“…What’s so fun about reading books?”
“It’s not about fun. You should take your studies more seriously.”
“Says someone with lower grades than me.”
“…That’s just because your practical skills are so great. I do way better in written tests.”
Says Sieglinde before her eyes turn back to the bookshelf packed with thick magic books. Then she grabs one and opens it.
What’s that… 『Introduction to magic circle composition』…?
She’s reading another one that looks complicated… She’s basically a living being outside the boundaries of my understanding, going out of her way to study right after school.
Well, that probably plays a part in her getting perfect scores in tests.
“Hm… I see…”
“Why don’t you just buy it if you’re that interested? Aren’t you loaded?”
“…”
“She’s not listening.”
She’s from a good family, but her purse strings are pretty tight. I almost never see her buying books.
You’d think the store, that gets nothing out of someone standing around reading, would just see her as a nuisance, but I guess the old man that runs the place likes her or something, because I’ve never seen him say anything about it.
This old bookstore in a prime location of the commercial street, surrounded by high-class brands gives off a very shady aura, and I honestly don’t know what’s the deal with this place. It doesn’t look popular, that’s for sure.
I’m left with nothing to do as I stand next to Sieglinde, who’s already been whisked away into book world, so I grab a random book in front of me.
『The influence of fire magic on the world and future prospects』. The title sounds complicated, but I don’t feel like reading anyway.
“Well then, maybe I’ll study too.”
I open the book and pretend to read it while observing Sieglinde.
“I see… But this…”
She’s fully engrossed in the book and has no idea I’m watching her. You might think that’s rude, since we’re out together, but neither of us really care about that sort of thing. We were just walking around aimlessly anyway.
“…”
That also means I wouldn’t feel bad playing a trick on her. Wouldn’t the owner even thank me for that?
“…And it connects here… Well done…”
“…Ahh…”
I look at her surprisingly nice face for a while, but she shows no signs of wanting to leave. I put the book I’m holding back on the shelf, and this time turn my head to Sieglinde while I watch her.
Let’s see how long it takes her to notice she’s being watched.
“…I see…”
“Stare…”
“…”
Sieglinde’s shockingly strong ability to concentrate on something means she doesn’t budge even when I’m watching her so closely.
…I could learn a thing or two from her when it comes to this sort of thing. I’m sure it’s my lack of ability to concentrate that causes me to not be able to sit still during classes.
Sieglinde on the other hand, isn’t moving a muscle. She’s like a stone statue. I really should learn from her.
“Here we go.”
She still hasn’t noticed, so it’s time to play my last card. It’s what I call the turning my whole body strategy. I tilt my head, and enter her field of vision too. Can you see me now?
“…And this… What does it mean…?”
“…Are you serious?”
I’m sure my face is in her field of vision, but Sieglinde is acting like she can’t see me. That’s pretty shocking. Is that magic book more important than me?
Is she just ignoring me because she knows I’m trying to mess with her?
“…Oh well.”
It’s not like we’re best friends or anything. It hasn’t even been a year since we first started talking. I’m grateful that she’s even hanging out with someone like me that’s treated like a problem child.
“…”
I go back to just quietly watching her. I’m not trying to actually disturb her studies or anything.
Also, she’s treated in school like a lame girl that’s too serious about studying, but her face is pretty nice, and it doesn’t hurt me at all to look at it. She doesn’t care about that sort of thing, but if she took off those big glasses and stopped braiding her hair like that, she’d be pretty popular with the boys in school.
At the very least, I think she’s the cutest girl in our class. Medici, the girl that professed her love for me a while back, is also pretty cute, but I think Sieglinde is cuter.
If Sieglinde professed her love for me instead of Medici, I would’ve probably said yes.
“…”
“…”
Yes… It really is a waste. She has big bright eyes, a shapely nose, and definitely has presence. Her skin is white and clear like snow, and her eyelashes are about as long as my roof.
She most definitely doesn’t look like the sort of person to sit in the corner of the classroom drawing zero attention.
“…There’s no doubt that you’re cute.”
“…!”
At that moment, the snowy field that is her skin starts to turn red.
“So you really did notice me.”
“…W-what are you trying to accomplish…!?”
“Nothing really. I was just watching you because I have nothing to do.”
“Please stop watching me! I’m trying to focus!”
“Okay okay.”
I’d feel bad if I disturbed her any more. But I don’t feel like standing here reading complex magic books either, so…
“I’m going to wander around a little.”
“Yes, sorry.”
“It’s all right.”
I’ll look for simple and fun magic books I can read. There’s bound to be at least one among all these books.
“…Cute?”
I hear Sieglinde mumble something behind me.
“…? Oh, whatever.”
Her tone tells me it wasn’t directed at me, so I walk over to the back of the bookstore.
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Now we have the revelation that if she had had the courage, she would have been with him right from school.