"Th-Thank you for h-helping me."
"It was nothing, really."
My hands were full, loaded with books.
They were all Alice's. The academy's library doesn't limit how many books you can borrow at once. You can take as many as you want. But really, no one except Alice ever borrows over 20 books at once. Even the librarian seemed a bit surprised when she saw us.
Though there's no limit on the borrowed amount, there is still a time limit: one week.
Will she really get through all these in just a week?
Well, I guess I'll find out if I just ask.
"By the way, do you think you'll be able to read all these by the end of the borrowing period?"
"A-A day or t-two, that's more than en-enough."
So she says.
I knew she was a bookworm, but this is beyond what I imagined.
"You must really love books, Alice."
"Y-Yes! I—I really, r-really l-like them!"
Alice answered enthusiastically, though stumbling over her words.
She got a bit carried away at the end, but I'll pretend I didn't notice.
"B-Books are am-amazing. I-In a single, s-single book, there's one person's p-perspective and a whole new w-world. When I s-start exploring that world, I f-forget about time. H-Hehe…"
Seeing her looking down at her toes, it seems like she still has more to say, but she cut herself short, maybe because of how much she stutters.
Alice feels self-conscious about her speech.
But this is an improvement. She's still stuttering, but at least she can talk to someone.
When she was younger, she couldn't speak at all.
In "Blades of Eternity," many characters have tragic pasts or traumatic experiences.
Take Leon, for example. He despises his own nature. He's riddled with self-hatred.
Alice's past wasn't so bright either.
Her stuttering is a result of those unlucky memories.
So let's just look at her warmly for now.
Alice lived in a dormitory like Leon. The same building, actually. First-year students all stay in the same dorm, so that's not surprising. But she was on the second floor below, while Leon stayed higher up.
"Should I just leave them here?"
"Y-Yes! I'll p-pay y-you back for this, s-somehow!"
Alice said, clenching her fists.
Her earnestness was adorable, and I couldn't help but smile.
"No worries. It was no big deal. See you in class tomorrow."
"Y-Yes, s-see you!"
I waved and left Alice's room.
I glanced into her room as I left, and it was—unsurprisingly, filled with books. There was also a faint, comforting smell of old books.
Alright, maybe I should go back to my room and read too. Let's see if I can dig into some knowledge on the human body structure.
As I walked to my room, a sudden thought clouded my smile.
Wait...is this alright?
Did I introduce myself to Alice a bit too soon?
I mean, it's natural to know each other's faces since we're classmates…but that's not exactly what I mean.
In the original story, Leon didn't get close to other students until the second semester.
He only exposed his true self to Elsia during the summer break.
He befriended Alice around that time too.
I didn't intend to disrupt the flow of the 'original' story. In fact, I planned to go along with it. Getting too close to Alice too soon might alter the future. Sure, you'd think a little interaction couldn't change much, but…ever heard of the butterfly effect? Small things can spiral into big consequences.
It might not be an issue with someone like Arin, who's naturally sociable and nosy, but Alice is different. She's as lonely as Leon.
"Ah, maybe I'm overthinking this."
I let out a small, wry laugh. I'm making this too big of a deal over just a little conversation.
It's not like I've disrupted Alice and Elsia's bond.
Wait, now that I think about it… How did Elsia and Alice become friends anyway?
The big turning point comes with the incident a month from now, but they did know each other before that, right?
With Alice's personality, it's unlikely that she approached her first.
Alright, let's think back.
If I remember correctly…she borrowed a stack of books, tripped on the main street, and Elsia, who happened to be passing by, helped her up, and that's how they got close.
"…Huh?"
Something…feels off.
Did I…mess with fate?
No way.
Alice loves books.
She reads over 20 books in a day or two, right?
She'll still go to the library every day, right?
Let's trust in the destined bond between the protagonist and the main heroine.
They'll meet soon, like fate intended.
Right?
-----------------------------
"E-Hehe…"
Alice shuffled her feet as another smile crept up.
She'd lost count of how many times this had happened. Even as she read, random thoughts would pop up, making her unconsciously break into a grin.
Alice loved moments like this.
When she sat down and opened a book, a new world would unfold before her.
Words would turn into images, taking her to places far and wide.
Usually, she'd be completely immersed, her mind free from any other thoughts. But today was different.
"Hehehe…"
Another giggle escaped her lips.
Maybe her grin looked silly.
A voice tinged with irritation soon rang out.
[Stop giggling. Just turn the page already. You're done with that one.]
Alice was alone in her room.
The voice wasn't coming from outside. It resonated within her.
'Oh, sorry. I'll keep reading.'
She quickly scanned through and turned the page. Silence filled her mind. She refocused on her book. When reading, her attention should be solely on the story. That's how she showed respect to the author.
"Hehehe…"
But the giggle slipped out again.
Alice bounced her legs back and forth, twisting her hair between her fingers.
[Ugh, really.]
Finally, 'she' couldn't hold it in and let out a frustrated sigh.
[So, what's got you all excited?]
'Hehe, it's just…talking to someone else has been so long.'
[Talking to someone else? You talk to me every day, don't you?]
'Yeah, but you're 'me,' Frey. What I meant was talking to other people. It feels like it's been years.'
For as long as she could remember, whenever Alice needed to communicate with others, Frey would step in. Alice would slip to the back of her consciousness, handing control of her body to Frey, who'd always taken charge of conversations. Ever since she hadn't been alone, that's how it was.
Actually, today was supposed to be the same. When Leon approached her, Alice tried to hand control over to Frey…but…
'Then you told me, remember?
"How long are you going to keep hiding?"
You said this time, I should face someone myself. Hehe, did I do well? I stuttered a lot, but…it was a good first step, right?'
[Yeah, for a first time, you did well.]
Frey's voice was nonchalant, though deep down, she felt proud. But really, all this excitement over a little conversation with a classmate? Alice still had a long way to go.
'Leon…he was so nice. He even checked if I'd hurt myself when I fell and helped me carry my books all the way to the dorm…'
[He seemed as clueless as you. And clumsy.]
'You know, Frey, I…I really want to become better friends with Leon.'
[Alright, go for it.]
Frey's apathetic response made Alice hesitate.
'I mean, what if Leon dislikes me because I stutter too much…maybe you could…'
[No.]
Frey sighed deeply.
Of course, it wasn't a real sigh—Alice was still the one in control.
[I told you, didn't I? It's time you learned to handle some things on your own.]
'But…'
[No buts, Alice. Earlier, weren't you just happily boasting about talking to someone 'yourself'? Now you want me to get closer on your behalf? Are you fine with just that?]
Alice felt disheartened. Frey wasn't wrong, after all. She was right in every way. But asking Alice, who'd always relied on Frey for socializing, to make a friend all on her own felt like an impossible task.
'What if he's disappointed in me when I approach him? I mean, I'm not that special. I stutter and…'
[That's fine. You're cute, Alice. Just smile at him. He'll be smitten.]
'Wh-What…?'
[If that's too hard, try this…hmm, yeah. Recommend him a book.]
'A book?'
[That boy was at the library, right? He probably likes books, though maybe not as much as we do. Anyway, as a gesture to repay him for helping you with your books, recommend a good one. Use it as a way to steer up a conversation. Easy, right?]
Alice blinked her wide eyes.
A book? Recommending a book? That, she could do. She'd read so many types of books by now. And among them, there were plenty of masterpieces she'd wanted to share with others.
She didn't know what books Leon would like, but surely, amongst the many she'd read, there had to be something that Leon would enjoy.
Just the thought of recommending a book to Leon made Alice feel giddy.
It'd be a friendship formed over books.
[It's easier to talk to someone if you both have the same hobbies. After all, people feel closer when they have something in common.
How about that, Alice?
Feeling a little motivated now?]
"Uh, yeah!" Alice nodded, making a rare cute sound.
[Anything is hard at first, Alice. Don't expect someone to come for you and instead, approach them yourself. I'll support you too, so don't be discouraged.]
"Yeah, I'll go try— to try!" Alice clenched her small fists and cheered cutely.
Frey was worried, but she held it in.
Well, it'll be okay.
If Leon was a man, she would have stopped Alice. A man is too much for the innocent Alice.
Since Leon was a man wouldn't it be okay? He could be someone who would lend a hand to Alice whenever she faces trouble.
Even so, there is still the off chance that he would be a bad influence.
Frey had decided on what to do.
If Leon was the kind of villain who would prey on the innocent Alice—
[I'll just bury him.]
"Huh? What did you mean by that?"
[No, I was just talking to myself, don't worry about it.]
While they were talking, Alice was already going through a mountain of books piled up in the corner of the room, choosing a book to introduce to Leon.
Frey watched her quietly, swallowing her anxiety and anticipation.