Hayashi Maki had actually been awake for a while.
He noticed the moment Mahiru Shiina slipped out of bed—but he didn't want to move.
Mahiru's bed was just too comfy. Too fragrant. Too peaceful.
It made him lazy. Like he could just melt there forever.
So this is what they call the "land of tenderness."
Honestly, he was even hoping she'd come back after cooking and snuggle into his arms again.
Half an hour later—
A familiar aroma wafted through the air.
Then, a soft poke to his cheek.
Mahiru's gentle voice whispered in his ear:
"Time to get up and eat. If you don't, we'll be late for school."
Hayashi Maki shamelessly leaned his cheek toward her finger.
"Angel, give me a kiss and I'll get up."
Mahiru's cheeks flushed.
"Stop calling me that... I told you, I'm not an angel..."
"But to me, Shiina-san is the most beautiful, most gentle angel—one who belongs only to me."
Grinning, Hayashi Maki opened his eyes, sat up, and pulled her into his arms.
"If you won't come to me… then I guess I'll come to you."
Without hesitation, he leaned in and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.
Mahiru's heart skipped a beat. She instinctively closed her eyes, face glowing red.
But Hayashi Maki didn't push it—he pulled back gently after that single soft kiss.
"Alright, I'm fully awake now. How lucky—today I get to eat your breakfast again."
Mahiru didn't answer. Her cheeks still blushing, she silently wrapped her arms around his neck.
Seeing her completely defenseless and snuggled into his arms, Hayashi Maki felt his heart flutter.
He couldn't resist.
He kissed her lips again, a little deeper this time.
Mahiru shyly responded, and before they knew it, she was sitting in his lap, her delicate frame leaning against his chest.
She was supposed to be reserved… but his presence made her feel safe.
After a long while, they finally parted—both of them breathless.
Mahiru leaned into him, heart pounding uncontrollably.
She'd just come to wake him up for breakfast…
So how had they ended up kissing like this?!
Hayashi Maki looked at her flustered expression and smiled with genuine happiness.
He could tell—this moment brought them even closer.
It felt like he was just one step away from fully unlocking her heart… and upgrading his super regeneration ability.
He gently patted her head, then reluctantly helped her sit upright.
"Alright, let's go, my angel. Can't let your amazing cooking go cold."
Mahiru pouted and gave him a light punch on the chest.
"Stop calling me that! I told you—I'm not some angel."
Amused, Hayashi Maki chuckled.
"Okay, then what should I call you? Mahiru?"
Mahiru looked up at him, cheeks pink, before glancing away.
"Yeah… anything but 'angel' is fine. I know full well I'm not one. I just act like what people want me to be at school."
Then she hesitated, looking back into his eyes.
"Would you hate the real me?"
Hayashi Maki smiled and reached up to gently ruffle her hair.
"Are you kidding? I love the real you. This side of you is something only I get to see."
"And the real you is incredibly kind. There's nothing about you anyone could hate."
Mahiru couldn't help but smile.
Still, her voice trembled slightly as she added:
"Really? But most people fall apart when they see their idol's real self. Remember that celebrity last year? When a fan found out she secretly had a child, he lost it and… well… killed her."
Hayashi Maki's expression twisted.
"Come on, that's totally different. I don't see you as some idol on a pedestal. Whether it's the Mahiru at school or the Mahiru in front of me right now—you're still adorable."
Hearing that, Mahiru's heart melted.
How is he so good at saying the perfect things?!
Suppressing her embarrassment, she reached for his hand and tugged him toward the kitchen.
"Enough with the sweet talk. Let's eat or we'll miss the train."
At the dining table—
Hayashi Maki took a bite and instantly let out a satisfied sigh.
"This is amazing."
He didn't hold back, devouring most of the dishes in no time.
Seeing how happily he ate, Mahiru's face blossomed into a soft smile.
Nothing made her happier than someone appreciating the meals she put her heart into.
She had worked hard learning to cook from caretaker—not just because she enjoyed it, but because she used to dream of cooking for her parents on her birthday.
She wanted them to eat her food, smile, and say she was kind and well-behaved.
She wanted her cooking to bring them closer.
But… that dream was long gone now.
The sparkle in her eyes dimmed at the thought.
Hayashi Maki noticed the change in her expression and instinctively reached out to gently stroke her hair.
"What are you thinking about?"
"With that look on your face, you're making it really hard for this big bad wolf not to kiss you."
Mahiru's cheeks burned again. But instead of protesting, she just stared at him—
Then closed her eyes.
That was all the permission Hayashi Maki needed.
He pulled her into his arms again and kissed her.
No words were needed.
The rest… is best left unwritten.
~~~
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