Chapter 11 - Library Preparations
8.22.1204 - Sunday (Free Day)
Towa really needed to thank Rean for letting her nap earlier, as now she felt re-energized. She knew that the best thing to do with her new found energy was to cram in some more studying for the West Zemuria Trade Conference. She decided to look in the library to see if they had any books about Crossbell. Luckily for her the library was empty aside from the librarian. Hopefully no-one had taken the books about Crossbell. She quickly made her way to the second floor in hopes she could find all the books.
Towa quickly came to a realization once she found the Crossbell books: they had been put on the very top shelf. Normally she would just use a ladder to get to the high shelves, but the Student Council had decided it would be best to throw out all their old ladders and purchase new ones. Unfortunately, their order of new ladders was delayed by a week. It was a decision Towa was starting to kick herself over it. Unless she wanted to go empty handed she would have to do something drastic: climb the bookshelves herself.
Luckily for her someone else had entered the library just before she tried to climb up the book shelves.
"Is there something wrong President Towa?" Rean asked as he made his way towards her.
"Oh Rean, what are you doing here? I thought you went to explore the old schoolhouse?" Towa asked him as she let go of the book shelves.
"We just finished. I came here to return a book when I saw you up here staring at the bookshelves. Do you need help getting one of the books?" Rean told her.
"Well since you're offering, do you think you can reach that book on the top shelf?" Towa asked.
Rean quickly stepped on the tip of his toes, but in the end he also couldn't reach the top shelf.
"Sorry President Towa, but it's clear we need a ladder to reach that high shelf. I could've sworn the library had one up here." Rean noted.
"They did, but we threw them out. The Student Council decided that the library's ladders were getting too old and could break at any minute, so we threw them out and ordered some new ladders. Unfortunately, our order got delayed by a few days." Towa admitted.
"I see, that makes sense. The old ladders always felt like they were on the verge of collapse. But how do we get that book?" Rean asked.
"I have an idea, but Rean you have to promise me that you'll hold me tight and close your eyes." Towa warned.
"What exactly are you planning President Towa?" Rean asked.
"Simple, I stand on your shoulders and you grab onto my legs to make sure I don't fall. Of course since I'm wearing a skirt you better keep your eyes closed." Towa explained.
"A-Alright then, get on my shoulders. Don't worry I'll keep my eyes closed until you tell me when to open them." Rean responded.
Rean closed his eyes as he got on his knees so Towa could get up on his shoulders, he also then held her as tight as he could without hurting her. Once Rean stood up Towa was finally able to reach the top shelf. The Crossbell book was within her grasp. Unfortunately, it was tucked in tight between two other books. Towa tried to pull it out slowly, but to no avail. She decided the only way was to grip it tight and pull it out as fast as she could. She was able to pull the book out, but unfortunately she lost her balance and slipped out of Rean's grasp.
Towa knew she was going to hit the floor at any second. If she was lucky she would be able to walk off any injury, but in the worst case scenario she could break something important and miss out on the conference. Towa suddenly felt herself fall into Rean's arms. Rean had caught her despite the fact his eyes were still closed.
"Are you okay President Towa you slipped out of my hands. Thankfully I was still able to catch you." Rean asked.
"How in the world did you catch me!? I'm thankful, don't get me wrong but how!?" Towa asked.
"Well, I'm not sure how to explain how or why, but I've always been able to sense things. Even if I can't see or hear it. In this case, I sensed you falling in front of me and did my best to catch you." Rean explained.
Towa wasn't sure how to feel, so many thoughts were going through her head. She was glad she wasn't injured, now she didn't have to worry about missing the conference. She was also embarrassed by the fact that Rean was holding her again like last week. Although, luckily for her she wasn't as flustered as before. Probably because they were the only people on the library's second floor. Like before, she felt some level of safety in Rean's arms. Despite her enjoyment she knew that she should get down before someone like the librarian walked up stairs and got the wrong idea.
"Thank you for catching me Rean, but I think you should put me down before someone gets the wrong idea." Towa instructed Rean.
"O-Of course President Towa." Rean said as he put Towa down.
Once Towa was back on the ground she made her way towards where the book landed. "Oh good, the book wasn't damaged."
"Um... may I have permission to open my eyes President Towa?" Rean asked.
"Permission granted." Towa ordered while laughing to herself. She found it endearing that Rean really did keep his word.
They both made their way downstairs and sat at one of the tables. Towa sat to study her book while Rean sat for a little rest. Rean could see that Towa's book was about Crossbell. At first he assumed that must've been the current focus of one of her classes, but then he remembered that Angelica or George had never brought up Crossbell. So clearly it wasn't for a class. Rean was questioning where he heard about Crossbell recently. Rean suddenly remembered that the West Zemuria Trade Conference was going to be held in Crossbell. It was all starting to make sense.
Towa noticed that Rean was staring at her book. She could tell that he figured out why she was studying up on Crossbell. Looks like she needed to come clean.
"Looks like you figured it out Rean. That's right, I'll be going to the West Zemuria Trade Conference. Prince Olivert and Chancellor Osborne requested Principal Vandyke to send me as their secretary. That's why I've had so many all-nighters recently, I want to make sure I'm up to date with all the current events going on in the countries attending the event." Towa revealed.
"I see, congratulations President Towa. I couldn't name a better candidate than you. You're always going above and beyond President Towa. You never miss a chance to help someone do you? Whether it's a student on their first day of school or a prince and politician going to an international conference. You always give everyone all the support you can give. There's no doubt in my mind that Prince Olivert and Chancellor Osborne- no, the whole conference is better off with you there to help." Rean told her.
Towa was quite flattered to hear Rean praise her so much, it really made her feel nice.
Suddenly, the librarian came up to them and told them that they were closing the library for the night and that they should head to their dorms.
Like before Towa insisted on walking Rean to the Class VII Dorm, as a good upperclassman should. Rean accepted her request on the condition that he carried Towa's book and other study materials on the way to his dorm. When they reached the front door Rean handed Towa her things.
As he opened the front door Rean turned to Towa to wish her a goodnight. "Goodnight President Towa, thank you for walking me to my dorm. Best of luck with the conference."
"Goodnight Rean, thank you. I'll make sure to do my best." Towa said in return as she started walking to the Lower-Class Dorm.
They both continued to wave at each other until they were both out of eye reach.
"Now that the cat's out of the bag I should probably also tell Angie, George, and Crow." Towa thought to herself as she entered her dorm for yet another all-nighter.
