After dinner and a bit of chatting, Shiina Mahiru suggested they head out.
There was no helping it—Asada Shino's place was tiny. There was only one bed, and they were definitely not at the "share one blanket" stage. So they had to go home.
Shino was reluctant but didn't try to keep them. She walked them to the door and watched the two leave.
"Ah—right! I almost forgot."
Hayashi Maki suddenly remembered something, took a pair of men's shoes from his bag, and set them by Shino's door.
Shino blinked. "Hayashi-kun, what are you doing?"
Hayashi Maki smiled and explained, "You live alone. That's dangerous—if someone targets you for a break-in, you might not have time to call for help. Putting a pair of men's shoes at the door can make people with bad intentions think twice. It scares off the timid ones."
Understanding dawned on Shino and she hurried to thank him. "Got it. Thank you, Hayashi-kun."
He waved it off and left with Mahiru.
Shino wanted to ask how much the shoes cost, but he was already gone. In the end, she decided to accept his kindness—he'd helped her so much already. She'd find a way to repay him later.
Back in her room, Shino lay on her little bed, hands over her heart, a smile sneaking onto her face.
"Ever since those three extorted me and I met Hayashi Maki… life's gotten better."
Being protected felt… wonderful.
Thinking of the ostracism at school, the teachers' strange looks, and being treated like a "murderer," she felt tears pricking her eyes.
Realizing Hayashi Maki and Mahiru were already on a first-name basis, she let out a quiet sigh.
Her eyes drifted to the door. The shoes should still be there.
"Hayashi-kun… if you keep being this nice to me… I'm going to get attached…"
Maybe she'd even betray her friendship with Mahiru.
But… Mahiru hadn't said she and Hayashi Maki were dating, right? So maybe it wouldn't count as betrayal?
…
Back to Hayashi Maki.
They'd barely left Shino's building when Mahiru shot him a plaintive side-eye. "How considerate of you. Funny I don't see you putting a pair at my door."
Hayashi Maki couldn't help laughing at the jealousy in her tone. He took her soft hand and said seriously:
"Because I live right next door. If some intruder comes in, the only 'bad guy' it could be is me."
Mahiru rolled her eyes. "You've got some nerve!"
Last time he'd barged into her room under the excuse of returning a bento box, and then… done that and that…
Face flaming, she avoided his gaze and quickened her pace.
Hayashi Maki just smiled and kept up, fingers twined with hers, stealing glances at her delicate profile—feeling quietly happy.
As a girl, seeing "her man" be that considerate to someone else naturally made Mahiru a little sour. But she was pleased, too—he'd left the shoes for Shino's safety.
As for her, he was right next door. What danger could there be?
If there was danger, it would only be this big bad wolf wanting to do naughty things to her.
Well… that hardly counted as "danger," did it?
Not that she was expecting it. She'd still say no—at least once or twice. A girl's got to be a little reserved, right?
…
At Mahiru's door, her watery eyes dropped to their joined hands. "Maki-kun… you can let go now."
Hayashi Maki smiled and released her. Honestly, her small hand was so soft he hated to let it go.
Mahiru lowered her head, cheeks pink. She wanted to say she wouldn't go to his room tonight, but didn't want him to misunderstand, and wasn't sure how to put it.
Hayashi Maki opened his arms and pulled her into a hug, warm palm gently stroking her hair. "Just say it, Mahiru. With where we are now, you don't have to be so formal with me."
Her breath hitched. The images of last night flashed through her mind and her face went scarlet.
"Mm… Maki-kun, I'm going back to my room. I mean—tonight I need to tidy up, so I can't come over."
She finally said it, then looked up carefully to gauge his reaction, afraid he'd be upset.
But Hayashi Maki only dipped down to give her a quick kiss, let her go, and smiled with indulgent warmth. "Got it. Then go rest. If you need help with anything heavy, call me—I'll be right over."
"Mm… Maki-kun, good ni—mmph!"
Before she could finish, Hayashi Maki pressed a kiss to her lips. When they parted, he tapped her soft lips with a finger and grinned:
"That's the proper way to say good night. And it only applies to me."
"You're the worst! Always taking advantage. Hmph—I'm going inside and not talking to you! Jerk~"
Mahiru gave him a flustered little punch, covered her mouth, and darted into her apartment.
Hayashi Maki touched his lips, smiling to himself. His little angel's lips were so soft.
He was planning to "handle" Yukinoshita Haruno tomorrow, so he wouldn't have time to make Mahiru happy anyway. If the mood struck, maybe he'd just "pay her a midnight visit." A little stolen sweetness was thrilling.
He loved seeing Mahiru shy and obedient. When he held her and that panicked, adorable look flashed across her face, it melted him.
Too cute.
Back in her room, Mahiru flopped onto her bed and hugged her pillow.
Her cheeks still burned—probably all the way to her ears.
"Ugh… why is he so practiced?"
He kissed her like it was nothing, and her heart pounded like a little deer, knees almost going weak as she fought the urge to snuggle into his arms.
Hayashi Maki really is a terrible guy.