CH 1

Library Duty Day

I think there is less and less to do as a library committee member since high school has started. When I was at elementary school, I used to put books back into their shelves and arrange them based on their labels, but since I got into high school it is no longer my job. My main job now is creating school newspaper and counter duty. But thinking back, I never liked arranging books back to their shelves, to begin with, I wasn’t really good at arranging those books. I thought it was more meaningful to memorize the periodic table of elements than memorizing bookshelves labels. Therefore, I think it is wrong to be sentimental about it. I usually sit at the counter for 20 minutes after school, people rarely come to the library, so I put on my headphones and listen to some music while I get my job done. All I could say is, things are getting easier.

“You’ve been a member of library committee since elementary school, you must really love books.”

She was looking at me across the counter as she said that to me, as if she was reading my thoughts. It’s really annoying.

“I like books, sure, but the reason I became a library committee member is because I like to be in the library.”

“Despite what you said, it’s books that occupy the majority of the space of a library. I suppose that means you like books not only as a literary collection, but also as a kind of object.”

“Your thought is really interesting.”

“Your thought process is much more interesting.”

With an emotionless face and voice, she doesn’t feel complimented. The rumor said, if she enters within a two-meter radius of a person, she can read the person’s thoughts, their thoughts are flowing into her mind non stop. She can’t stop it and she seemed really annoyed with her ability.

“Do you like me?”

“Because with you by my side, I can’t hear anyone thoughts but you.”

“That’s a lie. There is no way I have the power of a hero from a light novel.”

“But you are really strange. If I am bothering you, shouldn’t you just tell me to not bother you or avoid me?”

What kind of situation does she think she’s putting me in that I would avoid her?

“I’m a gentleman.”

“Really?”

“I don’t want to cause any trouble, and I don’t want you to become my enemy.”

“You’re becoming more and more honest.”

Her stare was getting harder and harder, I didn’t want to cause any more trouble for her.

“So, whose fault is it?”

“It’s yours.”

“I’m sorry.”

At that moment, she smiled happily, though I don’t know what she was smiling about. She is really cute when she smiles. Yes, she has a really beautiful face, but I am not sure to tell her that her words and abilities are annoying.

“Thank you.”

“Why?”

“The happiness of being with someone innocent is something that will always remain the same.”

“I guess that’s just the way it is.”

“That’s just the way it is.”

With that beautiful face, I wonder how many women have looked at her with resentment and how many men have lusted after her.

“Counting only those who had taken direct action, there were roughly fifty-six girls and six boys.”

“I think there’s something wrong with the ratio of the girls.”

“When I was in eighth grade, my whole class was against me.”

“You must feel like living in a Battle Royale.”

I even thought that I was lucky to have an ordinary face.

“But I like your face, just a little bit.”

“Are you feeling pitiful for me?”

“Well, it’s quite hard to explain it in detail.”

“I’m not interested as well.”

Anyway, you were confessed by the most popular boy in the class in the center of the class, I think the girls were upset about it or something, I’m not sure.

“You’re right, I’m not interested with him, so I turned him down. It was like h**l at that time, it was really bad.”

You do want to talk after all.

“Well, it’s the biggest laugh I can make. …can I continue?”

“…please do.”

“I know those girls really like him, but I can’t believe they put garbage in my bag, even though I turned him down nicely.”

“I guess they aren’t happy with you because you were confessed by the most popular boy in school.”

“I have nothing to offer but my appearance. I’m sure they had more to offer than I do.”

Although she said it casually, but she looked rather sad and she kept her eyes down.

“It’s really sad, it is.”

“Why? Aren’t you the one who mistreated yourself?”

I have been side tracked, but people like beautiful things. The library usually has a problem with the low numbers of visitors. There are many reasons for this, such as the low interest in reading, but for this school, a recent survey revealed that most of the reasons are due to the fact that the library is too far from the classrooms. Of course, the library committee is working on a plan to increase the number of visitors. However, the results are not good. She has become nothing more than a nuisance to me, but there is no doubt, when I look at her my heart felt really warm. She is just really beautiful.

“Then, what is your point?”

If she comes often to the library, I think that the number of visitors will increase because of her. It’s even better if they borrow books from the library.

“Wouldn’t it be dangerous for you if I stay on your side?”

She may be right. I would be suspected of having a relationship with her, and people will envy me because of it.

“No.”

Yes, yes, that would be right.

“It would be better if you aren’t by my side.”

“I told you, I can’t do that, because if I stay by your side, I won’t hear anyone else’s thought buy yours.”

“That’s a lie.”

“Right now, I’m here with someone who can dispel my ability, I’m not leaving your side.”

She has a really mature attitude, but she is also childish in a way I can’t explain. I’m sure that some people really like her childish attitude, but I don’t. If I liked her childish attitude, I think I might have enjoyed this strange relationship, and I can’t help but feel sadness in my heart.

“I think I understand the interest in your thoughts.”

“What?”

“Most people don’t portray themselves as they are thinking about someone else.”

I see.

“Is that what normal people do?”

“From my experience, yes.”

I don’t really care if it’s normal or not, it doesn’t matter.

“Using my ability, I have seen through the lies of my classmates, seniors and juniors. People are scared of my rumors, so I won’t attract anyone to come to the library. In fact, look behind you.”

Her gaze was directed behind me. When I turned around, there was a librarian looking at us with fear.

The librarian looked frightened; she doesn’t even read the librarian’s thought.

Then she reminded me to stay with her after my duty is over.

“I’ll go first. Please come after me as soon as possible. Well then, excuse me.”

She made a small bow as she left the room.

“Hokuto-kun. You can finish your duty now.”

“I understand. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

As usual, when I leave the library, she was at the door waiting for me.

“I didn’t expect you would to come straight to me after you leave the library.”

“I’m going home, then what about you?”

“I see, our house is on the same way, right? Why don’t we go home together?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

She’s probably going to go home with me anyway. If you stay by my side quietly, I’ll pretend to not hear anything just now.

“Yes!”

“Why do you look like you’re having fun?”

“It’s nothing.”