When lunch break arrived, I made my way toward the library.
It's not that I was dissatisfied with passing the time together with the Ayanokōji Group; it's just that I felt that it was important that we spend some time apart every once in a while. Besides, in the library, there was a particular student who loves books just as much as I do.
Sure enough, Shiina Hiyori had come to the library today as well. I casually chose a book from the shelves, and shortly after sitting down and skimming it a bit to decide if I wanted to borrow it or not, someone spoke up.
"Good afternoon, Ayanokōji-kun."
Having just entered the lunch break, there were only a few people in the library, so she seemed to notice my presence immediately.
She was holding a book that was of a similar genre to my own in her hand.
"It seems that you're as much of a bookworm as ever."
"Well, the library is such a wonderful place."
After softly asking for permission, Hiyori sat down in the seat beside me.
Together, the two of us quietly read our books.
Students with a natural love for the library had no need for excessive conversation.
You could say that the act of reading a book was, in itself, a form of conversation.
Just like that, we read our books without uttering a word until just before the end of lunch.
Probably around half an hour had passed before I spoke up.
"It's probably about time we head back."
"It seems like it."
After looking up at the clock to check the time, I decided against leaving just yet.
"By the way, Hiyori. There's something I'd like to ask you about."
"What is it?"
Unsure of what I wanted to ask, she curiously looked up from her book.
"It's about Ryūen's current situation."
"Ryūen-kun's situation, is it…? To be honest, it's not very good."
"So he's Class D's top choice for expulsion after all."
"Yes. Pretty much everybody in the class has agreed to cast a censure vote for him."
"Has Ryūen himself also accepted it?"
"I believe he has. In fact, he's been visiting the library after school lately and I've been able to chat with him a little bit, so I feel fairly certain of it."
The book he was reading when I saw him at the cafe earlier had been borrowed from the library.
It got me to think that he had probably been in touch with Hiyori which, after coming here, seemed to be correct.
"What do you think of all this, Hiyori?"
"It's a pity, but we simply can't avoid the expulsion. So, I'm ready to accept the fact that we're going to lose someone, potentially even me. Though, if Class D really wants to reach for the top again… I've been starting to think that we might need Ryūen-kun…"
She probably has some misgivings about Ryūen, but it appears as though she recognizes his true capabilities.
Speaking of which, I couldn't recall Ryūen ever treating Hiyori roughly before.
"Sorry I asked about it. I was just interested in the current state of Class-"
I cut myself off, at a loss for words.
"No… I guess I just don't want Ryūen to be expelled from school."
I didn't need to come all the way here today.
However, I wanted to know what was happening with Ryūen, so I ended up coming anyway.
"It's better to keep as many friends as you can, isn't it?"
"…Yeah."
It felt kinda strange somehow. We weren't supposed to be anything but enemies after all.
"Uhm…"
"Hm?"
"This… I don't think somebody like me should be saying this, but…"
Although it seemed a bit difficult to say, Hiyori continued.
"Ayanokōji-kun, please don't drop out of school, okay…? With everything that's been happening, I just don't want my precious friend to disappear as well."
"I'll do my best."
I gratefully accepted Hiyori's concerns as we parted ways and headed back to our respective classrooms.