Scumbag

Before today, Utaha never had a clear idea of how strong Haru really was.

When he grabbed her hand and ran earlier, she thought they were in trouble—otherwise, why would he choose to flee first?

But after they reached the park, she saw him set her down under a tree and say, "Stay here. Give me three minutes."

And then, just like that, the blond guy who had been shouting the loudest collapsed onto the ground.

It happened so fast—too fast. He didn't even have time to raise his arms, let alone fight back. It was like watching a video game character bug out and fall over.

Seeing this, Utaha finally recalled the rumors about Haru taking on ten people at once in the karate club.

If even those athletes—who had trained hard for the national tournament—weren't his match, then this gang of street punks, who didn't even seem like they knew how to throw a proper punch, didn't stand a chance.

That was why, when Haru made his move, Utaha felt nothing but a deep sense of reassurance.

But as the fight unfolded, she realized she had still overestimated these guys.

They weren't just bad at fighting—they were completely clueless. They flailed their fists wildly, some even attempting high kicks that ended up hitting their own teammates. One guy actually managed to kick another's shoe off.

Haru saw it too. These were the kind of people who were only brave when they had the upper hand. The moment they lost their advantage, they crumbled.

He held back his strength, taking them down with well-placed knee strikes, elbows, and hooks. One by one, the thugs cried out and collapsed.

When the last of them hit the ground, Utaha instinctively checked her phone.

Not even three minutes had passed.

She widened her eyes in disbelief.

Haru turned to her and gestured. Only then did she snap out of it and rush to his side. "Are you hurt?"

"You saw everything, didn't you? I'm fine."

He took out his phone.

"You're calling the police?" she guessed.

"Yeah. Even if we don't, someone else will. These guys were screaming so loudly that anyone passing by would've heard them."

Haru nodded toward the groaning bodies scattered across the ground.

Utaha said nothing. Instead, she took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped the blood off his knuckles.

The more she wiped, the quieter she became.

Haru knew what she was thinking and said gently, "Don't worry. I really didn't get hurt."

"…Okay."

She clutched the handkerchief tightly.

Just then, as Haru was dialing the number, her voice suddenly rang out, sharp with urgency: "Watch out behind you!"

At the same moment, the blond guy—his face covered in blood—sprang up, a switchblade in his hand. With a twisted expression, he lunged forward, snarling, "You bastard, just die already!"

Without thinking, Utaha moved to block him.

But Haru yanked her aside, pulling her away just in time.

She stumbled backward, her breath hitching, and in her wide, frightened eyes, she saw Haru's foot connect with the blond guy's chest.

A dull thud echoed in the night.

The thug tumbled backward, rolling several times before coming to a stop—completely unconscious.

His knife flew from his grasp, landing who-knows-where.

Haru turned to the girl beside him, exhaling slightly as he saw her release a tense breath. He opened his mouth to say something but then closed it again.

Should he scold her?

For a moment, he considered it.

But then he thought better of it.

She didn't know about his [Steel Body] ability. She had acted purely on instinct, trying to protect him without a second thought.

How could he blame her for that?

The only thing that truly frustrated him was the what if.

What if he hadn't reacted in time?

What if she had gotten stabbed?

Utaha saw the change in his expression. She bit her lip but spoke firmly, "I just wanted to help you."

"…Forget it. Let me talk to the police first."

Haru turned away and made the call.

Utaha stood in silence.

Just then, a young couple walked out from deeper inside the park. Their flushed faces suggested they had come here for a date.

The moment they saw the scene before them—the bodies strewn across the ground, Haru standing with his back to them, and Utaha making eye contact with them—the couple flinched in terror.

"Sorry! We didn't mean to disturb you!" they blurted out before bowing hastily and running off.

Utaha raised a hand to her forehead.

They had definitely misunderstood the situation.

She wanted to laugh, but she couldn't quite bring herself to.

After all, something truly dangerous had just happened.

And Haru… had been upset with her.

When he finished the call, he turned to her and said, "Let's go. I'll walk you home."

"Aren't we waiting for the police?" she asked instinctively.

"The patrol officers are already on their way. They'll be here in a minute."

They left the park together, walking side by side in silence.

Utaha stole a glance at his face, her heart uneasy.

After hesitating for a long time, she finally whispered, "I was reckless earlier… I'm sorry."

Haru shook his head. "I know you just wanted to help me. But… it seems like you forgot about my little achievement in the karate club."

His lighthearted remark successfully eased the tension.

Utaha smiled, her eyes soft. "I did forget."

"Just don't forget next time."

"Okay."

She agreed with a gentle laugh.

After a moment, she asked, "You're so strong. Have you ever lost a fight before?"

"I don't think so. I never really kept track."

"That impressive, huh?"

She gazed into his eyes, her wine-red irises shimmering under the streetlights.

Haru chuckled. "If I weren't this strong, I'd be the one lying on the ground back there. And you'd just be standing there, crying."

Utaha giggled. "No way. I'd carry you to the hospital, and we'd get revenge next time."

Haru blinked, momentarily taken aback.

Then, he nodded.

Utaha walked beside him, watching him closely.

Suddenly, she understood why, ever since the karate club incident, so many girls had talked about him with admiration.

Even the third-year girls had gushed about him.

Because this was the kind of security girls liked.

The kind of strength that made you feel safe.

I like him.

I like him so, so much.

She tightened her grip on his sleeve, eyes slightly misty.

And then, beneath the dazzling city lights, she finally said it—softly but with certainty:

"I like you, Haru."

It was the first time she had called him by his name.

She thought he would do what he always did—change the subject, gently rejecting her.

But this time, after a moment of silence, he simply replied,

"I know."

She froze.

And then, in an instant, the sadness in her heart was replaced by something warm, something bright—

A sudden, overwhelming joy.

"I'll take you home first."

Haru repeated his words.

Utaha smiled—a genuine, radiant smile.

It was mesmerizing.

Haru noticed it. He also noticed the shift in her emotions.

The warmth in her gaze, the sincerity in her confession earlier, and the way she had thrown herself in harm's way for him… Could he really claim that he wasn't moved?

Of course not.

He could try to convince himself that gratitude and love were different, that just because he was touched didn't mean he shared her feelings.

But lying to himself like that would be ridiculous.

Haru knew the truth.

The moment she risked herself for him, something inside him wavered.

And that meant he was already a scumbag.

If he had feelings for her, even the slightest, then he had to admit it.

What about Yukino?

He took a deep breath, for the first time feeling an emotion he despised—self-loathing.

It wasn't self-pity. He simply hated this sense of unease.

When they arrived at the Kasumigaoka residence, they stopped at the entrance.

"You should go inside. I need to—"

Before he could finish, she stepped forward.

A familiar fragrance filled the air.

On her tiptoes, she cupped his face gently.

"I like you, Haru."

Her cheeks flushed, her smile bold yet brimming with happiness.

The moonlight cascaded down, blending with the glow of the streetlamps. It was as if an unseen artist had painted the world in soft, dappled light, making everything feel dreamlike.

And in that moment, Haru suddenly understood why there were no stars in the night sky tonight.

Because every single one of them had fallen into her eyes, glittering like tiny diamonds.

"You can have all of me, truly."

She whispered.

Her voice grew softer, her gaze holding a shy, uncertain plea.

She leaned in again.

"Don't turn away from me."

Soft words, tinged with hesitation—then she kissed him.

A fleeting touch.

No overwhelming heat, no deep entanglement.

Just the lightest brush of lips before she pulled away.

Then, as if she had just realized what she'd done, she glanced nervously toward her house.

Haru, who had been drowning in complicated emotions, nearly laughed at her guilty expression.

It was the first time he had seen Utaha look so flustered—like a thief afraid of being caught.

"Tonight was a good night," she murmured, her cheeks still warm, her crimson eyes filled with joy.

"…Yeah, it was."

Haru found himself staring at her, at the girl who had just given him her first kiss without hesitation.

"I should go. If I stay out here too long, my mom might notice."

She waved at him and turned to leave, her skirt swaying with the motion of her slender waist.

But after a few steps, she stopped again and looked back.

"I won't tell Yukino. And I won't make things difficult for you."

Then, this time, she truly left.

Haru watched her disappear inside.

He lowered his head and muttered to himself.

"…But I will."

As he walked home, memories of his past relationships surfaced.

Before his reincarnation, he had only been in one serious relationship, which ended for all sorts of trivial reasons.

After coming to this world, his focus had always been on making money—to ensure his parents lived comfortably, to build a future where they didn't have to struggle.

Love?

He figured he'd let it happen naturally.

But now, he realized—his so-called 'natural approach' was just a way to avoid responsibility.

"You're such a scumbag."

He cursed himself under his breath, rubbing his face as if that could clear his mind.

There was no running from this.

Flirting with both Yukino and Utaha behind their backs? That wasn't something he could do.

And he wouldn't.

If he had already acknowledged he was a scumbag, then at the very least—he should be one who took responsibility.

That was the thought on his mind as he arrived home.

The moment he stepped inside, he noticed a pair of familiar shoes near the entrance.

Yukino's shoes.

Haru changed into his indoor slippers and walked into the living room.

Sure enough, Yukino was there, sitting on the couch, absently stroking the orange cat in her lap.

At the sound of his footsteps, she looked up.

Even without makeup, her face was as breathtaking as ever.

She frowned slightly. "Why are you home so late?"

Haru stared at her for a moment before speaking in a low voice.

"Yukino… there's something I need to tell you."

For some reason, seeing the emotions swirling in his eyes made her tense.

The usually composed Yukino felt something stir inside her—a string being pulled out of tune.

She placed the cat down and sat up straight.

"Go on. What happened?"