"Do you also like mystery novels?"
The precision and calmness with which he took the book just now inexplicably reminded her of the meticulous and decisive detectives in mystery novels.
Sakamoto paused his steps slightly, turned around, his gaze falling on "Farewell, My Lovely" in her hand, and the corner of his mouth seemed to curve into an extremely faint smile:
"Raymond Chandler. One of the founders of hardboiled detective fiction. Philip Marlowe, adhering to his principles in a corrupt world. That stubbornness and sense of loneliness are very powerful."
Shiina Hiyori's fingers, holding the book, tightened slightly.
She hadn't expected him to not only know this book but also accurately evaluate its style and protagonist's characteristics.
The indifference in her purple eyes receded somewhat, replaced by a glimmer of what could be called "interest."
"You like Marlowe too?"
Her voice rose slightly, carrying a hint of imperceptible excitement.
"I admire his…stubbornness in sticking to his principles in a dirty world. Even if the ending is often not good."
"Principles are like lighthouses,"
Sakamoto's voice was steady and clear,
"guiding the way through the fog, even if you know you'll hit a reef. This stubbornness, perhaps, is its charm."
He paused, his gaze seeming to penetrate the pages of the book.
"Just like the ending of 'The Big Sleep,' Marlowe knew the truth would bring destruction, yet still chose to speak it. 'To say goodbye is to die a little.'"
Shiina Hiyori's heart rate quickened slightly.
He could casually quote Chandler's famous line! And understand it so deeply! She still maintained that light, indifferent demeanor on the surface, but a brighter and brighter light flickered in the depths of her purple eyes.
In this school, filled with various "elites" yet few who could truly understand the charm of mystery novels, she had for the first time met someone who seemed to resonate with her!
"Your insight into mystery novels…is very unique."
Shiina Hiyori said softly, her fingers unconsciously stroking the cover of the book she was holding.
"Not just the plot, but more attention to the core and characters."
"The story is the skeleton; the characters and philosophical thoughts are the soul."
Sakamoto responded calmly.
A brief silence flowed between the two, no longer awkward, but instead filled with a quiet sense of mutual understanding.
Shiina Hiyori hesitated for a moment, her purple eyes lifting to meet Sakamoto's, her voice still soft, but with a rare clarity:
"My name is Shiina Hiyori. Class 1-C."
She paused, then added,
"A mystery novel enthusiast."
Sakamoto nodded slightly, his posture elegant:
"I am Sakamoto. Class 1-A."
"Sakamoto-kun."
Shiina Hiyori repeated the name, a hint of understanding flashing in her purple eyes.
So it was him…that First Year Class 1-A student who had caused so many rumors on the first day of school. She had heard that name.
Her fingers, holding the book, tightened slightly. That longing for a "like-minded companion" finally outweighed her outward aloofness.
"Um…"
She lowered her head slightly, her silver hair falling to cover part of her cheek.
"If possible…could we…exchange contact information?"
Her voice grew softer and softer, almost inaudible, and a faint, imperceptible blush appeared on her earlobes.
"About novels…perhaps…we could discuss them?"
Sakamoto looked at her slightly reddened earlobes, his gaze behind the black-rimmed glasses remaining calm.
He didn't hesitate at all, smoothly taking out his phone from the inside pocket of his school uniform.
His fingertips tapped the screen a few times, quickly and precisely, then he very naturally turned the phone screen towards Shiina Hiyori—the screen showed a blank contact interface, with the cursor blinking in the "Name" field.
"Of course."
His voice was gentle and clear,
"I look forward to discussing the mysteries of the detective world with Shiina-san."
Shiina Hiyori was slightly startled, then quickly reacted.
She quickly took out her own phone—her fingertips rapidly typed her name and number on the screen, then handed it to Sakamoto.
Sakamoto took the phone, his fingertips tapping the screen a few times to enter his number into Shiina Hiyori's phone and save it. The entire process was smooth and natural, without any delay. He handed the phone back to Shiina Hiyori.
"This is my number."
Sakamoto lightly flashed his phone screen in front of Shiina Hiyori, letting her confirm the number was saved, then put it away.
Sakamoto nodded slightly, the corner of his mouth also seeming to curve into an extremely faint smile:
"You're welcome. I wish Shiina-san happy reading."
After saying that, he bowed slightly again, his movements smooth and natural, then turned and, with steady and silent steps, quickly disappeared into the deep shadows of the library's tall bookshelves.
Shiina Hiyori stood rooted to the spot, holding the recovered "Farewell, My Lovely," her fingertips unconsciously stroking the phone in her pocket.
The library's tranquility enveloped her once more, but this time, there seemed to be a different meaning within that tranquility.
first year o enrollment: Chapter 014: Sakamoto Not in the Classroom
Time moved to the afternoon.
An unusual tension permeated the air in Class 1-C.
As soon as the dismissal bell rang, students, as usual, packed their bags, preparing to leave, but their movements carried an extra measure of careful caution, their gazes occasionally glancing at the window seat in the back row of the classroom.
Ryuuen Kakeru sat in his seat, not getting up immediately.
He crossed his arms, his sinister gaze sweeping across the classroom like a lion surveying its territory.
After the baffling defeat in the cafeteria at noon and Sakamoto's seemingly calm yet core-hitting advice, the rage and shame in his heart had been replaced by a more solidified determination.
Pure fists and intimidation might be enough to suppress the rabble in Class 1-C, but it was far from enough to truly mold them into a force capable of challenging Class 1-A, capable of challenging that Sakamoto.
Violence was a means, a last resort, but never the only solution, nor the optimal one.
Sakamoto's words, "scattered sand into a fist," stuck in his heart like a thorn, and also enlightened him.
During lunch break, he had already used his gaze and a few light threats to initially "sort out" some of the troublemakers in the class.
The effect was decent; at least for now, no one dared to openly challenge him.
But this was only the beginning.
He needed prestige, he needed strategy, he needed a stronger Class 1-C.
He stood up, ignoring the respectful or evasive glances cast his way, and walked straight out of the classroom.
His target was clear—Class 1-A.
He needed to see with his own eyes what that Sakamoto was like in his "territory."
How could he be so composed? How could he speak with such a condescending tone?
Was it still that pretentious elegance? Or was there another side to him?
Ryuuen quickly arrived in the hallway outside the Class 1-A classroom.
He leaned against the window, his gaze as sharp as an eagle's, scanning the inside of the classroom through the bright glass window.
The elites of Class 1-A were either organizing notes or conversing in low voices, in perfect order, and an invisible sense of superiority permeated the air.
The corner of Ryuuen's mouth curled into a disdainful arc as his gaze quickly searched for the figure with the black-rimmed glasses.
He wasn't there.
The window seat was empty.
Front row, back row, corner…a quick scan, and Sakamoto was nowhere to be seen.
"Tch, so fast?"
Ryuuen frowned, muttering under his breath.
This guy, he sure slipped away quickly.
He unhappily scanned the room again, confirming that Sakamoto was indeed absent, and was about to turn and leave.
"Are you looking for Sakamoto-kun, fellow student?"
Ryuuen spun around abruptly.
A slender, silver-haired girl stood a few steps away from him, leaning on a dark wooden cane, her posture serene.
She tilted her head slightly, her gaze beneath her silver hair calmly meeting his sharp eyes, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on her lips.
It was Sakayanagi Arisu.
Ryuuen's pupils constricted imperceptibly.
Someone from Class 1-A? How did she know?
Sakayanagi seemed to read his mind, the tip of her cane gently tapping the ground, her voice still cool:
"Sakamoto-kun has become a campus celebrity in just two days. Everything he does in school…is attention-grabbing enough."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the Class 1-A classroom.
"So, if a student from another class specifically comes to peer into the Class 1-A doorway, then nine times out of ten they are looking for Sakamoto-kun. It's not hard to guess, is it?"
He snorted, suppressing his irritation at being seen through, his tone stiff:
"…Heh, as expected of someone in the same class as that Sakamoto, your observational skills are quite strong."
His tone carried a hint of sarcasm,
"But so what? He's not here, I can't just stand around waiting, can I?"
He was already tired of wasting words on this Class 1-A woman, and turned to leave.
"Of course, you don't have to wait."
The voice rang out again, neither high nor low, but with an undeniable penetrative quality.
Ryuuen's steps halted, and he turned back impatiently:
"Something else?"
Sakayanagi's gaze met Ryuuen's eyes directly, her voice lowered a few notches, with a hint of probing,
"Your eyes…aren't those of a fanboy who worships an idol. With that look of hostility and desire for conquest, are you…planning to target him?"
Ryuuen was startled! This woman…how did she know?! His eyes instantly became extremely dangerous, staring intently at Sakayanagi:
"So what if I am? What's it to you?! You're from Class 1-A, are you going to stick up for him?"
"Stick up for him?"
Sakayanagi chuckled softly.
"No, you misunderstand."
She leaned forward slightly, her voice lowered, carrying a strange allure,
"What I mean is, I also…want to target Sakamoto-kun a bit."
Ryuuen was stunned.
He looked incredulously at the petite silver-haired girl in front of him.
From Class 1-A? Sakamoto's classmate? She actually said…she wanted to target Sakamoto?
30 adavance chapter is available in patreon
1 day 1 chapter available both patreon and webnovel
patreon.com/Lempil
patreon.com/Lempil