Shimizu Akira hadn't come to the library for mystery novels—he was here specifically to find Class C's Shiina Hiyori.
That's why he had turned down Ichinose's invitation and made his way to the mystery section instead.
(There she is.)
He had expected to search for a while, but Shiina Hiyori was standing right on the other side of the shelf, holding a copy of Murder on the Orient Express.
"Shimizu-kun... we meet again." Shiina closed the book and spoke first.
"Good afternoon, Shiina-san." Shimizu's tone gave nothing away. "I didn't expect to run into you here. What a coincidence. Last time, you mentioned you had something to do and wouldn't be coming to the library—have you finished your business?"
This was a lie.
This man had already confirmed her presence here through his daily intel. His words were nothing more than a probe into her investigation progress.
"Ah... yes! More or less." Shiina glanced at him quickly, her voice soft. "I just came to read..."
This was a lie.
This woman was clearly here to find an assistant, but she instinctively lied to avoid revealing her true purpose.
Shiina's eyes suddenly brightened, like a detective spotting a crucial clue.
Her gaze landed on the book Shimizu had just pulled from the shelf.
(Kyokō Suiri...?)
"Shimizu-kun, have you read this?" Her voice rose slightly, fingers tightening around her own book.
"Haven't read the light novel," Shimizu flipped through the pages casually, the paper rustling crisply, "but I've read quite a bit of the manga adaptation."
Shiina leaned forward abruptly, her hair swaying with the motion.
"Really? How far have you gotten?"
"The Snow Woman arc. The part where Kotoko solves the case at the hot spring inn."
This was true.
In his past life, he had indeed been a fan of Kyokō Suiri—and had consumed both the manga and anime adaptations in full.
"That chapter is amazing!" Unconsciously, she took half a step forward, her fingers tracing shapes in the air. "Especially the ambiguous tension between the male lead and the snow woman..."
(Finally, someone I can discuss this with...!)
Her voice cut off abruptly as she realized her own excitement, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. But curiosity quickly overpowered her shyness: "Then... which arc is your favorite, Shimizu-kun?"
Shimizu rubbed the spine of the book thoughtfully. "The Steel Lady Nanase arc. When the truth can have infinite explanations, so-called 'deduction' is essentially just about who can spin the most convincing lie."
Shiina's eyes widened slightly. "...A lie?"
She suddenly let out a soft laugh, her eyes curving into crescents. "Now that you mention it, the whole premise of Kyokō Suiri is just taking nonsense very seriously. But—"
Her fingertip tapped her chin lightly, her expression turning detective-sharp.
"This 'fighting fiction with fiction' concept is actually quite innovative in mystery history. It's like cramming postmodern deconstruction into a classic whodunit framework..."
She cut herself off, suddenly aware she was rambling again.
Shimizu smoothly picked up the thread: "True. Compared to traditional mysteries that chase a single truth, this approach feels more like..." He deliberately paused. "...A metaphor for modern society? Like how netizens only care about the 'truth' they want to believe."
"Mhm." Shiina nodded unconsciously, a glimmer of agreement in her eyes.
She hadn't misjudged him—Shimizu-kun clearly loved mysteries too. And their conversation flowed so naturally. This feeling of "every word I say is caught, every thought echoed back" filled her chest with an inexplicable warmth.
She couldn't help stealing another glance at him. Shimizu-kun was undeniably good-looking—at least in Class C, she'd never seen anyone with such a clean, handsome aura. Not to mention how effortlessly he had just conversed with Ichinose from Class B...
(Wait... doesn't that mean he's the perfect candidate for my assistant?)
Shiina's lips parted slightly in realization.
Every single condition she had listed—he matched all of them.
Today might just be her lucky day.
But just as she was about to voice her request, a sliver of doubt crept in.
But... why was this such a coincidence? She had only decided to come to the library today on a whim—and yet here he was?
The slight upturn of his lips when discussing mysteries, his ease while talking to Class B students, the way their thoughts aligned perfectly—it all felt too ideal.
She suddenly recalled a line from Malice: "A coincidence too perfect is often proof of careful design."
"Um... Shimizu-kun." Her voice was so soft it might dissolve into the air. "Did you... come to the library specifically for mystery novels today?"
"...Not exactly. Just happened to be here." Shimizu shook his head. "I've been coming to the library for half a month—studying with a classmate. Today I wanted to relax, so I picked up a mystery."
"The midterms are in less than a month, right?" He rubbed the back of his neck with a wry smile, the small gesture making him suddenly seem more human. "I'd rather not get expelled for failing just one subject."
He pulled a neatly folded note from his pocket.
Shiina's gaze flickered over the paper—crammed with Japanese literature notes, common exam pitfalls, even a detailed daily study schedule.
(So it's true...)
(His main purpose here is studying. Reading mysteries is just a pastime.)
The realization cleared her doubts.
Of course—coming to the library daily for half a month to study, then browsing mystery novels in his free time, made perfect sense.
She remembered their first meeting—Shimizu-kun had mentioned occasionally reading light novel-style mysteries, and Kyokō Suiri fit that category.
Not to mention Ichinose had just confirmed he frequented the library.
"Then I won't keep you, Shiina-san. I'll head back to the dorm." Noticing the pensive girl, Shimizu tucked the note away, picked up Kyokō Suiri, and nodded slightly as if to leave.
As he turned, he silently counted down in his mind.
(5... 4...)
"Shimizu-kun, wait!" Sure enough, her slightly rushed voice called out from behind. "Actually... there's something I'd like to ask of you!"
(Two seconds faster than expected.)
A faint, almost imperceptible smile curled at the corner of Shimizu's lips.