The last one!

“Ugh… why did it have to be this guy…”

“No wonder the young lady looks so disgusted…”

The one who opened the door was none other than one of the male leads who had recently clashed with the young lady while protecting “Sophia”:

Adam Hodhua.

This tall, muscular orange-haired man was the eldest son of a marquis. A complete battle maniac with a short temper, yet fiercely loyal. He couldn’t stand seeing his friends or loved ones bullied.

That was precisely why he had been constantly at odds with the young lady lately.

“Ugh… why is it you? I really didn’t want to see your face!”

The moment Adam saw the young lady, he clicked his tongue reflexively.

The young lady glared right back, refusing to back down.

“The feeling is entirely mutual. I don’t want to look at your face for even a second!”

“Hah! You violent woman who only knows how to throw punches!”

“Oh my, that was just a friendly “greeting,” you know? Whereas you always speak so crudely to women. No wonder “she” will never favor you.”

“You…!”

Sparks practically flew where their gazes collided.

These two had truly become sworn enemies… just like in the game.

Amidst the thick gunpowder atmosphere, the little squirrel timidly interjected.

“U-um… Lord Hodhua, we’re just here to retrieve the romance novel you borrowed, «The Pure Maiden and the Dragon’s Blooming Flower»…”

It was due three weeks ago, but it’s been nearly a month now… You still haven’t returned it… So please, please return the book this time!

“«The Pure Maiden and the Dragon’s Blooming Flower»? If I remember right, isn’t that a romance novel for girls? You actually read that stuff?”

The young lady shot Adam a complicated look.

“I-I never borrowed anything like that!”

Adam’s face flushed slightly with embarrassment.

Yet at that moment, the squirrel actually delivered the finishing blow.

“You definitely did! It’s clearly written in my register that you borrowed «The Pure Maiden»! And that book is missing from the library shelves right now! It has to be with you!”

This was the first time I had ever heard Miss Rome speak so many words in one go, and so firmly at that.

“Uh… y-you must have written it down wrong!”

Adam actually started stammering.

“I would never make a mistake about a book! I never lie when it comes to books!”

“Uh…”

Stared down by three women at once, even Adam faltered for a moment.

Probably because he knew he was in the wrong to begin with.

“…Fine… fine! I did borrow «The Pure Maiden».”

He actually did!? That was genuinely surprising.

In the game, Adam had always been famous for his tough, manly image.

Who would have thought he secretly read romance novels aimed at girls?

Though… that probably explained why someone so stoic occasionally acted a little shy when in love.

A tough guy with a soft heart, I suppose.

“Then why haven’t you returned it? Don’t tell me you forgot!”

The young lady planted her hands on her hips and glared at Adam.

“Uh…”

Adam scratched the back of his head, at a loss for words.

But under the pressure of our stares, he finally gave up and confessed.

“…Because I was too embarrassed to return it!”

Bam!

Adam sadly slammed a fist against the doorframe… I swear the entire floor shook. Maybe it was just my imagination.

“Like you said, it’s a girls’ romance novel! How could a grown man like me walk up to the counter holding a book covered in flowers!? Even when I borrowed it, I waited until no one was around and snuck it back to my room!”

I tried picturing the scene… Yeah, the mental image was incredibly vivid.

“Then… when I came to ask for it back last time, why didn’t you just give it to me?”

“Because… my roommate was here last time, so I was too embarrassed… and ended up lying.”

“…If you’re that embarrassed, then why borrow it in the first place?”

The young lady asked the obvious question.

Yet that simple inquiry somehow ignited Adam’s anger.

“…Because I just like it, okay!? What, you’re going to mock me too? Saying it’s shameless for a man to read this kind of thing!?”

Even though Adam had roared at her, the young lady fell silent first.

Then she lowered her head and apologized to him.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have mocked your interests.”

That actually left Adam stunned… Clearly, he hadn’t expected an apology.

“It’s normal to have hobbies the world doesn’t accept…

In fact, we’re in a very similar situation.”

The young lady glanced toward me.

“At first, I did think that way…

But now I realize that kind of thinking is no different from the worldly prejudices that stand between us.

I’m sorry it took me so long to understand.

Now, I fully understand and respect your tastes.”

“Uh…”

Faced with such a sincere apology, Adam’s anger instantly evaporated.

He could only awkwardly scratch the back of his neck.

…He wasn’t a bad person. Just a little slow on the uptake and a bit hot-headed.

Maybe this would ease the tension between the young lady and one of the male leads, even if only slightly…

“So… Lord Hodhua, could you… please return the book now?”

“Ah… sure, just a moment.”

Soon he came back holding a book covered in roses.

Unlike the other books we had collected today, which all showed some wear and tear, Adam’s book was in pristine condition.

He must really treasure this novel.

After a quick inspection, Miss Rome accepted it.

“Mhm… received. Lord Hodhua, please remember to return books on time in the future. If you get blacklisted, you won’t be able to borrow anything else.”

“Got it.”

“Also… if you’re ever too embarrassed to check out books yourself, I can deliver them to your dorm, or to any place you prefer…

And I can even recommend books based on your tastes.”

“Why? After how badly I treated you?”

“That’s true…”

The squirrel scratched her cheek, then smiled at Adam.

“But I could tell—you really love that book.

Since you love reading, it’s my duty as librarian to support you.”

At those words, Adam froze in place.

“Well then… we’ll be taking our leave.”

Carrying the recovered books, we left the boys’ dormitory.

By the time we had retrieved every last volume, the sky had already turned ink-black.

“What you said earlier really sounded like a proper librarian. It was cool.”

The young lady praised her.

“Really…? Hehe…”

The squirrel lowered her head, cheeks red as she smiled.

“But… I think Lady Duke was way cooler.

You never back down, you know right from wrong, and you can clearly express what you think.”

“Mhm, I think the young lady was super cool too.”

“…I just happened to have the chance this time.

In the past, I was too scared to voice my real thoughts either.

But now I can find the courage.”

As she spoke, the young lady looked at Miss Rome.

“So I’m sure you’ll be able to do the same from now on—face people with courage, just like today.”

“Will I… really be able to find courage too?”

Miss Rome lowered her head and repeated the young lady’s words softly.

“Ah… I forgot something in the classroom. I’ll head off first.

Thank you so much for today!”

“Mhm, see you in class tomorrow.”

After giving us a quick bow, the squirrel scampered away.

Under the night sky, the girl with fluffy hair like a squirrel’s tail hummed a little tune as she walked down the corridor, clearly in high spirits.

Rustle, rustle…

Yet just before she reached the classroom door, a faint sound from inside made her stop.

She peeked cautiously around the corner—and discovered an unexpected visitor.

“That’s… Sophia-san?”