looked at Michel and asked,
— "Why did you say you found the first page?"
[Akira]
— "Someone had collected the novel a long time ago, but suddenly hid it again and left a message saying, 'Look for the only page in the library.' I searched until I found it, but there was no solid proof... so I gave up."
[Michel]
— "Which book does this page belong to?"
[Kana]
— "Honestly, I don't know. I didn't even try to find out. This library has thousands of books—it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. And we can't get inside to search anyway. We're outside the school, and someone's grandfather insists on following the rules."
[Michel]
— …
Suddenly, Kana hit Michel, returned the book to the guards, and said,
— "It's getting late. Let's go."
[Akira]
— "So you're saying someone finished the novel and hid it again, and the page that could lead us to the rest is somewhere among thousands of books? There's no solution, then. Who would even agree to look for such a page?"
[Kana]
— "Honestly, I don't have time. I've got studies and other things to do."
[Akira]
— "I don't mind, but university life is tough—classes, work, studying all day. Still, if anyone finds anything, let me know."
[Michel]
— "So no one will search? Then it's settled. We'll go home as if we never saw that book."
[Kana – Narrating]
— "And from that point on, the days passed normally. I didn't visit the old library again. I focused on my studies, and so did Michel. Whenever we met, we just said hi. We completely forgot about that novel."
(At Kana's home)
[Grandfather]
— "Back from extra classes?"
[Kana]
— "Yes, Grandpa. Ugh… I'm exhausted."
[Grandfather]
— "Go rest then. But… any updates about the missing novel? Have you found anything?"
[Kana]
— "No, I stopped searching for it a while ago. Why are you asking now? Did you find something?"
[Grandfather]
— "No, I just asked because I know my granddaughter doesn't give up easily… but this time, it seems you did."
[Kana]
— "I just don't have time for that stuff. What about you? You're old now and don't have much to do. If you care so much about the novel, why don't you search for it?"
[Grandfather – laughing]
— "Trying to get me moving, huh? Unfortunately, I'm enjoying my long vacation. I travel the world, have a few small jobs here and there… so no, thanks."
[Kana]
— "Then there's no hope you'll lose weight! You travel the world only for food! What kind of millionaire are you?"
[Grandfather – laughing]
— "I'm the kind who enjoys life after working hard. And I'm still the awesome grandpa who used to beat you at every game you brought home."
[Kana]
— "Oh? Feeling energetic all of a sudden? Fine then, I prepared a new game in my room. Let's play. But the loser has to cook!"
[Grandfather]
— "You haven't changed one bit..."
[Kana]
— "I'm hungry. Go get it!"
They played together, joking and laughing. The grandfather won, and Kana had to cook.
[Grandfather]
— "Your mom was supposed to make me food, but she's busy at her company. And your dad's at his company too. Things aren't like they used to be."
[Kana]
— "It's better this way. I'll cook for you and we'll play too. Since Grandma passed away, the house feels so empty..."
[Grandfather]
— "She was the best companion in my youth and old age. Since she left, I've felt so alone..."
[Kana]
— "What about me? I'm here."
[Grandfather – smiling]
— "You're not Maria."
[Kana]
— "Of course not! I'm her granddaughter. Come on, let's eat. Enough of the childish talk."
(While eating)
[Grandfather]
— "Did you know? When your grandma got sick, I had already given the servants time off. I didn't know she was ill. I had to take care of her myself. She asked for food, and I made her something… it was terrible! But she ate it anyway. And when she got better, she took her revenge."
[Kana]
— "What did she do to you?"
[Grandfather]
— "She cooked something so awful it scarred me for life. I begged her not to make me eat it again! But… I miss those days."
[Kana]
— "Yes... I miss Grandma too. She loved reading. She'd always take my new books before I got the chance to read them."
[Grandfather]
— "There wasn't a book your grandma didn't read. Even in high school, she read every book the school had... even the missing novel."
[Kana – shocked]
— "Wait! The missing novel? She read it?! How? Did she find it? Was she the one who hid it again?!"
[Grandfather]
— "No, dear. It wasn't her. A senior two years above us found the book. Your grandma asked to read it. He let her, and after she was done, she gave it back to him. He's the one who hid it."
[Kana]
— "But she loved books! Why would she let him hide it? Who was he? Do you know where he is now? Why didn't you tell me this before?"
[Grandfather]
— "Too many questions. First, he was a third-year student when we were freshmen. I don't know where he is now; he travels a lot. As for why she let him hide it, that was her decision. I never knew the reason."
(Kana stayed silent, then said:)
— "Let's eat before the food gets cold."
---
The next day…
I went to school and sat in my classroom. I wasn't interested in that novel anymore. All I cared about was building a promising future and swimming in money. Nothing would change that—or so I thought.
Then Kana showed up, having completely lost her mind, and forced me—through direct threat—to go with her to the library.
[Akira]
— "Why did you bring me here? Didn't we agree not to ask about that novel again? Aren't you done searching?"
[Kana]
— "Shut up and help me look. That page has to be in one of these books. Save your breath and search."
[Akira]
— "I'm not your servant! And we agreed to stop searching. Why are you still obsessed with this?"
[Kana]
— "There's something I need to know. That's why I have to find the novel."
[Akira]
— (Thinking) "Fine, search on your own. Why should I help you? I want to live my own life. I wish I could punch her right now..."
[Kana]
— "Why are you spacing out? Come on, search!"
[Akira]
— "I won't. I'm leaving. I trust the principal will hear me out and seek justice."
[Kana – calling her grandfather]
— "Grandpa! Someone is bothering me again..."
[Grandfather – on the phone]
— "You! Stop bothering my granddaughter! Either apologize now or I'll make you regret it."
[Akira – Narrating]
— "So much for justice and equality. I had to apologize for something I didn't do... and search in silence."
We kept searching. After three days of torture…
[Akira]
— "I can't take this anymore! I should've just punched her and been done with this nightmare!"
[Kana]
— "Nothing today either… You can go. I'll stay a little longer and then leave too."
[Akira]
— "Alright. Bye..."
(At home that night)
[Kana]
— "Grandpa, how long have these books been in the library? Do they have dates?"
[Grandfather]
— "Yes, each shelf has books from a different time. Our school organized them by date so nothing would be forgotten."
[Kana]
— "Then where would the books from my senpai's time be?"
[Grandfather]
— "I don't know. The shelves were rearranged several times. But the only spot that hasn't changed is the shelf near the old desk."
[Kana]
— "Thanks! I'll check it tomorrow."
---
The next day during break...
We went back to the library and searched that one shelf next to the old desk. We didn't find anything in the books.
[Kana]
— looking disappointed
[Akira – trying to cheer her up]
— "We've searched so much… But there are still a few drawers left. Let's check the desk."
(First drawer—empty. Second—empty. Third—)
[Akira]
— "It's locked!"
Suddenly, someone pushed me.
[Akira]
— "It's locked… Maybe it has something about the novel. But there's no key. I'll call Grandpa."
Calling...
— "Hello, Grandpa? I'm at the old library. Do you have the key to the desk drawer?"
[Grandfather]
— "No, but I'll come over with the key collection. One of them might work."
[Akira]
— "Alright. Since he doesn't have the key, maybe I can open it… What do you think?"
[Kana]
— "Wait, you don't have a key. Are you going to damage school property? What if the novel isn't even in there?"
[Akira]
— "Good point… But what if it is? Your grandpa doesn't have the key either. What will you do?"
[Kana]
— "No choice… Do it before he arrives."
[Akira]
— "Alright… Got a hairpin?"
[Kana]
— "Yes, here. And... there. It's open!"
[Akira]
— "Why do you have a hairpin? Are you a girl?"
[Kana]
— "No! It's my sister's. I use it to open a small box I lost the key for."
[Akira]
— "Whatever. Let's open it."
(They opened the drawer and found a page with a note.)
[Akira]
— "Let's see… It says:
> "I'm the one who found the novel in the past. To whoever seeks it in the future: I hid it for reasons I believe the author had as well. Can you handle the ending? Good luck. Each page leads to the next. Follow the riddles. To confirm it's the right page, I marked each with a red symbol."
[Kana – shouting joyfully]
— "We found it! We finally found it!"
And so, we began reading the page… to search for the rest of the novel.