6.6

After returning home, I immediately picked up the book I brought home with my chilled hands.

Which one should I read first...?

After thinking for a moment, I decided it would probably be best to start with the book Hiyori gifted me, as we might discuss it when I visit the library in the following days.

The book itself wasn't very old, having been published about 15 years ago.

I was curious about why Hiyori liked it, so I looked up the author's background, but it seemed to be a relatively unknown author with a devoted following for their interesting works.

It might've been a hidden masterpiece that Hiyori, a book lover, noticed.

She liked it enough to want to keep a copy for herself.

A new book was released every three years or so.

If it suited my taste, I'd try reading another one next time.

"Hmm...?"

As I was about to start reading, I noticed a bookmark had been included.

While that in of itself wasn't a big deal, the pattern on the bookmark piqued my interest.

When shopping at Keyaki Mall, sometimes you could get free bookmarks during campaigns, with limited illustrations or patterns depending on the time of year.

The bookmark I picked up featured a Christmas theme with a fir tree and snow.

It was the same one that came with the books I bought at the bookstore before Christmas.

Considering they changed the bookmarks right after Christmas, it was likely that the book was purchased before then.

If I had been making her carry it every day since then, I would feel sorry for her.

Though she said it was only a few days ago, the actual purchase date may have been a bit earlier.

"I might have received quite a heavy favor after all."

Of course, I couldn't jump to conclusions.

She may have just given it to me as a fellow book lover.

I decided not to think too deeply about it for now, but it was only natural to feel good about a gesture like that if she saw me as a close friend.

What can I do as thanks right now?

What would help Hiyori the most?

Before starting the book, I decided to ponder this, sitting on my bed.