(Illustration Artwork: ????? with Miyu? In the corridor [Available On Original Platform Website])
…
"…Uhh. Did I see you somewhere before?"
He didn't reply immediately.
Just smiled faintly, reaching his hand toward her.
"Are you okay?"
His tone was light and calm.
"It seems… You were absent-minded."
Miyu blinked a few times.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah I guess I was just… kinda lost in thought."
She reached up and took his hand to stand.
Once she did, he picked up her small basket from the ground and handed it to her.
"Is this yours?"
"Oh! Yes, it's mine… Thank you!"
She dusted herself off gently, trying to regain her focus again.
"Excuse me but… aren't you a friend of that boy from the shelter? His name was… Hiro… Hiroki, I think?"
Miyu tilted her head. A bit of embarrassment flashed on her face.
"Ah, H-Hiroki? Well… you can say that."
The boy gave a calm smile.
But then, Miyu asked out of curiosity.
"Sorry if this is sudden, but… who exactly are you? You speak as if you know him well."
He maintained his calm expression as he looked at her.
"Well… Actually, I was one of the people who saw what happened during that rare explosion incident."
"…H-Hey"
Her eyes betrayed tension.
"You mean… the one Hiroki told us about?"
He nodded with a small chuckle.
"Yes, indeed. I noticed his presence there. And it seems that fate wanted us to meet again in this place as well."
Miyu's features changed slightly. Stress made her feel a strange pressure rising inside her.
He continued.
"Currently, I'm investigating the phenomenon causes myself… And I've seen you in the library many times."
Her breath stopped for a second.
"…Eh? You… saw me?"
He once again responded with a smile.
"Tell me… do you think that the Golden Book has something to do with what happened back then?"
Her expression immediately stiffened.
"…G-Golden… B-Book…?" She then laughed nervously. "You mean the one the legends talk about?"
He leaned in just a bit.
"You call it a legend, huh? Hmm… I doubt that it's just like that."
Miyu took a step back.
"…Sorry, but I have to go now. Please excuse me."
She turned, trying to end the conversation.
But…
"So what was the nature of all that research you were doing? It looked heavily focused on Yumix's ancient records…"
His voice followed behind her instantly.
Miyu froze in place. She couldn't find a reply. Her face clearly showed tension.
However…
"Miyu?"
A voice from the upper staircase.
Kenji had just descended halfway; he was on a roll, ready to start his shift.
He noticed her immediately—and the way she looked.
That boy beside her was acting suspiciously.
"Who could that be? Is she possibly being harassed?!"
The energy in Kenji's face shifted instantly.
He walked faster down the stairs.
Miyu was still lost, unsure of how to deal with him.
"Ehh… E-Excuse me… Can… I…"
"Hoy bro, are you messing with the girl here? Can you just back off a bit and respect her space?"
His tone wasn't aggressive, yet it was sharp.
Miyu turned quickly.
"Kenji?!"
He shot her a quick look.
"Are you okay?"
"…Yeah."
That boy stepped back slightly while keeping his composure.
"Ah—my apologies if I've crossed a line. I didn't mean to burden anyone. I was just asking about some stuff. I didn't mean any harm to her at all"
Kenji sighed for a moment, then narrowed his eyes again.
"Who are you anyway? And what do you want?"
The boy chuckled awkwardly.
"Ah, right. I haven't even introduced myself until now. How foolish of me. My name is… Syuma Kaito."
He raised his left hand up loosely.
"I hope we can get along."
Kenji kept watching him.
"Eh… Never heard that name around here before."
He stepped slightly in front of Miyu.
"Anyway, I don't want any problems from you. Clear?"
Kaito raised both hands in surrender.
"No worries, I understand. Responding with that hostility is unnecessary. But whatever, I'll be heading out on my way…
I hope fate lets us cross paths once again."
He turned and started walking slowly down the corridor.
Kenji followed him with his eyes the entire time.
"…Weird guy."
Miyu sighed softly.
"H-Hey… Thanks, Kenji-kun."
He scratched his cheek lightly, a little flustered.
"Nah, it's nothing. He just seemed overly pushy with you."
He looked toward the hallway.
"What exactly did he want from you?"
Miyu lowered her gaze a bit.
"It seems that… He was trying to find out about the incident—the one related to Hiroki. And somehow, he already knew that I'm doing similar research about it."
Kenji's eyes snapped back to worrying.
"Seriously? That feels a bit too shady."
"I don't know what he is planning for," Miyu spoke softly. "But something about him felt off…"
Kenji nodded slowly.
"I wonder what his reasons are…"
He turned his gaze toward where Kaito had gone.
"I wonder…"
[ To Be Continued ]