Part-3 Ch-04 Ep-02

 The high ceiling that opens all the way up to the second floor, the old carpet laid wall to wall, and the neatly arranged bookshelves covering every inch of the walls.

All of these absorb every sound, the rustling of pages turned by the students, the scratching of pens moving across paper, the whispered voices of people teaching each other or chatting quietly, and the occasional small cough.

Everything.

After the opening ceremony, the library had been lively for a little while with the slightly excited students, but it quickly returned to its calm and quiet atmosphere.

I myself immediately spread my textbooks and reference books out in front of me and focused on solving problems.

I’d been working steadily, my pen scratching across the paper for a while, when it happened.

A nice scent.

Within this somehow soothing atmosphere, I noticed that from time to time a gentle, pleasant fragrance drifted over. And it was one I knew very well.

My concentration broke for a moment, and my awareness was pulled back by it.

I quietly sniffed, trying to figure out where the scent was coming from.

When I turned my nose toward the seat next to me to follow the fragrance, I saw my childhood friend sitting there with a serious expression, writing in her notebook and reference book.

Because this event involved staying overnight at school during summer vacation, the meeting time had been set for the evening.

Our school has no bathing facilities, so the handout we received in advance said everyone should finish bathing at home beforehand.

In fact, I’d taken a bath at home before coming here.

Of course, the same went for Maki, who’s sitting next to me right now.

She smells really nice.

This must be the scent of the shampoo or body wash Maki uses.

It always smells so good. I always think that.

In the end, I really love the scent that surrounds Maki.

Even though it shouldn’t be possible, I feel like I can sense her body warmth within it too, and it makes me feel so relaxed and comforted.

The moment I let my guard down, my thoughts drift over there. I quickly shake my head from side to side. No, no, focus.

I take a deep breath to get myself back on track.

But the deeper I breathe, the more Maki’s post-bath fragrance tickles my nose.

I inhale a big breath, and immediately realize that was a mistake.

I keep inhaling again and again.

“…Suuu—uuuuu—”

“Hm? What’s wrong, Mari? You’re taking such deep breaths over and over, are you tired?”

When she asks with pure, innocent concern whether we should take a break together, I suddenly feel embarrassed about what I’ve been doing and look away.

This is exactly how Maki usually is.

“By the way, your face looks kind of… smirky. Is something going on?”

“…I… let it slip.”

“Huh? What?”

“Maki’s post-bath smell was so nice that I was sniffing it…”

“Eh? Ah, w-well… do you, um, want to smell more?”

As expected of Maki.

Even while blushing at my words, she immediately accepts it and even suggests going further.

Just as I was about to say “Ah, then…” and accept the modestly opened arms she held out toward me, I suddenly remembered that we’re in the school library. A public place.

I hurriedly glance around.

Everyone is stubbornly refusing to look this way, keeping their heads lowered.

But even though they’re looking down, I can see that a few of them have slightly red cheeks, which tells me they definitely heard our exchange.

“I-I’ll pass…” I say, and my childhood friend and girlfriend lowers her arms, looking just a little disappointed.