Yukinoshita Yukino's critique left Hayashi Maki a bit stunned.
If Elf Yamada-sensei heard Yukino's take on her work, would she burst into tears? Calling her heroine an exhibitionist pervert…
"And here too—look, Maki-kun, the heroine's naked again. I have no idea what the author is trying to convey." Yukino said, giving him a withering look. "You men… do you just like this kind of fan service? Getting to see a cute girl's body so easily…"
"Ahem… that depends on the person. I only like looking when it's someone illegally cute like Yukino-chan," Hayashi Maki said, threading his fingers through hers.
The intimate gesture made Yukino's breathing hitch.
"Hmph. As if I'd believe you, you flirtatious lech."
She clicked her tongue, eyes scolding yet coy.
"Heh, I'm serious—Yukino-chan, you're so cute. You'll belong to me for the rest of my life," he declared, hugging her and lying back. "I don't want to do anything today—just hold you."
Yukino reflexively pushed him.
"Quit it. I'm reading. It's not even night—no funny business."
"Alright, no funny business," Hayashi Maki laughed, letting her sit up properly. He pulled a book from the shelf himself—Love Metronome by Utaha Kasumigaoka. He reread it often; if he was going to tease Senpai, he had to understand her writing. The heroine in the book was Utaha, after all.
After a bit, Shiina Mashiro pushed the door open and came in. She gave Yukino a blank, adorable look, then plopped straight down on Hayashi Maki's lap and handed him her artboards.
"Hayashi Maki, check."
He naturally didn't refuse and began carefully reviewing her pages, offering feedback. Yukino glanced at Mashiro without getting jealous—she wasn't new here, and she knew Mashiro.
Compared to the already-famous painter Shiina Mashiro, Yukino felt a tad inadequate. At home, she wasn't as capable as her older sister—who managed the Yukinoshita affairs and was everyone's idea of perfection.
At school, her grades were crushed by that scoundrel Hayashi Maki; even Mahiru's grades topped hers after months of hospitalization.
Thinking like that, beyond a cute face and an enticing figure, she was basically good for nothing. Which raised a question: what would she do from now on?
She had gained mysterious power—her physique was several times stronger than before—but had nowhere to use it. She couldn't just spend her days tangled up in bed with Hayashi Maki. Even this blank-faced Mashiro was a prodigy artist.
Watching Hayashi Maki and Mashiro cuddled up, Yukino felt a twinge of anxiety—then quickly lost the headspace for it.
When Hayashi Maki finished giving notes, Mashiro headed back to her room to draw. Hayashi Maki took Yukino's hand, pulled her onto his lap.
"What were you thinking? You were frowning."
"My Yukino-chan—got worries? Tell me."
Yukino melted into his arms and slipped her hands around his neck. Biting her lip, she sighed, crestfallen.
"It's nothing. I just suddenly felt so useless and lost—no idea what I should be doing. I'm not as excellent as my sister, can't speak as smoothly or handle people, and I'm not like Mashiro—pure, focused, and gifted at painting. People have called me 'well-behaved' since I was little… which is just another way of saying I'm not likable. Whenever my sister chats away with others, I sit there like a block of wood."
Seeing her downcast face, Hayashi Maki leaned in and kissed her. After a lingering kiss, he smiled and comforted her:
"Don't put so much pressure on yourself, okay? Yukino-chan is Yukino-chan—one-of-a-kind. And life is long. You've got plenty of time to figure out what you want; I'll always be your solid backing, protecting and supporting you."
"I like that you're not glib—that way I'm the only man you talk to," he added with a mischievous grin.
Yukino rolled her eyes at him, then suddenly laughed.
"Honestly… what am I even anxious about? You're right—I don't need to compare myself to anyone. Just living healthily like this, being loved and protected—that's already the greatest blessing. Maki-kun, thank you."
"Words don't count. Kiss," he said, leaning in. Yukino obliged, brushing her soft lips against his cheek.
"You're impossible. Is that acceptable?"
"Heh—very acceptable."
He squeezed her hand gently.
"Don't overthink. Just stay happy—and we'll sing our youth together."
"Mhm… what about getting married after graduation?" she asked, eyes wide.
"Serious? Right after graduation—marriage? Isn't that too fast?"
"How is it fast? If timing allowed, I'd make you my wife right now," he said earnestly, hugging her tight.
Yukino turned to mush inside, both shy and thrilled at his sincerity.
"Ah, of course—Mahiru and the others too. I am a greedy demon," Hayashi Maki added, earning a little pout.
Holding Yukino's soft body, he chatted and basked in the cozy moment, feeling at peace. Night fell before they knew it.
After showers, Mashiro and Yukino sat on the bed in their matching white dresses, taking turns having him blow their hair dry. Mashiro, of course, wouldn't pass up a chance to snuggle. Looking at the three pure, adorable beauties in white, Hayashi Maki couldn't help swallowing.
~~~
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