CH 62

At last, Synchronicity’s first solo concert, “Synchro!” will be taking place tomorrow.

It was just after school had ended.

Today, I was going to meet up with Shiorin and the others, who were going to show me their finished dance.

I was honored that they wanted me to be there for the final adjustments.

Rinka hadn’t arrived yet, and Shiorin had gone to call the other members.

So, I waited together with Hasumi behind the school building.

It’s so… calming here.

Well, staring at this girl’s real face does feel embarrassing though.

“I’m sure Rinka has to shake off her followers first, so she might be a little late, huh~.”

Hasumi nodded at my words.

“Yeah… A-Actually, I have something to give you before everyone else arrives, Ritsuki.”

Then, Hasumi bashfully took out a paper bag from her bag.

“P-Previously… When I saw Shiorin and the girls reading the book I gave them, I knew that giving people books that they really need makes me happy, after all.”

“Hasumi…”

“S-So… I brought a book I thought you’d like, Ritsuki. Will you take it…?”

I was so moved by Hasumi’s incredibly kind gesture that I grabbed the paper bag and her hand.

When I did, Hasumi’s mouth slackened, seemingly relieved.

“Thank you! I can’t wait to read a book that you thought would suit me! I’ll make sure to pore over my book till it gets worn out, too!”

“R-Really…? I’d be glad if so… You seemed to want the book the other day since you were looking for it.”

I received the paper bag with the book in it from Hasumi, whose face was gradually turning redder and redder for some reason.

A book I wanted the other day…?

I have absolutely no clue what that could be…

Also, this paper bag is pretty big.

“Is there more than 1 book in here?”

“Y-Yes… Because, well… I didn’t know what would suit your tastes.”

“I see… I’m curious as to what genre the books are.”

“S-Since you’re always really nice, Ritsuki, I thought you’d want some more quirky excitement in your books instead! Those are the kinds of books I chose! Sorry, I’m not too well-versed in this particular area though, so I’m not sure if you’ll like them or not.”

Something really exciting… A horror story, perhaps?

I’m not a huge fan of the ones with lots of blood and stuff though…

―However!

“I’m sure you thought long and hard and tried your best to choose a book that I’d like, right? Then I’ll also do my best to enjoy the book!”

When I said these words, Hasumi for some reason hid her face with her bag in a bashful manner.

“Yeah, I tried my best to choose one… Ah, but you have to put it away quickly before someone else comes! You can take it out when you’re home alon―”

“Thanks for waiting~!”

As Hasumi and I were in the middle of exchanging the paper bag with the books in it, Shiorin and the girls suddenly made an appearance.

Then, the ever-so-curious Akarin noticed the paper bag I was holding and pointed at it.

“Ah! What’s with the paper bag~!”

In response, I boastfully held the bag up high and replied.

“These are some books Hasumi gave me that I wanted!”

“Ehh~, I’m so jealous! What kind of books are they~?”

“R-Ritsuki! Quickly, put the bag away! You can read them nice and quietly when you’re alone at home!”

For some reason, Hasumi grew very flustered.

Hasumi is really shy when she’s around people other than me, isn’t she?

Having reminded myself of this fact in my mind, I tried to put the paper bag away in my bag.

―Rip!

Then, the moment that unpleasant sound reached my ears.

The paper bag tore in half, and the books that were inside spilled out onto the floor, right before Shiorin and the girls’ eyes.

“Ah, it tore! I’ll help pick it up fo―Hiih?!”

Shiorin was about to pick up the books, grabbing hold of them before suddenly turning pale and jumping back.

I took a closer look at the scattered books.

“Special Feature: Plain Girls, Hidden Gems of Beauty. Pressure Weak-Willed Girls and F*ck Them!”

“I Have Her Weakness! Blackmail The Plain Girl in Class and F*ck Her All You Want!”

“I Tried to Forcefully Assault the Plain Girl, But Apparently We Were in Love with Each Other…? A Special Situation, Lovey-Dovey Edition!”

“………”

What fell in front of Asamiya-san and the others were erotic books.

What’s more, most of its contents were filled with violence.

Everybody inevitably froze in place.

These are the books Hasumi thought I’d want…?

S-Sure, I’m pretty sure there was that one time I told Hasumi I was looking for erotic books in her bookstore, but…

Hasumi’s expression turned ghastly pale.