"You and Hirata Yosuke..."
"There's nothing going on between us."
"I haven't even finished what I was saying. Why are you denying it in such a hurry?"
When she met my half-smiling gaze, she crouched down with a sulky look.
"By the way..."
Karuizawa raised her head and looked me straight in the eye.
"Why did you pretend not to know me when we toured the school last time?"
"I didn't."
I denied it.
"You're still saying that? You'd already recognized me, hadn't you?"
"I saw you with your head down, looking like you had something on your mind, so I thought it over and decided not to say hello."
"What's that supposed to mean, you jerk?"
She suddenly puffed out her cheeks angrily.
"You... You've got so many girls around you that you've completely forgotten everything that happened before the school year even started, haven't you?"
"Why are you suddenly getting mad?"
"...Leave me alone."
"You're really awful, you know that?"
"What..."
"..."
"Hey!? Why are you suddenly hugging me, you idiot?"
She pounded my back with clenched fists, but I didn't react.
Then she bit down hard on my shoulder, making her displeasure abundantly clear.
"Urgh... Are you a dog or something?"
Karuizawa lifted her chin, looking rather pleased with herself.
"Consider it a little punishment."
"What are you punishing me for?"
"You knew I was at this school, didn't you? You made friends with Kushida Kikyo, who you didn't even know, but you never once came looking for me."
"You never came looking for me, either."
"...That's different!"
"Though I really didn't notice you were at this school, either... When I saw my name on Class B's roster at the start of the year, I went straight to the classroom."
"I'll reluctantly accept that explanation..."
I let go of her waist, but she kept her cheek pressed against my chest.
Looking down, I saw her golden ponytail sway gently.
Then I felt her clutch the hem of my shirt tightly.
The waves rolled in, mingling with the sound of quiet sobbing.
For some reason, my heart stirred.
She must have been having a hard time all along.
I put the books I needed to return into my backpack and locked my room.
It was getting a little late. If I didn't hurry, it would be a problem if the library closed.
Today was the last day to return them.
I really couldn't stand how much of a procrastinator I was. I'd finished these books days ago, but kept putting it off because I still had a few days before they were due.
My awful habit of procrastinating had even delayed my efforts to cure my procrastination.
When I reached the lobby entrance, I saw quite a few students returning in pairs and small groups.
Walking against the flow of people made me stand out a little.
I'd better pick up the pace. If I didn't return the books, I might not be allowed to borrow so many at once next time.
Of course, I didn't just skim through them carelessly.
I especially enjoyed savoring what the authors wanted to express as I read.
Between the lines, you could sense what the author had seen and thought.
I tried to feel what they had wanted to express while writing those words.
I respected the words they had poured their hearts into.
But whenever I came across a particularly moving passage, it felt as if I were crossing time and distance to speak with the author.
Why had they chosen such a winding way to express themselves? And why had their words touched me so deeply?
That was just how I personally felt.
Of course, it was also fine to read just to pass the time.
In any case, it was something very important to me.
As I followed the path, I caught sight of the library's light in the distance.
I went up to the second floor and headed straight for the front desk.
Why... was nobody here?
I looked around. There was no one except people quietly reading or talking in hushed voices.
Was the librarian...
slacking off?
With my backpack in hand, I started searching the library.
Huh?
In front of the mystery section, a little gray-haired girl was standing on tiptoe, struggling to reach a book on the top shelf.
Her back was to me, and her long gray hair swayed from side to side.
She seemed like she could really use some help, so I glanced around.
Everyone was focused on what they were doing. No one had noticed the little incident in the corner.
What if I delayed any longer and ended up on the library's blacklist?
I couldn't ask someone else to return my books for me every time.
I was about to skip this section and keep looking for the librarian.
Ah...
I'd made up my mind, but somehow I still couldn't bring myself to leave.
Honestly.
I was the sort of person who didn't know how to use what little ability I had, even when I did have the chance.
I could hardly approve of myself when I acted like that.
I stepped forward and took down the book she wanted.
"Thank you. I was wondering how I could get this book back where it belonged."
"Don't mention it."
I replied politely.
She held the book in one hand and smoothed out her slightly wrinkled clothes with the other.
That was when I got a good look at the book in her hand.
Wuthering Heights
It definitely wasn't supposed to be in the mystery section.
She really was kind...
Wait!?
My gaze shifted from her lovely face to her jacket.
Pinned to her chest was a name tag that read "Librarian: Shiina Hiyori."
I couldn't help feeling delighted.
The librarian I'd been searching for was right here.
"Shiina, you really are the librarian here!"
She glanced down at her name tag, then looked back up at me.
She seemed a little surprised by how quickly my attitude had changed.
"I am... Is something the matter?"
"Thank goodness. I need to return some books, but I couldn't find the librarian."
"I'd be in a real bind if I ended up on the delinquent list."
"Could you wait for me at the front desk? I'll put these books away first."
"Sorry for the trouble!"
I'd been worried about ending up on the delinquent list, but now a new opportunity had appeared.
It was such an ordinary little thing, so why did it feel as though I'd overcome countless obstacles to reach this point?
Was it because I'd read too many novels, and now I couldn't help turning the little details of life into storylines?
I'd read romance novels too, of course, but imagining that all kinds of stories could start from something so trivial...
I was getting a little carried away.
It felt more like the joy of accomplishing some grand ambition.
Honestly, I was far too emotional.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"No, not at all. Could you return these two for me and renew this one for another week?"
I handed her the books I'd prepared.
She nodded as she took them from me.
"These two are for return... And this one needs to be... Huh?"
She started to take the book I wanted to renew, then realized she was still holding on to it tightly.
"Um, if you've finished registering it, can I have it back?"
"...Of course."
"Thanks for your help."
I nodded and put the books away.
But she was gazing at me brightly.
I started to feel a little uncomfortable under her stare, so I smiled politely and prepared to leave.
"Hajima..."
"Is something wrong?"
I turned around and asked.
"...Nothing. Remember to take good care of the books."
"I will."