"Here, Shino—eat more meat. You're so slender it makes my heart ache just looking at you."
"And you too, Mahiru. Thanks for always making such delicious meals for me—I'm really lucky."
Hayashi Maki picked up two slices of beef and dropped them into the girls' bowls, smiling with satisfaction.
Shiina Mahiru glanced at him, murmured a soft "thank you," and started eating, sweetness blooming in her chest.
Asada Shino blushed as well. Eating the beef Mahiru had cooked, she felt so moved it was almost tear-worthy; her eyes grew moist.
Seeing how inexperienced she looked, Hayashi Maki decided that, when he had the chance, he'd take Shino out for a proper meal. She really was a bit too thin—she needed nutrition.
In terms of "combat power," Shino lagged behind Mahiru—and that was normal. Though Mahiru hadn't been loved by her parents, she'd still been raised like an heiress.
Aunt Koyuki, the caretaker, took care of her daily life, and Mahiru herself was disciplined—up early for runs and regular exercise. In sheer figure, Mahiru outclassed Shino. Of course, Shino had plenty of potential; her petite, delicate look was very cute in its own right.
The food was wonderful, but without a drink it felt like something was missing. Shino carefully pulled a bottle of red wine from the back of a cabinet.
"Want some?" she asked, a little sheepish. "My grandparents in the countryside sent it. I don't know when it was put away—they didn't need it, so they mailed it to me."
Hayashi Maki's eyes lit up. "Absolutely—pour me a glass! I knew something was missing. With food this good, wine is a must."
(And a little wine would make "things" easier later, too.)
Mahiru gave him a playful scolding look. "Don't drink too much. We have class tomorrow."
"No worries—just a little!"
One glass in, Mahiru's already delicate face bloomed with a tempting blush, making her even cuter. Shino was the same. Neither of them seemed used to alcohol; it was probably their first time.
Hayashi Maki, meanwhile, was fine. The red wine's sweet-tart taste went down like juice. There was a kick, but for a demon it was nothing.
Even so, after wine, beef, and oysters, he felt the heat rising. Mahiru had told him not to overdrink, but because the wine went down so easily she had a few extra glasses herself—now her face was scarlet and her body swayed.
When she reached for more, he hurriedly took her cup. "Alright, Mahiru, that's enough. You're drunk. Keep going and you'll feel awful tomorrow."
"Mm… nooo, I'm not drunk… It's sweet and sour and yummy. I'm totally fine."
"Heehee… but why are there two of you now? And you've got a pig head."
Hayashi Maki's face darkened. A pig head? He couldn't let that stand.
"Not drunk, huh? Seeing double and calling me a pig head?"
Rolling his eyes, he scooped Mahiru up and carried her to Shino's small bed, setting her down. "Sleep, be good. I'll wash the dishes."
Then he turned to Asada Shino, lifted her the same way, and laid her beside Mahiru. "You too—no more drinking."
When Hayashi Maki finished the dishes and came back, Mahiru's uniform was on the floor; her skirt was wrinkled and bunched down around her pretty calves. She twisted restlessly.
"So hot… ugh… it's uncomfortable."
Shino, beside her, had already fallen asleep.
Hayashi Maki felt hot too. His eyes slid to Mahiru's long pale legs, the soft shadowed line at her chest, the glow on her white skin. Restraint? Gone. He swept her up and pressed his lips to her cherry-red mouth.
"Mm… ngh… you bully… Maki-kun… I feel awful…"
His voice was hoarse as he dipped again, warm lips brushing along the white line of her neck, breathing in her scent, savoring her softness. No way he was sleeping tonight.
"Easy, Mahiru… you'll feel better soon. Leave it to me."
With a wicked smile he steadied her slim waist and kissed her again.
Night fell deep. He didn't plan on heading home; he'd "borrow" Shino's bed for the night. The air grew hot. Mahiru murmured softly, pale arms looping around his neck, those dewy eyes full of attachment. Her rosy face was even more enticing than usual.
"I'll be good… Maki-kun, don't abandon me. You're all I have."
"Silly girl—I won't. For this life, Mahiru is mine, and you can only stay by my side."
As they voiced their feelings, the atmosphere softened and warmed. Mahiru hugged his neck and pouted sweetly: "Then you have to take responsibility! And… don't bully Shino too much, you big meanie."
The lights went out. The rest went unspoken.
…
Morning.
Mahiru blinked awake, hazy. Images from last night flickered in her mind. That saying about alcohol making you forget? A lie. She remembered perfectly—including how she'd clung to Hayashi Maki like a spoiled child.
Blushing, she jumped up and hurried to the bathroom. She still smelled nice, but she'd broken a sweat and felt a bit self-conscious. Shino, cheeks pink, went in with her. The two were shy, but didn't shy away from each other—girls, after all. And after last night… they felt closer.
"Mahiru, your figure is amazing." Looking at Mahiru's glowing, dewy skin, perfect curves, and slim waist, Shino could only feel envy. No exaggeration: Mahiru's beauty could make even a girl's heart skip.
"You're not bad either," Mahiru said, smiling comfortingly. "Maki-kun isn't ordinary—before long you'll be even prettier than you are now."
Shino's reddened face looked very cute. "Um, Mahiru… I'll scrub your back?"
"Sure—and I'll do yours after."
The mood turned wonderfully harmonious. Under Mahiru's gentleness, the "backyard" of Hayashi Maki's life was starting to settle into harmony.
After breakfast, the three headed to school together, parting with Shino along the way—she went to Mizutaka High, while Hayashi Maki and Mahiru attended Hakuo Academy.
On the road, Mahiru said solemnly, "I'm sealing away the red wine. And, Maki-kun, you can't drink too much either. Getting drunk is bad!"
Embarrassing things happen. She liked acting spoiled with him now, but she felt last night's tipsy version of herself had been bolder—and more embarrassing.
Hayashi Maki nodded helplessly. He'd told her not to drink too much—she was the one who kept sipping, saying the wine was easy to drink; after a few glasses the kick hit and she went woozy. That version of her was different from usual—more uninhibited, more open-hearted… and, to him, even cuter.
~~~
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