Aniverse:This Managaka is Black hearted

Black Mangaka 028: Scumbag

He stood up from the sofa reluctantly and replied, "I'm coming! Stop pressing it!"

Decision made—I'll remove the battery later.

"Who...?"

Before he could voice his doubts, Nakahara Hiroshi was startled by the figure standing in front of him. Whatever little good mood he had upon waking up vanished instantly.

"Why are you here, Kato?"

Standing at the door, Kato Megumi didn't answer immediately. Instead, she observed him carefully.

His voice was weaker than usual, his face looked pale, and he was struggling to stand properly.

After a brief hesitation, she decided to take the most straightforward approach—

She reached out and touched his forehead.

Hmm, normal temperature.

Seems like nothing serious.

Kato nodded nonchalantly.

Nakahara Hiroshi looked at her helplessly. "If I didn't know you, I might have thought you were some kind of pervert."

"Um?"

Kato tilted her head slightly, her expression showing mild confusion.

"You broke into my place using 'violent means,' then stared at me with a weird look without saying a word. Finally, you reached out and touched my forehead like you were inspecting goods at a market. Anyone would find that suspicious!"

Ignoring his complaints, Kato responded calmly, her expression unchanged.

"When Nakahara-san says 'violent means,' is he referring to me ringing the doorbell?"

"As for the 'strange look'... I was just thinking seriously. I apologize if it made you uncomfortable."

"As for touching your forehead, I just wanted to check if you had a fever. Judging by your temperature, that doesn't seem to be the case."

"So, it's just a common cold?"

Faced with her completely logical analysis, Nakahara Hiroshi was left speechless.

You don't show any emotion at all! That's amazing!

He sighed. "So you came all the way here, to the opposite side of town, just to check on me?"

"And to visit a sick friend," Kato corrected him. For the first time, a rare expression appeared on her face—confusion.

"You think my behavior is strange? When I found out a friend was sick, I took time after school to visit them. I thought Nakahara-san would be happy."

If it were me, and my friends came to visit when I was sick, I'd be so happy I wouldn't even mind eating extra desserts.

Nakahara Hiroshi, who had just been full of exasperation, suddenly froze.

Is this really a strange thing to do?

Of course not. In fact, this was perfectly normal.

Isn't friendship about supporting and caring for each other?

Then why had he found it strange at first?

Maybe it was because his experience as an adult in his past life had made him cynical. He had learned many things about society that teenagers never saw—but in the process, he had forgotten simple, straightforward truths like this.

As for why Kato used his illness as an excuse to visit...

That damn teacher must have said something!

"You came all this way. Are you sure you don't want to come in and sit for a while?"

"I have no interest in a geek's room."

"…Huh?"

Wait, did Kato just casually throw shade at me?

"It was written that saying this to an otaku would definitely make them mad, but Nakahara-san didn't react at all," she remarked.

No, no! I was just too shocked to process it properly!!

Unfortunately, Kato didn't seem interested in giving him a chance to respond.

"Anyway, I just wanted to make sure you weren't seriously ill."

"And when you're sick, you need to rest more, right?"

"Besides, Nakahara-san's house is a bit far from mine. If I stay too late, I'll miss curfew."

Holding the cold medicine Kato had brought, Nakahara Hiroshi watched her leave. He didn't look away until her figure disappeared from sight.

"What a good girl."

In his past life, people called her 'Saint Wisdom.'

Not so much as a compliment to her personality—but more because she had a unique ability to say whatever was on her mind, completely ignoring Japan's unspoken social rules.

"I'm almost embarrassed to make a move on her..."

Just kidding.

Wouldn't it be a waste to let such a great girl end up with someone else?

…What?

He already stole Eriri's first kiss, and now he was thinking of making a move on another girl?

Isn't this just the behavior of a scumbag?

Sorry, but from the moment his past life memories awakened, Nakahara Hiroshi had already decided—he was going to be a scumbag.

Not that it was entirely his fault!

After all, there were just too many paper wives in this world.

His heart had been divided into countless pieces in his previous life!

Closing the door, he promptly removed the doorbell battery.

Finally, no one could disturb his sleep—

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

"…Damn it! Are you guys seriously not letting me sleep?!"

His face darkened as he swung open the door.

"I said—"

Whatever he was about to say disappeared the moment he saw who was standing outside.

Golden hair fluttered in the breeze like a mischievous fairy.

Her skin was so fair and smooth, full of youthful glow, that it was almost dazzling.

She wore a simple white dress, yet on her, it looked like something out of a painting.

"Shiina-san?!"

If Kato's visit made some sense, Shiina Mahiru's sudden appearance was completely unexpected.

Especially since she had changed into casual clothes.

Kato had no reason to stop anywhere after school except maybe the pharmacy, so she didn't waste time.

But Shiina Mahiru had gone home, changed clothes, and even brought a bag of fruit. That could only mean one thing—

"Does she live nearby...?"

The world was too small.

How had he never realized this before?

Facing his puzzled gaze, Shiina Mahiru's fair cheeks turned a faint pink.

"Um... Hiratsuka-sensei said Nakahara was sick today, so I thought there might be something I could do to help. I couldn't just ignore it."

Seeing his confusion deepen at her words, she panicked and quickly tried to explain.

"I mean, it's inconvenient to be sick, right? And since you live alone, isn't that a bit worrying?"

"A minor cold can turn serious if no one takes care of you. Then you'd end up in the hospital, and they might find out you have some undiagnosed—"

"Stop!"

If I let you continue, I'll be buried before the night's over!

Ridiculous.

As for her reasoning, it was full of holes.

Sure, Hiratsuka-sensei could publicly announce in class that he was sick, but why would she?

She knew he didn't have many friends, so she wouldn't expect anyone to care. And since his 'illness' was a lie to begin with, the fewer people who knew, the better.

On the other hand, knowing his address wasn't that surprising.

He had brought her here before, during Golden Week, so if she paid attention, she could have figured it out.

And, of course, she could have just asked Hiratsuka-sensei directly.

That was probably how Kato found him too.

Brushing off those thoughts, Nakahara Hiroshi sighed.

"I appreciate the concern, but I'm really fine now. You don't have to take care of me."

At another time, he might have entertained the idea, but right now?

He just wanted to sleep.

Her gaze softened.

His face is pale, his steps are unsteady, his voice is weak... Even though he's clearly unwell, he's still trying to act tough.

"The Shiina family believes that favors must be repaid," she said firmly. "Let me help you, Nakahara-san."

Then, as if suddenly remembering something—

"By the way, are these souvenirs for visiting you?"

Following his gaze, she looked down at the bag in her hand.

They were yesterday's leftover pastries. She had reheated them before bringing them over.

Shiina Mahiru nodded honestly. "Yes."

"Thank you, Shiina-san! You're a lifesaver!"

He hadn't eaten much since yesterday. Now, he was starving.