The sound of running water coming from the bathroom made Asakura Kaito, who sat on the sofa, quietly exhale in relief.
He hadn't expected that his very first strategic goal would be achieved so effortlessly.
But… Kaito remembered that Mizuno Kanade's grandfather lived nearby.
So why didn't she go home to shower?
He didn't have time to think deeply about it. Recalling the girl's strange behavior throughout the day, he took out his phone.
He dialed her grandfather's number.
Kaito had saved it long ago, though this was the first time he had ever called.He needed to confirm whether Mizuno Kanade was really the old man's granddaughter — and what on earth her background was.
The phone rang for a while.No answer.
So something really was going on.Otherwise the café wouldn't have been closed today.
Bang—
Soon after, the bathroom door opened.
Mizuno Kanade stepped out, towel in hand, drying her damp hair.
Kaito instantly sat up straighter.
With her ponytail undone, her ink-black hair cascaded down her back in a long, smooth sheet. She had changed into a black spaghetti-strap dress, exposing her delicate collarbones. The simple, fitted design of the dress traced a soft, elegant curve along her body.
Her long, pale legs looked like something drawn straight out of a manga.
Great figure.
It was as if that ponytail had been a seal — once undone, Kanade's dusty, frazzled "student look" faded away, replaced by the heroine of a youth romance drama.
"What should I do with the clothes I changed out of?"Kanade held her school uniform in her hands.
"The washing machine's on the balcony. Here, give it to me."
Kaito took the clothes and stepped out onto the balcony.
Just as he was about to toss them into the washer, he felt the faint dampness on the fabric and paused.
Body fluids include sweat too, right?
Tonight's weather was humid.Logically speaking — there had to be some.
So…
Kaito crouched beside the washing machine and gently lifted the clothes.
Even though they attended the same school — Kurogane Municipal High School — Kaito had absolutely no impression of her. She was probably as low-profile as he was.
How am I supposed to collect it? The system didn't explain.
He placed his hand on the slightly damp collar, lifted it, and brought it closer.
He sniffed.
A faint, pleasant fragrance… mixed with the chalky smell of rainwater on cement—
"What are you doing?"
Kaito's head snapped up — almost two heads' worth of height, at that.
Standing at the balcony's threshold, Kanade stared blankly at him.
The air instantly froze solid.
"I'm… applying detergent for pre-washing," Kaito said calmly.
"Oh."
Kanade nodded thoughtfully, whether she believed him or not completely unclear.
"I wanted to ask… can I sit on your sofa?"
"You don't need to ask me for permission for that. Go ahead."
"Okay."
With that, she turned and walked back to the living room.
Kaito remained frozen in place.
He had gone his entire life without even holding a girl's hand, and now he had almost been mistaken for a pervert!
Just as he was about to mentally curse out the system, the interface suddenly appeared—
[Body fluid detected. System analyzing…][Analysis complete. Physical report generated.]
[Name: Mizuno Kanade][Profession: High School Student; Professional Cellist][Age: 18 years, 8 months, 24 days][Height: 166.9 cm][Weight: 41.3 kg][Blood Type: O]
[Health Status:— Noticeable emotional decline, loss of interest, and fatigue.— Reduced appetite, sleep disturbances, and significant weight loss.— Has previously attempted two antidepressant treatments, both with poor results and strong side effects.— Overall physical health acceptable, but severe weight loss and fatigue are affecting daily life and functioning.— Possible impairment of attention, memory, and processing speed, though unclear.]
Staring at this terrifying status screen that looked like it came straight out of an MMORPG, Kaito took a deep breath.
This body… it's like she's been poisoned by some cursed ritual.
Even a world-traveler would shake their head at this.
Kaito suddenly felt even more certain:His earlier suspicion had been right.
This girl…She had suicidal intent.
She simply hadn't gone through with it yet — interrupted twice by his sudden appearance, first on the sixth floor, then again on the rooftop.
Not wanting to drag Kaito into it, she tried to send him away.
But his stubborn persistence ruined her plans.
So she reluctantly followed him home, likely hoping to make him let his guard down first.
If his guess was correct…
Then her next step would be to find an excuse to slip away.
Kaito returned to the living room.
Kanade was now lying on the sofa, absorbed in something on his computer screen.
He had been watching a video by an uploader named "Dead Rat" — part of a series called Hardcore Madmen.
Although the history and entertainment of this world differed from Kaito's previous life, many things still had rough equivalents.
This episode told the story of a medieval European classical musician who was imprisoned by the Church for composing "blasphemous" music, and after performing one final dance, was burned alive.
Kanade watched intently — Kaito had never seen her eyes so wide.
"What is it? Are you identifying with him?" he asked.
After learning her condition from the system, Kaito put away his teasing attitude and looked at her seriously.
Kurogane High School wasn't that intense of a school.He couldn't understand how a high school girl could end up with such severe psychological issues.
She was beautiful — shouldn't she have fewer worries?
Worst case, she could always go work at a foot-spa.
"How did you know I'm also a classical musician?" Kanade asked, sounding almost pleased by his interest.
"Uh… I could tell from the piece you played earlier."
In truth, Kaito meant he could tell she did music, not that he had deduced classical training.He never imagined a modern high school student would like classical music — he thought only oldsters liked that stuff.
"That's amazing."Kanade's eyes softened with admiration."Most people don't have that kind of ear."
"I'm… still learning."Kaito wasn't completely lying.
If he really became a producer, his first direction would absolutely be music — plagiarism was easiest with songs.
Books or manga took effort.Songs?Effortless fame.
"Which high school do you go to?"It was the first time Kanade showed interest in him.
Based on Kaito's youthful look, it wasn't hard to guess he was a student.
"Same as you — Kurogane High," he said. "But I don't think I've ever seen you on campus."
"I took a year off. I went abroad. I only came back recently."
"That makes sense."
A girl this pretty — if she'd been around, there's no way he wouldn't remember.
Just then, Kaito abruptly stood up.
"Do you want something to drink?"
He couldn't host a guest without offering anything.
"Anything is fine."
Kaito quickly walked to the fridge, opened it, and pulled out a convenience store bag.
He set it on the table and lifted it open.
Inside were several bottles of beer.
"Do you drink?"
Kanade's face stiffened.
She hadn't expected that after saying "anything is fine," he'd bring alcohol to the table.
"I didn't buy water… this is all I have. But it's pretty good beer. Drinking a little helps with sleep."
Get her tipsy, and she won't leave, right? She'll have to stay the night.And once she stays the night… she's practically mine.
But then—
Kanade lowered her head.
She stayed quiet for a long moment.
Then slowly lifted her face.
Kaito noticed a faint blush blooming on her cheeks.
She extended a delicate hand and gently grasped his arm.
Her voice was soft, almost trembling:
"Skipping the drinks… isn't allowed?"