Even in Hell 5

Eichi: ...Anyway, I came to the library to help you with your work.

What are you working on, Tsumugi? If it’s difficult, I might not be able to offer much assistance.

Tsumugi: Oh, I wouldn’t ask you to go that far when you’re still sick, Eichi-kun.

Right now I’m double-checking the collection, making sure each book is in its place according to my list.

Young people today don’t read many books, though, so it’s pretty rare that someone checks out a book in the first place. There’s not much point to doing this inspection.

Eichi: Young people, hm? You’re still young, yourself, Tsumugi.

Tsumugi: Ahaha, it’s just that generations transition so quickly these days, right? After becoming a second year, seeing all these bright-eyed and bushy-tailed first years is kind of...

Well, it makes me feel like I’m getting old, you know?

Anyway, the library committee’s budget is getting slashed, so we can’t procure new books.

So the list of books in the library hasn’t been updated in a while, which saves me some time and effort there.

And I can always buy new books myself, too.

Eichi: I actually enjoy reading quite a lot; it’s like living someone else’s life vicariously.

You can unabashedly reach into the treasure trove known as others’ minds and reveal what they have collected there.

I recommend the great Walt Disney, for example.

Tsumugi: Ahaha, well, people have games and other kinds of entertainment now.

Personally, I like fantasy novels~ Imaginary worlds with swords and magic...

That’s a bit childish, though, isn’t it?

Eichi: I think that’s fine. We all have our own tastes.

Every human lives within their own episodic memory; there is no distinction between fiction and not.

This is why the narrative is controlled by the victor.

To be the author or the protagonist of such a narrative can satisfy any ego. But I’ll leave the writing to him and assume the role of protagonist.

Tsumugi: Fufu, everyone is the protagonist of their own life, after all.

Eichi: Yes, that’s exactly the point. It will be our key to their hearts.

Eichi: Oh, I fear I’ve said too much...

I’m still naïve. I lack confidence in my ideas, so I seek out the understanding and approval of others. However, a slip of the tongue can prove fatal.

Tsumugi: Well, I’m not really sure what you’re talking about, but I’d still like whatever help you can give, Eichi-kun.

The library is so big that I don’t think I’ll be able to finish this inspection by myself.

I’ve been coming here every day after school to work on it... But there’s just no end in sight.

Eichi: You really don’t have a knack for it, do you? And you’re so anxious that you refuse to cut corners; it wastes your time.

I’ll give you some advice to increase your efficiency.

This is your list of books, correct? Let me see. ......Hm, that’s a bit odd.

Tsumugi: Huh? Which part? Wait, have you looked over this whole list already?

Eichi: I’ve mastered speed reading. It’s hard to tell just from this list, but you’re missing a considerable amount of books and materials in certain categories.

It’s a little, hm, unnatural.

Tsumugi: What categories?

Oh, but some books and materials have been misplaced since I joined the committee.

It could be that some alumni took them and never brought them back.

Eichi: It’s not impossible, but... Tsumugi, is there a floor plan of the library?

Tsumugi: There is~ We have a detailed floor plan, which includes how the shelves are arranged. It’s necessary for these inspections.

I made it when I was a first year, since it was inconvenient not to have one.

Eichi: You engage in time-consuming, near-useless tasks so diligently and without complaint.

You should be careful; your nature is such that it’s easy for others to take advantage of you.

Hm... Aha, I knew it. If I compare this to what I remember of the school map, some things don’t line up.

Did you not think that was strange when you were creating this floor plan, Tsumugi?

I suppose with the records not being passed down, everyone forgot about it.

The school has been renovated several times, so these bookshelves here must have been moved... Hmm, so that’s it.

They’re likely close to the principal’s office... and come to think of it, there’s a reference room near there that’s become more of a dead space. So it must be around there, in the basement.

Tsumugi: Umm... Can I ask what you’re talking about, Eichi-kun?

Eichi: Tsumugi. Those missing books you mentioned—I may have found where they’re being kept.

There’s probably a secret, underground library here at Yumenosaki Academy.