Smart?
Kiyono vaguely remembered Yanami also evaluating him as such. While he didn't think his IQ was much higher than others, if he was facing these 'loser ladies'... Hmm! He was indeed sharp-minded!
"Anyway, thank you, Kiyono. I'll buy these two books, and I'll try my best to finish them!"
Yakishio Lemon reined in her thoughts and hugged the books to her chest.
Kiyono smiled and nodded, then picked up the book in his hand and continued reading—he was also contributing to the store's sales, so he could read with a clearer conscience!
The Blue-haired girl had originally intended to check out and leave, but she looked at Kiyono, tilted her head slightly, and felt a little curious. Why was Kiyono always reading here but never buying?
She suddenly thought of something, her delicate brows furrowing.
Then, Yakishio Lemon's eyes darted around. She took the books and moved closer to Kiyono, asking casually, "Speaking of which, Kiyono, what light novels are you interested in reading lately?"
"Hm?"
Kiyono turned his head to look at her, and like chanting a spell, rattled off a string of book titles: "Next, I plan to read 'The Super Senior Who Won't Stop Pestering Me, the Gloomy Guy!', 'The Beautiful Girl Who Openly Declared She'd Only Date Me, the Anime Otaku!', 'In a World Where Yin and Yang Are Reversed'...
As he finished speaking, Yakishio Lemon's gaze towards him gradually changed, becoming the classic look of disdain from a beautiful girl. She couldn't help but retort:
"Why are all these book titles so long!?"
"How would I know..." Kiyono didn't look up, engrossed in reading the 'Ramune' in his hand.
Yakishio Lemon scratched her head, looking conflicted, but still asked the nearby staff for a book bag. With a cold expression, she almost picked up the books Kiyono mentioned as if they were trash, put them into the bag, and paid for them.
"Hey! Kiyono! I... I think the titles of those novels you mentioned sound quite interesting, and I want to read them too. But I can't read so many at once, so, why don't you hold onto these books for me for now!"
Lemon picked up her two books and handed him the bag.
Kiyono closed his book, looking at her with a subtle expression... How was he found out? And your excuse is really too clumsy! Your smile is even twitching with effort!
But he did feel the girl's goodwill.
Honestly...
Since the girl had already paid in advance, he pondered for a moment, then accepted the book bag casually, "Then I'll hold onto them for you."
"Mm!"
Seeing that he wasn't displeased or embarrassed, Yakishio Lemon also breathed a slight sigh of relief, her face full of smiles—while her action was well-intentioned, it was actually a bit rash, as it touched upon someone's sensitive spot.
Fortunately, Kiyono was a frank and straightforward person.
In that case, she could come to him for relationship advice in the future—normally, the boys she knew were seniors from sports clubs, all of them thick-headed, or girls like Yanami , who could only cry with her in mutual sympathy. A boy like Kiyono, who was thoughtful, enthusiastic, and could offer advice, was the first of his kind!
The more she thought about it, the more suitable it seemed!
She might as well find time to ask Kiyono out this weekend!
Yakishio Lemon walked out of the bookstore gleefully, as if she saw her beautiful future.
*
Dusk.
The lounge was unusually quiet, with only the faint clicking of a mouse.
Kiyono sat in front of the computer, looking at reader comments with interest.
Just then, a phone was placed on his keyboard.
"Kiyono, look! A puppy ran into our classroom today. This is the photo I took!"
Kiyono looked up and saw Yanami standing at the table. The girl leaned slightly, a strand of blue hair playfully slipping from behind her ear, greeting him.
"Look," she gestured towards the phone with a pout, her pretty face showing a puppy-like pleading expression.
Kiyono couldn't quite resist her gaze, so he reluctantly picked up the phone. On the screen was a photo of a white puppy on the podium. The low angle suggested the girl had crouched down to take it.
"How is it, how is it! Cute, right!"
The girl leaned closer, and he could smell her faint, fresh scent.
"It's alright." Kiyono hummed twice, quickly returned the phone to her, and widened the distance between them.
After sharing, Yanami was satisfied and continued happily flipping through her phone photos.
But soon, she noticed something unusual.
The Blue-haired girl paused, holding her phone in one hand, her gaze seemingly on the screen, but in reality, it had quietly shifted to the books Kiyono had placed beside his desk.
Did he buy these?
She knew Kiyono's habits well, knowing he was usually very frugal, the type who would bend down to pick up a hundred-yen coin dropped under a vending machine—but not stingy, as he bought quite expensive limited-edition desserts for her.
In short, she meant to say that, barring any accidents, Kiyono would absolutely not buy so many books! He would only quietly read them in the bookstore!
So there was something fishy!
Yanami put away her phone, casually picked up a book, and asked in her usual playful tone, "Oh? So many books? Did the bookstore have a 90% off sale today?"
"Oh, these books were given to me by Lemon."
Kiyono pressed Enter, answering casually.
"Eh?"
The girl's smile froze for a moment. She subconsciously asked, "What happened?"
Kiyono briefly explained what had happened today.
"...What? You two are even going to the library together this weekend?"
At some point, the smile on Yanami 's face had completely vanished, her brows furrowed.
Why didn't she know about this?
"Just for a discussion." Kiyono took a sip of water, his tone natural.
The next second, the Blue-haired girl slammed her hand on the table and said without hesitation.
"I'm going too!"
...
Kiyono gave Yanami a strange look. If you want to go, just go. Why make such a fuss!
Do you really want the childhood friend to win that much!
Just as Yanami finished pounding the table, her phone rang—it was a message from Lemon, asking if she wanted to come along this weekend. The girl's eyes immediately curved into crescents.
After a quick reply, Yanami reverted to her usual boisterous "good buddy" self.
*
Weekend.
The sky was blue, fluffy clouds drifted lazily, and the warm sunshine heralded the coming season. The romantic cherry blossoms that filled the city gradually turned into vibrant green. A gentle breeze blew, and girls' skirts swayed in the wind, as if dancing a silent dance.
The sounds of elementary school students playing nearby drifted over.
Influenced by the weather, Kiyono got on his bicycle and slowly pedaled, heading in the pre-determined direction.
However...
"Why do I have to specially pick up this loser!"
Ten minutes later, he rode his bicycle to a familiar place—a traditional Japanese house, where the cherry blossom tree in front of the gate had already withered—this was Yanami 's home.
Kiyono stopped his bike and sighed in frustration.
A few days ago—on the evening when the three decided to have a relationship discussion, he routinely rode Yanami home. Along the way, the girl inexplicably used the reason, "This library is so far from my house, why don't you just take me with you!" and half-forced him into this unequal agreement.
...Although he did get a dinner from Yanami for it.
But isn't this development a bit off? Riding bikes together normally could be explained by safety, but going out together on holidays looks like a couple! It's too easy to be misunderstood!
...Although he personally thought it looked more like just good buddies hitching a ride than a couple.
As he was lost in thought, the door opened with a "clack," and accompanied by the fading glow of late spring, a charming and beautiful figure stood before him.
Refreshing blue hair, a delicate and beautiful face, dressed in a white lace-trimmed dress that revealed smooth calves below the knees. She wore small sandals and carried a convenience bag, seemingly filled with snacks for the discussion, exuding the youthful vitality of a high school girl.
Come to think of it... this was the first time he had seen Yanami formally dressed, wasn't it?
Kiyono suddenly became lost in thought. She had only changed her clothes, yet the impression she gave was so vastly different...
But the next second, any superfluous thoughts in his mind were instantly killed.
"How do I look today, pretty? Have I captivated you, this young girl?"
Yanami blinked, then showed a confident smile, striking various poses like a big star.
Kiyono's gaze quickly turned cold, and he sneered, "Yes, very pretty, very pretty. It would be even better if your childhood friend saw you like this right now."
"Eek!?"
The girl froze in place, looking somewhat guilty towards the house not far away—by the way, what's with that tone of yours! You sound too much like a beautiful girl who's given up after being corrupted by a scoundrel!
Yanami coughed, ruffled her hair, and naturally sat on the back seat of the bicycle.
Kiyono reluctantly started pedaling.
"I say, your house isn't that far from the library, is it? It's about a half-hour walk."
"Do you want me to show up at the library drenched in sweat?"
The girl's response was flawless.
"I don't mind." Kiyono pouted.
"Alright, alright, stop complaining. I've prepared a reward for you."
Yanami opened the convenience bag, took out a popsicle from it, and quietly pressed it against Kiyono's cheek. After he flinched, she chuckled, unwrapped the popsicle, and put it in her mouth, her eyes narrowing into crescent moons, as if savoring a delicacy.
"You're really not afraid of crashing, are you?"
Kiyono was speechless.
Creak, creak.
The bicycle moved steadily forward, the sound of its wheels on the ground particularly clear in the quiet residential area. Under the blue sky, a girl with equally blue hair ate a popsicle on the back seat. Was this youthfulness...? He should record it in his novel material!
Time seemed to slow down, and that inexplicable feeling only gradually dissipated upon reaching their destination.
"Good work, Kiyono."
In front of the library, Yanami said, taking another popsicle from the bag and handing it to him.
Kiyono had gradually gotten used to her sharing and wasn't surprised. He put the popsicle in his mouth.
The sweet taste of strawberry melted in his mouth.
What Kiyono didn't notice was that their every move was observed by a girl not far ahead.
"Lemon! Over here, over here!" Yanami spotted her, paused, and waved with a brilliant smile.
Yakishio Lemon jogged over to them, her gaze constantly shifting between the two, her expression a bit strange, "Kiyono, Anna... you two came together?"
Kiyono was about to explain when Yanami nodded naturally, "Yes, he gave me a ride."
"Eh..."
Yakishio Lemon's eyes widened.
Sunday, riding bikes together, sharing popsicles... Were your relationships that intimate? Kiyono must be your childhood friend after all!
"It's just on the way, Lemon! Let's go!"