Munching happily on the bento that Satania and Vignette had shared with her, Gabriel wore a blissful look.
Satania had no objections—in fact, she was moved. Someone had finally invited her to eat together. She wouldn't be alone at lunch anymore! Thank you, Hayashi Maki-senpai!
Satania wasn't stupid; she knew Gabriel and Vignette were close friends of Hayashi Maki. If they were inviting her, it was surely because Hayashi Maki couldn't bear to watch her be left out.
"Um, Satania… have you noticed your allowance from the Netherworld is, like, half of what it used to be this month?" Vignette finally asked. She wanted to know if another demon like Satania was in the same boat.
Satania blinked, puzzled. "Nope! Mine actually doubled. Vignette, did yours get cut?"
With more money, she'd even been buying magic items advertised on Netherworld TV lately.
Vignette's eyes went wide. "Doubled? No way! Mine's down by half! Why? How's that fair? Satania, what did you do?"
Satania puffed out her chest. "Obviously, I've been training as a great demon! Heh heh, Vignette, let me tell you—Hayashi Maki-senpai is incredible. With his guidance, my mana shot way up!"
"So I passed the demon evaluation, and my allowance increased!"
"Hayashi Maki's guidance? Just what did he have you do?" Vignette stared, incredulous. "And that still doesn't add up—your usual 'demon' antics earn points on the exam? Why is my allowance less than half of yours?"
Gabriel rolled her eyes. "That's what I've been saying—you keep doing things only an angel would do. So instead of bonus points, you're getting deductions."
"Can you not? The last person I want to hear that from is an angel who behaves like a demon! Ugh—how is this fair? At this rate I won't even be able to afford food."
Vignette was near tears. She simply couldn't bring herself to make those loud, embarrassing "demon declarations" in class like Satania. Her nature was to help people; she couldn't ignore someone in trouble. Keep that up, and her demon exam score might go negative.
Seeing Vignette so upset, Satania offered earnestly, "Why don't you ask senpai to guide your training too? Since you can't do the things only Satania would do, that leaves the SSS-tier Great Demon training."
"Ask Hayashi Maki?" Vignette's mouth twitched. "Are you serious?" He's human! How's a human supposed to help a demon train? There have to be limits to your cluelessness!
Gabriel, however, backed Satania. "I think you should try. Satania's energy really has increased—she's stronger than you by a fair bit, Vignette. Every time she comes back from the rooftop with Hayashi Maki, there's a clear boost."
As she spoke, Gabriel's eyes glowed gold—the angel's Insight, which easily sees through demonic glamour and reads a target's condition. Don't be fooled by her laziness—she was strong. Dealing with Satania took nothing more than a hand chop. Top of the Angel Academy graduating class wasn't just talk.
Satania grew even more smug. Vignette, for her part, was shaken. "What exactly are you and Hayashi Maki doing in this 'training'? How does it boost you so fast?"
Thinking of those kisses, Satania's face went red. She waved both hands. "Just try it yourself and you'll see. I'm only sharing the secret because we're friends."
She wouldn't tell other demons—she'd keep a good senpai all to herself.
Vignette wavered. Even Gabriel thought she should ask Hayashi Maki. Just what kind of person was he? To boost a demon's mana like that?
"Incredible… to actually raise a demon's power. Hayashi Maki—what is he?" she murmured.
"A good person," Gabriel said solemnly. "I've already decided: when the time comes, I'll be the guiding angel who leads him to Heaven."
Her tone made her meaning clear: Hayashi Maki was a man an angel had her eye on—demons had better not try to steal him.
Satania's eyes went wide. As expected of Senpai. Even an angel like Gabriel had fallen for him—wanted to lead him to Heaven. She still had a lot to learn!
Vignette felt tempted. If she asked Hayashi Maki for guidance, maybe she really could become a proper demon. Proper or not, her personality was set; it wouldn't change overnight. But at least she could pass the evaluation and get a normal allowance again! At this rate, she really would be unable to afford food.
"Alright… I'll ask if he can give me some pointers," she said at last, cheeks pink. If it had only been Satania's suggestion, it wouldn't have moved her. But even Gabriel… she'd give it a try.
Hayashi Maki, meanwhile, had no idea both angel and demon girls had just run interference for him. He was lying in the clubroom, napping on Mahiru's lap. This was the life—leisure was how things ought to be. Fighting all day long? What kind of nonsense was that? A demon's delightful life should be warm and simple.
Mahiru gently stroked his hair, smiling sweetly as she read a light novel. She'd never thought much about future "career." If anything, she figured she'd be a gentle, stay-at-home wife one day—she loved housework and making their home better and cozier.
"Mm… my legs are getting a little numb. I need the bathroom… Mori-sama, could you take over?"
Her sudden words made Nibutani Shinka's eyes go wide. She pointed at herself, disbelieving. "Me?"
"What, you don't want to? Then I'll have to ask Kato."
"I do want to!" Shinka blurted, cheeks burning, hurrying over to take Mahiru's place and let Hayashi Maki rest on her lap.
Megumi Kato: "…"
She wouldn't have minded, either. Casting a faintly reproachful look at Mahiru, Megumi decided it was time she took the initiative herself.