The cherry blossoms in April were already in full bloom.
Strolling up the gentle slope of the path, admiring the cherry blossoms lining both sides of the road, Lin Mu rubbed his forehead, feeling a bit shocked.
"Did I really transmigrate? And this place... it's the slope from the anime *Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend*, where the protagonist An Yilun Ye meets the heroine Kato Megumi?"
The stunning cherry blossom petals danced in the wind, carrying a refreshing fragrance. If a cute girl happened to come down the slope at that moment, Lin Mu figured he'd definitely catch a glimpse of her pale thighs peeking from under her skirt.
But alas, the heavens had other plans. A sudden downpour came crashing down, instantly ruining Lin Mu's mood for appreciating the scenery.
And in this world, there wouldn't be any encounter between An Yilun Ye and Kato Megumi, the girl hailed as the perfect girlfriend material.
Why, you ask? Well, before leaving the hospital, Lin Mu had seen the guy next door—someone who just happened to be named An Yilun Ye—choke to death on a sip of water.
Moreover, right after An Yilun Ye kicked the bucket, a game-like interface popped up in front of Lin Mu's eyes.
[Devil Rearing Template]
[Current Familiars: 0]
[Current Abilities: 0]
[Current Physique: Magician Physique (Single for 30 years without finding a partner, awakening the Magician Physique, with stamina twice that of an ordinary person).]
[Note: Please contract a familiar as soon as possible to activate basic devil abilities.]
Lin Mu adapted quickly and realized this was probably his golden finger.
It just hadn't been activated yet. To unlock his basic abilities as a devil, he needed to contract a familiar.
But there wasn't a single hint on how exactly to do that.
Left with no choice, Lin Mu headed to this location after leaving the hospital, hoping to run into a heroine or something.
Since he'd transmigrated, there was no way he was contracting a guy, right?
It had to be a cute girl!
Unfortunately, the heavy rain left Lin Mu with no time to enjoy the view. He could only dash狼狈ly toward the apartment he'd rented.
As he passed a park along the way, a drenched, sopping-wet girl caught his eye—a delicate and adorable blonde beauty who still looked stunning despite the rain.
The girl was hanging her head low, sitting on a swing, letting the downpour soak her hair and clothes without a care.
School had been in session for a month already, and the uniform skirt she wore marked her as a high school student.
It was the exact same uniform as the one from Lin Mu's school: Seihaku O Academy.
Her figure under the uniform skirt was nothing short of perfect—curvaceous in all the right places. The pair of slender legs wrapped in black stockings peeking out from beneath the skirt especially drew the gaze of Lin Mu, a total leg enthusiast.
Seeing this super cute girl who seemed heartbroken, recklessly letting herself get soaked in the rain like she was giving up on life...
Lin Mu knew it was his moment to shine.
He quickly ran up to the blonde beauty and called out, "Hey, if you keep getting drenched like this, you're gonna catch a cold! A girl should treasure her healthy body more than that!"
At his words, the girl slowly lifted her gaze. Her amber eyes swept over this stranger, and she let out a low, bitter chuckle.
"Who cares?"
Lin Mu watched as the light faded from her golden eyes, her expression one of utter resignation. It tugged at his heart.
What on earth could have driven such a cute blonde beauty to sit here in the rain like this?
No time for overthinking. He mustered his courage and scooped her right off the swing in his arms.
"I care!"
"Ah! W-what are you doing?" Suddenly lifted, a flicker of light returned to her dulled eyes. She instinctively stared at him in panic, her delicate body trembling slightly.
"I said I care! Since you don't give a damn about your own body and insist on suffering out here in the rain, how about you hand it over to me to use instead?"
Hearing that, Shiina Mahiru's eyes widened as she stared at him.
This guy looked pretty handsome, and his eyes were filled with determination—and a hint of heat.
She knew exactly what that look meant.
He was a pervert!
Treating her cute appearance and decent figure with the eyes of a man eyeing a woman.
And it wasn't just looking—he'd already picked her up in his arms and was heading in a direction that felt oddly familiar.
Plus, he'd said he wanted to *use* her body? Use it how?
"What, scared now? Looks like you do care about your body after all. In that case, just head home obediently, take a hot shower, and get some proper rest."
"No matter what happens, time will heal everything. A good night's sleep, and you'll feel better."
Lin Mu gently comforted the girl as he prepared to set her down.
Sure, holding her soft, warm body felt amazing.
Her rain-soaked uniform only made her fair, jade-like skin even more alluring.
But this was their first meeting—they didn't even know each other's names.
Though she did seem kinda familiar to him, there was no doubt they were strangers right now.
He was just a sly guy who'd gotten a glimpse of something tempting and boldly seized the chance.
Yet, in response to his comforting words, the brightness in the girl's eyes dimmed once more.
"No need for you to worry... It doesn't matter what happens to my body. No one cares anyway."
At that, Lin Mu raised an eyebrow, feeling a bit speechless.
I'd literally just said I cared!
"Fine, since you put it that way, don't mind if I do!"
Lin Mu scooped up the cute girl and bolted back to his rented apartment.
Shiina Mahiru finally realized why the direction he'd carried her in had seemed so familiar.
It was the way to the place she'd rented after running away from home.
How did he know? Had he been watching her all along?
Was he some kind of stalker?
As she pondered, Lin Mu carried her straight to the door next to hers and pushed it open, stepping inside.
Only then did she realize—he was her neighbor, the one who'd never gone out... or rather, never come home.
Before she could say a word, Lin Mu unceremoniously plopped her down on the bed.
He leaned over her.
And pressed his lips against her soft ones.
"Mmph... Y-you! Mmm~!"
Shiina Mahiru instinctively pushed against his chest with her small hands, her delicate cheeks flushing bright red.
She'd never imagined her first kiss would be lost like this.
They were total strangers—she didn't even know his name.
Lin Mu pulled back from her lips and flashed a wicked grin. "What's wrong? Didn't you say you didn't care about your body? If you take it back now, I can let you off the hook."
Hearing that, Shiina Mahiru stopped struggling.
The light faded from her eyes again as she let her hands fall to the side of the bed, surrendering completely.
"Do whatever you want... I don't care anymore... Mmph~!"
The troubles at home had left her utterly despondent and self-destructive. If he wanted to do it, then fine.
Maybe this would help her forget the pain in her heart, even if just for a little while?
Lin Mu leaned down again and kissed her lips.
He cared.
He really did.
A girl this cute—if fate had brought her to him, then she was his.
He had no idea how much time passed.
The black stockings from the girl's legs lay crumpled by the bed, Lin Mu's clothes tossed on top of them.
Lin Mu lay on the bed, looking utterly satisfied as he held the blonde girl, whose cheeks were flushed a rosy pink.
The bedsheet had been flung aside, revealing a glaring red stain on it.
Proof of the girl's lost innocence.
And he received the notification.
[Familiars: 1]
[Devil Basic Ability Unlocked: Super Recovery (As long as the soul remains, the body can regenerate even if the head is severed.)]
[Familiar: Shiina Mahiru (The inwardly gentle angel, bringing you the blessing of life. You have obtained Super Recovery. Continue to care for your familiar—open her heart and build a harmonious home. The recovery ability can be further enhanced.)]
Seeing this, Lin Mu's heart filled with delight.
No wonder this super cute girl had seemed so familiar.
She was Shiina Mahiru, the heroine from the anime *The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten*!
....