The most boring day of the week, I realized while wandering around with the Professor, was Wednesday.
Unlike with other years, I didn't have much opportunity to get close to the second-year students who were about to receive their degrees. They had already chosen their thesis topics and needed to focus on them through their second and third semesters, so there wasn't really a place for me to fit in.
It's not like I needed someone to call out "Urr!" to me specifically, but I wished I had someone who would pretend to be friendly like Sera or Karen did, treating me like a friend.
Well, if not, what could I do?
As a Demon God, it felt awkward to approach others first, so I could only step back and wait for lectures to end.
I sat alone in a corner, scribbling on paper. Somehow, I ended up memorizing food menus before anything else. Looking at what I was writing, I worried I might appear like a pig only interested in food, but fortunately—or unfortunately—no one paid any attention to me.
Only the Professor would occasionally pass by and glance at me. I'd respond with a bright smile. Honestly, that was all I could do.
As time passed and the Professor's lecture was ending, my phone suddenly vibrated.
"...That startled me."
My phone, which usually only rang when I was at home, was buzzing right as the lecture ended. It was in my inner chest pocket, so the surprise made me jump.
I took out my phone and lightly rubbed my ticklish chest through my clothes. When I checked the screen, it showed "Karen."
Was she calling ahead of tomorrow's lecture?
"Hello?"
As I put the phone to my ear, the Professor, who was approaching through the dispersing students, looked at me quietly. I mouthed "Ka-ren" to the Professor, who nodded in understanding.
"Oh, you answered quickly! Aren't you in a lecture?"
"No, it just ended."
"Really? What timing! So, about tomorrow's lecture... would you like to go to the Library with me now?"
"Now? The Library?"
I didn't mind, but was she always this studious? Ah, right, she was. I remembered how she wanted to borrow books even before the semester started. I hummed thoughtfully and glanced toward the Professor.
"Just a moment... Professor!"
I scurried over to him with my phone in both hands, and he looked at me quietly.
"What is it? Is something wrong?"
"Can I meet with Karen and come back later? She wants to go to the Library."
"Hmm, then I'll go with you. I'll look at other books, so just contact me when you're done. We can meet at the entrance."
"Got it! Karen, he says it's okay!"
The Professor readily agreed. Since this wasn't just a quick errand but a longer outing, he promised to accompany me but indicated we wouldn't be together the whole time.
This way, Karen wouldn't feel too uncomfortable.
"Really? Then I'll see you at the Library entrance! The main entrance!"
"Okay, I'll head over as soon as I'm ready."
I put my phone away after saying that.
"Professor."
"Alright, alright. I'm coming, I'm coming."
The Professor smiled wryly and quickly packed his things.
We left the Research Building and headed toward the Library. The Academy's Library was so vast it was called a treasure trove of knowledge. I couldn't help but feel awe every time I saw it.
It felt like all the books in the world were gathered there.
When we arrived, Karen, who was leaning against the wall next to the door, noticed me and waved.
"Hi!"
Her black hair swayed gracefully. Seeing her, I waved back.
"Hi."
"Urr, enjoy your time with your friend and call me when you're done, okay?"
"Yes!"
The Professor gently patted my head. After briefly greeting Karen, he entered the Library first. It would definitely be difficult to find someone in there without calling.
"So why the Library?"
After the Professor disappeared, I looked up at Karen and asked. As I tilted my head, Karen fidgeted awkwardly before carefully speaking.
"Well, my family isn't exactly well-off. So borrowing books is much better than buying them. And the Academy's books are more specialized than those in public libraries."
"Oh... sorry."
"No, it's fine! I wanted to tell you. I just... don't have friends to talk to."
Karen scratched her head. Her expression looked somewhat bitter. As I watched her, my chest ached for some reason, drawing my attention.
"Why don't you have friends to talk to?"
"...Hmm."
"Then play with me."
I reached out my hand slightly.
I already knew how painful it was to endure loneliness.
But why would someone like Karen say she had no friends? Honestly, I thought people would want to be friends with her just because she was pretty.
Maybe there was something holding her back.
"I'd like that."
Karen gently took my hand. After a solemn handshake, we entered the Library. The space opened up before us. Looking at all the books spread around beyond the lending desk, I felt overwhelmed, not knowing where to start.
It was nice coming with Karen, but places like this always made me feel momentarily lost.
"...Karen, where should we go first?"
"There's a search terminal over there. Let's start there."
"Oh, I see... No wonder you found books so quickly before."
I had wondered how she did it, but it seemed she had looked up the books when I wasn't watching. Then when she found out she couldn't borrow them, she caught me just as I was leaving after borrowing my books.
Hmm, so that's what happened. I nodded in understanding.
I heard the sound of keyboard typing. Karen checked if a book was available with a serious expression, then printed out a memo from a small printer.
Karen started finding her way using the paper. At our destination, she held a book with a hard cover.
"What's that? Demon God...?"
I recalled the words "Demon God." Karen seemed embarrassed again and slightly hid the book.
"I'm preparing for tomorrow's lecture."
"That's impressive for the beginning of the semester."
"You think so? ...Well, I need to work hard to get a scholarship."
"Come to think of it, you're a first-year, right?"
I looked at the books on the shelves.
"Do they have a freshman welcome party?"
"...I think so."
"Have you been?"
"No, they said there would be one, but I said I wouldn't go."
"Huh, why?"
Looking at Karen, she made a bitter expression.
"Well, since I don't have money, I was worried about not being able to handle the cost if I went drinking there."
"...Oh."
"So when kids asked me to hang out, I kept saying I couldn't go, and it just became a pattern."
Karen clicked her tongue and seemed to want to change the subject, so she showed me the book she had been hiding behind her back.
"Want to see this? It's a book about Demon God characteristics. Doesn't it seem perfect for the 'About Demon Gods' lecture? Could you look at it and explain if it's accurate?"
"The Professor would probably explain it better. Besides, I can't read."
"Really? That's too bad."
Karen flipped through the pages. She seemed to find something interesting and scanned it with her eyes.
"Demon Gods live eternally... They break the rule that everything with a beginning must have an end. This is the first rule that Demon Gods break. However, the methods of living eternally vary. Some simply live forever, while others extend their lives by stealing the lifespans of others. Although not much has been discovered yet, there are basically two types."
After reciting this, she asked a question.
"Which type are you, Urr?"
"Me?"
Which type am I?
"I don't know."
"...Then I guess you're probably the type that just lives eternally?"
"You think so? I'm not sure."
"Haha, actually I don't know either. Even if Demon Gods live forever, humans only live a human lifespan and that's it."
Karen closed the book with a thud. I watched her quietly, then made a suggestion.
"Karen, want to go to the welcome party?"
"Huh?"
She might resent me for suggesting this after she explained why she couldn't go.
"I'll talk to the Professor about it!"
But I have my ways.
"No, no. Just asking you to borrow books for me was already too much trouble..."
"Trust me!"
"...Really, you don't have to."
Karen tried to stop me, flustered by my outburst. But I couldn't just watch her being left out without friends, so I decided to help.
Her being my first friend at the Academy was a big reason.
"Hey! Be quiet in the Library!"
"S-sorry..."
Startled, I immediately shrank back.
After parting with Karen, I returned home with the Professor. Sitting on the sofa, the Professor spoke with a troubled voice.
"...You want allowance money? What for?"
"I, I want to go to the welcome party too!"
"Welcome party? Karen is going?"
When I nodded, the Professor crossed his legs. He seemed concerned about something.
I had been kneeling, but sensing the atmosphere wasn't favorable, I flopped down on the floor.
"Please give me allowance money...!"
"Urr!"
"Owwww!"
The Professor scolded me, asking where I learned such behavior, and smacked my bottom with his palm. It hurt so much I couldn't help but wail.