Love Bound in a Cage

Takezaki Jun, a 25-year-old researcher who transmigrates all over the place? (Yep.)

After picking up a dead spirit named Rimbaud, a series of plans that were supposed to unfold naturally nearly got him arrested as a lunatic.

*

"...Where is this? I remember... I think I died?"

"This is my laboratory. Who are you?"

"Verlaine... No, I'm Rimbaud."

"A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Rimbaud."

This was how it all began. Welcome to this world, my dearest Mr. Rimbaud.

*

When two souls from different worlds collided, those around them felt a chill in their hearts as well.

"M-Mr. Takezaki, these are the reports on the data from this experiment..."

"Mr. Takezaki? What are you looking at...?"

The black-haired young man in a lab coat gently gazed at a spot in the empty air. "...Mm, just put them there. You can go now."

"Y-Yes..." The new researcher hurriedly stammered out a reply and left in a panic.

"Arthur, the experiment is almost a success..." the young man said to that empty spot.

"What?"

"I mean, Arthur, you'll be able to go back and find your friends and family..." The young man continued to gaze at him gently. The complicated emotions in his eyes made Arthur feel vaguely uneasy.

"Arthur..." The secret admirer wanted to ask Rimbaud if he could stay, if he could... love him, just a little.

Everything the young man couldn't bring himself to say became a simple, "Goodbye, Mr. Rimbaud..."

"...Goodbye, Jun."

"Phew..." After the apparition vanished, the young man let out a deep breath. He slowly crouched down and leaned against the wall. "Goodbye forever, Arthur."

A deafening alarm echoed through the laboratory.

A group of people in combat uniforms charged inside. The person leading them shouted at him, "Takezaki Jun! You lunatic!"

"Are you going to drag the whole world down with you?! Surrender at once!!!"

In any case, the singularity was complete, and he had gone... home. So, see you in the next life, my dear Arthur...

"And that was the first supporting character he accidentally won over."

*

"The Sculptor"

"Kayo, live..."

Anjuin Yoshiyuki was the first world-class pillar and male protagonist that he had actively chosen to protect.

"Kayo... goodbye."

His most perfect and most failed unfinished work.

*

"The Painter"

"Hize, I hope you can find a color that belongs only to you."

Yeying Hize was his second canvas. Though he appeared gentle, deep down he didn't care at all.

"Teacher... please show me a little more favoritism. I'm begging you..."

A crack appeared before the painting was finished.

*

"The Dog Trainer"

"You'll behave, Xiuya," the black-haired young man said, staring steadily at the strange purple-haired being before him. "Won't you, my little Lord Heretic God?"

"...Jun, you're so biased." The blue-haired being beside them wrapped his arms around the young man from behind. "I'm clearly the more obedient one."

Yeyuan Xiuya wasn't having it. He came forward at once. "Jun likes me a little more than my big brother, right?"

Only obedient dogs don't get abandoned, isn't that right?

*

"The Bartender"

"...Mr. Gin, please don't go around killing people in my bar."

"Madeira," the silver-haired man's voice was low. "...If you've got nothing better to do, come on a mission with me."

"Hi~ there, my lovely Scotch whisky." The young bartender came out from behind the bar. His fair skin stood out against the black counter. "Congratulations~ Guess what I found out... That's right!"

The bartender's voice suddenly rose, then quickly dropped again. "Hikaru really is a good person, after all. So..."

Ignoring the undercover agent's wide eyes, the bartender leaned close to his ear and spoke softly. "There's a spy planted by the Organization inside the police department you belong to."

"Huh?" the bartender said with a laugh. "...Who told you I was on the Black side? I'm neutral, more on the Red side of Gray."

*

"Takezaki, you're done for."

"All the people and gods you've provoked are coming after you."

Takezaki Jun: But I'm just a simple strategist for the resistance, a gentle art teacher, an ordinary dog trainer, and a bartender with a glass jaw, aren't I?

Theme: The simple life is the best.