Chapter 17: Yandere Psychology

This library was huge—the high vaulted ceilings made the space feel even more expansive—but the number of books about witches was pitifully small.

Peleti wandered back and forth between the shelves, standing on tiptoe to check the highest row, then crouching down to look through the lowest. In the end, she only found five books that seemed remotely useful.

The rest were either children’s fairy tales or church-published cautionary pamphlets—completely worthless for actual reference.

“…As expected, if I really want books about witches, I’d still have to go to a church, huh…” she muttered.
But that place was far too dangerous for her. Even stepping inside would be a challenge.

Just imagining the possible reaction if she walked into a holy sanctuary made her shiver.

Suddenly, a book title caught her eye. She carefully pulled it out from between two thick volumes.

Yandere Psychology, a simple and straightforward name.

The summary explained that it analyzed the behaviors of yanderes from a first-person perspective, exploring their psychology and behavioral patterns.

Yandere…
The moment she saw the term, Peleti immediately thought of Josuna.

She couldn’t be certain whether Josuna’s motives aligned with the definitions in the book, but her behavior certainly resembled a yandere—an intense possessiveness, actions that looked affectionate but were actually obsessive, a gentle exterior hiding strong desire for control.

This book might help her understand what was happening inside Josuna’s mind.

“Looks like this library isn’t completely useless after all,” she murmured, hugging the chosen books to her chest.

Lost in thought, she didn’t notice the figure turning the corner—until she ran straight into it.

She felt like she’d bumped into a short pillar. The books in her arms scattered across the floor with a sharp clatter.

“Ah—sorry, sorry! Are you alright?” Peleti rubbed her sore waist as she got up, not even bothering to fix her messy hair as she hurried to check the other person.

But the moment she saw the girl’s face, she froze.

It was a young girl—barely ten years old—white hair absurdly long, nearly brushing her knees. She wore an oversized dark coat with sleeves rolled up so many times that her fingers only barely peeked out. She clutched a fairy-tale book in her hands, the cover showing the high-hat Mr. Hood.
She stood there blankly staring at Peleti, her purple eyes filled with confusion and hesitation.

“Little sister? You okay?” Peleti quickly gathered the fallen books.

After turning into a girl, she felt her strength had decreased—just holding six books made her arms ache.

She let out a small sigh of relief when she saw none of them were damaged.

“I’m fine…”
Hiyu whispered as she gazed at the familiar face. Her voice was soft as a mosquito’s wings.

This face, this presence—she could never mistake it.

Even if time rewound… even if everything had not yet happened… she would never mistake this person.

She had only come to the library because Caroline said she should first learn about human history from recent years to prepare for what was to come.

She hadn’t expected—of all places—to meet Peleti here.
Or rather, the person who was still called Peleti at this point in time.

But something about Peleti’s aura felt different from what she remembered. Something was missing, though she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what.

So this is what Sister Qingcheng was like at this stage of her life… so bright, so open…

The first time she met Qingcheng had been years later. How many years exactly, she couldn’t recall—she had spent most of her life inside a room, indifferent to time.

By then, Qingcheng already carried far too much. Her smile always carried a sorrow that never fully faded.

How should she talk to her now?

Seeing her like this, Peleti obviously hadn’t reincarnated like she had. She wouldn’t know anything about their future.

As for addressing her…

Hiyu remembered that Qingcheng once said she didn’t originally go by that name. Better confirm first—just to be sure.

“Sister… what’s your name?” Hiyu mustered her courage. Her voice remained faint, as if she were afraid of disturbing something fragile.

“Huh?”
Peleti found the girl strange—the prematurely mature eyes and the childlike appearance contrasted so sharply—then she was hit with an unexpected question.

Why ask her name? Simple curiosity? Or something else?

“…Peleti. Why’re you asking, little one?”

She didn’t understand, but what ill intentions could a child possibly have?

Kids who like reading are usually good kids.

Peleti glanced at the fairy-tale book the girl held so protectively and relaxed a bit.

Hiyu repeated the name silently in her heart, her gaze drifting to the books Peleti carried—and she immediately noticed Yandere Psychology among them.

Yandere…?
She had never heard the term.

The fairy tale in her arms was one Qingcheng had once read to her; she cherished those memories so much that she sought the book out just to feel that warmth again.

So this book Peleti was reading… was it also from the library?

Since she had already finished the fairy tale, she could read the yandere book next.
Maybe it would tell her what Peleti was thinking now.

“It’s nothing, just… sister, you look really pretty. I wanted to get to know you.”
Hiyu’s cheeks flushed pink.
“And this book you’re reading… it’s very good.”

“…Didn’t expect it to be this book.”
Peleti took the fairy-tale from Hiyu, running her fingers over the familiar cover. A complicated emotion passed through her eyes.

Mr. Hood.
She knew this book too well. The man in the tall hat and neatly groomed beard brought back a flood of memories.

She had read this book constantly as a child—mostly because Josuna wanted her to.

Josuna especially loved this story. For a time, since her father also had a long beard like the protagonist, she even called him “Mr. Hood.”

The family had found it adorable.

Those warm memories welled up inside Peleti, tightening her throat for a moment.

After the fire, Josuna stopped mentioning Mr. Hood, and so did she. They both quietly buried that name deep in their hearts.

This book had never been popular; it was nearly impossible to find in Black City. She hadn’t expected to see it here.

Peleti carried her stack of books to a quiet corner by the window and sat down.

Sunlight streamed through the glass, scattering warm patches across the table.

At some point, Hiyu stepped away, then returned with a book and nestled naturally beside her—like a small cat seeking warmth.

Peleti didn’t think much of it. She simply assumed the child liked her and let her lean close.

It wasn’t unpleasant. In fact, it brought a sense of long-lost peace.

Since Hiyu held the book in her arms, Peleti couldn’t see what she was reading.

A child this age should be reading fairy tales or picture books, she thought.

She smiled to herself—completely unaware that the cover in Hiyu’s hands clearly displayed the bold title:

Yandere Psychology.