After Hiyori extended her invitation, Hikaru followed her through the quiet aisles of the library.

  After walking for a few mihe gray-haired girl stopped and turned around. "Here we are—Shelf 11."

  "Thanks, Shiina-san," Hikaru responded with a polite nod before shifting his attention to the shelves beside them.

  The library, with over a decade of history, housed an impressive and diverse colle. The assortment of titles suggested that the staff made a scious effort to gather popur works from across the world.

  The 11th shelf alone boasted volumes from famous mystery authors like Higashino Keigo, Agatha Christie, and Shimada Soji—s whose stories had been transted into multiple nguages and read worldwide.

  "This is quite the colle. I 't believe I've never e here before—what a waste."

  In his previous life, Hikaru had enjoyed his fair share of mystery novels, making him more than capable of pying the part of ahusiast. He genuinely appreciated the genre's intricacies, so his i required no act.

  "Astrology Murder Case, huh? I remember never finishing that one."

  "And here's The Puppet Mansion Mystery. I heard it's a cssi the pure mystery genre."

  As he muttered to himself, Hikaru didn't notice how Hiyori's eyes slowly lit up. The excitement stirring in her chest came from an unmistakable realization:

  Is he… really a mystery novel fan like me?

  Her heart skipped a beat at the possibility.

  "Um..." she ventured hesitantly.

  "Hm?" Hikaru looked up from the book in his hand, tilting his head. "Did you need something, Shiina-san?"

  He was holding The Clockwhost, a lesser-known 1991 work. Hikaru had never read it before, but the intricately designed cover caught his eye.

  "Hikaru-kun… you really like mystery novels, don't you?" Hiyori asked, her voice ced with curiosity and anticipation.

  "I do, yeah." Hikaru smiled as he gently ran his fingers along the book's spine. "Ba middle school, I read quite a few. But I had to stop when I started cramming for exams. And ever sining here, I've been busy with school stuff. I finally have some free time, so I thought I'd pick the hobby back up."

  Hiyori's lips parted slightly as she processed his words. "I… see. So you've enjoyed mystery novels for a while."

  "You tht? You're a fan?" Hikaru asked, iing casual warmth into his tone.

  "Yes. I love mystery novels. I've been reading them for years."

  Her quiet yet firm response made Hikaru chuckle. "That's great. I guess that makes us fellow mystery enthusiasts."

  As he spoke, Hikaru reached for another book: The Bck Cat Mansion Notes. While flipping through the pages, he g Hiyori out of the er of his eye.

  "Were you pnning to read here today?" he asked.

  "Yes. I already picked out a book and fihe borrowing process."

  "Wait, you have to borrow the book just to read it here?" Hikaru asked, brows raising in surprise.

  Hiyori shook her head. "No, not really. I do it because I sometimes lose track of time while reading. If I finish the borrowing process first, the libraria have to wait for me when it's closing time. It makes things easier for her."

  "Ah, I see."

  So she's the type who get pletely lost in a book, huh? Hikaru mused. She's defihe 'quiet, bookish girl' archetype.

  Pleased with how smoothly the versation was flowing, Hikaru decided to push a little further.

  "In that case, I should probably go borrow mioo. I pn on staying until dinner."

  He raised the two books he'd selected and smiled. "Could you save me a seat while I do that, Shiina-san?"

  "Of course."

  Hiyori watched as Hikaru turned and walked toward the librarian's desk. After a moment's hesitation, she moved toward one of the reading tables, chose seats he windoced a book on the chair across from hers to mark it as taken.

  A few mier, Hikaru returned with his books in hand.

  "Thanks for holding the seat for me, Shiina-san. That's twice you've helped me today."

  "It's nothing," Hiyori replied softly. "I'm just happy to find someone who enjoys mystery novels as much as I do."

  "Great! The's get to reading, shall we?"

  With that, Hikaru opened his book and immersed himself iory. He knew better than to appear too eager or forceful. If his iiooo transparent, Hiyori might get suspicious.

  The goal was to let her make the move.

  He focused oext, genuinely intrigued by the well-crafted narrative. The book followed a cssic locked-room mystery with ued twists, which kept his eyes glued to the pages.

  Meanwhile, Hiyori tried to trate on her own book but found herself stealing gnces across the table.

  He's really absorbed in it... she thought. The sight of him reading with such tration stirred something in her chest—a quiet thrill she hadn't expected.

  It's been so long since I've had someoo talk to about mysteries. Maybe… just this once, I ighe whole css rivalry thing.

  Hiyori shook her head, trying to dismiss her s. He's just audent. That's all. Nothing more.

  The minutes passed in sileil Hikaru finally closed his book and stretched his neck.

  The clock showed that it was nearly six in the evening.

  "Um, Hikaru-kun?" Hiyori's voice broke the silence.

  Hikaru's heart raced with satisfa at her initiative. Without hesitating, he opened his system interface.

  [Would you like to purchase Shiina Hiyori's stock?]

  [Purchase successful. Shiina Hiyori's stock acquired at full capacity.]

  [Remaining funds: insuffit for additional purchases.]

  Looks like I'll have to sell some shares soon.

  Closing the interface, he met Hiyori's eyes and smiled.

  "What's up, Shiina-san?"

  Her fingers fiddled with the er of her book. "Will you… e to the library again?"

  Hikaru blinked and preteo think. "Hmm… tomorrow might be tricky since I have a study session. Probably not."

  "Oh… I see." Her voice faltered, and her gaze lowered.

  The disappoi in her expression was almost palpable. Hikaru's instinct told him he could push things a little further.

  "How about this—why don't we exge tafo?" he suggested. "That way, even if I'm not around, we still talk about books."

  "Really?" Hiyori's eyes widened slightly.

  "Of course. We've already had a great versation about mysteries. I'm sure there's plenty more to talk about."

  Hiyori's cheeks flushed a faint pink as she reached for her phohe two exged taformation in mere seds.

  "Thanks, Shiina-san. I guess I'll see you around then."

  "Mm. See you, Hikaru-kun."

  As Hikaru turo leave, he checked the interfae st time.

  [By exging taformation, Shiina Hiyori feels she's found a rare kindred spirit. Shiina Hiyori's stock price has increased by 10 points. Current stock price: 40.]

  Perfect. She's hooked.

  Hikaru adjusted his grip on the mystery novels and walked away with a triumphant smirk.

  Who said books 't help you turn a profit?

  ~~~

  Read 30 Chapters Ahead!

  > patreon./HudaLin