"Jeez.. It's been so warm lately..."

   I heard Marin complain as she yanked on her collar. I had to agree, it was halfway through April yet the weather has decided to stay absolutely sweltering. Fortunately I had an easier time than my bestie here as I forwent our uniform's blazer. I found it too stiff and uncomfortable with how it folded or brushed against me whenever I moved my arms. Marin, who had noticed me smirking at my admittedly trivial luxury let out a sigh.

   "Oh yeah, you planning on going straight home today?" I started some small talk.

   "Mmn, I don't have to. What's up?"

   "They're doing a new chicken burger at Yakka's so I was gonna go grab one."

   "Ah yeah, at the plaza? I'll come with, I'm a bit hungry anyway."

   "Sweet as."

   Oh. I'd just noticed because we were walking past it, but the route we took to the main entrance happened to brush past the library. I look up at the building and like I'd thought, the bell was attached right there on the top corner of the wall.

   Huh, wait... If this is where I think it is...

   "Hey, gimme a quick sec." I said as I ran up to the library's windows.

   I peered through the glass until I noticed the familiar dull maroon of Sara's hair. I snuck up to the window closest to her and rapped on the glass, to which she jolted in surprise or maybe fright? Either way, it was enough for me to let out an involuntary chuckle.

   Sara turned to face me with haste that she hadn't shown me the other day, a spooked look etched onto her face. Yup, it was fright, all right. Because she realised it was me, she shut her eyes and defeatedly leant back against her seat. I didn't need to hear her to know she sighed heavily. That's twice in like 5 minutes, maybe I'm just that good at getting girls to find me tedious. Just that quick hello goodbye was enough for me, so I gave Sara a little wave before I strolled back to Marin's side. Sara gave me an unenthusiastic look but still responded with a wave of her own.

   "A mate?" Marin asked.

   I had to ponder the question a little. "I guess?"
   Marin just looked confused at the answer though. "You guess..."

   "Say, the library's looking for after school volunteers, yeah?"

   "...?" She was bemused with my sudden interest but didn't seem to question it further. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure?"

   "Hmm hmm~ I see, I see."

◆◆◆

   "So yeah, that's why I've been around lately." I said with a wide grin.

   Sara, my current conversation partner, sat slovenly in her usual spot within the school library.

   She sighed. "... Ok, but why...?"

   "Keep up, ya doy." I fired back. "I wanted to hang out."

   "And... why do you need to volunteer for that..?"

   "So you can't tell me to bugger off! I have duties now so I can't just up and leave, can I?"

   "You've got some activity up there after all, eh..?"

   Knowing those words were said in jest, I exaggerated a flinching motion in response to those words. I held my hands to my chest and let out a groan.

   "I'm half joking, just being an ass. Can't say I really care for you inviting yourself to my personal time though..."

   "Pssshh, don't be like that. I only annoy you when I'm pretty much done."

   It had been about a week or so since I'd started volunteering at the library. Since I was new, there wasn't too much to my responsibilities; it was mainly basic work like returning books to their shelves or checking in and out borrowed books if I was at the front desk. On special occasions I was also expected to help put up and thematic decorations and such. And while I did have ulterior motives for joining up, I wasn't gonna shirk what work I need to do first.

   "So anyway, whatcha got there?"

   I took a seat next to Sara, who didn't look up from the book she was reading from.

   "... A mystery."

   "Ooh, a spooky one?"

   "Nah, not that sort. More slice of life-ish."

   "Ah yeah?" I tilted my head to try get a better look at the cover but I was confident I wouldn't have heard of it. From the side I was on though, I could only get a glimpse of the back cover, so I guess it didn't matter anyway. "It get good yet?"

   "Eh, it's been good."

   I inched closer for a better look but yet another inconvenience barred me. My peekaboo bangs that covered my left eye made it impossible for me to get a clear view of anything within the pages of Sara's book. I struggled to find a position where my vision wasn't blocked until I felt a sudden gust of wind on my face.

   "FUAH!?" Startled, I leapt back and hit the back of the seat at an awkward angle.

   "Oh shit, you alright?" Sara almost sprang out of her seat, her hand outstretched to me. "Fuck.. Sorry, mate.."

   "Y- yeah-"

   I exhaled whatever shock was left in my system and my tensed shoulders relaxed back down. Though that bump was a little loud, it actually didn't hurt as much as it sounded. Truth be told, I was more worried about my bangs at that moment as my hand was covering that side of my face. Maybe she noticed that I hadn't realised what exactly had happened, she started apologetically explaining.

   "It was obvious you couldn't see from there so I thought it'd be funny to blow the hair out of your face." She said as she slumped back down. "Didn't think you'd react like that, though. That's my bad."

   "N- no, it's fine. S'all goods." My brain, still trying to calm down, was working overtime to figure out a response and while I didn't tell her the real reason why I reacted so violently, I tried to assure her that there was no real harm done. 

   The rest of the afternoon flew by without much issue. Sara wasn't the type to speak up first so she usually spent our time reading or reacting to my shenanigans. Whenever there was a lull in conversation though, I was happy to simply sit by her side. Sara typically left at around 4:30, so I did the same. Walking home was a little lonelier than I expected since Marin wasn't with me, but I had to give the days as a whole a net positive.

   True, I felt a little guilty that I practically forced myself into her life but I was just happy that she at least tolerated me being in it. Hopefully, she was warming up to me a little.

   Hmm. Come to think of it, I didn't expect her to be someone who swears-