Midnight Cinderella

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

They easily caught Shiina Hiyori's attention. She lifted her head 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.

Perhaps she could become friends with them.

Shiina Hiyori appeared to be reading, but in reality, her gaze followed the two wherever they went.

They wandered between the bookshelves. Quite a few of the books there were ones she had already read.

Hoshino Kanade's fingertips brushed unconsciously along the edge of a shelf. His pupils flicked over rows of spines in the shifting light and shadow before settling on a yellowed mystery novel.

"Swish—"

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

Shiina Hiyori was getting restless, 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 came 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, it was because Shiina Hiyori was watching him. Otherwise, Hoshino Kanade would have simply grabbed some random book on the spot and absorbed its contents in an instant.

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

"Is that so? I want that one."

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

Well, given Kiyona's height, she really couldn't reach it even on tiptoe. She hadn't even tried before deciding to ask for help? Haki-ki, you little...

Still, Hoshino Kanade wasn't much taller than Kiyona. He was just tall enough to reach Midnight Cinderella.

Seeing Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona choose mystery novels, Shiina Hiyori's eyes lit up.

The two took their books and started looking for seats. In the spacious library, they definitely wouldn't sit beside her.

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

After thinking it over for a long time, Shiina Hiyori still couldn't bring herself to approach them.

Her shy nature, combined with how close the two of them seemed, made it far too difficult to walk up and start a conversation without any preparation.

Next time, Shiina Hiyori would make sure she was fully prepared and carefully plan an "accidental" meeting. That was the only way she could successfully make some book-loving friends.

After memorizing what the two looked like, Shiina Hiyori kept up the appearance of reading while she started drafting a script in her head.

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

Besides, he had plenty of time, and Kiyona was with him today.

After that, only the occasional rustle of turning pages disturbed the library.

From now on, Hoshino Kanade would need to be more selective about what he read: first, books Shiina Hiyori liked, then the genres she enjoyed, and finally books she might like.

As for textbooks for each subject, Hoshino Kanade had already finished those back in middle school.

Formal classes didn't begin until the second day of school.

Although most of the teachers had only completed preliminary lesson plans on the first day, each of them had their own unique teaching style and body of knowledge.

They displayed an exaggerated degree of tolerance, practically letting students do as they pleased in class. Whether the students were noisy or quiet, the teachers always maintained their scripted cheerfulness. Typical students like Ken Sudō could sleep through the entire lesson without being disturbed.

This unusual behavior didn't prompt Class D to reflect. They were all swept up in the relaxed learning environment.

Hoshino Kanade kept reading as usual. First, he finished all the books Shiina Hiyori liked, then the genres she liked, and finally the ones she might like.

By the end of the first morning, the students in class had gradually started acting more brazenly during lessons. 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, he ate with Kiyona as usual. In the eyes of some of the boys in Class D, Hoshino Kanade was already a winner in life. It was only the second day of school, and he'd already won over an ultimate beauty.

One thing worth mentioning was 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.

Mm, thirty-nine people.

He couldn't begin to guess who the one missing person was.

Hoshino Kanade felt Kushida treated him a little differently. It was a man's sixth sense, not wishful thinking.

Two people had been absent from yesterday's opening ceremony, and the popular Kushida had volunteered to track them down. With only half a day of school behind them, she could barely match her classmates' faces to their names, so the task was undoubtedly a difficult one.

After a great deal of effort and a process of elimination, she'd narrowed it down to Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona. When she came over today, she simply gave them a sweet smile and said she'd been worried that something might have happened to them when they didn't attend the opening ceremony.

She patted her broad chest and looked relieved, saying, "I'm so glad you're both okay."

As for why he felt she treated him differently, it was mainly because Kushida stood closer to him when she came over. He could even smell her perfume.

While talking with Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona, she mostly kept her eyes on Hoshino Kanade.

Maybe it was because Kiyona had an unapproachable look on her face, or because yesterday's argument with Horikita had led Kushida to put him in the "anti-Horikita" camp?

After all, the enemy of your enemy is your friend. If Kushida secretly did something later to deepen the conflict between him and Horikita, it could make things difficult for Horikita.

After eating, they returned to the classroom. There was still some time before class, and quite a few students had just finished lunch or were eating bread right there in the classroom.

Before long, music came over the school's PA system, followed by a cute girl's voice.

"The club orientation will be held in Gymnasium 1 starting at five o'clock this afternoon. Students interested in joining a club, please gather in Gymnasium 1. I repeat..."

The students who had been chatting in the classroom gradually turned their attention to club activities.

"Kanade..."

Kiyona's voice came from behind him.

"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, Kanade?"

Hoshino Kanade had known it would be something like this.

"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 take a look."

"Oh~"

"Kanade, you're so mean~ Whenever you have something to do, I always go with you..."

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

Hoshino Kanade had no choice but to turn around.

Kiyona suddenly lowered her head, covered her face with her slender fingers, and lightly bit her lip as she let out a sob. Through the slight gaps between her fingers, her eyes were brimming with shifting light. Between sobs, she stole glances at Hoshino Kanade to see how he would react.

"Fine, I'll go, all right?"

Hoshino Kanade gently moved the wrist covering her eyes aside, his fingertips touching her cool skin.

He really couldn't deal with her. She was getting more and more dramatic, even if she was adorable.

Kiyona took the hand Hoshino Kanade hadn't yet withdrawn and pressed her head into his palm. She eagerly nudged his knuckles with the top of her head, her eyes half closed as she made a puppy-like whimper. "I knew you were the best, Kanade."

Kiyona's action was so cute, like a sudden burst of fireworks, it made Hoshino Kanade's breath catch.

By the time he came to his senses, her fingertips had brushed against his sleeve, and the breeze carrying the scent of orchids had swept away all his ability to think.

Only when he heard barking behind him did he mechanically turn around and realize that countless eyes were staring at them. Some of the single guys in Class D were letting out pained howls.