The Sunday Library (Part 1)

You're still here, Shiina?

"Ah, I can hardly imagine sacrificing myself for someone else. I wouldn't do it, at least."

People were selfish. At least, as far as Shuichi Kanda was concerned, there wasn't anyone or anything worth sacrificing himself for yet.

When it came to friends, he'd lend a hand if he could. But if they asked him to give up his life, he'd have to refuse! Besides, he'd do his best to make sure things never got that far.

Of course, if he wasn't prepared to give his life for a friend, he had no right to ask someone else to give theirs for him.

Still, this school probably wouldn't put anyone's life in danger.

"But I think Ishigami is very kind."

What kind of kindness was that?

Was this girl's perspective a little strange?

If Kanda were in his shoes, the two of them had been neighbors for so long, and they liked each other. He'd definitely have looked into her situation, found out she was troubled, and sorted things out before a murder happened.

If you love someone, you have to say it!

How else will they know?

"Um, putting that aside, it seems like your Class C has been unified lately."

"Oh, you mean Ryuen? He really is an impressive person. As soon as he heard that people might fail the Midterm Exam, he organized a study group right away."

Ryuen... Who?

Still, this guy had some ability if he'd managed to unite Class C and respond so quickly to a crisis. Thanks to him, Class C still had 490 Class Points—far more than Class D.

"Speaking of which, your classmate Hirata was quick to act, too. He came up with a plan the very day he heard the news."

"Ah, yeah, Hirata is really capable."

As he answered Shiina, Shuichi Kanda looked up Kushida Kikyo's contact information and asked whether she knew anything about the Class C student Ryuen.

Kushida Kikyo didn't disappoint. She sent over Ryuen's basic information right away, even including a photo.

When Shuichi opened the message and saw the photo, he froze.

Wasn't that the guy he'd seen at the club recruitment event? Just looking at his face made him seem like bad news. If something happened, he'd definitely solve it with violence, wouldn't he?

And what was with that Black guy behind him? Miyake would have no chance against him in a fight, would he? Was this really Classroom of the Elite? It was more like Classroom of the Strongest.

Within minutes, a whole bunch of question marks had popped up in Shuichi's mind.

Oh, well. Physical strength is part of one's abilities, too. It's not like he shouldn't be allowed to use it.

Still, it was a double-edged sword that could hurt both others and himself. If Shuichi played his cards right, it might even become a weapon he could use.

Damn it, system, can't you give me something that boosts my combat power? How about some super gloves or a Superhuman Ring?

After chatting with Hiyori Shiina for a while longer about their impressions of the book, Shuichi stood up to take his leave.

It was Saturday. He hadn't cooked all week because he'd been attending the study group, and his craving for meat had been building up for days.

While the meat simmered, Shuichi picked up the item he'd bought along with the ingredients.

Hyouka

This was a mystery novel that had once won the Kadokawa Gakuen Novel Prize. It was written by Honobu Yonezawa and belonged to the youth mystery genre.

Just as Shuichi was about to open the first chapter, a knock sounded on his door.

At the sound, Shuichi shuddered, and the book slipped from his hands onto the floor.

The two people who'd visited before hadn't gotten the better of him, but Shuichi still felt a sense of dread whenever someone showed up at his door.

He picked up the book but didn't answer right away. Instead, he went to the door and peered outside through the peephole.

Oh, it was Kiyotaka Ayanokoji. That scared the hell out of me.

Wait?

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji?

As far as Shuichi remembered, the guy seemed pretty strong.

He pulled out his phone, opened his contacts, and found Miyake.

[Aki, come over for dinner. I made braised pork.]

[OK, I'll change and be right there.]

Seeing Miyake's reply, Shuichi relaxed a little. If he could help it, he'd rather not be alone with Ayanokoji for now.

They'd gotten along fine when Chabashira-sensei had called them out before, but Shuichi hadn't forgotten for a second that Ayanokoji was a monster on the inside.

Less than a minute later, Shuichi received another message.

[Um, are you not in your room? I wanted to talk to you about something.] — Kiyotaka Ayanokoji

[Sorry, I'm in the bathroom. Please wait a moment.]

After sending the message, Shuichi ran to the bathroom and pressed the flush button. As the toilet flushed, he quickly flipped through a few pages of the book in his hand, leaving a few inconspicuous signs that he'd been reading it.

Then he waited a few dozen seconds, figuring Miyake would arrive soon, before coming out of the bathroom and opening the door. Miyake was standing there with Ayanokoji.

"You called me over for dinner while you were in the bathroom?"

Miyake looked utterly speechless.

Shuichi was speechless, too. What was I supposed to do? Ayanokoji seemed harmless most of the time, but if he suddenly attacked, I wouldn't be able to handle him.

"Ahem, forget about the details. What did you want, Ayanokoji?"

Watching the exchange between Miyake and Shuichi, Ayanokoji looked envious. So this is friendship.

"Actually, it's about Horikita."

Ayanokoji's words made Miyake pause. Then he eyed Shuichi suspiciously.

You've got time to hit on girls behind my back?

Shuichi's eyebrow twitched. He stepped aside from the entrance and invited the two of them in.

Good thing he'd made extra food this time. But it was supposed to be tomorrow's lunch! Damn it, you two are paying me back!

Chapter 47: The Sunday Library (Part 1)

The matter concerning Horikita clearly couldn't be explained in a few words, so Shuichi Kanda had no choice but to invite Kiyotaka Ayanokoji into his room.

"Ayanokoji, want to stay for dinner?"

"Then I'll gladly accept."

You could at least pretend to be reluctant.

Dinner consisted of braised pork and braised eggs, followed by stir-fried eggs with green peppers and rice. It provided plenty of protein and carbohydrates, as well as some of the vitamins his body needed.

"Kanda, do you like Chinese food? Your cooking is really good," Ayanokoji suddenly said during dinner.

"Huh? This is Chinese food?"

You've eaten it so many times. How did you not know it wasn't Japanese food?

Compared with Akito Miyake, Shuichi Kanda was even more speechless. So he'd just remembered eating it, huh?

"Akito, are you really Japanese?"

Watching Kanda and Miyake interact, Ayanokoji thought, How nice. They're friends who can call each other by their first names. I wish I could join them.

After dinner, Shuichi sent Miyake off to wash the dishes, then sat down on the tatami with Kiyotaka Ayanokoji to discuss Horikita.

"So what is it about Horikita that you wanted to talk about?"

"She asked me to bring Sudo to the study group she organized."

"Oh. Good luck."

"You agree that it's impossible, right? Sudo and I aren't even that close. And if he wanted to join a study group, why would he go to Horikita's instead of the one Hirata organized that offers a reward?"

"Wait!" Shuichi Kanda suddenly looked wary. "You're not trying to get me to bring Sudo over, are you? No way. Absolutely not!

"What if he suddenly attacks someone? Are you trying to get me killed? What's your problem?"

Before Ayanokoji could finish, Shuichi flatly refused.

"Um, actually, I've already asked Kushida. She's invited someone."

"Then why come to me? Don't tell me you want me to join the study group. My grades are fine." Shuichi waved a hand to show there was no need to worry about him.

"Um, but Horikita is worried about your social studies grades, so she specifically asked me to bring you along." Ayanokoji scratched his head.

"Impossible. She wouldn't worry about me. Don't joke around." Shuichi scoffed. "Besides, I have club activities tomorrow. I can't go to the study group."

"Didn't you ask Club President Sato for the next two weeks off from club activities?"

Shut up!

Akito, you bastard! How could you expose me right in front of him?

And when faced with Horikita's sour expression, Shuichi would rather face Kamuro's.

Come to think of it, he hadn't contacted Kamuro in a while. He wondered if she missed him.

"Anyway, I'm not going to Horikita's study group." Shuichi picked up the copy of Hyouka he'd bought earlier. "I'm going to the library tomorrow to read. I already made plans with someone."

Since Shuichi had made himself so clear, Ayanokoji had no choice but to give up.

Horikita, I did my best, but he won't agree. There's nothing I can do.

After Ayanokoji left, Miyake sat down across from Shuichi.

"Actually, what's so bad about it? You're pretty weak in social studies, aren't you?"

I can't answer that. I can't exactly tell you I've got a cheat and memorized the entire textbook.

"It's not that bad. I think I can at least pass."

"As long as you know where you stand. I'll head back, then."

"See you."

The next day, just as Shuichi Kanda had said, he went to the library, even though he hadn't made plans with anyone. He brought along the new book he'd bought the day before: Hyouka.

He was worried that if he started reading, he wouldn't be able to stop and would end up staying up all night. So he hadn't read a single page, waiting until that morning instead.

Perhaps that was the appeal of mystery novels.

Rounding a corner, Shuichi Kanda made his way to his usual spot. He immediately noticed someone already sitting there. It was someone he knew, though not very well.

Danger ahead! Watch out!

"Stop right there!"

Just as Kanda turned to leave, Kamuro Masumi called out.

Shuichi Kanda, you're in trouble!

But Shuichi pretended he hadn't seen her and hurried onward. The instant he turned around, Kamuro stood up and started walking toward him.

Seeing that she was about to catch him, Shuichi let out a desperate cry in his heart. Damn this library! Why won't they let people run?

No, if he could run, she'd probably catch him even faster.

Sure enough, before Shuichi had taken two steps, Kamuro Masumi was right in front of him.

"Why did you pretend not to see me?"

"I've been a little nearsighted lately."

"Then why did you walk faster when I called out to you?"

"Because I remembered I had something important to do."

Come to think of it, why was she here? Wasn't she always with Sakayanagi?

And this place was so secluded that the security cameras couldn't even make out what was happening. Why had he run into her here?

Could she have come here specifically to corner me?

"Enough excuses. Sit down."