The novel also regularly mentions drug use by the main character, and later, his friend, Yamazaki. This element of the story is downplayed in the manga (drugs Satō uses are referred to as "legal psychedelics purchased off the internet"), and left out of the story altogether in the anime (with the exception of Hitomi).
The novel features drug use by the main character and his friend, Yamazaki. This element of the story is less prominent in the manga, where Satō's drugs are referred to as "legal psychedelics purchased online," while it is entirely absent from the anime, except for Hitomi.