"Sorry, I'm planning to go back and rest."
"I see. Are you free tomorrow?"
"I am, but didn't you find the library here boring?"
"It's boring because the collection is too small and there aren't any books that interest me. But with Mitoma-kun around, it wouldn't feel boring."
"I've finished reading the books you gave me."
"That's great. Mitoma-kun has been taking good care of these children."
For some reason, Hiyori Shiina seemed increasingly happy, while Kaoru Mitoma felt the temperature around him drop significantly.
Masayoshi Hashimoto patted him on the shoulder, leaving him with a "good luck" look, then shook his head with a sigh and left the room with Miki Yamamura.
"Eh, so Shiina-san and Mitoma-kun are close?"
Like a curious child, Honami Ichinose quietly approached the two of them, smiling as she joined their conversation.
"Mitoma-kun is the only friend I can share my thoughts on books with" Hiyori Shiina replied straightforwardly, then realizing her words might have been a bit inappropriate, her face turned slightly red.
"We don't do anything besides reading books."
Her tone rose slightly at the end, emphasizing her relationship with Kaoru Mitoma, as she recalled what Mitoma had once done to Masumi Kamuro.
"Ahaha, so you're book buddies?" Honami Ichinose looked at the novel in Shiina's arms with interest.
"'The Tragedy of X,' what kind of novel is this?"
"It's a classic mystery novel. Basically, a man is killed on a train, but the murderer can't be found, and a mystery unfolds from there. Readers can piece together the truth alongside the protagonist" Mitoma explained from the side.
Shiina showed a clear, bright smile.
Although it was just a simple summary, it was enough for her to know that Mitoma had read the novel in private.
"Can I ask what Mitoma-kun's thoughts on it are?"
"When I first started reading, I felt the descriptions were too lengthy and the author was too verbose. But as I got further in, I realized the author had planted a lot of foreshadowing and it all came together brilliantly in the end. It felt really satisfying, like a cathartic release."
"Ah, I felt the same way. Besides the brilliant story, the logic brought out by the rich details was also amazing."
Honami watched their interaction, though she normally wouldn't pay attention to such things, she felt a slight heaviness in her chest.
At that moment, Shiina suddenly spoke softly to her.
"Would you like to read it too, Ichinose-san?"
Caught off guard by this development, Honami was visibly startled.
"Did I make you uncomfortable?" Shiina tilted her head, thinking she had been too abrupt.
"N-no, it's just that I've never read a mystery novel before." To hide her expression, Honami forced an unnatural smile.
Kaoru chimed in "If you can't understand it, you can just skip to the last chapter."
"Wait, wouldn't that spoil everything!" Honami was slightly annoyed, giving him a few light punches on the shoulder.
Besides, she wasn't an idiot; she could handle reading a novel.
"Please don't teach bad habits to newcomers, Mitoma-kun" Shiina said with a serious expression.
"A mystery without the process is meaningless."
Mitoma looked at her strangely.
If she knew this, why did she often let things slip herself?
"Please don't feel any pressure. It's a wonderful mystery novel and I'm sure you'll fall in love with the story" Shiina continued to persuade Honami, while handing the novel to her.
Clearly unused to seeing Shiina in such a serious state, Honami hesitated but accepted the novel.
"I-I'll do my best to finish it!"
"It's okay if you don't understand everything; don't force yourself. Oh, and you can always ask me or Mitoma-kun for help."
Honami glanced at Kaoru, who nodded and said.
"This book is part of her collection. You can take your time reading it."
Hiyori Shiina looked at Kaoru Mitoma, then at Honami Ichinose and suddenly her ears turned bright red.
"I think I got a little too excited."
Kaoru Mitoma looked at the girl who was softly murmuring, her cheeks flushed as she slightly lowered her head.
[Hiyori Shiina: Embarrassed, confused,...]
[It is recommended to comfort the target by patting their head, chest and offering verbal praise, which can effectively increase the target's favorability.]
"Honestly, every time I see you with that expression, I can't help but want to take a picture. It's rare to see Shiina-san like this," Kaoru Mitoma said.
"Besides, you recommended this book because you thought it would suit me and Ichinose, right?"
As he spoke, for experimental purposes, he patted Hiyori Shiina's head.
The texture was smooth and soft.
Seemingly surprised by his boldness, the girl was startled, her body stiffening slightly as she stared at him in a daze.
Similarly, Honami Ichinose was also stunned.
"I-I understand, please stop... this is so embarrassing..." Hiyori Shiina felt dizzy, her entire face turning red.
Yet, she didn't immediately swat his hand away, instead feeling a subtle, strange sensation in her heart.
As soon as Kaoru Mitoma withdrew his hand, she looked up, their eyes meeting briefly before she quickly averted her gaze, then whispered.
"The book... my book is in the library..."
Halfway through her sentence, Hiyori Shiina noticed her cheeks growing hotter, her words becoming incoherent.
So, she simply ran away.
"That's so unfair, you've never patted my head!" Honami Ichinose said with a hint of melancholy.
At this moment, the room was left with only her and Kaoru Mitoma, as the others had tactfully left earlier.
"What would you do if I had a significant other?" Kaoru Mitoma suddenly asked.
Honami Ichinose stared at him intently, then softly said.
"I don't know. I don't mean to be jealous of Shiina-san, but for a moment, I felt really upset."
"When a baby bird hatches, it becomes deeply attached to the first creature it sees" Kaoru Mitoma lifted her chin.
"You've never been in love, never had someone you liked and you've always been with me. Your body will get used to the feelings I give you."
Honami Ichinose looked directly into his eyes, her lips slightly pursed and suddenly, a glimmer of realization flashed in her eyes.
"No, you'll also get used to the feelings I give you."
The girl stood on her tiptoes and under his gaze, gently kissed his lips, a warm and cool sensation.
It was a conservative kiss, but her next words carried a hint of provocation.
"Kaoru-kun, you wouldn't want to see me kiss another man like this in the future, would you?"
Kaoru Mitoma looked at her and she met his gaze without backing down.
"I know very well that I might develop a possessive desire for you, but I don't believe you won't feel the same" Honami Ichinose warned him fiercely.
"Would you really want to see me with someone else? Want to see me in another man's arms? Don't you want me to keep rewarding you?"
Yes, if she couldn't break free from her attachment to Kaoru Mitoma, then he wouldn't be able to break free from her either.
In other words, the war between her and Kaoru Mitoma was about who would fall for the other first.
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