By noon.
Ako Tamaki was hauled off by Akane Segawa to go game together. After all, she's still a member of the Electronic Network Communications Club; if she doesn't feel like attending class, playing games at school is a decent way to kill time—especially with Akane Segawa.
That petite girl has seen her popularity in class skyrocket in just a few days; she's a full-on normie. And yet she's a hardcore gamer—the kind who'd even forgo having a boyfriend for games.
Hayashi Maki, meanwhile, went to the library.
Having discovered a hidden beauty there, he naturally wanted to make contact and keep an eye on her.
After arriving, he took out a light novel, Isekai Rhapsody, slid a chair over, and sat across from the front desk—i.e., across from Sumireko Sanshokuin with her glasses-and-braids look. Then he opened the book and started reading.
Isekai Rhapsody, like Fairy of Fantasy, is by "Elf Yamada." Though Hayashi Maki wanted to roast how the heroines in her books are always stripping for fan service, they really are a good read and wildly popular with otaku.
Hayashi Maki's an otaku himself, so he likes isekai-adventure light novels. And if Elf Yamada's works sold a million copies, they must have their merits. He could take a page from them—while appreciating how isekai is written.
Seeing him sit and read right in front of her, Sumireko arched a brow. She glanced at the title in his hands and couldn't help rolling her eyes.
"Hayashi Maki, bringing a light novel to read in the library—don't you think that's a bit inappropriate? Also… that series looks 18+."
Elf Yamada's isekai works are harem-type, stuffed with fan-service scenes; even the illustrations are by doujin artists. So yeah—18+ content. Lewd sells, after all. Otherwise you might as well read literature.
Hayashi Maki just waved her concern away with a smile. "What's the issue? Libraries are for reading, aren't they? As long as I'm not bothering anyone. Besides, I bought this from a legitimate shop—if it's sold there, it's legal. By the way, don't you think the library collection's a bit monotonous? As Hakuo Academy's library, it should add a light-novel shelf—that would attract more students."
Sumireko rolled her eyes again. "Nice idea, but I'll pass. I'm not into crowds. I prefer reading quietly by myself." That's why she's a librarian: quiet, undisturbed, able to read—perfect. And even if the student council approved his idea, the extra foot traffic would make it too noisy for her to enjoy books.
"Fair enough—just a suggestion. If you don't like being disturbed, pretend I never said it," Hayashi Maki said, and went back to his book—clearly absorbed.
Sumireko still found him an eyesore. That infuriating guy sat right in front of her on purpose. And worse, he was reading the kind of "lewd" otaku fare she found offensive—polluting her field of vision!
"Sumireko, why the look? I'm not interrupting your reading, am I? And that book—you were reading it last time too, weren't you? How many times have you read it? Like it that much?"
She was holding a book titled Heart. She seemed to find resonance in it, reading and rereading it, reluctant to put it down.
"You're not disturbing me," she sniffed, "but reading that kind of book right in front of me is an eyesore."
"Then I'll leave?" Hayashi Maki put on a wounded look and started to get up. She didn't bite. So he sat back down and pulled out another light novel—this time Fairy of Fantasy.
The corner of Sumireko's mouth twitched. So much for saying anything.
Hayashi Maki chuckled. "If a work's a hit, it has its value. Fantasy light novels sell because reality is too harsh. People need mental nourishment to stay upbeat and relieve stress. So stop looking at me like I'm a perv—I'm taking in mental nourishment here, and studying the genre. By the way, I'm a light-novel author under the pen name 'Kurosora Twilight.' If you're curious, you can check me out."
Her gaze changed. "You're actually a light-novel author? That's unexpected."
"What, do I not look the part?"
"You look like a philandering scumbag no matter how I squint—otherwise that bunny-girl senpai wouldn't have stomped you," she said, hitting the mark, then studied him again.
Hayashi Maki waved it off. "Leaving aside the 'flirt' thing—surprised you remember that bunny girl."
"Of course. She's a famous former child star—an actress—and a second-year senpai. Mai Sakurajima was really well-known; even though I don't watch much TV, I know her. But from the way you asked… she's in trouble, isn't she? As in, people can't see her and don't remember her?"
Her analysis earned a thumbs-up. "You're spot on—that's exactly it."
"Sumireko, last time you said those glasses that hide your looks—make you unnoticeable—were bought from a witch, right?"
"Yes." She pushed up her glasses and nodded. "It was a so-called 'dimensional magic shop' that claims to grant wishes. The clerk was a poised, long-black-haired witch."
Hearing that, Hayashi Maki pretty much guessed who she was: the witch who freezes time and commands space and dimensions—Yuuko Ichihara.
"So, what price did you pay for those glasses? I don't believe a witch would give you something magical for free."
Sumireko shot him a glare. "Why are you suddenly calling me that familiarly? We only just met, you know!"