Can Even Someone Dark and Gloomy Win Tomie's Love?

→Coming next: A Blended Family in a High-Risk World

My name is Ueno Haruma. Ever since I was little, everyone has thought of me as a good kid. My parents say I'm sensible, my teachers say I'm a model student, and even my classmates praise my gentle, cheerful, easygoing, considerate nature.

But no one knows that I have a secret.

I hate my older brother, that guy called Tomie.

He's like an addictive drug, drawing everyone in. No one can help but marvel at his beauty, and they all become his devoted admirers. They idolize him, love him, follow him, and want to possess him.

“Haruma, I'm so jealous that you're Tomie's little brother. Getting to be so close to Tomie must be so exciting just to think about.” The girl who once confessed to me clasps her hands to her cheeks, looking dreamy.

“Haha, yeah. Having such a charming older brother is wonderful. I'm super proud that he's so popular!” I laugh and put an arm around Tomie's shoulder. “Isn't that right, Big Brother?”

Tomie smiles happily. “Big Brother likes Haruma, too.”

Everyone envies me for being Tomie's little brother.

But only I know how fiercely my heart is churning and screaming.

I don't understand why I have to work so hard, study so hard, and keep up a social image just to earn people's praise and affection. Tomie only has to crook a finger and smile, and countless people go crazy for him.

I want him out of my school.

Or maybe he should just... die.

Then a riot breaks out at school, and the students and teachers fight one another over Tomie. Tomie dies there, brutally torn into pieces by a crowd of people who keep saying they love him.

I'm happy. My life is back to normal. I've finally gotten rid of that annoying guy, finally stepped out of the shadow called Tomie, and finally reclaimed everyone's attention. I can finally be the most popular person at school again.

But...

Tomie appears again.

An exquisitely beautiful face grows from the shredded flesh, red lips curling into a smile. His eyes drift, and the beauty mark beneath one eye seems about to fall, making him look like a ghost.

“Didn't Haruma say he liked Big Brother best? So why could you ignore my pleas for help and watch them kill me, smiling so happily? Was Haruma's ‘love’ a lie?”

Facing this monster who can come back to life after being chopped into pieces, I grit my teeth and force a stiff smile.

“N-no, of course not.”

“My ‘love’ for you, Big Brother, is absolutely real.”

I've been haunted by the monster called Tomie.

Countless Tomies appear in my life. They die in all sorts of cruel ways, then come back to life, multiply, and appear before me again.

They may differ in identity and appearance, but one thing never changes: they tirelessly repeat the same words to me, asking me the same question.

“Haruma, you said it yourself.”

“You like me, right?”

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▼A darkly flavored sweet treat, with Tomie gender-swapped as a man

▼A story about a sibling bond that doesn't exist (crossed out) turning into something else, mostly everyday life

▼An outwardly sunny and perfect, but deeply insincere and gloomy male lead & a vicious, sharp-tongued, beautiful but useless Tomie

Theme: Twisted love is truly delicious