Kaoruko's Particular Adventure

Incredible!

Nothing but books as far as the eye can see! This library of Chaldea exceeds even my greatest expectations.

Truth be told, I still find it hard to believe that all of these books can be read for free.

Yes, it is. Thank you for showing me the way, Master.

There are so many good books here, I don't know how I'm ever going to decide which one to read first.

A library card? What's that?

...I see. So most libraries nowadays use such cards to keep track of who has borrowed which books in order to more effectively manage their inventory. Clever.

But you also say this particular library has no need for such a system?

That must mean the library has some means of keeping track of these things on their own.

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Hello, Master. Welcome back to the library.

Oh, and I see you've brought Lord Odysseus on his first visit here! How wonderful!

I am the librarian, so I am always happy to see any of Chaldea's Heroic Spirits visiting...

...and that of course includes you, Lord Odysseus. How good of you to come.

Thank you for the warm welcome.

Oh, yes, I never did introduce myself properly, did I? My name is Odysseus. I am a Rider.

Thank you, Lord Odysseus. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

In that case, allow me to introduce myself properly too. My name is Murasaki Shikibu.

Murasaki Shikibu... I knew you were a rare talent with the written word...

...but I had no idea you were also so talented as to oversee such a grand library. I'm very impressed.

(Th-that may be one of the most direct compliments I've ever received!)

Th-thank you, Lord Odysseus, but you're much too kind.

I'm just a humble Heroic Spirit who happens to have something of a fondness for the literary arts...

Haha, don't be ridiculous. You're being far too modest.

You should be proud of what you have accomplished, both in your own writing and with this library.

Furthermore...

...Could I ask you a question on a different subject, Murasaki Shikibu?

Of course. Ask me whatever you like.

All right... May I ask what happened to cause you such grave injuries?

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?

I, um, I assure you, I'm perfectly fine. Please, pay it no heed.

Really?

Haha, I guess I still have much to learn. With all those bandages, I was sure you had been gravely injured...

...but if that is merely the style of the day, then it is little wonder I misunderstood.

Haha, I knew it.

Hehehe. Indeed it is.

Hm? Is something wrong, Master? You seem unsure of what to say next.

?

Now that you mention it, he does seem a little pale. Is everything all right, Master?

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Oh come on, this is getting ridiculous!

That voice...

Just look! She's obviously had the shit kicked out of her twelve ways from Sunday!

Come on, Murasaki, who did this to you!? I'm gonna give 'em a sucker dropkick they'll never forget!

Then you ARE gravely injured!

So you've been putting on a brave face in spite of your injuries just to welcome me to the library!?

N-not at all! It isn't like that, I promise!

Huh?

So, you're NOT actually hurt? It's just a fashion statement?

Well geez, why didn't you say so? Now I get what the deal is with the bandages and eye patch.

This is one of those cosplay things!

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C-c-cosplay!?

A-as in, a combination of the words "costume" and "play"? N-n-not at all!

I was just reading a book where one of the characters is described as dressing in this way and thought it was a new kind of summer fashion...

...so I changed my own appearance to match! I promise you, this isn't a costume, and I'm not playing at anything!

Oh, but...then again...I suppose I am technically dressing up as a fictional character, so...

Maybe...technically...this IS cosplay after all?

Yep. Totes cosplay.

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!?

I see. Cosplay.

Then it would seem you truly aren't injured. So cosplay involves dressing up as a fictional character?

That sounds like a great deal of fun! What fascinating hobbies you Eastern beauties have!

Now I get it! And I gotta say, you're rocking the look! It's hella cute on you!

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Huh? Why would that embarrass you? Man, I don't know what you're thinking sometimes.

C'mon, you don't go around cosplaying every day, right? There's nothing to be embarrassed about.

And besides... Oh, wait. Maybe you still haven't caught on to that part, Kaorucchi?

Wh-what part?

The sailor uniform!

Apparently, that's the de facto uniform of modern-day Japanese kids! Especially girls in middle and high school!

And THAT means...

You and I are two peas in a pod! Check it out! We're both high school girls now!

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Wahahaha! So you didn't notice it till now, huh? I can't believe it!

And hey, why'd you go with that super old-fashioned sailor uniform, anyway? You taking a page out of my book?

Oh, wait. I probably shouldn't have said that last part out loud, huh?

Or that part.

Anyway, now that we've got two high school girls here like this, we oughta find Suzuka-paisen and go out partying!

H-huh!? B-but, I still have my librarian duties to attend to!

Oh, I think Master and I can handle those for a while. Right, Master?

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Oh gosh, oh gosh, oh gosh...

All right then, see you later, Chan-mas! See you later, Ody! C'mon, Kaorucchi, it's time to go Chaldea-pelunking!☆

Haha, I almost feel as though I've just weathered a small storm.

Though of course, I've never seen another storm so adorably charming.

Indeed.

Then I look forward to it. Whatever happens, I expect it will be an entirely new kind of adventure for me.

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At any rate, Master, now that we have volunteered for this task, we must see it through to the end.

For the time being, could I ask you to teach me what a librarian does?

Oh, and one more thing.

I would love to hear about the adventure you've been on this summer, even if only in brief intervals during our downtime.

From what I've been told, it sounds like you've got quite the story to tell.

So whenever you have the time, I would be very interested to hear all about what you've seen and experienced over the course of this summer.

For I have no doubt your tale will be one for the ages!