I know, it took almost a year for the next edited chapter, but here you go :)

"A library?" he repeated. "Which particular library is it?"

I grinned sheepishly. "Well, actually, I am in search of one. The school's library won't be open until school starts."

"By 'school,' do you mean Meiou High?"

I nodded.

"Hmm, you must be a new student. I don't remember seeing you before."

"I am," I smiled. "I just moved to town with my mom quite recently."

"I see. At the house beside the ramen shop, right?"

"Yes." He must be living nearby to know that. Or this town is just that small? "And actually, my mom said we've lived there before when I was still a baby. But then we moved when I turned two years old. So I don't really remember the town much."

"Is that so? Well, I'm sure you'll like it here."

"I already do. It's really peaceful and orderly." I hesitated for a while. "Anyway, do you know any other library around here?"

"There are two or three," he answered smoothly, as if he was waiting for me to bring it up again, "but if you want a wider range of books, we have to go out of town. I know of a huge library that hosts a large number of genres."

My eyes widened in amazement. "Oh, Shuichi-kun, if you don't mind, then please take me to this library. I don't care how far. I just need to get a dose of good books."

Shuichi chuckled. "Then follow me, Yukiko-san," he said.

Boy, it is indeed huge. And the fact that this library was built near a temple outside of town makes me feel there's something magically mysterious about this place.

"Good morning," a middle-aged woman greeted from behind a wooden desk by the entrance.

"Good morning," Shuichi and I greeted back with a bow.

The woman, who must be the librarian, smiled at me. "Why, Shuichi-kun brought someone along today! What kind of books would you like to read? We've got plenty of different genres in this library." She motioned to the huge bookshelves behind us.

Her cheerful warmth had me excited. "I love almost all kinds of books, but legends – oh, especially folk legends – are what strike my fancy the most."

"Well then, if it's legends you want, they could be found in the fantasy section. There are a lot, but finding a book should be easy." She turned to Shuichi. "Could you please do me a favor, Shuichi-kun, and assist Miss… oh, sorry, I forgot to ask your name."

I giggled. "I am Yuki."

She laughed lightly. "Okay, Yuki-san, Shuichi-kun here would be your guide. Just take your time, and please feel free to approach me with your concerns. Enjoy reading!"

We thanked her, and with that, Shuichi ushered me towards the said section.

A few people are also in the library with us – children, adults, and even some teenagers. Wheeled ladders are provided in each aisle of bookshelves so that readers could reach the high shelves.

We stopped at the middle left part of the library, where a huge sign board hung from the ceiling. It read:

Fantasy Literature
Supernatural, Myths, Legends, and Magic
(243-250)

"Here you go, Yukiko-san," Shuichi said. "Would you like me to help you find a book?"

"No, thanks. I'm sure I could manage."

He seemed to hesitate. "Very well, then. I'll be at the Science section." He pointed to a part of the library not far from where we're currently standing. "We could meet up by the librarian's desk when you're done."

"Okay," I agreed. "See you later, then."

Each bookshelf is under a specific category, so finding where the folk legends are was truly not difficult. I've picked out a few and took them to a table in the readers' area. However, it turns out a lot of the legends in these books are ones I've basically got memorized long ago.

I continued to look for more new folk legends, but to no success. I sighed as I reached the last aisle of bookshelves, #250. I hope I could finally find something interesting here. Looking up, a thick silver spine at the topmost shelf caught my eye.

I carefully climbed up the ladder. With my right hand on the ladder's railing, I used my other hand to pull the silver book out… not knowing how seriously heavy it is for me to carry in one hand only.

BAM! The sound echoed through the whole room when I accidentally dropped the book. From above the ladder, I saw everyone turn to me.

Oops. "I'm sorry." I grinned sheepishly. I waited until they all got back to their own businesses before climbing back down as quickly as I can.

I picked up the book and turned it over to the front cover, blowing the dust off… and was astonished at what I have read.

THE UNTOLD STORY
The Account of the Youko Kurama, the Great Fox Thief

My eyes slowly widened. I was rendered speechless.

A whole book about Youko Kurama? Wow. Just… wow.

I was about to open it when I heard Shuichi behind me. "Yukiko-san, are you alright?"

I turned to face him and nodded, smiling. "I finally found a book I liked. How about you?"

"I was just waiting for you to finish," he replied. "But are you going to borrow that book? It's almost lunchtime."

"It is?" I looked at my own wristwatch. It's 11:45 AM already. "Well then, I guess it couldn't be helped." I smirked. "Besides, I'd much prefer reading this by myself in my own room."

Shuichi decided to stop by the ramen shop for lunch. I told him that he could just come over instead and let me cook for us, but he insisted on eating here.

We were seated at a corner of the restaurant, waiting for our orders. I set the heavy book on the table, and once again I saw Shuichi eyeing it with an emotion I can't quite pinpoint. "What's up with the book, Shuichi-kun?" I finally asked. "You've been looking at it… cautiously, even before I took it out of the library."

He was silent for a while, but soon he looked up and smiled, though I could tell it was forced. "It's nothing. I just thought it looked familiar to me."

I frowned slightly. What could be in this book that made Shuichi react like that? I decided to take a peek, but his hand is suddenly over mine.

"Just read this when you get home." He smiled kindly.

Realizing what it must have looked like, I quickly bowed in apology. "I'm sorry. That is impolite. I was just about to sneak a quick look, but… yeah, I'm sorry."

"Hey, it's okay. I understand that my reaction to it had piqued your curiosity."

I looked up to smile awkwardly, and then grew thankful when I saw the waiter approaching us with two bowls on a huge tray. I put the book under the table to make space for our food.

With the waiter gone, Shuichi and I broke our chopsticks apart at the same time. "Itadakimasu!" We grinned at each other, and then started eating.