Translator: Lilo
Editor: Ryuubii

Chapter 1: Makabe Shizuru and His Seniors

Act 4

Ever since then. She has been a frequent visitor to this library.

Of course, I was her target.

Shortly before the library closed, when only a few people were left, she would approach me, whom she considered a kindred spirit, and we would talk.

At first it would be with her “act” on.

And when we’re alone, far from the public eye, she would drop the “act”.

In the midst of it all, she spoke.

“For me, knowing what I should do means knowing what people want from me. So I continued to meet those expectations and became the person I am today.”

When people praised her appearance, she tried to improve herself to be more beautiful.

If she was praised for her grades, she would excel and study hard.

If people praised her smile, she would hold onto that smile.

In other words, the person known as Takinami Ruika is beautiful, an honor student, and always has a gentle smile – the embodiment of what everyone idolized her to be.

“But then one day, I suddenly thought, if I really had my own proper self. I wondered if I might be empty.”

This leads me to the question she asked me at that time.

『You. Do you have your own proper self?』

That is the distress she’s currently carrying.

After that, Takinami-senpai also gave an answer to the question she had presented, and began to visit the library more and more as a part of her daily routine. To top it all off, she recently has been coming on to me and asking me to go out with her. I don’t mind being seen as the same kind, but what’s so good about someone like me?

“I’m sorry, but I’m not interested in going out with anyone at the moment.”

I replied as if to shake her off.

On the other hand, I recognized Takinami Ruika as someone I should be wary of, because she was the “same kind” and would be able to read through me. I was afraid of that. Therefore, I stopped using honorifics soon after meeting her.

It may sound strange and sensual to say, but I, who can calmly and objectively look at myself and prepare appropriate remarks and facial expressions according to the flow of the situation, was rather defenseless against Takinami-senpai. It is precisely because I am wary of her that I decided to face her as my true self.

“Oh, I’m not good enough for you?”

“Of course not.”

What kind of man is not gonna be happy with Takinami-senpai? Is that guy aiming for a Hollywood actress or something?

“I’m just not cut out for that kind of thing.”

“Not cut out?”

Takinami-senpai tilted her head and asked back.

Yes. I am not suited for romance. Maybe I am not even suited for friendship as well. I thought she would understand this feeling… Well, whatever.

“In case you forgot, I just lost my mother. I can’t afford to devote myself to something like that, something that I could use the time for something else.”

I interrupted her and told her my thoughts.

“That’s why. I thought now was my chance, when you’re vulnerable.”

“You’re terrible.”

I involuntarily looked up to the sky.

“Women who are calculating will be hated, you know.”

“All women are calculating, you know.”

It’s refreshing to be told so definitively. It makes me feel more and more that romance is really not cut out for me.

“Besides, you wouldn’t hate me over something like this, right?”

“…”

Where does her confidence come from?

But, in fact, she was right. I rather fancy her two-faced personality. I also can forgive her for her words she said earlier, which could have been a disaster if she said it to any other person than me.

Makabe Shizuru fancy Takinami Ruika.

There is no doubt about that. But I also had my reasons for not wanting a romantic relationship.

I lack something fatal.

The chime rang.

The time is 5:55 pm. It is the pre-bell before the main bell at 6:00 p.m. Unless there is a special reason, students must leave school at 6:00 p.m, and the bell indicates to get ready to go home.

Therefore, the library closes at six o’clock.

As a member of the library committee, it was my job to ask the remaining students to leave the room. Of course, Takinami-senpai, who is right in front of me, is not exempt.

“We’re about to close, so could you get the hell out of here?”

“Want to go home together?”

“Unfortunately, I have a little more work to do today. Too bad.”

I was sure that I am the only man in the whole of Akanedai High School who would refuse Takinami-senpai’s invitation.

As I mentioned before, the teacher who sat at the counter while I was gone did nothing. Thanks to that, I still have some small work to do.

“Is that so? Then, It can’t be helped. I’ll see you next time.”

As Takinami-senpai was about to leave, she stopped moving and turned to look at me.

“Shizuru, I know you must be going through a lot after your mother passed away, so if there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.”

They were much like the words she said before, but not as bland or calculating as then.

In short, she meant it.

I think this is also Takinami Ruika and that’s quite sly.

“Thank you. If it comes to that, I’ll rely on you.”

When I replied, Takinami smiled with satisfaction and left the library.

And then after I saw her off.

“Now, then―”

And so, I deliberately let out a sound.

There is one more person left in this library.

A 12th grade female student who was the first to enter the room shortly after it opened. She has been sitting in her seat since then, repeatedly pondering and writing in her notebook, and so on.

I walked up to her.

“Kanata-senpai.”

When I called her name, she, Mibu Kanata looked up.

She has long, naturally straight black hair that compliments her tall figure, and long, slit eyes. She has a beauty that doesn’t lose out to either Hasumi Shion or Takinami Ruika.

She could have been lined up along with the other two, but thanks to her ice-cold appearance and supernatural demeanor, she is treated as untouchable, even called as the “Empress” behind her back. It was the unspoken understanding of this school. That’s why even Takinami-senpai showed her true face as if there was no other person present.

“Oh, Shizuru.”

She also calls me by name.

“It’s already closing time. Sorry to interrupt your concentration.”

“As always, you have interesting relationships with others.”

Kanata-senpai looked up at me as she closed the notebook spread out in front of her. As she did so, she did not respond to my words as a member of the library committee, but said something like that. A slight wry smile appeared at the corners of her mouth.

There is no denying that it is an interesting relationship. After all, the normally ladylike Takinami Ruika shows her true colors here.

“In fact, it’s gotten even funnier lately.”

“What happened?”

Kanata-senpai’s curiosity bit just a little.

“Have you heard of Hasumi Shion-senpai?”

“Hasumi? Oh, that girl. Of course, I do.”

Even Kanata-senpai, who seemed untouchable and a recluse, knew her considering the two years she spent in this school.

“She became my sister. Thanks to that, I became a nuisance in the Hasumi household.”

“….”

Kanata-senpai quickly narrowed her eyes.

She was thinking about the meaning of what I said. However, if you don’t know her well, you might have been overwhelmed by her stare.

And a few seconds later.

“Was your father also the father of that girl?”

“Thank you. That saves me a lot of explaining to do.”

Kanata-senpai was truly intelligent and quick-witted.

“Right. It sounds like a joke.”

“I totally agree with you.”

And it was a bad kind of joke.

“Even if you say so, are you sure you’re not enjoying it? I mean, you’ve got flowers on both hands.”

“On both hands?”

In other words, Hasumi Shion and Takinami Ruika would be the flowers.

“I hope so.”

I chuckle to cover it up.

It certainly would be, on paper.

But for Hasumi-senpai, the joke is even worse for her, and thanks to that, I have been brilliantly hated by her.

On the other hand, Takinami-senpai, as we have seen, has a difficult personality. The fact that she is regarding me as one of her kind and courting me is probably a joyful thing, if one thinks about it in a normal way. But unfortunately, I am not suited for that kind of thing, and I am afraid to jump into their bosom.

Still, if it was a flower in both hands, I would need an additional hand.

I looked at Kanata-senpai with this thought in mind, and saw that the beautiful, solitary empress was putting away her notebooks and pens, seemingly indifferent to me and to herself.

“I’m going home, Shizuru.”

Kanata-senpai soon put everything in her bag, got up from her seat, and walked towards the doorway.

“Please be careful.”

And me, who was seeing her off.

At the same time she left, the main bell rang at 6 p.m. She’s really punctual.

“Now, then―”

And again, I deliberately let out a sound.

Let’s get the remaining work done quickly. It was good to have things to do. While I’m doing it, I don’t have to think about anything else.