Chapter 74: A Talk in the Library

After class, Miura Yumiko returned to her original arrogant temperament, as if the previous emotional storm had never happened. She pulled Yui and Hina close to Mahiru and continued chatting, punctuated by laughter and gossip. Occasionally, her eyes would inadvertently glance at Renji, then quickly dart away, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks.

Yui and Hina were relieved to see Yumiko back to normal. At the same time, they couldn't help but sigh that Renji was truly amazing. What did he say that made Yumiko emerge from the shadows of love so quickly?

Yumiko occupied the boys' seats like a queen, her eyes fixed on Renji. The boys could only find excuses and leave the classroom, feeling quite pleased that Her Royal Highness could borrow their seats.

Yumiko saw Renji writing something with a pen, and suddenly became curious. "What's Renji doing? Do you know, Mahiru?"

Mahiru smiled softly, her eyes sparkling. She didn't hide it. "He's currently collaborating with a talented animation producer to create an animation. Renji is responsible for writing the script and overseeing the entire animation."

"He's actually making an animation? I always thought he was just a consumer otaku," Yui exclaimed, covering her mouth in surprise.

Renji raised his eyes wordlessly, rolling them at Yui. "Even though I like light novels and animation, it doesn't mean I'm a consumer otaku." He gave a smug smile. "I am a great creator!"

"Hehe, I didn't mean to belittle you. I just think you're amazing!" Yui explained with an awkward smile.

"Hey, what's the name of the animation you're making?" Hina was also interested, her eyes sparkling.

Renji promptly handed them a plan to look at.

"Magical Girl Misaki?" Yui exclaimed exaggeratedly. "Wow, it looks good." Renji didn't know if she was genuinely interested, but he didn't mind, waving his hand casually, and said, "If you're interested, when the game of the same name is finished, I can give you a copy for testing."

"Really?" Yui's eyes lit up, an idea flashing through her mind. She was just looking for an opportunity to get to know Renji. Playing games together seemed like a good breakthrough.

"Of course, the game also needs people to test it and give feedback to optimize it better."

Yumiko crossed her arms proudly, looking at Renji. "I want a copy."

"No problem," Renji replied, agreeing with a smile.

Hayato Hayama felt a little uneasy. Why did he feel like something was wrong? Usually, Miura Yumiko would chat with her friends near him, and he sometimes found it difficult to deal with them. But why was she now approaching Renji? Suddenly, there was no one talking in his ear, and Hayato suddenly felt a little uncomfortable with the habit.

If only Renji knew his thoughts, he would surely look down on him. People are always like this. When you have it, you don't know how to cherish it. Until you lose it, you will regret it. There is no regret medicine in this world.

"Renji, do you like reading light novels?" Yumiko suddenly asked curiously, as if confirming something.

Renji smiled at her and said seriously, "I like it. After all, I'm a creator. Sometimes I need to look at other people's ideas to get inspiration." He paused, his gaze softening. "Of course, it's because I didn't have many friends before. Reading novels and playing games could be a way to pass the time."

Yumiko looked at him, and her eyes suddenly softened, a flash of determination there. In the future, you definitely won't be bored with us accompanying you! Yumiko thought shyly, curling her golden hair with her slender fingers, pretending to be calm and saying, "Do you have any recommendations? I suddenly want to see what the world in light novels is like."

"Of course, Love Metronome, the author of this book, Utaha Kasumigaoka, is said to be a beautiful high school girl," Renji began, a faint smile on his lips. "Her writing is smooth, and the scenes she describes make people feel like they are there. The words and sentences are also a highlight of this work, and it's also a campus romance theme."

"Coincidentally, I have a copy, so I'll lend it to you." Renji said, taking Love Metronome from his bag and placing it in Yumiko's hand.

"Thank you, I'll read it carefully," Yumiko replied sincerely, holding the book as if it were a treasure.

Yui, who was a step slower, pouted unconsciously. Actually, Yumiko's focus wasn't on reading novels. Instead, she was looking for a common topic with him.

During the break, Miura Yumiko picked up Love Metronome and read it carefully. After a while, she was captivated. She used to think that otakus were associated with light novels, comics, and animation. That was completely unsuitable for a girl like her. Being an "otaku" would be viewed with strange eyes, so Miura Yumiko never touched the field of light novel culture. But after reading Love Metronome today, she felt as if she had opened a door to a new world.

This light novel. Quite interesting! And Utaha Kasumigaoka's writing style is truly beautiful!

"Yumiko, are you reading a light novel?" Hayato looked at her blankly and asked.

"Yes, it feels quite interesting." Yumiko replied with a smile and continued reading, her gaze fixed on the pages of the book.

Hayato felt increasingly depressed. What happened to Miura Yumiko? She even started getting into light novels? She wasn't like this before. Hayato's heart was heavy inside, but on the surface, he still wanted to joke with the noisy Tobe and the others. How can I explain this? It's simply torture for the soul. But there was no way out. Who made him choose to wear a gentle mask? It couldn't be taken off.

Renji wasn't worried about Yumiko for now. She saw Hayama's true nature and would soon let go of her past feelings. Such unrequited love was truly meaningless, wasn't it? Hayama knew it clearly, yet he pretended to be foolish and let her wait, with no intention of responding at all.

Just like the question Shiina Mahiru asked before, and Miura Yumiko's answer. She, Miura Yumiko, wasn't stupid. Why should she continue to like a man who didn't care about her?

Miura Yumiko had completely lost her previous enthusiasm for Hayama. Instead, her gaze became calm, her tone became serious, and she was no longer as casual as before. She treated Hayato Hayama as an ordinary friend. Exactly the way he had treated her all this time.

So, on this day, only Hayato's depressed world occurred.

At noon, several girls gathered to eat lunch together. Renji went to the convenience store. Since he gave his lunch to his senior, Mai Sakurajima, in the morning, he could only buy one.

After buying lunch, he went to the rooftop. But he found his bench was gone. He called Sumireko and learned that she had asked the student council to help move the bench to the library. The library had just been renovated and reopened. The librarian, Sumireko Sanshokuin, naturally had to take over. For a girl like her who loved reading, the library was a quiet place with many books, which was the most suitable place for her to stay.

Renji quickly came to the library with the lunchbox he bought.

"Sumireko, I'm here." Renji sat beside her.

"Good afternoon, Renji." Sumireko smiled politely and greeted him, her eyes hidden behind her dark bangs.

But Renji pinched her small face, dissatisfied. "Calling classmates is going too far!"

Sumireko brushed his hand away and smiled mischievously, raising her head slightly. "Who told you to be dishonest? Don't you have anything to say about the senior sister this morning?"

Renji smiled and took the girl's soft, white hand, then clasped it. "I haven't had a chance to tell you, but I can tell you now."

"You have a conscience, but... can you tell me? You don't plan to tell Shiina?"

"I don't want her to worry. It won't be too late to tell her if she finds something strange."

Sumireko couldn't help but sneer, "Aren't you worried I'll be scared?"

"I'm worried, so I won't say anything," Renji replied with a serious face.

Sumireko wasn't immediately pleased. She raised her hand and lightly hit him. "Why are you so mean? You know people are curious but you still keep it a secret."

"Hehe, so you're still scared now?" Renji teased with a smile.

The girl's beautiful eyes shone with a soft light, and she gently leaned her head on his shoulder, seeking comfort. "With you here, what do I have to be afraid of?"

Renji took the opportunity to hug Sumireko's slender waist. Faintly smelling the fragrance emanating from her body, his mood became cheerful.

"Sumireko, do you remember what I asked you that day in the library?"

"That day? You mean, was there something about that bunny girl?"

Renji sighed helplessly. "Yes, it seems that for some reason, Senior Mai Sakurajima's existence is fading. People around her are starting to forget her, and some people are even starting to forget her."

"She was wandering around the library in a bunny girl costume, and no one noticed her, only I noticed her."

"Why did you notice her?" The girl looked at the man curiously, as if wanting to see something deeper.

"Perhaps because I'm special. Let's just say, I can see things that ordinary people can't."

Sumireko shivered. "When you say that, I get a little scared." She glanced around, as if looking for something strange. "There won't be anything strange around us now, right?"

Renji was slightly amused and exclaimed, "They say I'm here, and I've crushed many things."

"So, are you an exorcist?"

"No, I'm just an ordinary high school student."

"Do you believe this?" Sumireko rolled her eyes at him, her tone skeptical.

"Anyway, I believe it." Renji smiled and touched her hair, then continued, "I met that senior sister on the train this morning. To temporarily alleviate her difficulties, I'll help her retrieve her belongings in the afternoon and then check into Sakurasou."

"Are you sure? Just to alleviate your senior sister's difficulties?" Her tone became sour, a hint of jealousy.

"I'm sure, I just feel sorry for that senior sister, so I helped her a little."

Sumireko raised her hand and pinched him, giving him a look of disdain, but she wasn't angry. "Is there anything I can do? By the way, I don't seem to see my senior sister either." She added, "By the way, I envy you for your ability to make others invisible."

Renji lowered his head and kissed her cheek. "I don't want you to have this ability." His gaze was full of sincerity. "Please don't leave my world, Sumireko."

The girl smiled softly, her hand wrapping around Renji's neck. "I know, Mr. Playboy, if nothing unexpected happens, I'll be in high school every day for three years. I'll be in the library during the afternoon or evening club activities." She leaned closer. "If you miss me, come to the library right away."

In response, Renji hugged her waist tightly. "Sumireko, you don't have to do anything. You accepting me as a playboy is the best help for me." He looked at her deeply. "Words are meaningless. Anyway, I will prove it to you with my actions."

"I will protect you and give you the courage to face the world with your true beautiful face."

Sumireko felt a warmth in her heart. She couldn't help but raise her hands to wrap them around the man's neck and sat on his lap. "Wait a little longer. Although my beautiful appearance has returned to normal, I don't want to be stared at or attract attention." She whispered, "As long as you can keep looking at me and accompany me, I'll be satisfied."

Her requirements weren't actually high.

Renji nodded seriously. "I want to, but... Sumireko, how about communicating with Mahiru?"

Sumireko's mouth curved, a mischievous smile etched on her face. "You hope I have same-sex friends, don't you?" She pushed Renji slightly. "Don't worry, actually, Shiina and I have a good relationship privately."

"Ah? When did you two communicate?" Renji was surprised.

"Hmph, I won't tell you, guess it yourself." Sumireko's arrogant look was also very cute.

Renji touched her hair, opened his lunchbox, and started eating lunch, occasionally enjoying Sumireko's food.

"You two are really bold, the library is a public place, and you're actually hugging... The world is going to ruin." Mai Sakurajima's voice suddenly reached their ears, and the two stopped eating and looked at her.

Sumireko Sanshokuin covered her mouth in surprise, her eyes wide. "It's amazing, I can see my senior sister again, and I can remember that she's an actress."