Shiina Mahiru's head was spinning from the sudden kiss.
She didn't even have time to react.
By the time she felt the bed at her back, she finally snapped out of it—her face red with embarrassment as she tried to push him away.
"Mmph… you—mmph!"
Hayashi Maki didn't give her the chance to speak. He let go only briefly to enjoy her flustered expression—then sealed her lips with another kiss.
Mahiru panicked, her tiny fists pounding against his chest.
But that only made the kiss even deeper.
After a while, Hayashi Maki pulled back, a mischievous grin forming as he looked down at her tear-filled eyes and gasping breath.
"You really shouldn't be too nice to guys. For someone as beautiful as you, even just a smile could give a guy the wrong idea—make him think you like him."
Mahiru glared at him, red-faced and angry.
"So you misunderstood too, huh? Pervert! Jerk! I really misjudged you!"
"Nah, you didn't. I really am that kind of guy."
Hayashi Maki shamelessly owned the label with a smirk as he leaned in again.
Mahiru closed her eyes, her body trembling slightly.
"Please… don't bully me…"
Her voice came out soft—more like a whimper than a protest.
That tone hit Hayashi Maki like a spark. His heart ignited.
"Then… did you realize what you did wrong, Shiina-san?"
At that, Mahiru's eyes shot open in frustration.
"What exactly did I do wrong?!"
Hayashi Maki lowered his head and pressed a kiss to her slender neck.
"Okay, maybe you didn't. I was just being petty… seeing you smiling and laughing with the others made me jealous."
"Have you ever made a bento for anyone else besides me?"
"What kind of nonsense is that?! I'm not that kind of girl. I only made one for you… Why are you asking me that?!"
Mahiru's eyes glistened. And despite her best efforts, the tears fell.
Hayashi Maki gently wiped her tears, then softly stroked her hair.
"Sorry… I know I'm a pervert. A total jerk. But when you gave me that bento, I was really touched."
"I didn't know how to repay you, so I…"
Mahiru finally understood what he meant.
She shot him a teary glare.
"You pervert! At least you know you're a pervert!"
"I told you—I just had leftovers! I didn't mean anything else!"
"And your idea of 'repaying me' is… doing that?! Seriously?!"
She was beyond exasperated.
Hayashi Maki, a little guilty, pulled back and scratched his head.
"It's just that… those two times… you looked kind of happy…"
"I was NOT!" Mahiru snapped, face blazing. "You were the only one enjoying it! I told you to stop and you didn't—!"
Furious, she started smacking him with her fists again.
"Jerk! Pervert! I hate you! I hate you so much! Ugh!"
But even if she hated him—Hayashi Maki didn't stop kissing her.
He'd already admitted he was a pervert. At this point, holding her again was totally on brand… right?
Mahiru was mortified. She wanted to keep hitting him.
But her tiny hands were caught in his.
Their fingers intertwined.
His kiss was gentle but persistent, and her body gradually lost its strength.
Little by little, Mahiru's eyes fluttered closed.
Her body trembled, breath quickening without her realizing it.
Hayashi Maki finally let go of her lips. He brushed her hair aside and cupped her cheeks softly.
"That's why I'm serious about you."
"You gave me such a delicious bento, and I just wanted to return the favor—to make you happy."
Mahiru looked away, tears still brimming in her eyes.
"How is this supposed to make me happy…? If this is your way of repaying me… do you really think I'm that kind of girl?"
"You think I'm just… easy?"
Hayashi Maki shook his head and kissed her forehead gently.
"No. You're not easy. Not at all. I'm the problem. I'm selfish. But I'm asking you—let me take responsibility for it all. If you want to hit me, yell at me, bite me—I'll take it."
Mahiru stared at him speechlessly.
He's already gotten what he wanted… what's the point in yelling at him now?
How is he this terrible and still so proud of it?
"Pervert… I hate you."
Her eyes narrowed in contempt, but she was clearly overwhelmed.
And this shameless guy—
He only looked more pleased.
"That's fine. Because I… super like you."
Mahiru froze, her face turning crimson. Her resistance melted more with that one line.
Who doesn't want to be liked…?
But with other classmates—even those she got along with—there was always a wall.
With them, she was the perfect student, the class angel.
But in front of this scumbag—
Her masks fell apart.
He'd already seen the real her. That's why he felt so different.
While she was lost in thought…
That jerk's hand had already moved, sliding down to her leg—fingers pressing softly against the smooth fabric of her black stockings.