Translated by: Lonely Hikikomori Twitter: @LnlyHikikomori Weibo: @真子阿姨
I liked that smile.
It bloomed softly like the flowers at the river.
I liked her smile.
Episode 1 - Record 2027
When I entered high school,
my first impression of that girl was
that she’s always in a bad mood.
Ah...
I’m Katagaki Naomi, from 1-A.
I came from Funazuka.
Uhm... I like books.
Ehm, I’ll do my best!
Being in the same library committee,
I finally know her name.
Ichigyou Ruri from 1-A.
She...
never smiled.
By working in the committee together,
little by little, I got to know her.
That’s not the face she makes when she’s in a bad mood.
And sometimes she’s really in a bad mood.
She likes reading books just like me.
Ah...
It’s overdue.
Yeah...
Wha-
Please be careful.
Y... yes!
S... sorry!
I’m so sorry!
She’s tenacious, unlike me.
I was a little scared of her because of that.
So, I shouldn’t be involved in her job more than needed.
I thought.
Huh?
Ah, I should too...
♪ Gan-Gan-Ganba ♪
♪ Nami ga odoru yo Ganba ♪
♪ Suihei senda yo Ganba, Ganba ♪
♪ Ganba, Ganba to nakama-tachi ♪
♪ Shippo wo tatero! Hohoho hohoho ♪
♪ Ahoudori ga tsuiteyuku ♪
♪ Shima ga mieru yo Ganba ♪
♪ Shima ga mieru yo Ganba, Ganba ♪
♪ Ganba, Ganba to nakama-tachi ♪
Ehm...
Do you like “Adventure of Gamba”?
Huh?
Oh... That book...
Ah, it’s not like that!
I'm sorry!
I see...
You...
did nothing wrong.
It’s my fault that I started singing in the library without looking around first.
Little by little, I got to know her.
She isn’t always tough, and just trying to look like that.
Eh… I don’t know the original work.
That book... is that interesting?
It’s interesting.
We started to talk about books.
This was good!
It’s a sci-fi, but it’s very persuasive.
It’s not a novel, I think it’s from a thesis.
Is that interesting?
It is interesting!
I’ll give It a try!
As far as historical books go, I’ve only read about Ryouma so far, but...
No, it’s an adventure novel.
An adventure novel?
That’s right.
And it’s about...
Both she and I,
we’ve always read alone.
This was the first time we could talk with a friend about the books.
Books became a part of our lives.
They were the bridge between us.
It was exciting and fun.
Then
On that day in June...
After losing her most important book.
I didn’t see her much anymore.
It’s raining... so much.
I don’t hate it, but I don’t want the books to get wet.
Is that so.
I couldn't do anything.
I’m just a cowardly child,
I couldn’t even comfort her.
Despite hearing her crying
and her heart breaking.
I didn’t even say a single word.
I’m...
Hopeless.
So, I started searching for books.
It was really fun and I’m sure you’ll like it too, Ichigyou-san!
I can’t help her...
But...
The books...
The books can.
Surely.
This series is the best and I absolutely recommend it to you.
It may take a while to read the beginning, but
it’s so good after the second volume.
It may be a little different from your interests, Ichigyou-san, but
I’ll...
Give it a try.
But it’s different...
It's okay.
She hardly ever smiled. But that time, she did.
With that...
I...
Ichigyou-san...
I like you...
She didn’t smile, even when we were going out.
I knew she was just that kind of a person.
And I...
really liked her.
However...
I...
I’ve never seen her smile again...
So, please...
Just one more time.
Translated by: Lonely Hikikomori Twitter: @LnlyHikikomori Weibo: @真子阿姨