Kyoh Goshoin's explanation left Hayashi Maki a bit speechless.
"How do you even know I'm connected to the Sanzenin heir? And your dad agreed without doing any digging? That's way too casual!"
"Hee-hee, that's not all," Kyoh said with a confident smile.
"The main reason is… I'm online friends with Nagi Sanzenin. We often chat about stock trading."
"As for how I knew about you and her—easy. Who else casually tips twenty million just for a light novel?"
Hayashi Maki still wasn't entirely convinced. But he didn't dwell on it; Kyoh was here now, and that was good for him either way.
"Oh, and by the way, thanks to my maneuvering, Schwein-chan transferred over too," Kyoh added suddenly.
Hayashi Maki's mouth twitched. "She agreed? Segawa's not like you and Ako—she's a total normie with tons of friends in class."
"Nope. She only has one really close friend. And that friend transferred with her," Kyoh said with a smile.
Hayashi Maki shrugged. "So what's the point of making them all transfer here?"
"Obviously, for Ako. You know her situation—reality–online confusion syndrome. As her friends, we have to help her overcome it together!"
Brimming with confidence, Kyoh gave him a fired-up look.
"You don't want your 'wife' Ako living in an online game forever, right? This is real life. Keep going like this and something bad is bound to happen."
"In a game you can respawn after getting killed, but in reality you only get one life. We have to bring Ako back to the real world!"
Seeing how serious she was, Hayashi Maki nodded on instinct.
"You're right. We can't just leave a girl like that to drift. So what's your plan, Senpai?"
"You'll find out when it's time," Kyoh said mysteriously.
Hayashi Maki didn't press. They chatted a bit more, then went their separate ways.
…
Lunchtime break ended.
When the bell rang, Hayashi Maki headed back to his seat. Next up was Japanese—Shizuka Hiratsuka's class.
Everyone was listening attentively—except Ako Tamaki, who was blowing up Hayashi Maki's phone.
Why call it "harassment"? Because every message was pure sugary sweet-talk.
"Dear hubby, what do you want for dinner tonight?"
"Can I come over to your place?"
"Boohoo, does anyone else live with you? When will you take Ako to meet your mom and dad?"
Hayashi Maki never thought he'd live to see the day a girl "harassed" him. He'd always been the one texting girls first.
And this was Hiratsuka's class; if he could help it, he wouldn't reply. But when he glanced over and saw Ako already teary-eyed, his soft spot for cute girls kicked in. Sighing, he secretly texted back:
"Got plans this afternoon. Ako, go home with Mahiru, okay? As for my place, it's just me—my parents aren't around anymore."
Ako: "I'm sorry, hubby. I didn't mean to bring up something sad… But… I really can't go to your place?"
He could tell she'd gotten the wrong idea, so he replied quickly:
"Mahiru's home is my home—we live together. That's why I'm telling you to go with her. Oh, and if you want to stay over, make sure you clear it with your family first."
Ako: "Got it! Then I'll go home with Mahiru today!"
She pouted; jealous that he already lived with Mahiru Shiina, but determined to fly over there anyway. Once she knew the location, she could visit on her own later.
After class, Ako zipped straight over and hugged his arm, clinging to him affectionately.
"Class is over, hubby—hee-hee, I get to be with you again!"
Hayashi Maki could feel every guy around trying to kill him with their eyes—pure envy, pure spite.
Couldn't be helped; Ako was gorgeous, and her figure was dangerously alluring.
Yumiko Miura saw it and felt a stab of sour jealousy. She'd never latched on to Hayashi Maki's arm and acted cutesy in public like that. Ako was a formidable rival!
But remembering Ako's reality–online confusion, Yumiko's jealousy faded. The kid was "in treatment," and Yumiko felt more sympathy than anything.
Faced with a cuddly Ako who also showered him with "benefits," Hayashi Maki could only pat her head in consolation.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed.
Caller ID: Mafuyu Kirisu.
Thinking about how he'd kissed her that morning, his feelings got… complicated.
"Hello, Kirisu-sensei. What's up?"
Hearing his calm voice made Mafuyu grit her teeth. This rotten student had no remorse whatsoever? After what he did?
She took a deep breath, forced herself steady, and said coolly, "Since Tamaki-san just transferred, she hasn't had time to pick up her textbooks. Please take her to the library to get them."
Hayashi Maki: "No problem, leave it to me… So what's my reward afterward?"
Mafuyu: "You still want a reward?"
Hayashi Maki: "Of course. I'm not running errands for free."
Mafuyu: "How about I reward you with a big fat slap, huh? You jerk!"
He'd done that to her and still had the gall to ask for a reward? Unbelievable!
Hayashi Maki: "A slap works too, heh. Kirisu-sensei can try—if you can land it."
He had no intention of standing there and taking it. If she swung, he'd seize the chance to steal another kiss.
Mafuyu: "Drop dead, you creep! Anyway—you're in charge of getting Tamaki-san her books. That's final!"
She hung up immediately.
Just the thought made her angry. As a teacher, she'd actually been outmaneuvered by a student. That wasn't right.
Mafuyu decided she had to set him straight.
He already had a wonderfully cute girlfriend like Mahiru Shiina—how could he lay hands on his teacher?
He was an outstanding student; it'd be a waste if he turned into a flirt and went astray because of this. She had to lead him back onto the right path—so he wouldn't become a menace to society after graduation!