The library at school was just as you’d would expect. It was awfully quiet and devoid of people. Considering the time of day it was and the time of year that’s currently in play, I guess this much was to be expected. It was already past dismissal and the new school year had just began, meaning, there wasn’t any reason for people to hit the library just yet.

There were only a few people in this deserted wasteland, us three included in that small population. In fact, with this low of a number, doing a head-count would prove to be a rather easy task.

The three of us settled down at a table for six, the two girls on one side with me on the other. With our bags at the side and the essentials laid out, we were already set to light our conference green.

Speaking of which, what’s with this brazen display of male discrimination here…why do I have to be excluded just because of my gender? This has got to be sexism in one way or another.

I sighed with the thought of the gender inequality, the cool wind inside continued to assault my freezing heart.

“Why don’t we get started then,” Taking the initiative as she took the lead, Segawa faced Sanae as she laid the materials down.

With an enthusiastic “Mhmm!” slipping past her lips, Sanae followed suit as she followed Segawa’s lead. Uh, well...enthusiasm is great and all, but I’d appreciate it if you considered the time and place. If a student wasn’t in-charge of the library at the moment, then I’m pretty sure we would have already been scolded by now.

As I watched the two from my side of the table, I could see that things were progressing smoothly without my assistance being needed. Thus, I placed my arms atop the table and laid my head above accordingly, positioning myself into a comfortable position.

Alright, this is just too perfect.

With the air-condition directly aimed at this spot, it should go without saying that this spot was heaven, seriously heaven. It gave me the urge to start hibernating even though it was still just mid-April. There was just no beating this relaxing sensation.

This kind of laid-back behavior wouldn’t usually be tolerated, and doing so would subject you to the scornful looks of the people around. But with the current population in this deserted place, and with the school librarian nowhere to be found, I might just be able to pull this off without getting caught.

Just as I was about to give in to my subconsciousness, a staggering voice suddenly pierced my ears.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Having a sudden question thrown my way, I flinched inadvertently. In response to being asked out of the blue, I lifted my face slightly above my sleeve, only to be met by Segawa’s cold gaze.

“Ah, well…how do I say this. Having two opinions on a single subject matter would usually lead to contradicting ideas, which doesn’t seem efficient in my opinion. So I kind of went ahead and left the rest to you…or something like that. It seemed like you had everything in the bag after all.”

“I see you aren’t too sure yourself,” Segawa let out a long sigh, a resigned smile playing on her face. “If you don’t have the motivation to at least try and help out then you should just go ahead and say so. There isn’t any point in making excuses up.”

“I-it’s not like I don’t have the motivation to help out, I just seriously find it more efficient this way. Also,” I sat up straight with a short pause, averting my eyes as I continued in a low voice. “..I’m not making up excuses.”

Having heard my end of the argument, Segawa’s eye slightly narrowed in response.

“I see, so that’s where you stand.” She silently murmured as she firmly crossed her arms. “Unfortunately, I’d have to disagree with you on that. Whether what you say might be true in some cases, it still depends on a case-by-case basis. It should go without saying that two is always better than one, it’s always a numbers game no matter where you look. This is one of the reasons why the majority always has the upper hand, leaving the minority with no room to speak. I’m pretty sure you’re quite aware of this fact.”

It’s true. Whether it was a small group composed of different individuals, or a community comprised of various groups, numbers will always play a significant role. She really made sure to include that last bit just to further assert her point. I got to hand it to her.

What Segawa just said was truly spot-on, it was almost as if her reasoning was flawless. I couldn’t help but be amazed myself. Regardless, no matter how flawless her words may sound, there isn’t anything in this world that could reach perfection.

Even past compositions you deemed perfect in the past would seem like complete garbage after reading it a couple of times. And your masterpiece of a drawing when you were still young would reveal itself to be mere, incomprehensible scribbles when you eventually grow up. This was the true essence of perfection in a world like this. Something can only be perfect if one acknowledges it as so.

Therefore, by going by that logic, no matter how perfect her words may seem, they weren't. There’s always a loop hole hiding in plain sight. There is no such thing as pure perfection in this world after all.

Underhanded as it may be, a loop hole is still a loop hole.

In short, there was still one point of attack against her seemingly flawless logic.

“Simply relying on numbers is a fool’s errand. There isn’t any meaning in holding onto head count like that. If someone from your group doesn’t want to cooperate, you throw them off-board and leave them to fail. If someone’s being a burden and is weighing you down, then you leave them behind to rot by themselves. In short, the numbers you rely on are also the numbers that would pull you down. I’m pretty sure someone like you would easily get my point.”

Looking back on our first encounter, Sensei introduced this girl as someone who prefers to work alone. She was probably one of those types who would mindlessly push others away in order to achieve her goal. This was one of the reasons why she was put in this club in the first place. In fact, it was the only reason I knew of. So by using that weakness as my point of attack, I’d probably be able to make a fatal blow.

But betraying my expectations, Segawa showed no signs of taking the hit. She played it off cool as she looked the other way, a deep sigh slipping past her lips.

“That’s true, I can’t disagree with you on that. I don’t really like to work with other people.”

“Then doesn’t that-”

“Regardless. If it’s you, I’m sure it would work out.” Segawa continued as she faced me with a smile, eyes filled with pure intent firmly staring my way. “We both think the same way after all. Even if our ideas may clash somewhere along the way, I’m sure we would come to a mutual understanding. In fact, you using an underhanded method like that actually proves my point more.”

At the end of her words was an even bigger smile, a seemingly normal smile that filled me with unease. It felt as if there was something hidden behind it. 

Regardless, hearing something like that being said to someone like me got me seriously worked up. Even though I tried to hide it, the burning sensation that was playing on my ears were completely saying otherwise.

Seriously, think about the consequences before you spout those kinds of lines. If I was your typical high school boy then I might have already gotten the wrong idea and got flat out rejected after a sudden confession. Please try to be considerate of others next time.

I breathe out a resigned sigh, avoiding the eyes of the person in front, admitting defeat to her faultless reasoning.

“Well, I guess I could help out if I won’t get in the way. I wouldn’t want to be deadweight after all.”

“Good timing, I was just about to ask Sanae-san to write another sample out. I’d greatly appreciate it if you could give us your impressions.” Segawa replied with a seemingly big smile, a smile that hid some ill-intent.

This girl...did she bait me on purpose just to get me to do the dirty work? If you don’t want to read her writing again then just say so dammit.

“How cunning could you get…”

With the setting sun behind my back, and the expectant smiles from the two in front, I fixed my posture with a strained smile of my own. 

I guess it’s about time I show them my hundred percent.