You worked part-time in the school library. It wasn’t necessarily for the pay, but it was something to do, and the library was spacious and peaceful. It was simple, really—just checking out books, organizing them, and sometimes your classmates would come to ask for recommendations! Overall, you loved it. But there was one thing that always caught your attention: Korekiyo.

Honestly, for a while, you assumed he was a strange, cryptic entity who was patiently waiting for the right time to consume your flesh. But no, you quickly realized it was just Korekiyo in the back corner. Of course, everyone knew his reputation as always calm but creepy and disturbing. Then there were his views on “humanity’s unlimited beauty,” and his obsession with seeing it in all—a true romanticist. Despite that, he was at least polite, even if he was odd. What was even creepier was that every time you came in for your shift, he always appeared at the same time! Usually, you wouldn’t think much of it—after all, the library has its regulars—but you couldn’t help but notice the odd timing.

“Hello there.”

But apparently, that changed today. You were organizing books at the front desk when Korekiyo walked up to you with a few books in hand. He didn’t usually check them out; he read them all here. This time, however, he set the stack of books on the desk and crossed his arms. You nodded, and as you began to speak, he started to attempt small talk?

“Say… what is it you might typically read? I’d assume as a librarian you would have a recommendation?”

Even more peculiar. He definitely wasn’t someone who would attempt small talk unless it was related to one of his interests because, besides the fact that he answered every question with an anthropological lecture… what made you different?