COTE: Horikita Is My Childhood Sweetheart

Chapter 33: What a beautiful world!

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"Because, Matsuoka-san, you like reading books, right?" Shiina Hiyori asked, a hint of doubt on her face.

How does she know I like reading?

But wait, I don't even know that myself!

Rin Matsuoka quickly realized why this girl thought he liked reading...

At the entrance ceremony, Chairman Sakayanagi had called Matsuoka up and mentioned the school library, saying that he liked reading...

So that's how the misunderstanding that "Rin Matsuoka likes reading" came about.

"Oh, yes, I really like reading," Rin replied with a blink.

His words seemed to trigger something in Shiina Hiyori, as her beautiful purple eyes suddenly lit up with excitement.

In two or three quick steps, Shiina Hiyori closed the distance between herself and Rin, bringing with her a soft, fragrant scent. She said happily, "So, what classics do you like to read, Matsuoka-san?"

"Ah?"

"I highly recommend Whose Body?, the first in the Peter Lord series. Once you read it, you'll be tempted to read the entire series."

Looking at the silver-haired girl who had suddenly become so enthusiastic, Rin subtly twitched his lips. "Really? Then I'll go to the library to find this book tomorrow."

Sure enough, lying has its price.

Rin lied about liking reading, but now he was misunderstood by this soft-spoken girl.

"No need to wait until tomorrow. I've already borrowed it from the library. I'll lend it to you now."

Shiina Hiyori crouched down, opened her backpack placed on the ground, and took out the book Whose Body?, which she had just borrowed from the library.

"Hey~"

Rin looked at the book being offered and said hesitantly, "This doesn't seem right. You borrowed it because you wanted to read it. If you give it to me, what will you read?"

"It doesn't matter. I've already read it many times. I just borrowed it now to review it."

The girl's purple eyes were filled with joy, and Rin couldn't bring himself to refuse her, so he had no choice but to accept her kindness.

"Then I'll take it without hesitation." Rin took Whose Body? from Shiina Hiyori's hands.

"Yes, please accept it without hesitation. Make sure to tell me what you think of it afterward," Shiina Hiyori said, her eyes forming crescents as she smiled with happiness and gentleness.

"...I will."

Seeing Shiina Hiyori's innocent smile, Rin felt a bit guilty for lying about liking reading, so he quickly changed the subject.

"By the way, I don't even know your name yet."

"Shiina Hiyori. I'm in Class C of the first year."

"I'm Matsuoka, Rin Matsuoka, from Class D of the first year." Rin took out his phone with his free hand. "Let's exchange Line contacts. I can share my thoughts on the book with you through Line."

"Sure."

Shiina Hiyori also took out her phone but hadn't yet used her student ID to activate her school's Line account, so she asked Rin to wait for a moment.

At that moment, the elevator doors opened.

"Ah, the elevator is already here."

Shiina Hiyori looked at the open elevator door in a panic. She quickly stuffed her phone back into her pocket, then bent down to pick up her backpack from the ground.

The movement made her look both clumsy and cute.

Being considerate, Rin extended his hand to her. "Shiina, let me help you with your backpack."

"No, no," Shiina Hiyori quickly shook her head, her beautiful silver hair swaying with the motion.

"You lent me the book from the library, so it's only fair that I help you carry your backpack."

"Then... I'll trouble you, then."

After a slight hesitation, Shiina Hiyori nodded, and Rin took the backpack strap from her hand.

The slight weight in his hand made Rin Matsuoka raise an eyebrow. "Shiina, your backpack isn't filled with books, is it?"

"Yes, it is. I love reading, especially detective novels, so I borrowed many interesting books from the library."

"I see."

Rin and Shiina Hiyori entered the elevator. She pressed the button for the third floor and asked Rin, "Matsuoka-san, which floor are you on?"

"I'm on the third floor too..." Rin replied subtly. This dormitory building wasn't divided by gender, so Shiina Hiyori, a girl, also had her dormitory on the third floor.

"What a coincidence."

"It is quite a coincidence."

The elevator ascended slowly, and Shiina Hiyori took out her phone to continue registering on Line. The third floor was soon reached. After they stepped out of the elevator, they stood at the entrance.

Shiina Hiyori was registering on Line, while Rin was patiently waiting for her to complete the process.

Three minutes passed...

"Hmm," Shiina Hiyori let out a small, distressed whimper, catching Rin's attention.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Well, I don't use my phone very often, so... how do I register on Line, Matsuoka-san?"

Shiina Hiyori's fair and cute cheeks flushed slightly with distress and shyness, radiating the charming innocence of a young girl.

In that moment, Rin felt that the world was a beautiful place just by looking at Shiina Hiyori!

If the world wasn't a beautiful place, how could there be such a lovely girl?

"Let me help you, but first, let's go to your dormitory and put down your backpack," Rin suggested, lifting the backpack in his hand.

Phew~

Shiina Hiyori let out a sigh of relief, nodding repeatedly as she said, "Yes, Matsuoka-san, please follow me. My room is very close. Room 3 is mine."

"Room 3, that's pretty close... huh?" Rin paused for a moment. "Room 3?"

"Um, is there a problem?" she asked.

"No problem, it's just... my room is number 4, which is right next to yours," Rin replied subtly.

"What a coincidence."

"It is quite a coincidence..."

With a faint blush on her cheeks, Shiina Hiyori narrowed her eyes, seemingly happy that Rin's room was right next to hers.

Shiina Hiyori felt that since Rin's room was so close, it would be much easier for her to discuss classic books with him in the future. She only needed to step outside her door and turn a corner to reach his room.

Using the key she had received, Shiina Hiyori unlocked her dormitory door. Rin, carrying the backpack and books, entered her room at her invitation.

Shiina Hiyori's dormitory room consisted of a living room and a bathroom. The living room was about ten square meters, while the bathroom was smaller. There was a small stove and a tap in the corridor leading from the living room to the bathroom.