Faced with Shiina Mahiru's sincerity, a steadier light flashed in Asada Shino's eyes.
Steeling herself, she looked seriously at the shining "angel" classmate. "Shiina, Maki-kun is incredibly important to me too. He's all I have as well.
"You know that thing from a few days ago—someone dug up the story about me shooting a robber when I was a kid and spread it around school. That new guy, Shinkawa—the one who deliberately came to my side and made himself my only 'friend'—came after me again.
"He took advantage of the moment when Maki-kun and I were apart, and used my weakness—how my body goes weak and I panic around handguns—to threaten me. He wanted to do that kind of thing to me.
"Turns out he'd had his eye on me for a while—and he's so twisted he thinks the way I look when I kill is 'the best.'
"He saw Maki-kun's shoes by my door, and even put up a camera nearby and caught Maki-kun on video. He went nuts and tried to use the chance to hurt me.
"At the critical moment, Maki-kun showed up and saved me again."
Hearing this, Mahiru immediately squeezed Shino's hand, concerned. "Shino, you must have been terrified. You've really been through a lot."
Shino squeezed back and managed a smile. "I was scared, but when Maki-kun stood firm in front of me—even with a real gun pointed our way, even while that man was actually shooting—I stopped being scared.
"I even threw my arms around Maki-kun and put myself in front of him. I still don't know where I found the courage.
"Maybe it's because I don't want to lose the only person who looks out for me. He's helped me three times now, and he's so gentle… I fell for him.
"That night, I purposely tempted him and leaned into his arms… and then… we did it."
At that, Shino's cheeks went scarlet.
"I know it was shameless. I could tell you were close to him, but I still did it. It's just… I don't want to leave him either.
"And you're right—Maki-kun isn't an ordinary person. There's no way I could monopolize him.
"So if you feel that way too… let's try to get along."
"Honestly, I've always felt guilty toward you. Just now I thought you were going to hit me." Shino looked mortified—she'd assumed the worst.
Mahiru rolled her eyes. "Do I seem like the kind of woman who can't tell right from wrong? I'm not going to hit you.
"And if I were you, I probably would've done the same. If anyone deserves blame, it's that guy for being a flirt. We should team up and clobber him instead."
Right then, Hayashi Maki poked his head in. "Who are you clobbering? Not me, right?"
"Ah—idiot, how long have you been listening?" Mahiru flushed, suddenly flustered.
Hayashi Maki shrugged. "I just wanted to see if dinner was ready. I only just walked over and heard Mahiru saying she was going to clobber someone with Shino."
Mahiru exhaled in relief, pressed a pale hand to his chest, and pushed him back out of the kitchen. "Dinner'll be ready soon. Go play in the other room, and stop eavesdropping on girls' talk!"
"What am I supposed to play by myself? Want me to help out instead?"
"No need—the kitchen's too small. Go play a game; it'll be done soon."
"Fine, fine—I'll go game."
Once he'd obediently left, Mahiru breathed out and shot Shino a look. "Shino, you're way too soft. He walked right in and you didn't say a thing. If he wanted to misbehave, would you just let him?"
Shino ducked her head, embarrassed. "Sorry. I… don't have any resistance to Maki-kun."
Mahiru was the same, honestly. But she still had to set the tone, and the fact that Hayashi Maki listened to her made her secretly pleased.
"Alright, alright—no need to apologize. I'm not mad. But we girls should keep a little reserve. Men are like this: the easier something is to get, the more they want to sneak snacks elsewhere."
What's the saying? The wildflower smells sweeter than the garden bloom.
"And don't call me 'Shiina.' Call me 'Mahiru.'"
"Okay. I understand, Mahiru—thank you."
Once the dam broke, the two girls chatted more and more. Especially about how to deal with Hayashi Maki—they formed a united front. They even complained about his "not exactly human" stamina—and then started discussing how to lay him out so he'd have no energy left for other girls.
At that, both of them went red. After all, everything they knew on that subject… Hayashi Maki had taught them. Thinking about it like that—so skillful! He really was a terrible man, leading them astray.
Meanwhile, Hayashi Maki lay on Shino's little bed, opened his laptop, and queued up a game with Tamaki Ako…
And what a coincidence—he spotted a priest character named "Tenma White." The model, the hair color—surely that was Gabriel's avatar? He didn't hesitate: he sent a friend request and they ran a few dungeons together. Wow—Gabriel was good. Way better than Ako.
Gabriel seemed pleased with his play too, so she kept running with him. Tamaki Ako, seeing another woman take her party slot, was teary-eyed in an instant. This is NTR! Her "husband" had been stolen by this Tenma White!
Ako spammed him with messages until Hayashi Maki dragged Gabriel into his guild, then teamed back up with Ako and sweet-talked her into feeling better. She was easy to coax.
On Gabriel's end she was excited. "Not bad—this player called Innocent Hayashi has great mechanics. I'll call him next time we need to farm gear."
After a bit more with Ako and a few dungeons, Hayashi Maki logged off. To be honest, Shino's bed was way too small; he couldn't "stretch out" at all. He'd have to find a way to help Shino get better off.
She was proud—like Aoyama Nanami—and wouldn't accept cash directly. She'd rather earn her way. So he needed another plan. At the very least, she needed to move somewhere safer—this place wasn't great for a girl living alone. And that bed definitely had to go.
Just then a delicious aroma drifted in. Mahiru and Shino came in carrying plates.
"Dinner's ready—let's eat."
Hayashi Maki's eyes lit up—wagyū and oysters. With Mahiru's sauces and a perfect golden sear, everything looked, smelled, and tasted amazing.
Even Shino had to swallow. She could cook, sure, but she'd rarely handled such pricey ingredients—money was tight. Seeing high-end ingredients shine in Mahiru's hands, she couldn't help feeling admiration—and a twinge of envy.
As expected of Mahiru. No wonder Maki-kun liked her so much. I need to work harder too.