"Since he's looking for death, then I have no choice but to... grant his wish."
In that moment, Hasebe Haruka was momentarily dazed.
Although the boy before her still looked the same, the lazy aura about him had completely vanished. In its place was an absolute confidence, a composure as if he had already foreseen the ending.
That confidence wasn't blind arrogance, but a disdainful pride built on a foundation of powerful strength.
'This guy...'
Haruka's heart skipped a beat for some reason.
She had seen countless people (or so she thought) and hated those hypocrites who spoke nothing but nonsense.
But at this moment, Natsukawa gave her an extremely dangerous yet strangely real illusion.
He wasn't just acting cool.
He truly felt that he could win.
Moreover, that sharp edge revealed for the sake of protecting those around him... (Was he... actually kind of handsome?)
As soon as this thought surfaced, it was fiercely suppressed by Haruka. However, the way she looked at Natsukawa was no longer filled with the same prejudice as before.
'So what Airi said... was all true?'
'Maybe this guy isn't just an ordinary scumbag, but... a responsible scumbag?'
"...Do whatever you want."
Haruka took a deep breath and let go of Sakura Airi's hand, returning to her usual lazy and casual demeanor in an attempt to hide her momentary lapse in composure.
"Anyway, I've already advised you. If you insist on going to your death, I can't stop you."
She turned around, waving her hand with her back to Natsukawa.
"But... don't die too pathetically. Otherwise, Airi will have nightmares."
By the end, her voice dropped a few octaves, carrying a hint of imperceptible awkwardness.
"...If you really can't win, remember to run fast. No one will mock you."
"Don't worry." Natsukawa smiled, hearing the concern in her words. "I value my life very much."
"Airi, let's go. It looks like we won't be able to study today, so let's head back to the dorm for self-study." Haruka pulled Sakura Airi along. "Just let him play the hero by himself."
"But..." Sakura Airi looked back every few steps, her eyes full of reluctance.
"Let's go, let's go."
Under Haruka's half-dragging and half-pulling, the two of them packed their things and left the Library.
When they reached the door, Haruka stopped and looked back at the figure standing alone in the shadows of the bookshelf.
'Natsukawa Sosuke...'
She whispered the name in her mind, her fingers unconsciously twirling the ends of her hair.
'If you really can come back unscathed...'
'Then I'll admit I was blind, and that you really do have something. As for the matter between you and Airi, I won't interfere anymore.'
...After watching them leave, Natsukawa turned and stepped back onto the stairs leading to the second floor.
His bag was still there.
Just as he turned the corner of the stairs, before his gaze had fully landed on the second-floor landing, a series of hurried footsteps reached his ears.
"Da da da..."
Natsukawa was stunned for a moment, then the corners of his mouth unconsciously curled up.
When he returned to his previous seat, Shiina Hiyori was still in the same position as when he had left.
However... hearing the approaching footsteps, Hiyori slowly raised her head as if she had just noticed his return.
"Ah, Natsukawa, you're back. Is everything settled?"
"Yeah, it's settled."
"But, Shiina, you were peeking while I was down there, weren't you?"
"Eh... why would you say that? I've been reading this whole time, quite engrossed."
"Um, Classmate Shiina."
"Hmm?"
"If I remember correctly..." Natsukawa pointed to the book in her hand. "In this book you're holding, there shouldn't be any narrative trick involving the book being held upside down, right?"
"...!"
Hiyori's body stiffened, and her cheeks flushed red at a visible speed.
"Honestly... Classmate Natsukawa is too mean."
She tilted her head slightly, her gaze locked on Natsukawa's face, as if she were re-examining the book titled 'Natsukawa Sosuke.'
"How surprising... no, maybe I should say, this is the 'logical' development."
"Oh? You're not surprised?"
"I'm the 'enemy' your class has been looking for all month."
"Actually... I had my suspicions before. I wondered if the person causing Ryuen-kun such a headache might be Natsukawa-kun."
"Oh?" Natsukawa was a bit surprised. "How did you find out, Classmate Shiina? I thought you never cared about class affairs."
Hearing this question, Hiyori suddenly sat up straight.
She cleared her throat, a mischievous and mysterious smile appearing on her face, as she wagged a slender finger near her lips.
"This is Great Detective Hiyori's secret... but since it's a request from my Assistant, I'll reluctantly reveal a little."
"I don't care about specific class affairs."
"But since I live in Class C after all, the girls' chatter always finds its way into my ears. From the events of the Deserted Island to the Sports Festival, Ryuen-kun's rage, and those rumors about the person behind the scenes... as long as you piece these fragments together, many things become interesting."
She looked at Natsukawa, her eyes filled with a detective-like pride.
"Of course, the most important clue is Natsukawa-kun yourself."
"Me?"
"Yes. Actually, from the beginning, I vaguely sensed that you aren't simple at all, Natsukawa-kun. Not only that, we've talked about many books, right?" Hiyori said with a smile. "A person's reading preferences and insights into books often reflect their inner world."
"And a person's past determines their future, which can also be reflected in their code of conduct. There aren't many people in Class D with such strength. When I subconsciously compared Natsukawa-kun with that person behind the scenes, well, the inner styles of these two people are very similar..."
After saying this, she playfully winked at Natsukawa.
"So?"
"Was my reasoning brilliant?"
"As expected of Classmate Shiina."
"But since you guessed it long ago, why didn't you tell Ryuuen?" Natsukawa asked. "If you had told him, Class C wouldn't have been in such chaos this past month, right?"
"Those were just my 'guesses.' Reasoning without evidence shouldn't be spoken lightly. And..."
"Although Ishizaki-kun and the others are my classmates, I don't agree with their methods."
"Making a loud noise in the Library and wasting time on such meaningless behavior... it's just not elegant."
"In contrast, the way Natsukawa-kun stood up to protect his friends..."
Hiyori covered her mouth and chuckled.
"Was very... handsome."
"You really are..."
Natsukawa shook his head helplessly.
"But aren't you worried about me now?" He pointed to himself. "Since I've actively stepped out now, you should know what Ryuuen will do next."
"Worried?"
Hiyori tilted her head as if she had heard a strange question.
"Why should I be worried?"
"Natsukawa-kun, you're not the type of person who would throw their life away on impulse."
"Since you dared to step forward and actively provoke Ryuen-kun... it means you've made full preparations and are certain of victory, right?"
She closed her book and gave him a bright smile.
"After all, the Natsukawa-kun I know isn't such a reckless person."
Natsukawa was stunned for a moment.
Then, he laughed with relief.
"As expected of Hiyori. And here I was, trying to act all 'the wind sighs and the river is cold' to win some sympathy points."
He stood up and slung his bag over his shoulder.
"Since the Lady Detective has said so, I can't let you down."
"I'll be going now. Tomorrow, I'll write a perfect ending to this story."
"Mm, take care on your way."
Hiyori sat in her seat and gently waved at his retreating back.