Hayashi Maki's clubroom was in the far-left classroom on the second floor of the old, unused school building.
It was surprisingly spacious.
When he opened the windows, a sea breeze drifted through, clearing the air and lifting the mood.
After airing the place out, Maki took it upon himself to haul furniture. Because the building was abandoned, the room was crammed with desks and chairs piled every which way.
While Maki moved things around, Shiina Mahiru and Kato Megumi brought towels, a bucket, and cleaner, then got to work scrubbing the windows and floors.
Today, Mahiru had her golden hair swept up into a high ponytail, with an apron and sleeve guards borrowed from the Cooking Research Club. She cleaned with quick, practiced motions—obviously not new to housework.
Megumi didn't slack either; she worked almost as efficiently as Mahiru.
No wonder people call Saint Megumi the "perfect girlfriend" type—like Mahiru, she had that gentle, domestic vibe.
By the end of lunch break, the clubroom sparkled.
To let it air out, they decided to skip the afternoon and start activities tomorrow.
Mahiru had to head to Saionji Youko's store for her part-time shift anyway, so she couldn't join club stuff that day.
For Mahiru, Youko was a great manager. From talking with Asada Shino and Aoyama Nanami—both seasoned part-timers who'd been mistreated before—she knew how important a good boss was. She didn't want to let this job go.
Jobs are easy to find; an easygoing boss is not.
Youko seemed special—zero airs, warm as a big sister. She'd also just bought the shop and taken over, so staff were short.
Mahiru didn't plan to be a clerk forever, but if she worked hard now and became a senpai, she'd have more leverage to pick up shifts later.
Afternoon rolled around.
Maki and Mahiru were both headed to Youko's store; Kato, curious, tagged along.
For a girl, a side gig and extra pocket money is always nice.
And just like that, Youko's shop gained another… ghost employee.
Why a "ghost"? Because Kato's "special ability" kicked in again.
One moment Youko was talking to Kato and assigning tasks; the next, she'd forgotten the girl existed. But when Kato stood beside Maki, Youko would suddenly remember: oh right, the new hire Mahiru introduced.
Sitting in the break room, watching the CCTV feeds, Youko frowned. Was Kato some kind of esper?
Still… she was diligent. Diligent girls are the cutest—and tend to be loved by boys. Who doesn't like someone good at keeping a home?
Unless the guy's a deadbeat womanizer, a girl with solid homemaking skills usually ends up happy.
"Tomorrow I should call Sekai and Setsuna-chan to help. We're really short-staffed."
As much as Youko appreciated Maki's "manly strength," he was still a student and only free in the afternoons. Mornings needed coverage too.
Thinking it over, she couldn't help sneaking peeks at Maki on the monitors.
"So handsome… and so gentle. Why didn't a man like that cross my path when I was younger?"
If he had, Sekai might be a Hayashi instead of a Saionji.
Then again… maybe it wasn't too late?
Youko didn't think she was old—early thirties, the golden years. She touched her fair skin, studied her wrinkle-free face in the mirror, and blushed.
How exactly do you reel in a younger guy like Maki?
If she was too forward, people might think she was "easy."
She was stuck between wanting to keep her pride and wanting to chase what she wanted. And there was her daughter to consider—no way the girl wanted to call someone around her age "Dad," right?
Maki, of course, had no idea what was running through Youko's head. If he did, he'd be shocked—she wasn't looking for a fling. She was thinking marriage. For life.
…
On Maki's side, he and Takagi finished the day's heavy lifting, and there wasn't much left to do.
The delivery Youko arranged was complete, and everything had been neatly stacked in the stockroom by the two of them.
Which meant Takagi's "shift" was effectively over. With cameras rolling, the shop didn't need that many clerks on the floor.
He didn't mind. He was only here for the part-time pay—and the occasional glimpse of kind, gentle Youko was more than enough to make his day.
After collecting his wages, Takagi headed out.
Maki was free as well. He couldn't keep working here forever anyway—his main job was "light novel author," and now that he'd founded a club, he needed to recruit talented girls. For example, that second-year black-stocking senpai at Hakuo Academy—the one with the white headband.
"Hayashi-kun, here—your pay for today."
Youko handed him an envelope, then couldn't help asking, "Would you be interested in continuing part-time? We don't need more stock lifters, but I could use another clerk."
Those big, dewy eyes would sway anyone—but Maki politely shook his head.
"Sorry, Youko-san. I'm about to debut as a light novel author, so I need writing time. I'll still drop by now and then. If you need help, call me."
His gaze drifted, softening as it landed on Mahiru.
Youko remembered—he was here for Mahiru. He didn't trust leaving her to work alone.
A little sourness bubbled in her chest. How was a man this good already taken?
Not that she didn't like Mahiru too…
"Alright, I'll reach out when I need you—don't turn me down," she said, smoothly regaining her composure. With that mature aura and curvy figure, she was dazzling.
Maki almost caved.
He had his scoundrel moments. Faced with a gentle, beautiful woman, what man wouldn't be tempted?
But this was Saionji Sekai's mom—and thinking about Sekai's famous "stab the scumbag named Makoto" incident, Maki decided it was safer not to toy with a mature woman.
If it were just a one-night thing, fine—both sides happy.
But what if she wanted marriage?
Maki had no intention of giving up his angel Mahiru—or other top-tier girls he hadn't contracted yet.
So… he'd wait.
Once his powers grew and he stood at the top of the world—once he'd built the Hayashi Empire—even Youko wouldn't be able to run.
To stand at the summit, he'd at least need to contract the Saginomiya family's Priestess of Light, Saginomiya Isumi.
She was endgame-tier combat power.
~~~
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