kiyona's fingertips had already brushed against her sleeve. A breeze carrying the scent of orchids swept away every thought in Hoshino Kanade's mind.

Only when she heard barking behind her did she mechanically turn around and realize that countless eyes were fixed on them. Some of the single guys in Class D were letting out anguished howls.