A supporting character in a romance anime? I became a god using a rat talisman.

"You disgusting thing, how dare you come to school?"

"Yeah, everyone hates you so much, how can you still have the nerve to live? Hahaha."

The three girls surrounding her let out grating laughter, the kind of pleasure that abusers derive from the pain of others.

Asagiri Aya did not make a sound.

She simply buried her head even lower, hugging her knees with her arms, like a hedgehog curling itself into a ball.

This level of violence was nothing new to her.

What she feared more than being kicked was the more intense retaliation that would follow if she resisted.

"Hey, Asagiri-chan, we're getting really bored if you don't react at all~"

"Exactly! At least cry a little? Make a sound!"

"Otherwise, how would we know if you're seriously reflecting on your own existence?"

The girl with the highlights squatted down, used her fingers to lift Asagiri Aya's chin, and forced her to raise her head.

"Hey Asagiri-chan—"

Before she could finish speaking, her voice abruptly stopped.

In the corner behind Asagiri Aya, the previously still shadow suddenly seemed to come alive, stretching and twisting violently.

"Huh? What's that—"

In that pitch-black darkness, a pair of scarlet eyes suddenly opened and stared intently at them.

Those weren't human eyes. They were pure, emotionless killing intent.

"Ghost, ghost——!!!"

The girl who committed the assault screamed in terror and scrambled away from the scene.

Within ten seconds, only Asagiri Aya was left in the storage room.

Asagiri Aya remained curled up, and it took her a while before she tentatively raised her head. Her mind was still reeling from the chaos that had just transpired.

She didn't know what happened.

Was it a hallucination? Or did those people suddenly have a change of heart?

In any case, we've escaped a disaster today.

"Can you still stand up?"

Aya Asagiri saw a black-haired boy slowly walk out of the shadows at the doorway.

Kazama Chiba.

She knew this person; to be precise, she couldn't help but know him.

Asagiri Aya struggled to her feet, leaning against the wall. Her knees were still weak from the kicks and punches. Her voice was hoarse, as if it had been sanded, revealing a weakness born from long-term suppression.

"Thank you... thank you so much, Kazama-kun."

Chiyu was just passing by on her way back to the club room when she unexpectedly ended up saving an old acquaintance.

It's the same as the previous Asagiri Aya.

To be honest, he never had a particular impression of this person.

At most, people just think she's incredibly unlucky, stupid, and has had a miserable life.

But that's all. He has no obligation to care about a stranger with whom he has no vested interest, nor does he have the time or inclination to play the role of a savior.

............

Asagiri Aya lowered her eyes

"This is the second time... I always get saved by you..."

the second time?

Chiba, who had already turned to leave, suddenly stopped and turned to look at Asagiri Aya.

"You must be mistaken. Last time on the rooftop, it was you who saved me. If you hadn't rushed out and shouted that, Hiratsuka-sensei wouldn't have happened to be passing by."

Asagiri Aya shook her head.

"Not the one on the rooftop."

"I was referring to... what happened in the alley earlier."

"........."

Qianyu suddenly fell silent, her eyes turning somewhat cold.

"What did you say? Asagiri-kun, are you sure you're not mistaken?"

That time in the alley was the first time he killed someone (even though it was that kind of scum).

He had clearly confirmed that the girl was blindfolded at the time, and no fingerprint evidence was left afterwards.

Asagiri Aya nodded.

“I didn’t see wrong… no, I didn’t hear wrong.”

“At the time… even though I couldn’t see, I remembered the voice. Later… when the police took me to identify the recording at the scene… I recognized it immediately. It was your voice.”

Chiyu immediately thought of the time when the police suddenly came to the campus looking for her.

It's strange. If Asagiri Aya is a key witness and she identifies him, the police wouldn't let him go so easily.

But the truth is, the police asked a few questions and then left, never to return and cause any more trouble.

"Didn't you tell them about this?"

Asagi lowered her head, her gaze falling on the back of her hand, which was covered in scars.

“I felt that the police officer in charge was in cahoots with those thugs who bullied me. If I had said it was you back then… they would have definitely hurt you, or even arrested you.”

She looked up, and for the first time, a glint of accomplice appeared in her eyes, which were always filled with tears.

“You are my benefactor. You saved me, so I would never betray you. I lied to them and said I didn’t hear anything.”

The killing intent in Qianyu's eyes receded like a tide.

Looking at the girl in front of him, covered in wounds yet still trying to express her gratitude, a strange feeling welled up inside him.

It wasn't out of gratitude; he was long past the age where he would be easily moved by someone's kindness.

interesting.

This guy might be a good prospect.

"I see, then we're even."

Aya Asagiri paused for a moment, seemingly not expecting him to accept the explanation so easily.

She hesitated for a moment, then mustered her courage and spoke:

"Um, if you don't mind, would you like to grab something to eat together? It's... it's my way of thanking you..."

Qianyu looked at her, her expression so nervous it seemed like she was about to confess her feelings, and a slight twitch appeared on her lips.

"No need, I just ate."

"Is...is that so?"

Asagiri Aya's eyes visibly dimmed, and she forced a smile that looked worse than crying, trying to hide her disappointment.

Chiyu's gaze returned to Asagiri Aya, this time with a scrutinizing quality.

Victims who have been bullied for a long time.

Wounded and abandoned by the world, with nowhere to vent his grievances and despair.

If you gave her a knife right now, who would she stab?

"Sorry, I was just being presumptuous. You go ahead with your work... I'll go back to class now."

As Aya Asagiri spoke, she walked towards the door.

"Morning mist".

Qianyu suddenly spoke up.

Do you want power?

Asagiri Aya stopped in her tracks, her pupils contracting sharply.

"What...what are you saying, Kazama-kun...?"

Do you want to get revenge on those who bullied you?

Qianyu continued.

"Those who bully you, those who treat you like trash, those who turn your life into hell."

"Didn't you ever think about letting them experience what it's like to be trampled underfoot?"

Hearing these words, something flickered deep within Asagiri Aya's eyes for a fleeting moment.

But it only lasted for a moment.

"I...I didn't...I never thought about such a thing."

"I just want to live a simple, ordinary life."

Chiyu stepped aside, making way for Asagiri Aya to reach the door.

"Yeah?"

"Then forget I said anything."

Upon seeing this, Asagiri Aya practically fled in panic.

Qianyu stood there, watching the retreating figure flee in panic, lost in thought.

He remembered that Aya Asagiri was the main character of some magical girl website.

In that case, does that mean the girl is born with a protagonist's halo?

If we can get her to do things for us, she might play a crucial role someday.