Seeing Hayashi Maki's face sleeping soundly on her lap, Nibutani Shinka felt a little shy.
Thinking of what Mahiru had just done, she lifted her snow-white palm and stroked his black hair twice. Her eyes lit up.
It felt great!
So this is what it feels like to pet a boy's head.
Shinka began treating his head like a little animal, stroking it again and again.
Hayashi Maki promptly rolled over—face down on her lap.
"Ah!"
His warm breath on her thighs sent color flooding into Shinka's cheeks.
This pervert! Who takes a lap pillow face down?
Megumi Kato was speechless. She felt like she shouldn't be here—maybe she should be waiting at the door instead. Just… ignoring me like that?
A little later, Megumi got her wish and took Shinka's place—because Shinka had gone to the restroom.
Some time passed.
Hayashi Maki woke from his blissful nap and opened his eyes. His gaze landed on Megumi's calm little face.
"Megumi? Where are Mahiru and Shinka?"
"They went to the restroom. They didn't want to wake you, so I took over."
"Oh—thanks."
He rubbed the back of his head against her thighs, then leaned in and brushed a kiss on her lower belly.
Megumi flushed and quickly pressed his head down to stop further mischief. As she ruffled his hair, it was like a new world opening—she found she didn't want to stop. Hayashi Maki's hair was soft, the texture delightful. The nearness between them—and the warmth—made the air gently ambiguous.
Unable to keep being petted like a small animal, Hayashi Maki sat up and swept Megumi onto his lap. With Mahiru and Shinka gone, he lowered his head and kissed Megumi's soft pink lips.
"Mmm—"
Megumi trembled; her cheeks turned scarlet. But she didn't refuse—her white arms slipped around his neck. She'd always liked him; he was special to her. Since elementary school they'd coincidentally sat front-and-back desk mates.
That strange fate kept Megumi quietly watching his every move. Finally, in high school, he'd truly noticed her. And when the serial killer case happened, he'd arrived just in time—an honest-to-goodness hero saving the girl. It gave her a strong sense of safety.
With those feelings in her heart, she naturally didn't refuse his closeness now.
A few minutes later, they separated reluctantly. The girl's cheeks were rosy; her breathing quick. Sitting on his lap, her body felt a little weak and soft.
Looking at the girl in his arms, Hayashi Maki leaned down and tapped her lips once more. "Sorry—Megumi is too cute. I couldn't help myself~~."
Megumi pressed her cheek to his chest. "It's not like I told you to hold back."
Sweetness bloomed in her heart, and she muttered inwardly: Only you notice the 'me' that's cute. Everyone else just looks past me.
A well-behaved girl like that was hard not to love—especially when she leaned into him with such trust and warmth. Hayashi Maki was thoroughly moved.
But Mahiru and Shinka were already at the door, so he let Megumi go for now, opened his laptop, and began writing—about a magical girl who transforms into a musclebound, "barbarian Barbie" style heroine.
After all, that's what Ojou-sama Nagi Sanzenin loved; if he wanted to contract her—and even her best friend Isumi Saginomiya—he had to put in the work.
Megumi, for her part, calmly read a light novel as if nothing had happened. The clubroom's vibe remained as warm as ever.
…
Afternoon.
Hayashi Maki went to Shinya Academy to pick up Kotonoha. He'd told Mahiru everything about the situation. Faced with a girl whose isolation mirrored Asada Shino's, the gentle angel Mahiru naturally had no objections—she just told him to come home early, and to let her know if he wouldn't.
When Kotonoha walked out the gate and saw him, her eyes lit up. She hurried over and stood before him, shy and glowing.
"Maki-kun, you came?"
"Yup—here to walk you home. Let's go, Kotonoha."
Smiling warmly, Hayashi Maki naturally took her hand. Kotonoha, fighting her shyness, squeezed back. She'd been daydreaming about him all day. Her little sister, Kokoro, had been urging her to invite Hayashi Maki herself—but how could she dare? Thankfully, Maki-kun was proactive.
Her heart felt sweet. Today, she would invite him over. The excuse? Tutoring Kokoro! After thinking it over, her sister's suggestion really was the best pretext.
Not far away, Saionji Sekai and a petite, bow-wearing girl watched. Sekai pouted and muttered, "Playboy scumbag." Kiyoura Setsuna watched Hayashi Maki's back, lost in thought.
…
Before long, the two were back at her door by train.
"Um, Maki-kun… would you like to come up? Kokoro keeps saying her grades have slipped and she wants you to tutor her. I… don't know what to do with her."
"Sure—then I'll intrude for a bit!"
He knew it was an excuse and agreed happily.
As soon as they stepped inside, a tiny figure shot toward them like a cannonball and dove into his arms, rubbing her soft cheek against his abs.
"Hayashi Maki onii-chan, you finally came—Kokoro missed you so much!"
He laughed and patted her head. "I missed Kokoro too. I heard your grades slipped—want me to tutor you?"
"Yes please! Follow me, onii-chan!"
With Kotonoha watching, half amused and half exasperated, Kokoro tugged Hayashi Maki off to her room. Her little sister was too good at acting cute; Kotonoha could only head to the kitchen to prepare fruit and drinks.
In Japan, only families as well-off as hers could afford fruit regularly. Asada Shino rarely bought any; it was Hayashi Maki and Mahiru regularly bringing her some that kept her nutrition balanced.
In the room, Kokoro wriggled in his lap, the picture of excitement. Hayashi Maki took a steadying breath and rubbed her head. "No squirming. Let's look at the problems."
Her dewy eyes sparkled—and she mischievously burrowed closer. Hayashi Maki sucked in a sharp breath and quickly steadied her by the waist. Kokoro blushed instantly and stopped moving.
"Maki-nii, you're bad…"
"Ahem—what are you saying? I'm just tutoring you. Be serious, Kokoro."
"Yesss, Kokoro will be good—but as a reward, you have to come tutor me often."
"No problem!"
Looking at the impish, affectionate girl, Hayashi Maki dipped and planted a quick kiss on her cheek. Kokoro went scarlet, but her heart bubbled with sweetness. To her, that meant Hayashi Maki liked her too.
~~~
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