Mash-up Anime World: Creating the SCP Foundation to Contain Anomalies Chapter 79: Adopting Hoshino Ai and a New Neighbor

"Change is a good thing... huh?"

Ai repeated the words.

Her star-like eyes, which naturally drew people in, sparkled with a new light. For Ai, change ant the unknown.

And the unknown... usually brought pain.

Acting recklessly, making changes, had always led to beatings from her mother, going hungry, and suffering. Countless past experiences warned Ai to don't change and stay in the familiar lies.

But now, Ai decided to... give it a try.

What if?

Using the chopsticks, she finished her al. Though her grip was still a bit awkward, it was much better than before.

Then, she looked at Haruto.

"Made a decision?" Haruto asked with a smile.

Ai nodded.

"Please take with you. I'll do anything."

The words could easily be misunderstood.

But Ai was serious.

Anything.

Haruto couldn't help but laugh.

"While change is good, don't burn all your bridges. You're still young. You have plenty of ti to try new things."

He reached out and ruffled her hair.

Then, Haruto took Ai to one of the Foundation's front companies. The place was already set up, with all the necessary resources in place, though it hadn't officially launched yet.

The person in charge was Saito Kyoko, a managent talent the Foundation had recently recruited.

Within the Foundation, she held a Class-C managent position. Externally, she was the CEO of Umbrella Entertainnt.

She was also a stunning beauty.

When Kyoko saw Haruto, her eyes widened in surprise, and she seed a bit nervous.

"Director," Kyoko greeted him.

Haruto waved his hand.

"No need to be so formal. Outside of missions, we're just colleagues."

Kyoko was taken aback.

This man... was the head of that unfathomable organization, yet he was so casual?

Haruto's identity within the Foundation wasn't a secret. He was the only O5 Council mber whose identity was known to everyone.

This design served a purpose.

First, if any hostile forces targeted the Foundation, most of their attention would focus on Haruto. But compared to the Foundation, Haruto was much harder to target.

Second, it made situations like this much easier.

Haruto's identity required no explanation, making things more convenient.

"Kyoko, starting tomorrow, Umbrella Entertainnt will officially launch. Focus your resources on her. Build her into an idol. The goal? Start with becoming a national idol, then aim for world fa."

Kyoko looked at the girl Haruto had brought.

A young girl, dressed in cheap clothes. The Director wanted to turn soone like this into a national idol?

The original plan for Umbrella Entertainnt had been to buy out established idols and actors.

Then, by focusing resources, they could make these idols explode in popularity, thereby controlling the ans of public opinion and communication.

Starting from scratch to cultivate an idol was inefficient.

But...

When Hoshino Ai looked up, Saito Kyoko's doubts vanished.

If it was her, starting from zero shouldn't be a problem. Those eyes... they naturally drew people's attention.

"I'm going to... be an idol?"

Ai nervously held onto Haruto's hand.

She rarely showed nervousness, usually masking it with lies and acting.

But becoming an idol...

She had heard that idols brought smiles to others, that they were loved by many, many people.

Soone like her... could she really do it?

Haruto nodded. "You have talent."

But Ai was still nervous. "I... I don't know how to love others."

Haruto shook his head.

"It's fine. Just be yourself. Don't overthink it."

"Be myself..." Ai was lost.

She had built herself up with lies since childhood. Being natural... it didn't suit her at all.

"Exactly. A cute girl like you, just standing there naturally, will make many people fall for you. Besides, idols? With enough resources, it's easy to make one. Don't stress about it."

Haruto dropped this bombshell, leaving Kyoko speechless.

As soone who had worked in the idol industry, she wanted to say that training and marketing were crucial.

But...

Thinking about it, if an organization like the Foundation poured resources into it...

It really would be easy.

Ai: !

Being an idol is that simple?

"From now on, you'll live here. I'll take care of the adoption paperwork and such."

Finally, Haruto ruffled Ai's hair again.

"Um... will you co visit , Director?"

Ai asked nervously.

More than being an idol, the person who had patiently taught her how to use chopsticks was more important to her.

"Of course, I'll visit. Since I've brought you here, I'll take responsibility. And just call Haruto."

In the past, Ai would have dismissed such a promise as a casual lie.

But now...

"Okay!"

Ai responded eagerly.

Then, Haruto left Umbrella Entertainnt.

Ai and Kyoko were left staring at each other. The forr wasn't sure how to interact with this stranger. The latter, intimidated by the Director's authority, felt a bit nervous around the girl.

After all, this was soone the Director had personally brought in and endorsed.

"Um..." Ai was the first to speak. "Kyoko-obasan, are you close with Haruto-niichan? What kind of person is he?"

Kyoko's mouth twitched.

She'd been called "auntie."

While it wasn't inaccurate age-wise...

She'd been called "auntie."

Sighing, Kyoko recalled the records within the Foundation.

Then, she spoke seriously,

"Haruto-sama is an incredible person, wielding power and authority beyond ordinary comprehension."

Ai blinked.

She didn't quite grasp it.

In her mind, soone like Kyoko, who ran a company, was already amazing. Or rather... being self-sufficient, earning money, having food to eat, and a warm place to live—that was amazing.

But Haruto-niichan... seed to exist in a completely different world.

"However, Haruto-sama is also incredibly kind. The power and authority he holds are tools to protect others, not weapons."

Kyoko spoke earnestly.

"Haruto-sama must deeply love humanity, every single person. He does everything he can to protect everyone, and that includes you, Ai."

Ai's eyes widened.

Haruto-niichan... loves her too?

When Haruto returned to his apartnt, he noticed a flurry of activity next door. Moving trucks were coming and going, carrying furniture.

Haruto tried to recall.

To the left of his apartnt was Eriri's place, while the apartnt to the right had been vacant for a long ti.

During his three years of middle school, he'd rarely seen the owner.

It was a boy nad... Kudo Shinichi, right?

He seed like a sharp kid.

But at so point, Haruto had stopped seeing Shinichi. The apartnt had been empty for nearly three years.

Now, it seed... it had finally been sold?

As Haruto pondered this, Eriri ca running out of her apartnt.

"Haruto, what are you doing here?"

Eriri asked, moving closer. It was the first day of the school year. She wanted to sniff out whether Haruto had any traces of other won on him. Unfortunately, Eriri's grades were only good, not good enough to get into Sobu High.

She had cried about it in her room, deeply regretting not studying harder.

Haruto pressed a finger to Eriri's forehead.

Her thoughts were too easy to read.

He had hugged Utaha earlier.

While Eriri might not be able to sll it, it was better to avoid trouble.

"Look over there. Seems like we have new neighbors."

Haruto pointed to the apartnt, diverting Eriri's attention.

Sure enough, Eriri stopped worrying about the scent and looked over. Coincidentally, a blonde girl walked over.

"Hello, you two. I'm Gabriel White Tenma, just moved in nearby. This is a small gift for you... Huh? Haruto-kun!"

Gabriel handed over two small gifts.

But as she got closer, she realized one of the neighbors was soone she knew.

"Gabriel-san, it's you. What a coincidence."

Haruto was surprised.

Earlier that day, he had considered whether to contain this Gabriel.

Now, they were neighbors.

Eriri: ! (Alert)

The blonde "loser" imdiately sensed danger.

What was this atmosphere!?

A classmate, and a new neighbor!

What kind of "girl-next-door" plot was this!?

Eriri felt a surge of hostility. However, as if sensing Eriri's gaze, Gabriel turned to her and smiled warmly. With that smile, it was as if a radiant light emanated from her, making it impossible to look directly at her.

Eriri: !!!

Her hostility lted away instantly.

Soone this kind... how could she possibly steal Haruto from her?

She must have been overthinking it!

"Hi, Gabriel! I'm Eriri. We're neighbors now, so let's get along!"

Eriri took Gabriel's hand, and the atmosphere between them beca harmonious.

Haruto, standing to the side, stroked his chin.

Maybe... I should still consider containing her.

This girl... she's definitely not normal.

But in the end, he didn't act.

After a friendly conversation, the three went their separate ways. When Gabriel returned to her new apartnt, she cleaned it from top to bottom.

"Phew, all done."

The girl wiped the sweat from her brow, feeling satisfied.

But then, a strange sound ca from the computer on the table.

Gabriel opened her computer, puzzled.

She found a ga interface popping up on the hopage.

A ga character, severely injured by a monster, lay on the ground.

Given Gabriel's personality, she couldn't just ignore it.

So...

'Young lady, ahead lies hell!'

(T/N: Start Of The Angel's Downfall)