The next morning.
A ray of sunlight slipped through the windowsill, landing gently on Hayashi Maki's cheek.
Not bad at all for a rental. Shiina Mahiru's room gets some amazing morning light.
Hayashi Maki slowly opened his eyes, twitching his nose.
A pleasant fragrance filled the air. Something soft was pressed snuggly into his arms.
He glanced down—and right there was an exquisitely beautiful face, nestled against his chest.
Staring at the girl's lovely sleeping expression, Hayashi Maki finally remembered—
Right… yesterday, I shamelessly picked up Shiina Mahiru, took over her bed, and insisted she sleep with me.
Honestly, that was a pretty scummy move.
But…
Scummy or not, it felt amazing.
With a sweet, soft angel of a girl in his arms, Hayashi Maki couldn't help feeling a little smug.
Fast hands get the prize, after all.
Though he hadn't exactly experienced Mahiru's "gentle" side yet—she was still treating him like a villain—he was confident.
She'd warm up to him eventually.
After all, she was already his follower. There was no running now.
Not wanting to wake her, Hayashi Maki closed his eyes again. It was still early—he could enjoy holding her for just a little longer.
Once she's awake, I can't exactly keep hugging her like this.
And besides, they had school today.
Today would be his actual first day—his first time meeting classmates.
All thanks to that unlucky car accident on day one.
Before long, Mahiru began to stir.
As soon as she noticed the guy holding her, she let out a tiny yelp—then quickly clamped a hand over her mouth to muffle it.
She glanced toward the sunlight spilling across her desk. Her eyes turned complicated.
"Is it morning already…?"
She muttered to herself, then instinctively looked over at Hayashi Maki's still-closed eyes.
"You can stop pretending. I know you're awake."
Hayashi Maki opened his eyes instantly. "How'd you know?"
Mahiru shoved his chest with a blush of embarrassment.
"Your little friend gave you away, you creep! Let go of me—we need to get up!"
Hayashi Maki didn't even flinch at being called out.
Thick-skinned as ever, he gave her a final squeeze, took a deep breath of her scent, and then finally let go—allowing her to scramble out of his arms in a panic.
Mahiru's face was flushed red as she glared daggers at him for his pervy behavior.
But her heart… was pounding faster.
"Can you please leave? This is my room."
She took a deep breath and said coldly, suppressing her flustered frustration.
"Of course. See you at school, Shiina-san."
Hayashi Maki flashed a casual smile, glanced at her one last time, and strolled out of her room.
Watching him leave, Mahiru muttered under her breath:
"Tch… Perverted creep!"
She grumbled a few more insults silently to herself.
And yet… somehow, her mood had completely calmed down.
I mean… at least he didn't mess with me this morning…
Still—last night's behavior? Totally unforgivable!
Mahiru made a decision.
Once we're at school—I'm not speaking to him. At all.
…
Hayashi Maki threw together some fried rice for breakfast, then changed into his Hakuo Academy uniform and left the apartment.
The door next to his was already locked. Looked like Mahiru had taken off early—clearly not waiting for him.
Fair enough. I'm not in a rush anyway.
First, he had to solve his money problems—and he still had writing to do.
He boarded the train and headed to school, heading straight for the first-year Class B homeroom teacher's office.
As soon as he saw the woman inside—pink-haired, sharp-featured, professional outfit with a black pencil skirt—Hayashi Maki was completely thrown.
Because this beautiful teacher was named…
Kirisu Mafuyu.
Straight from the anime We Never Learn, and a wildly popular heroine at that.
Mafuyu looked at the boy in front of her—the one who had gotten hit by a car on the first day of school—and let out a soft sigh.
Putting down his student file, she said calmly:
"Hayashi Maki, congratulations on your recovery. You'll come with me to class in a moment. You'll need to introduce yourself so you can integrate smoothly."
As a teacher, she maintained a cool, icy persona to keep the more rebellious students in line.
Hayashi Maki nodded seriously.
"Thank you, Kirisu-sensei. I'll do my best."
Best to get you to become my follower too…
He admired her quietly, then followed her toward the classroom.
Once inside, Mafuyu clapped her hands, and the noisy students immediately fell silent.
"Everyone, we have a new classmate joining us today. Let's all get along and grow together."
She waved him forward.
"Come on in, Hayashi Maki."
Hayashi Maki stepped into the classroom naturally. His eyes casually swept toward the back, where Shiina Mahiru sat near the window.
He walked to the blackboard and picked up a piece of chalk.
"Hey everyone. I'm Hayashi Maki—the unlucky guy who got hit by a car on the first day."
The classroom instantly erupted in laughter.
Hayashi Maki smiled.
"Well, despite the accident, I made it out okay. Hope we can get along from here on out. Nice to meet you!"
He gave a polite bow, earning him a round of applause.
"Alright then, Hayashi Maki. Find an empty seat. Class is about to start."
"Yes, sensei."
Carrying his bag, Hayashi Maki made his way to the empty seat by the window, in the last row.