Another beautiful morning.
Hayashi Maki slowly opened his eyes; seeing the impossibly cute black-haired girl in his arms made the corners of his mouth lift.
Second Heiress had done her best to keep up last night—but she still wasn't his match.
With her well-kept routine, Mahiru Shiina rubbed her eyes and gently loosened her white arms from around him.
"Mm… Maki-kun, good morning."
Seeing her man holding Yukino, Mahiru didn't get jealous; she greeted him as naturally as ever.
"Mornin', my angel," Hayashi Maki said with a smile, leaning in to place a light kiss on the golden-haired beauty's cheek.
"Want to sleep a bit longer?"
"No, I'm getting up to make breakfast. You and Yukino can keep sleeping; I'll come call you in a bit."
With a soft smile, the little angel lifted the covers and slipped out of bed. In the sunlight at the window, her graceful figure and long golden hair gleamed. She looked like an angel fallen to earth, radiating gentleness; her skin shone like white jade.
Hayashi Maki stared for a moment. By the time he came to, Mahiru had already left the room to wash up and cook. He couldn't help feeling content; a warm sense of fulfillment spread through his chest.
With a wife like this, what more could you ask for?
Looking down at the peacefully sleeping Yukinoshita Yukino, his heart skipped; he couldn't help feeling a little smug. If people at school knew that the cold "flower on a high peak" was cuddled so obediently in his arms, they'd be green with envy.
Yukino didn't have Mahiru's stamina. She'd been frail from birth, and endurance was a hard shortcoming to fix; even though the magic seed had strengthened her, she still wasn't at Mahiru's level.
After all, Mahiru's abilities included healing and body enhancement—the most extraordinary recovery among all his retainers. Yukino still had something to learn.
He pulled Mashiro, who was curled up beside him like a kitten, into his arms as well, closed his eyes happily, and drifted off again.
After a while, Mahiru finished breakfast and came back to wake them.
"Maki-kun, go upstairs and call Mai-senpai and Gabriel down."
Since Gabriel was a literal angel, Mahiru naturally wanted to keep good relations. As for Sakurajima Mai, who would surely become a sister in the family, Mahiru wouldn't leave her out—getting along and sending friendly signals could only help.
Hayashi Maki gladly agreed, smiling as he headed up to the third floor. He rang Gabriel's doorbell first.
"Who is it? Who dares interrupt my game?"
The door swung open. Gabriel, dark circles under her eyes and golden hair a mess, blinked at him.
"Oh, it's you, Hayashi Maki. What's up?"
Seeing it was him, her tone instantly softened. If it had been Satania knocking, the little demon would have already been "disciplined."
"It's morning, Gabriel. If you don't mind, come down for breakfast?" he invited with a smile.
Gabriel's eyes lit up. Free breakfast—Mahiru's cooking, no less!
"Okay! Two minutes!"
She needed to set the game to auto and throw on a skirt.
"Alright—don't take too long; it won't taste as good if it gets cold." He ruffled her messy hair, then turned away with a smile. Gabriel didn't mind the head-pat; it felt odd, but not unpleasant—in fact, a bit comforting. Even a carefree, lazy angel craved a little affection.
He said a temporary goodbye and walked to Sakurajima Mai's door.
Ding-dong.
"Coming! Who is it?" Footsteps approached; Mai, hairband in place and a face mask on, appeared in the doorway.
"Oh, it's you, you philanderer. What brings you by so early?"
Leaning against the door, she exuded a faint, alluring fragrance; her figure, all graceful curves, looked even more youthful and tempting under a loose outfit.
"Who else would it be? I figure you haven't made breakfast yet—Mahiru already has. If you don't mind, come down and eat," Hayashi Maki said, eyes inevitably tracing her long legs.
"Sure, I was just about to cook. Since Mahiru's already done, I'll skip it," she said—then, catching his heated gaze, shot him a glare. "Where do you think you're looking, wolf cub?"
"Obviously at you. Senpai's legs are gorgeous," he said calmly.
Mai extended two fingers as if to poke his eyes. "…Keep staring and I'll poke them out."
With that tsundere warning, she shut the door quickly—before he got any ideas. Hayashi Maki shook his head, amused. "Senpai, tsundere's out of fashion—I prefer women who are straightforward. Hurry down; we're waiting on you!"
"Got it—coming!" she called, cheeks pink as she removed her mask and changed. She and Mahiru were on friendly terms now; coming down to mooch a meal was practically routine.
She wasn't stupid—she knew Mahiru treated her as a sister, as family. And honestly, she was touched by Mahiru's generosity. Though she considered herself quite jealous by nature, she was trying to accept things.
This was her refuge, after all—and Hayashi Maki, shameless flirt though he was, was also the man who always protected her. What girl doesn't want a handsome man to protect and look after her?
And only Hayashi Maki could counter the strange "being forgotten" phenomenon she suffered.
Becoming Hayashi Maki's woman and a member of this household was only a matter of time.
Downstairs, Mai took a seat naturally. Gabriel sat primly, ready to eat. Yukino and Mai traded a glance, exchanged a small nod, and left it at that—an unspoken understanding.
"Well then—let's eat," Hayashi Maki said politely, and started in on Mahiru's nutritious breakfast. Maybe because he'd "worked too hard" last night, Mahiru'd added two extra fried eggs to his plate.
Mashiro did her usual picky-eating act, sliding her veggies into his bowl to "feed him up." The warmth in the room made Hayashi Maki deeply content.
This was his everyday life. Bliss—just right.