With Mrs. Tamaki's permission secured, Hayashi Maki took an excited Ako Tamaki back to his place.
He opened the door and called out on reflex, "I'm home."
"Welcome back, Maki-kun."
Mahiru Shiina came over, a blue apron on and her golden hair shining under the lights. Her angelic, delicate face paired with a flawless, gentle smile made anyone feel warm at a glance.
Ako instantly puffed her cheeks. "I'm here too, Shiina!"
Seeing Mahiru's perfect "wife" aura made the pressure spike for Ako.
"You're welcome too, Ako~," Mahiru said kindly, taking her by the hand and leading her inside.
Then Ako noticed a short-haired, quietly cute girl on the sofa.
"Who are you?"
Megumi Kato looked at Ako, unbothered. Used to being overlooked, she said calmly, "I'm Megumi Kato, Maki-kun's desk mate in front."
"Oh, right, I remember! But how did I never notice you?"
Ako leaned in and stared intently at Megumi's face, looking a little troubled.
Just how many girlfriends did her husband have?
Megumi was about to help in the kitchen, but Mahiru told her to sit and relax.
Hayashi Maki naturally invited the two girls to his room.
Megumi sat serenely on his bed and pulled out a light novel, like she'd done this many times—clearly, she'd been in Hayashi Maki's room a lot.
Resting her chin in her hands, Ako suddenly dove under the bed to search. Boys usually stashed their naughty books under the bed, so she needed to study up—see what kind of gravure "husband" liked.
But there were no photo books.
Hayashi Maki's study materials were all tucked away on USB sticks!
Watching Ako crawl out empty-handed, Megumi couldn't help finding it funny. She calmly handed Ako a book. "Here—you'll find the naughty stuff on the shelf. No need to crawl under the bed."
Blushing, Ako took it. "Thanks…"
But a beat later she grumbled, "Why are you so familiar with hubby's room? Ugh, how many women has he had before me?"
"You'll have to ask him," Megumi replied. She had her own quiet grievances: she'd been at his side the longest—ever since grade school, always seated in front of him. Even at Hakuo she'd coincidentally ended up in front of him again. Their "fate" was oddly strong.
Ako pouted but let it drop. Flipping the book open with interest, her eyes went wide. "Is… is that even a human bust size? She's from Planet Dairy Cows! Is this hubby's type?!"
What Megumi handed over was a doujin borrowed from her cousin's place—drawn by Eriri.
Heh—if her eyes had to suffer, she wasn't going to suffer alone. Whenever someone came over, Megumi felt obligated to share the book.
Staring at the drawings, cheeks aflame, Ako glanced down at her own body. She was naturally on the fuller side—like her mom, she was very well endowed. But nowhere near as exaggerated as the manga.
Just as she was fretting, Hayashi Maki came in with a fruit tray. "Have something to drink, Ako, Megumi."
"Thanks," Megumi said politely, taking the juice.
Ako also accepted happily—and immediately hid the book behind her back. Hayashi Maki had already seen it, and didn't care. He never hid the books in his room, after all.
He sat naturally beside Megumi, and with a sweep of his arm, drew her slim waist close. The girl flushed; though her face stayed calm and quiet, her heartbeat sped up.
Megumi sneaked a glance at him—should I let him hug me now? There's someone else here!
Hayashi Maki did it on purpose. He made no effort to conceal his philandering nature, showing his truest self to both Megumi and Ako.
Compared to the suddenly nervous Megumi, Ako's eyes went round, glued to the hand at Megumi's waist.
"This is N…T…R!"
"Boohoo, hubby, how could you? I'm right here!"
Hayashi Maki arched a brow, scooped Megumi up, and kissed her soft lips. Megumi, blushing, lifted her arms and looped them around his neck. And just like that, they started making out right in front of Ako.
Ako was almost in tears. Why isn't it me in his arms?
After a long kiss, Hayashi Maki said seriously to Ako, "This is who I really am. If you can't accept it…"
"No, I can. But hubby, you can't just focus on Kato—what about me?"
"I want comfort too!"
Instead of sulking or crying, she leaned in and offered up her lips.
Hayashi Maki was a bit taken aback—but he felt Ako's sincerity. It seemed she really had chosen him, and nothing would change her mind. He didn't want her feelings to cool; he only wanted to show his real self. He was a flirt; having many girlfriends was real. They were all his retainers—his wings—so he couldn't abandon any of them. Ako would figure that out sooner or later.
A little later, Mahiru knocked on the door.
"Maki-kun, dinner's ready. Come eat!"
"Coming!"
Breathing a little fast, Hayashi Maki patted Ako's head and gently stroked Megumi's hair. The two girls stood with flushed faces, smoothed their dresses, and walked out without a word.
Ako clenched her tiny fists, a touch of pride on her face. She wasn't going to lose to "barely noticeable" Kato!
Except…
Where had this Mashiro Shiina popped up from?
After dinner, a gold-haired beauty—Mashiro—was sitting on Hayashi Maki's lap with that blank, adorable face. Ako's lips jutted out in a jealous pout. She had braced herself, but hubby's flirtatiousness surpassed her imagination. And Mashiro was Mahiru's cousin—salt in the wound.
Hayashi Maki stroked Mashiro's hair as she cuddled into him and beckoned Ako over. Megumi had already nestled quietly at his side. You had to stake your claim sometimes—otherwise men forget you. So Megumi naturally showed her affection.
Though jealous, Ako obediently sat beside him; then, tilting her head, she happily leaned on his shoulder. Somehow, the jealousy faded—so long as hubby kept her in his heart, she was satisfied. She didn't ask for much—just that he care for her and keep her company.
Besides… so many gorgeous, refined girls liked Hayashi Maki. Didn't that prove how exceptional he was?
Ako's taste wasn't wrong!
And from now on, she had to make sure he supported her for life.
~~~
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