Story and the Silver Haired Girl

A period of campus life passed, and Konoe recently frequented the library.

After deciding not to take action for the time being, Konoe needed to figure out how to spend his after-school hours. He had been looking for stories in the library recently.

He started with simple fairy tales because they were short and easy to read. But gradually, the volume of these stories was no longer enough for him.

His reading speed was very fast. When he needed to think and associate, he would pause and use his Mind Palace. Although it was a bit of overkill, it also exercised his thinking ability. Now, using his Mind Palace didn't consume too much mental or physical energy.

Konoe often enjoyed reading mystery novels, especially those in the 'Snow Mountain Villa' style. On one hand, these novels had fewer words. On the other hand, he felt that this school was like a larger 'Snow Mountain Villa'.

After understanding some necessary evidence, he would directly use his Mind Palace to find the culprit. However, he might only succeed three out of ten times. Either the necessary information wasn't fully collected, or there were too many things to associate, and his Mind Palace's duration couldn't support it. Moreover, some novels simply had logical flaws; novels were not reality, after all.

Even so, whenever Konoe failed to find the culprit using his Mind Palace, he felt great regret when reading further into the novel. Therefore, he was also working hard to exercise and increase his physical strength to extend the duration of his Mind Palace.

"What a shame... this book has too many twists... I admit it doesn't have logical flaws, but there are too many misleading traps. And with so many people dying, the killer's methods are so diverse."

"Also, Xingying Longsan appeared too late! By the time he showed up, I had already used up my quota for the day. I couldn't figure out the killer but was so curious about what happened next that I had to finish it!"

Konoe angrily closed the book, Lilac Manor, feeling both impressed by the author and amazed by the vastness and strangeness of the world.

"So, is your review of this book good or bad?"

"Of course, it's a good review! I felt the depth of classic mystery while also finding the author's bizarre ideas very entertaining," Konoe said happily, as if his previous regret was an illusion.

Although it was regrettable that he couldn't figure out the killer himself, it was also due to his own lack of ability.

"Wait, who is talking to me?" Konoe looked up.

Before him were a pair of large, purple eyes. For a moment, Konoe, whose mind was already sluggish from using his Mind Palace multiple times, couldn't grasp the situation. Konoe's pupils dilated, and he stared blankly at the other person.

It was a very cute bishoujo with long silver hair. She wasn't very tall, and her slender figure made her seem as if she could float away at any moment, giving off a soft aura.

She met Konoe's gaze without speaking, just smiling, seemingly in a good mood.

Konoe finally reacted, hastily looking away. He pushed his chair back a bit and raised his hands, saying, "You're too close! Classmate."

"Hehe, sorry, sorry. I was just curious about the book you were reading." The girl's voice chimed like clear bells, and her clear eyes made Konoe feel that she was indeed just genuinely curious.

So cute. Konoe unintentionally smiled, but then he shook his head warily.

I must be mentally sluggish from using my Mind Palace so much today. She's not even in my class, I need to be careful!

"Ahem, hello, classmate. I am Konoe Hirakawa from Class D, first year. I just finished this book. If you want to read it, please take it, but don't forget to return it. The location is..."

"I know the location. I've read this book a few times myself. I apologize for the late introduction, I am Shiina Hiyori from Class C, first year. Please take care of me."

Read a few times? Konoe usually only read a book once. In his opinion, reading a book a second time was less worthwhile than finding a new one.

"Please take care of me, Classmate Shiina."

With this exchange, they got to know each other. Although Konoe was initially wary of Shiina, as they delved deeper into discussions about novels, Konoe unconsciously let down his guard.

"I, for one, will never accept this ending. After getting out of prison, he killed his beloved and her new husband. Although I can understand his feelings to some extent, only a very small extent."

Shiina seemed amused by Konoe's statement, and seeing her expression, Konoe couldn't help but smile too.

"I noticed you only read short and medium-length novels. Why don't you try reading long ones?" Shiina asked curiously.

"I feel like too many words might be tiring, and I prefer self-contained stories." Konoe then realized that she knew what books he was reading, meaning she had been observing him? This thought made his face gradually turn red.

"I can't agree with your view. Although long novels have many words, they are also composed of many independent stories. Reading a long novel is like traveling in another world, meeting all sorts of interesting people, and the decisions they make under different circumstances are very fascinating! If you don't want to read because there are too many words, wouldn't that mean you're missing out on the possibility of meeting them!" Shiina's usually quiet and cute demeanor changed, and she approached Konoe with great enthusiasm.

That's true. Konoe nodded. Although he avoided long novels because of his Mind Palace, just as Shiina said, without reading them, he wouldn't experience the joy they offered.

"You make a good point. I'll try it next time."

"Then let me recommend a novel to you! The first book in the Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries series is perfect for you. Although the entire series has fifteen books, each one is almost an independent story, with an overarching plot..." The girl, from somewhere, produced a book and enthusiastically recommended it to Konoe.

Watching the girl intently explain the novel's content without spoilers, Konoe also let down his guard. Instead of suspecting, it was better to believe first.

"Then... it's fate, I guess. I'll borrow it to read. How about we... exchange contact information? That way, I can return it to you after I finish." Konoe carefully asked, taking the book with both hands.

"Okay! No one in our Class C talks to me about novels."

Konoe happily smiled as he received Shiina's contact information.

"Uh... actually, I only started reading a few days ago. Although I'm very interested, I haven't read many books."

"No problem, let me guide you into the world of novels! Speaking of which, it's already time for dinner. Do you want to go together?"

I want to go! No matter what trap it is, I'll take the bait first! Konoe gave up on thinking about it from a class perspective and agreed to Shiina.

Afterward, they dined together, discussing their thoughts on the novel's plot, and then they happily parted ways.