Mash-up Anime World: Creating the SCP Foundation to Contain Anomalies

Chapter 126: Chapter 126: Picking Up A Butterfly? First Encounter with Bocchi!



(T/N: Since yall been good boys—or a rare species I call girl in WN—here's an advance chapter! ❤️)

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After further investigation, Hikaru was ruled to have acted in self-defense rather than intentional assault. Additionally, the case involving Misaya's violent altercation and death was reopened for investigation.

However, due to a severe lack of evidence, while Hikaru remained a suspect, he was not detained and was instead released on bail.

That said, until the case was resolved, he was restricted to Chiba City and had to be available for questioning at any time.

But none of that mattered to Kamiki Hikaru.

What mattered was that the internet had erupted into chaos.

Though he wasn't a top-tier superstar, he was quite well-known.

Especially with his carefully crafted public persona of a morally upright actor, he had built a solid reputation.

But now, everything had crumbled.

The public was in an uproar over Misaya's death.

Even though the police were still investigating and withholding official statements, public sentiment had already gone wild. Furthermore, even if Misaya's death was formally ruled out, the fact remained that Hikaru had killed someone.

The attacker's image had already been twisted into that of a tragic avenger.

Some people even voiced their dissatisfaction with the police for ruling it as self-defense.

The situation had become so distorted that Hikaru's career as an actor and as a public figure—was completely over.

Back at his company, Hikaru finally lost his composure. With a loud bang, he kicked a table, sending it flying.

"Haruto!"

He roared in fury, venting his frustration.

For the first time, he had completely lost his cool.

Until now, as a reincarnator, he had always been successful and never felt such rage. After all, anger was just another form of helplessness.

When faced with overwhelming powerlessness and fear, emotions would ignite into rage, driving people to madness.

His once-pristine office was now a wreck.

Outside, his employees exchanged uncertain glances.

Most of them were already thinking about their next career moves.

They had once admired Hikaru's charisma.

But now, their respect had turned into contempt, both for his actions and for their impending unemployment.

This company was doomed.

After all, it had revolved entirely around Kamiki Hikaru.

Without him, there was no business.

Meanwhile, all of this was being monitored in real-time by the Foundation's operatives. Kamiki Hikaru's image had shattered, his career as an actor was finished.

Will the reincarnation anomaly behind him appear? Will it intervene?

This was the primary focus of the Foundation personnel's observation. If, after a certain period, Hikaru still did not exhibit any abnormal phenomena—

Then, he would be detained, executed, and the process would be observed to see if it triggered a reincarnation anomaly.

It may sound cold, but this was because Hikaru was unworthy of being considered human.

His actions alone were already enough to categorize him as Class-D personnel.

Thus, the Foundation personnel would act without hesitation, adhering strictly to their principles of observation and containment of anomalies.

On the other hand, as Haruto left the livestream location, he was immediately surrounded by a crowd.

People had actually come in person to see "Izumi-sensei" offline.

Faced with the enthusiastic fans, Haruto found himself at a bit of a loss.

"Um… do you guys want autographs?"

He asked sheepishly, feeling somewhat guilty.

Somewhere in the crowd, a voice suddenly shouted,

"Catch that damn Izumi!"

Haruto was instantly swallowed by the crowd, lifted up, and tossed into the air. As they threw him up and caught him, the fans interrogated him,

"Izumi-sensei, you're always out gathering material, does this seem reasonable to you!?"

"Kisses? Hell no! Updates! This industry doesn't need a tumor like you!"

"Izumi-sensei! If you don't agree to daily updates, then just stay up there forever!"

Being thrown up and down, Haruto was both amused and exasperated.

True, he had been slacking off with his manga updates, but wasn't it all in the name of saving humanity?

(This is a lie!)

In the end, Haruto reached a compromise with his fans: for the next three months, he would ensure stable weekly updates.

Only then did the fans finally let him go.

Their expressions were filled with misery.

Other manga artists, when their work becomes popular, immediately increase their update frequency.

But this guy? They had to fight just to get him to update consistently.

And it was only for three months!

Absolutely ridiculous!

But it was also a sign of deep love and frustration.

Finally, Haruto managed to soothe his fans by giving each of them a signed autograph and taking photos with them.

Unfortunately, for the next three months, he would actually have to stick to regular updates, no more going out under the pretext of gathering material.

Afterward, Haruto slipped away, heading back to his apartment.

What? School?

At this point, the Hyakkaou Private Academy was practically under Haruto's control. Classes? He could attend whenever he wanted.

As he walked, Haruto passed by a small park.

Glancing at the familiar scenery, he couldn't help but sigh.

The scenery remained unchanged, but everything else was different.

Ever since he picked up Annie here, his life had undergone a massive transformation. As he reflected, Haruto noticed a girl sitting on a park bench.

Pink hair, blue eyes, a tracksuit, with yellow and blue square hair clips on the right side of her head.

Her long pink bangs covered her eyes. Her fashion sense was terrible—wearing a signature pink tracksuit, layering a skirt over her sweatpants.

Though she was undeniably cute, her aura was completely gloomy.

Beside her was a large guitar case, and she fiddled with multiple wristbands on her arm.

Haruto narrowed his eyes.

That's Bocchi, isn't it?

It has to be Bocchi!

He hadn't expected to run into Bocchi here.

Haruto quickly composed himself, then entered the park and sat on a swing, just like before.

Suppressing the grin threatening to spread across his face, he put on a melancholic expression.

At the same time, he pulled out his phone and sent a message.

Meanwhile, the girl on the bench finally noticed that there was now a boy in the park.

Her name was Hitori Gotou.

(In Japanese, "Hitori" sounds the same as "alone," which is also the meaning of "Bocchi.")

An ordinary high school girl.

Er… a socially anxious high school girl.

Her hobbies included playing guitar, being in a band, and spending time online.

Her guitar, which was beside her, was meant to be a conversation starter at school, something to draw people in so they would talk to her.

However—

An entire day passed, and not a single classmate approached her.

Utterly dejected, she wandered into the park after school, seeking solace.

'That person… he looks just like me… someone who's alone…'

Seeing the boy on the swing, Hitori felt a sense of kinship.

The shared loneliness comforted her a little.

She even had a fleeting thought—should she go over and talk to him?

Of course, it was just a thought.

The moment the idea crossed her mind, her body froze, and she couldn't make a sound.

Severe social anxiety…

So, she simply continued observing from afar.

"Hang in there, stranger. Even people like us, someday we'll…"

Hitori silently cheered him on in her heart.

However—

"Brother!"

Hitori: !

A white-haired girl ran up to the boy and jumped into his arms. Behind her, another girl of about the same age as Hitori followed with a cheerful smile.

The boy's melancholic demeanor vanished in an instant, replaced by a warm smile.

That smile, like sunlight and a gentle breeze, was so dazzling that Hitori felt like she was melting.

She hugged her guitar case tightly.

QAQ

She had mistaken him for a fellow loner, only to find out that he was just waiting for someone—

In reality, he was a social butterfly, a winner at life!

"I sincerely apologize for assuming we were the same!"

Hitori silently apologized, tears streaming down her face.

But she didn't realize that the boy was observing her with great interest.

'As expected, no matter how you look at it, Bocchi is super cute.'

That thought lingered in Haruto's mind.

And because she was too cute, he really wanted to tease her a little. Of course, it wouldn't do to go too far.

Haruto decided that it was about time to go over and strike up a conversation.

He'd just use the talent agency as an excuse.

Though recruiting Hitori Gotou was unlikely to succeed, just the act of being approached and acknowledged might make her happy.

Just as Haruto was about to make his move—

A blonde girl with a side ponytail entered the park and walked straight up to Hitori.

Haruto paused.

'It's Shimokitazawa's little angel… so the story's beginning now?'

Watching with interest, he abandoned his plan to approach Hitori. This moment, this was the catalyst for Hitori Gotou joining the band.

Haruto didn't want to interfere.

Rather than intervening now, he'd wait and capture the entire band in one go later.

Sure enough, after a brief conversation, Hitori was hastily dragged away. Watching the scene unfold, Haruto grinned.

"Brother, you've got such terrible hobbies."

Shiro, nestled in Haruto's arms, commented.

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T/N: Finally, we got some answers!

A/N:

(Speaking of Shiro, some people in the comments have been asking: with the timeline shift in Itomori Town, what happens to Shiro?)

(First of all, whether in the original setting or this book's setting, Shiro was always an orphan from the start.)

(She didn't lose her family because of the Itomori Town anomaly, so the timeline change wouldn't affect that.)

(In this timeline, even though the anomaly didn't break out, after containing "Shy Guy," Haruto still went to the orphanage.)

(At the orphanage, he adopted Shiro, who was isolated by the other kids due to her exceptionally high intelligence. That much remains unchanged.)

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Being called out by Shiro, Haruto cleared his throat and reined in his smile. In front of Shiro, he had to maintain the image of a dependable big brother.

Nao chuckled at the sight.

"Let's go home."

Haruto said, picking up Shiro and taking Nao's hand, preparing to leave the park. At that moment, a sudden ringing of steel echoed through the air.

Haruto looked up—

A figure was plummeting from the sky, just like when Annie had fallen.

Haruto raised an eyebrow.

Setting Shiro down on the swing, he stepped forward effortlessly, positioning himself beneath the falling figure.

As he caught them, he was met with a rich floral scent—

Fragrant but not overwhelming, it brought a strange sense of clarity to the mind. This was a girl, and her attire surprised Haruto.

Her black uniform-style outfit looked extremely solemn. However, what stood out the most was her outer garment.

No, calling it a cloak would be more appropriate.

It was a haori with a butterfly-wing pattern, and as she fell, it appeared as dazzling as real butterfly wings.

"Shinobu?"

Haruto instinctively thought of that name.


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