The Twelfth Chapter: Hiyori Makes a New Friend

The library.

By the time Kujo and the others left the field, it was already late.

Kujo hadn't forgotten his promise to Hiyori.

They'd agreed to read together, so Kujo followed Hiyori into the library.

"Kujo, the book next to that one."

Hiyori had always followed one rule when reading in the library alone: she had to stay quiet.

When there were two of them, she'd come up with a way to communicate without speaking.

Hiyori would gesture two numbers, and Kujo would use them to find the book on the shelf in front of him, going to the indicated row and column.

Each time he found the book based on the numbers she'd given him, he would reach for it, then turn around to check with her.

But Kujo could be careless sometimes, too.

Whenever he picked the wrong book, Hiyori would gently tug at the hem of his uniform.

Kujo got it right this time.

Hehe.

It sure was nice to be tall.

While they read.

Kujo usually didn't sit across from or beside Hiyori. He would take the seat behind her.

Their chair backs rested against each other, with just enough space between them for one person to squeeze through.

That was because Kujo couldn't help glancing at Hiyori while he read.

Hiyori would notice his gaze every time.

Whenever their eyes met, they would both get so awkward that they couldn't focus on their books afterward.

So whenever they went on a date in the library, they chose to sit back-to-back.

"Tap, tap, tap."

Hiyori felt Kujo get up and walk off to somewhere farther away.

After coming back to her senses, Hiyori continued reading.

A little while later.

A girl leaning on a cane pulled out the chair across from Hiyori, smoothed her uniform skirt, and sat down with ladylike grace.

"May I sit across from you?"

"Sure."

Hiyori closed her book and looked at the girl opposite her.

Was that Sakayanagi Arisu from Class A?

Shiina was good at remembering names.

She recognized the girl in front of her.

Was Sakayanagi here because she needed to speak with Kujo?

Was there something she couldn't ask Kujo directly and had to get the information from me?

Hiyori wasn't naive.

On the contrary, she was more observant than anyone.

This school had a system of competition, so Hiyori kept an eye on the other classes.

She didn't want to become a burden to Kujo.

At some point, someone had appeared beside Sakayanagi.

It seemed to be Yamamura Miki, who was also from Class A.

She handed Sakayanagi a book.

From the colors on the cover and the book's thickness alone, Hiyori had already guessed its title.

But the moment Sakayanagi opened the book, Hiyori was able to confirm it.

Wow.

Was Sakayanagi a fan of literary fiction, too?

She must be a good person.

Yamamura hurried away from them.

Sakayanagi looked at the stars in Hiyori's eyes, then spoke softly.

"I usually come here whenever I have some free time. I'm so glad I got to meet you, Shiina. Would you be my friend?"

The unexpected invitation left Hiyori flustered.

Her wariness vanished, replaced by shame at having made such rude assumptions about the other girl.

"Okay... I'd love to be your friend."

Seeing Hiyori's awkward reaction, Sakayanagi's smile grew wider. She lightly touched a finger to her lips as a reminder.

"Keep your voice down."

Hiyori nodded, then cautiously glanced around. She hadn't disturbed anyone, had she?

"Sakayanagi, I really like the book you're holding."

At that, Sakayanagi gently stroked the cover and replied.

"I've grown used to waiting. The hours pass slowly, so I read in my spare time. The protagonist of this book is someone a little like me. She's not all-knowing or perfect, and she has all sorts of flaws, but she keeps striving for an outcome she knows is impossible. In the end, it's hard to tell whether she was lucky or unlucky."

The book in Sakayanagi's hands was both a mystery novel and a story with a unique romantic subplot.

Hiyori's eyes lit up, and she quickly began exchanging thoughts about it with Sakayanagi.

Hiyori was delighted to find a friend who shared her interests and was the same age and in the same grade.

After they had talked for ten minutes.

"Shiina, I'm so glad we became friends. I have something to take care of, so I should get going. You can keep this book for now. I'll come back for it later. Also, could you recommend a few more books for me?"

Hiyori quickly gave Sakayanagi her phone number.

But Sakayanagi said she'd forgotten her phone and would get in touch with her later.

Then Sakayanagi left by herself.

When Kujo returned to his seat, all he saw was Hiyori hugging her phone, looking hopeful.

After Kujo asked, Hiyori briefly told him what had happened.

"You made an unexpected friend, huh?"

Hiyori nodded, still wearing a satisfied smile.

Kujo looked at the book Hiyori was holding. It wasn't the one he'd taken from the shelf earlier.

Hiyori hadn't brought her schoolbag today, so the book must have been Sakayanagi's.

If Ichinose was the sort who excelled at reading the mood around her and putting herself in other people's shoes—a master of empathy who knew how to use her words and the atmosphere to her advantage—

then Sakayanagi was skilled at gathering information and making use of her strengths and weaknesses. She was not only patient but also the sort of person who laid the groundwork steadily to achieve her goals.

In just one month, Hiyori had spent more time in the library and borrowed more books than anyone in the school's records.

With such a vast foundation of information, it wasn't hard to analyze what someone liked.

Hiyori would always stay by his side.

So in the future, she would inevitably come into contact with all kinds of geniuses at this school.

Kujo looked at the girl immersed in happiness.

Once again, Kujo felt resentful about the cruelty of this school.

In Kujo's eyes, they were all just children.

Yet they were being forced to compete at this school.

Oh, well.

It was always a good thing for Hiyori to have more friends.

The more bridesmaids she had in the future, the better, right?