"Natsuki-kun."
"Do you like reading books?"
Hiyori Shiina had no intention of letting the conversation end just like that.
Usually, in the eyes of most people, Hiyori Shiina was the type who didn't show much emotion. Her long silver hair and less-than-expressive face added a touch of coldness to her demeanor.
She wasn't good at socializing and preferred to be alone. Her greatest hobby was reading novels, especially mysteries. This led to one thing: Hiyori Shiina had almost no friends.
However, this didn't mean that Hiyori Shiina was truly as she appeared on the surface, not needing friends.
In fact, Hiyori Shiina very much hoped to make friends with similar interests, and in this short exchange with Natsuki Subaru, Hiyori Shiina found herself slightly drawn to him as well.
Natsuki Subaru might just be the kind of like-minded friend Hiyori Shiina wanted to make.
"Yeah."
"I don't really have any other hobbies."
Natsuki Subaru nodded slightly after hearing Hiyori Shiina's words and said, "Only when I'm reading, and specifically physical books like these, can I feel a bit of tranquility."
"I can read things online, but it doesn't give me that same sense of peace."
As he spoke, a hint of reminiscence appeared on Natsuki Subaru's face.
As a patient suffering from a severe psychological illness, Natsuki Subaru was keenly aware of just how sick he was. Nihilism and self-destructive emotions deeply affected him.
But knowing was one thing; acting was another.
On his path to becoming the Purge King, Natsuki Subaru had tried more than once to find the meaning of his existence, a goal for his existence, or even just an anchor.
In the end, he could only watch himself from a third-person perspective, helpless, as he slid step by step into the abyss.
And reading was the only hobby Natsuki Subaru had found for himself, aside from the three 'genuine articles'—Emilia, Ram, and Reinhard—that could bring him a slight bit of peace.
"I see."
Hiyori Shiina nodded, a trace of concern revealing itself in the depths of her eyes.
Natsuki Subaru had never concealed anything from her.
Or rather, long ago, Natsuki Subaru had already lost the motivation to 'conceal' things, because he felt it was meaningless. He simply didn't have the energy to do such pointless things.
Even now, Natsuki Subaru was using the goal of 'finding a genuine article' to alleviate his psychological condition.
In the previous two resets, Natsuki Subaru had already established a firm foothold in this society but had never found a 'genuine article'. Inevitably, Natsuki Subaru once again fell into a state of nihilism and self-destructive emotion.
If he continued to fail in finding a 'genuine article', perhaps within ten loops, or even just five, Natsuki Subaru might once again become that Purge King, and an even more terrifying one at that.
Because this time, the Purge King would no longer have those three anchors in his heart.
Of course, Hiyori Shiina certainly couldn't see things on such a deep level. Natsuki Subaru just wouldn't intentionally hide things; his feeling that everything was meaningless didn't mean he would just blurt out everything about himself.
The conclusion Hiyori Shiina had reached so far was merely that Natsuki Subaru might be a bit sentimental, something of an artsy type, and at most, slightly depressed.
After all, apart from appearing somewhat weary and negative, Natsuki Subaru could still communicate normally with people.
It probably wasn't a major issue.
The conversation between Natsuki Subaru and Hiyori Shiina came to a natural close.
After the topic ended, Natsuki Subaru and Hiyori Shiina immersed themselves in their own worlds, each reading a book that interested them.
Natsuki Subaru continued to read No Longer Human with great interest.
Once Hiyori Shiina felt that Natsuki Subaru wasn't in the situation she had imagined, she relaxed and found a mystery novel she hadn't finished yet and began to read.
Hiyori Shiina didn't change her seat either, but simply sat directly across from Natsuki Subaru, reading quietly. The sound of pages turning was soft and rhythmic.
...
As time passed, the sky gradually turned a dusky yellow.
Hiyori Shiina had been gone for about half an hour, while Natsuki Subaru chose to finish No Longer Human.
It had to be said, Natsuki Subaru's evaluation of No Longer Human was very high.
It was one of the few books that could stir his emotions.
'Osamu Dazai...'
'What a shame. He feels like he would have been one of the few genuine articles...'
Natsuki Subaru stood up and stretched, also picking up the 'shelter' novel Hiyori Shiina had recommended to him.
Since this was a library, there was naturally a checkout service. After registering, one could borrow books from the library and take them back to the dorm to read.
After completing the procedure, Natsuki Subaru left the library, preparing to get his dinner and accomplish one of his main goals for the day.
To go to a convenience store, or some shops that sold small goods and souvenirs, and find a coin with a suitable feel.
Through his simple observations and passive information gathering during the day, Natsuki Subaru already knew that the points wouldn't remain constant.
As Year 1, Class D, they were likely the absolute lowest tier in this meritocracy.
However, Natsuki Subaru wouldn't pinch pennies because of it. He would spend what he needed to. If he ran out of money, he would earn more. The very name 'Purge King' symbolized extreme extravagance and debauchery.
If Reinhard symbolized invincibility in martial prowess, then the Purge King, Natsuki Subaru, symbolized invincibility in financial power.
Based on today's findings alone, Natsuki Subaru didn't think he would be short on money in the future.
If he really was short, then Natsuki Subaru wouldn't mind turning on his foresight cheat and just resetting to try again.
"Subaru-kun~"
Natsuki Subaru had just sat down with his food tray when an energetic voice called out from not far away, attracting the attention of many people.
It was none other than Kikyō Kushida, who had already become the most popular student in Year 1, Class D on the very first day.
Kikyō Kushida walked over to Natsuki Subaru's side with a grin and said, "Can I sit next to you?"
"Of course you can."
Natsuki Subaru was indifferent to Kikyō Kushida's request and made a casual gesture.
Looking at the cheerful Kikyō Kushida, Natsuki Subaru also chuckled and asked with a smile, "How many friends did you make today? You must have met a lot of new people, right? Care to share with your number one friend here?"
"Someone as cute as Kikyo-san must be able to easily become the most popular student in the school."
___
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