The Prey

Shiina Hiyori had been waiting far too long, but she couldn't rush. Time wasn't her enemy; it was a furnace that tempered logic.

She had already gathered some basic information about Hoshino Kanade and Ayanokoji Kiyona. It was safe to say that Ayanokoji Kiyona came to the library only for Hoshino Kanade.

So Hoshino Kanade was her only target.

At first, Shiina Hiyori planned to create a "chance collision"—to "accidentally" bump into her at a corner, then discover amid the carefully staged "accident" that they both enjoyed mystery novels, naturally strike up a conversation, and become friends who shared books:

Shiina Hiyori gently closed the copy of The Murders in the Rue Morgue in her hands, unconsciously rubbing a finger over its gilded spine. Morning light fell across the floor at the corner of the hallway, the windowpanes casting a pattern like a stage set. She paused in the shadow of a pillar and heard footsteps approaching from the other end. It was her.

The moment her breath hitched, she shifted half a step forward, her slender shoulder just meeting the figure rounding the corner. The gentle collision she'd imagined never happened. The other person nimbly dodged aside, and only the book in her arms slipped gracefully to the floor.

"Sorry," came a cool voice from above.

Shiina lowered her eyes and picked up the book. As her fingertips brushed the cover, the boy's gaze suddenly lingered on it. "Edgar Allan Poe?"

"Do you like mystery novels too?" When she looked up, her lashes fluttered like butterfly wings, revealing just the right amount of starlight she'd deliberately hidden in her eyes. The soft rustle of pages turning in the breeze became the gentlest touch to this "accident."

All of that was purely imaginary.

To put this plan into action, she needed to know her target's regular route in advance.

Shiina Hiyori had noticed that her target read a different book every day.

That astonishing reading speed both surprised and excited her. Her target had clearly read widely and was highly knowledgeable—the ideal reading companion with whom she hoped to have deep conversations.

However, it also meant that her target had no regular route.

Plan one had fallen apart before it even began.

By the same token, several similar plans had fallen apart too.

For example, she could slip a custom bookmark into one of the books her target often read. Once the puzzle on the bookmark was solved, it would lead to her, naturally prompting interaction while cleverly connecting them through their shared interest.

Many other plans would take too long to work.

Hoshino Kanade and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka always went to the library together, reading side by side in adjacent seats.

Hoshino Kanade was rarely alone, so opportunities were fleeting.

She couldn't approach when the two of them were together. When Hoshino Kanade was alone, she would have to summon her courage.

She had made up her mind.

Shiina Hiyori's final plan was this: when her target came near, she would pretend to try and take a book down from a high shelf, fail repeatedly, then turn around at the sound of footsteps behind her and ask for help. From there, she could naturally start a conversation about books.

Now, all Shiina Hiyori needed was an opportunity—one chance for her prey to be alone.

Like a detective lying in wait at the scene of an unsolved case, she had assembled all the clues and needed only one final piece of evidence. If she got the chance to help verify them, the truth would surely come to light.

Now, that chance had arrived.

And then it was gone.

By the time Shiina Hiyori arrived at the library after school, Hoshino Kanade was already sitting in her seat, reading.

Kiyona was nowhere to be seen. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

But the conditions for carrying out her final plan weren't there either. Interrupt someone's reading to ask her to fetch a book? Shiina Hiyori couldn't bring herself to do it.

Plans never kept pace with reality. Perhaps that was what "final plan" meant.

Why was this happening? Oh, no...

She still had one last chance. If she sat beside Hoshino Kanade now and brought up books herself, she could turn things around.

She might also be taken for a weirdo, but...

"Would you like to read together?"

"Huh?" Shiina Hiyori's eyes widened.

"After you came into the library, you stood there without borrowing a book, but you kept glancing in my direction. I assume it's because I borrowed the book you wanted?"

Hoshino Kanade had even come up with an excuse for Shiina Hiyori.

"Unfortunately, I want to read this book too. If you don't mind, we can read it together."

Shiina Hiyori felt as if Hoshino Kanade were glowing. No wonder she'd gone to such lengths to get close to her. She made people feel warm.

"As you say... To share this volume with a kindred spirit is truly a pleasure."

Her voice was as light as falling snow, yet an unnamed ripple spread through her eyes.

Shiina Hiyori could hardly wait. Her steps quickened, though she still gathered her skirt neatly as she took her seat.

The scent that quietly drifted over was as fresh as morning dew—half the woody scent of paper fibers, half the faint fragrance of gardenias caught in her hair.

As their sleeves brushed, they stirred a faint current of air. The fragrance spread like ripples, then suddenly drew back just before they touched. All that remained was the soft rustle of silk as her skirt fell into place, like a butterfly's wings beating as it alighted.

"Class 1-D, Hoshino Kanade. Pleased to meet you."

"Class 1-C, Shiina Hiyori. I'm devoted to mystery novels... I'd be happy to talk books with you anytime."

Hoshino Kanade's fingertips glided over the dark red cover before he pushed the hardcover toward Shiina Hiyori. "The Devotion of Suspect X, by Keigo Higashino. Have you read it, Shiina?"

Shiina Hiyori leaned forward slightly, her focused gaze visible beneath her bangs. "I've naturally read Higashino's works, but this one..." She studied the cover, where thorns twined around a shooting star. "I don't believe I've come across this title before."

She seemed to have completely forgotten that earlier she'd claimed she wanted to borrow the book—though that excuse had been supplied by Hoshino Kanade.

"It's one of his lesser-known masterpieces." Hoshino Kanade opened the yellowed pages, and a maple-leaf bookmark slipped out. "The central trick is 'falsifying time.' Three siblings spend fourteen years plotting revenge as they search for the truth about their parents' murder." He paused. "The key item is a coffee can."

Shiina's eyes widened at once. "Could it be that they use the production date on the bottom of the can...?"

"Exactly." Hoshino pointed to an illustration with his fingertip. "The culprit exploits a loophole in a supermarket promotion to alter the date and create an alibi." He lowered his voice. "But the most shocking part is the ending—when the younger sister discovers that the real culprit is..."

Without realizing it, Shiina had stood up, leaning on the table. "Wait!" She pulled out her notebook and scribbled furiously. "The supermarket's cold-chain transport cycle is three days... The promotional batch..." Her pen suddenly stopped. "Ah! So the power outage in chapter seven wasn't an accident!"

Hoshino tapped the edge of the page with one finger. "Impressive! The clue about the refrigerated truck key was so well hidden, yet you immediately spotted the crux of the logic." He pushed another book over from his bag. "Want to trade? This one has a bonus story from the culprit's perspective."

Shiina accepted the book with solemn care, her fingertips brushing the back of Hoshino's hand. "I'd be honored." She undid the straps of her schoolbag, and over a dozen books wrapped in kraft paper spilled out with a rustle. "As a return gift, please choose any of these first editions by Queen, Hoshino."

Sunlight streamed between the bookshelves, catching the faint blush on her ear. "Next time... could I hear your thoughts on The Tragedy of Y?"

"I'd be honored."