chapter 11:
An Approach in the Library
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The heat of the sports festival had faded, and by October, Seiryo High School was wrapped in the quiet tension that always came before midterm exams.
The “co-conspirator relationship” between Rei and me had become more certain since that day. Whenever our eyes met in class, he would show a slightly troubled—but not entirely displeased—expression. Each of those subtle reactions filled new pages in my “Observation Diary.”
But right now, my greatest enemy wasn’t the Ice Prince—it was quadratic functions.
After school, I slumped over a desk in the library, surrounded by a mountain of math problems.
(I can’t do this anymore… I don’t understand a thing…)
At this rate, I was doomed to fail.
“…What are you doing here?”
A familiar low voice spoke from above, tinged with exasperation. I looked up to see Rei standing there, holding several reference books.
He glanced at my open math workbook and sighed deeply.
“Don’t tell me you’re still struggling with the first few pages.”
“Ugh… I told you, I’m bad at math!”
“I figured.”
With that, he sat casually across from me and began his own studying in silence.
(This is my chance!)
Gripping my pen, I leaned forward eagerly.
“Hey, Rei-kun! Interview time! Tell me your secret to studying for tests!”
“…Think for yourself.”
“Ehh, that’s against our agreement!”
He sighed again, even deeper this time.
“…Fine. So, what exactly don’t you understand?”
“Huh?”
“I said, show me the part you don’t get. But don’t distract me from my work.”
That offer was like salvation from heaven.
Nervously, I turned my workbook around to show him the troublesome page. He pulled a chair next to mine and sat down right beside me.
My heart gave a heavy thump.
He leaned in to look at my notes—our shoulders almost touching. The faint, fresh scent of his shampoo brushed softly against my nose.
“Alright, Hina. This formula here…”
“…!”
It was the first time he’d ever called me by my first name.
“W–what…?”
“…? Like I said, you substitute this formula into this equation. Are you listening?”
He continued explaining matter-of-factly, completely unaware of how flustered I was just from hearing him say my name.
That calm, low voice echoed right by my ear. I couldn’t focus on the math at all anymore.
“…Ah, I get it now! That’s how it works!”
Thanks to his surprisingly patient and clear explanation, the problem I’d struggled with for hours suddenly made sense.
“Rei-kun, you’re amazing! Thank you!”
When I expressed my gratitude honestly, he turned away and muttered, “…It’s nothing. Anyone could do that.”
But I didn’t miss it—the faint red tint coloring his ears in the glow of the setting sun through the library window.
(He’s kind…)
He wasn’t just cool and distant. Beneath that blunt exterior, he was thoughtful and gentle.
And so, another new—and the warmest—entry yet was added to my “Observation Diary.”
That quiet, slightly sweet moment in the library felt more precious than any scoop I could ever get.
Maybe the reason my heart was beating so fast wasn’t just curiosity anymore.
I was beginning to realize it was something else entirely—a new feeling taking root within me.
