Who could resist a super cute, totally defenseless blonde beauty?
Especially when that girl was Shiina Mahiru—as gentle as an angel.
Hayashi Maki certainly couldn't.
He held Mahiru in his arms, savoring the warmth of her lips and the softness of her touch, heart overflowing with happiness.
It was a while before he finally let her go, albeit reluctantly, and looked down at her with eyes full of heat.
"Why didn't you stop me? I'm greedy, you know. If you let me, I'll get very bad."
Mahiru's cheeks flushed even deeper. Her heart pounded.
She avoided his gaze, resting her face against his chest and muttering softly:
"I don't know… I really don't…"
And after a moment, she added with a pout,
"And… you're not bad."
Hayashi Maki let out a deep breath and smiled helplessly.
"You're making this too easy. If you trust me that much, I might actually feel guilty about bullying you again."
Mahiru just quietly hugged his waist, enjoying the warmth of his body.
Sitting on his lap, her heart was racing, but she also felt an unusual sense of safety.
At a time when she'd felt abandoned by her parents, betrayed by the world, and crushed by reality—
He had barged into her life and given her a warmth she never thought she'd feel.
Mahiru knew she was being shamefully dependent, maybe even acting like an easy girl.
But…
She needed this.
Hayashi Maki sighed, kissed her forehead gently, and whispered:
"I don't know what you're going through… but my arms are always open to you."
"I'll wait for the day you're ready to tell me about that night—when you were standing in the rain, completely lost."
Mahiru trembled slightly at those words.
She looked up at him, staring into his eyes.
And then… she smiled sweetly.
"Okay."
She didn't say when she'd tell him.
After enjoying his embrace for a few more moments, she gently pushed him away.
"If we don't leave now, we'll be late."
Hayashi Maki reluctantly let her go.
When he saw her collecting the dishes, he tried to help—but Mahiru shooed him out.
Housework is her thing. No one messes with her turf.
About ten minutes later, now in her school uniform, Mahiru joined Hayashi Maki on the walk to school.
As usual, they entered the classroom one after the other.
Mahiru's popularity was on another level.
Like she'd mentioned yesterday, there had been an idol who was stabbed on the spot after a fan discovered she secretly had a child.
Mahiru being called an "angel" made her no different from an idol in people's eyes.
Everyone adored that "pure, flawless" image.
But if she were seen with a boyfriend, that image would instantly shatter.
Some people—driven by jealousy—might even do something dangerous.
Hayashi Maki knew his current strength wasn't enough yet.
He couldn't let Mahiru awaken her follower powers until his own demonic abilities grew stronger.
So keeping their distance at school was for both her reputation and her safety.
Of course, distance didn't mean no contact.
They could still talk as friends. That was totally fine.
And once they were alone?
Hugs. Kisses. No holding back.
As more followers joined him, Hayashi Maki's demonic powers would continue unlocking and grow stronger.
His followers would also awaken their own unique powers.
With the bond he shared with Mahiru, this process could accelerate.
Why?
Because kissing was how the magical conduit was formed.
Just this morning, he'd felt some of his energy flow into her—gently strengthening her body.
…
"Shiina-san, you seem super cheerful today! Something good happen?"
Yuigahama Yui beamed as she walked over, chatting excitedly.
Mahiru smiled and nodded.
"Something like that."
She felt like Yui was similar to her in some ways.
Both were the kind to keep the atmosphere bright.
But there were differences too.
Mahiru kept a certain distance from everyone—elegant, calm, radiant.
Yui, on the other hand, often went along with what others said.
She was cheerful, yes—but overly concerned with others' approval.
That kind of social balancing act could easily wear a person down.
Yui was aware of it herself… but didn't know how to fix it yet.
To her, Mahiru seemed like a flawless noblewoman.
Someone who could gracefully navigate any situation without ever losing her composure.
Yui secretly admired her. She wanted to learn how to be like her.
Back at her seat, Mahiru glanced back—just once—toward Hayashi Maki.
Her heart skipped a beat.
It hadn't even been that long…
But the warmth of his lips still lingered in her mind.
She touched her lips gently and couldn't help but smile.
Maybe… just maybe… the future wouldn't be so bad?
But someone else had noticed that smile.
Miura Yumiko.
Her heart clenched with unease.
She had admired Hayama Hayato for years.
They had known each other since middle school. They were even close.
But now…
The most radiant girl in the class—Shiina Mahiru—was suddenly looking in Hayama's direction?
A dangerous sense of rivalry bloomed in Yumiko's heart.
What she didn't know was…
Mahiru wasn't looking at Hayama at all.
It was Hayashi Maki—who just so happened to sit next to him.
~~~
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
— Currently You can Read 120 Chapters Ahead of Others!