Shiina Mahiru's long golden hair carried a faint, clean fragrance.
It felt wonderful to the touch—silky and smooth—like a golden waterfall draped down her back.
Paired with that delicate, doll-like face, she looked every bit like an angel who could steal your breath away.
And matching that angelic face was a devilishly perfect figure: snow-white skin with a dewy sheen and soft as could be; a petite, shapely body; long legs wrapped in black stockings. She looked like the flawless heroine who'd stepped out of a manga—love at first sight.
Right now, though, this girl was like a wounded little animal, lying softly against his chest.
Her amber eyes were glassy with tears; a warm trail slid down her cheek and dampened his shirt.
Hayashi Maki didn't know why she was crying so hard, but it wasn't hard to guess—those two parents who hardly acted like parents must have hit her with something heavy again.
He didn't pry. He just stroked her hair and gently soothed his angel Mahiru.
After about half an hour of quiet sobbing, Mahiru's emotions finally settled a little.
She lifted her lovely face, a bit embarrassed. "Sorry, Maki-kun… I got your clothes all wet."
Smearing tears on his shirt—that alone made her feel ashamed.
Hayashi Maki ruffled her hair, then lightly wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes. "It's fine—it's only tears. If you still feel like crying, I'll just change into a few more shirts."
"Mm… you bully. I'm not going to keep sniffling."
She shot him a playful glare, nuzzled her cheek into his chest again, and rubbed against him affectionately.
Breathing in his scent, she murmured, "Maki-kun… will you ever abandon me?"
"Don't be silly. I wouldn't abandon you even if I died. Don't forget—I'm a greedy scoundrel. The first time I saw you, I'd already thought up names for our future kids."
"Th-that's so embarrassing… You were thinking about that the first time you saw me?"
Blushing, Mahiru gave him a light little punch—but her mood had brightened. Someone cared about her. Someone needed her.
Hayashi Maki caught her tiny fist, lowered his head, and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Yeah, I'm the worst, and I'm possessive. Which means from now on, you can only be mine. I'll use any means necessary to keep you by my side."
"Really?" Her amber eyes went wide, fixed on him. The fist he held relaxed—then turned to clasp his hand back, fingers lacing with his.
"Of course it's real. I'd lie to anyone but not to my angel."
He said it seriously, tightening his other arm around her to show how much he meant it.
Mahiru arched a brow and suddenly asked, "Then be honest—did you make a move on Asada?"
"Uh… that…"
He froze. You're doing a side-chick check now?
"Mm? Didn't you say you wouldn't lie to me? Maki-kun, a person should be honest and keep his word."
She smiled, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Hayashi Maki sighed, hugged her tighter, and spoke plainly: "Yes. I did. It's tied to who I am. I'm a demon, you know."
Mahiru blinked and stared at him. "Are all demons as gentle as you?"
"Gentle? I'm obviously awful," Hayashi Maki huffed, feeling oddly insulted. He shot her a wolfish look, eyes smoldering as he stared at her pretty face.
Mahiru only smiled, lifted her pale arms, and slowly looped them around his neck. "Thank you, Demon-san."
"Uh… so do you believe me or not?"
"I do."
"You sure don't act like you do. You're not even surprised. Be honest—you don't believe it, do you?"
"I believe you. Really," she said, firm this time. "I've felt my strength grow a lot recently. That's your doing, isn't it?"
"It is… but your reaction is way too calm."
Her calmness left him a little deflated.
Mahiru noticed and let the corner of her mouth lift. "Being calm is bad? It means I trust you. Demon, demon lord—whatever you are—if Maki-kun needs me and won't abandon me, I can accept anything."
Those big, wet eyes stayed on him as she spoke her heart. "Maki-kun… something happened tonight that really hurt. Can you make me forget it?"
"Of course. Leave it to me, Mahiru."
Faced with that shy, pure-yet-tempting look, the lecher in Hayashi Maki didn't even try to hold back; he kissed her urgently, reaffirming their bond.
A long while later, Mahiru leaned against him, mind blissfully blank, tracing circles on his chest with her pale fingertip.
"Hey, Maki-kun… I still can't forget. What do I do?"
It had felt wonderful, sure—but healing a wound wasn't that easy. Or maybe she just wanted to keep talking, to let him know her better.
Hayashi Maki stroked her hair. "Then tell me. I'll be sad with you."
"Pfft—how are you going to be sad with me? You're not me."
She couldn't help laughing.
He pinched her soft cheeks, gaze warm. "I'm not you, so I might not feel exactly what you do. But saying it out loud will make you feel better, right? Mahiru, my angel—let me know you."
She brushed his hand away from her cheeks with a little pout. "I told you—don't call me an angel. But… since you asked like that, I'll tell you."
She drew a deep breath and finally decided to lay it all out.
"I grew up in a very wealthy family—in a big, luxurious house. Aunt Koyuki, our housekeeper, looked after me every day. I basically didn't have to do anything—just grow up like a pampered rich girl."
"But my parents never came home. On the rare occasions they did, they never spoke to me. They were always busy with work. Every time they came back, they stayed one night—as if checking a box—and left the next morning."
"I couldn't understand. Why did other kids get taken out by their parents to play and enjoy a warm home together, while mine never came home and didn't even acknowledge me?"
"Aunt Koyuki told me they were just too busy. If I worked hard and became excellent, they would definitely praise me."
"So I studied hard. I trained. I turned into what everyone sees now—the so-called 'angel.'"
"I became the good child everyone wanted and the top student in my grade… but I still couldn't earn my parents' attention. Not even a glance."
"On the day I started high school, I even prepared a big table of dishes. Neither of them came back."
"So I got angry and ran away from home, waiting for them to reach out to me first."
"But a month passed, and besides Aunt Koyuki, no one asked how I was."
"That day I finally couldn't hold it in and called them. I asked why they ignored me. Wasn't I good enough? I'd worked so hard to become the 'angel' in everyone's eyes!"
"And I finally got my answer—that I didn't matter."
"It turns out my father and mother got together for family interests."
"My grandparents even plotted it. They each had someone they actually loved, but because of a one-night stand, they had me—and were forced to marry."
"My existence is their scar. Whenever they see me, they feel shame and pain."
"I couldn't believe that after more than ten years of trying, that was the truth I got."
"In that moment, everything I'd done felt meaningless. That's why you saw me sitting alone in the rain on that swing."
By now Mahiru's eyes were wet again. She threw her arms around his neck and held on tight. "Thank you for finding me, Maki-kun."
"Even if you're shameless and pervy and super bad… and maybe not even human but a demon or whatever—please don't throw me away, okay?"
"I don't have a home anymore."
"Today Aunt Koyuki told me my parents got divorced."
"And my legal guardian is… our housekeeper, Aunt Koyuki. Isn't it ridiculous? They won't even admit I'm their daughter."
"Dad has already moved back in with his real daughters—two of them… Maki-kun… mmph—"
Hayashi Maki didn't let her continue. He lowered his head and sealed her lips with his—showing his feelings through action.
~~~
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