No mishaps—it was afternoon again.
For today's club activity, Hayashi Maki was still taking everyone to work part-time at Saionji Youko's shop. His manuscript fee hadn't arrived yet, and side gigs brought in cash faster.
At the convenience store the pay was roughly ¥1,100–1,300 per hour, depending on performance as judged by the manager. Hayashi Maki, Mahiru, Kato Megumi, and Asada Shino were all at ¥1,200. Oh, and the newcomer Nibutani Shinka too.
But since Shinka also had cheer practice with the dance club, she invited Hayashi Maki and the others to come watch.
When Shiina Mahiru showed up, the senpai from the dance club lit up, grabbing Mahiru's hand and asking nonstop if she'd join. Mahiru only smiled and declined.
The cheer skirt was too short, and they only wore short socks—she didn't like that. Also, Maki-kun tended to get jealous; he definitely wouldn't want other guys seeing her fair skin.
Most importantly, Mahiru no longer needed popularity to "fill herself up." She existed for Hayashi Maki alone now, and didn't need to become excellent to patch up her parents' relationship.
So cheerleading wasn't necessary at all. Besides, if she shone too brightly, wouldn't she steal Nibutani Shinka's thunder?
"Eh? With looks and a figure like yours, you're not interested in dance? What a waste." With clear regret, the senpai let go of her hand and took Shinka and the others to practice.
Hayashi Maki waited at the door. He wanted to watch too, but being pegged as a creep would be bad for his image. A playful "perv" persona was fine in front of his girls—part of the chemistry, even—but if the "lecher" label stuck with other girls at school, rumors might cost him chances.
A few minutes later, training ended. Shinka changed and came out with Mahiru and Megumi. The senpai blinked at Megumi in surprise—was this kouhai even inside? She hadn't noticed her at all. A ghost?
…
"Let's go, Hayashi-kun. I'm done practicing—we can do our club activity now!" Shinka said, even throwing him a playful wink—just a little flirty.
Mahiru shot her a strange look.
Hayashi Maki knew the little minx was getting back at him for bullying her and stealing that kiss—flirting on purpose to stir up drama with Mahiru and break the peace. He didn't call her on it; he'd teach her a lesson tomorrow. For now, off to work.
"Work," as it happened, wasn't tiring at all. Saionji Youko greeted him and the girls warmly, those dewy eyes always soft. Now and then she'd loop her arm through his and, well, press close, steering him to the break room to rest.
Sensing a familiar mana inside her, Hayashi Maki realized she was also one of his followers—probably contracted at some point in the past.
If world-hopping was possible, a near-omnipotent demon like him might learn time travel someday. He wondered about some of the other ladies—Kiyoura Mai, for instance. If so, it'd be a shame; he was still thinking about Kiyoura Setsuna. If Setsuna turned out to be his daughter… that would be quite a mess.
He was a demon, not a beast. Then again, what if he and Setsuna weren't blood-related? Mana seeds could blossom into many kinds of powers; copying his genes to create a child wasn't impossible.
While his thoughts wandered—and while he enjoyed Saionji's gentle gaze—closing time arrived.
Shinka happily left with her part-time pay. With extra pocket money she could buy some "props," like a mage's kerchief—no, nope, she'd already graduated from chūnibyō. Why was she even thinking that? Seal it! Mori Summer must be sealed forever!
Megumi and Shinka lived the same direction and left together.
Hayashi Maki strolled down the street with Asada Shino and Shiina Mahiru.
Shino's gentle eyes kept drifting to Hayashi Maki, then quickly away. She snuck a glance at Mahiru and, feeling inferior, lowered her head.
Compared to the dazzling, angelic heiress, she felt terribly lacking. And she was poor, which made her feel even smaller.
"Hey, Asada—can we hang out at your place today? Youko-san insisted and gave us a few half-price bentos and such. Maki-kun and I can't finish them—can we eat at yours together?"
"Ah—o-of course!" Shino nodded quickly.
Mahiru smiled, took Shino's hand, and said, "Let's go, then. Maki-kun, hold the bags tight—don't drop anything."
"Mm, leave them to me."
He didn't mind being Mahiru's bag-carrier; it was his dinner after all. He did feel a tad guilty, though. Mahiru had probably noticed: Youko's "discount items" were clearly fresh off the shelf—nothing that needed discounting. They were obviously for Hayashi Maki. There were even two trays of high-grade wagyū and fresh oysters. Was she trying to "replenish his strength"?
At Shino's door, Hayashi Maki's pair of shoes were still neatly placed where he'd left them—now wiped clean, spotless, the leather polished to a shine. Shino glanced at them, cheeks flushing, and led the two inside.
Mahiru slipped on an apron and shooed Hayashi Maki out to Shino's room—she'd deliberately stayed behind to talk privately with Shino.
Shino seemed to realize it. In a plain apron, she nervously stared at the ingredients in her hands. Biting her lip, she washed vegetables in silence.
Suddenly Mahiru asked, "Asada… you and Maki-kun… did you do that?"
"Ah?"
Shino went scarlet. Mouth open, she couldn't get a word out and had no idea how to answer. How could Shiina be so direct? Was she going to hit her—tear into the "other woman" while Maki-kun wasn't around?
"What, does your silence mean you didn't?"
Mahiru frowned at her.
Shino blanched, then her eyes steadied. She gave a tiny nod. "Mm. We did."
"How did it feel?"
Mahiru took her hand, asking in all seriousness.
Shino was stunned, but—flustered—she answered on reflex. "Um… how do I put it… intense… I… I couldn't quite handle it."
She looked at Mahiru, tense, afraid she'd be slapped for being a shameless woman. Instead, Mahiru nodded hard, like she'd found a comrade.
"Right? He's practically inhuman. I can't handle it either."
"Uh… then… Shiina, what do you mean? I… I shamelessly 'seduced' Maki-kun—aren't you angry?"
Mahiru sighed and looked her in the eye. "At first, yes. But you know Maki-kun isn't ordinary. And rather than you 'seducing' him, it's more that he made a move on you on purpose. He's the sort of bad man who decisively goes after pretty girls—you know that, right?"
"Mm… he did that with me even though he has you. It's… a little bad. But I also… like it."
Mahiru smiled. "Since you like it too, then let's get along. Asada, I won't blame you. But I won't leave Maki-kun, and you can't monopolize him. He's all I have."
Whatever Shino thought, Mahiru had laid down her terms. If Shino couldn't accept that, it would be better to part sooner—because Mahiru would not leave, nor would she naively hand her man over. Either they tacitly share and live in harmony, or Shino walks away.
After that, Shino was shocked at first—then deeply moved. Shiina is so gentle—to go this far for Maki-kun. Besides, she'd never planned to have him to herself anyway. She couldn't handle him alone.
While the two girls whispered, Hayashi Maki kept an ear out from the other room. Seeing they weren't fighting and were chatting happily instead, he let out a breath of relief.
At the same time, he loved his little angel even more. A woman who could be so tolerant of his fickleness—he would absolutely cherish her. And Shino, too. He wouldn't ditch the old for the new. His followers were his wings; every feather was precious.
~~~
200 Powerstone Bonus Chapter!
100 Powerstone = 1 Bonus Chapter!