After lunch, Yukio and the others strolled towards the library upon hearing that Kaneda and Shiina were holding a study session there.
Ishizaki grumbled along the way about having to study on a weekend, but no one paid him any mind.
In the library's study room, they easily located the majority of Class C, apparently skipping lunch for the session. Kaneda was tutoring the students, while Shiina meticulously narrowed down the scope of the exam, seemingly trying to predict the questions from the examiner's perspective.
The students weren't fools. As soon as they saw Yukio arrive, they all stopped and turned their attention to him. Yukio waved his hand and instructed Ishizaki to distribute the answers on his phone, while providing a brief explanation.
The underperforming students of Class C were immensely grateful, "Really? We have the answers! This makes sense! This makes sense!"
"Yukio is amazing! Finding a way to clear the exam!"
"Great, at least we can survive the mid-term exam and not get expelled!"
"No, this is just for the mid-term. We'll still need Kaneda and Shiina for the final and future written exams."
Observing his increasingly noisy classmates, Yukio tapped the table lightly with the second joint of his index finger, producing a very faint 'tap tap' sound.
The soft sound, as if striking each person's heart, immediately silenced the excited students. Their newfound admiration for Yukio, their leader, was evident.
"This is a library," Yukio stated simply, emphasizing the location, which made everyone nod in understanding. Even though they were the only ones in the study room, the noise subsided.
Afterward, Ishizaki and Albert joined the study group, compelled by Yukio's words at lunch about being expelled if they couldn't keep up. Ryuen found a spot to nap in the study room, while Yukio leisurely searched for interesting stories to pass the time.
"Yukio-kun," Shiina's voice, soft and delicate like a gentle breeze, came from behind. Yukio didn't turn around; he had noticed Shiina following him as soon as he left the study room. He continued browsing the books, speaking in a similarly subdued voice, "What is it? You need something?"
"No... well, sort of." Shiina's eyes, clear like amethysts, fixed on Yukio. She marveled at the stark contrast between the gentle boy searching for books and the one who had fiercely dealt with Ryuen on the first day of school. "Yukio-kun, do you like mystery novels?"
In front of them was the mystery novel section of the library. "Yeah, 'The Devotion of Suspect X,' 'The Thirteenth Step,' 'Scream,' all very interesting novels."
"Right!" Shiina's enthusiasm was like dry kindling set ablaze. She hurried to Yukio's side, "Especially 'The Thirteenth Step'! Starting with the primary suspect losing his memory in a car accident, it's full of intriguing clues. You can't help but get completely absorbed in it!"
Yukio finally turned his head slightly to glance at Shiina, who had eagerly approached. He realized he had touched on her interest, explaining her sudden excitement despite her usual communication difficulties.
Shiina, reminded of her childhood attempts to share her passion for books, recalled the cold rejections from her classmates.
"What are you talking about? Who understands that stuff?"
"Go away, we're not interested in your novels."
"Don't bother us here. Oh, by the way, did you see that funny variety show last night?"
Shiina retreated a step, guilt crossing her face as she remembered the harsh words. "Sorry, Yukio-kun... I got carried away... I must be annoying, right?"
Shiina's wounded, doe-like expression, reminiscent of a willow branch gently swaying in the breeze, made it impossible for Yukio to ignore. "Not at all. I find it quite interesting."
"I rarely get to discuss book reviews face-to-face," said Yukio.
Shiina's heart skipped a beat at his words. Lifting her head, she looked at Yukio, resembling a fish suddenly pulled out of water, mouth open but speechless. Did Yukio also struggle to find friends to discuss books with?
The world is vast and diverse, yet also so small. In her years of life, Shiina had never found a single companion to share the quirky and fascinating stories from the books. But now, it seemed she had found one.
Shiina herself didn't understand why she became so proactive. Their conversation ranged from "I Am a Cat" to "Wuthering Heights," from "Pride and Prejudice" to "The Red and the Black." Classical, modern, they discussed everything, and Shiina felt as if her soul resonated beautifully with Yukio's.
Realizing this, Shiina finally smiled. Her clear, large eyes sparkled with a unique satisfaction. Her radiant smile seemed to make cherry blossoms bloom and fall behind her, covering the loneliness of the library's lone books, leaving only a mysterious atmosphere swirling between them. This harmonious atmosphere was even more memorable to Shiina than the joy of reading a good story.
Unfortunately, this pure moment was interrupted by a noise, causing both Yukio and Shiina to turn their heads toward the study room.
There, a loud dispute could be heard.
***
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