"Hey, Riku, can you pass me that book over there?" Suna asked, pointing at a book on a nearby table.

It had been a few years since the devastating library fire that burned millions of yen worth of books and movies, and even more yen of technology. The people of the city had recovered, and within six months, they had begun the project to rebuild the landmark building. Now, almost two and a half years later, the city was preparing to honor the lives that were lost that day.

"Do you think they'll mention her?" Riku asked, passing the manga to Suna.

"I hope so, even though they couldn't find any records for her in the National Records," Suna commented, placing the book back on its shelf.

"All patrons, please be aware that the library will be closing in two minutes. I repeat:..." the intercom sounded, making the teens jump.

"Come on, let's go!" They quickly finished what they were doing, and headed out to the front of the building, joining the crowd gathered, facing the city council.

"Excuse us, sumimasen, gah," Riku and Suna moved to reach the front of the gathering. When they finally got there, the mayor had already begun to speak.

"... We will now name the souls who left this world that day," the mayor said, before motioning for one counsel members to come over. She started to list of names, mostly staff, going down the list of around 35 people.

Soon, about 20 minutes later, they came to the end of the list.

"Thank you, Toshira-San. Now, I would like to ask a survivor of that day, if this person is here, to tell their story." There was a few murmurs of confusion from the crowd, and some looks of surprise from the city officials.

"Riku-San, if you would please come up," Suna looked at Riku, shocked, as Riku hesitated, questions running through his head. However, he soon walked up to the mic.

"Um, konnichiwa, minnasan," The teen fidgeted, not used to so many eyes on him, "My name is Museku Riku, and I am fourteen years old.

"Three years ago, I almost lost my life in the Library Fire we are remembering today." The boy paused, settling his gaze onto his friend. Suna took a sharp breath, seeing the determination in Riku's eyes, realizing what he was about to do. She nodded.

"However, the story I am about to tell you, my recollection of what happened that day, it is not complete unless you know about the girl that was not mentioned today, but sacrificed her life to save me, a crybaby, almost eleven year old."

And Riku began.

"About a month before the incident, I was checking out books with my mother. As I was doing this, I saw a lady who, in my mind, looked like a goddess. She was about my current age, maybe a year younger, but had an air about her of one more than double her age.

"I don't recall exactly how she looked, except she had emerald green eyes, golden brown hair, and wore large, over the ear headphones. Either way, that was my first encounter with the one named Avid.

"I soon found out from one of my mother's friends that Avid-sama was a foreigner from America. She had very poor Japanese skills, although every time I saw her, she was pouring over Japanese books, whether it be manga, novels, or dictionaries.

"She was very kind, and despite the cultural differences, she did her best to follow our customs. From what I learned afterwards, she didn't have any yen, and by the time of the fire, she had gone almost three or four days with little to no food."

Riku paused, as there were some gasps.

"The day of the fire, I don't recall exactly what happened before it all happened. I remember the smoke, and crying as I couldn't find my mother. People were running away from the exits, and it appeared we were bound to die a fiery death.

Then, I don't know how she did it, but I heard Avid-sama's voice over the still-working speakers. In very rough Japanese, and quickly repeated in English, she commanded for everyone to be quiet and listen to her. She had formulated a plan that was so insane, looking back on it, I couldn't believe it worked.

"She separated the patrons and the staff into groups, before quickly instructing us how to make simple smoke masks; using undergarments and heavy jackets. She then got us to move bookshelves away from the line of fire and cleared a large section in the most structurally-sturdy sound area of the library.

"Soon, a librarian found the door leading to an underground room made of stone and cement. However, I was trapped against a pillar, and was unable to see due to smoke.

"Believing that was where I would die, I said what would have been my final prayer to whichever god came to my mind. Crying, I curled up, but then, I heard her voice, calling as clear as day to me.

"I looked up, shocked. There, hair messed up, soot over her face, stood Avid-sama. She glanced around, before grabbing my hand. She told me where to go, and before I could do anything, she pushed me away, mouthing 'Go!'

"Then... I watched as the pillar she had just pushed me away from fell on top of her. She smiled to the end."

Riku took a deep breath, the silence striking, before continuing.

"I found my way to the others, and for hours we stayed there, terrified. About the time the firemen arrived, our door had cooled enough to open. We shocked the firemen with our sudden appearance." He smiled, "They couldn't believe our story. It was impossible, but it actually happened. They found her body, but when they searched for her records, they found nothing. There was little we could do to honor one that they insisted didn't exist. So we held her in our hearts. Now that I have told you my story, I hope you will remember her too. Thank you, Mayor-San."

Riku quickly sat down, suddenly embarrassed with what he did.

"Good job, Riku," Suna said, gesturing towards the mayor, "He's speechless."

The mayor was indeed silent, before clearing his throat.

"Ahem... This has indeed been brought to my attention. Thank you, Riku-San for bringing Avid-San up, for otherwise, I would not have been able to do this."

The mayor unfolded a paper in front of him. "To those who remember that girl of unknown background, we wish to honor her. So, we have all pitched in a little bit to have a simple shrine set place alongside the plaque with the names of the lives lost that day."

There was gasps from a few people in the crowd, such as my mother and Sana-San.

"We wish to have all the stories about the child, and others, be preserved in a new section of the library. This section will allow anyone to add their stories, and for anyone to view them. In honor of Avid-San, we propose to call it after her: Avid Circle of Remembrance." The mayor finished reading as there were some speckles of clapping.

~Later~ -The Museku House-

"Oh, I'm proud of you!!" Riku's mother held him closely to her chest, "Speaking in front of all those important people!!"

"Mother-" Riku tried to escape the arms of this woman, "I.. can't breathe-"

"Oh!" His mother quickly let go, dropping him onto the kitchen floor. "Gomen! I couldn't help it..."

Riku picked himself up, before smiling at his mother. "It's fine, I'm alright," he walked over to the fridge to help make dinner.

"I'm glad that they did so much for Avid-sama. A shrine inside the library!" Riku looked up at the ceiling, ponderous. "I wish she was here to see this..."

His mother, seeing him like that, pulled him into a gentler hug.

"I think she is, at least the part of her that is in our hearts."

"Avid-sama, " I felt someone shaking my shoulder gently. I opened my eyes, surprised to see Koe leaning over me, worry on her face.

"Avid-sama, are you alright?" She asked as I sat up.

"Yeah I-" my hand brushed the side of my eyes, and I stopped, feeling tears. "Why am I crying?" I asked myself.

"Did you have a nightmare, Avid-sama?" I shook my head, trying to remember everything in my dream, but only the last part stood out.

"No, it wasn't a nightmare... It was the nicest dream I've had since I came here..." Koe looked at me, questioning, but I didn't explain to her.

Arigatou, Riku-kun.

Yay! I finally got that in!! This was for all you guys who wanted to know what happened to the people who survived the Library Fire those many chapters ago. I really enjoyed writing this chapter, as you can see by the over 1500 word count! ^^ As promised, I will post my concept art, (Shout out to Fandoms131) and I will have a new chapter out shortly! Please comment and tell me what you think!! I'm always open to knew thoughts and criticism is a plus!!

Avid's photo will be here soon!

Thank you all for reading, and I hope that 2020 will be a great year!!