Classroom of the Elite, I Really Just Want to Collect All the CGs

Of course, this ability is quite good, after all.

"Don't mention it."

Shikime Natsu nodded at Shiina Hiyori with a smile. This girl looked like the quintessential literary maiden; she was quite cute and gave off a light, airy feeling.

"I'm Shiina Hiyori from Class C of the first year. Do you also like reading mystery novels?"

Noticing that Shikime Natsu's gaze seemed to be lingering in the mystery novel section, Shiina Hiyori took the initiative to speak up.

"Yeah, I do. By the way, I'm Shikime Natsu from Class A of the first year. It's nice to meet you."

Shikime Natsu nodded. Right now, he preferred chatting with Shiina Hiyori over reading mystery novels. Even if you asked most people to choose, surely a beautiful girl would be better than a mystery novel, right?

"What kind of book are you looking for? If you don't mind, I can help you look."

Wow, another angel?

Looking at the gentle expression on Shiina Hiyori's face, Shikime Natsu's heart couldn't help but leap with joy.

"Actually, I'm not sure what to read yet. Does Shiina-san have any recommendations?"

Shikime Natsu spoke, and this wasn't a lie; he had originally intended to look for authors he was familiar with, like Agatha Christie or Keigo Higashino.

"Is that so? In that case... I recommend Rear Window by Cornell."

"I remember it being around here..."

Shiina Hiyori's gaze quickly fell upon a lower shelf. She bent down slightly and pulled out a book.

"Great, it's still here."

Shiina Hiyori still wore a very gentle smile, her brows relaxing as she laughed. This appearance alone was enough to make one feel pleasant.

"Thank you, I'll be sure to enjoy it."

Shikime Natsu nodded and smiled.

"Yes, I also look forward to hearing your thoughts after you finish reading it, Shikime-san."

"If you don't mind, Shikime-san, you can sit here and read with me. There are still seats available."

Even though it was their first meeting, Shiina Hiyori was very happy to read with a fellow book lover.

"Then I'll take you up on that."

Shikime Natsu nodded, followed Shiina Hiyori to a seat, and opened the book in his hands.

The day was still young; rather than returning to his room to read all alone, it was better to read in the company of a beautiful girl.

When reading physical books like this, Shikime Natsu could always easily immerse himself and enjoy the plot within.

Watching Shikime Natsu's focused expression, the corners of Shiina Hiyori's mouth curled into a faint arc. She was happy to have found a new book friend. After all, not everyone in her class liked mystery novels, and since she wasn't very good at socializing, she didn't have many friends. Having only been at this school for two days, she had been all by herself until now.

Now that she had a book friend, Shiina Hiyori felt very happy.

I wonder what kind of opinion he will have?

Shiina Hiyori's emotions fluctuated slightly. Will he like the novel I recommended? Or will he find it a bit boring?

This was the feeling known as nervousness. The girl secretly observed Shikime Natsu reading from the corner of her eye, trying to discern his thoughts from his expression.

But unfortunately, it was impossible to tell.

The girl's small feet under the table tapped and lifted, then lowered, then tapped again... If only we could become friends, that was the girl's small wish.

It really was quite a good novel; Shikime Natsu had even forgotten about the beautiful girl sitting in front of him.

"Shikime-san, have you finished reading?"

Seeing Shikime Natsu put down the book in his hand, Shiina Hiyori tried her best to suppress the restlessness in her heart. She wanted to know his opinion on the book—she really wanted to—but her tone remained unhurried and quite soft, as gentle as cotton candy.

"Yes, I've finished. It was a very brilliant story. Does Shiina-san have any other novels to recommend?"

Shikime Natsu asked with a very satisfied expression.

"I'm so glad you liked it."

Seeing the genuine expression on Shikime Natsu's face, Shiina Hiyori couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"This is another novel I recommend."

Shiina Hiyori placed the novel she was holding in front of Shikime Natsu.

"Isn't this the one you were going to read?"

Shikime Natsu looked at Shiina Hiyori with some curiosity.

"I've already read this one. Rather than reading it again, I'd rather share it with you."

Shiina Hiyori laughed softly, her heart leaping with joy, her legs swinging under the table. She was very happy.

"Is that so? Then thank you."

Shikime Natsu nodded and took the book handed to him by Shiina Hiyori.

"By the way, it's getting late. Have you eaten yet, Shiina-san?"

Shikime Natsu asked after putting Rear Window back in its original place.

"Not yet, I'll go eat in a bit."

Shiina Hiyori shook her head. She had lost track of time just now; she had intended to go eat, but ended up waiting a little longer.

"In that case, would you like to go together? My treat. Consider it a thank-you for recommending such a wonderful book. I'd also love to share my thoughts on it with you."

Hearing these words from Shikime Natsu, the polite refusal Shiina Hiyori had been about to offer died in her throat. Sharing thoughts on the book with her?

Anticipation.

"Thank you, Shikime-kun."

Tonight I had a wonderful time.

The two of them didn't head toward the cafeteria; even if they had, it would likely be closing by eight in the evening. Fortunately, Keyaki Mall had some decent restaurants.

"What do you like to eat, Shiina-san?"

"Me? I'm not a picky eater. Since you're treating me, Shikime-kun, please feel free to decide~"

Shiina Hiyori leaned forward slightly. After hearing Shikime Natsu's question, she fell into a brief moment of thought before giving her answer.

"Then... how about ramen?"

Shikime Natsu had been about to suggest a pork cutlet bowl, but he figured most girls probably didn't eat those often.

Especially given Shiina Hiyori's figure, which was kept in excellent shape; she didn't seem like the type who enjoyed high-calorie foods.

"Yeah, that works~"

Shiina Hiyori nodded, her expression remaining unchanged.

Every conversation they had held from the start until now had been "genuine," and because of that, Shikime Natsu felt quite good—there was no pretense or concealment.

Of course, Horikita Suzune didn't really hide things either, but... compared to Shiina Hiyori, their personalities were like night and day.

Sigh... Horikita Suzune, oh Horikita Suzune...

"Then, I'll order this. Please, go ahead."

Shikime Natsu placed the menu in front of Shiina Hiyori.

"Then I'll have this one."

Shiina Hiyori scanned the menu briefly and ordered a bowl of ramen as well.

"So, what were your impressions?"

Shiina Hiyori blinked, looking at Shikime Natsu with eyes full of expectation. She wanted someone to talk to about the book's content.

"The prose in this novel is very delicate. Although the pacing is rather slow, the choice of perspective really stunned me. It's a 'voyeur' perspective, which actually adds a sense of tension."

Shikime Natsu spoke slowly, sharing the feelings he had experienced while reading the novel himself.

"Mm-hmm."

Shiina Hiyori's eyes were filled with joy. Was this what it felt like to talk to someone who shared your interests?

It was wonderful, and besides... Shikime Natsu was responding to her with genuine sincerity.

"..."

The novel Rear Window was quite short, so there wasn't much left for them to discuss regarding the book, and their ramen arrived quickly.

"By the way, Shiina-san, what do you usually eat for lunch?"

Shikime Natsu turned to look at Shiina Hiyori. Although chatting while eating wasn't ideal, he had already swallowed his food, so there was no risk of anything flying out.

"Hmm... rice balls or sandwiches, I suppose. It was the same before I came to this school. How about you, Shikime-kun?"

"Me? ...The cafeteria, I guess. Most of the time, it's just the school cafeteria."

Shikime Natsu recalled his routine and spoke slowly.

"Then it seems we're quite similar."

Shiina Hiyori smiled.

"That's true."

Convenience store rice balls, sandwiches, and the cafeteria's chicken leg set meal were essentially the same thing; the former was just a bit simpler, while the latter was a bit more substantial.

It would be a different story if it were a homemade bento.

Please make a bento for me every day from now on!

Shikime Natsu almost blurted that out, but he managed to stop himself just in time. That would have been truly terrifying.

"By the way, Hiyori, is Ryuen the class representative of your class?"

Shikime Natsu shifted the topic to Ryuen Kakeru.

"Hmm... I suppose so."

A flash of hesitation crossed Shiina Hiyori's face, as if she were weighing whether Ryuen Kakeru actually held the title. He wasn't technically the class representative—the class didn't have one—but he held absolute authority, so it was fair to say he was.

"Does Shikime-kun know Ryuen-kun as well?"

Hearing Shikime Natsu bring up Ryuen Kakeru's name, Shiina Hiyori couldn't help but feel a bit curious.