Never mind that Kuroba Akira's motives were hardly pure—his love of reading didn't seem to be an act, and the books he'd picked actually surprised Shiroi Shiori.
Hoh… so he chose those… Hmph, at least he has some taste.
She had thought for sure he'd go for those "youth" novels she kept purely to fill out the shelves.
Those books were just references she'd once used to study and mimic the style of popular fiction.
The descriptions weren't bad, the vocabulary was pretty, but the content was… well, not "boring"—that would be too mild. Boring to death.
She'd bought them, read them once, copied down a few sentences, and never wanted to look at them again. Not even worth keeping as part of her collection.
Originally, she'd planned to sell them to a used bookstore, but after thinking about how the Literature Club she'd passed on to Hitomi barely had any books at all, she decided to donate them to fill the shelves.
And they had indeed only filled space—no one read them. Not even her.
Shiroi believed that "no work is inherently superior or inferior," but she did believe that taste had highs and lows.
If Kuroba Akira had chosen those youth novels, it would've proved he was exactly the shallow type she suspected—someone who liked pretentious, overwrought works full of meaningless sighs.
From her observation, people who were obsessed with romance especially loved that kind of thing—maybe because they felt some strange sense of connection. She herself could never understand it.
The books on the lower shelves, however, were the ones she truly loved—ones she usually bought in pairs: one copy to read and keep, another to lend out… though in reality, she'd never had anyone to lend them to.
Hitomi was too focused on her studies, and Momo didn't like difficult books. Her two best friends had no interest in the works she loved most, which was a pity.
Still, she figured the Literature Club would get new members eventually, and if one or two shared her tastes, it would make bringing these books to school worthwhile.
She just hadn't expected that person to be Kuroba Akira.
Her feelings now were complicated—she hated his flirty, woman-chasing ways, but in reading, she and he might actually have common ground…
Why does it have to be someone like him who enjoys books?
Could it be, like Dazai Osamu…? Was it true that those drawn to literature tended to be sensitive—and therefore prone to being too affectionate?
No way! At least she wasn't like that!
Shiroi immediately shoved that damned thought out of her head. How could she start sympathizing with him?
If he really was dating Hitomi, he shouldn't be ogling other girls—wasn't that just a two-timing scumbag?
The most important thing was protecting Momo! She absolutely couldn't let a bad man hurt her too!
And doing so would also indirectly help Hitomi—preventing cheating and the like… Speaking of which, if he was the man Hitomi had her eye on, shouldn't she be keeping him on a tight leash?!
Sometimes, Shiroi really couldn't understand Anri Hitomi's thinking. But she also knew that, because of her family background, Hitomi's values were… peculiar, so she didn't feel right lecturing her about it.
As a friend, all she could do was try to understand and accept it.
"But I'm warning you—don't read while eating chips. If I ever find snack crumbs stuck to a book, you'll pay the price."
Akira spread his hands.
"Don't worry. I can't afford chips in the first place. These days, the only meals I can count on are the Class Rep's bentos."
The mention of bentos reminded Shiroi of a certain thing she'd seen posted on the News Club bulletin board. She frowned and turned to Hitomi.
"Speaking of which, Hitomi—you had lunch with him in the courtyard today?"
"Yes. I already told you yesterday—Kuroba-kun and I have an agreement. As payment for inviting him to join the Literature Club, I make him lunch."
You're even cooking for this man? Hitomi, you're completely under his spell.
"You didn't see the News Club's campus bulletin? There's a photo of you two—eating lunch together."
Shiroi didn't quite want to say it, but the truth was… that photo showed Hitomi feeding Akira with her own chopsticks. The classic "feeding play."
That was something only couples did!
Friends didn't feed each other like that—it was way too lovey-dovey!
Akira's eyes went wide.
"Hah? There's a photo? Isn't secret photography illegal?!"
"The News Club works with the Photography Club, and the Photography Club has permission from the student council to take pictures freely on campus… Blame yourselves for not paying attention to the setting."
"The News Club's network is terrifying…"
Akira slumped his shoulders, more convinced than ever that the Literature Club was a troublesome mess—practically at war with the whole school.
Hitomi, however, didn't seem to care. She even tapped her cheek with interest.
"Eh~ They got a photo? I'll ask the Photography Club for a copy later."
"…"
Shiroi was speechless.
It's over. Hitomi was beyond saving—completely infected with the love-virus!
Unable to bear it, Shiroi brought up another nasty rumor she hadn't wanted to mention.
"And… I heard you two went to the nurse's office together?"
Akira scratched his head helplessly.
"So that rumor's gotten around too, huh…"
Shiroi's eyes widened—it was true!
They really went to the nurse's office… to do that?!
Akira didn't want even his own club members getting brainwashed by rumors, so he hurried to explain.
"I hadn't gotten enough sleep, so I went to take a nap. The Class Rep just came along with me. Nothing happened. If you don't believe me, ask Oono-sensei. I swear we didn't do anything."
Well… actually, there had been a lap pillow. And a foot massage.
But that didn't count, right?
Yeah, just normal, friendly care between friends.
"Hmph…"
It had better be nothing.
If something had happened, Shiroi might actually feel the urge to castrate him.
Putting your hands on Hitomi in school… If you're going to get intimate, at least do it in a love hotel or one of your homes!
Her overactive imagination began spinning uncontrollably, conjuring a scene of Kuroba Akira and Anri Hitomi just before the main event—
...
"Class Rep… you're beautiful."
"Oh, stop it, Kuroba-kun… Don't call me Class Rep right now… That's just a title for show, isn't it?"
"I understand… Hitomi—my dearest Hitomi… Come, today we'll reach the shores of bliss together."
"Ah… Kuroba-kun… Akira-kun… No… Don't look at me… It's embarrassing…"
"Don't be embarrassed. Let me see you clearly. I'll remember every detail of your body, and carry it with me until I die."
"Mm… I want you to look… So keep your eyes on me… and make me happy, alright?"
"I'll make you the happiest woman in the world."
"Mm… ah… Akira-kun… I love you… I love you most of all…"
...
"Shiori? What's wrong? Your face is red… Is it too stuffy in here? I'll open the window."
Hitomi's concerned voice snapped Shiroi back to reality.
Thud!
She dropped her head onto the table, dying of embarrassment.
Ahhhhhh! What am I thinking?!
But… this could happen. It might have already happened!
Unforgivable!
Hitomi… has been defiled!
Kuroba Akira…!
I hate you!
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