Volume 11 Chapter 4: Void

                                    

                                          
Tokyo, Japan 
ANHS
Library
Friday, March 13th, 2020
Afternoon
AYANOKOUJI POV
Me {The class discussion was dragging, longer than usual. We were in the midst of preparing for the "Event Selection Exam," and unlike in previous instances, the energy in the room wasn't born out of confusion or disarray. This time, it was different—focused, deliberate, and oddly hopeful. The rules of the exam were simple enough. Each class had to submit events that would test physical ability, intellectual skill, and teamwork, and the school would randomly assign one of these events for competition between two classes.}
Me {The twist, of course, was that the events were intentionally vague, allowing for endless permutations and possibilities. Success relied heavily on how well a class could predict and adapt. In the past, our class had always been reactive. But now? Students who usually sat quietly on the sidelines were speaking up, their suggestions well thought out, their reasoning sound. Hirata offered suggestions for team-based activities that would maximize participation from our weakest students. Even Hondou and Yamauchi—who typically joked their way through these discussions—were unusually serious.}
Me {I sat silently, watching and listening. This energy, this faint but growing confidence, was new. I hadn't anticipated this level of focus from Class 1-B. For the first time, I entertained the possibility that they might have a real chance against Class A. After the discussion concluded, and the students began to disperse, Horikita approached me. Her arms were crossed, her sharp gaze meeting mine.}
Horikita [Ayanokouji-kun]
Me {She said without preamble, holding out a book. I looked at the item in her hand. A worn red paperback with a cracked spine. "Red Unlocked, Volume 23." It was a book series I had recognized, it was Yoshida's favorite manga series, but it clearly didn't belong to Horikita}
Horikita [This belonged to Nagi-kun]
Me {Horikita explained, her voice as even as ever.}
Horikita [He borrowed it from the library before...]
Me {She trailed off, but the meaning was clear. Before his expulsion. I nodded silently, taking the book from her.}
Horikita [He wasn't finished with it, but I thought it was appropriate to return it] 
Me {She continued, her tone betraying none of the emotion I suspected she felt.}
Horikita [You go to the library often enough. You can handle this, can't you?]
Me [I'll take care of it] 
Me {I replied simply, tucking the book under my arm. Horikita didn't linger, turning on her heel and walking away as efficiently as she had approached. I made my way to the library. The library was quiet, as it always was, a welcome reprieve from the noise of the classroom. I scanned the room idly, noting the familiar figures of students hunched over textbooks or quietly browsing shelves. But one person stood out—a girl sitting alone at a table near the back, surrounded by books.}
Me {Her silver hair fell softly around her shoulders, and her expression, though calm, held a subtle melancholy. She was flipping through a book absentmindedly, not really reading it. I approached her table, recognizing her immediately from the few times I'd seen her in passing. Hiyori Shiina, a member of Class 1-C.}
Me [Excuse me]
Me {I said, keeping my voice low to avoid disturbing others. She looked up, startled at first, but then her expression softened into a polite smile.}
Hiyori [Hello]
Me {She greeted, her voice gentle.}
Hiyori [Is there something I can help you with?]