When did this girl even sit here…?
Hikigaya's brain short-circuited for a second.
But he quickly regained composure.
"Sorry! I didn't realize this was your seat."
He stood up at once.
The farthest corner of the library had a single stool sitting there — clearly, someone had brought it themselves.
"It's fine," the girl said softly. "Hardly anyone ever comes here to read."
The silver-haired girl smiled faintly, dusting off her skirt as she stood.
"Hikigaya, right? Nice to meet you. I'm Hiyori Shiina, from Class C."
"You… know me?"
"Ah—"
"Wait, you're the Shiina that Ibuki mentioned?" Hikigaya blinked, caught off guard.
Well, that was unexpected.
Ibuki had canceled their lunch meeting because of a sudden brawl with her class's "gyaru squad," and yet — he and Shiina had just happened to meet here in the library instead.
That had to be fate.
…No, no. Saying that out loud would sound like he was hitting on her. He decided to stay quiet.
"Yes," Shiina said with a small smile. "Looks like we're pretty fated to meet, huh?"
Huh?
Wait a second — why are you the one saying that?!
Hikigaya froze for a moment, but seeing her innocent expression, he figured she was just… pure-minded.
Guess I was overthinking again.
"Nice to meet you, Shiina," he said formally.
"Nice to meet you too, Hikigaya."
Shiina extended her hand.
That's… awfully formal.
Still, Hikigaya took it. Her palm was small, soft, and slightly cool to the touch.
"I've heard so much about you," she said brightly. "Ibuki talks about you all the time."
"Uh, probably not in a good way," Hikigaya said with a wry smile. "I'm not exactly the handsome type."
"She's wrong," Shiina said easily. "Your face shape is very nice."
He'd heard that before — the compliment always came with the same follow-up. So he beat her to it.
"Too bad it's paired with dead fish eyes."
"Dead fish… eyes?" Shiina tilted her head thoughtfully. Then, she lifted her gaze to meet his directly.
"…"
"…"
Okay, any reaction? Comment? Come on, say something.
"I'm not sure I understand," she said at last, "but I think your eyes are… unique."
A thoughtful and honest answer.
Hikigaya inhaled sharply.
This was the first time anyone had ever looked at his eyes without making fun of them.
If this were middle school me, I'd probably be falling for her right now.
He took a deep breath and suppressed the dangerous thought.
Don't get carried away.
"So, what do you think of the book, Hikigaya?"
She smoothly brought the topic back.
"It's a great novel," he said. "The deduction part really shines. All twelve passengers on the train being the murderers was a clever twist."
"Yes! Exactly!" Shiina nodded vigorously, her eyes lighting up.
"The first time I read it, I kept trying to figure out who the killer was. Everyone's testimony was so vague and contradictory that I never even considered that there could be more than one killer. You're amazing, Hikigaya — you figured it out right away!"
"Ah, it was just luck," he said modestly.
Also… you're standing way too close.
Hikigaya subtly leaned back.
"Ah—sorry! I got a bit too excited," Shiina said, flustered.
She hadn't realized how close she'd leaned toward him — to the point where her breath nearly hit his face.
Even after she stepped back, they were still barely a step apart. Hikigaya could faintly smell her — a light lavender scent.
"I'm really happy," Shiina said, placing a hand on her chest with genuine warmth. "It's nice having a friend who shares my interests."
"Friends? Wait, when did we become—"
Hikigaya blinked, confused.
"What? You don't want to be friends with me?" she asked softly, her expression dimming with a hint of hurt.
It wasn't fake — not like Kushida's "I want to be friends with everyone" act. Hikigaya could tell Shiina really meant it.
"Well… if you don't mind, Shiina, then sure," he said.
"That's great!" she said brightly, her smile blooming again. "To be honest, I'm not very good at making friends. Ibuki's the only one in class I can really talk to."
"Oh, I get it — so we're, like, friends of a friend."
"Nope," Shiina corrected firmly. "This has nothing to do with Ibuki."
"Huh?"
"We met here in the library, by coincidence," she said earnestly. "That's… different."
"…Is it?"
"It is!" she said again, with absolute conviction.
Man, she's kind of stubborn too.
"By the way," she added cheerfully, "Ibuki mentioned you were looking for someone to help you study?"
"Yeah. My science grades aren't great," he admitted.
"Then I'll teach you," Shiina said without hesitation, smiling as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"That might be a bit much to ask…" Hikigaya said, embarrassed.
Hold up.
We haven't even discussed terms yet.
You're just agreeing like that?!
"It's not a problem," Shiina said. "I already help Ibuki with English sometimes."
"That's different," Hikigaya said seriously. "I don't like freeloading off people's effort. Please, let me pay you in private points."
"Hikigaya, aren't you already tutoring two girls in your class?" she asked. "Did they pay you too?"
Her eyes gleamed with quiet curiosity.
"Uh—"
Wait, how does she even know about that?
Ah. Right.
Library surveillance — she must've seen me.
"They, uh… they already paid," he said vaguely, eyes darting away.
"In what way?"
Shiina leaned closer again, hands cupped under her chin, her expression pure curiosity.
Hikigaya met her gaze seriously. "In my dreams."
"Pfft—!"
Shiina burst out laughing, completely losing her composure.
Crude phrasing aside, it was meant literally.
And now Hikigaya was receiving the full brunt of the "Splash Damage" Award — front row.
"I—I'm sorry!" she said between giggles. "I didn't mean to! I usually don't laugh like that—!"
She clapped her hands over her mouth, shoulders trembling, her cheeks flushed pink.
"…"
Expressionless, Hikigaya activated Ayanokōji Mode.
After a while, Shiina finally managed to calm down.
"Ahem…" She cleared her throat and straightened her back, trying to look serious.
"In that case…" she said with mock solemnity, eyes gleaming,
"I'll take my payment from you in my dreams, too."