Biblion - Author name: Scarlet Cherry 1

 Season: Summer

Location: Starmony Dorm, Common Room

Characters: Tsukasa, Tori


Tsukasa: (...Yesterday was time well spent. I was right to have joined "Kaori")

(The tea was splendid, of course, but the Japanese sweets Kanzaki-senpai brought were just as impressive. They were so delicious I had to ask him where he bought them so I could stop by the shop today-)

(The shop front was rather old-fashioned, but they had a surprising amount of creative Sweets for sale. Because of that, I had trouble picking out a souvenir for myself.)

(It seemed like some of the Sweets were limited editions, so let’s go back for another visit some time ♪)

(The person over there is…)

-As I thought, it’s Tori-kun.

How shameless of you to lie flat out on the Sofa while reading comic books like this.

Tori: Oh shut up~. I just moved in, so I’m still getting used to this place. Isn’t the common room the kind of place where you can spend your time as you want?

I saw people lying down on the couch and playing video games yesterday. It makes no sense for me to be the only one who isn’t allowed.

Tsukasa: You’ve heard the saying “They have their rules and we have ours”, haven’t you? Even if your personality is rotten, you’re still from an important family. You should keep a proper attitude so you don’t show anyone your embarrassing sides. 

Tori: I told you to shut up already… I want to concentrate on my reading, so go away, shoo. 

Tsukasa: Do comics even count as reading?

Tori: They should count, they're sold in bookstores after all.

Plus, this is part of my circle’s official activities.

Tsukasa: Circle activities…?

Tori: Recently, the new stuco president invited me to join the Manga Club circle, and it turned out to be the right decision to join.

What about you, Tsukasa? Did you join any circles? 

Tsukasa: Me? I joined the tea ceremony Circle "Kaori".  

Tori: Tea ceremony, huh~. Knowing you, Tsukasa, you probably just joined for the snacks, didn’t you?

Tsukasa: Hmph. You’re wrong. "Kaori" aims to deepen our knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture through tea.

Tori: But you do eat Japanese sweets alongside the tea, right? It said so in the Circle pamphlet in the dormitory.

Even now, you’re carrying that bag of sweets so carefully. You’re so childish, Tsukasa, so you probably can’t help but get obsessed with sweets. Fufu♪

Tsukasa: S, someone who indulges in peasant entertainment like yourself has no right to criticize me! *storms off*

Tori: Fufun. When you run off like that you’re just proving me right you know~

It’s finally quiet. Now back to focusing on my manga.

Tsukasa: Aaargh, how frustrating…!

I couldn’t think of anything to refute him with so I ended up running away.

“You just want to eat”... And what is wrong with that?

I exercise regularly and maintain my health, so there should be no problems.

…Although. Sena-senpai is also nagging me every time he sees me, telling me that I shouldn’t overeat.

It’s no wonder they think I eat too much.

I should restrain myself so they don’t make fun of me like that. I’ll throw this candy away without eating it-

…Throwing it away would be like insulting the confectioner, so let’s not.

Instead, let’s try and find a Circle that’s not related to food and join.

If I remember correctly, there should be a pamphlet about all the Circles in the dorm lying in this drawer… There it is.

"Animals"..., a club for admiring animals?

That does sound nice. I love obedient and Lovely animals ♪

"Gardenia"..., I do enjoy flowers, but I am not too drawn to gardening work.

Hmm~, there seem to be more Circles now compared to when I looked through the pamphlet before… When there are this many options, it might be difficult to find one.

"Biblion"... There seems to be reading circles other than Manga Club.

The pamphlet says that “No matter the Genre, anyone who loves books can join♪”. The Members are…

Hajime-kun, the current librarian, as well as Aoba-senpai, who used to be the librarian when he was still in school.

Unlike Manga Club, it’s more like a proper reading Circle. This Circle is unrelated to food, and it allows for competition against Tori-kun, who is in Manga Club. 

Let’s try joining temporarily right away…♪

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Biblion - Author name: Scarlet Cherry 2

Season: Summer, end of July

Location: Book Room

Characters: Tsukasa, Kaoru, Hajime, Tsumugi, Nagisa

Tsukasa: (I was told to come to the Book Room at this time, but I always get so nervous before knocking on the door…)

(I know I’m just a temporary member for now, but is it really okay to show up empty-handed?)

Kaoru: Yahoo, Tsukasa-kun ♪

Tsukasa: Wahii!?

Ha, Hakaze-senpai… I’m sorry you had to hear that embarrassing sound.

Kaoru: Ahaha, I’m the one who should apologize. Anyone’d be surprised if someone suddenly calls their name from behind like that~

What are you doing in front of the door to the book room anyways? Don’t tell me it’s locked?

Tsukasa: It’s not. I was just lost in thought about my temporary membership.

You’re doing me a favor, after all, so maybe it would have been better if I had prepared some snacks at the very least.

Kaoru: You’re as diligent as ever, huh~. It’s fine, it’s fine. This is just a reading circle, after all, and not some important work meeting.

Now let’s get inside. Everyone, Tsukasa-kun is here~

Hajime: Ah, Suou-kun. Good afternoon~♪

Tsumugi: We were waiting for you. Welcome to “Biblion”.

Tsukasa: Good afternoon. I will be in your care for today.

(I’m already familiar with Hajime-kun and Aoba-senpai, so they’re easy to talk to. And I have worked with Hakaze-senpai before.)

(The problem is Ran-senpai. We’re in different agencies, and we haven’t had many chances to talk privately. How should I approach him…)

Kaoru: Hmm, Ran-senpai mentioned this, but the two of you haven’t really had the chance to talk much, have you?

We all live in the same dorm, so it’s not like this is your first meeting, but let’s do some introductions anyhow. This is Ran Nagisa-kun from Eden.

Nagisa: …Glad to meet you, Tsukasa-kun.

Tsukasa: Y, yes. Let’s get along.

…I have seen you perform on Stage a couple times, and yet. How do I say this, your atmosphere is somewhat different from then…?

Kaoru: Ahaha, you think so too, Tsukasa-kun? Actually, until I was able to speak properly with him I felt like he looked threatening somehow.

Nagisa: …Should I act threatening?

Kaoru: If that’s what you want to do then I won’t stop you, but I think you’re fine as you are.

That’s the kind of place “Biblion” is, isn’t it? The kind of place where you can escape from your everyday life for a bit to relax while surrounded by books.

Tsumugi: Yes, that’s right. I imagine you’re pretty busy with Knights’ activities, Suou-kun, so feel free to read the books you like as much as you’d like until you feel healed. 

Tsukasa: Yes, I’d like that very much… ♪

Tsumugi: Well then, let’s have a tea party right away. Hajime-kun, could I bother you to prepare some tea?

Hajime: Leave it to me ♪ I’ll brew the tea we’ve been developing in “Flavor”.

Tsukasa: A tea party… Um, excuse me, but isn’t “Biblion” a Circle for reading…?

Nagisa: …It is. But it’s not only for reading.

…We want to spend quality time reading books with our fellow book lovers. 

…That is Biblion’s methodology. 

Kaoru: Yup, yup. If we just wanted to read books we could’ve done so alone, after all.

I was the one who prepared snacks for this tea party, by the way.

You’re in “Kaori”, right? I asked Adonis-kun about how you were doing in that circle and he told me you have a sweet tooth. 

I hesitated a bit, but ended up buying an entire Baumkuchen*.

Tsukasa: An entire cake…

Kaoru: It has quite an impact, wouldn’t you say? It’s the kind of luxury you can only eat when everyone gathers like this, after all~

Tsukasa: Y, yes. You’re right.

Nagisa: …We’ll need plates. Let’s get some.

Kaoru: And cutlery too. I’ll help.

Tsukasa: I, I should help out as well-

Kaoru: It’s fine, just stay where you are. Us two are enough, and you’re somewhat a guest right now.

Tsukasa: Ah, right. I’m deeply grateful for your consideration.

(A tea party… Baumkuchen… Even though I tried picking a Circle with no connection to food whatsoever…)

(But then again. That Baumkuchen looks so appetizing I can’t stop staring at it…!)

(...That’s right! The Tea Party is just a kind of bonus. The main focus of the Circle is still reading.)

(So this shouldn’t count as indulging. I’m just eating it due to the circumstances, after all.)

Hajime: …Sorry to keep you waiting. Now then, we can begin the tea party♪

Suou-kun, just tell me whenever you want a refill, okay?

Tsukasa: Thank you very much, Hajime-kun.

<A while later, in the middle of the tea party>

Tsukasa: (...Ah.)

(What have I done. I keep talking only to Hajime-kun and Aoba-senpai, since I know them well already.)

(It could be seen as disrespectful of me if I don’t talk to the others as well. But what exactly should I say…)

Kaoru: …Hm?

You’re looking over here, Tsukasa-kun? How is the Baumkuchen? Did you like it?

Tsukasa: Yes, it is very delicious.

Kaoru: That’s good. I’m glad to see you’re enjoying the atmosphere of “Biblion”. Even if we’ve done exactly zero reading this far~

Nagisa: …Reading, is it.

…What kinds of books do you typically like reading, Tsukasa-kun?

Tsukasa: That would be textbooks, I think.

Nagisa/Kaoru: …Textbooks?

TL notes:
* Baumkuchen is a type of German cake which is a popular dessert in Japan!

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Biblion - Author name: Scarlet Cherry 3

Season: Summer

Location: Book Room

Characters: Tsukasa, Kaoru, Nagisa, Tsumugi, Hajime



Tsukasa: ? What's wrong, you two?

Kaoru: Uuuuhm. That was a joke just now, right...?

Tsukasa: No. I love reading textbooks. They are interesting to read, and it helps with my studies. It's like killing two birds with one stone ♪

Kaoru: Huh. Does that even count as leisurely reading? 

Tsukasa: Does it not?

Kaoru: Hmm~... What do you think, Ran-kun?

Nagisa: ...Textbooks and fictional books are similar in that they both contain letters and words to be read. 

...But if you are defining leisurely reading as reading literature for enjoyment or reading books about your interests, then I don't think school textbooks count.

...However. If you find reading textbooks to be fun, then it could count as leisurely reading, I think. 

Kaoru: I see. So to Tsukasa-kun, textbooks count as leisurely reading.

Even then. Since he's joining Biblion I'd like for him to get to know books other than just textbooks too.

Tsukasa: That was my intention as well. If possible, could the two of you have any Genres to recommend?

Nagisa: ...If you enjoy textbooks, then how about trying history books?

...History is the accumulation of knowledge. We learn from the failures and wisdoms of the past in order to better the present and future.

Tsukasa: I see. History books likely contain some of the same things I've learned from my textbooks, so they should be a good place to start expanding my reading.

Kaoru: Well, it is a little closer to my definition of reading, but we're still a ways off~

What about Aoba-kun? What books would you recommend to Tsukasa-kun?

Tsumugi: Me? Let's see...

Keeping with the history theme, what about a historical novel?

Tsukasa: A historical novel... How exactly is that different from history books?

Tsumugi: Mostly the intention behind them and their contents. History books contain an objective description of past events and people - they're often based on research and analysis of historical facts. 

Historical novels, on the other hand, are fictional stories based on historical settings. 

Some are based on historical figures or events, but the story itself is made up by the author.

It should be noted that not all historical novels are based on true facts. But there is a certain charm to learning about history while enjoying a story.

Hajime--kun, what type of book would you recommend?



Hajime: Hmm... What about picture books? This book room has a lot of picture books as well.

Many of them contain themes that are relatable even to people our age, so they can feel rather refreshing to read...

Looking at the illustrations always gives me this gentle feeling like I'm being healed ♪

Kaoru: Picture books, huh. Everyone are recommending some unique genres~

Tsumugi: What about you, then, Kaoru-kun?

Kaoru: Ahaha. Even though I was the one who said I wanted him to get to know some new genres, I can't actually think of anything.

...That's right. Why don't we go over to the bestseller corner and look at some of the books there, and then you can read whichever catches your attention? In Biblion we regularly change what kinds of books we read, so the themes we can recommend are always changing-

Meanwhile, in the bestseller corner, the recently popular books are displayed regardless of genre. Surely one or two of them will be of interest?

Tsukasa: That does sound interesting. I will go have a look straight away.

...It should be on this shelf. The "Best Seller" Corner...

Here it is. The books are displayed according to their Ranking, it seems pretty thorough. 

...Nn? This book is...

.........

Tsumugi: Oh, seems you already found a book you're interested in. A novel, huh.

Tsukasa: It's not that I'm particularly interested in this book, but the Title is the same as the comic book Tori-kun was reading yesterday, which caught my eye. I wonder if the two are related somehow. 

Tsumugi: Let's see... That novel is probably the source material for the comic book Himemiya-kun was reading.

Tsukasa: Source material?

Tsumugi: The book you've picked up is a style of novel known as light novels. 

Light novels are usually pretty short and easy to read, and come with themes like fantasy or adventures. 

If a light novel is particularly popular, it will often get made into a manga or an anime. You could call it a "media mix".

Manga and anime are visually appealing and easy to consume, so the story can reach new audiences and age groups. 

Tsukasa: And because of that, the sale numbers of the original Light Novel receive a boost, huh...

This is interesting. I would like to borrow this book this time!



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