Retrieving the Books!

You’re the student council members who accepted the request?

Why are you so shocked?

I feel like the young lady has been making that “utterly speechless” face far too often today.

The little squirrel’s gaze began to wander.

W-well… it’s just… with all those rumors about you, I never imagined you’d be the type to do something like this… and the fact that you’re even in the student council… it’s honestly hard to believe…

I’ve already been in the student council for over half a month…

…

U-um… I did know that… but, well… I always thought it was some kind of urban legend or something…

Why would anyone think that… I’ve been working really hard to complete requests…

The young lady’s expression turned a little hurt.

It’s not that surprising, I suppose.

Most of the young lady’s recent missions have been monster subjugations, so she rarely interacts with other students inside the academy when turning them in.

To most people, “Katarina Anist is in the student council” is probably just a vague rumor at best.

Combined with the recent wave of bad publicity, it’s no wonder things turned out this way.

Seeing the young lady looking dejected, the squirrel hurriedly added.

“B-but… now I can tell! Lady Duke is actually a really good person!

You voluntarily helped with the boring job of shelving books… and you didn’t just dump everything on your maid!

You’re completely different from the other nobles!”

It’s really not that big a deal… I quite like reading too.

The moment books were mentioned, Miss Rome’s eyes lit up.

“Eh? What kind of books do you like?”

“Hmm… I read novels the most. My absolute favorite is «Secret Love Song ~The Spotless Maidens~».”

I’ve read that one too!

The romance between Lady Ailome and the protagonist Sally is just so moving!

No matter how many times I read it, I still cry!

“Yes! Especially that final moment when Lady Ailome is torn by her painful choice, and Sally’s calm acceptance and forgiveness…”

The young lady got fired up too.

It seems the two of them had instantly connected on the same wavelength.

…Am I the only one left out?

I’d never even heard the title of that book until today.

Feeling oddly excluded made me a bit sulky… so I gently tugged on the young lady’s sleeve.

“Ah… we got a little off-topic.

Let’s talk about the request first.”

“…Y-yes, you’re right.”

The squirrel reverted to her previous shy, fidgety self.

“The request… is actually very simple.

Some students borrow books and never return them, which is causing trouble for others who want to read them…”

As she spoke, the squirrel clasped her hands together and began nervously twirling her thumbs.

“I have gone to remind them personally… but many keep making excuses…

I’m not the assertive type… so I still haven’t managed to get them back.

That’s why I had to ask the student council for help…”

“Mhm… I understand the situation.

Please give me the list of students who refuse to return the books. We’ll take care of it.”

“Ah… there’s no need for a list…

Please let me come with you instead.”

“That works too. We’ll be in your care, then.”

“No, no, no—I’m the one who should be thanking you!”

After a bit of polite back-and-forth, we finally set off.

In front of a certain room in the girls’ dormitory.

“Room 303, Capelanova…

One month ago she borrowed the romance novel «The Beast Princess and the Demon Prince», due in two weeks, still not returned…”

Miss Rome read the note aloud from what looked like a small notebook.

“Heh heh.”

Without waiting for anyone to prompt her, the young lady knocked firmly on the door.

“Who is it?”

A girl dressed in gaudy, ostentatious style opened the door.

Miss Rome stepped forward timidly and spoke first.

“Miss Nova, the book you borrowed from the library… is already two weeks overdue.

Other students want to read it too… so please return it soon…”

“Eh? Was there something like that?”

The girl casually dug in her ear with her pinky and replied carelessly.

“I don’t remember~”

“Um… please… try to recall…”

“So annoying. If I don’t remember, I don’t remember. Stop clinging to me, okay?”

“Uuh…”

The moment she was scolded, Miss Rome shrank back, looking ready to give up…

That was when the young lady stepped forward.

“You clearly did something wrong—why are you acting like this?”

“And who are you—uh!? The duke’s daughter!?”

She had been full of attitude, but the instant she recognized the young lady, her arrogance vanished.

The young lady had no intention of letting her off easily.

“You’re half a month overdue!

Do you have any idea how much trouble this causes the librarian and the students waiting to borrow it?

Returning books on time is your responsibility! Hand it over right now!”

“U-uh… but… I really don’t remember where I put it…”

“Then remember, even if you have to tear this room apart!

I’m not letting you off today until you do!”

“Eek…! J-just give me a second!”

The girl dashed back inside and started frantically searching…

It didn’t take long before she found the novel and handed it over.

“Good.

Next time, return it on time.

If you’re overdue a second time without a valid reason, you’ll be blacklisted from the library and won’t be able to borrow anything ever again!”

“…Y-yes! I understand!”

The girl stood ramrod straight.

“…I have to admit, the young lady’s rather intimidating face is pretty useful in situations like this.”

With all the rumors backing her up, her intimidation factor was maxed out.

I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry.

…

And so,

one after another, we successfully retrieved almost all the overdue books.

Most students took one look at the young lady and nearly fainted on the spot, immediately returning their books.

The few who weren’t frightened still knew they were in the wrong and, after the young lady’s stern reasoning, eventually gave them back.

Before long, only one target remained.

As we walked, we chatted to pass the time.

“If… I could be as strong-willed as the young lady…

then I wouldn’t have… needed to trouble you…”

Halfway through her sentence, Miss Rome lowered her head again.

“As expected… someone like me… really isn’t suited to be the librarian, am I?”

But her self-deprecation was immediately shot down by the young lady.

“Of course you are.

In fact, I don’t think there’s anyone more suited for the job.”

After a brief pause, the young lady continued.

“Your love for books is genuine.

I doubt there’s anyone in the entire academy who loves books more than you do.

That alone makes you the perfect librarian.”

“Yes, you truly care about the books.”

I chimed in as well.

“But… I can’t even get overdue books returned…”

“You just lack a bit of courage, that’s all.

Everyone gets scared sometimes. It’s normal to shrink back.

But because you love books so much, I believe when the moment comes that you need courage—you’ll find it.”

…

Miss Rome fell silent, seemingly moved by the young lady’s words.

“Ah, this should be the room, right?”

“Mhm… he’s the very last one.”

“Then I’ll knock.”

Knock knock.

“Who’s knocking?”

Click.

“Eh… why is it this guy…”

The instant the door opened, the young lady’s face twisted in open disgust.