Becoming Book Friends?

Ever since she had fallen in love with reading, Shiina Hiyori had longed to find a like-minded book friend.

But whether in elementary school, middle school, or now at Advanced Nurturing High School,

she had never had the chance to meet one. In fact, she had barely made any friends at all.

In her class, there was only Ibuki, who seemed worried that she might be bullied by the students who liked to fight, so she would make a little small talk with her.

Recently, because of the study group, many more students had been coming to the library, making it noisier than before.

At a time like this, Shiina Hiyori found herself wondering hopefully...

What if someone who liked reading just as much as I do—and whose favorite books are the same kind as mine, detective stories—happened to appear before me?

When that happens, I'll have to work up the courage to befriend them.

Then maybe I'll find a book friend who shares my interests, someone I can discuss books with and even act out the stories alongside...

And it would be wonderful if we could be book friends for the rest of our lives.

Shiina Hiyori's hopes were high.

But over the past little while, although some students wandered around and flipped through library books when they got tired of studying,

not a single one of them had stopped in this section of detective novels.

Were detective novels really that unpopular?

Shiina Hiyori wondered, troubled.

At last, someone had wandered into this section, but he seemed a little mischievous.

What if he doesn't actually like reading? I finally work up the courage to approach him, and he says something mean that leaves me traumatized for the rest of my life?

Shiina Hiyori hesitated for just a few seconds, then steeled herself.

"Just looking at the title, you'd think it was a romance novel. Is this a detective story, too?"

Chihaya Rei's curious question reached Shiina Hiyori's ears first.

The book in his hands was titled Farewell, My Lovely.

Just looking at the title could certainly give someone that impression.

When she heard Chihaya Rei take the initiative to start a conversation, Shiina Hiyori's eyes lit up with delight.

"Yeah!"

She nodded emphatically and explained earnestly:

"Please don't let the title make you miss out on this book! It's actually a hard-boiled detective novel, written by one of the most influential authors in the genre."

"There is a romantic storyline, but it's all set-up for the mystery."

Shiina Hiyori looked a little conflicted.

She seemed to want to tell Chihaya Rei more about the story's twists and turns, to show him how interesting it was.

But he hadn't read the book, and she was afraid of spoiling it.

When she finished speaking, she realized Chihaya Rei was quietly looking at her.

"...Did I say too much?"

Shiina Hiyori's voice grew a little softer.

"Not at all." Chihaya Rei shook his head with an unconcerned smile, a teasing glint in his eyes. "You didn't spoil anything, did you?"

"Besides, you really get lively when you talk about novels."

Shiina Hiyori gave an embarrassed smile, then politely introduced herself:

"We haven't even exchanged names yet. I'm Shiina Hiyori from Class C. My hobby is reading, especially detective novels."

"Nice to meet you, Shiina. I'm Chihaya Rei from Class D, and my hobby is starting a band."

It had only just occurred to Chihaya Rei that they had started talking without introducing themselves.

When Shiina Hiyori heard that Chihaya Rei's hobby was starting a band, and that reading wasn't on the list, she couldn't help feeling a little apprehensive.

"Chihaya... did this book catch your interest?"

"A little."

Noticing the anticipation in Shiina Hiyori's eyes, Chihaya Rei smiled and replied slowly, "I used to read novels from time to time."

"But after I started a band, I didn't have the time, so I stopped reading much."

Chihaya Rei was telling the truth.

Back in the day, he had devoured web novels in all sorts of genres. He had also bought and read some well-known classics.

If he hadn't started a band and gotten the system, he probably would have become a web novelist himself...

Shiina Hiyori's eyes widened with delight.

"What about detective novels, Chihaya? Do you read those?"

From what Chihaya Rei had said, Shiina Hiyori could infer quite a few useful things.

He was interested in reading, but had stopped because he'd started playing in a band.

But there was no way to start a band at this school.

So she had a good chance of rekindling Chihaya's interest in reading—and maybe even turning him into someone who loved detective novels...

"I've read some, but I definitely don't know as much as you do."

Chihaya Rei thought for a moment before answering. "I've read more short detective stories. Most of them were well-known works by Keigo Higashino and Agatha Christie."

"Things like The Devotion of Suspect X, Journey Under the Midnight Sun, Malice, Murder on the Orient Express, and And Then There Were None..."

"And I've watched some movies adapted from detective novels, too."

"Oh, I've also watched a few hundred episodes of Detective Conan. But I figured there was no chance I'd ever see Conan turn back into an adult in my lifetime, so I gave up."

Shiina Hiyori laughed at Chihaya Rei's joke.

She was even more certain that he was interested in detective novels.

"That's quite a lot. I like several of the books you mentioned, too."

"And the book you're holding now, Farewell, My Lovely, was adapted into a movie as well!"

Shiina Hiyori lifted a finger and pointed lightly at the cover,

as if hoping to pique Chihaya Rei's interest.

A detective novel getting adapted for the screen usually meant the book was excellent, well-liked by readers, and commercially promising enough to warrant an adaptation.

Chihaya Rei replied with some surprise:

"In that case, I'll have to give it a try."

"Then I'd recommend this hardcover edition. Readers think its translation is the closest to the original."

Shiina Hiyori's delight was plain to see. She answered almost without thinking, then realized she might have gotten too excited and lowered her head, adding softly:

"Of course, if you only want to watch the movie, that's fine, too..."

Chihaya Rei shook his head and smiled. "Since it's a recommendation from a professional like you, Shiina, I'll read the book first and watch the movie afterward."

As he spoke, he took another copy from the shelf and handed it to her.

After all, Shiina Hiyori had been about to take this book herself. Maybe she had planned to reread it.

"I'm not really a professional."

Shiina Hiyori shyly shook her head. "I've just read a lot of books."

But when she saw that Chihaya Rei had taken her recommendation, the corners of her mouth curved into a happy smile.

"When you finish the book, Chihaya, would you mind sharing your thoughts about it with me?"

"I'm usually in this section of the library..."

Shiina Hiyori held the book up to cover the lower half of her face. Her eyes shone with anticipation.