Chapter 141: My hobby is reading.

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

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In this world, saying that your hobby is reading often makes it seem like you have no real hobbies.

But now, I can confidently say that my hobby is reading.

“…”

I sit down on a bench that could probably seat three people and open the book in my hand. 

What I've chosen is a mystery novel, which I picked up recently thanks to a rather unfortunate live-action adaptation.

It's the story of a famous detective, created long ago in England. 

This is the kind of book that probably influenced every detective story that came after it.

“… (It's interesting.)”

Before I started reading, I had this image of the protagonist as a perfect superhuman—like a real-life Superman. 

But in reality, he was quite the eccentric. He hated women, used drugs, and sometimes behaved in ways that bordered on criminal. He had no time for useless knowledge, much to the frustration of his assistant.

And yet… by the time I finished the book, I was already drawn to him. 

If he had been a flawless superhuman, I wouldn't have been as eager to pick up the next book in the series.

And I certainly wouldn't have been so excited to learn there are so many books in this series. 

Apparently, after the author killed off the protagonist, the fans were so outraged that they brought him back to life! That's what I read online, anyway.

[——”Take care, Hajime-Nii!”——]

Even Nina, always surrounded by so many people, likely had things she wanted to hide or imperfections that drew people in.

Or maybe… she was just hiding things from me? 

I take the next book from the shelf.

I glance at the clock—it's still a long time until 1 p.m. 

Am I getting faster at reading? (Starting to feel cocky).

“…”

Suddenly, I sense someone looking at me. 

I turn to see Shiori-san standing next to me, staring at my book.

She looks like she wants to talk, but I guess that can wait.

“!”

I gesture toward the seat next to me as if to ask if she wants to sit down. 

She nods and sits beside me.

“(Is this your second book? Third?)”

I use gestures to ask her. 

In response, she opens her small hand.

“(It's my fifth.)”

“(No way.)”

“Kuku…!”

She starts laughing softly, probably because my reaction surprised her. 

She covers her mouth with her hand, reminding me of a squirrel (in the best way). 

I half expect her to be storing acorns in her cheeks (creepy).

But we probably shouldn't “talk” more than this, even with gestures.

“…”

Next to me, Shiori-san continues turning pages, clearly enjoying herself. 

I wouldn't want to disturb that.

---

“Ahh, I'm starving!”

“Me too!”

“I-Itadakimasu!”

At 1 p.m., we're having a late lunch at a restaurant attached to the library.

Tachibana-san ordered a salad and bread. 

Shiori-san got a hamburger (cute), and it's a double (wait, what?!).

The two stacked patties look pretty intense. 

And there's grated daikon radish on top (with ponzu sauce). Wow. It's like a mountain… 

Even here, mountains? Mountain girls are tough!

“Shiori, you really do eat a lot, don't you?”

“Y-Yes.”

“I wonder where it all goes, considering how small you are.” 

As expected. 

She probably had to eat well in order to survive in the mountains (or something like that).

“I-Is it strange for me to eat this much?”

“No, it’s actually nice for us too, so don't worry about it.”

“Yeah! It's kind of funny, like watching a squirrel store food.”

“R-Rikka-chan!!”

S-She actually said it…! 

I’ve been holding that in for years!

“Hajime-kun, you don't think I'm like a squirrel, right?”

“No (yes).”

“He totally thinks so!”

“?!?!?!”

“Ugh…”

How did she see through me? 

My perfect lie, shattered!

“But squirrels are cute, so it's fine.”

“I'd rather be a bear!”

“Eh…”

“Bears are the kings of the mountains!”

I imagine Shiori-san in a bear costume. 

…It's not scary at all! In fact, it's kind of adorable.

“Shiori-san, you'd look great as a bear too (with a warm smile).”

“R-Really? That makes me happy!”

That smile was what I was waiting for (creep). 

I pretend not to notice Tachibana-san’s resigned smile.

“Hajime-kun, you’re like a cloud—so soft and wonderful!”

I'm not even an animal anymore (floating). 

Wait, what? Floating? Am I really that spaced out? (mystery solved).

Did you know…? You can't see through a cloud when you get close to it.

“You're kind, big, soft… that's the feeling I get, you know?”

“C-Clouds…huh.”

“Thank you (I am a mass of water vapor).”

At this point, I don’t care anymore—I’ll take the compliment.

“But well, Toumachi-kun, you're the eldest sibling, right? You have a sister… a younger sister, right?”

“Ehh?”

Her eyes suddenly sharpened. 

Why is she so certain? I mean, she's right, but…

“It's the way you talk to Shiori, I can just tell.”

“The oldest siblings are usually serious, hardworking, and give off an air of wanting to be relied upon.”

“Also, when we ordered earlier, you were the one who spoke to the staff. You didn't seem that used to it, though—am I wrong?”

An onslaught of words. 

I feel like I'm the suspect in a detective drama, with a waterfall cascading behind me!

She doesn't have the same commanding aura as Hiiragi-san, but… 

There’s a sharp, intelligent vibe.

“You're not wrong (I'm scared).”

Wait, can reading mysteries actually improve your deductive skills? 

This is terrifying. I feel exposed! (as if I’m in a battle manga).

“W-Wait, Hajime-kun, you have siblings?!”

Oh, maybe it’s not that bad… 

Tachibana-san just seems like that type.

“Yes, I have a younger sister, and I'm the eldest. Your deduction skills are truly impressive, like a great detective… (amazed).”

“Yep, I knew it.”

“That’s amazing!”

“…This was an easy one, really.”

As we both admire her deduction, Tachibana-san's expression softens a bit. 

I think her nose is even slightly upturned. 

Oh yeah, she’s definitely happy. It's so obvious.

“It's all about logical thinking and observation. If you have even a little of both, it's easy to figure things out.”

“I could never do that.”

“Same here! Can you deduce more about Hajime-kun, please?”

“Eh?”

“Well, honestly, I can tell a lot already.”

“Wait, what?”

“Shall we? Hajime-kun?”

“I-I guess that's fine…”

“Heh. Don’t worry—I won’t bring up anything too sensitive.”

Wait, what is she going to reveal about me? 

This is terrifying——

“Okay then—Toumachi-kun's hobbies… I'll guess them all.”

…Please don't!