On the way back home, Hayashi Maki stared at his hand, quietly feeling the energy surging through his body with a strange expression.
Up until now, he hadn't really felt the reality of being a demon.
He had always just assumed it was some cheat-like ability granted by transmigration.
But today—
To gain magical power, he had taken three lives without hesitation.
No blinking. No guilt.
That kind of indifference toward life…
That really was something only a demon would possess.
Of course, Hayashi Maki wasn't going to emotionally torture himself over three human trash bags.
Even if time turned back, he would've made the same decision to kill Endou and his two goons for power.
Why were they marked as red names?
Simple: it meant they had sinful souls.
Which meant that blackmailing Shino Asada wasn't the only thing they'd done.
They were guilty of much worse.
But one thing bugged him.
Endou looked like a typical street punk—but how had he precisely learned about Asada's traumatic past?
How had he known the exact gun model she used back then?
There were two possibilities:
Either Endou was a skilled hacker who stole sensitive records for blackmail…
Or someone powerful was backing him—someone with access to police records or private data.
Either way, it didn't matter anymore.
That bastard would never show his face again.
Three scumbags gone.
Three evil souls cleansed.
One full bar of demonic power gained.
Hayashi Maki was satisfied.
This new strength gave him an unexpected sense of security in this world.
The fire he'd used to destroy the evidence—that hellfire—
It was part of his natural demon abilities.
Instinct-driven, but powerful.
His mage-class physique was likely a racial trait too—something that would help him use magic more easily in the future.
Just as he reached the apartment building, Hayashi Maki saw Aoyama Nanami struggling to carry a cardboard box up the stairs.
All three of them lived on the second floor.
Seeing her slim legs wobble with each step, Hayashi Maki quickly set his plastic bag aside and rushed over to help.
Nanami immediately felt the weight lift from her shoulders.
She turned back—and blushed.
Clearly flustered by being seen in such a clumsy state, she still managed to thank him.
"Thanks."
"No problem. We're neighbors, after all. Come on—let's get this upstairs."
Hayashi Maki smiled and easily lifted the box.
Nanami was stunned—he made it look like the box weighed nothing at all.
She stopped worrying and gratefully accepted the help.
Once they reached her door, Hayashi Maki set the box down, waved goodbye, and returned to grab his grocery bag.
Back in his apartment, he stocked the fridge.
Looking at the now-packed shelves, he felt a small sense of satisfaction.
It really does feel good to have a full fridge.
Just as he was about to whip something up for dinner—
The doorbell rang.
He opened the door—
And standing there was a petite, golden-haired beauty.
Shiina Mahiru.
"Shiina-san? Did you need something?"
Hayashi Maki had a hunch, but he still asked.
Gotta give her a chance to speak, right? Can't just assume.
Mahiru's cheeks were burning.
Coming to his door like this was so embarrassing.
But despite the shame, she held out a bento box from behind her back, composed herself, and said:
"Here. I accidentally made too much dinner. If you don't mind helping me finish it… I'd really appreciate it."
Hayashi Maki took it with both hands, and the look in his eyes instantly heated up.
He'd deliberately planned to give her a break tonight—
Was even trying to save her money by not mooching…
And yet, here she was, still showing up to deliver dinner.
"Um… I'll be going now. Enjoy your meal."
Her voice trembled as she felt his gaze.
Head ducked, she quickly turned and fled toward her room.
"Thanks! I'll enjoy every bite!"
Hayashi Maki called out behind her.
She didn't respond—just ran faster.
Hayashi Maki couldn't help laughing.
"Was that really necessary? I'm not a monster…"
But seriously—Mahiru was just too cute.
What do I do? I really want to… reward her again. Not bully—reward!
Back inside, Hayashi Maki happily dug into the dinner Mahiru made.
After finishing, he carefully cleaned the box.
Maybe I should use this as an excuse to ring her doorbell again—just like yesterday?
As he plotted, over in the next room—
Mahiru sat on the sofa, clutching her hands nervously.
She was conflicted.
If that jerk uses the bento box as an excuse to come over and hug me again… what should I do?
She told herself she didn't want it.
She would resist.
After all, if she gave in too easily, would he stop valuing her?
But if he didn't come over…
She wasn't sure if she'd feel relieved… or disappointed.
All she knew for sure was—
If he hugged her again, the way he always did, without asking—
She… might not be able to push him away.
Truth was, she didn't hate being close to him.
His presence had soothed the parts of her heart wounded by her parents—more than once now.
Even if he was a pervert.
Even if he did "those" things to her.
Whenever he held her tight and gently patted her head…
It made her want to cry from how warm it felt.
She was still lost in thought when her phone suddenly rang.
She glanced at the screen.
It was him.
That damned pervert.
She bit her lip but answered.
"H-Hello, this is Shiina Mahiru. What is it?"
Hayashi Maki chuckled on the other end. Her nervous tone was almost too cute.
"Shiina-san, your dinner was incredible. I cleaned the whole thing up."
"I've already washed the bento box. Do you mind if I bring it back now?"
Mahiru froze.
Her face turned crimson.
Just as she thought—he was going to use this as an excuse again!
"No! You can give it back tomorrow. I'm going to bed."
"Alright then. Good night."
Hayashi Maki replied in a purposely dejected tone and hung up.
Mahiru stared at the silent screen.
Her heart felt strangely… empty.
I was the one who turned him down… so why am I the one feeling disappointed?
She let out a long sigh and laid down, burying her face into the blanket.
Then her mind wandered—
To last night.
The way he'd held her.
The heat between them.
The way it felt like the whole world had flipped upside down.
Her face went red again.
That idiot…