Translator: Lilo
Editor: Ryuubii

Chapter 2: Average Day Was Well Off The Average Value

Act 3(1)

After today’s class, I opened the library as usual.

“Now, then―”

I deliberately let out a sound with the thought of what I should start working into, and right when someone walked past behind me ― I turned around.

It was Kanata-senpai.

Today, again, she was first in line. She walked briskly with her long jet-black hair and sat down in her usual seat by the window.

“……”

Although, it would be nice if she said something at least. But since she usually doesn’t speak much, it was enough to make an unaccustomed person feel uneasy about their relationship with her. As expected of someone who was known as Empress. I guess she doesn’t care much about relationships.

Looking at the counter again, I saw a small quantity of books piled up.

This was not the remaining work I had left, so someone, a teacher, must have returned their borrowed book during recess.

Sometimes this happens. To begin with, I’m the only member of the library committee. So, to be honest, I can’t really do much. Normally, the library should be open during lunch break and after school, but I can’t do that much on my own. That is why the library is only open after school, and if I have something to do, I’d just announce that I can’t open it that day.

Perhaps because of that, the library was not really being used. I try to open the library as much as possible, but I would like to have some manpower.

And so today’s work begins.

Like Kanata-senpai, no more than ten familiar faces appeared, sometimes students I had never seen before or teachers who had come to the room to do research.

Instead of having to explain how to use the library to the students who do not usually come to the library, I became a machine that simply processed check-outs and returns for students and teachers who visited the counter and distributed books to them.

I looked at the wall clock of the library and saw that it was already 30 minutes before closing.

“Which means it’s about time…”

Just as I was muttering alone, I saw a lone female student at the entrance.

It was Takinami Ruika.

She smiled as soon as she saw me.

“Good afternoon, Makabe-kun… Oh, what’s wrong? You look dejected, is it about your family?”

Then, when she came to the counter, she gave me a concerned look.

Since there were still a few students left at this hour, Takinami-senpai’s expressions and manner of speaking were really pleasant and honor student-like.

Therefore, I will respond in a similar manner.

“No, it’s nothing of the sort…”

“If you say so.”

She looked a little confused as I spoke ambiguously.

If my face was showing something, it would be because Takinami-senpai’s behavior was simply too perfect than anticipated.

“But, in reality, aren’t you having a hard time?”

“I’d be lying if I said I’m not.”

Although, it was a different kind of hardship from losing a loved one, since it was mainly due to the relationships that were suddenly formed.

“Right. Next time, let’s go somewhere as a change of pace.”

“That would be nice.”

Takinami-senpai’s face lit up as she made the suggestion, and I responded with a smile in response.

“Really?! I’m glad.”

“You sound really excited, huh.”

“Hm? How rude. It’s nothing of the sort. I’m just giving the librarian, who works hard every day, a time to relax.”

She sullenly retorts, yet with a touch of charm.

“I hope so.”

While this exchange was going on, the remaining students in the library left one by one, before finally, the last one stood up… No, to be precise, Kanata-senpai still remained, but as usual, she was not counted.

“……”

“……”

I silently watched as the last student left at the edge of my vision.

“Yo.”

With a small shout, Takinami-senpai sat on top of the counter. She moved her face so close to mine that our foreheads were almost touching.

“…About the date, it better be true.”

“…Isn’t it supposed to be just a distraction?”

Our tone changed at once.

Takinami-senpai was no longer ladylike, and my respect for her as an upperclassman vanished. Well, she still retained her elegance, maybe because she was born with it, I guess.

“By the way, don’t sit on the counter.”

“Oh, it’s fine. Besides, it looks erotic, right?”

Smiling bewitchingly, Takinami-senpai pulled up the hem of her skirt. It exposed her thighs, which was something you wouldn’t normally see.

“Ah, look, a knot.”

“Ah?!”

My eyes almost looked at it, but I held on tight. Don’t wear that kind of stuff in school… I beg you not to show any openings in front of a man.

“Oh, great job not looking. Then, how about this?”

This time she crossed her legs in an extraordinarily large motion.

“Want to see it from the front?”

Takinami-senpai laughed teasingly.

It was a good thing that her legs were on the other side of the counter, since viewing it from the front would be very fatal.

However,

“You joke too much, Takinami-senpai. Please get down from the counter.”

I told her politely and firmly.

Then she shrugged her shoulders and did as she was told, getting off the counter.

“It certainly wasn’t a good behavior, even for a joke. I’m sorry.”

Then she apologized honestly.

“But couldn’t you have reacted a little more? I was hoping for a cute reaction, you know?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I replied, leaning my body against the back of the office chair.

“Any other men out there would be happy to oblige, you know?”

“It wouldn’t be interesting, and I don’t want to do it to some random guy. It would be better to do it to you, Shizuru.”

What a real nuisance.

“So, about our date.”

“That was just lip service. Of course I’ll pass.”

I will just ignore the fact it changed into a date at this point.

In the first place, what’s the fun in bringing me out? I’m just one of the many guys out there, and there’s no way I can match Takinami Ruika, who was well known to all the students at this school. Even if we walked together, I would only feel awkward.

It was true that Takinami-senpai and I may be ‘kindred spirits‘ as she likes to call it. But, even so, I think it was a whimsical thing to do.

When I answered her clearly, Takinami-senapi just shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. She must have known that I would eventually settle on this kind of response.

“Oh, come to think of it ― that was unexpected. I didn’t know you’re in Naoi-kun’s group. You were walking together the other day too.”

Like that, she then utters, perhaps remembering the incident at lunchtime.

“No way. It’s just a coincidence. I just joined them to go to the cafeteria.”

“So that’s how it is.”

Takinami-senpai nodded in understanding.

“Is it really that surprising for me to be in that group?”

“Surprising is one way of putting it, but… it would be more accurate to say that it doesn’t suit you.”

She laid it down clearly.

“I think I told you this when we first met, but you look better being calm and collected rather than smiling all the time.”

“You make it sound like I’m a clown just by opening my mouth.”

What a selfish thing to say.

She certainly said something like that. Regardless of how I look to those around me, I’m also more comfortable being reserved with Karube and Heshikiri-san than with Naoi’s group. But on the other hand, I also don’t dislike myself for being able to play out a character and get along well with such people.

“Ah, but if that happens, girls other than me might start to notice you.”

“That’s absurd. You think I’m that kind of guy?”

“But, then again, I also don’t want you to see you flirting with someone. This is hard.”

“……”

She’s not even listening. Go on, worry by yourself.

And then the pre-bell rang, five minutes before 6:00 p.m.

“Alright, today’s work will soon be over.”

“Hey, want to go home together?”

Takinami-senpai suggested so at the right time.

I thought for a moment before answering.

“I don’t mind.”

“Oh, how rare. I just assumed you’d say no as usual.”

Her eyes widened.

Why was she surprised when she was the one who invited me? But since I rarely accepted this kind of invitation, it should not be surprising that she was surprised.

Why did I decide to go home with Takinami-senpai on this day in particular?

For me, Takinami Ruika is an easy person to talk to, apart from the fact that she’s quite aggressive in her advances. If I knew her as any other person does, I would probably treat her with admiration and respect as my senior with a little nervousness.

However, she has a hidden side… unlike Hasumi Shion.

After getting to know her hidden side, I was able to get along with her front side quite easily. I guess it was fun to have a farce knowing her other side.

Frankly, I can’t say that I’m in an environment where I can relax right now.

I lost my one and only mother, and my father, whom I thought I would never see, appeared in my life, and when I was sent to his house, my step-sister did not take kindly to me. Now, one of the times and places where I can have some peace of mind may be the time I spend with Takinami-senpai.

Maybe that’s why I took her offer.

“What’s with the sudden change?”

“Nothing. I just thought it would be nice once in a while.”

That being said, I’m not going to be stupidly honest about it with her.

“I thought you were finally going to be my boyfriend.”

“Not happening.”

I laid it down clearly.

It was true that I fancy Takinami Ruika. However, I had no intention of entering a relationship at the moment. I’m not suited for love after all.

“Geez.”

Takinami-senpai put her hands on her hips and let out an exasperated sigh.

“Ah, this book, it’s going back to the shelf, right?”

“Hm? Yeah, it is.”

She pointed at several books that were returned today. Naturally, the return process had already been completed, and I looked inside to make sure there was no damage or writing. All that was left was to return it to the shelves.

“Then, I’ll put it back.”

After saying so, Takinami-senpai walked towards the shelves along with the books in her arms.

In short, it was a matter of efficiency. In order to get home early, she’ll help me with my work.

“Then, I’ll―”

I let out a sound and went to the last student remaining in the library – namely, Kanata-senpai.

There was no sign that she was using any of the books in the library, and she was still moving her mechanical pencil as if she was writing a letter. It would have been easier if she had brought her laptop instead of doing such an analog thing. She would have been able to write in handwriting later.

“Kanata-senpai, times up.”

“Oh, Shizuru.”

Kanata-senpai’s inorganically neat face turned towards me.

“So it’s already this late, huh?”

She was so absorbed in writing that she did not realize it was almost closing time.

I thought.

“I was watching.”

“Yes?”

“You don’t seem to be affected by Takinami’s provocation.”

“So that’s what you meant.”

She was apparently properly paying attention to things around her.

“It’s best not to give a reaction when they’re acting like that.”

“Even so… tired of looking at a woman’s body?”

“Ghg!”

I choked up at the unexpected surprise.

“You don’t have as much appetite as I thought you’d be if you got bored looking at a woman.”

“I wonder what you’re talking about… Now, please leave, we’re closing.”

I think it was a poor way of avoiding the topic, but I still kept my cover and drove away the beautiful upperclassmen.

“What a demanding library committee.”

“It’s regular business to ask remaining patrons to leave the room.”

I left Kanata-senpai alone, who was still somewhat smiling.

Takinami-senpai was waiting for me at the counter. It seemed that the books had already been organized. It probably didn’t take long because each location was not too scattered.

“You seem to be talking a lot with her. Are you… close by any chance?”

She turned her skeptical gaze on me and asked. 

“Well, I wonder?”

“Eh? What’s with that phrasing? Are you really?”

“Even if that’s the case, it has nothing to do with you, Takinami-senpai.”

However, it seemed that this response was not a good one, and Takinami-senpai tried to further question me.

“Hey, Shi―”

“Goodbye, you two.”

And then Kanata-senpai passed by at just the right moment.

She threw a greeting with a clear tone of voice and walked past.

“O-of course, goodbye, Mibu-san.”

Perhaps because she heard her voice, which was rarely heard. Takinami-senpai was taken aback by her words.