Why Is the Prettiest Girl in School Trying to Talk to a Loner Like Me during Lunch Break?

Chapter 118 – Two ‘Loners’

“Actually, I caught a glimpse of the cover earlier – that’s a light novel you’re reading, right Fujibayashi-san?”

“Oh… Yeah, you could tell?”

“Well… yeah. I read tons of light novels too. What were you reading? Maybe I know it?”

“Hmm… Thing is, I read female-oriented light novels, so I doubt you’d know it, Andou-kun… It’s called ‘Raquel Clarak’s Worst’–”

“Oh, I know that! Actually, I just read it!”

“How do you know it!? Wait, you read it too, Andou-kun?!”

“Yeah yeah! It’s from ‘Narou,’ right? The count’s daughter protagonist has to marry this knight her family chose, but she hates him so she schemes to make him hate her and break the engagement, except everything backfires and makes the knight fall for her instead, right?”

“Yes exactly! Wow, you read this stuff too… I’m shocked… I’ve never had anyone to discuss female-oriented light novels with…”

“Well, I pretty much read any genre on ‘Narou.’ But yeah, for female-oriented novels I didn’t have anyone to talk with either, so I’m really happy I can discuss them with you, Fujibayashi-san.”

(I mean, I usually talk light novels with Asakura-san, but she’s all about the hardcore ‘ore TUEEE’ series, so I really have no one for female-oriented stuff.)

“What else do you read, Andou-kun?”

“Recently? ‘The Duke’s Daughter’s Menu’ and ‘Tendon, Katsudon, Oyakodon!’ Also I absolutely love ‘Living with Greed and Humility as My Motto!'”

“No way! That’s one of my favorites! And I’ve read all those others! Oh, did you get the new Greed volume?”

“Bought it yesterday, already finished!”

“So fast! The release date was just yesterday!”

One hour later

“Finally wrapped up election work. Fujibayashi said she’d wait in the library… Really, I told her to go home but she always waits. Fine, since I kept her waiting I’ll treat her on the way back–”

“And then–”

“Right, right”

“–Hm?”

(Fujibayashi’s voice? She’s chatting with someone?)

“Phew, finally! All done for today! Hope Andou-kun isn’t tired of waiting… Though knowing him, he’s probably absorbed in some light novel!”

“Oh, you’re…”

“Oh! Ishida-kun! Hello, library business?”

“Yeah… Meeting someone. You’ve met her – Fujibayashi’s waiting here. You too, Asakura-san?”

“Yes, meeting Andou-kun.”

“I see… Coincidence.”

“Indeed. Not going in?”

“Just got here, about to…”

“I’ll get the door then.”

“Go ahead.”

(Those voices inside… I have a bad feeling…)

“Andou-ku~n ♪”

Slide

“So why cancel after just one volume?! That’s what kills me!”

“I know right! Sure, female-oriented novels sell poorly so the cancellation line is harsh but… Still! At least give it three volumes to find its audience!”

“YES! Exactly! You get it, Andou-kun! Since volume one flops mean cancellation, lately they cram in multiple characters, but then nobody gets proper development and everything feels shallow!”

“Exactly! Wow, Fujibayashi-san totally understands! Cap it at five characters in volume one. Focus on maybe two people and properly develop the main story even if it’s just one book!”

“That’s it! It’s ROMANCE – getting obsessed with character intros while ignoring the actual love story is just… What are you even doing?!”

“I know… Oh, Asakura-san! Your business finished?”

“Eh? Oh, Ishida-kun! Geez, if you were here, say something!”

“Uh, well……”

“Oh, um……”

“”Why’d you both go quiet? What’s wrong?””

(Asakura-san’s acting strange)

(Ishida-kun’s acting strange)

“……”

(What is this situation…?) (Andou and Fujibayashi)

—

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