I Picked Up a Brooding Boy [Nonhuman]

You found a black-haired boy in the pouring rain and brought him home.

He was filthy and covered in wounds, with a tag hanging from a collar around his neck.

[, USE ME]

In the 31st century, someone wearing a tag like that wasn't considered a person, but a tool.

In short, he was a discarded item.

You were very pleased with your new "furniture."

There was fresh food waiting for you whenever you came home. Someone washed and hung up your clothes to dry. You never had to worry about housework again.

You got used to having him around so naturally.

Outside the rules, you developed feelings for him that you weren't allowed to have.

You began dating in secret.

He was pale and beautiful, fragile yet resilient, considerate and attentive. He was a wonderful boyfriend, and you loved him just the way he was.

The only thing your new boyfriend couldn't handle was bugs.

He would tremble all over and get teary-eyed while you cleaned up the little critters that were everywhere.

Oh, it was a harmless little problem, you thought...

After all, he really was very timid.

Until you noticed that he was coming and going at odd hours, with ambiguous bruises and all sorts of strange wounds on his body. His evasive answers made you start to wonder.

After this happened several times, you broke up with him.

But you regretted it immediately. Where else could he go?

You began giving each other the silent treatment.

Dark, watchful eyes were everywhere.

Scorching gazes pierced you to the bone.

[Reader's Guide] 2025/8/14

1. The main text is in third person.

2. An insecure, gloomy man x a gentle, rather oblivious woman.

3. The male lead's injuries were all caused by the female lead. He wants to stick to her every second, but she has to go to work, and following her around in person means getting beaten up.

4. Well, anyway, anyone afraid of bugs should not open this book.

Theme: Does love require letting go of prejudice?