An Encounter at the Library

When the dismissal bell rang, Yuto did not rush to leave.

He leaned back in his seat, one hand resting on the edge of his desk, and only slowly stood up once most of the classroom had emptied out. Sudo and the others had made plans to play basketball, and before leaving, they asked whether he wanted to join them.

"Basketball?" Sudo patted the ball in his hands, producing a dull thump against his palm. "Come on, it's not like you've got anything else to do."

"No, I have something to take care of."

"All right, maybe next time."

Sudo left with the basketball tucked under his arm, Ike and Yamauchi following behind him. The three of them vanished down the end of the hallway amid noisy chatter. Yamauchi was talking about the game he had played yesterday, Ike was complaining about having too much homework, and Sudo was loudly laughing and cursing at both of them. Their voices gradually faded before finally being swallowed by the turn in the corridor.

Yuto packed up his textbooks and left the classroom at an unhurried pace.

He did not return to the dormitory, nor did he go to the cake shop—he had already told Miki that he was taking the day off. Instead, he headed along the school building toward the library. There were still students chatting in the corridor. Some leaned by the windows playing on their phones, while others bought drinks from the vending machines. Sunlight slanted in through the windows, laying a warm yellow glow over the floor as specks of dust drifted slowly through the light.

After running into Hiyori outside the dormitory yesterday, he had confirmed one thing: every day after school, she went to the library and stayed there until evening before returning to the dormitory.

That routine gave him a natural opening.

He had a perfectly legitimate reason to visit the library—reading, studying, passing the time. It would not arouse anyone's suspicion, nor would it make her think he was deliberately approaching her. Even if she did not show up, he could simply read quietly for a while before leaving. It would not be a wasted trip.

He pushed open the library door.

The scent of paper mingled with wooden bookshelves rushed over him. The library was larger than he had expected. Just inside was the circulation desk, where a female teacher wearing glasses sat behind a white marble counter, sorting through a list of books with her head lowered. Farther in stood rows upon rows of tall shelves, their dark brown wooden frames packed with books. The spines of some had already faded, revealing their age. Several rows of tables and chairs stood by the windows, with four or five students seated there reading quietly. The sound of turning pages was faint, punctuated now and then by the soft scratch of pens on paper.

Yuto scanned the room.

There was no sign of Hiyori.

He did not hurry. He walked over to the nearest shelf. Japanese literature, foreign literature, philosophy, psychology—the category labels hung in metal frames on the sides of the shelves, black lettering on white backgrounds, clear and straightforward. He casually pulled out a Keigo Higashino novel, flipped through a couple of pages, then put it back. Next, he took out Haruki Murakami's Norwegian Wood. The cover had a classic design—red and green stripes with the title in the center.

He was not here to read, at least not primarily today.

But he could not look like he was searching for someone, either.

After choosing a book, he sat down by the window. From this angle, he could see most of the library—the entrance, the circulation desk, the aisles between the shelves, and the row of seats by the windows. If anyone came in, he would spot them at once.

He opened the book, let his gaze settle on the first page, and began to read.

He had read Haruki Murakami's writing in his previous life, and reading it again felt both familiar and strange. The opening was about the protagonist hearing a Beatles song on an airplane and then recalling events from the past. The pace was slow, but the details were rich, and as he continued reading, he did not find it boring.

As he read, he kept an eye on the entrance.

Second by second, time passed.

The clock on the wall pointed to 4:10 in the afternoon.

The library door was gently pushed open.

A familiar figure entered.

Long black hair, a white blouse, and a dark blue pleated skirt. She held something thick against her chest, seemingly a hardcover book wrapped in a transparent cover. Her footsteps were light, as though she were afraid of disturbing the library's quiet atmosphere.

Hiyori Shiina.

She did not notice Yuto and headed straight for the shelves in the corner.

Yuto did not get up immediately. He waited two or three minutes before closing his book, rising to his feet, and pretending he wanted to choose another book as he walked toward the row of shelves where she stood.

Those shelves held Japanese modern and contemporary literature, marked by a label on the side. Hiyori stood before them with her head slightly raised, her gaze moving across a row of book spines. She had not tied her hair up today. Her black hair fell naturally over her shoulders, and the profile of her face appeared soft in the light filtering between the bookshelves. Her eyelashes cast a small shadow over her cheeks.

She seemed to sense someone approaching and turned to glance at him.

Their eyes met.

"Ah." Hiyori froze for a moment, then gave him a small nod. "Hello."

"Hello," Yuto said.

About half a meter separated them, while the shelves formed a narrow passage on either side. The faint smell of old paper hung in the air, mixed with the scent of the wooden shelves.

"You came to the library to read too?" Hiyori asked.

"Yeah. Nothing else to do," Yuto said. "What about you?"

"I come here often," she said. "There are a lot more books here than over by the classrooms, and the atmosphere is nice too."

After that, silence lingered between them for several seconds.

Yuto did not rush to speak. He knew he could not be too proactive at a time like this, or he would seem deliberate. He turned slightly and pretended to look for a book, his eyes slowly moving over the rows of spines.

Hiyori did not seem embarrassed, either. She continued looking at the shelf before her.

After a while, she reached out and took a book.

Yuto glanced at its cover—The Moon Over the Mountain, a collection of short stories by Atsushi Nakajima. A pale moon and wave-like patterns were drawn on its white cover in a simple design.

"What do you think of that one?" he asked.

Hiyori looked down at the book in her hands. "You've read it?"

"A little," Yuto said. "Both The Moon Over the Mountain and Li Ling are well written. Especially that line in The Moon Over the Mountain: 'There is a beast in every person's heart.' It's pretty interesting."

Hiyori's gaze paused on his face, as if she were checking whether he had actually read it.

"You read Atsushi Nakajima too?"

"I read some of his work before," Yuto said casually. "I've forgotten most of it. I only remember the general plots of a few stories."

That was the truth. He had indeed read some Japanese literature in his previous life. While he could not call it scholarly study, it was more than enough for casual conversation.

"That's impressive," Hiyori said. "There aren't many people around me who read Atsushi Nakajima."

"Maybe because his work leans classical, and his writing style is rather heavy. It's not really to young people's tastes."

"True." Hiyori nodded, seemingly satisfied with his answer. "What else do you usually read?"

"A little of everything." Yuto thought for a moment. "I read detective novels, social mysteries, and sometimes books on psychology."

"Psychology?" Hiyori tilted her head slightly. "Like what?"

"Something like The Crowd. Does that count?"

Hiyori's eyes lit up.

It was a subtle change—her expression barely shifted, but there was noticeably more light in her eyes, as if she had heard something that interested her.

"It counts," she said. "I've read that one too."

"What did you think of it?" Yuto asked, following the topic.

"I think many of Gustave Le Bon's ideas still apply today." Hiyori spoke a little faster than before, and she seemed much more animated. "Especially the parts about group psychology. People really do lose their ability to think independently when they are in a crowd. It's no different from what he described in the book. Didn't you feel that when you read it? So many of those things are still happening now. Group behavior online is the best example."

"Definitely." Yuto nodded. "That's why being alone is pretty nice too. You don't have to let other people's opinions control you. Quietly doing your own thing is better than anything else."

Hiyori smiled.

It was the first time Yuto had seen her truly smile. It was not a polite smile, but one that came because she genuinely found something amusing. When she smiled, her eyes curved slightly, and she looked far softer, less distant.

"You're pretty good at talking," she said.

"Not really." Yuto shrugged. "I've just happened to read a little. I can manage a casual chat, but if we really got into it, I wouldn't be able to say much."

"This is already very good," Hiyori said, with a trace of genuine feeling in her voice. "It's rare to meet someone who has read the same books. Honestly, since school started, I haven't met anyone I could talk about these things with."

"Maybe it's because the semester just started and everyone still isn't familiar with each other."

"Maybe."

She held The Moon Over the Mountain against her chest, apparently no longer intending to look for anything else. Then she glanced at the book in Yuto's hands. "What are you reading?"

Yuto looked down—Norwegian Wood.

"Haruki Murakami."

"That one is very famous," Hiyori said. "Several classmates around me have read it."

"Yeah, but honestly, I haven't finished it yet," Yuto admitted. "The beginning is a little slow. You need to settle down before you can get into it."

"That's Murakami's style." Hiyori's voice was calm. "He likes using long passages of description to build the atmosphere. If you can't settle your mind, it really is hard to get through. But the pace picks up a lot in the second half. If you can make it through the first fifty pages, once the main plot begins, you can finish the rest in one go."

"Then I'll keep at it," Yuto said.

The conversation did not end there.

Hiyori leaned against the shelf, holding The Moon Over the Mountain, seeming to hesitate over whether she should say more. After a while, she spoke. "What kinds of books do you usually like?"

"Books with a faster pace, I guess," Yuto said. "The kind where the plot moves forward. I don't really like huge blocks of scenery description."

"Then detective novels should suit you well."

"They do. I read them a lot."

"Whose works do you like?" Hiyori asked, sounding as if she were conducting serious research.

"I've read more Keigo Higashino than anyone else," Yuto said. "But his work leans more toward social mysteries, so the suspense is not at its strongest. If we're talking classic puzzle mysteries, I'd probably choose Soji Shimada."

"Soji Shimada?" Hiyori blinked. "His The Tokyo Zodiac Murders is famous. A lot of people have recommended that one."

"That one is definitely a classic," Yuto said. "But I prefer The Knight in a Foreign Land. There isn't much detective fiction in it, but the story itself is good, and the emotional storyline is very moving."

"You mean his debut novel?" Hiyori asked. "It doesn't seem very well known here. I haven't read it yet."

"It's pretty good. If you like it, you should give it a try. I think the library has it."

"All right, I'll make a note of it."

Hiyori said it naturally, as if she truly intended to read it.

Yuto quietly gave himself another point in his head. They had gotten into specific titles, and she had shown interest. That was a good sign.

"By the way," he said, "what kinds of books do you usually read?"

"I read everything." Hiyori thought for a moment. "But my favorites are still Japanese modern and contemporary writers—Osamu Dazai, Atsushi Nakajima, Natsume Soseki, people like that. I read foreign literature too, but not much. Mainly because the language creates an extra layer, and it always feels like something is missing when I read it."

"Osamu Dazai?" Yuto raised an eyebrow. "No Longer Human?"

"That one is too famous," Hiyori said. "But I prefer The Setting Sun."

"The Setting Sun? What is it about?"

Hiyori tilted her head slightly, thinking for a moment before she answered.

"It's about a fallen aristocratic family. The protagonist's family gradually declines amid the social changes in postwar Japan, and each of them faces loss in their own way. The mother accepts everything with grace and never complains, like a flower blooming amid ruins. The younger brother joins the military and then kills himself, ending his confusion in the most extreme way. The daughter struggles between love and ideals, trying to grasp onto something, yet unable to hold onto anything at all."

As she spoke, her gaze rested on some point along the bookshelf, as if she were recalling scenes from the novel. She did not speak quickly, but every word was clear, as though she had carefully organized each sentence.

"The whole book has a very bleak tone," she continued, "but when you finish it, it doesn't leave you feeling hopeless. Instead, there's a sense of calm. Maybe because every person in the book makes their own choice, regardless of whether that choice is right or wrong."

Yuto did not interrupt her.

He felt that when this woman talked about books, her whole demeanor changed. Her usual quiet, distant air vanished, replaced by a focused, wholehearted enthusiasm. Her expressions became more vivid as she spoke, and there was a special light in her eyes.

"...That's about it." After finishing, Hiyori seemed to realize she had said a lot and looked a little embarrassed. "Sorry. Once I start talking about books, I have trouble stopping."

"It's fine. It was interesting," Yuto said. "You explained it better than the recommendations on book review sites. Seriously, have you considered becoming a book blogger someday?"

"You flatter me," Hiyori said. Her voice returned to its usual calmness, though a trace of a smile remained at the corners of her eyes. "I just like reading. I'm not particularly good at recommending things."

"Then you're still better at it than I am."

The atmosphere between them was much more relaxed than before.

"By the way," Hiyori said, "do you come to the library often?"

"Not really," Yuto said. "Today is my first time here."

"Oh, I see." Hiyori nodded, then seemed to think of something. "Then do you need to know how borrowing books works? The process isn't complicated, but you might not be familiar with it on your first visit."

"They gave us library cards when we enrolled. I read the instructions, so I should be fine."

"That's good." Hiyori said, "The books here may not compare to a large public library, but the selection is fairly broad. If there's anything you want to find and can't, you can ask me. I'm fairly familiar with how things are organized here."

"All right, I'll have to trouble you then."

"It's no trouble."

Her tone was natural, without any sense that she was deliberately trying to make conversation. It was as though she really were simply helping a newly acquainted classmate get familiar with the library.

Silence settled between them for a few seconds.

Yuto felt the pace was just right. Being able to talk this much during their first conversation had already exceeded his expectations. She was easier to approach than he had imagined. As long as the topic revolved around books, she would lower her guard.

And she had been the one to say, "You can ask me." That was practically giving him a reason to come back.

"I'll head over there first," Hiyori said, pointing toward the windows. "I usually read over there."

"All right. I'll find a seat too."

They returned to their respective seats. Yuto went back to where he had been sitting and opened Haruki Murakami's book. Hiyori sat in the row by the window, opened The Moon Over the Mountain, and lowered her head to read.

The library became quiet again.

Only the occasional sound of pages turning and the low hum of the air conditioner remained. Now and then, students shouted on the athletic field outside, their voices muffled and distant through the glass.

After reading a few pages, Yuto unconsciously glanced in her direction.

Hiyori sat by the window, the evening sun shining in from the side and casting soft contours across her face. Her reading posture was very upright, both hands holding the book as she lowered her head slightly, occasionally turning a page. A lock of black hair had fallen beside her face, and she casually tucked it behind her ear in a light, natural motion.

It was a very quiet scene.

Yuto withdrew his gaze and continued reading.

He did not hurry over to speak with her again. Talking this much today was already enough. The key to a first encounter was to leave a natural impression, not force the relationship forward. Their topic had been books, so next time they met, he could naturally continue from there without seeming deliberate.

He needed to keep the pace steady.

About forty more minutes passed before Yuto saw Hiyori close her book, stand up, and take The Moon Over the Mountain to the circulation desk to check it out. The teacher scanned the barcode on the back of the book, and Hiyori nodded before putting it into her schoolbag.

She turned toward the door. When she reached it, her hand was already on the handle, but she paused and looked back in Yuto's direction.

Their eyes met again.

Hiyori gave a slight nod, as if saying, "I'm leaving first."

Yuto nodded back.

She pushed open the door and walked out. The door gently closed behind her, its spring making a faint sound.

Yuto leaned back in his chair, watching the closed door as he silently reviewed their conversation.

His first proactive move had gone fairly well. Hiyori was easier to approach than expected. She hid herself behind books like a shield, but as long as he found the right key—the topic of books—she would lower her guard and reveal her real self.

That matched his earlier judgment.

He looked down at Norwegian Wood in his hands. It seemed he really would have to read more books from now on. Otherwise, if they met again and he could not keep a conversation going for more than a few lines, that would be awkward. He did not want to be reduced to simply nodding along with vague noises.

He closed the book, stood up, and returned it to the shelf.

By the time he left the library, the sky had grown darker. Half the lights in the corridor had come on, their glow soft and warm. Through the windows, he could see the dormitory buildings in the distance. A few windows were already lit up, like warm yellow squares set into gray walls.

Yuto walked down the corridor toward the cafeteria. He had not eaten much at noon, and his stomach growled, reminding him that it was time for dinner.

There were not many people in the cafeteria. Most had already finished eating by this hour, and only a few counters remained open. He ordered an oyakodon, carried his tray to a corner table, and sat down.

After only a few bites, someone sat down across from him.

He looked up and saw a familiar face.

"Lin! Good evening!" Kushida Kikyo held a tray, her signature smile on her face. "I was just wondering whether you'd come to the cafeteria for dinner, and I really did run into you."

"Yeah, I just finished up," Yuto said.

"What were you busy with?" Kushida tilted her head, curiosity in her voice. "I saw you leave after school, so I thought you had gone somewhere."

"I went to the library."

"The library?" Kushida blinked. "Lin, do you like reading?"

"Not bad. It passes the time."

"What a coincidence, I like reading too!" Kushida said with a smile. "But I prefer fashion magazines and things like that. I can't really get into novels."

"That's nice too."

Kushida picked up a piece of chicken with her chopsticks and put it into her mouth, chewing slowly. She ate very neatly, much like she had at breakfast in the cafeteria that morning.

"Oh, right," she said after swallowing. "What do you think of our class, Lin?"

"Not bad," Yuto said. "There are quite a lot of people."

"There really are." Kushida smiled. "But I think everyone seems pretty nice. We should be able to get along well."

Her tone was very sincere when she said that, but Yuto noticed her gaze quickly sweep the surroundings as she spoke, as if checking whether anyone was watching them.

"Mm." Yuto responded and continued eating.

"Oh, right, Lin," Kushida said again, "do you have any plans for the weekend? A few of us are planning to go look around Keyaki Mall. Want to come with us?"

"I haven't decided yet."

"Then come along!" Kushida sounded enthusiastic. "It'd be nice to get to know more classmates. I'll invite Hirata and the others, and we can all hang out together."

"We'll see," Yuto said. "It depends on the situation."

"Okay, then I'll ask you again later!"

Kushida's smile remained on her face, unchanged from beginning to end.

After Yuto finished eating, he put his tray in the return area, said goodbye to Kushida, and walked out of the cafeteria.

Yuto was in a good mood as he walked back to the dorms.

Today counted as taking the first step. The rest of the plan was clear too—keep going to the library every week and gradually close the distance through books. Once the time was right, he could lend her a book or ask her to recommend one, and their interactions would become more and more natural. He had topics now, and reasons. All he lacked was a little time and patience.

After walking for a while, he thought of something.

Hiyori had borrowed a copy of The Moon Over the Mountain today. If he borrowed one too, then the next time they met, he could open with, "I just finished it too. Want to talk about it?" But that might be too obvious. She was smart enough that she might notice.

It would be better to keep things natural. He could look for books in the direction she had recommended today, then bring them up naturally.

When he reached the dorm building, he glanced up at the building across from it. One window on the fourth floor glowed with warm yellow light. The curtains were half-drawn, making it impossible to see inside.

He withdrew his gaze and entered the dorm building.

Pushing open the door to his room, he changed into slippers, tossed his backpack onto the desk, and lay down on the bed. The mattress was neither too soft nor too firm, and the moment he lay down, his whole body relaxed.

He took out his phone and glanced at it.

There was one unread message.

It was from Kushida: "Why didn't you come to the cafeteria for dinner today?"

Yuto replied, "I had something to do. I ate out."

After sending it, he put his phone aside and stared at the ceiling, beginning to plan for tomorrow.

He still had to work at the cake shop tomorrow. He would go to the shop after school, work until six, then come back and rest. As for the library, he had just gone today. Going again tomorrow would seem too deliberate, so it would be best to wait a day or two.

Wednesday, then.

He would go to the library Wednesday afternoon. If he ran into her, he would greet her naturally. If he did not, he would read for a while and leave. That would maintain the routine without seeming too deliberate.

His schedule was pretty full.