Volume 1 Short Stories

SS Hiyori: I Hope We Can Become Friends

After school, I went to the library.

I had been going to the library over and over again to look for Raymond Chandler's "Farewell, My Lovely." It's been hard to find it because of its recent surge in popularity.

I didn't have anyone I could consider a friend and because of that, I have always been alone.

I always wanted to make friends but I've never been good at dealing with people.

"It's not here... again." My shoulders immediately dropped in disappointment.

"Eh?"

Suddenly, I spotted a book that didn't belong in this section.

Did a staff member make a mistake?

"En..."

I couldn't reach the book.

Despite that, I tried several times and got the same result.

Suddenly a male student that I did not recognize grabbed the book and handed it to me.

"Here you go."

"Thank you." I took the book and confirmed the library card. As expected, this book doesn't belong in this section.

"Do you like Bronte books?" He asked.

I looked him in the eye and got a good look at him. He has quite a unique appearance. He had pale skin, white hair, and pure red eyes.

"Personally, I neither like nor dislike anything. The book was placed in the wrong section so I wanted to return it to its proper position."

That's when I notice the book that he was holding.

"By the way, the book you're holding... "Farewell My Lovely" right? That book is a masterpiece."

His calm expression turned into an excited one as he almost jumps in place with excitement.

"Oh my god yes! It is one of Raymond Chandler's greatest works! I watched the movies that adapted the novel but in my opinion, they don't truly convey how deep the plot is. And-"

I stared at him in amazement and he seemed to notice because he stopped mid-sentence and appeared to look nervous. He blushed and sheepishly looked away from me. It was kind of cute.

"Sorry about that, it's just that I don't really have a lot of friends that enjoy reading. I got a little too excited."

"O-oh there's no need to apologize!" I say with a giggle. Seems like this guy loves books as much as I do. Come to think about it, I don't even know his name and I haven't even introduced myself.

"What's your name?" I ask with a smile.

"Oh, I'm Nishida Akira. I'm from class D."

"I'm Shiina Hiyori, class C. No one in class C reads books so I also don't have anyone to talk to." I wonder if he's in the same situation as me.

"Raymond Chandler is extremely popular among the 2nd-year students and there have been skirmishes over this book for a while. I've been wanting to read it too but I've never been able to find it."

"Well you're in luck because I'm returning it today, you can have it if you want."

"It's fine since I was blessed by another book. This library has a massive collection of books. I might graduate before I read them all."

"Tell me about it, I could spend all day in here." I couldn't help but agree with him.

After that, I started to unconsciously talk about books with Nishida-kun. Well, I was the one that was doing the talking, he mainly stayed silent and listened to my speech.

Time flew by super fast.

I started to feel lonely again because I realized the conversation was about to end.

"Thank you, well it was nice meeting you." He started to walk away and before I knew it, I unconsciously reached out and grabbed his arm. He stopped and turned around to look at me.

"I was wondering... do you want to have lunch with me tomorrow... like I said no one in class C reads any books so I have no one to talk to." I averted my eyes after I said this.

I expected him to say no but what he said next surprised me.

"I'd be happy to. I also have a friend that likes to read books, I'm sure you'll like him."

I couldn't help but smile brightly at him.

We exchanged contact info and we said our goodbyes. As I walked towards my dorm room. I slowly brought my phone to my chest and smiled.

I just made my very first friend. His other friend will definitely be nice too.

I was overwhelmed with joy.

I hope the class system doesn't divide Nishida-Kun and me.

I prayed as I opened the door to my room.

~~~~~~~~~~

SS Kushida: Exposed Mask

My ears were ringing as I slowly walked back to my dorm room.

The mask that I have presented to everyone has been discovered.

When Ayanokoji-kun saw my darker side, I had to do something to make sure he wouldn't expose me.

But I was ensnared into Nishida-kun's trap.

He had been watching the whole exchange between Ayanaokoji-kun and me and recorded the whole conversation.

Ever since the library, I have been dancing in the palm of his hand.

I thought about what he told me.

"Releasing this to the public would ruin you. If you don't want that, you will be my weapon. You will attack when I say to attack, and you will block when I say to block. You will listen and obey my orders without hesitation. Disobey me and I won't hesitate to destroy your good reputation and public image. Do you agree with this relationship?"

Of course, I don't agree with this relationship, but I don't have a choice.

I don't know how he is going to use me, but I dread seeing him again.

I remember the look in his eyes and goosebumps resurfaced onto my body.

His dark red eyes held no emotion behind them, just darkness.

But I noticed something else.

Behind the darkness that resides in his eyes, I couldn't help but notice something behind them.

I don't know what to call it, but it scares me.

My heart skipped a beat so I stopped thinking about him and focused on my task.

I begrudgingly washed my jacket.

~~~~~~~~

SS Sakayanagi: It Was Fate

Our unexpected reunion kept replaying in my head on a loop.

I couldn't stop thinking about it.

I was walking to the lobby and planned to wait for Masumi until I bumped into him.

I didn't realize it. I thought it was some random person until I looked up.

And that's when I saw him.

Not through the glass, but with my very own two eyes.

Nishida Akira.

He looked different.

His eyes were red as ever, but last time I saw him, he had black hair and he didn't wear those glasses.

He's changed since the last time I saw him all those years ago.

But that doesn't matter. What matter's now is that he is here, with me.

He was saying something but I was too entranced to process what he said. Masumi soon arrived and began to yell at him but I cut her off.

"It's alright Masumi-san. It was a mistake." I took his offered hand and electricity flowed through me. It was an exhilarating feeling.

Masumi-san offered to walk me to school but I quickly declined the offer. This encounter was destiny and I cannot defy fate.

As we walked to school, I asked him all types of questions about the school. He tried to play dumb but I knew better.

We soon arrived at my class. He wiggled his arm out of my grip and I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed.

"Well I walked you to class, I'll be going now."

"Wait!"

He tried to leave but I wrapped my arms around his waist and placed my head on his chest. His rapid heartbeat and his stammering told me that this wasn't a dream, this was real.

He quickly departed and everyone in class stared at me but I ignored them and took my seat, I was thinking about something far more important.

If Nishida-kun is here, then he must be here too.

Despite our long-awaited reunion, I wasn't satisfied.

That meeting wasn't enough.

I want to see Ayanokoji-kun.

I want to hear Nishida-kun's voice again.

I want to touch him again.

And when the time comes.

I will break both of them.

Or perhaps I will finally experience what defeat feels like.

But that will have to wait.

It would be too soon, and I had other things to worry about.

Those two will eventually be formidable opponents.

But for now.

If I play my cards just right...

He could become a very valuable ally.