Back at the front door of the apartment.
Shiina Mahiru looked at their still-interlocked hands, her cheeks tinged with pink as she glanced up at Hayashi Maki.
"Um… we're home now. You can let go."
Hayashi Maki let out a sigh and released her hand. With a hint of suggestion in his tone, he said:
"My fridge is packed with ingredients I haven't even touched. Feels like they're about to go bad."
Mahiru's brows furrowed. She couldn't help but respond, "That's not okay. Letting food go to waste is wrong!"
"How about this? I'll cook for you and try to use everything up."
"Then I'll be counting on you, my angel!"
"I am not an angel! And don't call me that!" she glared at him, then followed him inside.
Coming back to the place where she had lost her virginity, Mahiru's expression turned complicated.
She took a deep breath, tied her waist-length hair into a high ponytail, and put on an apron.
Only then did she step into the kitchen.
Looking at the fridge full of fresh ingredients, Mahiru quickly realized he had done it on purpose.
They were still perfectly good—definitely not close to spoiling.
He just wanted her to come cook for him.
So sneaky.
But… she didn't hate it.
Even when she'd gotten into a fight with Kurata at work, he'd rushed over immediately. That showed how much he cared.
Maybe he noticed she'd been tight on money lately and bought ingredients for her.
Or maybe, after eating so many of her bentos, he felt guilty and was trying to repay her in his own way?
As these thoughts ran through her head, Mahiru's gaze softened.
Something told her she wouldn't be sleeping much tonight.
…
Mahiru's cooking, of course, was impeccable.
A perfect trio of side dishes and a soup—beautiful, aromatic, and delicious.
Every bite was pure bliss.
"This is amazing! Getting to taste the Angel's cooking—I can die happy now!"
Hayashi Maki gave a big thumbs-up and even said it in Chinese for dramatic flair.
Mahiru nearly spat out her food, laughing as she scolded him:
"What do you mean 'amazing'? Don't exaggerate! 'Die happy'—it's just a home-cooked meal. Anyone can make something like this if they try."
"No way, I'm not lying! Your cooking really is different, Mahiru. It's seriously on another level."
Maybe it was her natural talent.
If they were living in a cooking anime, her dishes would probably sparkle.
Being praised like that made Mahiru unconsciously smile. She was flattered, but also a little shy.
She quickly lowered her head and pretended to focus on eating, avoiding his gaze entirely.
After a while, both of them were full and satisfied.
Just as Mahiru was about to start cleaning up, Hayashi Maki suddenly scooped her up in his arms and carried her toward the bedroom.
The room with the bed.
"W-Wait! I still need to do the dishes!"
Mahiru blushed furiously, heart racing. She gently pushed against him, trying to stall with any excuse she could think of.
"I'll wash them tomorrow!"
"I-I haven't showered yet… I need to bathe!"
"You can shower later… ow—wait, why are you biting me?!"
Seeing the girl biting his arm out of sheer embarrassment, Hayashi Maki sighed.
She didn't bite hard—just a little nibble—then looked at him, annoyed.
"I said no. I need to shower first."
For girls, staying clean is non-negotiable.
She'd worked up a sweat while cooking. What if she smelled bad?
Hayashi Maki had no choice but to set her down.
To prevent her from slipping away, he even walked over and locked the front door, standing there like a guard.
Mahiru couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time.
Was he really worried she'd run away?
Her room was just next door anyway. If he really wanted to mess with her, he could do it anytime.
—Ten minutes later.
Mahiru returned wearing his shirt. Hayashi Maki, still waiting by the door, scooped her up again and brought her into that familiar bedroom.
The place where they first became intimate.
Hayashi Maki gently laid her down and gazed at her face.
Her freshly showered skin glowed, soft and rosy.
Her delicate features were absolutely stunning. Her pink lips shimmered like candy.
Wearing nothing but his oversized shirt, her figure looked even more breathtaking.
The shirt barely concealed the curves of her body.
The soft slope of her chest.
Everything about her was pure, cute—and incredibly tempting.
Mahiru took one look at his burning gaze and instinctively closed her eyes.
"Don't."
Hayashi Maki stroked her golden hair, smiling. "Don't what?"
Mahiru's lips trembled. Her small hand pressed against his chest, where she could feel his powerful heartbeat. It made her even more nervous.
"Don't bully me, you perv~!"
Her soft voice sounded more like a pout than an objection.
Hayashi Maki felt like his ears were about to melt.
He was completely smitten.
"Don't worry, I won't bully you. You're just… too cute, Mahiru."
Mahiru turned her face away in embarrassment. "Cute, huh? Are you talking about the 'perfect angel' me that others see, or the real, moody, selfish me?"
"Both. Every version of you is super cute to me."
"Hmph, I don't believe you. Today I caught you sneakily eyeing Asada-san with that pervy look. You're such a lech!"
"Seriously? You're bringing that up now?" Hayashi Maki looked at her, exasperated—but his eyes only burned hotter.
"Besides, I was just admiring her, okay? And she looked so pitiful—I just wanted to be nice. What's wrong with that?"
Mahiru pouted and pressed her cheek against his chest, murmuring:
"It's not wrong… but it hurts. You made me promise to only be sweet to you, but then you go off and show kindness to some other girl… so unfair…"
Hayashi Maki didn't let her keep talking. He knew if she kept going, he'd start to feel guilty.
So instead, he chose the sneaky route—make her feel loved and help her forget all about his wandering eyes.
He couldn't help it.
He was a natural-born romantic demon.
And if he didn't keep collecting contracts with other girls, how else was he supposed to get stronger…
…strong enough to protect his angel Mahiru?
Power was essential, after all.
~~~
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