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

When Haruto struck, the flying blood discreetly seeped into his palm.

The memories of Hikaru were laid bare before him.

This was a man who had reincarnated multiple times, retaining his past life memories every time he was reborn into childhood.

"A reincarnator? What does he gain from approaching me?"

Hoshino Ai asked curiously.

Haruto poked her cheek.

"There are always twisted people in the world. Take Kamiki Hikaru, someone like him, reincarnating multiple times, only results in one outcome. He accumulates knowledge, skills, and experience far beyond his years, while also developing a warped perception of life.

In his last few lifetimes, he became obsessed with the entertainment industry. He enjoys personally destroying talented young girls.

By ruining the lives of promising actresses and idols, he gives himself a twisted sense of importance.

His methods include luring them in, manipulating them, sleeping with them, emotionally abusing them, and then exposing their private lives post-breakup, inciting stalker fans to attack them."

Haruto's words filled Hoshino Ai with a chilling sense of malice, as if she had fallen into an ice-cold abyss.

She was undoubtedly talented and full of potential.

Her rapid rise to fame wasn't just due to company promotion, her natural talent for captivating people played a crucial role.

That was why Hikaru had immediately targeted her.

Unfortunately for him, 'Umbrella' wasn't an ordinary company. His usual tricks in the entertainment industry were completely useless here.

Because 'Umbrella' was never about making money in the first place.

Hoshino Ai felt a lingering fear.

Seeing her unsettled expression, Haruto cupped her cheeks with both hands.

"There's no need to be scared. With me around, that guy won't get the chance to approach you. And…"

And very soon, that man would disappear from this world.

If Hikaru himself were the true "Reincarnation Anomaly," he would have already been forcefully contained.

For now, they were only holding back to draw out the real culprit behind these reincarnations.

As Hoshino Ai's face was gently cradled, her cheeks gradually flushed.

"Alright, don't let garbage ruin our mood. Weren't we going to enjoy the school festival?"

Haruto released her.

Hoshino Ai buried her face into her scarf, her cheeks still warm.

Clinging to Haruto's arm, she truly put Hikaru out of her mind and eagerly dragged him around.

Several times, they nearly got recognized by fans.

They had to make a quick escape each time.

"Ai, you're too careless. If someone recognizes you, your idol career might take a major hit."

Haruto sighed.

"Well, if I can't be an idol… Haruto, you said you'd sponsor me, so it's fine!"

Hoshino Ai stuck out her tongue.

Haruto was momentarily speechless.

That was just a line to provoke Hikaru. But if she was serious… it wasn't entirely impossible either?

Haruto quickly shook off that thought.

She was still young.

Once she gained more knowledge and matured, if she still understood what she was choosing… then they could discuss it.

"Whoa, it's a bonfire night!"

Hoshino Ai pointed excitedly at the burning flames.

Sobu High School's cultural festival had even set up a bonfire arranged in a tic-tac-toe formation. Once ignited, the blazing flames stood out far more than the neon lights scattered along the streets.

Many young men and women danced around the bonfire.

Of course, most of them were rather unskilled.

After all, they were just students. Sobu High wasn't a noble academy, so those proficient in formal ballroom dancing were few and far between.

In Hoshino Ai's starry eyes, the flickering flames were reflected.

"Haruto, let's dance too!"

Hoshino Ai suddenly suggested.

Haruto was slightly intrigued.

"Do you know ballroom dancing? Does idol training actually include that?"

The dance performed by idols for their performances was vastly different from formal ballroom dancing.

Hoshino Ai grinned and nodded.

But that was a lie.

After receiving Haruto's agreement to go on a date, she carefully studied the cultural festival's schedule and noticed the bonfire dance event.

So, she asked Miyako to find her a ballroom dance instructor.

She had gone through quite a bit of hardship just to master one dance.

"If you don't know how, just follow my lead. I'll teach you."

Hoshino Ai flashed a sly smile.

Haruto didn't say much, simply taking the girl's hand as they stepped towards the bonfire.

Even though there was no music, the two of them started dancing in unison.

Their movements were seamlessly synchronized, as if they had been longtime dance partners.

Under the glow of the fire, their intertwined figures complemented each other perfectly.

As they twirled to the rhythm of their steps, Hoshino Ai, for the first time, found dancing to be genuinely enjoyable.

She had always thought of it as nothing more than a professional act for fan service. But every moment spent with Haruto seemed to subtly change her perspective.

The walls she had built up due to past wounds were slowly crumbling.

The dance came to an end.

They stopped in an embrace.

Beads of sweat glistened on Hoshino Ai's forehead, and her breathing became heavier.

Dancing with full focus was exhausting.

Yet, her smile was brighter than ever before.

Their eyes met.

The flames flickered, casting their profiles in alternating light and shadow.

In such an atmosphere, it would be a shame not to do something. So, Hoshino Ai wrapped her arms around Haruto's neck and kissed him.

Before the bonfire, this scene became an unforgettable sight.

A long time passed before they finally separated.

At that moment, applause erupted around them.

Only then did they realize that somehow, they were the only ones still dancing around the bonfire.

Their performance had drawn the attention of the entire crowd, who had silently stepped back and become spectators.

And now, the applause ringing through the air was undoubtedly sincere.

Hearing the applause, Hoshino Ai was overjoyed and instinctively prepared to put on her idol persona.

Haruto knocked her lightly on the head, then swiftly lifted her up in a princess carry and bolted from the scene.

"Miss Idol, mind the occasion! What exactly were you planning just now?!"

Carrying Hoshino Ai as he ran, Haruto couldn't help but complain.

Hoshino Ai playfully tapped her own head in an "oops" gesture.

"Eh-heh, I forgot."

Haruto sighed in exasperation.

Wasn't this top idol a little too careless?

He was genuinely worried that in a future interview, she might accidentally blurt out something like having a sugar daddy or how much she liked her first kiss.

Just then, Shiro's voice came through his earpiece.

"Brother, your appointment with Target Six is about to start. The target is already waiting. You need to make your exit now."

Cute little Shiro was feeling a bit down.

She had actually caused her brother to fail his game.

Hearing Shiro's voice, Haruto started thinking about how to gracefully make his escape.

"Haruto, are you heading off to meet your next date now?"

Hoshino Ai suddenly asked.

Haruto: ?!

Seeing Haruto's shocked expression, Hoshino Ai grinned mischievously.

"Love is the master of lies, and the key to lying isn't acting, it's observing people's hearts."

Haruto was completely thrown off.

He had thought himself a master of time management.

Yet, today, both of his dates had seen through everything.

Jumping out of Haruto's arms, Hoshino Ai imitated his earlier movement, cupping his cheeks in her hands.

"It's okay. If it's you, Haruto, I can accept it!"

Haruto was utterly stunned.

Don't say something like that with such a serious face!

Are you encouraging me to be a scumbag?!

Their date for the day concluded with Hoshino Ai stealing another kiss.

"Haruto, make sure to come watch me! I have a performance at the Dome next month!"

After saying that, Hoshino Ai waved her hand and ran off into the night.

Watching her retreating figure, Haruto felt a mix of emotions then he hurried toward the gates of Soubu High.

-----------

Kasumigaoka Utaha was already waiting.

"Senpai, sorry for making you wait."

Haruto spoke with a hint of apology.

Utaha gave him a suspicious look.

"I've been meaning to ask… The cultural festival lasts three days, so why did you specifically set our date for the last night?"

"And now you show up all dressed up and running late… Kouhai, you're looking pretty suspicious."

Utaha's words made Haruto's heart skip a beat.

Stroking her chin, Utaha speculated,

"Could it be one of those typical rom-com scenarios where the protagonist juggles multiple dates with different heroines?"

Haruto let out an awkward laugh. "Something like that would never happen in real life."

"You never know," Utaha said, staring him down. "If it's you, it actually makes perfect sense."

Haruto was left speechless.

Luckily, Utaha didn't press further.

"Well, judging by the time, if this really was a multi-date scenario, I'd be the last one. I probably won't find any obvious clues, so I'll just let it slide. But you'd better focus now."

Haruto nodded fervently.

The two of them stepped into the night, beginning their final grand date.

Even though there were still plenty of activities left on the final day of the festival…

The main events, like the grand stage performances and the bonfire dance, had already passed.

At this point, things felt a little… anticlimactic.

Still, Utaha strolled around with interest.

Haruto walked alongside her, weaving through the crowd, sharing laughter and conversation.

At one point, Utaha looked up at the night sky.

"This is quite a rare experience. Now I'll have more realistic material when writing about cultural festivals."

Haruto was curious.

"Senpai, have you never participated in a cultural festival before?"

Leaving middle school aside, Utaha was already a third-year at Sobu High.

Had she really never attended the festival in her previous years?

Utaha nodded.

"If you're alone or just with girlfriends, there's no point in coming, is there? School festivals are meant for moments like the protagonist confessing their feelings under the fireworks… only for their words to be drowned out by an explosion."

Haruto twitched at that.

Senpai's taste was truly unique.

But… fireworks, huh?