The cherry blossoms in April were already in full bloom.
Strolling along the gently sloped path lined with cherry trees, Hayashi Maki rubbed his forehead, somewhat dazed.
"Did I really transmigrate? And this slope... isn't it the one from Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend, where Aki Tomoya first meets Megumi Kato?"
The beautiful cherry petals fluttered in the wind, bringing with them a faint fragrance. Hayashi Maki thought, if a cute girl were walking down from the top of the slope right now, he'd definitely catch a peek of her fair thighs under her skirt.
But the heavens weren't cooperating — a sudden downpour came crashing down, completely killing Hayashi Maki's mood to admire the scenery.
There would be no chance of an encounter between Aki Tomoya and the so-called "perfect girlfriend" Megumi Kato in this world.
Why? Because just before being discharged from the hospital, Hayashi Maki had witnessed the guy in the next room — who happened to be named Aki Tomoya — choke to death on a sip of water.
And the moment Aki Tomoya died, a game-like interface appeared in front of Hayashi Maki:
…
[Demonic Cultivation Template]
[Current Followers: 0]
[Current Abilities: 0]
[Current Physique: Magician (30 years single, awakened the physique of a magician — stamina is twice that of an ordinary human.)]
[Note: Please Contract a follower as soon as possible to activate your basic demonic abilities.]
…
Hayashi Maki accepted this quickly. He figured it must be his "cheat."
It just hadn't been activated yet. To unlock his abilities as a demon, he had to form a contract with a follower.
Unfortunately, there was no instruction on how to do that.
So, with no better plan, he came to this slope, hoping he might encounter a heroine.
"I mean, I've already transmigrated. No way I'm contracting a dude. It's gotta be a cute girl!"
But the heavy rain gave him no time to admire the cherry blossoms. He could only run, soaked, toward the place he was renting.
As he passed a park, a blond-haired girl sitting on a swing caught his attention. She was soaked through like a drowned cat, yet still looked exquisitely cute.
Her head hung low. She didn't resist the rain as it drenched her hair and school uniform.
It had already been a month since the semester started, and from her uniform skirt, she was clearly a high schooler.
What's more — she wore the same Hakuo Academy uniform as Hayashi Maki.
Under her soaked skirt was a perfect figure — curvy, full — and a pair of long legs wrapped in black stockings that completely hooked Hayashi Maki's gaze.
Seeing such a cute girl, seemingly hurt and drowning herself in the rain...
Hayashi Maki felt this was his time to shine.
He quickly ran over and said:
"Hey! If you stay in the rain like this, you'll catch a cold! A girl should take better care of her body!"
The girl slowly raised her eyes. Her amber gaze swept across this stranger and she let out a bitter chuckle.
"Who cares?"
Her golden eyes had lost their light, her face filled with despair. Hayashi Maki felt a tug on his heart.
What could've happened to such a lovely girl to make her like this...?
He mustered his courage and picked her up off the swing.
"I care!"
"Ah! W-What are you doing!?"
Her dull eyes flickered with light, and she instinctively stared at him in alarm, her delicate body trembling slightly.
"I said I care! If you don't care about your own body and insist on suffering out here, why not just let me use your body instead?"
Hearing this, Shiina Mahiru's eyes widened.
This boy — who looked quite handsome — had eyes filled with conviction... and heat.
She instantly recognized that look.
He was a pervert.
He was looking at her — her cute face and attractive body — not like a person, but as a woman.
And not only was he looking…
He was already holding her in his arms, walking in a direction she knew well.
"Use my body?"
How... how was he planning to do that?
"What, scared now? Looks like you do care about your body. Then go home, take a hot shower, rest up."
"Whatever happened, time will heal it. Sleep on it — you'll feel better."
He offered warm words of comfort — while still holding her.
Though honestly, holding her felt nice.
Her soaked uniform clung to her skin, highlighting her snowy white complexion...
He paused. After all, they hadn't even exchanged names.
Sure, she looked familiar — but there was no doubt:
They were strangers.
He was a man acting on lust, seizing a moment of weakness.
Yet despite his "comfort," the brightness in her eyes dimmed again.
"You don't need to care... No one cares about my body anyway."
Hayashi Maki raised an eyebrow, speechless.
Didn't I just say I cared!?
"Fine. Since you say that — I won't hold back!"
Hayashi Maki carried the girl back to his apartment.
Shiina Mahiru finally realized why the direction he was walking felt so familiar.
This is where I've been staying after running away from home…
How did he know that? Has he been watching me? Is he a stalker?
While she was lost in thought, Hayashi Maki carried her to the door next to her own… and went in.
So he's the neighbor who never went out?
Before she could speak—
He laid her on his bed without a word...
And leaned down—
Covering her lips with his.
"Mmph… You! Mmm~!"
Shiina Mahiru instinctively pressed her small hands against his chest, her cheeks burning.
She never imagined… she'd lose her first kiss like this.
With someone whose name she didn't even know.
A complete stranger.
Hayashi Maki pulled back, smirking.
"What's wrong? Didn't you say you didn't care about your body? If you've changed your mind, I'll let you go."
Hearing that—
Shiina Mahiru stopped resisting.
Her eyes dulled once more.
She placed her hands on the bed and gave up.
"Do whatever you want… I don't care anymore… mmph…"
Everything at home had broken her spirit.
If this guy wanted her, let him.
Maybe it'd help her forget the pain…?
Hayashi Maki kissed her again.
He cared. Really.
Since fate brought such a cute girl to him — she was his.
Time passed.
The black stockings once wrapped around her legs now lay crumpled on the floor, atop Hayashi Maki's clothes.
He lay there, pleased, holding the flushed, blond-haired girl in his arms.
The bed sheet had been tossed aside.
A glaring red stain remained.
Proof of her lost purity.
And then came a system message:
[Follower: 1]
[Demonic Ability Unlocked: Super Regeneration (As long as the soul remains, the body can regenerate even from decapitation)]
[Follower: Shiina Mahiru – A gentle angel at heart, she grants you the blessing of life. Your recovery power has been enhanced. Keep caring for her and open her heart to create a harmonious home. Your ability can continue to evolve.]
Hayashi Maki was thrilled.
No wonder she looked so familiar…
She's the heroine from that anime —
"The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten"!