Shiina Hiyori was indeed somewhat tempted, because her father was a writer, though not a famous one.
Thus, she was exposed to this bizarre and fantastical world earlier than her peers.
Works by authors like Natsume Soseki, Akutagawa Ryunosuke, Edogawa Ranpo, Ayatsuji Yukito, and Miyazawa Kenji formed the foundation of her childhood.
From the moment she learned to read, she would often stay in her father's study.
Sometimes she would flip through books she couldn't understand at the time, and other times she would watch her father hunched over his writing.
Her father would hold her in his arms and tell her stories about certain authors, occasionally bursting into laughter.
His beard would brush against her, making her instinctively grab at it.
However, more often than not, she saw her father sitting motionless at his writing desk for entire days.
Is this what being a writer means?
The young Shiina Hiyori felt puzzled.
Later, she understood—because her father couldn't write commercially successful works, this situation had become the norm.
As she grew older, Shiina Hiyori became more interested in literature and novels.
Though partly influenced by her father, she was genuinely curious about this world.
Gradually, she finished reading Japanese literature, then moved on to popular fiction, and eventually to foreign classics.
Before she knew it, she had read countless books.
Among them, Ayatsuji Yukito's mystery novels left a deep impression on Shiina Hiyori, and soon she fell headfirst into the mystery genre.
After reading so much, it was only natural to wonder if she could write one herself.
Of course, Shiina Hiyori didn't think she could become famous overnight—she just thought there would be no harm in trying, right?
"Shiina, you really like mystery novels, don't you?"
Kaoru didn't know the full context but could guess the literary girl's thoughts.
"Why don't you give it a try?"
"Eh, I don't think I can do it..."
Shiina Hiyori felt embarrassed. What if her writing wasn't good?
"It's fine. It'll just circulate within our school anyway. At worst, you can publish under a pen name."
Kaoru didn't see any problem with it.
With only a few hundred teachers and students in the entire school, this school publication was just a Game.
Shiina Hiyori felt tempted but didn't agree immediately.
Seeing this, Kaoru smiled slightly: "If anyone dares to say your writing is bad, I'll go straight to their classroom."
"Who would do that? Are you trying to get me anti-fans?"
Shiina Hiyori looked at him reproachfully, though she knew he was just trying to comfort her.
After hesitating for a moment, she whispered, "I'm just a bit worried. I've never had any experience in this before."
"As long as you're interested, that's enough."
Kaoru said, "How many things in this world come with experience? If you never do anything without experience, wouldn't you remain inexperienced forever?"
Shiina Hiyori thought he had a point and couldn't help but smile.
"Looks like you agree. I'll be waiting for your submission then."
Kaoru pressed his advantage. This school publication was essentially created just for her, though nominally it welcomed submissions from everyone.
Shiina Hiyori nodded subconsciously.
Only after a while, seeing Kaoru's expression, did she seem to realize something was off.
"Wait, no—why are you asking me about this?"
She hadn't yet realized she had already boarded Kaoru's "pirate ship."
"Because you're the only person I know who would be interested."
Kaoru spread his hands, appearing innocent while actually thinking to himself that this NPC only spawned in the library and was usually too hard to approach, with few conversation topics available.
This made it impossible for him to fulfill even one or two wishes with Shiina Hiyori, such as teaching her some peculiar knowledge.
Despite having read so many risqué books, Shiina Hiyori only blushed, and her wishes remained completely unchanged.
Later, Kaoru figured it out.
Shiina Hiyori had already seen it all—she was just shy, but that didn't mean she was ignorant.
No, he had to teach her something even wilder than what was in the books.
"R-Really?"
Shiina Hiyori was half-convinced by his words, but thinking about how she could write novels now, she was in a good mood and decided to let it slide for the time being.
The girl was no fool.
Having read so many mystery novels, she was sharp-witted and naturally sensed that Kaoru's intentions toward her were a bit off.
It felt strange—she couldn't quite put her finger on it. It wasn't acceptance, nor was it resistance.
Kaoru simply smiled.
He didn't press Shiina Hiyori further.
He wasn't the student council president yet; he'd wait until he took that position.
...
As dusk fell, the lingering afterglow set the sky ablaze with red, and the tree shadows trembled in the wind.
Kaoru left the library earlier than Shiina Hiyori.
After all, his dorm wasn't just his alone—if he returned too late, someone would throw a tantrum.
Perhaps this was one of the costs of enjoying a Harem.
Gazing at the blooming cherry blossoms, Kaoru felt an inexplicable sense of melancholy.
He stopped in front of a vending machine, intently selecting a drink.
At the same time, he spoke up, "Do you want anything to drink?"
He waited for a while, but no one answered.
"You've been following me for days—must be tough. I'm not bluffing; I've already spotted you. Compared to my Miki, your tracking skills are far worse."
As soon as he finished speaking, Kaoru heard footsteps.
"Since when?"
She probably wanted to ask when he had noticed her following him.
"Maybe it's because a beauty like you is rare, so I noticed you from the start."
Kaoru turned around to see Mio Ibuki standing behind him.
With her short, boyish haircut and flat chest, she looked like a tomboy, just the type to appeal to certain people.
"Want something to drink? My treat."
Faced with Kaoru's friendly gesture, Ibuki didn't take it kindly.
Instead, she scrutinized him with a critical gaze and asked. "Why are you getting close to Shiina from our class? Are you interested in her?"
"You seem even more presumptuous than I am."
Kaoru raised an eyebrow.
Ibuki sneered, "I've been following you for days. I've noticed you're either hanging around Ichinose and her group or cozying up to senior girls."
Some girls might be into Kaoru, but Ibuki wasn't one of them.
She thought this guy was a total playboy—the nickname "Harem Overlord" suited him perfectly.
"Still, I'm way better than a creepy stalker like you."
Kaoru said, "At least they don't dislike me."
"What did you say!"
Ibuki instantly flared up.
What did he mean by "creepy stalker"? If Ryuen Kakeru hadn't ordered her to tail this guy, why would she bother!
"Strange, isn't it? People who stalk others are usually creeps, right?"
Kaoru looked at her oddly. "You haven't been secretly collecting my things, have you?"
His gaze seemed to see right through Mio Ibuki, even perceiving how she secretly collected his clothing, held it beneath her nose to inhale deeply, then couldn't resist sliding her hand downward while letting out soft moans.
Mio Ibuki truly couldn't restrain herself anymore.
She dashed forward in quick strides until she stood before Kaoru, grabbing his collar with one hand as if ready to throw a punch at any moment.
"You! If you want to fight, just say it outright!"
Kaoru glanced at her petite frame.
Limited by her height, she was standing on tiptoes to threaten him, yet even then she barely reached his chin.
"Fine. There are no surveillance cameras here anyway. Go ahead and strike - preferably stomping hard on my head with your foot."
No sooner had Kaoru spoken than a sudden gust of wind whipped past his clothes, followed by a clear metallic clang from the vending machine behind him vibrating violently.
His peripheral vision caught Mio Ibuki raising her slender leg high, ruthlessly kicking the vending machine behind him.
The exaggerated motion even revealed a glimpse beneath her fluttering skirt.
Yet Mio Ibuki appeared completely unconcerned about this exposure.
"I know you're trying to provoke me. I'm not an idiot," the girl declared. "If you dare tease me like this again, I'll strike regardless of surveillance cameras."
Kaoru suddenly laughed, causing Mio Ibuki to freeze mid-retraction of her leg.
"Hey! What are you laughing at?"
"Nothing. Just find your ferocious-yet-timid appearance somewhat amusing."
"You think you can beat me in a fight?"
Kaoru didn't bother responding.
Mio Ibuki was the quintessential combat-oriented girl - simple-minded, always resorting to violence against opponents.
Seizing the moment while her leg remained raised, Kaoru simply reached out and grasped her calf.
Mio Ibuki stiffened momentarily before reacting with lightning speed.
Leveraging his grip, she arched backward, supporting herself with both hands while raising her other leg high, aiming to kick at his hand.
Showing no consideration for the girl's feelings, Kaoru countered move for move.
With a twist of his arm, she spun uncontrollably several times before collapsing to the ground.
Before she could rise, he promptly pinned both her wrists against the floor.
Staring up at him in astonishment, Mio Ibuki clearly hadn't anticipated his strength nor how easily she'd been subdued beneath him.
"Bastard!"
The girl struggled to break free, her legs kicking mercilessly toward Kaoru's lower body.
While blocking her kicks, Kaoru allowed her hands to slip free.
But before she could fully rise, he seized her calf again, handling her thrashing form like a lively large fish as he pressed down on her petite frame.
Instinctively, Mio Ibuki tried to twist away from his grasp.
Smack
The girl froze mid-movement. Her pert bottom had just been struck.
Smack smack
Finding the sensation pleasantly round and soft - evidence of the girl's developed figure - Kaoru delivered several more strikes.
"Grr... I'll kill you!"
Mio Ibuki seethed with rage.
In all her years, this was the first time she'd been spanked, and by a boy no less!
"This is what happens when you stalk me," Kaoru stated, administering several more smacks.
Frankly, she was fortunate he wasn't doing worse, considering her audacity to threaten him.
"I'll bite you to death!" Mio Ibuki was absolutely furious, baring her teeth as if she wanted to bite him to death.
Kaoru placed his hand in front of her, and she immediately snapped at it.
But he swiftly pulled his hand back, leaving her gnashing her teeth in frustration, clearly seething with anger.
"What a pervert," Kaoru remarked.
Mio Ibuki's eyes widened in disbelief.
How dare he say that to her?
He was the one who had bullied her, the one who had spanked her—and now he had the audacity to call her a pervert?
"Kaoru! Just you wait! I'll bite you to death sooner or later!"