| Author: Eltria | Original Source: Syosetu |
| Translator: Mui | English Source: Re:Library |
| Editor(s): Robinxen | |
During the lunch break, an announcement was made about the class schedule for tomorrow, and the first-year students reached the end of the after-school hours earlier than the other grades.
Although the first day of classes had ended, there were still things to be done.
I was curious about the achievements of Glass Dimelia mentioned in the alchemy textbook, so I declined Alfe’s invitation and headed to the library.
Alfe, being led by a classmate exploring the school building, accepted my separate actions while constantly expressing concern. It would be helpful if, in this manner, she could also get along with other children, increasing my alone time.
◇◇◇
As I stepped into the library, there was a nostalgic smell of ink and paper. It was the same scent that had filled my room when I was still Glass.
The bookshelves, neatly arranged according to the library’s classification rules, reached up to the ceiling, and it was evident that they were filled with books all the way up to the third floor, where there was an atrium. In the center of the atrium, a spiral staircase connected each floor, extending even to the underground levels.
Knowing that I wouldn’t find the desired book by aimlessly wandering through the darkened library, I decided to use the magical device for book searching installed near the spiral staircase.
Covering the device with my hand, I activated it by touching the purple magic stone, and the search system was projected into space. I tried searching for ‘Glass Dimelia’ using eye-tracking input, but the search results were not promising.
While the name was in the textbook, it seemed there wasn’t a book specifically written about me.
Come to think of it, I burned all the records related to my research that I hadn’t disclosed to the world just before my death.
As I recalled, the image of the Kamut who ‘executed’ me―Cassius passed through my mind, sending a slight chill down my spine. Almost simultaneously, a voice came from behind.
“Are you having trouble?”
Surprised, I turned around to find a woman with a gentle smile, wearing a white apron with the word ‘Librarian’ written on it, looking down at me. Apparently, she was a staff member managing this library.
“Oh, well…”
Thinking it might be troublesome, I considered refusing, but then changed my mind.
“I want to investigate about this person…”
Choosing my words as a new student might inquire, the librarian woman glanced at the screen of the spatial projection and smiled.
“It’s from a slightly older era, so it’s in the annex. It’s not a single-authored work; it’s compiled by the Alchemy Society. Is that okay?”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
I thought she might decline it as too difficult for a first-year student, but the guidance went smoother than I had imagined. According to the librarian woman, the old library behind the main library was now called the annex, and it seemed to be a place that was not freely accessible.
The inside of the closed annex, filled with a dusty and unique smell emanating from old paper and ink, greeted me.
“Due to the rarity and severe damage of some books, I can’t lend them out. I’m sorry.”
“Thank you. That’s fine.”
After receiving a polite explanation and an apology, I shook my head, as I had no intention of taking anything back home in the first place.
“Wait here.”
Guiding me to a reading desk, the librarian woman descended a narrow staircase.
Alone now, I once again surveyed the shelves in the annex. A vast amount of knowledge accumulated after my death was stored in both this annex and the main library. Thinking about it, a passion for research that I had almost forgotten began to well up. At least, being here seemed like it would spare me from boredom, and I could spend time alone.
“There’s still time until closing, so take your time reading.”
Soon after returning, the librarian woman handed me two old books she had found on the shelves in the basement called the ‘closed stacks.’ She then withdrew to the back of the reception desk near the entrance. It seemed she would wait there until I finished reading.
The two books handed to me detailed the records of my research, which were bitter yet nostalgic for me.
It was ironic that the Alchemy Society, which I had decided to part ways with and never wanted to be involved with again, had compiled my achievements for posterity. However, it seemed that the contents written in the textbook were indeed accurate. There was no discrepancy between the theories, research results, and the content of the papers in my memory, confirming that the records undoubtedly documented my achievements. With this confirmation, a new question arose in my mind.
The publication dates of the two books were both several years after my death1. I wondered why the Alchemy Society, which had claimed my research as its own, would bother to leave a record in my name like this. Even if I pondered, now that everyone involved in these books had passed away, there was no way to know for sure.
Could it be related to my reincarnation…?
The moment that possibility crossed my mind…
“…Leafa, Leafa!”
I heard Alfe’s voice calling me from outside. Judging by the tone, it resembled the sound when someone was on the verge of tears. Something might have happened.
“Oh, a friend?”
The librarian woman, noticing my reaction, left the reception desk and opened the door to the entrance of the annex. Since I didn’t want Alfe to know about Glass Dimelia, I closed the book and followed the librarian woman.
“Are you done already?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Feel free to come back anytime.”
As I was bid farewell by the librarian woman and left the annex, I saw Alfe, with teary eyes, running towards me.
“Leafa…!”
With eyes full of tears, Alfe jumped into my arms.
“Weren’t you with everyone else?”
Trying to calm her down, I stroked her back, and Alfe shook her head while exhaling deeply.
“Without Leafa, I… “
“Alfe, you should make friends with others, not just me.”
We’ve been together since infancy, but it’s about time for Alfe to start fitting into the social life typical of children. At least, Alfe should enjoy her own life independently of me.
“Do you… hate being with me…?”
“I’m not saying that. You understand, right?”
I said while trying to reassure her, but Alfe vigorously shook her head.
“I want Leafa. I don’t need other friends as long as you’re here!”
“Are you sure, Alfe? I might not always be by your side.”
“…Huh?”
Surprised by my words, Alfe widened her eyes and looked up. Alfe’s Pure Eye, reflecting the glow of the setting sun, seemed to be filled with an even more mysterious light than usual.
“Hey, Leafa… Can I use that ‘request’ now?”
“You’re using it…?”
Knowing Alfe, I thought she would keep it precious, but surprisingly, she wanted to use it sooner than I expected. Alfe gently took my hand, connecting our hands as if in prayer.
“Stay by my side forever, Leafa.”
“Forever…?”
It was a childish, vague term. I see, it has come to this…
“Forever means ‘forever,’ Leafa.”
Alfe’s hand tightened around mine. I could sense a slight tremor in her lowered form.
“Um… if… if you come to ha…hate me…then… I’ll give up, but…”
Ah, this kid really has a vivid imagination.
I, who should have had no interest in others, had somehow come to understand Alfe. Just imagining that I might dislike her was enough to make her burst into tears. I wondered what was going on in Alfe’s mind when it came to ‘liking.’
“…I won’t.”
On the contrary, there seemed to be a possibility that Alfe might come to dislike me.
Alfe would most likely never do anything that I disliked. I had already understood that through the years we spent together.
“Really…?”
Alfe, with a tear-streaked and crumpled face, lifted her head and stared at me intently. I didn’t understand why just imagining things could make her cry so much. But I suppose that’s just how Alfe was.
However, it was about time to get her to stop crying. If she went home with swollen, teary eyes, Judy would surely be worried.
“Alfe, don’t you believe me?”
Knowing it was a somewhat mean question, I asked it anyway. Alfe widened her eyes in surprise, shook her head vigorously, and hugged me.
“Leafa, I love you2!”
