To Hayashi Maki, the encounter with Kawasaki Saki was just a small interlude.
If nothing went off track, he was sure they'd run into each other again.
As a demon, his innate instincts told him that deep in her heart, there was a subtle wish beginning to form.
Shaking his head, Hayashi Maki put it out of his mind and focused on enjoying the delicious bento that Mahiru had made for him.
Her cooking was seriously amazing.
If he could eat meals like this every day, he'd be living the dream.
…
Elsewhere, Kawasaki Saki had returned to the classroom and was quietly sitting at her desk, deep in thought.
Her family wasn't wealthy, and aside from her, a high schooler, she had a younger brother in middle school and a sister in elementary school.
Their parents were always away working and only came home during the New Year or holidays.
Even though her parents worked hard, Saki could tell money was tight.
Tuition at Hakuo Academy was expensive, so she had decided to find a part-time job to pay her own way and ease the burden on her family.
But that presented another problem.
If she worked part-time, she wouldn't have time to focus on studies. Wouldn't that make paying for this prestigious school a waste?
If only there were a job that paid well without being too demanding...
But where would she find something like that?
Saki sighed. Still, she decided to look for something simple to get started—at the very least, to cover living expenses and gain some work experience.
Coincidentally, Mahiru was thinking along the same lines.
She'd left her home and was determined to live independently, without using the money from parents who never cared about her.
They didn't love her—so why should she feel guilty cutting them off?
The only people that mattered now were those who did care about her.
Like a certain perverted jerk who had—more than once—claimed her body.
But Mahiru didn't want to tell anyone she was working part-time.
If word got around school, it'd cause unnecessary drama.
After lunch and two uneventful afternoon classes, it was finally time to go home.
Hayashi Maki, who didn't belong to any club, was naturally ready to head back.
As usual, he and Mahiru left the classroom one after the other, and once they were a good distance from school, they boarded the same train home.
They greeted each other briefly, then went to their own apartments.
Hayashi Maki noticed that Mahiru seemed distracted on the way back—quiet and distant.
But he didn't ask.
If she wants to talk, she'll tell me. That kind of conversation's better saved for when I've got her in my arms anyway.
She was usually a lot more obedient and honest when snuggled up against him.
Back in his room, Hayashi Maki took a breath, sat down, and began writing again.
Volume One was done. Time to start Volume Two.
In his novel, the black-stockinged upperclassman Tsukimi Miyabi was modeled after Kasumigaoka Utaha, while the tsundere flat-chest twin-tailed ojou-sama Hoshino Nagi was a mix of Eriri and Sanzenin Nagi.
Let's see if this catches Sanzenin Nagi's attention.
If not, no problem—he had plenty of targets lined up. No rush.
After all, it had only been a few days since he'd regained his past memories, and his demon powers were just starting to awaken. Time was on his side.
Meanwhile, Mahiru quietly left her apartment and walked to a nearby convenience store.
There was a help-wanted sign outside.
She hesitated for a moment, then stepped inside.
"Ah, Shiina-san! Are you here to shop?"
A familiar voice called out. Mahiru turned and covered her mouth in surprise.
"Aoyama-san? You're working here?"
Aoyama Nanami smiled and nodded. She wasn't just working here—she had several part-time jobs.
But for the sake of her dream, she was doing her best.
"Need help finding anything?" Nanami asked cheerfully.
She had a great impression of Mahiru, her gorgeous and friendly neighbor.
Mahiru shook her head, bit her lip, and finally worked up the courage to say softly:
"Aoyama-san... could you introduce me to the manager? I saw the job posting outside and... I'd like to apply."
Nanami immediately understood. "So you're job hunting too? No problem! Come with me—I'll take you to the store manager."
Thanks to Nanami's enthusiastic help, Mahiru quickly got fitted into a store uniform and began her first-ever part-time job.
She was nervous at first, but with Nanami's guidance, she got the hang of it quickly.
Mahiru was already an excellent student and a well-rounded athlete.
Hardworking and attentive—that was just who she was.
So the job wasn't all that difficult for her.
Strangely enough, Mahiru felt like she'd gotten stronger.
She could carry two boxes at once without much effort.
That's the magic seed at work.
About an hour in, Nanami pulled Mahiru aside to sit down and take a break behind the register.
They were casually chatting about work when another girl walked into the store—a quiet-looking short-haired girl in an oversized coat and glasses.
"Yo, Asada-san! You're here!" Nanami called out with a wave.
It was none other than Asada Shino.
If Hayashi Maki were here, he'd be amazed.
What are the odds? All three girls working at the same convenience store?
But then again, convenience store gigs were the easiest part-time jobs to start with. No real skills needed—just running errands, stocking shelves, and the occasional register shift.
Shino flinched slightly at Nanami's enthusiastic greeting, giving a tiny nod and replying softly:
"Sorry... I got held up. Hope I didn't keep you waiting."
"No worries! I'm not in a rush." Nanami beamed back as she took off her uniform vest and handed it to Shino.
She was here to switch shifts.
Shino worked the night shift, while Nanami had another part-time job to get to.
Mahiru observed the cold and guarded girl in front of her, then smiled and extended her hand.
"Nice to meet you, Asada-san. I'm Shiina Mahiru—just started working here. Please take care of me."
Shino glanced at Mahiru's soft, pale hand, then at her flawless, glowing skin and angelic face framed by golden hair. Her gentle smile was so dazzling it was almost blinding.
Panic rising, Shino quickly rubbed her hands on her coat and shook Mahiru's hand as lightly as possible.
"Nice to meet you... I'm Asada Shino."
She must be a rich girl out here "experiencing real life"... someone like her isn't from the same world as someone like me.
Rumors about Shino's past—about her shooting someone as a child—had already circulated. Many coworkers now avoided her.
Thankfully, the store manager was kind enough to let her keep working.
And now, only Nanami and this angelic girl who knew nothing about her past were still willing to smile at her.
But... how long would that last?
If Mahiru or Nanami ever found out the truth, they'd definitely avoid her too.
Her deep-rooted self-loathing kept her from opening up.
All she could do was keep her head down, finish her shifts, and disappear when the time came.
But Mahiru could see it in her face—an unbearable sadness and loneliness.
Is this what I looked like... that day I was standing alone in the rain?
Maybe this was why Mahiru felt so drawn to her.
Some people go through storms and want to hold umbrellas for others. And some people go through storms and want to drag everyone else into the rain with them.
Mahiru was clearly the former.
~~~
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