The subdued wooden grain was reminiscent of the Meiji era, and the modern chandelier emphasized the room’s elegance. It seemed to be some sort of reading room. There was a long, aged table and chairs, and several students sat there. The glass window nearly stretched to the ceiling, providing a sense of openness. This university facility was the most top-notch in the nation, and the atmosphere was unlike any ordinary library.
Still clinging onto my arm, Marie looked at me and said, “Wow! So this is a library for grown-ups!”
“Such a serene place,” remarked Wridra. “It is tasteful and well lit by sunlight. I imagine playing an anime movie would be quite fun!”
I had to ignore that suggestion for now. Meanwhile, Marie spoke to me hushfully but couldn’t hide her excitement.
Before, I had heard that the library Marie frequented in the other world was a dark place underground. It was a conglomeration of magic and knowledge and heavily guarded so its secrets would never leak to outsiders. Thus, I wasn’t amazed they didn’t have a single window there.
Suddenly I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around, and the librarian from earlier said, “This way.” He pointed outside.
We left the room as directed, and the door closed quietly behind us.
“That was the reading room,” he explained. “It’s usually more empty on the weekends, but there are a lot of students here who are preparing to graduate or go on to higher education. I will now help you find books you’d be interested in, but please refrain from talking among yourselves. What sort of book are you all looking for?”
Marie thought about it for a while, then gently smiled and said, “I’m looking for educational books on farming. I’d like to learn about growing crops in a mild climate like Tokyo, from rice and vegetables to fruits. So, Wridra...”
Then Wridra smiled and shook her head as if to say today was all about Marie. The Arkdragon hugged her from behind like an older sister, saying, “Hah, hah, do as you wish and do not mind me. I will find a book to read on my own. In fact, I am interested in this historic building more than anything.”
“Oh, are you sure? I can choose whatever book I want?” inquired Marie.
I nodded in agreement. After all, I had brought them here for their sake and wanted them to have a good time more than anything. I wondered what was up with Wridra, though. She had always wanted to go somewhere with lots of books. Not once had she mentioned what books she wanted to read since we’d gotten here. I felt something was going on.
Kaoruko also nodded to Marie’s question, flashing a smile like a beautiful blooming flower. This made me realize how well the flower-embroidered cardigan suited her.
“Oh, I’m getting excited,” said Marie, then wrapped her arms around me. “Come on, let’s find a book before someone takes the sunlit seats.”
I had to admit that I loved how full of life this elf girl was. Although I wanted to ensure she got the best window seat available, the seats were reservation-based. There was no need to rush.
Still, I let her push my back as we headed toward the book corner.
It didn’t take long before Marie had settled into being a bookworm. One could hear the soft turning of pages near the warm, sunlit seats by the window. Our eyes met, and Marie whispered, “I’m so glad I learned how to read too.” She was humble about her reading ability but went through the pages so fast that one might wonder if she was actually reading. Yet, Marie affirmed she was still absorbing the text at that speed. It made me think how valuable skills like Memorization were, even in this world.
Kaoruko was also reading a book in a nearby seat and enjoying the serenity. Strangely, Wridra was nowhere in sight. I had expected her to be reading next to Marie.
I looked around for her, then felt Marie tug on my sleeve. She murmured, “Let me know what kind of book Wridra is reading.”
There was something maternal about her sunlit smile. I blinked, taken aback by the motherly air about her that had seemingly come out of nowhere. She waved goodbye with her fingers, and I quietly rose from my seat to carry out the mission she had assigned me.
I walked around the university library alone, noting how the floor and stairs made of marble and the sculptures adorning the walls set this place apart from normal libraries. The spacious and relaxing atmosphere had a distinct sense of history, and it was interesting to note the smell of books hanging in the air. I couldn’t help but appreciate the solemn, serene atmosphere.
This was starting to get fun.
I rarely walked around alone except on my commute to work. There was so much here that made me feel adventurous, and it was refreshing to explore this place by myself freely.
Lamps illuminated the dim areas, creating an ambience of a fantasy world. I found a lone table sitting next to a window with its curtain closed, which I found strangely picturesque. Books were piled upon it, and the empty chair nearby seemed quite comfortable.
“I’ll bet it would be nice to relax here,” I said.
There was no one around to hear it, or so I thought. I sensed movement and noticed what seemed to be wavering long, black hair. After I blinked, a pair of large, narrow eyes stared back at me.
A figure held a finger up to their lips and motioned me over. I approached, confused, then a slender arm reached out and grabbed me.
“Wridra? Were you here the whole time?” I asked.
“Hah, hah, it is quite amusing when your eyes widen with surprise,” she said, laughing out loud. Her tongue showed slightly between her rouged lips.
It was a bit dark in the room, and I could see specks of dust dancing near the window. The laced black dress looked even better on Wridra with the dark interior as a backdrop. Her outfit and the general impression she gave off had completely changed from before. Still, it wasn’t too surprising when I considered that she was a great Arkdragon. Surprisingly, I could almost sense magic emanating from her, even here in Japan.
“Wait, have you been using a concealment skill?” I asked.
“Hm, I cannot recall. You are always half asleep, so perhaps you didn’t notice,” commented Wridra.