The cherry blossoms were already in full bloom in April.
Walking along the gently sloping path, admiring the cherry trees lining the road, Hayashi Itsuki rubbed his forehead, a little stunned.
"Did I really travel through time? And… is this the slope where Tomoya Aki met Megumi Kato in How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend?"
The cherry petals danced beautifully in the breeze, carrying a fresh, sweet fragrance. If a cute girl were to descend this slope now, Itsuki was sure he'd catch a glimpse of her long, pale legs beneath her skirt.
But the weather had other plans. A sudden downpour washed over him, instantly washing away his mood to enjoy the scenery.
And in this world, there would be no meeting between Tomoya Aki and the girl known as the "perfect girlfriend," Megumi Kato.
Why? Because, before being discharged from the hospital, Itsuki had seen a guy next door—also named Tomoya Aki—choke to death after drinking water.
And after Tomoya Aki died, a strange, game-like interface appeared before Itsuki.
[Demon Training Template][Current Followers: 0][Current Ability: 0][Current Physique: Magician (Single for 30 years, awakened magician's body, physical strength twice that of an average person)][Note: Contract a follower as soon as possible to activate basic demon abilities.]
Itsuki quickly grasped the meaning—this was his golden finger, his unique advantage.
However, it hadn't activated yet. To unlock his basic demon powers, he needed to contract a follower.
The problem was… there was no clue on how to do that.
With no other choice, Itsuki left the hospital and came here, hoping to meet a heroine.
Since he'd traveled through time, contracting a man was out of the question.
It had to be a cute girl!
But the torrential rain left him no time to appreciate the scenery. He could only dash, drenched, toward the apartment he had rented.
As he passed a park, his eyes were caught by a golden-haired girl, soaked by the rain yet still looking exquisitely delicate.
She lowered her head, sitting on a swing, letting the rain drench her hair and clothes.
School had been in session for a month, and her uniform skirt confirmed she was a high school student.
Not only that, but it was the same uniform as Holy White Emperor Academy, the school Itsuki attended.
Beneath the skirt, her figure was perfect, curves in all the right places. Her long legs, wrapped in black stockings, instantly drew Itsuki's attention—he was, after all, a leg connoisseur.
Seeing such a seemingly heartbroken, self-abandoning, and incredibly cute girl standing in the rain, Itsuki felt the time had come for him to act.
He ran quickly to the golden-haired girl and called out:
"Hey! If you keep standing in the rain, you'll catch a cold! Girls should take care of their health!"
The girl slowly lifted her amber eyes to him, casting a brief, bitter smile.
"Who cares?"
Itsuki's heart sank at the sight of her dull, lifeless gaze. Why was such a beautiful girl out here, soaking wet and giving up on herself?
Without thinking further, he mustered his courage and scooped her up from the swing.
"I care!"
"Ah! What… what are you doing?" The sudden lift brought a spark back to her dimmed eyes. She instinctively stared at him, trembling slightly.
"I said I care! Since you insist on tormenting yourself in the rain, why don't you let me take care of your body instead?"
At this, Shiina Mahiru widened her eyes.
This handsome boy's gaze was filled with determination—and a certain heat.
She understood perfectly well what such a look meant.
He was a pervert!
He was seeing her cute looks and her figure through a woman's eyes.
Not only that, he was holding her in his arms and walking toward a direction she recognized.
And he said he wanted to use her body? How exactly?
"Scared now? Seems like you do care about your body after all. In that case, why don't you go home, take a hot bath, and get some rest?"
"No matter what happens, time changes everything. A good night's sleep will make you feel better."
Itsuki gently comforted her, about to set her down.
Though she was warm and soft in his arms, and her wet uniform highlighted her fair skin… this was their first meeting. They didn't even know each other's names.
He knew she looked familiar, but there was no doubt: right now, she was a stranger.
He was a cunning man, tempted by beauty, seizing an opportunity.
Yet, even as he comforted her, her bright eyes dimmed once more.
"None of your business… no one cares about my body anyway."
Itsuki raised an eyebrow, dumbfounded.
"I said I care!"
"Fine then… if you insist, I won't hold back!"
He carried the girl swiftly back to his rental apartment.
Shiina Mahiru finally realized why the direction he walked in seemed familiar—it was the way to the apartment she had rented after running away from home.
How did he know? Had he been watching her?
Was he some kind of perverted stalker?
Lost in thought, she only now realized that he opened the door of the apartment next to hers and walked straight in, still holding her.
Only then did she recognize him as the neighbor who had never been seen outside—or rather, who had never returned home before.
Before she could speak, Itsuki set her down on the bed without a word.
He bent over her, lips pressing against hers.
"Mmm…you! Mmm~!"
Shiina Mahiru instinctively placed her small hand on his chest, her delicate cheeks flushed red.
She never imagined losing her first kiss like this.
She didn't even know his name—they were strangers.
Itsuki pulled back, a wicked smile on his face.
"Not caring about your body, huh? If you change your mind now, I could let you go."
Shiina Mahiru stopped struggling at his words.
Her gaze dimmed, and she rested her hands at the edge of the bed, giving up resistance.
"Do whatever you want… I don't care anymore… uuwuwu~!"
Her home life had made her self-abandoning and heartbroken; he simply did as he pleased.
Maybe it would help her forget the pain for a while.
Itsuki lowered his head and kissed her again.
He cared.
Really.
Having met such a lovely girl, he resolved she would be his.
Time passed, unmeasured.
The black stockings on her legs lay crumpled at the side of the bed, covered by his clothes.
Itsuki lay there, grinning, holding the flushed golden-haired girl in his arms.
The bedsheets were tossed aside, stained with a glaring red—proof of her lost innocence.
And the interface confirmed it:
[Followers: 1][Demonic Basic Ability Unlocked: Super Recovery (As long as the soul exists, the body can restore itself even if the head is severed)][Follower: Shiina Mahiru (This gentle angel grants you life blessings. You gain super recovery. Continue to care for her, open her heart, build a harmonious home, and your recovery power will continue to increase.)]
Itsuki's heart swelled with surprise and delight.
No wonder this unbelievably cute girl seemed familiar.
She was Shiina Mahiru, the heroine of My Neighbor's Angel Classmate!