A comic book, but a librarian

Uesugi Sumire said hello, picked up his bag and walked out of the ramen shop. Hikigaya suddenly became curious about what had happened, but he did not get involved in anything that seemed to be related to love. He was just worried whether his sponsor would continue to give him money.

"Huh...huh..."

Yotsuya Miko calmed her breathing. Why did Uesugi Sumire say that he couldn't see it? What was the light in Uesugi Sumire's eyes? Did those spirits escape from Uesugi Sumire's vicinity or was it just a coincidence? Too many doubts surged into Yotsuya Miko's mind. She looked up and saw the traffic light flashing red, and stopped at the intersection.

"Hey, be careful!!"

Yotsuya Miko shouted subconsciously in a trance, and her vision finally returned to normal slowly. When she moved her gaze from the traffic light to the road, she saw that there was still a boy who seemed not to notice that the traffic light had changed color, and was still walking slowly on the zebra crossing with his back to her.

But she regretted it almost immediately. The boy turned around, black tears of blood flowing from his empty eye sockets, his rotten cheeks revealing the muscle tissue inside, and his teeth seemed to be stained with blood. His eyes were fixed on Yotsuya Miko, and he revealed a hideous smile.

"You... saw me!!!"

Yotsuya Miko's mind went blank. She didn't expect those evil spirits to be so good at disguise, or it was the first time she encountered an evil spirit that was so good at disguise.

The little boy walked towards Yotsuya Miko with a grin on his face, but she couldn't even move her legs. The extreme fear made her brain work frantically, trying to find a way to get away with it, just like she had done before.

But suddenly, the evil spirit of the little boy stopped, bared his teeth at Yotsuya Miko, then turned around and left as if he had given up.

“Eh…?” Yotsuya Miko was stunned. She had never encountered such a situation before. Those evil spirits actually gave up their prey.

"I say, are you really not going to move? The light is green."

When Yotsuya Miko heard the familiar voice, her whole body fell limply as if all the bones were pulled out. If it weren't for Uesugi Cheng's quick eyes and hands, she would have knocked to her knees.

"Can you... see it?" Yotsuya Miko asked this question again, feeling that even she herself found difficult to understand.

Chapter 4 New Helpers

Ten minutes later, in the McDonald's on the street, Yotsuya Miko was sipping a cup of Coke, and she seemed to have not yet recovered from the thrilling situation. Opposite her, Uesugi Sumire had taken out his mobile phone and started to check the posts.

"Um, did you just see...those things?"

Yotsuya Miko put down the Coke cup, she looked around the store and found that none of the evil spirits that had existed in the past seemed to be left in the store. She felt that she could finally be sure of one thing, that whether the male classmate in front of her, Uesugi Sumiko, knew it or not, he definitely had something on him that made the evil spirits avoid him.

"I'm sorry, I really didn't see what you said... But if I'm not mistaken, it should be a spirit or something like that, right?"

Uesugi Sumiko sighed. There were also many spirits floating around in the Silent Bookstore on Brancog Island. Some of them even occupied some rooms and were hostile to all intruders. However, as the book manager of the bookstore, he could see these spirits. But when he called out to Yotsuya Miko, the other party was standing in front of the zebra crossing with a red light, and seemed ready to take a step forward regardless of the red light, which forced him to speak up and remind her.

“Yes... yes, it’s a spirit, but..." Yotsuya Miko looked like she was about to cry. She didn’t expect that she would actually meet someone she could talk to about this, although she didn’t expect that the other person really couldn’t see spirits.

"Why can't you see them...I can see them..."

When Yotsuya Miko mentioned "them", her voice still unconsciously became lighter. Based on Yotsuya Miko's reaction, Uesugi Sumiko was sure that she was not lying, so he became curious. If Yotsuya Miko could clearly see these spirits, why didn't he see any of them since he was a child after he traveled through time?

"Then how about telling me in detail about your encounter with those 'evil spirits'?"

Uesugi Cheng took out his notebook and pen, and looked thoughtful.

Yotsuya Miko told her everything that had happened to her since she began to be able to see ghosts. What she didn't say was probably related to her most private part. While analyzing Yotsuya Miko's words, Uesugi Sumire was thinking about the decisive difference between him and Yotsuya Miko that led to his inability to see spirits.

"Wait, you mean... the evil spirit that was so good at disguising itself on the zebra crossing just now clearly wanted to attack you after seeing you, but backed off in the end?"

Uesugi Cheng paused, he seemed to have guessed some reason.

"Yes, those evil spirits would have gone crazy if they found out that I could see them, but that guy backed off."

As Yotsuya Miko was talking, she looked at Uesugi Sumire.

"So I'm thinking, it must be because of you, Uesugi-san!! It must be because of you that it's running away. And... and your eyes, Uesugi-san."

She remembered that she felt dizzy and chose to leave the ramen shop because she looked into the eyes of Uesugi Sumire. Those spirits must have chosen to flee because they were afraid of Uesugi Sumire.

"My eyes... I roughly understand what's going on. So, do you want me to help you with something? Exorcise the spirits?"

Uesugi Cheng touched his eyes. It was the first time he realized that when he was working in the Silent Bookstore in another world, there would be a certain reaction here.

"Exorcism and the like... If I could just not see those guys..." Yotsuya Miko seemed a little discouraged. Instead of exorcising those evil spirits, she would rather not see those guys from the beginning. After all, according to their rules, it seems that as long as you can't see them, you won't be targeted.

"I can't do this, but I have a possible way that might work. Maybe it can save you some suffering." Uesugi Sumiko thought about it. He certainly didn't intend to help his classmate for free, even though Yotsuya Miko was indeed more attractive.

In fact, besides being somewhat curious about the spirits that appeared in this world, he also wanted to test his own ideas. If the help given by Hikigaya could be reflected in the Silent Bookstore in another world, then...

Uesugi Sumire stretched out his hand towards Yotsuya Miko.

"Do you want to accept it? I'll help you and you help me."

"Eh? Me...me? How can I help Uesugi-san?" Yotsuya Miko looked a little surprised. It was obvious that Uesugi Sumire was not afraid of those evil spirits at all, but he put forward such conditions.

"Do you want to accept it?" Uesugi Cheng did not answer, if his idea was correct.

"Yes! As long as Uesugi-san's request is not excessive, just tell me how I can help you!" Yotsuya Miko immediately held Uesugi Sumiko's hand.

[Assisted by Yotsuya Miko]: You know, sometimes watching too much is also a torture (2 lights 1 winter)

At the edge of Uesugi Cheng's vision, a message popped up. It was already night, and inside Silent Bookstore, the same rules as in the game restricted his communication with his helpers, but now it was different.

"Relax, there might be some strange phenomena later, don't get excited."

Uesugi Sumiko mobilized his own consciousness, and the soul essence that revealed light flowed through his hand to Yotsuya Miko. He used his own soul essence as power to strengthen his assistant, which was one of the most basic abilities of the bookkeeper.

"Oh eh...I see."

Yotsuya Miko felt as if she had suddenly taken off her high-power glasses, and the whole world became incredibly clear. She keenly discovered that it was not only her eyesight that had changed. Just as she had expected, her thinking speed and perception had been greatly improved. She could even hear the two passers-by sitting at the table in the corner seemingly chatting about a latest game.

“This…..this is…?!”

She covered her mouth the moment she screamed. She remembered what Uesugi Sumiya said not to get excited, so she looked at Uesugi Sumiya with a look close to admiration. The ability displayed by her classmate was much more reliable than those so-called "masters". At least now she had her own personal experience.

"I don't know if this can help you. If you have any questions, remember to call me anytime. I'll leave you my phone number." Uesugi Sumiko took off a page from the notebook and left his number. This was the first time he used soul energy to strengthen others in the real world. It was still unknown what would happen specifically, but judging from Yotsuya Miko's surprised look, there shouldn't be any adverse reactions.

"Okay... okay, thank you very much, I..." Yotsuya Miko hurriedly stood up as if she wanted to bow, but was stopped by Uesugi Sumiko.

"There's no need, and I'm quite interested in the spirit you mentioned. If there's a chance, let me see it too." Uesugi Cheng left this sentence, then grabbed his bag and left.

Chapter 5 If my fellow Taoists don't die, I will die.

"Do spirits really exist in this world? Why haven't I seen any?"

Uesugi Cheng touched his cheek and wiped the water stains on his hair. He had a small apartment in Tokyo. Now he was lying on the soft single bed in the apartment, looking at the moonlight coming in from the window whose curtains had not yet been drawn, his eyes gradually becoming blurred.

As a time traveler who won at the starting line and was reborn as a member of the noble family, Uesugi Sumiya even has a brother who is a business genius and a sister who has already entered the procuratorate. It can be said that the Uesugi family, which has gradually shown signs of decline over the past few decades, may be able to revive in this generation. What's even more gratifying is that his adoptive parents really seem to think that the youngest child, Uesugi Sumiya, is mediocre in talent, and do not pay too much attention to him. Instead, they leave the burden of revitalizing the family to his brother and sister, so he can live an easy and happy life as a young master.

The change occurred a year ago. During a storm that swept across Tokyo, Uesugi Cheng opened his own diary inlaid with amber and became the first and only book manager in the entire bookstore after the fire.

"Hey, are you short of money?"

The voice over the phone seemed a little tired, but the concern for the family did not diminish in the slightest.

"It's okay. I can still make some money myself." Uesugi Cheng stood up and thought of the canvas that was casually stuffed into the schoolbag. He took it out of the schoolbag. Although the color of the whole painting became extremely messy because the paint on the canvas was rubbed together before it was completely dry, there was still a fascinating magic on it.

"I thought you were finally short of money after moving from Shuchiin to Tonghe. Are you really planning to finish high school in Tonghe?"

Uesugi Shinichi stretched himself. His beloved younger brother was not as useless as his beloved parents thought. At least when Uesugi Sumiko decided to transfer from Shuchiin to Tonghe, the art teacher of Shuchiin specifically talked to him, the older brother, for a long time. In the teacher's eyes, Uesugi Sumiko was undoubtedly a rising star in the art world, and could even be said to be someone who would eventually become a master. If he went to Tonghe with further studies as the main purpose, his talent might be buried directly.

"It doesn't matter. It's more comfortable to study in Tonghe. After all, there are no annoying guys watching over me."

Uesugi Cheng took out a lighter, lit the canvas and threw it into the brazier, silently watching the dancing flames.

"Besides, it's fine as long as you guys are doing well. Didn't my sister make some significant progress at work? Please congratulate her on my behalf. By the way... do you think there are such things in this world? Souls and the like."

"I don't know when you started paying attention to this kind of thing. Your sister is working overtime all day long, but your parents seem quite happy."

When Uesugi Shinichi mentioned this matter, his tone was obviously not good. He turned off the computer screen, rubbed his eyes and prepared to rest.

"By the way, you are still burning paintings."

"what happened?"

"Nothing, I just feel sorry for it. You can send the paintings you think are not good back to your brother. To be honest, those paintings are quite pleasing to the eye and very relaxing to look at."

"Let's talk about it when we have a chance."

Uesugi Sumire hung up the phone. It seemed that the Uesugi family was unaware of the existence of spirits. Given his brother's status as the eldest son of the Uesugi family, if he knew relevant information, he would definitely not be able to get around him. And if Uesugi Shinichi really knew something, he would definitely tell it.

"If they can't see it, then those guys...are they hiding from me?"

Uesugi Cheng took a look at his own soul essence. The soul essence that had turned completely gray could only do limited work within the Silent Bookstore, but in reality, the power of the soul essence was a little stronger than he imagined.

The next day, his memories washed away and his soul refreshed, Uesugi Cheng yawned and picked up his bag on the way to school. He had been the book manager of Silent Bookstore for almost a year, but he actually entered the bookstore three months ago, and he only started to repair the bookstore rooms and re-catalog the books last month. After all, no one would urge him to do these things. Even the St. Rowan's Trust, which gave him the activity funds, only advised him to "use the funds wisely and prudently."

Not surprisingly, he saw Yotsuya Miko, who looked much better than yesterday, but the way she looked around indicated that she seemed to have something to say.

As expected, before Yotsuya Miko could strike up a conversation, the bell rang, and Hiratsuka Shizuka walked into the classroom with her courseware and a professional smile, and started today's class.

"Uesugi, Hikigaya, you two come with me."

Very naturally, Hiratsuka Shizuka called away Uesugi Sumire and Hikigaya Hachiman in the helpless look of Yotsuya Miko, and it seemed that she was planning to bring an army to hold them accountable.

"Let's not talk about why Hikigaya would write such stupid stuff... Uesugi, your composition."

Hiratsuka Shizuka's gaze made Hikigaya Hachiman turn his eyes away unconsciously. After all, he did not stop criticizing the so-called youth in his composition.

"I think it's pretty good, right? I'm sure the score won't be low if I write this way."

"It can't be lower, but is there any truth in it?" Hiratsuka Shizuka looked at the almost stable article in her hand, and then looked at Uesugi Sumika's face, which should be full of energy but is calm at the moment.

"Yes, there are quite a lot. Do you need me to analyze them one by one for you?" Uesugi Sumiko's words made Hiratsuka Shizuka want to clench her fists involuntarily.

"Forget it, you two just come with me to a place first..." Hiratsuka Shizuka thought for a while, a smile appeared on the corner of her mouth. Uesugi Sumiko looked at the teacher in front of him who could fill the ashtray and leave beer cans on the desk openly, and his eyes rolled.

"Sorry, the club needs me to go there again."

"Have you joined a club?" Shizuka Hiratsuka frowned. It's not that she had not investigated Uesugi Sumire before. Even in Shuchiin, Uesugi Sumire was considered a top-notch weird student. He was very independent and taciturn even when participating in normal class activities.

"The art club is quite interesting. I have to go help out. Hikigaya, I'll go first."

Under Hikigaya's gaze that said 'you betrayed our friendship', Uesugi Cheng turned around gracefully and ran out of the teacher's office without looking back.

"Hey! Wait a minute!" Hiratsuka Shizuka was stunned for a moment and then immediately tried to call out to Uesugi Sumiya, but of course failed. So she could only look at Hikigaya with a kind smile.

"Do you have anything to say, kid?"

Walking in the corridor, Uesugi Sumiko decided to pack up his things and take shelter in the art club's classroom. As long as this storm was over, Hiratsuka Shizuka would not make things difficult for him.

"Uesugi-san, great, you're here!"

Yotsuya Miko walked up to him as if she was overjoyed and looked at him with expectant eyes.

Chapter 6: Serious Violence and Hikigaya's Request

"Good morning. Are you okay?" Uesugi Sumire looked at Yotsuya Miko, who was overjoyed in front of him. It was obvious that her complexion was much better than yesterday. At least her face was not full of fear and forced smiles.

"Much better... Although I saw those guys again this morning, they really took the initiative last night... and made way for me!"

Yotsuya Miko carefully considered her words. She didn't want her words to cause Uesugi Sumiko to make a wrong judgment.

"It seems that they are not as powerful as I thought, but I have to be careful. None of us knows whether a more powerful evil spirit will appear because of your abnormal changes."

Uesugi Sumire thought of the spirit lurking in the room above Solomon's study in Silent Bookstore. There are strong and weak spirits. If Yotsuya Miko doesn't pay more attention, she might one day provoke a powerful creature.

"I, I know... Uesugi-san, can you... help me do that once today?"

"Um... Oh, wait a minute. Let's stand here and talk. I'm afraid Teacher Jing won't be able to help but rush out and take me back to the art club to talk."

Uesugi Sumiko waved his hand. It just so happened that he still needed Yotsuya Miko to deal with the spirit in Solomon's bedroom after his awareness was enhanced.

So the two of them walked towards the classroom where the art club was located, one after the other, just like Hiratsuka Shizuka and Hikigaya Hachiman who were walking towards a mysterious club on the other side, one after the other.

"Weren't you arguing a lot just now? Why are you silent now?"

"Nothing, I just found out it's better to save some energy..." Hikigaya Hachiman silently complained in his heart about his financial sponsor, who was running fast but didn't even help his friend.

"Well, although the problems you two have are not of the same type, the degree is similar... How is your relationship with that kid Uesugi Sumiya?" Hiratsuka Shizuka sighed, looking like a jailer who was trying to find a topic to chat while escorting prisoners.

"He pays me to do things for him, so don't think too much about it, teacher... There's no way I can help you with anything." Hikigaya clearly felt that there was something else behind Hiratsuka Shizuka's words, and he didn't want to get himself into more trouble.

"Do you think I can't see that you're pretending to be a white rabbit? I have something to 'entrust' to you. Although it sounds strange, Hikigaya, this matter can only be entrusted to you."

"I won't betray my friends."

Hikigaya uttered this sentence subconsciously, briefly, powerfully and decisively. He regretted it the next second. He would never speak like this before. Could it be that he was really infected by one of his financial sponsors?

"No, it's not betrayal or anything like that. I hope you can help me keep an eye on that boy Uesugi Cheng, and call me before he does anything irrational."

Shizuka Hiratsuka didn't pay any attention to the confused Hikigaya Hachiman and handed the note with her phone number to Hikigaya.

"I know what you want to ask from your expression. Originally, I shouldn't say this for personal privacy protection and teacher's professional ethics, but if I don't tell you, you will definitely not agree to this..."

Hikigaya showed an expression of 'you know that too'. He didn't know what was so special about Uesugi Sumiya, an ordinary student who only had a slightly good-looking face and seemed to be from a wealthy family, that was worthy of Hiratsuka Shizuka's attention.

"Okay, I'll explain it to you on the way back, but now..."