Crossover Anime: How a Shameless Person Lives

"Hahaha! I never expected you to be a monster."

"Wow, I never expected you to have such a special ability."

"Hey, those are just little tricks. Come on, let's have a drink."

Inside room 504.

Mercury and the Snow Woman sat facing each other in the dead of winter.

Two bottles of strong liquor were placed in front of each of them.

This was brought by the Snow Woman in the depths of winter.

It is said to be strong liquor that has been buried in the ground for decades.

I had only casually invited her, but Yuki-onna Shinfū actually agreed.

Then he mentioned that he was out of wine at home, and surprisingly, they brought him two jars of good wine.

I feel really embarrassed.

However, she looked at the ring on her hand with a wary expression.

Do you really think you can hypnotize someone just because you disagree with them?

After taking another sip of wine, Yuki-onna Fuyuki glanced at him, her eyes softening as she recalled how he had broken the administrator's finger without hesitation.

"Thank you for today."

"What are you thanking me for?" Mercury waved his hand and said casually, "What I hate most is a predetermined path, turning a person into a mindless thing or something, it's so boring."

His tone wasn't very friendly.

It seems the administrator's behavior really angered him.

As the snow woman traced her name lightly on the rim of her wine glass in the depths of winter, she looked up at Mercury and said, "You seem to have a particular aversion to things like 'manipulation'?"

"Of course, as a great man once said, everything is in flux, and only through change can we progress. I wholeheartedly agree with that."

Mercury slammed the bottle on the table and tapped his temple with his fingertips.

"If everyone is controlled to follow a 'predetermined path'—to eat today, go to work tomorrow, get married the day after—what's the difference between that and a robot with a pre-programmed schedule?"

"Similarly, those who are hypnotized and have no thoughts are even more disgusting than fake people."

Just like Mercury's lack of interest in protagonists, it's for this very reason.

I already know your future, why would I care about you?

But ever since Hachiman Hikigaya was parasitized by the Parasite, Mercury's impression of these main characters has changed.

They even unconsciously pay attention to and expect things from it.

This unexpected change fascinated him.

As Yuki-onna watched his animated expression, the smile on her lips deepened.

He raised his glass and gently clinked it against Mercury's.

I was wondering how to bring up the idea of ​​destroying the ring, but now it seems I don't need to.

"Speaking of which, I heard the administrator mention some kind of housing subsidy. Are you short of money right now?" Mercury asked.

Upon hearing this, Yuki-onna Shiyu's fingers tightened slightly as she gripped the wine glass. After a two-second silence, she looked up at Mercury, her tone softer than before.

"It is a bit tight."

"Because I had repeated setbacks in finding a job, I was two months behind on rent, which gave that despicable building manager an opportunity to take advantage of me."

Mercury's eyes darted around, and he said "Oh~" before grabbing the bottle and refilling her glass.

"I see, it's because of my appearance."

Mercury swirled his wine glass and said, "I do have a way to make money, and it's quick and easy."

Snow Woman looked up at him in the dead of winter, a hint of hesitation in her eyes: "This isn't a good idea, we've only known each other for a short time..."

"It doesn't matter how long we've known each other," Mercury interrupted her, his tone direct.

"I'm only helping you because of this fine wine. Just tell me how much of this wine you have."

A hint of surprise flashed in Yuki-onna's eyes in the depths of winter, before she looked down at the wine bottle on the table.

The dark brown bottle had an old, worn sheen, and the lettering on the label was long since faded.

She found it in a cellar in the mountains while sorting through her father's belongings.

Don't ask why there are cellars in the mountains; someone always has a good idea.

"There are probably seven or eight bottles of this wine left." She lightly brushed her fingertips against the bottle, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"It was stored by my father when he was alive. I don't know anything about wine, so how could it possibly be sold for a lot of money?"

Mercury's eyes lit up instantly, and he subconsciously licked his lips, his throat bobbing slightly.

"I have a great idea. If it works out, all I want is four...five bottles of this wine!"

Snow Woman in Deep Winter: "???"

……

Shunoin Academy.

It was midday.

In the middle of the road, Mercury sat in a wheelchair, his legs wrapped in bandages and covered with a thin blanket.

He cleared his throat and waved the wine jar in his hand at the passing students.

"Dear classmates, please help! I urgently need money for medical expenses from some old wine left by my elders. Please help me, kind-hearted people."

Snow Woman Shen Dong stood beside him, her long, snow-white hair mostly wrapped in a scarf, revealing only half of her face, and holding a small wine glass with a label on it.

A touch of chill subtly condensed on my fingertips to prevent the two of them from collapsing from heatstroke.

He then lowered his voice and asked Mercury, "Are you sure this will work? Wouldn't this be a bit unethical?"

"What are you talking about, Mom? We have no other choice~ This is the only thing Grandpa left behind, sob sob..."

Snow Woman in Deep Winter: "..."

"I'm serious. These students look rich. Do you really think they'd fall for this kind of scam?"

Her suspicions were not unfounded.

Based on her long experience, children from wealthier families tend to receive a better education.

Their little tricks are easy for others to see through, right?

As for why she agreed to Mercury's absurd suggestion?

Even a penny can stump a hero.

Even if she is a monster, it doesn't matter.

"Don't worry, the richer the students, the more they'll fall for this." Mercury winked at her, then raised his voice to a group of girls leaving on the road.

"This wine was buried in the mountains by my grandfather thirty years ago! I originally wanted to keep it as a coming-of-age gift, but I broke my leg recently and couldn't even afford the medical expenses, so I had to sell it with a heavy heart..."

As he spoke, he deliberately rubbed his "injured" thigh, making a convincing expression, and then whispered something.

"And most importantly, it's noon now, and the parents who come to pick up their children are all very free. Perhaps for the sake of education, or simply to gain a sense of spiritual satisfaction, they are very likely to come and help."

Sure enough, a fit middle-aged man and his daughter curiously approached: "What are you doing? You'll be mashed into mincemeat!"

"what?"

"You're walking in the middle of the road."

As he spoke, he took out his wallet and pulled out several hundred thousand Japanese yen.

"Here you go, is this enough to buy some wine? Promise me you'll go home now."

Mercury rolled his eyes, counted the money, and put it in his pocket.

"How can 65 be enough? We still have to pay rent."

"what?"

"Besides, this wine is made with spring water and old grains, which are not available on the market right now. You think you can buy it for a mere few hundred thousand? You poor wretch, if you don't have money, don't block my way."

"what?"

Yuki-onna, in the midst of the humiliation, couldn't bear to watch any longer and covered her face, turning away to the other side.

"Mom, what are you doing? Hurry up and chase them away, don't let them block the view of truly kind-hearted people who want to do good deeds."

Snow Woman in Deep Winter: "..."

Middle-aged man: "..."

Student girl: "..."