Black Mangaka 018: Shina Mahiru

Black Mangaka 018: Shina Mahiru

Even if the words hold no lies, being able to act on them is never a given.

Most people would simply glance indifferently.

The other party might not take it to heart, but as the one being rescued, one must never accept it all with a clear conscience.

The girl spoke seriously:

"Perhaps this was just a trivial matter to you, but it's undeniable that it saved me."

"Whether you accept it or not, a thank you is the most basic courtesy and my heartfelt gratitude."

Perhaps it was the warmth in her words, but compared to before, her entire demeanor seemed visibly more lively.

Her spirit had clearly improved.

Nakahara Hiroshi shook his head helplessly.

"Well, since it's come to this, I'll accept your thanks without hesitation."

It seemed that this child would not do anything reckless again.

Having confirmed this, Nakahara Hiroshi handed the borrowed umbrella to the girl.

"I'm already here, so take this umbrella."

He added, "I borrowed it from a shared convenience store umbrella stand. Please return it after you're done using it, okay?"

Without giving the girl a chance to refuse or reply, Nakahara Hiroshi turned around, waved without looking back, and stepped into the elevator.

The girl stood there, watching him leave until he disappeared from sight. She looked up at the elevator panel, only averting her gaze when it stopped on the 12th floor.

With a helpless expression, she muttered to herself, "But... I don't have any use for this umbrella anymore!"

Unable to help but smile, the girl pressed the button in front of her and entered the elevator. It stopped on the 11th floor.

On the other side, back at home, Nakahara Hiroshi suddenly scratched his head.

"Now that I think about it, that girl looked oddly familiar. Have I seen her somewhere before?!"

---

"I don't want to go to school at all."

Nakahara Hiroshi, slumped over his desk, made an inappropriate complaint.

"Saying discouraging things on the first day of school will bring misfortune, Nakahara-kun~," came a flat voice beside him.

"Besides, if the top student in the grade says something like that, the teachers will cry, don't you think?"

Kato, standing nearby, commented with her usual deadpan expression.

"Don't be superstitious, Kato. That's not scientifically proven!" Nakahara retorted.

As for whether the teachers would cry...

"Isn't it fine as long as they don't hear me?"

Suddenly remembering something important, Nakahara added, "By the way, thanks a lot for your help during Golden Week, Kato-sama!"

He took out a crisp 10,000 yen note from his wallet and held it out with both hands.

Kato raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "I thought this was the price I had to pay to become friends with Nakahara."

Nakahara rolled his eyes. "What kind of school bully do you take me for?"

"Who wouldn't doubt your intentions when you ask for money the day after becoming friends?" Kato teased. "Did you assume I'd understand and went ahead with something so easily misunderstood?"

A faint, fleeting smile crossed her usually expressionless face, causing Nakahara to blink in confusion.

"Did Kato just... smile?" He couldn't be sure—it was too brief to tell.

Not dwelling on it, he asked, "By the way, how did Kato spend Golden Week?"

"I went to Hokkaido with my parents to visit my sister," Kato replied.

Kato's older sister, Kato Hiromi—now Mrs. Yoshinaga—was married and living elsewhere.

"Siblings, huh... Must be nice," Nakahara mused.

As an only child in both of his lives, he often wondered what having a sibling might feel like.

"And you, Nakahara? How was your Golden Week?"

"Stayed home."

After a pause, he added, "Stayed home... and stayed home."

"Hey, don't look at me like I'm some pitiful creature!"

Even though he didn't mind this kind of vacation, Kato's pitying look stung a little.

"Nakahara-kun is a homebody. While I don't fully understand it, staying home must make you happy, right?"

"Very happy!"

The two continued chatting casually about their holidays until the school bell rang.

Hiratsuka Shizuka, stepped up to the podium with her usual commanding presence.

"Quiet down, everyone."

The classroom fell silent in under three seconds.

"Before we begin, I'd like to introduce a new transfer student. Please come in, Shiina-san."

As Hiratsuka finished, the door opened, and a young girl walked in. She approached the podium and picked up a piece of chalk, writing her name in neat characters: Shiina Mahiru.

Turning to face the class, she introduced herself in a calm, steady voice.

The boys in the class erupted with excitement.

"A transfer student—AND a girl?!"

"She's gorgeous!"

"This beauty is on par with Toyosaki Sanka!"

Despite Hiratsuka's looming presence and her infamous chalk bullet and iron fist, the boys couldn't completely suppress their enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, Nakahara Hiroshi stared at the girl, finally realizing why she looked familiar.

"So it's her," he thought, recognizing her as the girl he had helped in the rain yesterday.

Shiina Mahiru, the angelic heroine from his past life's anime, "The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten."

Her flawless appearance had earned her the nickname "Angel."

Though her demeanor at school was a façade, her beauty was undeniably real—porcelain skin, delicate features, and a doll-like charm.

"So she's a classmate now," Nakahara mused. "What a twist."

Shiina finished her introduction with a polite smile. "I hope we get along well."

The boys erupted in applause, acting like uncivilized monkeys.

"Quiet," Hiratsuka snapped coldly, instantly silencing the room.

Like a bucket of cold water, her words brought order back to the classroom.

**