Become Best Friends

The two of them immersed themselves in the sea of books, unaware of how much time had passed.

It was not until the afterglow of the setting sun filtered through the glass and fell across their faces

that they slowly came back to their senses.

Ever considerate of girls, Shi Cheng could have kept listening, but Shiina Hiyori restrained herself, no matter how reluctant she was.

She even felt that she could keep talking.

Yet she could only painfully bring this session to an end.

Because she did not want to lose the only friend she had finally found.

Shiina Hiyori clenched her soft little fists.

She had clearly recalled something unpleasant.

It was rare for a girl in class to strike up a conversation with her.

Yet she had immersed herself in her own world and ignored the other person's feelings.

As a result, she had successfully scared the girl away.

It was precisely because of that experience

that Shiina Hiyori had matured.

She would not make such a basic mistake again.

Shiina Hiyori's gaze was resolute.

"All right, let's head back."

Shi Cheng gave a small stretch. After listening all afternoon,

his back and waist were aching.

"Mm." Knowing that Shi Cheng did not enjoy reading and preferred listening,

Shiina Hiyori gave up on recommending books for him to take back and read.

Of course, she had her own little motives as well.

After tidying up the table,

Shiina Hiyori asked hopefully, "Shi Cheng, shall we meet here again tomorrow?"

Books were an ocean.

There was simply no way to finish talking about them.

As long as Shi Cheng was willing to listen,

Shiina Hiyori was willing to keep talking forever.

She longed too much for a friend who shared her interests.

It was the first time she had experienced such an intense pursuit, though it was a perfectly proper one.

But seeing Shiina Hiyori ask him like that,

Shi Cheng naturally would not refuse.

"Of course. If I go more than a day without hearing Shiina's voice, I might not be able to sleep at night."

"It isn't that serious." A faint blush crept up Shiina Hiyori's ears as she lowered her eyes and fiddled with her fair fingers.

"Then it's settled. See you tomorrow." Watching her adorable reaction, Shi Cheng waved and took the lead in leaving the library.

"Mm, see you tomorrow."

Shiina Hiyori raised her head and watched Shi Cheng's retreating back, her eyes glimmering.

She had wanted to call Shi Cheng back and invite him to dinner to deepen their relationship.

But considering that they had only met on their first day,

she still needed to be reserved for a while.

What if she scared him away too?

Things had gone unexpectedly smoothly on Shi Cheng's side, so he was in a very good mood.

Elsewhere,

Kushida Kikyo, whose mood was the complete opposite of his, was very unhappy.

However, she did not show it openly.

She still wore her approachable, pretty smile.

Because she had so many friends,

Kushida Kikyo could hardly return to her dormitory before it got especially late.

Just like Shi Cheng's regular lifestyle,

Kushida Kikyo was either on her way to accompany friends or already accompanying them.

Her specialty was self-discipline.

Today, she was keeping Rias company.

When Kushida Kikyo had introduced herself, she had shouted her slogan loudly, and she had indeed lived up to it.

But among those who had the courage to invite her,

the person she disliked accompanying most was Rias.

There was no other reason.

Rias drew people together too easily.

Although Kushida Kikyo was not bad herself,

compared to Rias,

the gap between them was like heaven and earth.

How could she, someone who loved basking in everyone's attention, bear that?

Although those gazes disgusted her,

they were an indispensable part of her life.

Now, almost all of them had been stolen by Rias.

Kushida Kikyo, already in a bad mood, became even more depressed.

Rias noticed this.

Concernedly, she asked, "Kikyo, your complexion looks terrible. Are you feeling unwell somewhere? Should we go to the infirmary?"

Kushida Kikyo lightly shook her head. "No, I've just been a little tired lately."

"I see." Rias, with her flowing crimson hair, did not press the matter further.

Since she thought she was fine, Rias would trust her.

Tall and standing a head above Kushida Kikyo, Rias revealed the truth.

"You went to see Horikita again, didn't you?"

It struck right at the heart of the matter. Seeing that Kushida Kikyo still had not given up,

Rias sighed softly. "Kikyo, you're far too kind. If she doesn't appreciate it, why bother?"

Her primary target had actually been Horikita Suzune too.

But the aura of don't talk to me radiating from her was simply too strong.

How could the ever-proud Rias be willing to humble herself for something with no result?

Kushida Kikyo held firm to her beliefs and raised her head. "I can't just watch Horikita be all alone in class. That's not right."

Kushida Kikyo was unexpectedly stubborn, but Rias liked her even more for it.

Rias wanted to help, but unfortunately, there was nothing she could do.

This was something only the person herself could come to terms with.

Besides,

who said Horikita Suzune was all alone in class?

Rias had seen Horikita Suzune talk to a boy in their class.

After thinking about it, Rias did not tell Kushida Kikyo about this.

She was worried Kushida Kikyo would not be able to accept it.

After a moment of thought, Rias decided to test the waters. It was time.

"Put Horikita aside for now and become my best friend."

Rias opened her arms and invited her in.

Even though Kushida Kikyo was also a girl,

her gaze was still inevitably drawn to her.

Damn it.

What kind of feed did she grow up on?

Kushida Kikyo thought darkly.

Then, with rare seriousness, she said, "Rias, you're doing this again."

Kushida Kikyo muttered inwardly.

How could she possibly agree?

After all, she was everyone's friend.

She absolutely could not belong to only one person.

That went against her principles in life.

It looked like she had failed again, but Rias had been mentally prepared and was not discouraged.

There was plenty of time.

She did not believe Kushida Kikyo could keep this up forever.

After all, being everyone's friend was an extremely exhausting thing.

She believed Kushida Kikyo would not last much longer.

When that time came, she would eventually enter Rias's embrace.

"What's so bad about that? I like Kikyo very much, you know."

"Me too," Kushida Kikyo replied cooperatively.

Knowing that the matter was over, Rias no longer had the mood to keep cultivating their relationship outside.

Not only was Kushida Kikyo in poor condition, but her heart was occupied by another girl.

That was a little too much for Rias to bear.

Rather than endure the torment any longer, it was better to part ways pleasantly now.

"It doesn't seem like there's anywhere else to go. Let's head back early and rest."

Kushida Kikyo happened to be tired, so she could not even be bothered to think up an excuse.

"Mm." Knowing she was in the wrong, Kushida Kikyo took the initiative to accept responsibility. "Sorry, this is all my fault."

Rias shook her head. "It has nothing to do with you. We've already been everywhere worth visiting."

How could this be Kushida Kikyo's fault?

It was just that her ideal was somewhat unrealistic.

Rias did not believe in the slightest that Kushida Kikyo could melt the block of ice that was Horikita Suzune.

She would only keep bringing suffering upon herself.

Under the cover of night, the two silently walked back toward their dormitory.

Using the shadows as cover, Kushida Kikyo glanced sideways at the cool and beautiful Rias.

She made it sound so nice.

Become best friends, my ass.

She had not taken a single practical action.

All she did was talk.

And she expected Kushida Kikyo to agree to that?

Dream on!