[Tomorrow, huh. Better clean up early today and go back]

Yuuto came down to school on a Sat.u.r.day. The reason being having librarian work.

It is work that is taken up once every two weeks. Even though it’s a rest day, there are many students in the library. Yuuto too, thinks that it is a great treasure to have somewhere quiet to study. In addition, he is paid so he can’t complain.

The busiest is during noon so, there’s fewer people around at three in the afternoon. Though work ends at four, the writing of the day’s events and cleaning up usually goes up to the evening. That’s the reason for cleaning up early so that he can return home early.

After finis.h.i.+ng the usual work and sitting at the reception until the time to return, someone sat down beside Yuuto.

[Tobiya. Why?]

[… No. I told you to call me Mikage before. We known each other for a year already, right? Hasn’t it already s.h.i.+fted to  a friendly relations.h.i.+p?]

Yuuto was silenced with a forefinger.

[Erm… Mikage… san]

[… What?]

She bluntly returned a disgusted look.

[Oi!]

Tobiya Mikage. A pet.i.te girl, with one eye covered by her hair, who gives off a mysterious air. A student at the same level but in different cla.s.ses, the only contact being the time during librarian work.

[Today isn’t the day for your turn, right?]

[… Yes. Even though you’re always on the dot while doing work but, I’ll like to hear the reason why you look like you’re in the clouds today]

[… Ahahaha. … Did I look like that?]

[… Yes. Just like, “tomorrow, Isana and I will be going on a date, Yahoo!” is what you were thinking, but with a frown]

[Bu…?!]

No matter what, isn’t that too pin point.

[Erm, Miss Tobiya. Don’t tell me you knew?]

Mikage slowly faced Yuuto. Her expression didn’t change one bit. As though she’s a sculpture.

However, those lips that carried heat moved.

[… Yes. Since Iwai-san wanted consultation. Even though it was far away from me. What about it?]

[So you knew!]

[Lower your voice. This is a library ok. I’ll peel you Riajyuu, ok?]

[… It isn’t about peeling off my skin right?]

[…  No problem. Be rest a.s.sured. I’m really good at stuffing. There won’t be any pain. It’ll be in a flash]

[…]

Though the is some sort of fate between us, I can’t really grasp what binds us together. Though she may be like this but, she’s actually familiar with biomedical science. While still being a student, she is already a.s.signed to work in a laboratory. An elite of the elites. She comes by sometimes to sit on the desk instead of sitting on a chair.

In this academic city, there’s no limit on these kinds of special students. For it is these students that make up the backbone of this city on the sea.

[… Are you not going back to the theater club anymore?]

[Hm? Ah, it seems like there won’t be anyone there today. I’ll pop in sometimes if I feel like it]

There was a time when Yuuto and Mikage were in the theater club. She was mainly in the scenario group.

[… I see. Too bad though. Your acting, I kind of liked it]

I was pretty good at role playing. From the beginning, for that person, no matter what talent, how it lived, how it felt, all of it was written within the script. Ad-libbing was definitely a no-go, there’s a duty of acting it out to a T and to have it all done perfectly without any strangeness, to Yuuto, it was not difficult at all.

[It’s somewhat surprising]

The first time I talked to Mikage was about the role of the librarian.

[… No. It was just my imagination]

I was then stared at with a piercing glare.

[… Hahaha]

[… Even so, how very unexpected. For you to say OK to a date with her. I. Thought. You. Would. Have. Refused.]

[What with that? I usually go out with Touma and the others, you know?]

[… No. It’s fine if you don’t get it]

I didn’t get the meaning behind her words. No, it may just not be meant to get it.

[I see. I’ll be going now. Later]

[… I’ll give you one piece of advice. From now on, think of what will be useful in this relations.h.i.+p with her]

Mikage slowly muttered.

[… It’s a smile]

Mikage, with her expressionless face, pushed up the corners of her lips, thus making a smile.

[You don’t have to worry about it, it’s just the usual]

[… No. I’m saying this for her sake]

Her fingers leaving her face, a pair of eyes looked at me.

[Because,]

[You. Don’t. Even. See. Her. As. Your. Girlfriend. At. All.]

*Pikin*. A sound like something within me got cut.

Like a robot that can’t move because it’s oil got cut off.

It felt like a sudden loss of a humans’ function.

I don’t even know what kind of expression I have on right now. Definitely.

[… That’s why, smile. If you don’t know what kind of expression to show, it’s fine to just smile. Here, ni~~~]

[Fugo, … Stop, Mikage…]

Mikage used all her fingers  to stab at Yuuto’s face.