Volume 1, Extra

Volume 1, Extra

[The Goddess of the Library]

At the school I attend, there are a countless number of urban legends. One of them is the legend of the “Goddess of the Library.” In the deepest part of the library, standing still in a dark corner where seldom anyone treads, a beautiful ghost stands reading, quietly turning the pages—

She has a sorrowful look, tidy and silky hair, a voluptuous chest, and a constricted waist. Truthfully, glorious titles like “Venus” and “Aphrodite” would befit her looks.

Well, since it was nothing more than an insignificant urban legend, there isn’t a fragment of truth to be found there. It’s all nothing more than idle gossip. And who in the world would arrive at the conclusion that a beauty reading books is a ghost? If you have the time to come up with such a ridiculous story, use your time more efficiently and learn some English vocabulary, for crying out loud. Back on topic, you’ve probably already guessed that I don’t believe in that sort of thing in the slightest.

—But for some reason, this “Goddess of the library” was right before me.

“So you actually read books, huh. Hello, Iroha.”

“Mhm? Might you be… the second year, Ooboshi-senpai?”

“Stop it with that honor student act. It’s disgusting.”

She closed the book and turned her face towards me. Without doubt, this was the face of a familiar, annoying girl. However, her usual attitude wasn’t anywhere to be found, and she seemed more like a young woman who had been raised in dignity.

It was one of the seven personalities of Kohinata Iroha: the honor student mode. She was stylish and academic. Her manners were completely suitable in every situation. She had outstanding athletic skills, she wouldn’t turn down any request for help, and she was a beauty liked by everyone.

“You actually want me to be annoying? That’s no good, Senpai. I know that you can barely hold yourself back because of your excitement, but please put up with it for now. The fun will begin l-a-t-e-r~”

“I’m not expecting anything from you, idiot.”

“Uyaa?! Ouchie?!”

Seeing the smug look on Iroha’s face, I gave her a quick flick to the forehead. In response, she bent backwards, the book falling out of her hand to the floor. When I went to pick it up, the title and the cover stood out to me. “The white horse is also a prince” read the title. Shown on the cover was a brusque-looking and handsome horse, and on its back was a prince with flowing blonde hair and a seemingly-western face. No matter how you looked at it—

“Hey, this is totally a BL manga.”

“The assortment of books at this school’s library is amazing! The lineup here makes my girly heart pound faster!”

“Ahh… So that’s why people have been spotting you in this place.”

This place was often referred to as the “girl’s corner,” a section targeted towards teenagers. The only reason I came here today was because “Murasaki Shikibu-sensei” had been crying and whining about how much she needed more material and ‘fuel’ and whatnot, and had asked me to bring her some BL manga from here.

Basically, the identity of the “Goddess of the library” was—

“—Reality isn’t a dream, I know, but this is a bit too harsh of a wake-up call…”

“What is it?” said the fake honor student, tilting her head in confusion.

In response, I could only let out a deep sigh.