"She might be a sadist, but her ability is top-notch."
His feelings toward Kaguya became a whirlwind of emotions, a complex storm of attraction and wariness. Ishigami was fully aware that it was more beneficial to be her ally than her foe. In her eyes, he might be a tiny shrimp or even a plankton, while she was a colossal blue whale capable of devouring many of his kind with ease!
Still, she was also an idiot, especially when it came to her feelings for Shirogane.
Nevertheless, those things aside, as long as they treated each other sincerely, Ishigami knew that Kaguya was his reliable senior.
Not only would she help him to erase his stigma, but she also helped him to study. While it was hard, the result of being taught by her was clear, so while this body was his was in torment, he didn't mind being taught by her, but then again, as the heiress of the Shinomiya Group, her time naturally couldn't be spent on him all the time.
With all of that, if he mistreated her, he definitely would be a failure as a human.
As he thought so, he arrived at the library, wishing to borrow some books before he went home, but it seemed that it was closed even though he had come as soon as possible.
"Is it closed already?"
If possible, he didn't want to waste his time and wanted to study more since his improvement was clear, and the harder he worked, the greater the result was, so he felt a bit disappointed when the library closed.
Still, the Volunteer School Librarian looked at the person who asked that question and asked, "What book do you need to borrow, Ishigami?" While she said so, she opened the key to the library.
Ishigami looked at the female librarian before him, who was also his classmate. They hardly talked, or rather, when they had a conversation; it was only when her friend happened to be nearby. Still, when she opened the library for him even though it had closed, he had to say, "Thank you, Osaragi-san. I need to borrow some books to study."
Kobachi Osaragi.
A girl with collarbone-length black hair that is styled to have its tied ends rests on her left shoulder and wears round glasses that obscure her eyes.
Even though her eyes were obscured, when they stood close, Ishigami could see how beautiful she was. Still, if there was something that made him weird, it might be how gentle her eyes were when she looked at him.
"It's fine. Which book is it? Let me help you."
Usually, one would apologize when they troubled others, but Ishigami knew the word "thanks" was far better to hear.
Was that why she appeared so gentle?
Ishigami didn't bother to think and just pointed out which book he wanted.
"It's this book..."
Yes, this girl might be beautiful, and he also wanted to have a girlfriend, wondering what kind of a reward he might receive when he got one, but he wasn't so desperate for it as he could live well as a NEET by relying on his parents and older brother.
At worst, he could also study hard, becoming a respectable government employee, relying on the tax of people to live.
As for working under Kaguya, even if she was a good senior of his, she was also a capitalist; if he worked under her, he was afraid that she would squeeze him dry.
Kobachi never knew what was on the head of Ishigami and just attentively guided him to the place where the books he wanted to borrow were.
"Oh, it's over there."
Under her guidance, Ishigami quickly found the books he wanted, and they didn't waste much time.
"Write your name here. You have to return it in a week."
"Okay."
As Ishigami wrote all his names and recorded which books he wanted to borrow, Kobachi observed him discreetly. If it were others, they might not realize it, but as someone who had watched him, she knew that he had changed. Still, while she was also curious about his change, she was more cornered about how close he suddenly became with Onodera. It was something that had never happened, especially when he hardly got close to any girls except for a certain girl whose name she didn't want to name at that moment.
Yet, given their relationship, Kobachi also didn't think it was right of her to ask him such a question. Neither of them was close to the other, and to ask such a question so suddenly to him wasn't it creepy?
"What's wrong?"
"Ah? What?"
Kobachi was startled when she heard Ishigami's voice.
"No, you seem to be in pain. Are you okay?"
Unlike before, who appeared so gentle in front of him, Kobachi frowned, seemingly in pain.
Ishigami wondered whether she was in the middle of that month, but he knew he couldn't ask such a question, considering how rude it was.
Still hearing his question, Kobachi looked at him helplessly. 'Isn't it because of you?' However, this part of him never changed; Ishigami was still as gentle as ever. Unlike others, who came close with a hidden intention, he was sincere and just wished to help others, yet everything changed after that incident.
'If I was in her place...'
If she was in her place, then she wouldn't let him be in pain, yet watching him be able to recover and return to how he used to be made her feel relief and joy. "I am fine now."
"It's good then."
"Um." Somehow, this exchange also gave her a chance to ask him about his change, but—
"Koba-chan, are you there?"
Suddenly, the two heard a familiar voice. "Huh?! Ishigami, what are you doing here?" The voice was filled with doubt and confusion, clearly in disbelief when she saw him inside the library.
Ishigami was speechless, but he knew from the memory of previous Ishigami what kind of relationship he shared with this girl, who was so rude toward him, yet similarly, he was also rude toward her.
If there had been no such incident, their relationship wouldn't have been like this, but as it had happened, then it had become like this.
Still, he wasn't Ishigami, so facing this petite girl with brown eyes and long brown hair that was styled in a loose pigtail, he was relatively calm instead of having an emotional complex. "Is it so weird to see me here?"
"It's weird." Iino Miko looked at him worriedly and asked, "Are you sick?" She even wanted to put her hand on his forehead, but naturally, he swatted her rude hand away.
If it had been in class, she might not have appeared this close to him, but as it was outside, and there was only her best friend, Kobachi, there was no need to restrain herself, as she had many questions that she wanted to ask him.
"You are so rude." Ishigami was helpless, but he didn't intend to explain anything. "You haven't gone home yet?"
"Yes." Iino nodded helplessly and subconsciously explained, "There is still a job that I haven't finished in the Public Moral Committee." As for why she explained why she hadn't gone home to Ishigami, it might be because it was hard, so she wanted to tell someone.
"Thank you for your hard work." Ishigami lightly hit Iino's head with the book he borrowed slowly, causing her to quickly cover the small head in defense. Still, he didn't forget about Kobachi. "Thanks for the help, Kobachi-san."
"Um." Kobachi nodded.
"Do you need me to help with the closing?"
"No, it's fine. Iino is here."
"Then, I will go back first."
"Yeah. Be careful on your way."
"You too, Kobachi-san. You too, Iino."
"O-Oh..."
Kobachi nodded and watched Ishigami leave, but then her eyes focused on Iino, who was still in a daze and covered her head stupidly. As she was so close, she could see a shy blush on Iino's cheeks, and she couldn't look away from Ishigami with a silly expression on her face, which made her feel conflicted and gloomy.
On the other hand, as Ishigami wished to change first, he made up his plan, and he was clear about what he wanted to do after this. Only when he was about to change his shoes and leave the school did someone call him.
"Ishigami, where are you going?"
"I am going back, Onedera-san." Ishigami looked at Onodera, who suddenly appeared and stopped him. Confused by her sudden question, he asked, "What's wrong?"
"...did you forget to tell me in LINE when you have finished with the student council?" Onodera asked with a slight resentment and hopelessness in her eyes.
"...." Ishigami.
---
Melt.