Chapter 15: Hiyori Shiina (Part 2)
The library after school was filled with a quiet and serene atmosphere. The sunset outside the window poured through the glass, and its soft afterglow cast dappled light and shadows on the bookshelves.
A single bookshelf, a small window—one side was packed with knowledge, and the other was filled with warm, amber light.
Faced with this sudden and strange turn of events, Hikigaya felt a bit confused. For a moment, he didn't know how to respond.
"A-Anyway, let's just forget what happened just now."
Shiina spoke with a natural air, as if she hadn't noticed anything odd.
Hikigaya didn't feel comfortable bringing it up again, so he followed her lead and continued the conversation. "Uh, I haven't read that one yet. But I have read some of Christie's works."
"In that case, if you don't mind, would you like to borrow one? I really recommend it!"
"Y-Yeah, sure. Since you're recommending it. Thanks, Shiina-san."
With Shiina's guidance, Hikigaya found the book she highly recommended on the bookshelf.
"Hikigaya-kun, would you like to have dinner together?"
"Eh...?"
"Since I've found a fellow book lover, I'd like to get to know you a little more."
As she said this, Shiina beamed at him.
"O-Oh, I see..."
Hikigaya felt his cheeks burning. His face was so hot it could probably fry an egg.
Yes, their encounter had been just like something out of a novel.
Someone like Shiina, who loved books, probably longed for meetings like this.
No, no, don't get full of yourself.
This is just a conversation between fellow readers.
So even if Shiina says she wants to get to know him better, Hikigaya wouldn't be surprised, or nervous, or feel anything unusual—he wouldn't jump, wouldn't panic, and certainly wouldn't be shocked.
Wait... what's happening? Why am I panicking?
"Is it not okay?"
As if sensing Hikigaya's reluctance, Shiina looked up at him with slightly wet eyes.
—This girl's a strategist.
Too cunning… The combination of "looking up" and "pleading" equals "impossible to refuse." It's the unbeatable special move that only girls possess.
Any guy who dares say no would be painted as the bad guy.
The world really is unfair.
"I-I got it..."
The setting sun poured its glow into every corner of the campus.
The orange-red light filtered through the treetops, reflecting on the wide field. A light breeze stirred the leaves, which swayed gently in the air with a rustling sound.
The two of them left the library, slipping the borrowed books into their bags. Shiina didn't wear her bag on her back but held it in front of her with both hands as she walked.
"Shiina-san, have you thought about what you want to eat?"
"Hmm... not really. Since I just started at this school, do you have any recommendations, Hikigaya-kun?"
"Well, I heard today's menu at the cafeteria is pretty good. Want to check it out?"
"If Hikigaya-kun says so, then let's go."
They arrived at the student cafeteria. Although it had already been over half an hour since school ended, most students were still hanging around in the gym, so the cafeteria wasn't too crowded.
"What would you like to eat, Hikigaya-kun?"
"Hmm... I think I'll try the daily special."
"Sounds good! I'll have one too."
They scanned the code to pay with points, and the counter staff quickly brought out two trays with the daily special meal.
Noticing that Shiina seemed a bit troubled, Hikigaya reached out a hand toward her.
"Hm?" Shiina tilted her head in confusion.
"…It's hard to carry food while holding your bag, right? I'll hold it for you."
"No, it's okay. I wouldn't want to trouble you, Hikigaya-kun."
"It's fine. Carrying both your bag and your tray could make you trip."
"Thank you." Shiina handed over her bag with an apologetic look.
As Hikigaya took it, he realized it was much heavier than it looked. Since the cafeteria wasn't crowded, they sat facing each other at a random spot.
"This bag's really heavy, huh? Sorry. I actually went to a bookstore during lunch. I figured if I ever met someone who shared my interests, I could lend them some books, so I've been carrying them around..."
This girl's really simple-minded.
She kind of gives off the vibe of being a little airheaded.
"You really do love books, huh..."
Hearing that, Shiina clasped her hands together and gave a bright smile. "Yep! Reading is so much fun. Those authors are all so talented, and the stories are really captivating. I just love reading so much!"
To be honest, Hikigaya was a little envious of her.
He had long sealed away the ability to openly laugh or show strength, or to express genuine affection for something from the heart.
That kind of pure, unfiltered honesty when declaring "I love this" was dazzling to witness.
Caught in the moment, Hikigaya quickly lowered his head and changed the subject. "Are you not interested in clubs, Shiina-san?"
"I've already joined one—the tea ceremony club."
"Eh? So right after you signed up, you went straight to the library?"
"Yep! I've been a little interested in tea ceremony since I was a kid, so I hurried and signed up before heading over."
After dinner, Hikigaya and Shiina strolled out of the cafeteria at a leisurely pace.
"Hikigaya-kun, I had a lot of fun talking with you today. If you have time, let's share our thoughts on books again next time."
No no no, this is too embarrassing, please let me decline.
Even though both Hikigaya and Shiina were book lovers, that didn't mean they had to talk about books together.
For Hikigaya, rather than honestly sharing his thoughts with someone, it felt more comfortable to read alone and laugh like a weirdo… Wait, that doesn't sound great either.
"Ah, it's kind of, you know..."
Hikigaya blurted out his go-to phrase for turning people down.
Most of the time, saying this would make the other person respond with, "Oh… okay, I see…" and drop the topic.
Though when people gave up that easily, it often felt like they were just being polite—or worse, relieved to be rejected. Seriously, be more careful.
In Hikigaya's eyes, sometimes not asking someone out was actually the kinder thing to do.
But Shiina didn't seem to see it that way. She narrowed her eyes and stared at him. "Hikigaya-kun, what's that supposed to mean?"
Then she looked at him with eyes like a helpless little animal trapped in a cage. "Do you... not like me, Hikigaya-kun?"
"N-No, I don't dislike you..." Hikigaya averted his gaze, so embarrassed he almost bit his tongue.
"Really? Then I'm counting on you, Hikigaya-kun." Shiina blushed slightly and glanced at Hikigaya's face as if stealing a peek, then let out a small breath of relief.
As if something just came to her, she perked up and pulled out her phone. "Oh right! Let's exchange contact info!"
"Ah?"
At that moment, Hikigaya suddenly had a thought— Ever since coming to this school, every single person he'd added to his contacts was a girl. ...Was that normal?